No Stupid Questions
Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
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.
10. Why Are Stories Stickier Than Statistics?
Also: are the most memorable stories less likely to be true? This episode originally aired on July 19, 2020.
9. Why Is It So Hard to Be Alone With Our Thoughts?
Also: how do you avoid screwing up your kids? This episode originally aired on July 12, 2020.
8. Wouldn’t It Be Better to Hear Your Eulogy Before You’re Dead?
Also: how does a comedian cope with tragedy? With Eugene Mirman. This episode originally aired on July 5, 2020.
7. How Do You Handle Criticism?
Also: is it better to send a congratulatory note to someone who deserves it or a condolence note to someone who needs it? This episode originally aired on June 28, 2020.
6. Is Incompetence a Form of Dishonesty?
Also: should we all have personal mission statements? This episode originally aired on June 21, 2020.
5. What Do Tom Sawyer and the Founder of Duolingo Have in Common?
Also: is there such a thing as too much science?Plus, our special guest, Luis von Ahn, an inventor of CAPTCHA and a pioneer of free online language learning. This episode originally aired on June 14, 2020.
4. Does All Creativity Come From Pain?
Also: is life precious because it’s finite? This episode originally aired on June 7, 2020.
3. What Does It Mean to Be a “Hard Worker”?
Also: how does age affect happiness? This episode originally aired on May 31, 2020.
2. What is the Optimal Way to Be Angry?
Also: why do we treat pets better than people? This episode originally aired on May 24, 2020.
1. Did Covid-19 Kill the Handshake?
Also: why can't humans handle uncertainty already?We’re replaying No Stupid Questions, starting here with the very first episode, from May 17, 2020.
223. What About All the Questions We Haven’t Answered?
How can you learn to love uncertainty? Is it better to cultivate acceptance or strive for change? And, after 223 episodes, what is the meaning of life? SOURCES:Jessica Alquist, professor of psychology at Texas Tech University.Roy Baumeister, professor of psychology at The University of Queensland.Raymond Carver, 20th-century American short story writer and poet.Stephen Colbert, comedian and late-night TV host.Matt Damon, actor and film producer.Viktor Frankl, 20th-century Austrian neurologist,
222. What Makes an Idea Interesting?
What do Karl Marx, Sigmund Freud, and Malcolm Gladwell have in common? Are interesting theories more significant than true ones? And what has been keeping Angela up at night? Plus: an important announcement about the show. SOURCES:Charles Darwin, 19th-century naturalist and biologist.Murray Davis, cultural sociologist.Malcolm Gladwell, journalist and author.Adam Grant, professor of management and psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.B. F. Skinner, 20th-century American psychologist. RES
Is It Weird for Adults to Have Imaginary Friends? (Replay)
Why does listening to No Stupid Questions feel like you’re hanging out with your best friends? Why did the whole world take it personally when Princess Diana died? And how do “parasocial relationships” affect your mental health? SOURCES:Bradley Bond, professor of communication studies at the University of San Diego.John Cacioppo, professor of psychology at the University of Chicago.Joe Cobbs, professor of marketing at Northern Kentucky University.Nick Epley, professor of behavioral science at th
221. Why Are We So Pessimistic?
Are things really as bad as they seem? Has Gen Z given up hope for the world? And why was the father of positive psychology a lifelong pessimist? SOURCES:Albert Bandura, professor of psychology at Stanford University.David Brooks, author and opinion columnist. Andrew Grove, former C.E.O. and chairman of Intel Corporation.Kalev Leetaru, founder of the GDELT Project.Steven Maier, professor of behavioral neuroscience at the University of Colorado Boulder.Michelle Obama, attorney, author, and former
220. Is Your Attention Span Shrinking?
Does a surplus of information create a shortage of attention? Are today’s young people really unable to focus? And do goldfish need better PR? SOURCES:Neil Bradbury, professor of physiology at Rosalind Franklin University.Nicholas Carr, writer and journalist.Johann Hari, writer and journalist.Charles Howard, University Chaplain and Vice President for Social Equity & Community at the University of Pennsylvania.Felicity Huntingford, emeritus professor of functional ecology at the university of Gl
219. How Do You Identify a Narcissist?
What’s the difference between narcissism and high self-esteem? Does social media fuel arrogance or self-consciousness? And do people get less toxic with age? SOURCES:Brené Brown, research professor at the University of Houston and visiting professor in management at the University of Texas at Austin.Jonathan Haidt, professor of social psychology at the New York University Stern School of Business.Michael Lewis, author.Cooper McAllister, senior consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton.Jean Twenge, prof
How Can You Give Better Gifts? (Replay)
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? SOURCES:Joel Waldfogel, professor of strategic management & entrepreneurship at the University of Minnesota. RESOURCES:“How to Become a Truly Excellent Gift Giver,” by Eliza Brooke (Vox, 2022).“How to Calculate a Holiday Tip for the Doorman,” by Ronda Kaysen (The New York Times, 2022).“Least Favorite Gifts to Receive for Christmas in the United
218. Why Do Parents Overshare on Social Media?
How does social media exploit our evolutionary instincts? How dangerous is it to post about your children online? And does Angela regret talking about her daughters on the podcast? SOURCES:Erin Carbone, visiting assistant professor of social and decision sciences at Carnegie Mellon University.Jimmy Kimmel, comedian and late-night television host.George Loewenstein, professor of economics and psychology at Carnegie Mellon University.Taylor Swift, singer-songwriter.Christie Tate, essayist and auth
217. What Happens When You Put on a Costume?
Would you steal Halloween candy? Should people be required to identify themselves online? And why did Angela go trick-or-treating in a trash bag? SOURCES:Hajo Adam, professor of management at the University of Bath.Marianna Cerini, journalist.Edward Diener, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Illinois.Adam Galinsky, professor of leadership and ethics at Columbia Business School.J. Nathan Matias, assistant professor at the Cornell University Departments of Communication and In
216. Why Do We Make Excuses?
Is it better to explain a mistake or just accept responsibility? What’s the difference between an excuse and a justification? And why is it important to remember that you’re not a pizzeria on the Jersey Shore? SOURCES:Robert Cialdini, professor of psychology at Arizona State University.Raymond Higgins, professor emeritus of psychology at University of Kansas.Martin Seligman, professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.Rick Snyder, professor emeritus of psychology at University of
215. Is It Okay to Do the Right Thing for the Wrong Reason?
What’s wrong with donating to charity for the tax write-off? Should we think less of people who do volunteer work to pad their resumes? And why is Angela stopping women in public parks to compliment them? SOURCES:Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.Geoffrey Goodwin, professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.Jon Huntsman, politician, diplomat, and businessman.Immanuel Kant, 18th-century German philosopher.Emrys Westacott, professor of philos
214. What Does It Take to Survive a Scandal?
How do you come back from being “canceled”? Are we more likely to forgive someone if they cry? And what makes a successful public apology? SOURCES:Karen Cerulo, professor emeritus of sociology at Rutgers University.Bill Clinton, former president of the United States.David Gergen, professor emeritus of public leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School; former White House adviser to four U.S. presidents.Benjamin Ho, professor and chair of economics at Vassar College.Monica Lewinsky, activist.John L
Why Do People Love Horror Movies? (Replay)
When are negative emotions enjoyable? Are we all a little masochistic? And do pigs like hot sauce? SOURCES:Carol Dweck, professor of psychology at Stanford University.Sigmund Freud, neurologist and father of psychoanalysis.Paul Rozin, professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.Robert Sapolsky, professor of biology, neurology, and neurosurgery at Stanford University.George Vaillant, professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Mass General Research Institute. RESOURCES:"Th
213. What Is Evil?
What makes normal people do terrible things? Are there really bad apples — or just bad barrels? And how should you deal with a nefarious next-door neighbor? SOURCES:Jonathan Haidt, professor of ethical leadership at New York University’s Stern School of Business.Christina Maslach, professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley.Stanley Milgram, 20th century professor of psychology at Yale University.Edward R. Murrow, 20th century American broadcast journalist and war correspond
212. When Do You Become an Adult?
Who decided that we’re fully mature at 18? Should 16-year-olds have the right to vote? And why are young people bringing their parents to job interviews? SOURCES:Jeffrey Arnett, senior research scholar in psychology at Clark University.Julie Beck, staff writer at The Atlantic.Grace Icenogle, confinement prevention administrator in the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families.Allyson Mackey, professor of neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania.Trevor Noah, comedian, writer, a
211. Why Do We Listen to Sad Songs?
What are Mike and Angela’s favorite songs to cry to? Can upbeat music lift you out of a bad mood? And what is Angela going to sing the next time she does karaoke? SOURCES:Matthew Desmond, professor of sociology at Princeton University.Daniel Kahneman, professor emeritus of psychology and public affairs at Princeton University.Joshua Knobe, professor of philosophy, psychology, and linguistics at Yale University.Simon McCarthy-Jones, professor of psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin.Yael Millgram,
210. What Makes a Good Sense of Humor?
What is the evolutionary purpose of laughter? What’s the difference between Swedish depression and American depression? And why aren’t aliens interested in abducting Mike? SOURCES:Jennifer Aaker, professor of marketing at Stanford University.Judd Apatow, film director, screenwriter, and comedian.Fredrik Backman, author.Naomi Bagdonas, lecturer in management at Stanford University.James Corden, actor, comedian, and former late-night television host.Dick Costolo, former C.E.O. of Twitter.Carol Dw
Why Are Stories Stickier Than Statistics? (Replay)
Also: are the most memorable stories less likely to be true? Stephen Dubner chats with Angela Duckworth in this classic episode from July 2020. SOURCES:Pearl S. Buck, 20th-century American novelist.Jack Gallant, professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of California, Berkeley.Steve Levitt, professor emeritus of economics at the University of Chicago, host of People I (Mostly) Admire, and co-author of the Freakonomics books.George Loewenstein, professor of economics and psycholo
209. Why Do We Settle?
Why does the U.S. use Fahrenheit when Celsius is better? Would you quit your job if a coin flip told you to? And how do you get an entire country to drive on the other side of the road? SOURCES:Christian Crandall, professor of psychology at the University of Kansas.Stephen Dubner, host of Freakonomics Radio and co-author of the Freakonomics books.Scott Eidelman, professor of psychology at the University of Arkansas.David Hume, 18th century Scottish philosopher.Ellen Langer, professor of psycholo
208. Can A.I. Companions Replace Human Connection?
What happens when machines become funnier, kinder, and more empathetic than humans? Do robot therapists save lives? And should Angela credit her virtual assistant as a co-author of her book? SOURCES:Robert Cialdini, professor emeritus of psychology at Arizona State University.Reid Hoffman, co-founder and executive chairman of LinkedIn; co-founder and board member of Inflection AI.Kazuo Ishiguro, novelist and screenwriter.Ethan Mollick, professor of management and co-director of the Generative A.
207. How Clearly Do You See Yourself?
Do you see yourself the same way others see you? What’s the difference between self-perception and self-awareness? And why do Mike and Angela both hate fishing? SOURCES:Luis von Ahn, co-founder and C.E.O. of Duolingo; former chair of the board at Character Lab.Paul DePodesta, chief strategy officer of the Cleveland Browns; former baseball executive.Daniel Kahneman, professor emeritus of psychology and public affairs at Princeton University.Michel de Montaigne, 16th-century French philosopher.Bar
Why Do People Get Scammed? (Replay)
What makes a con succeed? Does snake oil actually work? And just how gullible is Angela? SOURCES:Robert Cialdini, professor emeritus of psychology and marketing at Arizona State University.Yaniv Hanoch, professor of decision sciences at Coventry University.Hugo Mercier, research scientist at the French National Centre for Scientific Research.George Parker, 19-20th century American con artist.Clark Stanley, 19th century American herbalist and quack doctor.William Thompson, 19th century American c
206. When Is It Time to Step Aside?
Should government jobs have mandatory retirement ages? Is it foolish to care about your legacy? And why did Jason always call Angela’s father “Dr. Lee”? SOURCES:William Bridges, professor emeritus of American literature at Mills College, consultant, and author.Arthur Brooks, professor of leadership at Harvard University.Jimmy Carter, former President of the United States and founder of the Carter Center.Erik Erikson, 20th-century psychoanalyst.Craig Fox, professor of management at the University
205. Where Do Values Come From?
Do you get your principles from your parents — or in spite of them? Is there anything wrong with valuing conformity? And why doesn’t McDonald’s sell salads? SOURCES:Erika James, dean of the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.Olivia Rodrigo, singer-songwriter.Shalom Schwartz, professor emeritus of psychology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.Thomas Talhelm, professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. RESOURCES:"Measuring
204. What Happens When You’re Cut Off From All Human Contact?
How is the brain affected by solitary confinement? How would you deal with being stranded on a deserted island? And do baby monkeys make the best therapists? SOURCES:William Broyles Jr., screenwriter, journalism, and former U.S. Marine Corps officer.Beatriz Flamini, Spanish mountaineer.Craig Haney, professor of psychology at the University of California Santa Cruz.Harry Harlow, 20th-century American psychologist.Sarah Hepola, author.Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa.Tree Meinch,
203. Do You Need a Hug?
Do humans need touch to survive? Do any of us get enough touch throughout our lives? And why doesn’t Angela want to hug anyone for eight seconds? SOURCES:Ophelia Deroy, chair of the department of philosophy of mind and cognitive neuroscience at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.Kory Floyd, professor of communications at the University of Arizona.Harry Harlow, 20th-century American psychologist.Sirin Kale, associate editor at Vice.Christy Kane, clinical mental health counselor.Carmen Rasmuse
How Effective Are Ultimatums? (Replay)
How final is a final offer, really? Does anonymity turn nice people into jerks? And should you tell your crush that you dreamed about marrying them? SOURCES:Max Bazerman, professor of business administration at Harvard Business School.Deepak Malhotra, professor of business administration at Harvard Business School.Elon Musk, owner and C.T.O. of X Corp (formerly Twitter), C.E.O. of Space X, and C.E.O. of Tesla.John Krasinski, actor and filmmaker. RESOURCES:"Elon Musk Says Twitter Will Try to Rehi
202. Why Can’t We Tolerate Discomfort?
Are we using technology to make ourselves numb? What’s the downside of air conditioning? And was Angela the most annoying person in her college classes? SOURCES:Paul Bloom, professor of psychology at the University of Toronto.Ed Diener, professor emeritus at the University of Illinois.Michael Easter, author.Alex Hutchinson, journalist.Shigehiro Oishi, professor of psychology at the University of Chicago.Taylor Swift, singer-songwriter. RESOURCES:"World Happiness Report," (Gallup, 2024)."How Pain
201. Are You Dreaming Too Big?
Are fantasies helpful or harmful? How is daydreaming like a drug? And what did Angela fantasize about during ninth-grade English class? SOURCES:Patrick Bet-David, YouTuber and founding C.E.O. of PHP Agency Inc.Barbara Corcoran, "Shark" and executive producer on ABC’s Shark Tank and founder of The Corcoran Group.Peter Gollwitzer, professor of psychology at New York University.Danny Kahneman, professor emeritus of psychology at Princeton University.Robert Nozick, philosopher.Gabriele Oettingen, pr
200. What’s the Difference Between Empathy and Sympathy?
Can you ever really know how another person feels? What’s the best way to support a grieving person? And why doesn’t Hallmark sell empathy cards? SOURCES:Daniel Batson, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Kansas.Paul Bloom, professor of psychology at University of Toronto.Paul Polman, businessman, author, and former C.E.O. of Unilever. RESOURCES:“Empathy, Sympathy, and Emotion Regulation: A Meta-Analytic Review,” by H. Melis Yavuz, Tyler Colasante, Emma Galarneau, and Tina Mal
199. What Makes a Good Gathering?
Why do so many book clubs fall apart? Do the best parties have rules? And does Angela’s husband want to date you? SOURCES:Fredrik Backman, author.David Chavis, senior fellow at Community Science.Daniel Gilbert, professor of psychology at Harvard University.Sebastian Junger, journalist and author.David McMillan, clinical and community psychologist.Priya Parker, strategic advisor and author. RESOURCES:"Do Conversations End When People Want Them to?" by Adam M. Mastroianni, Daniel Gilbert, Gus Coo
198. What Does It Mean to Be “Cool”?
What’s the difference between being popular and being cool? How has social media changed the trend cycle? And what do Taylor Swift and Walmart have in common? SOURCES:Anette Asp, project manager and research coordinator at the California Institute of Technology.Lalin Anik, professor of marketing at Vrije University Amsterdam.Marc Bain, journalist.Judy Blume, young adult author.Colin Camerer, professor of behavioral economics at the California Institute of Technology.James Dean, 20th-century Amer
197. Is It Wrong to Lie to Children?
Why do we tell kids that a fairy will give them cash in exchange for their teeth? How should we talk to them about scary things in the world? And is Mike one of the greatest operatic tenors of all time? SOURCES:Laura Wheatman Hill, journalist.George Lin, Ph.D. student in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.Melinda Wenner Moyer, journalist and author.Luciano Pavarotti, Italian operatic tenor.Amy Stoeber, clinical psychologist.Jacqueline Woolley, professor of psychology at the University
Extra: Angela Duckworth on “Masters of Scale”
WaitWhat C.E.O. Jeff Berman interviews Angela about “grit-scaling” and her unlikely path to academic celebrity.
196. What’s Wrong With Being a Little Neurotic?
Is there any upside to negative emotions? What can comedians teach us about dealing with pain? And why did Angela eat off of a stranger’s plate at a sushi bar? SOURCES:Ludwig van Beethoven, 18th-19th century composer and pianist.Jen Christensen, reporter and producer at CNN.Lauren Eskreis-Winkler, professor of management & organizations at Northwestern University.Sigmund Freud, neurologist and founder of psychoanalysis.Shirley MacLaine, actor.George Vaillant, professor of psychiatry at Massachu
195. Can You Be Too Nice?
Where is the line between a good guy and a doormat? Do people with sharp elbows make more money? And why did Angela’s mother give away her birthday present?Take the Big Five inventory: freakonomics.com/bigfive SOURCES:Kristen Bell, actor.Jeff Bezos, founder and executive chairman of Amazon.Harry Connick Jr., singer, pianist, and actor.Juli Fraga, psychologist and writer.Adam Grant, professor of management and psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.Allison Sweet Grant, writer.Timothy Judge,
194. Is It Okay to Be an Introvert?
What’s the difference between being introverted and being shy? What are extroverts so cheerful about? And does Angela’s social battery ever run out?Take the Big Five inventory: freakonomics.com/bigfive SOURCES:Susan Cain, author.Will Fleeson, professor of psychology at Wake Forest University.Sigmund Freud, neurologist and founder of psychoanalysis.Adam Grant, professor of management and psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.Carl Jung, psychiatrist and psychoanalyst.Donald Kamentz, founder
193. Are You as Conscientious as You Think You Are?
Is it really that important to make your bed? What’s the benefit of hiring a lazy person? And how many cups of spinach can Mike fit in a red Solo cup? Take the Big Five inventory: freakonomics.com/bigfive SOURCES:David Barack, philosopher and neuroscientist at the University of Pennsylvania.Randall Bell, socio-economist and C.E.O. of Landmark Research Group.Julia Cameron, author, poet, songwriter, filmmaker, and playwright.Charles Duhigg, journalist and author.Guy Kawasaki, author and Silicon V
Should You Get Out of Your Comfort Zone?
What do the most creative people have in common? How open-minded are you, really? And what’s wrong with ordering eggs Benedict? Take the Big Five inventory: freakonomics.com/bigfive SOURCES:Max Bennett, co-founder and C.E.O. of Alby.David Epstein, author and journalist.Ayelet Fishbach, professor of behavioral science and marketing at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.Alison Gopnik, professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley.Steve Jobs, co-founder and form
191. Can You Change Your Personality?
Are you the same person you were a decade ago? Do we get better as we age? And is your sixth-grade class clown still funny? SOURCES:Aaron (Tim) Beck, professor emeritus of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania.Daniel Gilbert, professor of psychology at Harvard University.Olga Khazan, staff writer at The Atlantic. Brian Little, professor of psychology at the University of Cambridge.Jordi Quoidbach, professor of people management and organisation at ESADE, University Ramon Llull.Carl Roger
190. What’s the Point of Nostalgia?
Is it dangerous to live in the past? Why is Disney remaking all of its classic movies? And why does Angela get sentimental over a cup of soup and a free roll? SOURCES:Julie Beck, senior editor at The Atlantic.Danielle Campoamor, freelance writer and reporter.Kyle Chayka, staff writer at The New Yorker.Amelia Dennis, research associate in psychology at the University of Bath.Erica Hepper, lecturer in personality/social psychology at the University of Surrey.Lucy Hone, director of the New Zealand
189. When Should You Trust Your Gut?
Does instinct trump expertise? Can playing poker improve your intuition? And why did Angela jump off of a moving trolley car? SOURCES:Tom Brady, former quarterback for the New England Patriots.Daniel Kahneman, professor emeritus of psychology and public affairs at Princeton University.Gary Klein, cognitive psychologist and pioneer in the field of naturalistic decision making.Brock Purdy, quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers.Josh Waitzkin, former chess player, martial arts competitor, and auth
188. Why Do Kids Today Get So Many A’s?
Is grade inflation on the rise? How much does your G.P.A. matter in the long run? And when did M.I.T., of all places, become “the cool university”? SOURCES:Scott Hugo, housing justice attorney at Oakland City Attorney’s Office.Bob Ladouceur, former head football coach at De La Salle High School.Jon Marcus, writer at The Hechinger Report.Amelia Nierenberg, Connecticut correspondent for The New York Times. James Pennebaker, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin.Stua
187. Is Fear Running Your Life?
How can you summon courage when you’re terrified? Is hiking more dangerous than skiing? And what is the stupidest thing that Mike has ever done? SOURCES:Albert Bandura, professor of psychology at Stanford University.Marc Brackett, founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and professor in the Child Study Center at Yale School of Medicine.Lisa Damour, clinical psychologist and senior advisor to the Schubert Center for Child Studies at Case Western Reserve University.Christop
186. Do You Need a Routine?
Would you be more adventurous if you had more structure? Do you multitask while brushing your teeth? And what would Mike’s perfect brother Peter do? SOURCES:David Brooks, opinion columnist for The New York Times.Colin Camerer, professor of economics at the California Institute of Technology.James Clear, writer.Mason Currey, author.David Goggins, ultra-endurance athlete and retired U.S. Navy SEAL.Jesse Itzler, entrepreneur and author.Katy Milkman, professor of operations, information and decisio
185. Do You Need Closure?
What’s the best way to carry out random acts of kindness? What’s wrong with making an “Irish exit”? And why is Mike secretly buying lottery tickets? SOURCES:Roy Baumeister, social psychologist and visiting scholar at Harvard University.Daniel Gilbert, professor of psychology at Harvard University.John Gottman, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Washington.Kurt Lewin, 20th-century German-American psychologist.E. J. Masicampo, professor of psychology at Wake Forest University.Ti
184. Are You Doing Too Much?
How can you strive for excellence without overworking yourself? Why is perfectionism on the rise? And is Angela part of the problem? SOURCES:Kristin Andrus, philanthropist.Aaron (Tim) Beck, professor emeritus of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania.Thomas Curran, professor of psychological and behavioral science at the London School of Economics.Julia DiGangi, neuropsychologist.Zac Efron, actor.Scott Hugo, housing justice attorney at Oakland City Attorney's Office. RESOURCES:"For Happine
183. Does Free Will Exist, and Does It Matter?
Does anyone have any real agency? What do McDonald’s and Oxford University have in common? And why did Angela give up on philosophy? SOURCESSam Harris, neuroscientist, philosopher, author, and podcast host.Brian Galla, associate professor of health and human development at University of Pittsburgh.Robert Sapolsky, professor of biology at Stanford University.Harry Emerson Fosdick, founding minister of Riverside Church in New York City.Martin E. P. Seligman, professor of psychology at the Universi
182. Is It Good or Bad to Keep Secrets?
Should you shout your sins from the rooftops? How many skeletons are in the average person’s closet? And what has Angela been hiding? SOURCES:Maya Angelou, memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist.Stephen Baum, postdoctoral researcher at Olin Business School at Washington University.Clayton Critcher, professor of marketing, cognitive science, and psychology at Berkeley Haas School of Business.John Legend, singer-songwriter and pianist.Kareem Abdul Jabbar, former professional basketball player.
181. What’s So Great About Meritocracy?
Do you really deserve the credit for your accomplishments? Should college admissions be determined by lottery? And how did Mike’s contribution to a charity auction change his life? SOURCES:Warren Buffett, investor and philanthropist.James Flynn, political philosopher at the University of Otago.Robert Frank, professor emeritus of management at Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.Rogé Karma, staff writer at The Atlantic.Nicholas Lemann, professor of journalism and dean emeritus at Columbia Jou
180. What Makes Some Objects Feel Special?
Where does sentimental value come from? Why did Angela throw out her childhood journals? And would Mike wear Hitler’s sweater? SOURCES:Jeffrey Galak, professor of marketing at Carnegie Mellon University.John Irving, author.Marie Kondo, professional organizer and consultant.Paul Rozin, professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.Yang Yang, research scientist at the Institute of Behavioral Research at Texas Christian University. RESOURCES:"Experiences Endure," by Angela Duckworth (C
179. Can You Really “Manifest” Success Through Positive Visualization?
Is there any scientific basis for the law of attraction? Are people who believe in “cosmic collaboration” more successful? And what happens when you write yourself a check for $10 million? SOURCES:Rhonda Byrne, writer and TV producer.Jim Carrey, actor.Christopher Clarey, sports journalist and author.Peter Gollwitzer, professor of psychology at New York University.Dave Levin, co-founder and executive director of KIPP Public Charter Schools.Gabriele Oettingen, professor of psychology at New York U
178. Do Kids Need More Independence?
Are modern parents too protective? Why do we worry so much about things that almost never happen? And how did Mike learn about bus stops? SOURCES:David Bjorklund, professor of psychology at Florida Atlantic University.Peter Gray, professor of psychology at Boston College.David Lancy, professor emeritus of anthropology at Utah State University.Lenore Skenazy, president of Let Grow and founder of the Free-Range Kids movement. RESOURCES:"Decline in Independent Activity as a Cause of Decline in Chil
177. What Does Success Look Like?
What matters more: meeting our own ambitions, or winning fame and glory? What’s it like to earn a gold medal at the Olympics? And why didn’t Mike’s grandfather get a watch? SOURCES:Alain de Botton, writer and founder of The School of Life.Kirk Flatow, head coach of co-ed varsity track and field at Monta Vista High School.Katie Ledecky, competitive swimmer.Diana Nyad, long-distance swimmer.Michael Phelps, former competitive swimmer.Martin Seligman, professor of psychology at the University of Pen
63. How Contagious Is Behavior? With Laurie Santos of “The Happiness Lab.” (Replay)
Why do we mirror other people’s accents? Does DJ Khaled get tired of winning? And also: life is good — so why aren’t you happy? SOURCES:Albert Bandura, professor emeritus of psychology at Stanford University.John Bargh, professor of psychology and cognitive science at Yale University.Tanya Chartrand, professor of marketing at Duke University.Clay Cockrell, psychotherapist and founder of Walk and Talk Therapy.Iain Couzin, director of the department of collective behavior at the Max Planck Institu
176. Why Is It So Hard to Make Decisions?
Why do we get overwhelmed when we have too many choices? Should we make our own decisions or copy other people's? And how can Angela manage her sock inventory? SOURCES:Arie Kruglanski, professor of psychology at the University of Maryland, College Park.Katy Milkman, professor of operations, information, and decisions at the University of Pennsylvania.Sylvia Plath, 20th-century American novelist and poet.Barry Schwartz, professor of social theory and social action at Swarthmore College.Herbert Si
175. Why Is Astrology So Popular?
Why does your horoscope seem so accurate? Is it possible to believe and not believe in something at the same time? And is Mike a classic Gemini? SOURCES:P. T. Barnum, 19th-century American showman and businessman.David Brooks, New York Times Opinion columnist.Bertram Forer, 20th-century American psychologist.Daniel Kahneman, professor emeritus of psychology and public affairs at Princeton University.Irving Kirsch, associate director of the Program in Placebo Studies and lecturer in medicine at H
174. What’s the Point of I.Q. Testing?
Are gifted and talented programs discriminatory? Why do so many adults still remember their SAT scores? And how did Angela transform from a party girl to an Ivy League psychologist? SOURCES:Alfred Binet, 19th-century French psychologist.Stefan Dombrowski, professor of psychology and director of the School Psychology Program at Rider University.Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 18th- to 19th-century German author.Travis Kelce, tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs in the N.F.L.Robert O'Connell, writer a
173. How Important Is Your Choice of Words?
What happens when three psychologists walk into a magic show? What’s Angela’s problem with the word “talent”? And why does LeBron James refer to himself in the third person? SOURCES:John Bargh, professor of psychology at Yale University.Derren Brown, mentalist.Carol Dweck, professor of psychology at Stanford University.Daniel Kahneman, professor emeritus of psychology and public affairs at Princeton University.Ethan Kross, professor of psychology at the University of Michigan.Barbara Mellers, p
149. Is It Harder to Make Friends as an Adult? (Replay)
How do friendships change as we get older? Should you join a bowling league? And also: how does a cook become a chef? RESOURCES:“Social Support From Weak Ties: Insight From the Literature on Minimal Social Interactions,” by Joshua Moreton, Caitlin S. Kelly, and Gillian Sandstrom (Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 2023).Join or Die, documentary (2023).“I Tried Bumble BFF for 30 Days — Here’s What Happened,” by Beth Gillette (The Everygirl, 2022).Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Ca
172. Is Marriage Worth It?
Can long-term relationships do more harm than good? Where is the line between intimacy and codependence? And should we all try to be more like Mike’s parents? RESOURCES:"A Record-High Share of 40-Year-Olds in the U.S. Have Never Been Married," by Richard Fry (Pew Research Center, 2023)."Divorce Skyrocketing Among Aging Boomers," by Sharon Jayson (AARP, 2023)."Don’t Let Love Take Over Your Life," by Faith Hill (The Atlantic, 2023)."Marriage Provides Health Benefits – and Here’s Why," by Libby Ric
171. Where Is the Line Between Exaggeration and Lying?
Why do we use “literally” figuratively? Does conveying an "emotional truth" justify making things up? And are Angela’s kids really starving or just hungry? RESOURCES:"My Response to The New Yorker Article," by Hasan Minhaj (YouTube video, 2023)."Hasan Minhaj’s 'Emotional Truths,'" by Clare Malone (The New Yorker, 2023)."Lying to Spice up Life," by Holly Cole (Society for Personality and Social Psychology, 2019).Words on the Move: Why English Won't - and Can't - Sit Still (Like, Literally), by J
170. Are We Getting Lonelier?
How can you be lonely when so many people showed up at your birthday party? Can you fight loneliness by managing expectations? And where can you find company while enjoying the best garlic cheeseburger in the greater Salt Lake City metro area? RESOURCES:"Surgeon General: We Have Become a Lonely Nation. It’s Time to Fix That," by Vivek H. Murthy (The New York Times, 2023)."Home Alone: More Than A Quarter of All Households Have One Person," by Lydia Anderson, Chanell Washington, Rose M. Kreider, a
169. Can We Disagree Better?
Do you suffer from the sin of certainty? How did Angela react when a grad student challenged her research? And can a Heineken commercial strengthen our democracy? RESOURCES:"Disagree Better," National Governors Association initiative led by Spencer Cox (2023-2024)."Cooling Heated Discourse: Conversational Receptiveness Boosts Interpersonal Evaluations and Willingness to Talk," by Julia Minson, David Hagmann, and Kara Luo (Preprint, 2023)."Megastudy Identifying Effective Interventions to Strength
168. Would You Be Happier if You Were More Creative?
Should you become an artist or an accountant? Did Sylvia Plath have to be depressed to write The Bell Jar? And what can Napoleon Dynamite teach us about the creative life? RESOURCES:"The Science of Why You Have Great Ideas in the Shower," by Stacey Colino (National Geographic, 2022)."So, You Think You’re Not Creative?" by Duncan Wardle (Harvard Business Review, 2021)."The Correlation Between Arts and Crafts and a Nobel Prize," by Rosie Cima (Priceonomics, 2015)."Report: State of the American Wor
167. Is GPS Changing Your Brain?
Is it better to be an egocentric navigator or an allocentric navigator? Was the New York City Department of Education wrong to ban ChatGPT? And did Mike get ripped off by Michael Jackson’s cousin? RESOURCES"Don’t Ban Chatbots in Classrooms — Use Them to Change How We Teach," by Angela Duckworth and Lyle Ungar (Los Angeles Times, 2023)."How GPS Weakens Memory — and What We Can Do about It," by Mar Gonzalez-Franco, Gregory Dane Clemenson, and Amos Miller (Scientific American, 2021)."Habitual Use o
166. Are You Suffering From Burnout?
What’s the difference between being busy and being productive? Would you be better at your job if you cared a little less? And can somebody get Mike a cup of coffee? RESOURCES:"State of the Global Workplace: 2023 Report," (Gallup, 2023)."What’s Really So Wrong About Secretly Working Two Full-Time Jobs at Once?" by Alison Green (Slate, 2023)."The Problem With Venting," by Ethan Kross (Character Lab, 2021)."Conan O'Brien's Final Monologue: 'Nobody in Life Gets What They Thought They Were Going to
165. Do "Generations" Mean Anything?
Do you get grittier as you age? What's worse for mental health: video games or social media? And do baby boomers make the best D.J.s? RESOURCES:Generations: The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents — and What They Mean for America's Future, by Jean Twenge (2023)."5 Things to Keep in Mind When You Hear About Gen Z, Millennials, Boomers and Other Generations," by Michael Dimock (Pew Research Center, 2023)."Lock Screens," by Jean Twenge (Character Lab, 2023)."Th
164. Do You Have Impostor Syndrome?
Does anyone really know what they’re doing? How do we reward the competent and not the confident? And what’s wrong with using TikTok for research? RESOURCES:"Why Everyone Feels Like They’re Faking It," by Leslie Jamison (The New Yorker, 2023)."The Impostor Phenomenon Revisited: Examining the Relationship between Workplace Impostor Thoughts and Interpersonal Effectiveness at Work," by Basima Tewfik (Academy of Management Journal, 2022)."You’re Not an Imposter. You’re Actually Pretty Amazing," by
163. Does Your DNA Determine Your Weight?
How much control do you really have over your body? Could understanding genetics help combat fat-shaming? And why is Mike’s life coach so happy all the time?
162. How Can You Be Kinder to Yourself?
How do you practice self-care if you don’t have time for a break? Is it weird to talk to yourself? And does Mike need a bag of Doritos — or just a hug?
161. How Effective Are Ultimatums?
How final is a final offer, really? Does anonymity turn nice people into jerks? And should you tell your crush that you dreamed about marrying them?
160. How Do You Like Me Now?
Why would a successful person feel the need to stick it to the little guy? Is Angela a name-dropper? And why do rappers grab their crotches?
159. How Much Personal Space Do You Need?
How do you deal with a close talker? Is Angela drinking too much water? And why can’t Mike keep his phone out of his bedroom?
158. Bigger Fish, or Bigger Pond?
Is it better to be the best player on the worst team or the worst player on the best team? How did Angela cope with her extremely impressive freshman dorm mates? And why won’t Shaquille O'Neal let Charles Barkley have an onion ring?
157. How Can You Get Closer to the People You Care About?
How well do you know the people in your life, really? Are you stuck having surface-level conversations? And should we all be in couples therapy?
156. How Do You Connect With Someone You Just Met?
How vulnerable should you get with your coworkers? What’s the benefit of telling strangers about your relationship with your mother? And why did Mike’s childhood home burn down — twice?
155. How Do You Deal With Big Life Changes?
What’s more stressful, divorce or jail? Are you in the middle of a “lifequake”? And should we all be taking notes from Martha Stewart?
154. Why Is There So Much Social Pressure Around Alcohol?
Why do people drink? Why do people not drink? And why specifically do Angela and Mike not drink?
153. Should You Spend More Time in Nature?
Is a walk through the city as good as a walk through the woods? Who’s most likely to die while taking a selfie? And how does Angela protect herself from the beer cans falling onto her deck?
152. What’s the Worst Kind of Regret?
Is it worse to regret something you’ve done, or something you haven’t done? What’s the upside of rejection? And which great American short-story writer convinced Angela to quit driving?
151. Is It Okay to Be Average?
Must one always strive for excellence? Is perfectionism a good thing? And can Mike have two bad days in a row?
150. Why Do People Get Scammed?
What makes a con succeed? Does snake oil actually work? And just how gullible is Angela?
149. Is It Harder to Make Friends as an Adult?
How do friendships change as we get older? Should you join a bowling league? And is Angela more important to Mike than Mike is to Angela?
Do You Savor or Gobble? (Ep. 91 Replay)
What’s the difference between people who preserve special things and people who devour them right away? Why do we love to binge-watch? And did Adam really eat an apple?
148. What Is Fun, Exactly?
Why does time fly when you’re having fun? How do you teach rats to play hide and seek? And what does all this have to do with Anne Boleyn?
147. Is Nudging Enough?
Is it enough to toss a soda can in the recycling? Why is Maria obsessed with Nobel Prize lectures? And wait — is that a news alert or a tiger?
146. How Do You Avoid Freezing Under Pressure?
Should you visualize success or failure? How do you bounce back from a mistake? And will Maria hustle Angela into a poker game?
145. Do You Have a Scarcity Mindset or an Abundance Mindset?
Are highly effective people quicker to share credit? What does poverty do to your brain? And how did Stephen's mother teach him about opportunity costs? Plus: an announcement about the future of the show.
144. What Should Be the Eighth Deadly Sin?
We asked you to nominate the worst sins of the modern age. Which one do Stephen and Angela think belongs on the list? And which does Angie struggle with the most?
143. How Sinful Are "No Stupid Questions" Listeners?
What does the Seven Deadly Sins survey tell us about the people who listen to this podcast? Are we more afflicted by sloth or by lust? And what does Angela mutter under her breath? Take the Seven Deadly Sins survey: freakonomics.com/nsq-sins/
142. Is Pride the Worst Sin?
Is pride an emotion? Where’s the line between self-esteem and hubris? And what does Stephen have against peacocks? Take the Seven Deadly Sins survey: freakonomics.com/nsq-sins/
141. Is Greed Good?
Who’s greedier — gamblers or casinos? What’s the difference between betting on sports and entering a charity raffle? And does Angela know the name of her city’s football team?Take the Seven Deadly Sins survey: freakonomics.com/nsq-sins/
140. Is Envy Healthy?
What does social media do to our self-esteem? How is envy affecting our politics? And should you go to your high school reunion? Take the Seven Deadly Sins survey: freakonomics.com/nsq-sins/
139. Why Do We Get Angry?
What’s the difference between anger and indignation? What’s Angela’s problem with turkey sandwiches? And why wasn’t a No Stupid Questions listener angry at the men who assaulted him? Take the Seven Deadly Sins survey: freakonomics.com/nsq-sins/
138. Why is Everyone Having Less Sex?
Are we too busy watching Friends? Is porn driving us apart? And why did New Yorkers stop vacationing in the Catskills?Take the Seven Deadly Sins survey: freakonomics.com/nsq-sins/
137. Are We All Addicted to Ultra-Processed Foods?
Is your favorite treat changing your brain? Why do so many snacks melt in your mouth? And why can’t Stephen replicate his favorite salad dressing? Take the Seven Deadly Sins survey: freakonomics.com/nsq-sins/
136. Is Sloth a Sin or a Virtue?
How can we distinguish between laziness and patience? Why do people do crossword puzzles? And how is Angie like a combination of a quantum computer and a Sherman tank? Take the Seven Deadly Sins survey: freakonomics.com/nsq-sins/
135. What Should You Do on Your Birthday?
Birthdays! Why do Americans prefer Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July to theirs? Why do they make Stephen think of molasses and chicken feed? And is “Happy Birthday” the worst song ever written?
134. Will You Live to Be 100?
How far would you go to extend your life? What’s the best way to stay sharp as your brain ages? And does Keith Richards deserve a Nobel Prize?
Why Is It So Hard to Talk About Money? (Ep. 81 Replay)
What’s the connection between conversations about money and financial literacy? Could the taboo against talking about your salary be fading? And why did Angie’s teenage daughter call Vanguard to learn about I.R.A.s?
133. Can You Really Work on an Airplane?
Are those travelers on their laptops just showing off? Why does V8 taste better at 35,000 feet? And why won't Angela chat with her seatmate?
132. Is It Wrong to Enjoy Yourself While the World Is Burning?
Are things as dire as they seem? How big is your moral circle? And should Angela spend time with her kids or answer her emails?
131. Why Do We Cry?
Is sobbing a survival tactic? What happened when Angela wept in front of her boss? And what do sauerkraut and sadness have in common?
130. Why Is It So Hard to Resist Temptation?
Why are people so inconsistent? Is there such a thing as character? And did Stephen once have the world's longest chain of gum wrappers?
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?
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?
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?
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.
126. Why Do People Love Horror Movies?
When are negative emotions enjoyable? Are we all a little masochistic? And do pigs like hot sauce?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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.
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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”?
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?
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”?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?"
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”?
103. Should Toilets Be Free?
Why do Americans tip so much? What happened when Angie eliminated grading in a college course? And why did almost every pay toilet in the U.S.A. vanish between 1970 and 1980?
102. What’s So Bad About Nepotism?
How does the profitability of family firms stack up against the rest? Has nepotism become more taboo over time? And why are 90 percent of adoptees in Japan not children but adults?
Breaking Up with Perfectionism | WorkLife with Adam Grant
Today, something different; we're sharing an episode of WorkLife with Adam Grant, another podcast we like from the TED Audio Collective. Perfectionism is on the rise–and not just in job interviews when people claim it’s their greatest weakness. But the desire to be flawless is not always productive—or healthy. As a recovering perfectionist, Adam dives into how he managed to abandon the quest for 10s while holding onto his drive for excellence. To hear more episodes on the science of making work
101. Are You Really "Addicted" to Diet Coke?
Where’s the line between an addiction and a bad habit? Why do definitions of mental illnesses change over time? And what’s the most addictive thing in the world?
100. Is It Weird for Adults to Have Imaginary Friends?
Why does listening to No Stupid Questions feel like you’re hanging out with your best friends? Why did the whole world take it personally when Princess Diana died? And how do “parasocial relationships” affect your mental health?
99. Do You Mind if I Borrow Your Personality?
Are there downsides to “personality plagiarism”? Why did no one buy the Crayola Crayon Carver? And should Stephen feel bad for copying Angela’s email signature?
98. Is Having Children Worth It?
Why have fertility rates dropped so dramatically? Do fathers or mothers get more happiness from parenting? And how does birth order affect a child’s future?
97. Are Women Really Less Happy Than Men?
Why are women unhappier than men? What can we do to move the needle? And is it better to be happy or to be good?
96. Why Is Chick-fil-A Such a Big Deal?
How did Chick-fil-A become the third-largest restaurant chain in the U.S.? Why does it serve salad? And can Angie’s moral compass override her craving for a chicken sandwich?
95. What’s So Bad About Denial?
Can denial be a healthy way of dealing with the death of a loved one? What do the five stages of grief misrepresent about mourning? And why does Angie cover her eyes when she watches the Rocky movies?
94. What to Do When Everything Looks Like a Catastrophe?
What is the relationship between “catastrophizing” and anxiety? How did Angela react when her mother came close to drowning? And how can you gain perspective when the worst-case scenario is all you can visualize?
93. Does the Early Bird Really Catch the Worm? Or Could the Night Owl Get There First?
How have Angie’s views on sleep changed since she wrote her Harvard application essay? Would starting high school later in the day be worth $8.6 billion? And what should you do if your chronotype doesn’t fit the way society is structured?
92. Is Poor Nutrition a Supply Problem or a Demand Problem?
Is evolution stacked against healthy eating? What policies could increase demand for nutritious food? And does Popeyes count as a cultural icon?
91. Do You Savor or Gobble?
What’s the difference between people who preserve special things and people who devour them right away? Why do we love to binge-watch? And did Adam really eat an apple?
90. If America Is a Train Wreck, Why Am I Doing Fine?
Why do so many Americans say they’re satisfied with their own lives but upset about the way the country is going? Why don’t other countries experience the same gap? And what do horror movies have in common with Coca-Cola enemas?
89. How Valuable Is Enthusiasm?
What’s the difference between willpower and eagerness? Is there a lifehack that can make you zestier? And could it help Stephen improve his golf game?
88. Is Self-Improvement Too Selfish?
Is it more important to help society or to help yourself? Does the self-improvement movement do any good for the world? And which podcast episode does Stephen cling to as proof that he’s doing something valuable?
87. What’s So Great About Retirement?
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?
86. Should We All Be Taking More Long Shots?
What’s the difference between dispositional optimism and agentic hope? Are there benefits to taking a long shot, even if it turns out to be an air ball? And how is Angela like an N.F.L. quarterback?
85. Is Emotional Intelligence Really So Important?
Can you quantify emotional intelligence? Who should you hire — someone smart, or someone good with people? And how did Angie do on an online emotional intelligence test?
84. Why Do We Find So Much Meaning in Meaningless Coincidences?
Why are humans so fascinated by coincidences? What do Carl Jung and an album by The Police have in common? And what did Stephen win in a bar mitzvah limbo contest?
83. Can You Change Your Mind Without Losing Face?
What is the cost of admitting you’re wrong? How can intellectual humility make you more open minded? And will Stephen finally persuade Angela that rum-raisin is the best flavor of ice cream?
82. Which Is More Powerful: Reward or Punishment?
How is “negative reinforcement” different from punishment? Could positive reinforcement encourage prosocial behavior on a national scale? And what’s the deal with Taiwan’s dog-poop lottery?
81. Why Is It So Hard to Talk About Money?
What’s the connection between conversations about money and financial literacy? Could the taboo against talking about your salary be fading? And why did Angie’s teenage daughter call Vanguard to learn about I.R.A.s?
80. Is a “Success Hangover” Real?
Why are great accomplishments often followed by disappointment? Is it better to win and feel bummed out than to never have won at all? And where was ping-pong invented?
79. Why Do We Root for Underdogs?
Also: Angela proposes an upgrade to the show.
78. Why Do We Put Things Off Until the Very Last Minute?
Also: what does your name say about who you are?
77. How Can You Avoid Boredom?
Also: are we getting any better at assessing COVID risk?
76. Why Can’t Baby Boomers and Millennials Just Get Along?
Also: how do phone cameras affect the way we experience live events?
Why Do We Seek Comfort in the Familiar? (NSQ Ep. 30 Replay)
Also: is a little knowledge truly a dangerous thing?
75. How Do You Deal With Intrusive Thoughts?
Also: how much does confidence really matter?
74. Does Reverse Psychology Really Work?
Also: does knowing your family history affect your identity?
73. Is It Okay to Engage in “Social Loafing”?
Also: why is it so great to be part of a team, even when you lose?
72. If Everyone Hates Meetings, Why Do We Have So Many of Them?
Also: why do so many people feel lost in their 20s?
71. Why Is Pig Milk the One Milk We Don’t Drink?
Also: what’s a food you love that seems disgusting to everyone else?
How Much Do Your Friends Affect Your Future? (NSQ Ep. 31 Replay)
Also: which professions have the happiest people?
70. In a Job Interview, How Much Does Timing Matter?
Also: why is it smart to ignore what your podcast hosts look like?
69. How Can You Convince Someone They’re Wrong?
Also: what’s the best way to handle rejection?
68. Why Do We Want What We Can’t Have?
Also: why are humans still so tribal?
67. How Can You Escape Binary Thinking?
Also: why is it so satisfying to find a bargain?
66. When Is It OK to Tell a Lie?
Also: is obsessing over your mental health bad for your mental health?
Why Do We Forget So Much of What We’ve Read? (Ep. 24 Rebroadcast)
Also: do we overestimate or underestimate our significance in other people’s lives?
65. What’s the Best Advice You’ve Ever Received?
Also: why don’t you need a license to become a parent?
Why Do We Buy Things We Never Use? (Rebroadcast From Ep.22)
Also: why do we hoard? (Rebroadcast From Ep. 28)
64. Are Women Required to Be Nicer Than Men?
Also: should you feel guilty if you don’t read books?
63. How Contagious Is Behavior? With Laurie Santos of “The Happiness Lab.”
Also: life is good — so why aren’t you happy?
62. How Can You Escape a Drama Triangle?
Also: how do awards affect motivation?
61. Should We Just Ignore Our Weaknesses?
Also: why do we like what we like?
60. Why Do We Complain?
Also: what do you really mean when you say you “don’t have time”?
59. Do Dreams Actually Mean Anything?
Also: why is music so memorable?
How Can You Stop Comparing Yourself With Other People? (Ep. 13 Rebroadcast)
Also: how can we stop confusing correlation with causation?
58. What’s So Gratifying About Gossip?
Also: why do people hate small talk?
57. Which Incentives Are Best at Boosting Vaccination, and Why?
Also: what does your desired superpower say about you?
56. Why Is Academic Writing So Bad?
Also: what does your perfect day look like?
55. What Changes Will Stick When the Pandemic Is Gone?
Also: would you take a confirmation-bias vaccine?
54. Do You Really Need a Muse to Be Creative?
Also: is shortsightedness part of human nature?
53. What’s the Secret to Making a Great Prediction?
Also: how do you recover from a bad day?
52. How Much Should We Be Able to Customize Our World?
Also: does multitasking actually increase productivity?
51. What Separates Humans From Other Animals?
Also: why do people pace while talking on the phone?
50. Are You as Observant as You Think?
Angela accidentally discovers the secret to a good night’s sleep
49. How Does Facing Death Change Your Life?
Also: why are we so bad at assessing risk?
48. Do Good Deeds Invite More Bad Ones?
Also: what is the most significant choice you will ever make?
47. Is Laziness Real?
Also: why do we dislike being alone in public?
46. How Can You Stop Feeling So Irritable?
Also: what’s wrong with being impatient?
45. How Much Better Do You Really Want to Be?
Also: why do we pad our speech with so much filler language?
44. Is Empathy in Fact Immoral?
Also: is it better to “go with the wind” or to “be the wind”?
43. What Do We Really Learn From Failure?
Also: what is teasing supposed to accomplish?
42. How Does When You Are Born Affect Who You Are?
Also: how did Angela do with her no-sugar challenge?
41. Why Are We So Attracted to Fame?
Also: do we subconsciously lie about our major influences?
40. Have We All Lost Our Ability to Compromise?
Also: is it better to be right or “not wrong”?
39. Is Everybody Cheating These Days?
Also, what's better: to learn new skills or go deep on what you're good at?
38. What Does It Mean to Be a “Good” Man?
Also: how can you stop ruminating?
37. How Do You Know if People Don’t Like You?
Also: do self-help books really help?
36. Which Matters More, a First or Last Impression?
Also: does wisdom really come with age?
35. Does Psychotherapy Actually Work?
Also: how many “selves” is it OK to have?
34. Are Humans Smarter or Stupider Than We Used to Be?
Also: how can you become a more curious person?
33. Is Optimism a Luxury Good?
Also: why is public speaking so terrifying?
How Much of Your Life Do You Actually Control? (Ep. 15 Rebroadcast)
Also: why do we procrastinate?
32. Which Gets You Further: Talent or Effort?
Also: where is the line between acronyms, initialisms, and gibberish?
31. How Much Do Your Friends Affect Your Future?
Also: which professions have the happiest people?
30. Why Do We Seek Comfort in the Familiar?
Also: is a little knowledge truly a dangerous thing?
29. How Do You Know When It’s Time to Quit?
Also: why is it so hard to predict success?
28. Why Do We Hoard?
Also: do you spend more time thinking about the past, the present, or the future?
27. How Should You Ask for Forgiveness?
Also: why is behavior change so darn hard?
26. Do Checklists Make People Stupid?
Also: what’s so great about New York City anyway?
25. Is Hedonism Better Than Self-Control?
Also: is it wrong to feel inured to the pandemic?
24. Why Do We Forget So Much of What We’ve Read?
Also: do we overestimate or underestimate our significance in other people’s lives?
23. Is It Wrong to Crave Praise?
Also: should everyone have their own trauma score?
22. Why Do We Buy Things We’ll Never Use?
Also: how is social media like a knife?
21. How Can You Identify Hidden Talent? With Eric Schmidt.
Also: is there a downside to billionaire philanthropy?
20. Should We Separate the Art From the Artist?
Also: what is the meaning of life?
19. Is There Such a Thing as Good Estrangement?
Also: how do you know if you have a “bad personality”?
18. How Do You Raise a “Likable” Kid?
Also: what’s so great about friendship?
17. How Can We Get More Virtue and Less ‘Virtue Signaling’?
Also: is it better to be a thinker, a doer, or a charmer?
16. What’s the Downside to Being Goal-Oriented?
Also: how does a cook become a chef? With Gabrielle Hamilton.
15. How Much of Your Life Do You Actually Control?
Also: why do we procrastinate?
14. Are You a Maximizer or a Satisficer?
Also: what is the best question you’ve ever been asked in a job interview?
13. How Can You Stop Comparing Yourself With Other People?
Also: how can we stop confusing correlation with causation?
12. Does “As If” Thinking Really Work?
Also: how effective is the placebo effect?
11. Are Ambitious People Inherently Selfish?
Also: why do we habituate to life’s greatest pleasures?
10. Why Are Stories Stickier Than Statistics?
Also: are the most memorable stories less likely to be true?
9. Why Is It So Hard to Be Alone With Our Thoughts?
Also: how do you avoid screwing up your kids?
8. Wouldn’t It Be Better to Hear Your Eulogy Before You’re Dead?
Also: how does a comedian cope with tragedy? With Eugene Mirman.
7. How Do You Handle Criticism?
Also: is it better to send a congratulatory note to someone who deserves it or a condolence note to someone who needs it?
6. Is Incompetence a Form of Dishonesty?
Also: should we all have personal mission statements?
5. What Do Tom Sawyer and the Founder of Duolingo Have in Common?
Also: is there such a thing as too much science? With special guest Luis von Ahn.
4. Does All Creativity Come From Pain?
Also: is life precious because it’s finite?
3. What Does It Mean to Be a “Hard Worker”?
Also: how does age affect happiness?
2. What is the Optimal Way to Be Angry?
Also: why do we treat pets better than people?
1. Did Covid-19 Kill the Handshake?
Also: why can't humans handle uncertainty already?
Introducing "No Stupid Questions"
Stephen Dubner, the host of Freakonomics Radio, and Angela Duckworth, the psychologist and author of Grit, explore the weird and wonderful ways in which humans behave. In each episode, they take turns asking each other questions, with conversations ranging from friendship and parenting to immortality and whether dogs are better than people. No Stupid Questions premieres May 18th.