Freakonomics Radio is an American public radio program and podcast network which discusses
socioeconomic issues for a general audience.[2] While the network, as of 2023, includes five programs, the primary podcast is also named Freakonomics and is a
spin-off of the 2005 book Freakonomics. Journalist
Stephen Dubner hosts the show, with economist
Steven Levitt as a regular guest, both of whom co-wrote the book of the same name.[3] The show is primarily distributed as a
podcast, and is among the most popular on iTunes.[4]
History
Freakonomics Radio was created in September 2010.[5] Starting in July 2018, production moved from
WNYC to
Stitcher Radio;[6]Freakonomics Radio is released at 11 p.m. on Wednesday each week on podcast aggregators such as
Apple Podcasts,
Spotify,
Google Podcasts, as well as on the Freakonomics website.[7]
From November 16, 2016, until November 12, 2017, Freakonomics Radio produced episodes of “live journalism wrapped in a game show” called Tell Me Something I Don’t Know.[8]
In November 2022, the Freakonomics podcast looked at whether
Google searches were getting worse. The episode featured former Google executive
Marissa Mayer.[9]
In February 2023, Freakonomics Radio Network announced a deal with
YouTube to bring its podcasts to the video platform.[10]
Podcasts
As of 2023, the Freakonomics Radio Network produces the following podcasts: