Stephen Dubner's conversation with the C.E.O. of Microsoft, recorded for the Freakonomics Radio series “The Secret Life of a C.E.O.”
Oct 16
691. Is This What a “Good Billionaire” Looks Like?
David Rubenstein, a product of the old bipartisan D.C., made his fortune in private equity. He’s been spending it on “patriotic philanthropy” and institutions like the Kennedy Center, where Trump fired him as chairman. Now he wonders if the center can hold. SOURCES:David Rubenste ... Show More
43m 23s
Oct 9
690. It’s Show Business, Baby!
Podcasting started as a niche-nerd pursuit. Now it’s a $9 billion industry. Is that a lot? The strange economics of this thing we do. SOURCES:Jim Bankoff, chairman and C.E.O. of Vox Media.Ben Davis, head of digital at WME.Will Page, former chief economist at Spotify and author of ... Show More
1h 1m
Oct 2
689. Here’s Why Your Hamburger Just Got So Pricey
An economist calls America’s beef industry a “miracle.” An antitrust scholar calls it “broken.” Maybe they’re both right? SOURCES:Austin Frerick, agriculture antitrust expert, fellow at Yale University, author of Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America's Food Industry ... Show More
49m 25s
Jun 2025
The Steve Ballmer Interview
We sit down with Steve Ballmer, the legendary former Microsoft CEO and owner of the LA Clippers, for an epic conversation covering his 34 years at Microsoft. Steve listened to our Microsoft episodes and had some thoughts to share — and boy, did he deliver. Steve takes us point-by ... Show More
2h 48m
Apr 2023
Capitalism, Private Equity, and the Seven Deadly Sins — with Stephen Dubner
Stephen Dubner, the host of the Freakonomics Radio podcast and founder of the Freakonomics Radio Network, joins Scott to discuss the history of Adam Smith, the role of private equity in our society, and his thoughts on the Seven Deadly Sins.
Scott opens by discussing the explosio ... Show More
56m 10s
Jun 2023
George Stephanopoulos: S—tboxed
<p>George Stephanopoulos and Rob Lowe are in the Situation Room. In this episode you’ll hear about what it’s like to interview DJT, the state of cable news, Aaron Sorkin, Oval Office experiences, and the time Rob ran into Monica Lewinsky. Got a question for Rob? Call our voicemai ... Show More
58m 21s