The Brian Lehrer Show Holiday Best-Of: Freakonomics; Eating Well; 1776; New Yorker Documentary
Jan 2, 2026
In this engaging discussion, Stephen Dubner reflects on 20 years of Freakonomics, revealing the importance of non-monetary incentives and how conventional wisdom often misses the mark. Nutritionist Marion Nestle dives into the complexities of food policy, emphasizing the impact of ultra-processed foods on health and advocating for school gardens to improve children's eating habits. Historian Edward Larson explores the pivotal events of 1776, shedding light on the shift from loyalty to revolution among colonists and the foundational ideas of American democracy.
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Microplastics Are A Growing Food Hazard
- Microplastics are an emerging, widespread food-supply contaminant tied to endocrine and vascular concerns.
- Nestle flags packaging and beverage industry practices as major contributors to environmental microplastics exposure.
Politics Shapes What We Eat
- Food-system reform faces three political barriers: industry opposition, corporate capture of government, and weak civil society.
- Nestle urges coalition-building and stronger civic organization to counter powerful industry interests.
Why 1776 Became The Birth Year
- January 1776 crystallized American identity via events like Norfolk's burning, the king's speech, and Common Sense.
- Edward Larson argues those converging shocks converted colonial protest into a commitment to independence and republican government.