When "Freakonomics" co-authors Steve Levitt and Stephen Dubner first met, one of them hated the other. Two decades later, Levitt grills Dubner about asking questions, growing the pie, and what he learned from Bruce Springsteen.
Jul 18
31. Peter Leeson on Why Trial-by-Fire Wasn’t Barbaric and Why Pirates Were Democratic
He’s an economist who studies even weirder things than Steve. They discuss whether economics is the best of the social sciences, and why it’s a good idea to get a tattoo of a demand curve on your bicep. This episode originally aired on June 11th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an Ad ... Show More
45m 40s
Jul 11
30. Dambisa Moyo Says Foreign Aid Can’t Solve Problems, but Maybe Corporations Can
The African-born economist has written four bestselling books, including Dead Aid, which Bill Gates described as “promoting evil.” In her new book about corporate boards, Dambisa uses her experience with global corporations to explore how they can better meet society’s demands. A ... Show More
43m 33s
Sep 2025
Stephen J. Dubner
Stephen J. Dubner is an award-winning journalist, bestselling author, and co-creator of Freakonomics—the cultural phenomenon that, over the past 20 years, has grown into a global franchise, changing how millions think, revealing the hidden side of everything, and challenging us t ... Show More
1h 25m
Jun 2014
172. How to Screen Job Applicants, Act Your Age, and Get Your Brain Off Autopilot
<p>Dubner and Levitt answer reader questions in this first installment of the “Think Like a Freak” Book Club.</p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal d ... Show More
25m 51s
Jun 2017
"Tell Me Something I Don't Know" on the topic of Rivalry
<p>Steve Levitt, Scott Turow and Bridget Gainer are panelists. For the "Freakonomics" co-author, the attorney and novelist, and the Cook County commissioner it's "game on!" as they tackle competition of all kinds: athletic, sexual, geopolitical, and the little ... Show More
57m 16s
Dec 2019
401. How Many Prince Charleses Can There Be in One Room?
<p>In a special holiday episode, Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth take turns asking each other questions about charisma, wealth vs. intellect, and (of course) grit.</p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> ... Show More
33m 50s
<p>For the 20th anniversary of <i>Freakonomics</i>, Debbie Millman of <i>Design Matters </i>interviews Stephen Dubner about his upbringing, his writing career, and why it's important to “swing your swing.” Plus: a sneak peek at a new project.</p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES:</ ... Show More
<p>For years, the playwright David Adjmi was considered “polarizing and difficult.” But creating <i>Stereophonic </i>seems to have healed him. Stephen Dubner gets the story — and sorts out what Adjmi has in common with Richard Wagner.</p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES:</strong>< ... Show More
<p>The world has changed a good bit since <i>Freakonomics</i> was first published. In this live anniversary episode, Stephen Dubner tells Geoff Bennett of <i>PBS NewsHour </i>everything he has learned since then. Happy birthday, <i>Freakonomics.</i></p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOU ... Show More
