Zachary Crockett

3 weeks ago | freakonomics.com | Zachary Crockett

Every year, on the Fourth of July, millions of people in towns and cities across the United States watch the night sky light up with explosives in all different patterns and colors. For many Americans, the fireworks show is a highlight of the summer — a source of wonder and awe. But the guys in charge of coordinating and launching them are usually more nervous than excited. BRAU: It is a lot of pressure on the Fourth of July when you’re out there. That’s JJ Brau.

1 month ago | freakonomics.com | Zachary Crockett

Episode Transcript Back in the 1990s, while working as a flight attendant, Jeremy Shepherd made an impulsive purchase that would change the course of his life. SHEPHERD: I was on layover in China, and there is a market there, the Hongqiao Sherchang in Beijing. It’s a market where flight attendants used to go to buy anything from knockoff purses to clothing. There was an entire floor of pearls.

1 month ago | freakonomics.com | Zachary Crockett

Episode Transcript Growing up in the early 1990s, R.J. Mackenzie’s life revolved around baseball. And in his hometown of Pomona, New York, it was all about Little League. R.J. MACKENZIE: Little League was, like, the thing. That’s what we all looked forward to. It was just the focal point of the community. That’s where everybody went in the spring. And you lived and died with whatever team you played on.

1 month ago | freakonomics.com | Zachary Crockett

KIEPERT: For me, I mean, it starts in the station. You have a seat in the car, you let the lap bar down. When that lap bar is locked down, I feel like Superman, you know? Wow, those seagulls are way down there and I am way up here. There’s something wrong here.” My heart just starts beating a little bit. And then the next thing you know, there’s speed like you’ve never felt before. You’re floating over a big hill and you just feel like, “Wow, I’m like that bird that I just saw.

2 months ago | freakonomics.com | Zachary Crockett

Katie Ryan’s home office in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is pretty run of the mill. RYAN: I just have a regular Ikea desk. I have a big TV up on the wall. I have a laptop stand with my laptop on it, and then I have a monitor stand that has two monitors on it. There’s a blanket on the floor for my dog, you know. But the work she does at this desk is seen by millions of people every week. RYAN: I’ve done the Super Bowl a handful of times, I’ve done the Olympics many times.