This week, Freakonomics Radio examined how invisible forces shape human behavior in unexpected ways. The show revisited research on air pollution's effects on our thinking, then pivoted to an unlikely solution: ancient games like backgammon that might help us make better decisions. Together, the episodes suggest that understanding our cognitive vulnerabilities—whether from environmental toxins or our own decision-making biases—is the first step toward improving them.
Episodes This Week
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Other Weeks
This Week in Freakonomics Radio (Jun 1 - Jun 7, 2026)
1 episode · Jun 1 – Jun 7
This Week in Freakonomics Radio (May 25 - May 31, 2026)
2 episodes · May 25 – May 31
This Week in Freakonomics Radio (May 18 - May 24, 2026)
1 episode · May 18 – May 24
This Week in Freakonomics Radio (May 11 - May 17, 2026)
1 episode · May 11 – May 17
This Week in Freakonomics Radio (May 4 - May 10, 2026)
2 episodes · May 4 – May 10
This Week in Freakonomics Radio (Apr 27 - May 3, 2026)
1 episode · Apr 27 – May 3
This Week in Freakonomics Radio (Apr 20 - Apr 26, 2026)
2 episodes · Apr 20 – Apr 26
This Week in Freakonomics Radio (Apr 13 - Apr 19, 2026)
1 episode · Apr 13 – Apr 19
This Week in Freakonomics Radio (Apr 6 - Apr 12, 2026)
2 episodes · Apr 6 – Apr 12
This Week in Freakonomics Radio (Mar 30 - Apr 5, 2026)
1 episode · Mar 30 – Apr 5
This Week in Freakonomics Radio (Mar 23 - Mar 29, 2026)
2 episodes · Mar 23 – Mar 29