David Rubenstein, a product of the old bipartisan D.C., made his fortune in private equity. He’s been spending it on “patriotic philanthropy” and institutions like the Kennedy Center, where Trump fired him as chairman. Now he wonders if the center can hold.

• SOURCES:
  • David Rubenstein, co-founder and co-chairman of the Carlyle Group, principal owner of the Baltimore Orioles.

• RESOURCES:
  • Inside the Owner's Box: Conversations on Power and Leadership in Sports, by David M. Rubenstein (2026).
  • The American Experiment: Dialogues on a Dream, by David M. Rubenstein (2021).
  • The American Story: Conversations With Master Historians, by David M. Rubenstein (2019).
  • Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game, by Michael Lewis (2003).

• EXTRAS:
  • "The Merger You Never Knew You Wanted," by Freakonomics Radio (2025).
  • "The Secret Life of a C.E.O.," series by Freakonomics Radio (2018).
  • "Extra: David Rubenstein Full Interview," by Freakonomics Radio (2018).
  • "The Longest Long Shot," by Freakonomics Radio (2016).

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One possibility: a leading hypothesis pursued by researchers (and funders) was built on science that now appears to be fraudulent. Stephen Dubner speaks with the scientist and the journalist who blew the whistle.

• SOURCES:
  • Charles Piller, investigative journalist for Science, author of Doctored.
  • Matthew Schrag, associate professor of neurology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

• RESOURCES:
  • Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer's, by Charles Piller (2025).
  • "The brain makes a lot of waste. Now scientists think they know where it goes," by Jon Hamilton (NPR, 2024).
  • "The history of Alzheimer’s disease," by Lisa Kiani and Richard Hodson (Nature, 2024).

• EXTRAS:
  • "Can Marty Makary Fix the F.D.A.?" by Freakonomics Radio (2026).
  • "Are You Ready for the Elder Swell?" by Freakonomics Radio (2025).

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Just beneath the surface of the global economy, there is a hidden layer of dealmakers for whom war, chaos, and sanctions can be a great business opportunity. In this updated episode from 2025, journalists Javier Blas and Jack Farchy help us shine a light on the shadowy realm of commodity traders.

• SOURCES:
  • Javier Blas, opinion columnist at Bloomberg News.
  • Jack Farchy, energy and commodities senior reporter at Bloomberg News.
• RESOURCES:
  • The World For Sale: Money, Power, and the Traders Who Barter the Earth's Resources, by Javier Blas and Jack Farchy (2021)
  • The King of Oil: The Secret Lives of Marc Rich, by Daniel Ammann (2010).
• EXTRAS:
  • "How the Supermarket Helped America Win the Cold War (Update)" by Freakonomics Radio (2024).
  • "The First Great American Industry," by Freakonomics Radio (2023).

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