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18. Robert Sapolsky: “I Don’t Think We Have Any Free Will Whatsoever.”
Episode 18
He’s one of the world’s leading neuroscientists, with a focus on the physiological effects of stress. (For years, he spent his summers in Kenya, alon…
5 years ago
17. Emily Oster: “I Am a Woman Who Is Prominently Discussing Vaginas.”
Episode 17
In addition to publishing best-selling books about pregnancy and child-rearing, Emily Oster is a respected economist at Brown University. Over the co…
5 years ago
16. Joshua Jay: “Humans Are So, So Easy to Fool.”
Episode 16
He’s a world-renowned magician who’s been performing since he was seven years old. But Joshua Jay is also an author, toy maker, and consultant for fi…
5 years ago
15. Tim Harford: “If You Can Make Sure You're Not An Idiot, You've Done Well.”
Episode 15
He’s a former World Bank economist who became a prolific journalist and the author of one of Steve Levitt’s favorite books, The Undercover Economist.…
5 years, 1 month ago
Yul Kwon: “Hey, Do You Have Any Bright Ideas?” (Part 2)
Episode 14
He’s so fascinating that Steve Levitt brought him back for a second conversation. Yul Kwon currently works at Google, but he’s been a lawyer, politic…
5 years, 1 month ago
13. Yul Kwon: “Don't Try to Change Yourself All at Once.”
Episode 13
He has been a lawyer, an instructor at the F.B.I. Academy, the owner of a frozen-yogurt chain, and a winner of the TV show Survivor. Today, Kwon work…
5 years, 1 month ago
12. Sue Bird: “You Have to Pay the Superstars.”
Episode 12
She is one of the best basketball players ever. She’s won multiple championships, including four Olympic gold medals and four W.N.B.A. titles — the m…
5 years, 1 month ago
11. Paul Romer: “I Figured Out How to Get Myself Fired From the World Bank.”
Episode 11
For many economists — Steve Levitt included — there is perhaps no greater inspiration than Paul Romer, the now-Nobel laureate who at a young age rede…
5 years, 2 months ago
10. Suzanne Gluck: “I'm a Person Who Can Convince Other People to Do Things”
Episode 10
She might not be a household name, but Suzanne Gluck is one of the most powerful people in the book industry. Her slush pile is a key entry point to …
5 years, 2 months ago
9. Moncef Slaoui: "It’s Unfortunate That It Takes a Crisis for This to Happen"
Episode 9
Born in Morocco and raised mostly by a single mother, Moncef Slaoui is now one of the world’s most influential scientists. As the head of Operation W…
5 years, 3 months ago