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.
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner explore the impact of first versus last impressions, drawing on psychological research, particularly Daniel Kahneman's peak-end rule, which suggests that people disproportionately remember the most intense and final moments of an experience. ...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner delve into the efficacy of psychotherapy, questioning whether it's truly effective or if alternative solutions like cash transfers can yield better psychological and economic outcomes, particularly in impoverished communities. They discuss a ...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner explore the question of whether humans are becoming smarter or stupider. They discuss the Flynn effect, which indicates a rise in IQ scores over generations, and debate whether this increase in intelligence is being effectively applied to sol...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner delve into the complexities of optimism and pessimism, prompted by a listener's question about balancing the benefits of optimism with life's harsh realities. They explore the advantages of optimism, such as improved health and longevity, whi...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Steven Dubner explore the interplay between talent and effort in achieving success, drawing parallels to Newtonian physics and discussing the importance of applying skills consistently over time. They delve into the concept of "nuance over novelty" as a mea...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner explore the influence of friendships on one's future success and happiness. They discuss whether a person's closest friends are a predictor of their future or if people choose friends who align with their planned future, referencing research ...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner explore the human tendency to seek comfort in familiar things, especially during times of stress, discussing the mere-exposure effect and broaden-and-build theory. They consider whether the desire to try new things requires a positive outlook...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner delve into the complexities of deciding when to persevere ("grit") and when to quit, exploring the psychological and economic factors that influence such decisions. They discuss the sunk cost fallacy, opportunity cost, and the emotional chall...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner delve into the topic of hoarding, exploring its potential roots in evolutionary instincts versus traumatic life events, and whether digital hoarding is a legitimate concern. They discuss the spectrum of behaviors from hoarding to purging, wit...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner explore the concepts of gratitude and forgiveness, questioning why gratitude letters are a common practice while forgiveness letters are not. They delve into the science of apologies, discussing economist John List's framework for optimizing ...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner explore the question of whether checklists make people stupid, inspired by a listener's concern that process-heavy workplaces stifle critical thinking. They discuss Atul Gawande's "Checklist Manifesto" and the benefits of checklists in comple...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner explore the concept of hedonism and its relationship to happiness, referencing a study that suggests pleasure-seeking can be as effective as self-control in achieving happiness. They discuss the definition of hedonism, differentiating between...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner explore the phenomenon of forgetting the details of beloved books, despite retaining the emotional connection. They discuss personal experiences, referencing Pamela Paul's observations on remembering the physical aspects of books and memory r...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner delve into the complexities of praise and critique, exploring how each affects motivation and performance across different stages of learning and in various contexts, such as sports, education, and family dynamics. They discuss the importance...
This episode explores the psychology behind "aspirational consumption," using Stephen's repeated purchase of quinoa as a case study. Against the backdrop of Stephen's quinoa-buying habits, Angela introduces James March's identity thinking, suggesting that these purchases reflect a desire to align with an aspirational i...
This episode explores the complexities of identifying and nurturing exceptional talent, particularly within underrepresented groups, through Eric Schmidt's RISE initiative. Against the backdrop of unequal opportunities and biases in traditional talent identification systems, Schmidt Rise aims to discover and support br...
This episode explores the nuances of food culture, cooking techniques, and personal choices with guest J. Kenji Lopez-Alt. The conversation begins with a discussion on egg prices and expiration dates, challenging common perceptions and highlighting the complexities of food pricing. Against the backdrop of food and cook...
This episode explores the complex question of separating art from the artist, particularly in the context of cancel culture. Against the backdrop of the MeToo movement and a renewed critical examination of historical figures, the discussion delves into whether the personal transgressions of artists should impact the a...
This episode explores the complexities of family estrangement and the concept of a "good" personality. Against the backdrop of a British survey revealing a surprisingly high rate of family estrangement, the discussion delves into the ethical and emotional implications of severing family ties, contrasting cultural pers...
This episode explores the complexities of child development and the long-term effects of childhood behavior, particularly focusing on the question of whether "bratty" children become "bratty" adults. Against this backdrop, the conversation delves into the nature of parenting styles, highlighting the authoritative appr...
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