Podcast Episodes
Back to Search167. The Secret of Humanity? It’s Common Knowledge.
Episode 167
Steven Pinker’s new book argues that all our relationships depend on shared assumptions and “recursive mentalizing” — our constant efforts to underst…
5 months, 2 weeks ago
How to Have Great Conversations (Update)
Episode 126
The Power of Habit author Charles Duhigg wrote his new book in an attempt to learn how to communicate better. Steve shares how the book helped him un…
5 months, 3 weeks ago
166. The World’s Most Effective Public Health Intervention Is Under Attack
Episode 166
Seth Berkley used to run the world's largest vaccine funding organization. He and Steve talk about the incredible value of vaccines, the economics of…
6 months ago
165. The Economist Who (Gasp!) Asks People What They Think
Episode 165
Stefanie Stantcheva’s approach seemed like career suicide. In fact, it won her the John Bates Clark Medal. She talks to fellow winner Steve Levitt ab…
6 months, 2 weeks ago
Rick Rubin on How to Make Something Great (Update)
Episode 103
From recording some of the first rap hits to revitalizing Johnny Cash's career, the legendary producer has had an extraordinary creative life. In thi…
6 months, 2 weeks ago
164. Unravelling the Universe, Again
Episode 164
More than two decades ago, Adam Riess’s Nobel Prize-winning work fundamentally changed our understanding of the universe. His new work is reshaping c…
6 months, 3 weeks ago
163. The Data Sleuth Taking on Shoddy Science
Episode 163
Uri Simonsohn is a behavioral science professor who wants to improve standards in his field — so he’s made a sideline of investigating fraudulent aca…
7 months, 1 week ago
Arne Duncan Says All Kids Deserve a Chance — and Criminals Deserve a Second One (Update)
Episode 43
Former U.S. Secretary of Education, 3x3 basketball champion, and leader of an anti-gun violence organization are all on Arne’s resume. He’s also Stev…
7 months, 2 weeks ago
162. Will We Solve the Climate Problem?
Episode 162
Kate Marvel spends her days playing with climate models, which she says are “like a very expensive version of The Sims.” As a physicist she gets tire…
7 months, 3 weeks ago
161. How to Captivate an Audience
Episode 161
Twenty years ago, before the Freakonomics book tour, Bill McGowan taught Steve Levitt to speak in public. In his new book he tries to teach everyone …
8 months, 1 week ago