After listening episode 668, I am reminded of the anger I feel that Dubner cancelled Bapu Jena’s show. What a blow to science. I can’t for the life of me understand why Stephen Dubner canceled Bapu Jena. It makes me question his discernment. “The Economics of Everyday Things” is a characature of intelligent examination. Perhaps some franchises just outlive their ability to be useful.

Not sure what’s happened but the quality and consistency has declined. Most of time I have to skip the episode minutes in bc of poor production or interview progression.

Love that this show actually forces the listeners to get outside their own bubble. This allows people to learn, challenge and/or strengthen their own beliefs. You can see the negative feedback from those that don’t handle intellectual challenges and curiosity very well. Well done!!

I’ve listened to many episodes. Dubner is an engaging and generally impartial interviewer. This show falls short in 2 areas. One is that Dubner often fails to pursue answers to questions he poses. He either lets the discussion get sidetracked or he lets the guest avoid uncomfortable responses. Along the same lines, he doesn’t ask the hardest questions. My guess would is that forcing guests to get uncomfortable would limit the show’s access. My other criticism has to do with topic selection. Most of the topics are interesting but they are also narrow by nature. The show avoids some of the larger questions that you’d think an economics show would address. For example, I don’t think the show has ever done an episode on the positives perils of neoliberal economics. It’s a controversial topic and unfortunately, I don’t think Dubner touches controversy, at least not on important topics.

The Booker interview had potential but failed to dig. How are baby bonds a bad idea? Was Booker making perfect the enemy of the good or something else? For someone aware of the hidden reasons behind everything you didn’t push to understand how one of Booker’s ideas, enacted by the other party, are now bad. Be better, ask those questions or don’t bother. Your interview was amateur storytelling, a sandwich with no meat.

The episode with the FDA director was so disappointing because Steven Dubner barely pushed back on the director's obvious MAGAT propaganda and misinformation. Another example of the media failing to have the courage to push back on this hateful administration. And the amount of ads in the podcast are insane. it seems like 50% of it is annoying ads. Like a spammy website

Jan 30th ep is obvious AI advertisement. Med is literally the only (maybe) good use, but it will probably just make doctors worse. We need universal healthcare first, AI can wait until we have some regulations to keep it from destroying our minds, culture, communities, and environment. The med angle just doesn't cut it. Everyone hates what AI is doing to us.

The McKary interview was an absolute disgrace. Not a single ounce of pushback, not even a follow up question to any of his unjustified claims. This is how fascism wins. Truly embarrassing.

I was very disheartened by this episode. I usually have a lot of respect for Mr Dubner’s interview skills and ability to stick with facts and be neutral. He missed the boat this time. The head of the FDA was allowed to state politically biased views with no push back. The interviewee also pushed blame onto others, such as the media. If he doesn’t like how topics are being covered he should have the power to make the coverage more accurate if it is indeed half the story. He also either was gaslighting the audience or living under a rock when he asserted that Trump is the president that has gotten the least amount of acknowledgment of his successes! Was he asleep through the Obama and Biden years. Good God!

This podcast consistently produces excellent work on fascinating topics thank you very much.

It's unbelievable the falsehoods and defamations you let Makary get away with on your podcast. The pathetic fact check you squeezed in was even worse because it could lead people to think everything else he said was reasonable. And even what you mentioned was hardly sufficient at correcting the record on those topics. There are too many other podcasts out there. I'm done with yours.

Great podcast in general. Mr. Dubner failed with the recent conversation to hold Marty M. accountable on vaccine policy decisions. Additionally, Marty M’s comments regarding “slush fund” NIH funding is disingenuous. The slush fund spoken to refers to FA funding provided to universities to cover overhead costs for facilities such as laboratory costs, etc. These so called slush funds are rigorously negotiated between the FDA and universities. Mr Dubner failed to folllow up with Marty M regarding this comment. Some interesting items were shared during the interview but Mr. Dubner allowed the head of the FDA to control the conversation and failed to clarify certain points during the interview. My perspective sees this interview as very biased to the perspective of the FDA head. I expect more of Mr. Dubner. Thank you.

I enjoy this podcast. It is a weekly listen for me. I remember it being broadcast on my local public radio station to begin with. I think there is a good variety of guests, and although it leans a little to the liberal side on most thought processes, I give Stephen credit for at least discussing issues with guests with whom he does not agree. I would like to have him interview Thomas Sowell, one of the great economists of our time. I have submitted several requests for this, but so far no interview has been forthcoming.

Crazy to hear an economist say he doesn’t know why poor Americans aren’t saving more money. He knows the savings rate of average Chinese citizens, but not that housing costs have been skyrocketing in the US?? Surprised the host didn’t mention that, either.

I’ve listened to Freakonomics for a decade now, and I’ve noticed their slow decrease in quality of content, topics and, (most worryingly), an inability and unwillingness to challenge their guests on what are obvious misrepresentations of the truth, often resulting in Freakonomics legitimizing lies and propaganda. I’ve seen this happen before to other beloved podcasts, and after the FDA episode, I cannot in good consciousness keep listening to and supporting a group of people who are unwilling to take a stand for factual information and who are happy to let politicians lie to their audience. I realize I am likely shouting into the void, but this is me doing the little I can do.

Was good years ago. Now is not good.

The episode “Navigating Political Headwinds” regarding the perspectives of the head of the FDA was such a departure from quality that I was compelled to say something. This podcast episode might as well be called the Joe Rogan Experience.

While “Marty” makes some valid points, this episode gets tainted by the admittance of strong political views. As typical, first blames the media, then says certain things weren’t true like certain $cuts, aka, “fake news”, avoids the question in slick way on JFK jr, and so on. I’m a fan of yours, but how this is about “Better Health”, is questionable. If you want to do science for health, let’s have that conversation. This wasn’t it.

No longer objective.

I can’t believe you would platform a liar and let him steamroll you. I feel embarrassed for the host. The other Steve would be ashamed at what this podcast has become, which is why we don’t hear from him anymore, huh?

The Makary interview was the last straw. He didn’t push him on any of the daily misinformation he’s been spewing. Just pure propaganda. Unsubscribed today.

It just is. Smart. High quality. Original. Oh and funny. Love listening.

My brother is a Jewish ritual slaughterer and I don’t see any difference between him killing a chicken and a whaler killing a whale.

The amount of misinformation in this episode is extraordinary, and clearly motivated by political, anti-MAHA movement. As someone who works in the supplement industry, the difference between a trash supplement and a life changing supplement is drastic and this episode makes no distinction between the 2. You must have clinical studies to make claims. GMP certifications require inbound testing of raw materials (heavy metals, pesticides, pathogens, etc) and many reputable brands do post production testing as well. Please get a broader panel for a more complete picture.

Very unconvincing research and conclusions

This is a compelling and timely topic, but the researchers’ approach seems implausible to me. There were far too many assumptions and stereotypes about each cohort. Consequently, I found the conclusions unconvincing.

Gave to a very worthy cause. Thank you for a wonderful recommendation. ☮️

I really enjoyed this series till it came to the Jewish critique of the lyrics of Messiah. I have to say, if the point was that Christians are uninformed about the Hebrew Bible, the speakers interviewed seemed uninformed about the New Testament. Next up, let’s have a podcast where contemporary Christian scholars critique a beloved Jewish creative work of the eighteenth century and explain how it doesn’t meet their expectations. This seems like the wrong place for a clash of worldviews.

This four-part series is one of the best Freakonomics podcasts ever, which says a lot because they are always great. Dubner is uncharacteristically emotional about the topic, and it definitely furthered my knowledge of this iconic piece of music. That is, of course, what Freakonomics is all about… Furthering our understanding of the world around us.

I have listened since 2008. This is my favorite.

Loved the series except the last episode made ridiculous attempts to draw it in an antisemitic light. Your professor, in particular, made the argument that Christians don’t know that Jesus was Jewish! Whaaat? It’s woven in every book of the NT! If you want muck on Handel, work harder and rake some up. But her arguments against modern Christians being that uninformed were absurd.

I always enjoy this podcast, but this episode on Handel’s Messiah has been my very favorite. Stephen includes many personal notes about how the story of the music has moved him and shaped him, and the episode has been a delight for my SOUL! Around Easter this past year, there was a full performance of Handel’s Messiah in my small-ish town in Texas, and I agree that listening to the entire performance is a beautiful, soul-shaping experience. Stephen, I am so curious why a piece about the Christian Messiah would move you so deeply? “Every valley shall be exalted” is such such good news if Jesus is the Christ!

Long time listener here, this updated episode was a blueprint for podcasts. I loved hearing both sides of the Macy’s turnaround- from the CEO to the guy giving us facts and keeping it real. Loved the bookstore story as well. Well done.

Clear, balanced, well thought out. Perennial favorite

This podcast is never a waste of my time. The challenge is to find time to listen to every episode, because it’s so good.

Your softball interview with Anthony Blinken is really what sent me over the edge with your podcast. You’re dealing with someone who chose to ignore both State Department lawyers and Israel’s own military lawyers that Israel was likely committing war crimes — as early as December 2023 according to Reuters reporting! He actively worked to cover this up because otherwise, by US law, they would have had to stop sending military support. All while using that same logic of Russia breaking international norms, of committing war crimes to justify military support of Ukraine. The hypocrisy is unreal and makes me lose faith in the US’s ability to stand for any kind of human rights. It also makes me lose faith in your show. Please just stick with quirky things and away from people who try to cover up war crimes.

Freakonomics is always very good, and episode 647 is indicative of the quality and substance of the Pod. Terrific.

Excellent questions, knowledgeable guests, always learn something new

This is the one podcast I listened to regularly. Easily 5*. It had great information on a wide number of topics, well crafted questions and great guests. More recently the questions have become more and more softball, the guests and topics have become more political garbage. My most recent listen, Has America Lost its Appetite for the Common Good was just a barely disguised attempt to normalize Trumpism Rhetoric. Where is your spine? So disgusted.

I’ve watched the movie and listened to the podcast for years. I have been a staunch supporter and loved the old shows formatting. Listening to amazing facts like how abortion is correlated to the crime rate and other interesting societal economic topics, had made the show one of my favorites. However, it’s become too ad driven, has too many repeats but most importantly, it’s just become shows of “big thinkers” who push their own agendas. No thank you…unsubscribe!

Always been a fan of your work, despite your bias becoming more glaringly apparent - especially your interview with Patrick Deneen. With all due respect, get off your moral high ground and back to the nonpolitical brilliant curiosity that made you successful and listenable.

Platforming a white supremacist who is actively working to destroy the United States was a bridge too far. Good bye Freakonomics

Has been one of my favorite shows since I started listening in 2018. Dubner does an excellent job interviewing guests to get their perspective. Journalists should take notes

Love this podcast - Steven Dubner is a fantastic interviewer. That said, after listening to his lengthy interview with Patrick Dineen, I was sickened. In spouting his theories and rationalizations about the MAGA public and their grievances, Dineen assumes the majority have given great thought as to why they support Trump - no doubt sitting around debating philosophy before they go off to their noble physical work jobs. No, the majority do not. They instead voted for the cult of personality and stick-it-to-the-man tactics of the current administration, without the slightest idea of how this will ultimately affect them and millions of others.

An interesting way to absorb information without having to focus on it. Such a good podcast with great content and a great host.

During the episode “A Modern Whaler Speaks Up”, Stephen Dubner, again, shows his lack of Ts. A few examples on this episode: a bow (boat) to promow (promote) whale mee (meat) upstai (upstate) New York they ee (eat) How you locay (locate) the minker whale? What abow (about) 50 years? The letter T exists in the English language, and most of the time they need to be pronounced, even if slightly. Any chance of fixing this? I should have given up years ago when I first pointed that out to you. There are people that learn from their imperfections, and there are people who don’t. I still root for you.

This is on my top five podcasts and covers a great range of topics with a really interesting perspective

Outstanding podcast! Thank you!

Why does this show still exist? It jumped the shark over a decade ago. A one fine public radio show that is now a laugh trap for the sitcom that is post capitalism.

Used to listen to this until he had Blinken on, did not ask the hard questions, and let him skirt around the topic of Gaza’s mass destruction. Wish I could give zero stars. The easiest unsubscribe I’ve ever done