Research psychologist Angela Duckworth (author of "Grit") and tech and sports executive Mike Maughan really like to ask people questions, and they believe there’s no such thing as a stupid one. So they have a podcast where they can ask each other as many “stupid questions” as they want. New episodes each week. "No Stupid Questions" is a production of the Freakonomics Radio Network. To get every show in the Freakonomics Radio Network without ads and a monthly bonus episode of Freakonomics Radio, start a free trial for SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.
The podcast episode explores why academic writing is often perceived as poor. It questions whether bad writing stems from the incentives within academia, which reward density over clarity, or if it's due to academics prioritizing research over writing skills. The speakers consider whether academics are disincentivized ...
In this episode of No Stupid Questions, Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner discuss the potential permanent changes in society and personal lives post-pandemic, focusing on remote work, the importance of social interactions, and the impact on personal preferences. They explore the shift towards remote-first organizatio...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner explore the interplay between consistency, spontaneity, and creativity, addressing a listener's question about whether to stick to a schedule or embrace the muse for creative work. They discuss how formal education may impact creativity, the ...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth explore the art of prediction, drawing insights from experts like Phil Tetlock and Daniel Kahneman. They discuss the challenges of forecasting, the role of confidence and emotion, and the importance of considering outside views and diverse in...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth explore the increasing demand for customization in society and its potential effects. They discuss the trade-offs between personalized experiences and shared experiences, with examples ranging from education to consumer goods. Angela argues f...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner delve into the topic of animal intelligence, sparked by a study on pigs playing video games. They discuss what, if anything, truly distinguishes humans from other animals, referencing insights from theologians, sociologists, and the concept o...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner explore the concept of mindfulness, inspired by Ellen Langer's work, and how it contrasts with habit. Stephen recounts a childhood game that enhanced his observational skills, linking it to the broader idea of selective attention and "court a...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner explore the psychological impact of near-death experiences, questioning why some individuals experience profound life-altering epiphanies while others, like themselves, do not. They delve into the concept of post-traumatic growth versus post-...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner explore the concept of moral hazard through the lens of dog poop, discussing whether acts of civic kindness, like cleaning up after others, inadvertently encourage irresponsible behavior. They share personal anecdotes, including Angela's husb...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner delve into the concept of laziness, questioning whether it's a genuine trait or a socially constructed excuse, referencing a listener's question about underlying factors that might be mistaken for laziness, such as sleep disorders or socioeco...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner delve into the nature of irritability and impatience, exploring their causes, consequences, and potential upsides. Angela shares her personal experiences with irritability, particularly during winter, while Stephen admits his struggles with i...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner explore the complexities of relative versus absolute judgments, particularly in the context of talent and success. They discuss whether it's better to be a big fish in a small pond or a smaller fish in a larger one, delving into the human ten...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner delve into the complexities of empathy, questioning its assumed role as an unequivocal force for good. Drawing from research by Daniel Batson and insights from Paul Bloom's book "Against Empathy," they explore how empathy can lead to biased d...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner address a listener's question about why their previous show, "Tell Me Something I Don't Know," ended, leading to a discussion about the value of knowing when to stop a project that isn't meeting expectations. They delve into the challenges of...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner explore the impact of birth timing on various life outcomes. They discuss cultural beliefs, such as the Chinese zodiac's Year of the Dragon, and their effects on parental investment and children's education. The conversation covers the Pygmal...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner explore the allure and impact of fame, discussing its historical context, psychological effects, and societal functions. They analyze different categories of celebrities and debate whether the world would be better off without fame, consideri...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner delve into the declining art of compromise in modern society, exploring how moral judgments infiltrate various aspects of life, from politics to personal preferences. They discuss the psychological barriers to compromise, such as ego protecti...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner delve into the complex topic of cheating, exploring its prevalence, motivations, and moral implications. They discuss the rise of cheating in virtual education, personal experiences with cheating, and research on dishonesty. The conversation ...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner explore complex social dynamics, starting with a discussion on misandry and gender inequality, questioning whether contempt for men is justified given historical and current power imbalances. They consider the implications of the MeToo moveme...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela and Stephen address a listener's question about recruiting employees to a new firm, exploring the psychology behind people's reluctance to change jobs, especially during uncertain times like a pandemic. They delve into concepts like status quo bias, the endowment effect,...
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