The Economics of Everyday Things

Freakonomics Network & Zachary Crockett

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.

To get every show in the Freakonomics Radio Network without ads and a monthly bonus episode of Freakonomics Radio, start a free trial for SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.

Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

20 episodes
Updated Thursday

Episodes20

Newest first

Thursday · 19 min
61. Pigeons
Once considered noble and heroic, pigeons are now viewed as an urban nuisance — one that costs cities millions of dollars a year. Zachary Crockett tosses some crumbs. This episode was originally published on August 25, 2024.
Monday · 21 min
60. Money Laundering
How do criminals turn their ill-gotten gains into taxable income? And how does law enforcement stop them? Zachary Crockett follows the money. This episode was originally published on August 18th, 2024.
July 23 · 18 min
59. Restaurant Reservations
Thanks to online booking platforms, the way we make reservations has changed — but a table at a hot restaurant on a Friday night is still a valuable commodity. Zachary Crockett books a four-top for 7 p.m. This episode was originally published on August 11th, 2024.
July 20 · 21 min
58. Firefighters
There are more firefighters than ever — and fewer fires for them to fight. So the job has changed. Zachary Crockett slides down the pole. This episode was originally published on August 4, 2024.
July 16 · 18 min
57. Strippers
Performing at a strip club can be lucrative, but it requires financial and psychological savvy — and an eye for social trends. Zachary Crockett takes a look. This episode was originally published on July 21st, 2024.
July 13 · 22 min
56. Snake Venom
Why does treating a venomous snake bite cost as much as a house? Zachary Crockett slithers over to North Carolina to find out. This episode was originally published on July 14th, 2024.
July 9 · 21 min
55. Direct-to-Consumer Mattresses
Online companies promised to bring transparency to the mattress-buying experience. Did that work out? Zachary Crockett takes a look under the sheets. This episode was originally published on July 7th, 2024.
July 6 · 20 min
54. Ghostwriters
Channeling the voices of celebrities can be a lucrative career — one that requires empathy and discretion as well as literary chops. Zachary Crockett checks the acknowledgements. This episode was originally published on June 30th, 2024.
July 2 · 19 min
53. Food Trucks
How did mobile kitchens become popular with hipster gourmands? And just how much money can a popular truck make from a lunch shift? Zachary Crocket drops some napkins. This episode was originally published on June 23rd, 2024.
June 29 · 21 min
52. Little League
Youth baseball — long a widely accessible American pastime — has become overrun by $10,000-per-year, for-profit travel leagues. Zachary Crockett peers inside the dugout. This episode was originally published on June 16th, 2024.
June 25 · 16 min
51. Wine Corks
Why do we use a specific kind of tree-bark tissue to seal up 70 percent of wine bottles? Zachary Crockett takes a sniff and gives the waiter a nod. This episode was originally published on June 9th, 2024.
June 22 · 18 min
50. Self-Checkout
Grocery stores have turned shoppers into cashiers. Zachary Crockett runs two bags of chips and a Gatorade over the scanner. This episode was originally published on June 2nd, 2024.
June 18 · 13 min
49. Weather Forecasts
With industries relying on them and profits to be made, weather forecasts are more precise and more popular than ever. But there are clouds on the horizon. Zachary Crockett grabs an umbrella. This episode was originally published on May 19th, 2024.
June 15 · 19 min
48. College Fraternities
A fraternity’s budget includes broken windows, liability insurance, chili dog breakfasts, and the occasional $40,000 DJ. Zachary Crockett crashes the party. This episode was originally published on May 12th, 2024.
June 11 · 17 min
47. Bail Bonds
How does bail work — and who's really paying? Zachary Crockett follows the money. This episode was originally published on May 5th, 2024.
June 8 · 18 min
46. Car Colors
So many vehicles on the road today are white, black, or gray — but automotive designers find that consumer preferences may be changing lanes. Zachary Crockett surveys the lot. This episode was originally published on April 21st, 2024.
June 4 · 15 min
45. Storage Units
Americans love to buy new stuff and hate to get rid of old stuff, which is why storing it all has become a $45 billion business. Zachary Crockett cleans out the garage. This episode was originally published on April 21st, 2024.
June 1 · 19 min
44. Movie Sound Effects
The background noises you hear in film and TV — from footsteps to zombie guts — are produced in specialized studios by professionals known as Foley artists. Zachary Crockett makes some noise. This episode was originally published on April 14th, 2024.
May 28 · 18 min
43. Top-Level Domains
Those letters at the end of web addresses can mean big bucks — and, for some small countries, a substantial part of the national budget. Zachary Crockett follows the links. This episode was originally published on April 7th, 2024.
May 25 · 18 min
42. Cemeteries
The verdant lawns promise everlasting rest — but what does it mean to sign a lease for all eternity? Zachary Crockett finds out where the bodies are buried. This episode was originally published on March 31st, 2024.

The Economics of Everyday Things

61. Pigeons

60. Money Laundering

59. Restaurant Reservations

58. Firefighters

57. Strippers

56. Snake Venom

55. Direct-to-Consumer Mattresses

54. Ghostwriters

53. Food Trucks

52. Little League

51. Wine Corks

50. Self-Checkout

49. Weather Forecasts

48. College Fraternities

47. Bail Bonds

46. Car Colors

45. Storage Units

44. Movie Sound Effects

43. Top-Level Domains

42. Cemeteries