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402. The Opioid Tragedy, Part 1: “We’ve Addicted an Entire Generation”
Episode 402
How pharma greed, government subsidies, and a push to make pain the “fifth vital sign” kicked off a crisis that costs $80 billion a year and has kill…
6 years, 1 month ago
5 Psychology Terms You’re Probably Misusing (Rebroadcast)
We all like to throw around terms that describe human behavior — “bystander apathy” and “steep learning curve” and “hard-wired.” Most of the time, th…
6 years, 2 months ago
The Zero-Minute Workout (Rebroadcast)
There is strong evidence that exercise is wildly beneficial. There is even stronger evidence that most people hate to exercise. So if a pill could mi…
6 years, 2 months ago
401. How Many Prince Charleses Can There Be in One Room?
Episode 401
In a special holiday episode, Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth take turns asking each other questions about charisma, wealth vs. intellect, and (o…
6 years, 2 months ago
Why Is This Man Running for President? (Update)
A year ago, nobody was taking Andrew Yang very seriously. Now he is America’s favorite entrepre-nerd, with a candidacy that keeps gaining momentum. T…
6 years, 2 months ago
400. How to Hate Taxes a Little Bit Less
Episode 400
Every year, Americans short the I.R.S. nearly half a trillion dollars. Most ideas to increase compliance are more stick than carrot — scary letters, …
6 years, 3 months ago
399. Honey, I Grew the Economy
Episode 399
Innovation experts have long overlooked where a lot of innovation actually happens. The personal computer, the mountain bike, the artificial pancreas…
6 years, 3 months ago
How to Change Your Mind (Rebroadcast)
There are a lot of barriers to changing your mind: ego, overconfidence, inertia — and cost. Politicians who flip-flop get mocked; family and friends …
6 years, 3 months ago
398. The Truth About the Vaping Crisis
Episode 398
A recent outbreak of illness and death has gotten everyone’s attention — including late-to-the-game regulators. But would a ban on e-cigarettes do mo…
6 years, 3 months ago
397. How to Save $32 Million in One Hour
Episode 397
For nearly a decade, governments have been using behavioral nudges to solve problems — and the strategy is catching on in healthcare, firefighting, a…
6 years, 4 months ago