The Economics of Everyday Things

Who decides which snacks are in your office’s vending machine? How much is a suburban elm tree worth, and to whom? How did Girl Scout Cookies become a billion-dollar business? In bite-sized episodes, journalist Zachary Crockett looks at quotidian things and finds amazing stories. Join the Freakonomics Radio Plus membership program for weekly member-only episodes of Freakonomics Radio. You’ll also get every show in our network without ads. To sign up, visit our show page on Apple Podcasts or go to freakonomics.com/plus.

https://freakonomics.com

Eine durchschnittliche Folge dieses Podcasts dauert 16m. Bisher sind 54 Folge(n) erschienen. Dies ist ein wöchentlich erscheinender Podcast.

Gesamtlänge aller Episoden: 14 hours 26 minutes

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episode 47: 47. Bail Bonds


How does bail work — and who's really paying? Zachary Crockett follows the money.


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   17m
 
 

episode 46: 46. Car Colors


So many vehicles on the road today are white, black, or gray — but automotive designers find that consumer preferences may be changing lanes. Zachary Crockett surveys the lot.


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   18m
 
 

episode 45: 45. Storage Units


Americans love to buy new stuff and hate to get rid of old stuff, which is why storing it all has become a $45 billion business. Zachary Crockett cleans out the garage.


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   15m
 
 

episode 44: 44. Movie Sound Effects


The background noises you hear in film and TV — from footsteps to zombie guts — are produced in specialized studios by professionals known as Foley artists. Zachary Crockett makes some noise.


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   19m
 
 

episode 43: 43. Top-Level Domains


Those letters at the end of web addresses can mean big bucks — and, for some small countries, a substantial part of the national budget. Zachary Crockett follows the links.


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   18m
 
 

episode 42: 42. Cemeteries


The verdant lawns promise everlasting rest — but what does it mean to sign a lease for all eternity? Zachary Crockett finds out where the bodies are buried.


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 April 1, 2024  18m
 
 

episode 41: 41. Pet Movers


Relocating halfway across the world is hard enough for humans. For pets it can require a specialist. Zachary Crockett waits at the airport, holding a sign saying "Fluffy."


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 March 25, 2024  15m
 
 

episode 40: 40. Prosthetic Limbs


More and more Americans rely on prostheses. They’re custom-fitted, highly personal, and extremely expensive. Zachary Crockett investigates.


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 March 18, 2024  17m
 
 

episode 39: 39. Houseplants


Interest in houseplants has exploded in recent years. But what causes floral trends, and prices, to grow? Zachary Crockett sows a few seeds.


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 March 11, 2024  14m
 
 

episode 9: Bowling Alleys (Replay)


Once America’s favorite recreational activity, bowling has been in the gutter for decades. But some surviving alleys are resetting the pins. Zachary Crockett laces up.


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 March 4, 2024  15m