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Freakonomics Podcast: A Comprehensive Guide To One Of The Most Popular Economics Podcasts On The Market
What is the Freakonomics podcast?
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What is the Freakonomics podcast?
If you are a fan of economical-themed discussions, it could be the perfect podcast for you!
Over recent times, the Freakonomics Podcast has gained a large loyal following and continues to attract new listeners daily.
In today’s current market, it is by far one of the most popular economic podcasts you can listen to.
But is it right for you?
This article will discuss the Freakonomics Podcast in much greater detail to help you establish whether it is a podcast you should try.
How has the Freakonomics Podcast Gained Popularity?
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Fortunately, unlike many podcasts, the Freakonomics podcast already had a substantial following before the first episode aired.
Due to the millions of copies sold, and the mounting popularity of the TV show, the podcast continued the trend and immediately gained plenty of listeners.
However, having many listeners when your podcast launches are one thing. It is another challenge to keep those listeners engaged and continue to reach a new audience.
The Freakonomics Podcast has done just that, though, as it continues to attract new listeners and grow in popularity.
One of the reasons the show has become so popular is thanks to the regular guest host and economics expert Levitt. He has made a name for himself by applying complex economic theory o almost any subject, most of which traditional economists would not consider.
Not only has this approach made their work stand out, but it has also tapped into a previously ignored demographic of listeners.
Who Created the Freakonomics Podcast?
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The Freakonomics Podcast was founded by Stephen Dubner and regular guest host Steven Levitt. It originally aired as a TV show before also becoming available as a podcast.
Since then, the creators have been joined by other regular staff, including Harry Huggins, Greg Rippin, and Alison Craiglow.
What is Stephen Dubner’s background?
Before creating the Freakonomics show and podcast, Stephen Dubner rose to prominence as a widely respected journalist who specialized in economic and political journalism.
Due to his background in journalism, he is widely regarded as one of the best podcast hosts, as he knows when to ask insightful questions and allow his guests to talk.
Steven Levitt, the regular guest on the show, is a well-respected economist and provides further economic insight on arguments for the many episodes he is a part of.
How did Stephen Dubner start his podcast?
The Freakonomics podcast is originally a spin-off of the famous 2005 book Freakonomics, written by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner.
By late 2009, the book had sold more than 4 million copies worldwide and is widely regarded as a groundbreaking book for economics, as it attracted a whole new target audience to the topics discussed.
At first, the idea was to turn the book into a regular TV show, and when that was also a big success, the show began to be distributed as a podcast, which brought a new audience to the topics.
Themes and Topics Covered in the Freakonomics Podcast
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As you would expect from the name, the themes and topics covered in the Freakonomics Podcast tend to focus heavily on economics and current affairs.
The hosts are excellent at breaking down economy-related news in a clear and digestible manner, which translates across when they also cover current affairs.
The reach of the Freakonomics Podcast
As you would imagine, the Freakonomics Podcast and its hosts have gained an impressive following across several platforms.
However, the podcast is not live on YouTube, and both Dubner and Levitt keep a low profile on social media.
Therefore, it is quite difficult to truly gauge how many listens each episode receives across each podcast network, although they feature heavily on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.
On the United States of America All Podcasts chart on Apple Music, they currently rank at #57. In the Society & Culture category, they currently sit at #9 and #2 in the Documentary category.
They have also found plenty of success in other countries. In Great Britain, they are ranked as the #23 podcast for Society & Culture and #207 on the overall list. In Australia, they are the #34 ranked podcast in the Society & Culture category on Spotify.
What is the Typical Format of the Freakonomics Podcast
The Freakonomics show has a standard format that it tends not to deviate from. They start by introducing the hosts for the episode and any guests, if they have one.
From there, they will discuss the title of the show before diving straight into the topics they want to discuss.
Famous Guests
Regarding having guests on the show, Dubner and Levitt tend to avoid having too many and focus mainly on covering the subjects themselves.
That’s not to say that they don’t have the odd special guest from time to time, but when they do, it is often someone from the economic world rather than the world of fame and celebrity.
Reception and Impact
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Unlike many podcasts, there was quite a lot of pressure surrounding the Freakonomics Podcast. After producing such a well-received and critically acclaimed book, many people had high hopes for the podcast and expected it to be fantastic from episode one.
Fortunately, Dubner and Levitt did not disappoint and have created excellent episodes ever since that day.
The impact of this podcast cannot be underestimated. Levitt and Dubner have achieved something that many school teachers, lecturers, and economists have attempted and failed for many years.
They have managed to get an entirely new generation excited about economics and made complex economic terms simple to understand and relevant to their listeners.
Conclusion
Now you have all the information you need to decide whether or not you should give the Freakonomics Podcast a listen!
If you are a fan of economics and you enjoy discussions based on these subjects, chances are you are going to enjoy this podcast.
Or if you are someone who wants to become more educated on the subject, the Freakonomics Podcast is an excellent place to get started.
