Podcast Episodes

What Does a C.E.O. Actually Do?

Episode 314

They're paid a fortune — but for what, exactly? What makes a good C.E.O. — and how can you even tell? Is "leadership science" a real thing — or just airport-bookstore mumbo jumbo? We put these questi…

Published on 7 years, 11 months ago

313. How to Be a Modern Democrat — and Win

Episode 313

Gina Raimondo, the governor of tiny Rhode Island, has taken on unions, boosted big business, and made friends with Republicans. She is also one of just 15 Democratic governors in the country. Would t…

Published on 7 years, 11 months ago

Why Is My Life So Hard? (Rebroadcast)

Most of us feel we face more headwinds and obstacles than everyone else — which breeds resentment. We also undervalue the tailwinds that help us — which leaves us ungrateful and unhappy. How can we a…

Published on 7 years, 11 months ago

Trust Me (Rebroadcast)

Societies where people trust one another are healthier and wealthier. In the U.S. (and the U.K. and elsewhere), social trust has been falling for decades — in part because our populations are more di…

Published on 8 years ago

Make Me a Match (Rebroadcast)

Sure, markets generally work well. But for some transactions — like school admissions and organ transplants — money alone can't solve the problem. That's when you need a market-design wizard like Al …

Published on 8 years ago

312. Not Your Grandmother’s I.M.F.

Episode 312

The International Monetary Fund has long been the "lender of last resort" for economies in crisis. Christine Lagarde, who runs the institution, would like to prevent those crises from ever happening.…

Published on 8 years ago

311. Why Is the Live-Event Ticket Market So Screwed Up?

Episode 311

The public has almost no chance to buy good tickets to the best events. Ticket brokers, meanwhile, make huge profits on the secondary markets. Here's the story of how this market got so dysfunctional…

Published on 8 years ago

310. Are We Running Out of Ideas?

Episode 310

Economists have a hard time explaining why productivity growth has been shrinking. One theory: true innovation has gotten much harder – and much more expensive. So what should we do next?

Hosted by S…

Published on 8 years, 1 month ago

Is America Ready for a “No-Lose Lottery”? (Update)

Most people don't enjoy the simple, boring act of putting money in a savings account. But we do love to play the lottery. So what if you combine the two, creating a new kind of savings account with a…

Published on 8 years, 1 month ago

309. Nurses to the Rescue!

Episode 309

They are the most-trusted profession in America (and with good reason). They are critical to patient outcomes (especially in primary care). Could the growing army of nurse practitioners be an answer …

Published on 8 years, 1 month ago