651. The Ultimate Dance Partner
31 October - 1 hour 8 minsFor 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 Intelligence Unit.Elizabeth Bortuzzo, professional horse rider.Mark Paul, professor of economics at Rutgers University.Peter Frankopan, professor of global history at Oxford History.
RESOURCES:"2023 Economic Impact Study of the U.S. Horse Industry," (American Horse Council Foundation, 2024).Riding to Arms, by Charles Caramello (2022).The Horse in the...
Series Episodes
Are Two C.E.O.s Better Than One? (Update)
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.
47 mins
29 October Finished
650. The Doctor Won’t See You Now
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?
51 mins
24 October Finished
A Question-Asker Becomes a Question-Answerer
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.
1 hour 14 mins
17 October Finished
How Can We Break Our Addiction to Contempt? (Update)
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?
40 mins
15 October Finished
649. Should Ohio State (and Michigan, and Clemson) Join the N.F.L.?
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.)
55 mins
10 October Finished
