Best Search Chain Partners Podcasts (2026)

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Are You Ready for a Fresh Start? (Update) 42:58

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2d ago42:58

42:58

Behavioral scientists have been exploring whether a psychological reset can lead to lasting change. In this update of a 2021 episode, we survey evidence from the London Underground, Major League Baseball, and New Year’s resolutions to look at accidental fresh starts, forced fresh starts, fresh starts that backfire — and the ones that succeed. SOURC…

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Are the Rich Really Less Generous Than the Poor? (Update) 43:58

6d ago43:58

43:58

A series of academic studies suggest that the wealthy are, to put it bluntly, selfish jerks. It’s an easy narrative to embrace — but is it true? As part of GiveDirectly’s “Pods Fight Poverty” campaign, we revisit a 2017 episode. SOURCES: Jim Andreoni, professor of economics at the University of California, San Diego. Nikos Nikiforakis, professor of…

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657. Whose “Messiah” Is It Anyway? 48:02

13d ago48:02

48:02

All sorts of people have put their mark on Messiah, and it has been a hit for nearly 300 years. How can a single piece of music thrive in so many settings? You could say it’s because Handel really knew how to write a banger. (Part three of “Making Messiah.”) SOURCES: Charles King, political scientist at Georgetown University. Jane Glover, classical…

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Who Pays for “Messiah”? 42:00

15d ago42:00

42:00

In the 18th century, Handel relied on royal patronage. Today, it’s donors like Gary Parr who keep the music playing. In this bonus episode of our “Making Messiah” series, Parr breaks down the economics of the New York Philharmonic. SOURCES: Gary Parr, senior managing director and on the management committee at Apollo, philanthropist. RESOURCES: "A …

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656. How Handel Got His Mojo Back 57:13

20d ago57:13

57:13

When he wrote Messiah (in 24 days), Handel was past his prime and nearly broke. One night in Dublin changed all that. (Part two of “Making Messiah.”) SOURCES: Charles King, political scientist at Georgetown University. Chris Scobie, curator of music, manuscripts, and archives at the British Library. Ellen Harris, musicologist and professor emeritus…

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655. “The Greatest Piece of Participatory Art Ever Created” 56:54

27d ago56:54

56:54

Why does an 18th-century Christian oratorio lend such comfort to our own turbulent times? Stephen Dubner sets out for Dublin to tell the story of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah. (Part one of “Making Messiah.”) SOURCES: Charles King, political scientist at Georgetown University. Katrine Nyland Sørensen, Danish broadcaster, host of Handel's Messiah…

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Dying Is Easy. Retail Is Hard. (Update) 1:02:17

1M ago1:02:17

1:02:17

Macy’s wants to recapture its glorious past. The author of the Wimpy Kid books wants to rebuild his dilapidated hometown. We just want to listen in. (Part two of a two-part series, first published in 2024) SOURCES: Mark Cohen, former professor and director of retail studies at Columbia Business School. Will Coss, vice president and executive produc…

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Is Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Its Most Valuable Asset? (Update) 52:31

1M ago52:31

52:31

The iconic department store calls the parade its “gift to the nation.” With 30 million TV viewers, it’s also a big moneymaker — at least we think it is: when it comes to parade economics, Macy’s is famously tight-lipped. In this 2024 episode, we try to loosen them up. (Part one of a two-part series.) SOURCES: John Cheney, carpenter at Macy’s Studio…

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654. Is the Public Ready for Private Equity? 1:03:11

1M ago1:03:11

1:03:11

A Trump executive order is giving retail investors more access to private markets. Is that a golden opportunity — or fool’s gold? SOURCES: Elisabeth de Fontenay, professor of law at Duke University. Steven Kaplan, professor of entrepreneurship and finance at the University of Chicago. RESOURCES: "Democratizing Access to Alternative Assets for 401(k…

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653. Does Horse Racing Have a Future? 1:01:36

2M ago1:01:36

1:01:36

Thoroughbred auction prices keep setting records. But tracks are closing, gambling revenues are falling, and the sport is increasingly reliant on subsidies. Is that the kind of long shot anybody wants? (Part three of a series, “The Horse Is Us.”) SOURCES: Anne Archer Hinkle, owner and director of Hinkle Farms. Cormac Breathnach, senior director of …

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What Happens When You Turn 20 1:02:38

1M ago1:02:38

1:02:38

The world has changed a good bit since Freakonomics was first published. In this live anniversary episode, Stephen Dubner tells Geoff Bennett of PBS NewsHour everything he has learned since then. Happy birthday, Freakonomics. SOURCES: Geoff Bennett, co-anchor and co-managing editor of PBS News Hour. RESOURCES: Freakonomics Twentieth Anniversary Edi…

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652. Inside the Horse-Industrial Complex 1:00:52

2M ago1:00:52

1:00:52

How does Kentucky keep itself atop the thoroughbred industry? Is a champion stallion really worth $200,000 per date? And how many hands can one jockey have? (Part two of a series, “The Horse Is Us.”) SOURCES: Emily Plant, thoroughbred researcher and statistician. Jill Stowe, professor of economics at the University of Kentucky. Mark Taylor, preside…

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651. The Ultimate Dance Partner 1:08:07

2M ago1:08:07

1:08:07

For most of human history, horsepower made the world go. Then came the machines. So why are there still seven million horses in America? (Part one of a series, “The Horse Is Us.”) SOURCES: Ann N. Greene, historian of 19th century America, retired professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Constance Hunter, chief economist at the Economist Intelli…

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Are Two C.E.O.s Better Than One? (Update) 47:34

2M ago47:34

47:34

Spotify, Oracle, and Comcast have each recently announced they’re going with co-C.E.O.s. In this 2023 episode, we dig into the research and hear firsthand stories of triumph and disaster. Also: lessons from computer programmers, Simon and Garfunkel, and bears versus alligators. SOURCES: Jim Balsillie, retired chairman and co-C.E.O. of Research In M…

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650. The Doctor Won’t See You Now 51:33

2M ago51:33

51:33

The U.S. has a physician shortage, created in part by a century-old reform that shut down bad medical schools. But why haven’t we filled the gap? Why are some physicians so unhappy? And which is worse: a bad doctor or no doctor at all? SOURCES: Karen Clay, professor of economics and public policy at Carnegie Mellon University. Rochelle Walensky, ph…

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A Question-Asker Becomes a Question-Answerer 1:14:22

3M ago1:14:22

1:14:22

For the 20th anniversary of Freakonomics, Debbie Millman of Design Matters interviews Stephen Dubner about his upbringing, his writing career, and why it's important to “swing your swing.” Plus: a sneak peek at a new project. SOURCES: Debbie Millman, writer and host of Design Matters with Debbie Millman. RESOURCES: "Stephen J. Dubner," by Design Ma…

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How Can We Break Our Addiction to Contempt? (Update) 40:23

3M ago40:23

40:23

Arthur Brooks, an economist and former head of the American Enterprise Institute, believes that there is only one remedy for our political polarization: love. In this 2021 episode, we ask if Brooks is a fool for thinking this — and if perhaps you are his kind of fool? SOURCES: Arthur Brooks, professor of public and nonprofit leadership at Harvard U…

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649. Should Ohio State (and Michigan, and Clemson) Join the N.F.L.? 55:21

3M ago55:21

55:21

Soccer leagues around the world use a promotion-and-relegation system to reward the best teams and punish the worst. We ask whether American sports fans would enjoy a similar system. (Part two of a two-part series.) SOURCES: Domonique Foxworth, sports analyst and former N.F.L. player. Stefan Szymanski, professor of sport management at the Universit…

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648. The Merger You Never Knew You Wanted 1:06:02

3M ago1:06:02

1:06:02

The N.F.L. is a powerful cartel with imperial desires. College football is about to undergo a financial reckoning. So maybe they should team up? (Part one of a two-part series.) SOURCES: DeMaurice Smith, former executive director of the National Football League Players Association. Domonique Foxworth, sports analyst and former N.F.L. player. Jeffre…

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Is the U.S. Really Less Corrupt Than China? (Update) 57:34

3M ago57:34

57:34

In this episode we first published in 2021, the political scientist Yuen Yuen Ang argues that different forms of government create different styles of corruption — and that the U.S. and China have more in common than we’d like to admit. SOURCES: Yuen Yuen Ang, professor of political science at Johns Hopkins University. RESOURCES: "China’s Anti-Graf…

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647. China Is Run by Engineers. America Is Run by Lawyers. 1:01:50

3M ago1:01:50

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In his new book “Breakneck,” Dan Wang argues that the U.S. has a lot to learn from China. He also says that “no two peoples are more alike.” We have questions. SOURCES: Dan Wang, research fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, author of Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future. RESOURCES: Breakneck: China's Quest to Enginee…

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Is the World Ready for a Guaranteed Basic Income? (Update) 36:02

4M ago36:02

36:02

A lot of jobs in the modern economy don’t pay a living wage, and some of those jobs may be wiped out by new technologies. So what’s to be done? We revisit an episode from 2016 for a potential solution. SOURCES: Erik Brynjolfsson, professor of economics at Stanford University. Evelyn Forget, professor of economics and community health sciences at th…

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646. An Air Traffic Controller Walks Into a Radio Studio ... 1:01:10

4M ago1:01:10

1:01:10

What does it take to “play 3D chess at 250 miles an hour”? And how far will $12.5 billion of “Big, Beautiful” funding go toward modernizing the F.A.A.? (Part two of a two-part series.) SOURCES: David Strayer, professor of cognition and neural science at the University of Utah. Dorothy Robyn, senior fellow at I.T.I.F. Ed Bastian, C.E.O. of Delta Air…

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645. Is the Air Traffic Control System Broken? 1:02:37

4M ago1:02:37

1:02:37

Flying in the U.S. is still exceptionally safe, but the system relies on outdated tech and is under tremendous strain. Six experts tell us how it got this way and how it can (maybe) be fixed. (Part one of a two-part series.) SOURCES: Dorothy Robyn, senior fellow at I.T.I.F. Ed Bastian, C.E.O. of Delta Airlines. John Strong, professor of finance and…

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644. Has America Lost Its Appetite for the Common Good? 1:16:42

4M ago1:16:42

1:16:42

Patrick Deneen, a political philosopher at Notre Dame, says yes. He was a Democrat for years, and has now come to be seen as an “ideological guru” of the Trump administration. But that only tells half the story ... SOURCES: Patrick Deneen, professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame. RESOURCES: "The Ideological Gurus Battling for…

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Extra: A Modern Whaler Speaks Up (Update) 26:47

4M ago26:47

26:47

Bjørn Andersen has killed hundreds of minke whales. He tells us how he does it, why he does it, and what he thinks would happen if whale-hunting ever stopped. (This bonus episode is a follow-up to our series “Everything You Never Knew About Whaling.”) SOURCES: Bjørn Andersen, Norwegian whaler. RESOURCES: "Digestive physiology of minke whales," by S…

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What Can Whales Teach Us About Clean Energy, Workplace Harmony, and Living the Good Life? (Update) 48:08

4M ago48:08

48:08

In the final episode of our whale series, we learn about fecal plumes, shipping noise, and why Moby-Dick is still worth reading. (Part 3 of "Everything You Never Knew About Whaling.") SOURCES: Michele Baggio, professor of economics at the University of Connecticut. Mary K. Bercaw-Edwards, professor of maritime English at the University of Connectic…

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Why Do People Still Hunt Whales? (Update) 37:32

5M ago37:32

37:32

For years, whale oil was used as lighting fuel, industrial lubricant, and the main ingredient in (yum!) margarine. Whale meat was also on a few menus. But today, demand for whale products is at a historic low. And yet some countries still have a whaling industry. We find out why. (Part 2 of “Everything You Never Knew About Whaling.”) SOURCES: Jay A…

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The First Great American Industry (Update) 45:02

5M ago45:02

45:02

Whaling was, in the words of one scholar, “early capitalism unleashed on the high seas.” How did the U.S. come to dominate the whale market? Why did whale hunting die out here — and continue to grow elsewhere? And is that whale vomit in your perfume? (Part 1 of “Everything You Never Knew About Whaling.”) SOURCES: Eric Hilt, professor of economics a…

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Why Does Tipping Still Exist? (Update) 47:25

5M ago47:25

47:25

It’s a haphazard way of paying workers, and yet it keeps expanding. With federal tax policy shifting in a pro-tip direction, we revisit an episode from 2019 to find out why. SOURCES: John List, economist at the University of Chicago. Michael Lynn, professor of consumer behavior and marketing at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. U…

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The Future of Supply Chain Innovation with Tom Clark, Partner at DRI & Mike Jarrett, Founder & CEO of Jarrett Logistics 44:21

5M ago44:21

44:21

In this episode of The Executive Eye by DRI, Tom Clark sits down with Mike Jarrett, Founder, President, and CEO of Jarrett Logistics Systems, to unpack the journey of building one of the nation's most forward-thinking logistics companies. From his early career at Roadway Express and Caliber Logistics (now FedEx Supply Chain Services) to founding Ja…

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643. Why Do Candles Still Exist? 47:22

5M ago47:22

47:22

They should have died out when the lightbulb was invented. Instead they’re a $10 billion industry. What does it mean that we still want tiny fires inside our homes? SOURCES: Tim Cooper, professor emeritus of sustainable design and consumption at Nottingham Trent University. Gökçe Günel, professor of anthropology at Rice University. Steve Horenzi…

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642. How to Wage Peace, According to Tony Blinken 1:06:28

5M ago1:06:28

1:06:28

The former secretary of state isn’t a flamethrower, but he certainly has strong opinions. In this wide-ranging conversation with Stephen Dubner, he gives them all: on Israel, Gaza, China, Iran, Russia, Biden, Trump — and the rest of the world. SOURCES: Antony Blinken, former Secretary of State. RESOURCES: "Evaluating the impact of two decades of US…

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Why Does One Tiny State Set the Rules for Everyone? (Update) 47:02

5M ago47:02

47:02

Until recently, Delaware was almost universally agreed to be the best place for companies to incorporate. Now, with Elon Musk leading a corporate stampede out of the First State, we revisit an episode from 2023 that asked if Delaware’s “franchise” is wildly corrupt, wildly efficient … or both? SOURCES: John Cassara, retired Special Agent detailee t…

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641. What Does It Cost to Lead a Creative Life? 46:22

6M ago46:22

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For years, the playwright David Adjmi was considered “polarizing and difficult.” But creating Stereophonic seems to have healed him. Stephen Dubner gets the story — and sorts out what Adjmi has in common with Richard Wagner. SOURCES: David Adjmi, author and playwright. RESOURCES: "The West End is enjoying a theatre revival. Can Broadway keep up?" b…

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640. Why Governments Are Betting Big on Sports 50:12

6M ago50:12

50:12

The Gulf States and China are spending billions to build stadiums and buy up teams — but what are they really buying? And can an entrepreneur from Cincinnati make his own billions by bringing baseball to Dubai? SOURCES: Simon Chadwick, professor of afroeurasian sport at Emlyon Business School. Derek Fisher, high school basketball coach, former N.B.…

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How to Make Your Own Luck (Update) 58:07

6M ago58:07

58:07

Before she decided to become a poker pro, Maria Konnikova didn’t know how many cards are in a deck. But she did have a Ph.D. in psychology, a brilliant coach, and a burning desire to know whether life is driven more by skill or chance. She found some answers in poker — and she’s willing to tell us everything she learned. SOURCES: Maria Konnikova, a…

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639. “This Country Kicks My Ass All the Time” 53:46

6M ago53:46

53:46

Cory Booker on the politics of fear, the politics of hope, and how to split the difference. SOURCES: Cory Booker, senior United States Senator from New Jersey. RESOURCES: "'When Are More Americans Going to Speak Up?'" by The New Yorker Radio Hour (2025). "Cory Booker’s Marathon Floor Speech," (2025). "Facebook Knows Instagram Is Toxic for Teen Girl…

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638. Are You Ready for the Elder Swell? 54:53

6M ago54:53

54:53

In the U.S., there will soon be more people over 65 than there are under 18 — and it’s not just lifespan that’s improving, it’s “healthspan” too. Unfortunately, the American approach to aging is stuck in the 20th century. In less than an hour, we try to unstick it. (Part three of a three-part series, “Cradle to Grave.”) SOURCES: James Chappel, prof…

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What Do Medieval Nuns and Bo Jackson Have in Common? (Update) 36:13

6M ago36:13

36:13

In this episode from 2013, we look at whether spite pays — and if it even exists. SOURCES: Benedikt Herrmann, research officer at the European Commission. Steve Levitt, co-author of Freakonomics and host of People I (Mostly) Admire. Dave O'Connor, president of Times Studios. Lisi Oliver, professor of English at Louisiana State University. E.O. Wils…

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637. What It’s Like to Be Middle-Aged (in the Middle Ages) 45:54

6M ago45:54

45:54

The simplicity of life back then is appealing today, as long as you don’t mind Church hegemony, the occasional plague, trial by gossip — and the lack of ibuprofen. (Part two of a three-part series, “Cradle to Grave.”) SOURCES: Jordan Cavalier, performer at the New Jersey Renaissance Faire. Matt Schwarz, harpist at the New Jersey Renaissance Faire. …

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636. Why Aren’t We Having More Babies? 50:28

7M ago50:28

50:28

For decades, the great fear was overpopulation. Now it’s the opposite. How did this happen — and what’s being done about it? (Part one of a three-part series, “Cradle to Grave.”) SOURCES: Matthias Doepke, professor of economics at the London School of Economics. Amy Froide, professor of history at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Diana…

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An Economics Lesson from a Talking Pencil (Update) 39:52

7M ago39:52

39:52

A famous essay argues that “not a single person on the face of this earth” knows how to make a pencil. How true is that? In this 2016 episode, we looked at what pencil-making can teach us about global manufacturing — and the proper role of government in the economy. SOURCES: Caroline Weaver, creator of the Locavore Guide. Matt Ridley, science write…

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635. Can a Museum Be the Conscience of a Nation? 50:55

7M ago50:55

50:55

Nicholas Cullinan, the new director of the British Museum, seems to think so. “I'm not afraid of the past,” he says — which means talking about looted objects, the basement storerooms, and the leaking roof. We take the guided tour. SOURCES: Nicholas Cullinan, director of the British Museum. RESOURCES: "Inside the British Museum: stolen treasures an…

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634. “Fault-Finder Is a Minimum-Wage Job” 1:02:15

7M ago1:02:15

1:02:15

Austan Goolsbee, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, is less reserved than the average banker. He explains why vibes are overrated, why the Fed’s independence is non-negotiable, and why tariffs could bring the economy back to the Covid era. SOURCES: Austan Goolsbee, president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of …

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633. The Most Powerful People You’ve Never Heard Of 1:05:42

7M ago1:05:42

1:05:42

Just beneath the surface of the global economy, there is a hidden layer of dealmakers for whom war, chaos, and sanctions can be a great business opportunity. Javier Blas and Jack Farchy, the authors of The World for Sale, help us shine a light on the shadowy realm of commodity traders. SOURCES: Javier Blas, opinion columnist at Bloomberg News. Jack…

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How to Succeed at Failing, Part 4: Extreme Resiliency (Update) 52:50

8M ago52:50

52:50

Everyone makes mistakes. How do we learn from them? Lessons from the classroom, the Air Force, and the world’s deadliest infectious disease. (Part four of a four-part series.) SOURCES: Will Coleman, founder and C.E.O. of Alto. Amy Edmondson, professor of leadership management at Harvard Business School. Babak Javid, physician-scientist and associat…

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How to Succeed at Failing, Part 3: Grit vs. Quit (Update) 1:03:37

8M ago1:03:37

1:03:37

Giving up can be painful. That's why we need to talk about it. Today: stories about glitchy apps, leaky paint cans, broken sculptures — and a quest for the perfect bowl of ramen. (Part three of a four-part series.) SOURCES: John Boykin, website designer and failed paint can re-inventor. Angela Duckworth, host of No Stupid Questions, co-founder of C…

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How to Succeed at Failing, Part 2: Life and Death (Update) 53:19

8M ago53:19

53:19

In medicine, failure can be catastrophic. It can also produce discoveries that save millions of lives. Tales from the front line, the lab, and the I.T. department. (Part two of a four-part series.) SOURCES: Amy Edmondson, professor of leadership management at Harvard Business School. Carole Hemmelgarn, co-founder of Patients for Patient Safety U.S.…

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How to Succeed at Failing, Part 1: The Chain of Events (Update) 55:38

8M ago55:38

55:38

We tend to think of tragedies as a single terrible moment, rather than the result of multiple bad decisions. Can this pattern be reversed? We try — with stories about wildfires, school shootings, and love. (Part one of a four-part series.) SOURCES: Amy Edmondson, professor of leadership management at Harvard Business School. Helen Fisher, former se…