The Freakonomics Radio Book Club
Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
From the podcast that explores the hidden side of everything, hear authors like you’ve never heard them before. Stephen Dubner and a stable of Freakonomics friends talk with the writers of mind-bending books, and we hear the best excerpts as well. You’ll learn about skill versus chance, the American discomfort with death, the secret life of dogs, and much more.
To get every show in the Freakonomics Radio Network without ads and a monthly bonus episode of Freakonomics Radio, start a free trial for SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.
To get every show in the Freakonomics Radio Network without ads and a monthly bonus episode of Freakonomics Radio, start a free trial for SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 2, 2024 • 57min
22. How Does the Lost World of Vienna Still Shape Our Lives?
Historian Richard Cockett discusses Vienna's influence on modern ideas and how fascism can destroy progress. The podcast explores Viennese intellectuals' impact on America, including economics, culture, and politics. It highlights the city's complex identity, intellectual diaspora, and legacy of innovation.
5 snips
Apr 9, 2024 • 42min
EXTRA: Remembering Daniel Kahneman
Nobel laureate and psychologist Daniel Kahneman discusses his book 'Noise' with Steve Levitt. They explore decision-making, the impact of noise, and the origins of behavioral economics. The conversation delves into Kahneman's collaboration with Amos Tversky and the intersection of psychology and economics, highlighting challenges and successes in applying behavioral economics for behavior change.
12 snips
Apr 4, 2024 • 1h 3min
21. Are We Living Through the Most Revolutionary Period in History?
Journalist and author Fareed Zakaria discusses how we are living through a revolutionary period in history encompassing political, economic, and technological changes. He explores global chaos, identity politics, geopolitical challenges, and the state of the US. Zakaria reflects on the impact of global revolutions, the complexities of the Palestinian cause, and the demographic shifts in the US. The conversation also touches on moral courage scarcity, illiberal populism, and the importance of strategic alliances in the Middle East.
Dec 14, 2023 • 1h 1min
20. Why Are People So Mad at Michael Lewis?
Michael Lewis defends his bestselling book on Sam Bankman-Fried, the billionaire behind the FTX fraud, against critics who say he went too easy on him. The podcast explores Sam's eccentric character, his legal troubles, and his detached relationship with the outside world. It also delves into the concept of effective altruism and discusses the idea of paying Donald Trump not to run for president.
Sep 21, 2023 • 1h 4min
19. The Facts Are In: Two Parents Are Better Than One
US marriage rates have declined while single-parent households have increased. Melissa Kearney discusses the problem and the need for liberals to recognize it. The podcast also explores alternative family structures and the benefits of communal living and shared child-rearing responsibilities.
5 snips
Mar 23, 2023 • 53min
18. “Insurance Is Sexy.” Discuss.
The economist Amy Finkelstein explains why insurance markets are broken and how to fix them. Also: why can’t you buy divorce insurance? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Jan 16, 2023 • 38min
17. Samin Nosrat Always Wanted to Be Famous
And with her book "Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat," she succeeded. Now she's not so sure how to feel about all the attention. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Nov 24, 2022 • 53min
16. Did Michael Lewis Just Get Lucky with “Moneyball”?
No — but he does have a knack for stumbling into the perfect moment, including the recent FTX debacle. In this installment of the Freakonomics Radio Book Club, we revisit the book that launched the analytics revolution. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
40 snips
Jul 28, 2022 • 50min
15. Does Philosophy Still Matter?
It used to be at the center of our conversations about politics and society. Scott Hershovitz is the author of Nasty, Brutish, and Short, in which he argues that philosophy still has a lot to say about work, justice, and parenthood. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Feb 24, 2022 • 49min
14. Why Do Most Ideas Fail to Scale?
In a new book called The Voltage Effect, the economist John List — who has already revolutionized how his profession does research — is trying to start a scaling revolution. In this installment of the Freakonomics Radio Book Club, List teaches us how to avoid false positives, how to know whether a given success is due to the chef or the ingredients, and how to practice “optimal quitting.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
