Podcast Episodes

459. Let’s Be Blunt: Marijuana Is a Boon for Older Workers

Episode 459

The state-by-state rollout of legalized weed has given economists a perfect natural experiment to measure its effects. Here’s what we know so far — and don’t know — about the costs and benefits of le…

Published on 4 years, 8 months ago

458. How to Manage Your Goal Hierarchy

Episode 458

In this special crossover episode, People I (Mostly) Admire host Steve Levitt admits to No Stupid Questions co-host Angela Duckworth that he knows almost nothing about psychology. But once Angela giv…

Published on 4 years, 8 months ago

457. Is Dialysis a Test Case of Medicare for All?

Episode 457

Kidney failure is such a catastrophic (and expensive) disease that Medicare covers treatment for anyone, regardless of age. Since Medicare reimbursement rates are fairly low, the dialysis industry ha…

Published on 4 years, 8 months ago

456. How to Fix the Hot Mess of U.S. Healthcare

Episode 456

Medicine has evolved from a calling into an industry, adept at dispensing procedures and pills (and gigantic bills), but less good at actual health. Most reformers call for big, bold action. What hap…

Published on 4 years, 8 months ago

Policymaking Is Not a Science (Yet) (Ep. 405 Rebroadcast)

Why do so many promising solutions — in education, medicine, criminal justice, etc. — fail to scale up into great policy? And can a new breed of “implementation scientists” crack the code?

Hosted by …

Published on 4 years, 9 months ago

How Does New York City Keep Reinventing Itself? (Bonus)

In a word: networks. Once it embraced information as its main currency, New York was able to climb out of a deep fiscal (and psychic) pit. Will that magic trick still work after Covid? In this instal…

Published on 4 years, 9 months ago

455. Are You Ready for a Fresh Start?

Episode 455

Behavioral scientists have been exploring if — and when — a psychological reset can lead to lasting change. We survey evidence from the London Underground, Major League Baseball, and New Year’s resol…

Published on 4 years, 9 months ago

454. Should Traffic Lights Be Abolished?

Episode 454

Americans are so accustomed to the standard intersection that we rarely consider how dangerous it can be — as well as costly, time-wasting, and polluting. Is it time to embrace the lowly, lovely roun…

Published on 4 years, 9 months ago

453. A Rescue Plan for Black America

Episode 453

New York Times columnist Charles Blow argues that white supremacy in America will never fully recede, and that it’s time for Black people to do something radical about it. In The Devil You Know: A Bl…

Published on 4 years, 9 months ago

Am I Boring You? (Ep. 225 Rebroadcast)

Researchers are trying to figure out who gets bored — and why — and what it means for ourselves and the economy. But maybe there’s an upside to boredom?

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Published on 4 years, 10 months ago