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by Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
Freakonomics co-author Stephen J. Dubner uncovers the hidden side of everything. Why is it safer to fly in an airplane than drive a car? How do we decide whom to marry? Why is the media so full of bad news? Also: things you never knew you wanted to know about wolves, bananas, pollution, search engines, and the quirks of human behavior.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- Todayinterview47 min6-min read
How Gary Gulman Turned Depression Into Comedy Gold | Better in Person
Gary Goleman, a 6'6" comedian and former accountant, transformed his lifelong struggles with depression into a powerful creative force, producing deeply personal, funny, and moving work that resonates far beyond comedy. His journey—from being fired for cracking a joke at PwC to creating the acclaimed HBO special The Great Depression—reveals how vulnerability, discipline, and humor can coexist in healing and art.
- 5 days agonarrative48 min5-min read
682. Should A.I. Move to Space?
Project Suncatcher, a Google-led initiative, proposes launching solar-powered orbital data centers to meet the exponentially growing energy demands of AI, leveraging space’s near-constant sunlight and declining launch costs to create a sustainable, scalable computing infrastructure.
- 1 weeks agointerview42 min5-min read
Why Cooking is Caregiving, with Chef Hillary Sterling | Better in Person
Chef Hillary Sterling, executive chef at Chisiamo in New York City, shares her journey from a Brooklyn upbringing with humble, texture-averse meals to leading a high-volume, emotionally intelligent kitchen rooted in sensory cooking and Italian authenticity. Her philosophy centers on connection, intuition, and teaching—not rigid rules—making her an outlier in a historically brutal restaurant culture.
- 1 weeks agonarrative1h 5m7-min read
Are You Really Allergic to Penicillin? (Update)
A staggering number of people believe they are allergic to penicillin, but fewer than 1% actually are — a misdiagnosis with serious health and economic consequences. This episode explores how a false medical label persists, the science behind true allergies, and why correcting it could save lives and reduce healthcare costs.
- 2 weeks agointerview43 min6-min read
How a Great Architect Thinks, with Bjarke Ingels | Better in Person
Bjarke Ingels, the Danish architect behind BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), discusses the philosophy, challenges, and creative drive behind his globally influential architecture practice. He argues that architecture is not just art but a form of world-building, blending utopian vision with pragmatic execution, and reveals how openly declaring his ambitions led to winning major commissions like the Hamburg Opera and Zurich Airport.
- 2 weeks agointerview43 min6-min read
681. How to Host a Talk Show, with Dick Cavett
Stephen Dubner reflects on his isolation during the pandemic and how it led him to rediscover Dick Cavett’s intimate, conversational talk show style, ultimately inspiring his own new YouTube series, Better In Person, filmed in his living room to foster genuine human connection. His visit with Cavett reveals the power of unscripted dialogue, intellectual humility, and emotional honesty in media.
- 3 weeks agointerview49 min7-min read
680. Can Universities Win Back Our Trust?
Sian Beilock, president of Dartmouth College and a cognitive scientist by training, discusses how her research on performance under pressure informs her leadership during a turbulent era for higher education. She advocates for institutional restraint, free expression, and rebuilding public trust through data-driven decisions and principled leadership.
- Jun 26, 2026interview1h 4m7-min read
679. Why Does Vanderbilt Keep Winning?
Vanderbilt University, under Chancellor Daniel Diermeier, has thrived amid widespread turmoil in higher education by embracing institutional neutrality, fostering civil discourse, and strategically expanding its national footprint. Diermeier argues that universities must resist political activism, uphold open inquiry, and rebuild public trust through principled leadership.
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About Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics co-author Stephen J. Dubner uncovers the hidden side of everything. Why is it safer to fly in an airplane than drive a car? How do we decide whom to marry? Why is the media so full of bad news? Also: things you never knew you wanted to know about wolves, bananas, pollution, search engines, and the quirks of human behavior.
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