They expose fraud, catch cheating spouses, and track down missing assets — but they don’t come cheap. Zachary Crockett takes the case. SOURCES:Ashley Wardlow, chief operating officer at Nathans Investigations, owner of Wardlow Consulting. RESOURCES:"Eugène-François Vidocq and the Birth of the Detective," by Daisy Sainsbury (The Public Domain Review, 2024)."The Pinkerton Story - Chapter 1," (The Pinkerton Foundation, 2017)."Expectation of Privacy," (Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute)."Evidence & Private Investigators," (Dugas Law Firm). EXTRAS:"Private Investigation Equipment (Detective Store)."
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103. Satellites
There are now nearly 12,000 satellites orbiting Earth. What does it cost to put them there, and how do they make money? Zachary Crockett launches an investigation. SOURCES:Tim Farrar, president of TMF Associates.Rachel Jewett, managing editor of Via Satellite. RESOURCES:"How geostationary small satellites are providing strategic access to space," by Steve Collar (World Economic Forum, 2025)."State of the Satellite Industry Report," (Satellite Industry Association, 2025)."Elon Musk Dominates Space Launch. Rivals Are Calling Foul." by Eric Lipton (New York Times, 2024)."Kessler Syndrome and the space debris problem," by Mike Wall (Space, 2022)."BlackRock Says Satellite Images Can Help Track Chinese Companies," by Lisa Pham (Bloomberg, 2017).
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102. “The Starry Night”
How does a museum place a value on a priceless work of art? And how much does it cost to keep it safe? Zachary Crockett appraises the situation. SOURCES:Glenn Lowry, director of the Museum of Modern Art. RESOURCES:"Why Climate Activists Are Still Throwing Food and Paint at Famous Artworks," by Tala Ansari (Wall Street Journal, 2023)."The Woman Who Made van Gogh," by Russell Shorto (New York Times, 2021)."The Lillie P. Bliss collection," (MoMA Collection, 1934)."May Belfort," by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (Cleveland Museum of Art, 1895)."Still Life with a Bottle," by Paul Cézanne (Pola Museum, 1890)."The Starry Night," by Vincent Van Gogh (MoMA Collection, 1889)."Portrait of Victor Chocquet Seated," by Paul Cézanne (1877). EXTRAS:"Hotel Art," by The Economics of Everyday Things (2025)."The Hidden Side of the Art Market," by Freakonomics Radio (2021).
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101. Street Performers
Performing for passersby takes more than talent. Buskers have to cope with hecklers, civic regulations, aggressive competitors — and uncertain pay. Zachary Crockett passes the hat. SOURCES:Brett Dallas, professional street performer. RESOURCES:"Differentiating busking from begging: A psychological approach," by Robbie Ho and Wing Tung Au (PLOS One, 2021)."Freeing Buskers’ Free Speech Rights: Impact of Regulations on Buskers’ Right to Free Speech and Expression," by John Juricich (Journal of Sports and Entertainment Law, 2017).Street Arts and Buskers Advocates.
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Mobile Home Parks (Replay)
They’ve long been associated with crime and blight. Now, the investors are moving in. Zachary Crockett follows the trail. SOURCES:Paul Bradley, president of ROC USA.Blaer Roberts, former chef and mobile home resident.Frank Rolfe, co-owner of Mobile Home University.Cheryl Streberger, retired nurse and mobile home resident. RESOURCES:"‘We’re All Afraid’: Massive Rent Increases Hit Mobile Homes," by Abha Bhattarai (The Washington Post, 2022)."Investors Are Buying Mobile Home Parks. Residents Are Paying a Price," by Sophie Kasakove (The New York Times, 2022)."Mobile Home Parks Move From Mom-and-Pop to Corporate," by Jennifer Brown and Kevin Simpson (A.P. News, 2019)."The Cold, Hard Lessons of Mobile Home U," by Gary Rivlin (The New York Times, 2014)."Goldman Alum Gives Up Funds to Become Trailer-Park Mogul," by Anthony Effinger and Katherine Burton (Bloomberg, 2014)."Carlyle Jumps Into Niche Space," by Dawn Wotapka (The Wall Street Journal, 2013).
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.
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