? The hidden side of everything: Launched in 2009 and having gained fame as an extension of the popular blog and book of the same name, Freakonomics by American journalist and author Stephen Dubner is a podcast that blurs the lines between storytelling and investigative journalism, with a particular focus on social sciences and economics. Dubner is the co-author of the viral book Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything, and the podcast — with over 900 episodes and a large following — follows in its namesake’s footsteps.

The show tackles a hodgepodge of issues, through which its creators explore what they call the “hidden side” of things. The show spans economics, psychology, sociology, public policy, and a variety of cultural phenomena and social issues such as poverty and corruption. The podcast also addresses certain unconventional questions, such as why we still use candles, and what makes a manager “bad.”

No rigid structure in sight. The episodes are fluid, comprising interviews and discussions with industry experts alongside a research-driven narrative approach. Freakonomics also publishes special series, multi-part investigations, and follows up with regular updates on hot topics — all delivered with a curious, contemplative tone. It’s an accessible podcast, with Dubner presenting complex topics in a not-so-complex manner and a dash of humor.

Farms race? What’s that? In one particularly engrossing episode, the podcast shines through with its ability to integrate economic analyses with historical context. The episode highlights a forgotten aspect of the Cold War, known as the Farms Race, which happened alongside the more notorious Space and Arms races. The episode dissects how a boom in US supermarket culture and agricultural advancements were weaponized throughout the length of the war.

With expert historians on board, listeners find out about the US government’s feats in the field, from the creation of hybrid corn to the construction of modern supply chain networks, which were used to flex the government’s capitalist muscles. The episode best represents the podcast’s ethos: placing major economic moments within their historical contexts.

Freakonomics stands out as one of the most prominent podcasts on a global scale. The podcast boasts a considerable audience, having received more than 100 mn downloads in 2020. Latest statistics from 2021 report around 2 mn downloads per episode. Its rating certainly backs these claims up, with a score of 4.5/5 from over 30k reviews on Apple Podcasts, making it an influential educational source.

WHERE TO LISTEN- You can tune in on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Anghami | Deezer | Audible | Amazon Music | iHeart | YouTube | YouTube Music

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