Podcast Episodes
Back to Search215. Is It Okay to Do the Right Thing for the Wrong Reason?
Episode 215
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 An…
2 years ago
214. What Does It Take to Survive a Scandal?
Episode 214
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:K…
2 years ago
Why Do People Love Horror Movies? (Replay)
Episode 126
When are negative emotions enjoyable? Are we all a little masochistic? And do pigs like hot sauce?
SOURCES:Carol Dweck, professor of psychology at St…
2 years ago
213. What Is Evil?
Episode 213
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 ne…
2 years, 1 month ago
212. When Do You Become an Adult?
Episode 212
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 intervi…
2 years, 1 month ago
211. Why Do We Listen to Sad Songs?
Episode 211
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 …
2 years, 1 month ago
210. What Makes a Good Sense of Humor?
Episode 210
What is the evolutionary purpose of laughter? What’s the difference between Swedish depression and American depression? And why aren’t aliens interes…
2 years, 1 month ago
Why Are Stories Stickier Than Statistics? (Replay)
Episode 10
Also: are the most memorable stories less likely to be true? Stephen Dubner chats with Angela Duckworth in this classic episode from July 2020.
SOURC…
2 years, 1 month ago
209. Why Do We Settle?
Episode 209
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 …
2 years, 1 month ago
208. Can A.I. Companions Replace Human Connection?
Episode 208
What happens when machines become funnier, kinder, and more empathetic than humans? Do robot therapists save lives? And should Angela credit her virt…
2 years, 2 months ago