logo
episode-header-image
About this episode
After the movie “Free Willy” became a hit, word got out that the star of the film, a killer whale named Keiko, was sick and living in a tiny pool at a Mexican amusement park. Fans were outraged and pleaded for his release. “The Good Whale” tells the story of the wildly ambitious science experiment to return Keiko to the ocean — while the world watched. An ep ... Show More
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2024
The Good Whale - Trailer
After the movie “Free Willy” became a hit, word got out that the star of the film, a killer whale named Keiko, was sick and living in a tiny pool at a Mexican amusement park. Fans were outraged and pleaded for his release. “The Good Whale” tells the story of the wildly ambitious ... Show More
2m 32s
Nov 2024
From Serial: ‘The Good Whale’
<p>After the movie “Free Willy” became a hit, word got out that the star of the film, a killer whale named Keiko, was sick and living in a tiny pool at a Mexican amusement park. Fans were outraged and pleaded for his release. “The Good Whale” tells the story of the wildly ambitio ... Show More
47m 22s
Jan 2025
The Good Whale - Ep. 1
When the movie “Free Willy” is released, word gets out that the star, a killer whale named Keiko, is sick and living in a tiny pool at a Mexican amusement park. An environmentalist sets out to give the fans what they want: their favorite celebrity orca back in the sea. Our newest ... Show More
47m 49s
Feb 2025
The Good Whale - Ep. 6
After a month at sea, Keiko pops up near a Norwegian fishing village, causing a stir among the residents and his own team of caretakers. They figure that if they wait until spring, maybe Keiko will swim off again with a wild pod. If they can all just make it to spring. Our newest ... Show More
35m 34s
Dec 2023
The last endangered whale in captivity
tail spinning
42m 19s
Jan 2024
The Sunday Read: ‘The Whale Who Went AWOL’
<p>On April 26, 2019, a beluga whale appeared near Tufjord, a village in northern Norway, immediately alarming fishermen in the area. Belugas in that part of the world typically inhabit the remote Arctic and are rarely spotted as far south as the Norwegian mainland. Although they ... Show More
44m 41s
Jan 2024
180. The Whale
Listener Kathleen shares a story about a whale sighting on a recent family vacation, and how it helped her through the grief of not having her dad there. “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast from Feelings and Co. Each morning, we bring you a short story, essay, or interview a ... Show More
6m 12s
Jul 2023
551. What Can Whales Teach Us About Clean Energy, Workplace Harmony, and Living the Good Life?
<p>In the final episode of our whale series, we learn about fecal plumes, shipping noise, and why "Moby-Dick" is still worth reading. (Part 3 of "<a href="https://freakonomics.com/podcast-tag/everything-you-never-knew-about-whaling/">Everything You Never Knew About Whaling</a>.") ... Show More
47m 45s