129. Why Do We Cheat, and Why Shouldn’t We?
Is there such a thing as a victimless crime? In an unfair system, is dishonesty okay? And are adolescent vandals out of ideas?
Jan 08, 2023•40 min•Ep. 129
No Stupid Questions
Research psychologist Angela Duckworth (author of "Grit") and tech and sports executive Mike Maughan really like to ask people questions, and they believe there’s no such thing as a stupid one. So they have a podcast where they can ask each other as many “stupid questions” as they want. New episodes each week. "No Stupid Questions" is a production of the Freakonomics Radio Network.
To get every show in the Freakonomics Radio Network without ads and a monthly bonus episode of Freakonomics Radio, start a free trial for SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.
Episodes
What’s So Great About Retirement? (Ep. 87 Replay)
How do you know when it’s the right time to retire? What does a “good” retirement look like? And will Stephen and Angela ever really hang up their hats?
Jan 01, 2023•33 min
128. How Can You Give Better Gifts?
How many bottles of wine are regifted? What’s wrong with giving cash? And should Angela give her husband a subscription to the Sausage of the Month Club?
Dec 25, 2022•40 min•Ep. 128
127. How Can You Be a Better Communicator?
How do you express yourself when you're not sure what you want to say? What’s the number one way to get people to listen to you? And why are letters to advice columns always well-written? Plus: An update to the NSQ drinking game.
Dec 18, 2022•38 min•Ep. 127
126. Why Do People Love Horror Movies?
When are negative emotions enjoyable? Are we all a little masochistic? And do pigs like hot sauce?
Dec 11, 2022•37 min•Ep. 126
125. Should We Replace Umpires With Robots?
What do gamblers and referees have in common? When do machines make better decisions than people? And has Stephen been replaced by a computer?
Dec 04, 2022•40 min•Ep. 125
124. How Do You Stop Grinding Your Teeth?
How can you break a bad habit if you’re not aware that you’re doing it? Does Barack Obama grind his teeth? And is Angela’s dentist a crook?
Nov 27, 2022•38 min•Ep. 124
123. What’s Wrong With Coveting?
What’s the difference between schadenfreude and sadism? Can envy be put to good use? And how do you teach a kid to punch a clown?
Nov 20, 2022•38 min•Ep. 123
When Is It OK to Tell a Lie? (Replay from Ep. 66)
Can a little dishonesty be a good thing? How many fibs does Angela tell every day? And why does Stephen have a forehead?
Nov 13, 2022•22 min
122. Is Family Overrated?
If you’re frustrated with your family, should you cut ties with them? Who’s more likely to break with relatives over politics, liberals or conservatives? And what would it take for Stephen to buy a baby elephant?
Nov 06, 2022•34 min•Ep. 122
121. How Good Are Your Snap Judgments?
How much can you tell about someone from the first few seconds of a Zoom call? What did Stephen think of Angie when he first met her? And: a special message to babies from the future.
Oct 30, 2022•38 min•Ep. 121
120. Why Are Rich Countries So Unhappy?
How does comparing yourself to others affect your well-being? What do you do when there’s no one left to blame? And should we all just move to Finland?
Oct 23, 2022•37 min•Ep. 120
119. J***s C****t, Angela, Why Are You Such a F***ing Potty-Mouth?
What’s the purpose of profanity? Why is cursing on the rise? And will Angela finally swear off swearing?
Oct 16, 2022•38 min•Ep. 119
118. How Do You Keep Winter From Getting You Down?
How should you treat Seasonal Affective Disorder? Would we all be happier if we hibernated? And why does Stephen think football fans have an easier time?
Oct 09, 2022•34 min•Ep. 118
117. What’s Wrong With Holding a Grudge?
How do you let go of resentment? Do apologies even work? And what grievances have Stephen and Angela been nursing for years?
Oct 02, 2022•37 min•Ep. 117
116. Do People Pay Attention to Signs?
Do highway warnings save lives or cost lives? How do you keep men from peeing on the floor? And what’s Angela’s plan to get more people washing their hands?
Sep 25, 2022•37 min•Ep. 116
115. Are You Having a Midlife Crisis?
How is aging different today than it was in the past? What do young people get wrong about happiness? And what does it mean if you impulsively decide to get your ear pierced in an unusual place?
Sep 18, 2022•39 min•Ep. 115
114. Can You Learn to Love Hard Work?
Can exercising your body boost your brain's stamina? Are some people just born lazy? And why did Angela stop reading “Us Weekly”?
Sep 11, 2022•37 min•Ep. 114
113. How Can You Improve Your Mental Endurance?
Why do some activities tire your brain more than others? How exhausting is poverty? And could most of the world’s problems be solved with a sandwich?
Sep 04, 2022•35 min•Ep. 113
112. Is It Okay to Hate Highbrow Culture?
Are Europeans more sophisticated than Americans? What’s wrong with preferring Taylor Swift to Puccini? And is Steve Levitt “Team Edward” or “Team Jacob”?
Aug 28, 2022•36 min•Ep. 112
111. Would You Be Happier if You Lived Someplace Else?
Will Angela finally break up with Philadelphia? Is New York really the unhappiest city in the U.S.? And are there trash tornadoes in the metaverse?
Aug 21, 2022•34 min•Ep. 111
110. Why Is Angela Stepping Down as C.E.O. of the Nonprofit She Founded?
Are you a problem solver or an opportunity seeker? Why is it so hard to find a good leader these days? And could you be Angela’s next boss?
Aug 14, 2022•34 min•Ep. 110
What’s the Best Advice You’ve Ever Received? (Replay from Ep. 65)
What risks are worth taking? When should you ignore feedback and go with your gut? And what did Stephen learn on a fishing trip with the town barber?
Aug 07, 2022•24 min
109. What Is the Purpose of Embarrassment?
What’s worse: shame, guilt, or humiliation? Does Angela have psychopathic tendencies? And where’s the worst place to sit at a magic show?
Jul 31, 2022•35 min•Ep. 109
108. Should You Try to Be Less Angry?
What is the purpose of negative emotions? Why do we engage with things we know will upset us? And how does Angie deal with rejection?
Jul 24, 2022•37 min•Ep. 108
107. Is It Worth It for Charities to Harass Their Donors?
Is it O.K. to bother people for a good cause? Why do people donate to charity in the first place? And do those personalized address labels actually make people get out their checkbooks?
Jul 17, 2022•37 min•Ep. 107
106. Did Your Early Childhood Determine the Course of Your Life?
Are we all either secure, avoidant, or anxious? How does your relationship with your parents shape your romantic partnerships? And what is Stephen’s attachment style?
Jul 10, 2022•38 min•Ep. 106
How Does Facing Death Change Your Life? (Replay from Ep. 49)
Are you more likely to experience post-traumatic stress or post-traumatic growth? How does belief in the afterlife affect how you view death? And why did Angela hike a deadly gorge with her ex-boyfriend?
Jul 03, 2022•28 min
105. Should You Give Kids an Allowance or Make Them Get Jobs?
How do kids learn about money? What’s the big problem with education? And who made "Raiders of the Lost Ark?"
Jun 26, 2022•35 min•Ep. 105
104. How Simple Is Too Simple?
Why are humans so eager for magic-bullet solutions? Can you explain how a pen works? And how does Angela feel about being forever branded “the grit lady”?
Jun 19, 2022•35 min•Ep. 104