The Economics of Everyday Things

120. An update on the show

December 29, 2025

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  • The Economics of Everyday Things, hosted by Zachary Crockett, is going on an indefinite hiatus starting in the new year. 
  • Over its run, the show produced 120 episodes, reaching millions of listeners globally by exploring the complexity beneath everyday items like toothpaste and laundromats. 
  • Listeners wishing to keep up with Zachary Crockett's future work should subscribe to his newsletter found at zcrocket.com. 

Segments

Show Premise and Scope
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(00:00:08)
  • Key Takeaway: The Economics of Everyday Things operates on the premise that everything in daily life, such as toothpaste or billboards, is complex when examined beneath the surface.
  • Summary: The show’s foundational idea is that ordinary items hold hidden complexity. Over its run, the show explored subjects ranging from laundromats to tube of toothpaste. This approach aimed to reveal the intricate nature of common objects.
Show Production Metrics
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(00:00:27)
  • Key Takeaway: The Economics of Everyday Things produced 120 episodes over three years, involving nearly 500,000 words of scripts and interviews with over 300 professionals.
  • Summary: The show achieved significant output, including 120 episodes and almost 500,000 words of script material. The host interviewed a diverse range of experts, including pistachio farmers, Michelin star chefs, and elevator mechanics. This extensive production effort spanned seven continents in terms of listenership.
Hiatus Announcement and Future Plans
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(00:00:59)
  • Key Takeaway: The Economics of Everyday Things is entering an indefinite hiatus starting in the new year, though old episodes will remain available and reruns will begin soon.
  • Summary: Zachary Crockett announced that the show is pausing indefinitely, following up on a previous week’s announcement. While new episodes might appear later, listeners are directed to his newsletter at zcrocket.com for updates on his current activities. The feed will begin replaying past episodes shortly.
Closing Remarks and Sign-off
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(00:01:40)
  • Key Takeaway: The final message encourages listeners to maintain the show’s core philosophy by continuing to seek out the extraordinary aspects within ordinary surroundings.
  • Summary: The host expressed gratitude for listener support and affection for working on the show. The concluding advice is to never stop looking for the extraordinary elements present in everyday life. The segment ends with a brief mention of the Freconomics Radio Network and Stitcher.