Stephen Dubner discusses launching weekly YouTube talk show “Better in Person”

Stephen Dubner, the author and journalist who rose to prominence as co-writer of the New York Times bestseller “Freakonomics,” discussed the early development of his new weekly talk show during an interview on CBS Mornings on July 15, 2026. Dubner said he is launching “Better in Person,” a series built around conversations with guests that he describes as spanning a wide range of topics.

Dubner told CBS Mornings that the show is designed to move beyond standard interview formats by creating a closer, more personal setting for long-form conversation. The program’s format, he said, reflects how he approaches storytelling, with an emphasis on curiosity and the exchange of ideas that can follow people from one subject to the next rather than staying in a single lane.

In the interview, Dubner also described how “Better in Person” got its start, explaining that the project came together from the idea of building a recurring platform where he could speak with a broad mix of people and bring audiences along as the discussions develop. He characterized the series as a step he chose to take himself rather than waiting for a traditional production route.

A key point in Dubner’s remarks was the financing decision. He said he decided to self-finance the show, a choice that he framed as part of maintaining control over how the series is produced and distributed. Self-financing also means the project’s pace and early operational choices are tied to the creator’s own schedule and resources.

Dubner said “Better in Person” is hosted on YouTube, placing it in the streaming-first media environment where audiences can access episodes on demand. He described having a broad set of guests lined up for the series, though CBS Mornings did not provide names in the segment summary.

The interview positions “Better in Person” as Dubner’s next major media move after the readership and mainstream recognition he gained with “Freakonomics.” The CBS Mornings segment indicated that the focus now is on establishing the show as a consistent weekly release, building an audience, and demonstrating the show’s range through its guest roster.

As Dubner proceeds with the rollout, viewers and potential guests will be watching for how the series structures episode length, production style, and thematic variety over time. The immediate next step is continued episode publishing on YouTube as the weekly schedule takes shape, with Dubner speaking to how he plans to keep the show moving as it grows.