Podcast Episodes
Back to Search666. This Is How Progress Happens
Episode 666
Economists don’t usually talk about “culture.” But Joel Mokyr argues that it’s the engine of innovation — and the Nobel Prize committee agreed. Steph…
13 hours ago
The Most Powerful People You’ve Never Heard Of (Update)
Episode 633
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 oppo…
2 days, 13 hours ago
665. Werner Herzog Isn’t Afraid ...
Episode 665
... of bad reviews, meager financing, or artificial intelligence. But he is worried that the world is full of sloppy thinkers who mistake facts for t…
1 week ago
664. Are Thousands of Medical Cures Hiding in Plain Sight?
Episode 664
Existing drugs can sometimes be repurposed to treat rare diseases. But making that match can be hard — and the financial incentives are weak. Guest h…
2 weeks ago
All You Need Is Nudge (Update)
Episode 474
When Richard Thaler first published Nudge, the world was just starting to believe in his brand of behavioral economics. In this 2021 episode, we ask:…
2 weeks, 2 days ago
663. Is Weed a Performance-Enhancing Drug?
Episode 663
The science says no, at least not in the athletic sense. But the psychic benefits can be large — just ask former N.F.L. star Ricky Williams. He says …
3 weeks ago
662. If You’re Not Cheating, You’re Not Trying
Episode 662
In sports, the rules are meant to be sacrosanct. But when it comes to performance-enhancing drugs, the slope is super-slippery. (Part one of a two-pa…
1 month ago
Why Don’t Running Backs Get Paid Anymore? (Update)
Episode 620
They used to be the N.F.L.’s biggest stars, with paychecks to match. Now their salaries are near the bottom, and their careers are shorter than ever.…
1 month ago
661. Can A.I. Save Your Life?
Episode 661
For 50 years, the healthcare industry has been trying (and failing) to harness the power of artificial intelligence. It may finally be ready for prim…
1 month ago
660. The Wellness Industry Is Gigantic — and Mostly Wrong
Episode 660
Zeke Emanuel (a physician, medical ethicist, and policy wonk) has some different ideas for how to lead a healthy and meaningful life. It starts with …
1 month, 1 week ago