Podcasts · Society & Culture

No Stupid Questions

Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

300 episodes

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.

More about the show

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Episodes page 1 of 6

  1. 98. Is Having Children Worth It?

    · 37 min · Episode 98

    Why have fertility rates dropped so dramatically? Do fathers or mothers get more happiness from parenting? And how does birth order affect a child’s future? This episode originally aired on May 8th, 2022. Hosted by…

  2. 97. Are Women Really Less Happy Than Men?

    · 36 min · Episode 97

    Why are women unhappier than men? What can we do to move the needle? And is it better to be happy or to be good? This episode originally aired on May 1st, 2022. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See…

  3. 96. Why is Chick-fil-A Such a Big Deal?

    · 28 min · Episode 96

    How did Chick-fil-A become the third-largest restaurant chain in the U.S.? Why does it serve salad? And can Angie’s moral compass override her craving for a chicken sandwich? This episode originally aired on April…

  4. 95. What’s So Bad About Denial?

    · 32 min · Episode 95

    Can denial be a healthy way of dealing with the death of a loved one? What do the five stages of grief misrepresent about mourning? And why does Angie cover her eyes when she watches the Rocky movies? This episode…

  5. 94. What to Do When Everything Looks Like a Catastrophe?

    · 32 min · Episode 94

    What is the relationship between “catastrophizing” and anxiety? How did Angela react when her mother came close to drowning? And how can you gain perspective when the worst-case scenario is all you can visualize? This…

  6. 93. Does the Early Bird Really Catch the Worm? Or Could the Night Owl Get There First?

    · 30 min · Episode 93

    How have Angie’s views on sleep changed since she wrote her Harvard application essay? Would starting high school later in the day be worth $8.6 billion? And what should you do if your chronotype doesn’t fit the way…

  7. 92. Is Poor Nutrition a Supply Problem or a Demand Problem?

    · 32 min · Episode 92

    Is evolution stacked against healthy eating? What policies could increase demand for nutritious food? And does Popeyes count as a cultural icon? This episode originally aired on March 27th, 2022. Hosted by Simplecast,…

  8. How Gary Gulman Turned Depression Into Comedy Gold | Better in Person

    · 48 min · Bonus

    In this episode of Stephen Dubner’s new TV talk show, Gary and Stephen talk about creativity, recovery, getting fired, and holding grudges. They also get outside and play basketball, which is a big part of how Gary…

  9. 91. Do You Savor or Gobble?

    · 40 min · Episode 91

    What’s the difference between people who preserve special things and people who devour them right away? Why do we love to binge-watch? And did Adam really eat an apple? This episode originally aired on March 20th,…

  10. 90. If America Is a Train Wreck, Why Am I Doing Fine?

    · 30 min · Episode 90

    Why do so many Americans say they’re satisfied with their own lives but upset about the way the country is going? Why don’t other countries experience the same gap? And what do horror movies have in common with…

  11. 89. How Valuable Is Enthusiasm?

    · 29 min · Episode 89

    What’s the difference between willpower and eagerness? Is there a lifehack that can make you zestier? And could it help Stephen improve his golf game? This episode originally aired on March 6th, 2022. Hosted by…

  12. 88. Is Self-Improvement Too Selfish?

    · 34 min · Episode 88

    Is it more important to help society or to help yourself? Does the self-improvement movement do any good for the world? And which podcast episode does Stephen cling to as proof that he’s doing something valuable? This…

  13. 87. What’s So Great About Retirement?

    · 31 min · Episode 87

    How do you know when it’s the right time to retire? What does a “good” retirement look like? And will Stephen and Angela ever really hang up their hats? This episode originally aired on February 20nd, 2022. Hosted by…

  14. 86. Should We All Be Taking More Long Shots?

    · 32 min · Episode 86

    What’s the difference between dispositional optimism and agentic hope? Are there benefits to taking a long shot, even if it turns out to be an air ball? And how is Angela like an N.F.L. quarterback? This episode…

  15. 85. Is Emotional Intelligence Really So Important?

    · 31 min · Episode 85

    Can you quantify emotional intelligence? Who should you hire — someone smart, or someone good with people? And how did Angie do on an online emotional intelligence test? This episode originally aired on February 6th,…

  16. 84. Why Do We Find So Much Meaning in Meaningless Coincidences?

    · 28 min · Episode 84

    Why are humans so fascinated by coincidences? What do Carl Jung and an album by The Police have in common? And what did Stephen win in a bar mitzvah limbo contest? This episode originally aired on January 30th, 2022.…

  17. 83. Can You Change Your Mind Without Losing Face?

    · 33 min · Episode 83

    What is the cost of admitting you’re wrong? How can intellectual humility make you more open minded? And will Stephen finally persuade Angela that rum-raisin is the best flavor of ice cream? This episode originally…

  18. 82. Which Is More Powerful: Reward or Punishment?

    · 27 min · Episode 82

    How is “negative reinforcement” different from punishment? Could positive reinforcement encourage prosocial behavior on a national scale? And what’s the deal with Taiwan’s dog-poop lottery? This episode originally…

  19. 81. Why Is It So Hard to Talk About Money?

    · 29 min · Episode 81

    What’s the connection between conversations about money and financial literacy? Could the taboo against talking about your salary be fading? And why did Angie’s teenage daughter call Vanguard to learn about I.R.A.s?…

  20. 80. Is a “Success Hangover” Real?

    · 29 min · Episode 80

    Why are great accomplishments often followed by disappointment? Is it better to win and feel bummed out than to never have won at all? And where was ping-pong invented? This episode originally aired on January 2nd,…

  21. 79. Why Do We Root for Underdogs?

    · 35 min · Episode 79

    Also: Angela proposes an upgrade to the show. This episode originally aired on December 26th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of…

  22. 78. Why Do We Put Things Off Until the Very Last Minute?

    · 38 min · Episode 78

    Also: what does your name say about who you are? This episode originally aired on December 19th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of…

  23. 77. How Can You Avoid Boredom?

    · 38 min · Episode 77

    Also: are we getting any better at assessing COVID risk? This episode originally aired on December 12, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use…

  24. 76. Why Can’t Baby Boomers and Millennials Just Get Along?

    · 38 min · Episode 76

    Also: how do phone cameras affect the way we experience live events? This episode originally aired on December 5th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our…

  25. 75. How Do You Deal With Intrusive Thoughts?

    · 39 min · Episode 75

    Also: how much does confidence really matter? This episode originally aired on November 21st, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of…

  26. 74. Does Reverse Psychology Really Work?

    · 37 min · Episode 74

    Also: does knowing your family history affect your identity? This episode originally aired on November 14th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and…

  27. 73. Is It Okay to Engage in “Social Loafing”?

    · 32 min · Episode 73

    Also: why is it so great to be part of a team, even when you lose? This episode originally aired on November 7th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our…

  28. 72. If Everyone Hates Meetings, Why Do We Have So Many of Them?

    · 38 min · Episode 72

    Also: why do so many people feel lost in their 20s? This episode originally aired on October 31st, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of…

  29. 71. Why Is Pig Milk the One Milk We Don’t Drink?

    · 28 min · Episode 71

    Also: what’s a food you love that seems disgusting to everyone else? This episode originally aired on October 24th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our…

  30. 70. In a Job Interview, How Much Does Timing Matter?

    · 36 min · Episode 70

    Also: why is it smart to ignore what your podcast hosts look like? This episode originally aired on October 10th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our…

  31. 69. How Can You Convince Someone They’re Wrong?

    · 37 min · Episode 69

    Also: what’s the best way to handle rejection? This episode originally aired on October 3, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal…

  32. 68. Why Do We Want What We Can’t Have?

    · 36 min · Episode 68

    Also: why are humans still so tribal? This episode originally aired on September 26th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data…

  33. 67. How Can You Escape Binary Thinking?

    · 39 min · Episode 67

    Also: why is it so satisfying to find a bargain? This episode originally aired on September 19th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of…

  34. 65. What’s the Best Advice You’ve Ever Received?

    · 40 min · Episode 65

    Also: why don’t you need a license to become a parent? This episode originally aired on August 29th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of…

  35. 64. Are Women Required to Be Nicer Than Men?

    · 38 min · Episode 64

    Also: should you feel guilty if you don’t read books? This episode originally aired on August 15th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of…

  36. 63. How Contagious Is Behavior? With Laurie Santos of “The Happiness Lab.” (Replay)

    · 36 min · Episode 63

    Why do we mirror other people’s accents? Does DJ Khaled get tired of winning? And also: life is good — so why aren’t you happy? This episode originally aired on August 8th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz…

  37. 62. How Can You Escape a Drama Triangle?

    · 40 min · Episode 62

    Also: how do awards affect motivation? This episode originally aired on August 1st, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for…

  38. 61. Should We Just Ignore Our Weaknesses?

    · 34 min · Episode 61

    Also: why do we like what we like? This episode originally aired on July 25th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for…

  39. 60. Why Do We Complain?

    · 32 min · Episode 60

    Also: what do you really mean when you say you “don’t have time”? This episode originally aired on July 18th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection…

  40. 59. Do Dreams Actually Mean Anything?

    · 39 min · Episode 59

    Also: why is music so memorable? This episode originally aired on July 11th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for…

  41. 58. What’s So Gratifying About Gossip?

    · 37 min · Episode 58

    Also: why do people hate small talk? This episode originally aired on June 27th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for…

  42. 57. Which Incentives Are Best at Boosting Vaccination, and Why?

    · 36 min · Episode 57

    Also: what does your desired superpower say about you? This episode originally aired on June 20th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of…

  43. 56. Why Is Academic Writing So Bad?

    · 39 min · Episode 56

    Also: what does your perfect day look like? This episode originally aired on June 13th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data…

  44. 55. What Changes Will Stick When the Pandemic Is Gone?

    · 38 min · Episode 55

    Also: would you take a confirmation-bias vaccine? This episode originally aired on June 6th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal…

  45. 54. Do You Really Need a Muse to Be Creative?

    · 37 min · Episode 54

    Also: is shortsightedness part of human nature? This episode originally aired on May 30th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal…

  46. 53. What’s the Secret to Making a Great Prediction?

    · 35 min · Episode 53

    Also: how do you recover from a bad day? This episode originally aired on May 23rd, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for…

  47. 52. How Much Should We Be Able to Customize Our World?

    · 39 min · Episode 52

    Also: does multitasking actually increase productivity? This episode originally aired on May 16th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of…

  48. 51. What Separates Humans From Other Animals?

    · 37 min · Episode 51

    Also: why do people pace while talking on the phone? This episode originally aired May 9th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal…

  49. 50. Are You as Observant as You Think?

    · 35 min · Episode 50

    Also: Angela accidentally discovers the secret to a good night’s sleep. This episode originally aired on May 2, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection…

  50. 49. How Does Facing Death Change Your Life?

    · 39 min · Episode 49

    Also: why are we so bad at assessing risk? This episode originally aired on April 25, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data…

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