Freakonomics Radio

When Richard Thaler first published Nudge, the world was just starting to believe in his brand of behavioral economics. In this 2021 episode, we ask: How has nudge theory held up in the face of a global financial meltdown, a pandemic, and other existential crises?

• SOURCES:
  • Richard Thaler, professor of economics at the University of Chicago.

• RESOURCES:
  • Nudge: The Final Edition, by Richard Thaler and Cass Suns...

The science says no, at least not in the athletic sense. But the psychic benefits can be large — just ask former N.F.L. star Ricky Williams. He says athletes should consider cannabis a healing drug, not a party drug. Even the N.F.L. is starting to agree. (Part two of a two-part series.)

• SOURCES:
  • Angela Bryan, professor, associate chair for faculty development in the department of psychology and neuroscience at the University...

In sports, the rules are meant to be sacrosanct. But when it comes to performance-enhancing drugs, the slope is super-slippery. (Part one of a two-part series.)

• SOURCES:
  • April Henning, associate professor of international sport management at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland.
  • Aron D'Souza, founder of the Enhanced Games.
  • Floyd Landis, former professional cyclist, founder of Floyd's of Leadville.
  • Louisa Thomas, staff ...

They used to be the N.F.L.’s biggest stars, with paychecks to match. Now their salaries are near the bottom, and their careers are shorter than ever. In this updated episode from 2025, we speak with an analytics guru, an agent, an economist, and some former running backs to understand why.

• SOURCES:
  • Brian Burke, sports data scientist at ESPN.
  • Roland Fryer, professor of economics at Harvard University.
  • LeSean McCoy, former runni...

For 50 years, the healthcare industry has been trying (and failing) to harness the power of artificial intelligence. It may finally be ready for prime time. What will this mean for human doctors — and the rest of us? (Part four of “The Freakonomics Radio Guide to Getting Better.”)

• SOURCES:
  • Bob Wachter, professor, chair of the department of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.
  • Pierre Elias, cardiologist, as...

Zeke Emanuel (a physician, medical ethicist, and policy wonk) has some different ideas for how to lead a healthy and meaningful life. It starts with ice cream. (Part three of “The Freakonomics Radio Guide to Getting Better.”)

• SOURCES:
  • Zeke Emanuel, oncologist, bioethicist, professor at the University of Pennsylvania.

• RESOURCES:
  • Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life, by Zeke Emanuel...

After five years, Levitt is ending People I (Mostly) Admire, and will start hosting the occasional Freakonomics Radio episode. We couldn’t be happier.

• SOURCES:
  • Steve Levitt, co-author of Freakonomics and host of People I (Mostly) Admire.

• RESOURCES:
  • "How to Help Kids Succeed," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2025).
  • "Feeling Sound and Hearing Color," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2024).
  • "Richard Dawkins on God, Gene...

It regulates 20 percent of the U.S. economy, and its commissioner has an aggressive agenda — faster drug approvals, healthier food, cures for diabetes and cancer. How much can he deliver? (Part two of “The Freakonomics Radio Guide to Getting Better.”)

• SOURCES:
  • Marty Makary, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration.

• RESOURCES:
  • "Clinical Trials Affected by Research Grant Terminations at the National In...

We all want to stay sharp, and forestall the cognitive effects of aging. But do brain supplements actually work? Are they safe? And why doesn’t the F.D.A. even know what’s in them? (Part one of “The Freakonomics Radio Guide to Getting Better.”)

• SOURCES:
  • Marty Makary, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration.
  • Peter Attia, physician, author, and host of The Peter Attia Drive.
  • Pieter Cohen, associate professor of medicine...

One Yale economist certainly thinks so. But even if he’s right, are economists any better? We find out, in this update of a 2022 episode.

• SOURCES:
  • James Choi, professor of finance at the Yale School of Management.
  • Morgan Housel, personal finance author and partner at the Collaborative Fund.

• RESOURCES:
  • The Art of Spending Money: Simple Choices for a Richer Life, by Morgan Housel (2025).
  • “Popular Personal Financ...

Behavioral scientists have been exploring whether a psychological reset can lead to lasting change. In this update of a 2021 episode, we survey evidence from the London Underground, Major League Baseball, and New Year’s resolutions to look at accidental fresh starts, forced fresh starts, fresh starts that backfire — and the ones that succeed. 

• SOURCES:
  • Katy Milkman, professor at the Wharton School.
  • Andy Byford, former commiss...

A series of academic studies suggest that the wealthy are, to put it bluntly, selfish jerks. It’s an easy narrative to embrace — but is it true? As part of GiveDirectly’s “Pods Fight Poverty” campaign, we revisit a 2017 episode.

• SOURCES:
  • Jim Andreoni, professor of economics at the University of California, San Diego.
  • Nikos Nikiforakis, professor of economics at New York University in Abu Dhabi.
  • Paul Piff, associate professor o...

All sorts of people have put their mark on Messiah, and it has been a hit for nearly 300 years. How can a single piece of music thrive in so many settings? You could say it’s because Handel really knew how to write a banger. (Part three of “Making Messiah.”)

• SOURCES:
  • Charles King, political scientist at Georgetown University.
  • Jane Glover, classical music scholar, conductor.
  • Katharine Hogg, musicologist, head librarian at the F...

In the 18th century, Handel relied on royal patronage. Today, it’s donors like Gary Parr who keep the music playing. In this bonus episode of our “Making Messiah” series, Parr breaks down the economics of the New York Philharmonic.

• SOURCES:
  • Gary Parr, senior managing director and on the management committee at Apollo, philanthropist.

• RESOURCES:
  • "A Notoriously Jinxed Concert Hall Is Reborn, Again," by Michael...

When he wrote Messiah (in 24 days), Handel was past his prime and nearly broke. One night in Dublin changed all that. (Part two of “Making Messiah.”)

• SOURCES:
  • Charles King, political scientist at Georgetown University.
  • Chris Scobie, curator of music, manuscripts, and archives at the British Library.
  • Ellen Harris, musicologist and professor emeritus at MIT.
  • Mark Risinger, teacher at St. Bernard's School.
  • Philip Rushforth, organis...

Why does an 18th-century Christian oratorio lend such comfort to our own turbulent times? Stephen Dubner sets out for Dublin to tell the story of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah. (Part one of “Making Messiah.”)

• SOURCES:
  • Charles King, political scientist at Georgetown University.
  • Katrine Nyland Sørensen, Danish broadcaster, host of Handel's Messiah - The Advent Calendar.
  • Mark Risinger, teacher at St. Bernard's School.
  • Michael a...

Macy’s wants to recapture its glorious past. The author of the Wimpy Kid books wants to rebuild his dilapidated hometown. We just want to listen in. (Part two of a two-part series, first published in 2024)

• SOURCES:
  • Mark Cohen, former professor and director of retail studies at Columbia Business School.
  • Will Coss, vice president and executive producer of Macy’s Studios.
  • Jeff Kinney, author, cartoonist, and owner of An Unlikely ...

The iconic department store calls the parade its “gift to the nation.” With 30 million TV viewers, it’s also a big moneymaker — at least we think it is: when it comes to parade economics, Macy’s is famously tight-lipped. In this 2024 episode, we try to loosen them up. (Part one of a two-part series.)

• SOURCES:
  • John Cheney, carpenter at Macy’s Studios.
  • Will Coss, vice president and executive producer of Macy’s Studios.
  • Jeff Kinn...

A Trump executive order is giving retail investors more access to private markets. Is that a golden opportunity — or fool’s gold?

• SOURCES:
  • Elisabeth de Fontenay, professor of law at Duke University.
  • Steven Kaplan, professor of entrepreneurship and finance at the University of Chicago.

• RESOURCES:
  • "Democratizing Access to Alternative Assets for 401(k) Investors," (The White House, 2025).
  • "The (Heterogeneous) Eco...