After getting way too involved with true crime podcasts I recently revisited Freakonomics. Forgot how great a show it is. Now I have a ton of episodes I can binge listen too.

I'm fairly new to this show and I don't listen to every episode, I pick and choose what seems to interest me, but it's great. Thorough and detailed but fast pace to keep the listener interested. Not overly political

I loved episode 1; fascinating and waiting for the next; the teaser was a shock to hear!

I love this podcast! I always learn so much. It moves quickly and smoothly. Just a joy.

I enjoy listening to the podcast very much. The topics are diverse and interesting. The interviewer is intelligent and not passive. He comes from a rational, free market point of view. He sticks to the facts. It is refreshing,

Don’t know what the best way to make show suggestions is so I’ll just try this…see title for suggestion. Been a fan since book 1. Love what you and your team do and have learned probably more than I learned in secondary school and college combined! Keep up the great work please.

This podcast is one of the main stays in my feed. It’s probably been in my feed the longest and when I think back, it has been one of the most consistently interesting and listened to. It is thought-provoking and well researched. Every once in a while, there’s a topic that I am not interested in or that just doesn’t grab me. But for the most part, it has been great. In particular, I wanted to acknowledge and recognize the recent episode 628 which was part two of sludge. I thought it was amazingly fair and balanced. Given the subject matter that could’ve gone in all kinds of extreme political directions, but the host and the guest and the entire conversation was extremely fair and balanced in my view. This is noteworthy, not just because it’s important but also because it’s so rare.

I have listened to the show on and off for many years and do appreciate the guests, insights, and amount of research that goes into each episode! However, I very much wish there were more critical analysis/counter argument with the guests. For example, the recent episode with Jessica Reidl was very interesting and entertaining and I appreciate her insights. However, her arguments about the effective taxation rate of the American people and about the value of taxing the ultra wealthy were sometimes disingenuous or selective and were clearly structured to shut down policy debates in these areas, not inform us about “myths”. Saying that the American middle class is “under-taxed” compared with other OECD countries without mentioning state and local taxes at all (sales, income, property, fuel, etc.) is misleading/disingenuous at best and manipulative at worst. Other countries have completely different tax regimes and governance structures compared to the US and you can’t just compare nominal bracket rates apples to apples. The host knows this but didn’t push back. Similarly, the sound-bite phrasing of stealing all of billionaires’ wealth not being enough to address the deficit is meant to shut down policy arguments in favor of making the ultra wealthy pay their fair share. Not one mention of tax avoidance and evasion, especially a problem with multi millionaires and billionaires, as well as corporations; a problem fueled by understaffing the IRS. Ensuring the ultra wealthy and corporations pay the taxes they already owe would in fact contribute hundreds of billions ANNUALLY toward addressing the deficit. The host knows this as well. These are just a few examples, but please this is not the time for credulous “conversations” about policies that are weaponized against the American people as we speak. We need informed and critical debate about how to build a fair and efficient government that delivers for the people, not just balancing a giant check book.

I’ve never written a podcast review, but after listening to the brief extra about the show that “never happened”, I suddenly realized what I love so much about Freakonomics. The topics are interesting and the guests are engaging, though, admittedly, not always my cup of tea. The show is certainly well researched and tries to present an unbiased, and often humorous, perspective, which I appreciate. But I realized today that what has been bringing me back to the show consistently for many years is not the topics or guests or humor. It is Stephen Dubner’s own humanity. Stephen’s genuine optimism that the world can be kinder, smarter, and more compassionate permeates every episode and is what keeps me listening year after year. As someone who spends most of my time taking care of others, listening to Freakonomics is something I do to take care of myself. Thank you for this lovely show.

Freakonomics is one of my favorite podcasts! Every episode is well researched presenting fascinating data and interesting guests. It has made me think differently about economics and the consequences, whether intended or unintended!