Freakonomics Radio is a weekly podcast hosted by Stephen J. Dubner, covering the economics and hidden incentives behind everyday life. The feed lists 941 episodes since 2010, with full episodes of about 50 minutes and shorter Better in Person bonus interviews. Estimated downloads are 60,000 to 150,000 per episode, with a sponsorship rate of $1,080 to $3,750 per episode.
A flagship economics podcast with 31,000 Apple ratings and sixteen years of episodes.
- Apple Podcasts shows 30,954 ratings at 4.5 stars, signaling a large, loyal base.
- Weekly episodes plus Better in Person bonus interviews give several placements per month.
- Topics include finance, markets, AI and sports, which suit business and consumer brands.
Brand fit report
Content
- Formats
- narrative, interview, bonus conversations
- Tone
- curious, analytical
- Language
- English
- Production
- Studio production
- Typical length
- 32 to 65 minutes
Audience
Commercial
- Brands seen
- SiriusXMStitcher
- Categories promoted
- audio subscriptions
- Affiliate links
- Yes
The description promotes a free trial of SiriusXM Podcasts+ for ad-free listening, which implies ads exist, but no sponsor is named in titles.
Suitability GARM Brand Safety Floor + Suitability
Family friendly
The feed is not flagged explicit; the episode 'Is This What a "Good Billionaire" Looks Like?' touches on politics.
We classify content, never people. No age, gender, ethnicity, religion or political views are inferred about the creator. Audience figures are estimates unless marked verified. Creators can correct anything on their profile.
Where to listen
| Platform | Link |
|---|---|
| Website | freakonomics.com |
| Apple Podcasts | podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id354668519 |
| RSS feed | feeds.simplecast.com/Y8lFbOT4 |
Benchmark score: 100 / 100
Public rule, same for everyone. How it works.
Recent episodes
| Episode | Date | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 691. Is This What a “Good Billionaire” Looks Like? | 2026-10-16 | 43 min |
| 690. It’s Show Business, Baby! | 2026-10-09 | 1 h 2 min |
| 689. Here’s Why Your Hamburger Just Got So Pricey | 2026-10-02 | 49 min |
| 688. When Is a Bet Not a Bet? | 2026-09-25 | 51 min |
| 687. Are Prediction Markets the Best Forecasting Tool Ever — or Just A | 2026-09-18 | 49 min |
| How to Be a Double Unicorn, with John Urschel | Better in Person | 2026-09-16 | 33 min |
Last six episodes from the show's feed, latest 3 days ago, a new one about every 5 days.
Freakonomics co-author Stephen J. Dubner uncovers the hidden side of everything. Why is it safer to fly in an airplane than drive a car? How do we decide whom to marry? Why is the media so full of bad news? Also: things you never knew you wanted to know about wolves, bananas, pollution, search engines, and the quirks of human behavior. To get every show in the Freakonomics Radio Network without…
About Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics Radio is a weekly podcast hosted by Stephen J. Dubner, who explores the hidden side of everything. According to the show's website, it began in 2010 after the Freakonomics books, airs on NPR stations and is the flagship of the Freakonomics Radio Network. The website says Dubner lives in New York City.
The feed lists 941 episodes, with full episodes of about 43 to 67 minutes and Better in Person bonus interviews of about 32 to 45 minutes. Recent topics include prediction markets, burger prices, A.I. and NFL quarterbacks. Apple Podcasts shows 30,954 ratings with a 4.5 average.
We estimate 60,000 to 150,000 downloads per episode, based on ratings and platform signals. At $18 to $25 per 1,000 downloads for a host-read mid-roll, a sponsorship costs about $1,080 to $3,750 per episode. No named sponsors appear in the feed. It suits business, finance and education brands.
Written from the show's public RSS feed, its Podcast Index listing and episode titles. Numbers updated 2026-10-19. Freakonomics Radio can edit or remove this page at any time.
Questions about Freakonomics Radio
How much does Freakonomics Radio charge for a podcast sponsorship?
We estimate $1,080 to $3,750 per host-read mid-roll episode, based on 60,000 to 150,000 estimated downloads at $18 to $25 per 1,000. The show does not publish rates, so treat this as a guide.
What is Freakonomics Radio about?
Hosted by Stephen J. Dubner, it explores the hidden side of everything, using economics and research to explain topics from airplane safety to prediction markets, with weekly episodes and bonus interviews.
How do I contact Freakonomics Radio about sponsoring an episode?
The show's contact email unlocks on Starbooked for $0.80. Boosted shows can also be booked through Starbooked, which handles the request so you do not need to find a contact yourself.
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