logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2023
17m 49s

17. Truffles

Freakonomics Network & Zachary Crockett
About this episode

It takes fungi-sniffing dogs, back-room deals, and a guy named “The Kingpin” for the world’s most coveted morsel to end up on your plate. Zachary Crockett picks up the scent.

Up next
Oct 6
109. Billboards
The world’s oldest advertising medium has reconfigured itself for the digital age. Zachary Crockett looks up. SOURCES:Anna Bager, president and C.E.O. of the Out-of-Home Advertising Association of America.Dan Levi, chief marketing officer at Clear Channel Outdoor. RESOURCES:"Adve ... Show More
22m 1s
Sep 29
108. Matchmakers
Some singles choose to skip the apps and get fixed up the old-fashioned way — but it doesn't come cheap. Zachary Crockett puts himself out there. SOURCES:Maria Avgitidis, C.E.O. of Agape Match and author of Ask a Matchmaker: Matchmaker Maria's No-Nonsense Guide to Finding Love. R ... Show More
23m 20s
Sep 22
107. Megachurches
They have thousands of congregants and millions of dollars in income. Zachary Crockett passes the collection plate. SOURCES:Julie Roys, founder of the Roys Report.Scott Thumma, professor of sociology of religion at Hartford International University, director of the Hartford Insti ... Show More
23m 42s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 10
How a summer job grew into an ice cream empire, with CEO Ben Van Leeuwen
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is one of the fastest growing dessert brands in the country. It’s known for its seriously delicious classic flavors and its wacky collaborations. (Kraft Mac and Cheese ice cream, anyone?) Co-founder and CEO Ben Van Leeuwen talks with Jeff Berman to reveal ho ... Show More
32m 44s
Jul 2022
Fireside with the Underboss - “He Pulled Up In Front of John’s Club With Hookers and Cocaine”
Sammy crossed paths with a lot of Westies during his time as a made man. In this story, he tells us about a particular time when the Westies and Gambino's decided to join forces. 
26m 12s
Aug 2024
Pets: The business of dog-walking
We explore professional dog-walking around the world. We hear from walkers from the United States, Argentina and Europe about how they operate, the growing market, and the challenges of making a career from taking other people's pets on daily walks - sometimes several at a time. ... Show More
17m 41s
May 2025
🍅 Heinz Ketchup: The King of Condiments | 33
When entrepreneur Henry J. Heinz went bankrupt after his first venture, he nearly lost it all—his farmland, his parents' home, and his own reputation. But then, he launched a stunning comeback that changed everything about the meaning of the name “Heinz.” This Master of Tomatoes ... Show More
42m 16s
Apr 2023
Puppy Scammers Steal Thousands
After the loss of the family dog, Tana is determined to find a new canine companion for her husband who suffers from dementia. Hoping to surprise him for Christmas, Tana finds a breeder online and sends payment, but the puppy doesn’t arrive, and the breeders keep asking for more ... Show More
43m 15s
Aug 2023
One-eyed conservation dog takes out top spot at canine awards
He's a heading dog that actually heads the pack. Crowned Top Dog with a job in this year competition for canines, Wink, who hails from Invercargill, only has one eye and works as a conservation dog sniffing out invasive weeds. So strictly speaking his office is the great outdoors ... Show More
4m 5s
Oct 2
The Biggest Pumpkin Ever - by Steven Kroll
Once there were two mice who fell in love with the same pumpkin....Desmond the field mouse wants to carve the biggest jack-o'-lantern in the neighborhood with his pumpkin. Clayton the house mouse wants to win the Biggest Pumpkin contest with his. But when they discover that their ... Show More
9m 45s
Mar 2025
Now Serving: IPOs, Exits, Extra Cheese
A fresh IPO, outgoing CEO, and Domino’s finally joining the field on stuffed-crust pizza. (00:21) Bill Barker and Dylan Lewis discuss: - Mixue’s splashy debut on the Hong Kong stock exchange, and how the boba tea chain stacks up to Starbucks and McDonald’s. - Rodney McMullen’s de ... Show More
29m 34s
Jun 2025
S12E02: Paws Out
Brunch is usually a festive, celebratory time, but at Bean’s inaugural Brunch Bonanza, chaos breaks out after someone eats Bean’s specially made French Vanilla BEAN French Toast. Accusations — and crumbs — fly, but who is to blame? Leave it to Snoop and Sniffy to sniff out the cu ... Show More
20m 47s