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
Gesamtlänge aller Episoden: 14 hours 26 minutes
episode 38: 38. Junk Mail
Why does the mailman bring us so many catalogs, credit card offers, and pizza coupons? Because his job depends on it. Zachary Crockett checks the mailbox.
episode 37: 37. Personal Injury Lawyers
If you can make it through three years of law school, you too might end up on a billboard. Zachary Crockett makes the case.
episode 36: 36. ATMs
Why do you have to pay $4 to get $40 cash at a bar? And who does it go to? Zachary Crockett checks his balance.
episode 35: 35. Dental Insurance
Why is it separate from medical insurance? And is it really insurance at all? Zachary Crockett goes in for a cleaning.
episode 34: 34. Store-Brand Products
Those low-priced staples on grocery-store shelves — where do they come from? Zachary Crockett finds out at a national convention for private-label manufacturers.
episode 33: 33. Sex Scenes
Behind these steamy sequences, there are body doubles, pubic wigs, legal documents, and dedicated choreographers who make sure everyone is comfortable. Zachary Crockett fast-forwards straight to the good parts.
episode 32: 32. Used Golf Balls
American golfers lose 300 million balls a year — and all those bad swings are someone else’s business opportunity. Zachary Crockett hits the links.
episode 31: 31. Superhot Chili Peppers
The market for gustatory pain is surprisingly competitive. Zachary Crockett feels the burn.
episode 30: 30. Card Counting
Casinos think they can stop skilled gamblers from eking out a tiny edge at blackjack. Is that a losing bet? Zachary Crockett doubles down.
episode 10: 10. Michelin Stars (Replay)
Only the finest restaurants have a chance to bask in their glow. Sometimes, it’s a bit too bright. Zachary Crockett squints at the menu.