The Economics of Everyday Things
Freakonomics Network & Zachary Crockett
Who decides which snacks are in your office’s vending machine? How much is a suburban elm tree worth, and to whom? How did Girl Scout Cookies become a billion-dollar business? In bite-sized episodes, journalist Zachary Crockett looks at quotidian things and finds amazing stories.
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
4 snips
Jul 1, 2024 • 20min
54. Ghostwriters
Ghostwriters Valerie Frankel and Daniel Paisner discuss their experiences in channeling the voices of celebrities, highlighting the empathy, discretion, and literary skills required for the job. The podcast delves into the history and evolution of ghostwriting, the crucial role ghostwriters play in helping public figures transform their ideas into bestsellers, and the growing demand for their services in the publishing industry.
Jun 24, 2024 • 19min
53. Food Trucks
Mariel-Leona Edwards, Matthew Geller, and Evan Kidera discuss the evolution and economics of food trucks, the challenges of running a successful food truck business, obtaining necessary permits, regulations, transitioning to brick-and-mortar restaurants, and the unpredictable nature of sales in the food truck industry.
Jun 17, 2024 • 21min
52. Little League
Guests including Linda Flanagan, Nick Mackenzie, R.J. Mackenzie, and John Miller discuss the commercialization of youth baseball and the shift from community leagues to for-profit travel teams. They explore the financial burdens on families, challenges in recruiting top players, and the impact on less skilled kids. The podcast addresses the disparity in youth sports participation and initiatives for affordable opportunities in underserved communities.
10 snips
Jun 10, 2024 • 16min
51. Wine Corks
Delve into the history and significance of cork production, the challenges faced by the cork industry, innovative solutions to cork taint in the wine industry, the growth of trees and trends in the wine cork industry, and the economic and environmental benefits of cork recycling.
5 snips
Jun 3, 2024 • 19min
50. Self-Checkout
This podcast discusses the evolution of self-checkout in grocery stores with insights from Sara Alloy, Christopher Andrews, and Phil Lempert. Topics include the impact on customer loyalty, the rise of self-checkout theft, and the implications of automation on the retail industry.
May 27, 2024 • 17min
Carnival Games (Replay)
Zachary Crockett discusses the emotional allure and deception of carnival games, tactics of 'Sharpies', and the inner workings of Redbone Products. The podcast explores the history, design process, and challenges of running carnival games, highlighting the industry's generational nature and ethical dilemmas.
4 snips
May 20, 2024 • 14min
49. Weather Forecasts
Weather forecasts are crucial for industries like live events, airlines, and farming. Peter Neilley delves into the science and passion behind accurate predictions. The evolution of weather forecasting, limitations, and commercialization are explored, along with the challenges of climate change on forecasting accuracy.
12 snips
May 13, 2024 • 19min
48. College Fraternities
Investigative journalist Zachary Crockett dives into the world of college fraternities, discussing their budgets, parties, and unique expenses like liability insurance and expensive DJs. Guests share insights on the financial management, historical origins, and economic benefits of joining a fraternity, highlighting the valuable professional networking opportunities that come with membership.
May 6, 2024 • 18min
47. Bail Bonds
Explore the world of bail bonds with sociology professor Joshua Page and defense attorney Steven Zalewski. They discuss the economic motivations behind the bail industry, the impacts of cash bail reform in New York, and the challenges faced by families in the legal system. Delve into the intricacies of bail bond strategies, tracking down bail skippers, and the changing landscape of the bail industry.
5 snips
Apr 29, 2024 • 18min
46. Car Colors
Automotive experts Zachary Crockett, Tom Crockett, Mark Gutjahr, and Nikkie Riedel discuss the shift in car color preferences, exploring historical trends, Subaru's innovative colors, and the impact of colors on market preferences and resale value.
