104. Private Investigators

Pure maple syrup can be five times as expensive as “pancake syrup,” but maple farmers — and breakfast connoisseurs — say it’s worth it. Zachary Crockett pours it on thick. SOURCES:Emma Marvin, co-C.E.O. of Butternut Mountain Farm.David Marvin, founder of Butternut Mountain Farm. RESOURCES:"Crop Production," by National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA, 2025)."Why Americans Overwhelmingly Prefer Fake Maple Syrup," by Christopher Ingraham (The Washington Post, 2015)."History of Maple," (UVM Libraries).Butternut Mountain Farm.

Why did it take so long to invent a longer-lasting bulb? Zachary Crockett finds the answer illuminating. SOURCES:Heather Dillon, mechanical engineering professor at the University of Washington in Tacoma.Jane Brox, author of the 2010 book Brilliant: The Evolution of Artificial Light.Markus Krajewski, philosopher and historian of technology at the University of Basel in Switzerland. RESOURCES:"Thomas Edison, tinkerer," by Eric Gilliam (Works in Progress, 2023)."It's Official: Stores Can No Longer Sell Most Incandescent Lights," by Hiroko Tabuchi (New York Times, 2023)."The Mystery of the Centennial Bulb: an Incandescent Light Bulb," by Martin Kykta (MAK Electro-Optics, 2021)."The Great Lightbulb Conspiracy," by Markus Krajewski (IEEE Spectrum, 2014)."Compact Fluorescent Lighting in America: Lessons Learned on the Way to Market," by L.J. Sandahl, T.L. Gilbride, M.R. Ledbetter, H.E. Steward, and C. Calwell (U.S. Department of Energy, 2006). EXTRAS:"Why Do Candles Still Exist?" by Freakonomics Radio (2025)."The Story of Byron the Bulb," by Thomas Pynchon (Gravity's Rainbow, 1973).

How do courts interpret those little icons on your phone? Zachary Crockett brings down the hammer. SOURCES:Eric Goldman, professor of law, associate dean for research, co-director at the High Tech Law Institute at the Santa Clara University School of Law. RESOURCES:"Canadian Court Rules 👍 Emoji Counts as a Contract Agreement," by Michael Levenson (New York Times, 2023)."Former Bed Bath & Beyond investor Ryan Cohen must face emoji-inspired shareholder suit," by Rob Wile (NBC News, 2023)."My Declaration Identifying Emoji Co. GmbH as a Possible Trademark Troll," by Eric Goldman (Technology & Marketing Blog, 2021)."Bardales v. Lamothe," by Middle District of Tennessee (2019)."Emojis and the Law," by Eric Goldman (Washington Law Review, 2018). EXTRAS:OpenMoji FAQ. 

How do you turn an empty house into a buyer’s dream home? Zachary Crockett pulls back the curtain. SOURCES:Meredith Baer, founder of Meridith Baer Home.Cindy Lin, founder and lead instructor at Staged4more School of Home Staging.Karen Prince, author and home staging consultant. RESOURCES:"How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing the Real Estate Game," by Kate Dubinski (C.B.C. News, 2023)."Will Virtual Staging Replace Traditionally Staged Rooms?" by Barbara Ballinger (Realtor Magazine, 2022)."Open Houses and Sticky Fingers," by Alix Strauss (The New York Times, 2022)."Profile of Home Staging," by the National Association of Realtors Research Group (2021).Secrets of Home Staging: The Essential Guide to Getting Higher Offers Faster, by Karen Prince (2021)."How Meridith Baer Runs Her $100 Million Home Staging Business," by Jenna Wang (Forbes, 2019)."Designer Meridith Baer’s Home-Staging Empire Began With a Plant Storage Dilemma," by Arielle Paul (Los Angeles Times, 2019)."The Twilight Zone of Home Staging," by Peter Haldeman (The New York Times, 2016)."The Story Seller," by Mark Oppenheimer (The New York Times Magazine, 2009).Home Staging: The Winning Way to Sell Your House for More Money, by Barb Schwarz (2006). 

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. 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)." 

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).

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). 

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.

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). 

What goes into creating an episode of The Economics of Everyday Things? And how do shows like this one make money? Zachary Crockett turns the mic on himself. SOURCES:Gabe Tartaglia, vice president of podcast and satellite monetization at SiriusXM.Gabe Roth, editorial director of the Freakonomics Radio Network.Sarah Lilley, senior producer of The Economics of Everyday Things.Jeremy Johnston, audio engineer at the Freakonomics Radio Network.Daniel Moritz-Rabson, fact-checker at the Freakonomics Radio Network. RESOURCES:"Digital Ad Revenue Surges 15% YoY in 2024, Climbing to $259B, According to IAB," (International Advertising Bureau, 2025)."Cost per Thousand (CPM) Definition and Its Role in Marketing," by Will Kenton (Investopedia, 2024)."Podcast Statistics You Need To Know," (Backlinko). APM Music — Licensing  .