No Stupid Questions

What are Mike and Angela’s favorite songs to cry to? Can upbeat music lift you out of a bad mood? And what is Angela going to sing the next time she does karaoke?

 

SOURCES:Matthew Desmond, professor of sociology at Princeton University.Daniel Kahneman, professor emeritus of psychology and public affairs at Princeton University.Joshua Knobe, professor of philosophy, psychology, and linguistics at Yale University.Simon McCarthy-Jones, professor of psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin.Yael Millgram, senior lecturer of psychological sciences at Tel Aviv University.Stanley Milgram, 20th-century American social psychologist.Ruth Reichl, food writer.Lau...

What is the evolutionary purpose of laughter? What’s the difference between Swedish depression and American depression? And why aren’t aliens interested in abducting Mike? 

 

SOURCES:Jennifer Aaker, professor of marketing at Stanford University.Judd Apatow, film director, screenwriter, and comedian.Fredrik Backman, author.Naomi Bagdonas, lecturer in management at Stanford University.James Corden, actor, comedian, and former late-night television host.Dick Costolo, former C.E.O. of Twitter.Carol Dweck, professor of psychology at Stanford University.Jimmy Fallon, comedian and late-night television host.Daniel Kahneman, professor emeritus of psychology and public affairs at Princeton Univer...

Also: are the most memorable stories less likely to be true? Stephen Dubner chats with Angela Duckworth in this classic episode from July 2020.

 

SOURCES:Pearl S. Buck, 20th-century American novelist.Jack Gallant, professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of California, Berkeley.Steve Levitt, professor emeritus of economics at the University of Chicago, host of People I (Mostly) Admire, and co-author of the Freakonomics books.George Loewenstein, professor of economics and psychology at Carnegie Mellon University.Deborah Small, professor of marketing at Yale University.Adin Steinsaltz, rabbi, philosopher, and author.Diana Tamir, professor of neuroscience a...

Why does the U.S. use Fahrenheit when Celsius is better? Would you quit your job if a coin flip told you to? And how do you get an entire country to drive on the other side of the road?

 

SOURCES:Christian Crandall, professor of psychology at the University of Kansas.Stephen Dubner, host of Freakonomics Radio and co-author of the Freakonomics books.Scott Eidelman, professor of psychology at the University of Arkansas.David Hume, 18th century Scottish philosopher.Ellen Langer, professor of psychology at Harvard University.Steve Levitt, professor emeritus of economics at the University o...

What happens when machines become funnier, kinder, and more empathetic than humans? Do robot therapists save lives? And should Angela credit her virtual assistant as a co-author of her book?

 

SOURCES:Robert Cialdini, professor emeritus of psychology at Arizona State University.Reid Hoffman, co-founder and executive chairman of LinkedIn; co-founder and board member of Inflection AI.Kazuo Ishiguro, novelist and screenwriter.Ethan Mollick, professor of management and co-director of the Generative A.I. Lab at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.Ann Patchett, author.Kevin Roose, technology columnist for The New York Times and c...

Do you see yourself the same way others see you? What’s the difference between self-perception and self-awareness? And why do Mike and Angela both hate fishing?

 

SOURCES:Luis von Ahn, co-founder and C.E.O. of Duolingo; former chair of the board at Character Lab.Paul DePodesta, chief strategy officer of the Cleveland Browns; former baseball executive.Daniel Kahneman, professor emeritus of psychology and public affairs at Princeton University.Michel de Montaigne, 16th-century French philosopher.Barbara Tversky, professor emerita of psychology at Stanford University and professor of psychology and education at Teachers College, Columbia University.

 ...

What makes a con succeed? Does snake oil actually work? And just how gullible is Angela?

 

SOURCES:Robert Cialdini, professor emeritus of psychology and marketing at Arizona State University.Yaniv Hanoch, professor of decision sciences at Coventry University.Hugo Mercier, research scientist at the French National Centre for Scientific Research.George Parker, 19-20th century American con artist.Clark Stanley, 19th century American herbalist and quack doctor.William Thompson, 19th century American criminal and con artist.Danny Wallace, British filmmaker, comedian, writer, and actor.Stacey Wood, professor of psychology at Scripps College.

 

RESOURCES:"They Th...

Should government jobs have mandatory retirement ages? Is it foolish to care about your legacy? And why did Jason always call Angela’s father “Dr. Lee”?

 

SOURCES:William Bridges, professor emeritus of American literature at Mills College, consultant, and author.Arthur Brooks, professor of leadership at Harvard University.Jimmy Carter, former President of the United States and founder of the Carter Center.Erik Erikson, 20th-century psychoanalyst.Craig Fox, professor of management at the University of California, Los Angeles.Daniel Kahneman, professor emeritus of psychology and public affairs at Princeton University.Mitt Romney, U.S. Senator from Utah.

Do you get your principles from your parents — or in spite of them? Is there anything wrong with valuing conformity? And why doesn’t McDonald’s sell salads? 

 

SOURCES:Erika James, dean of the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.Olivia Rodrigo, singer-songwriter.Shalom Schwartz, professor emeritus of psychology at the Hebrew ‎‎University of Jerusalem.Thomas Talhelm, professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

 

RESOURCES:"Measuring Trends in Americans' Personal Values," by Frank Newport (Gallup, 2023)."America Pulls Back From Values That Once Defined It, WSJ-NORC Poll Finds,"...

How is the brain affected by solitary confinement? How would you deal with being stranded on a deserted island? And do baby monkeys make the best therapists? 

 

SOURCES:William Broyles Jr., screenwriter, journalism, and former U.S. Marine Corps officer.Beatriz Flamini, Spanish mountaineer.Craig Haney, professor of psychology at the University of California Santa Cruz.Harry Harlow, 20th-century American psychologist.Sarah Hepola, author.Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa.Tree Meinch, freelance writer, editor, and freediver.Alexander Selkirk, 18th-century Scottish privateer and Royal Navy officer.Cheryl Strayed, writer and podcast host.

 

RESOURCES:"The...

Do humans need touch to survive? Do any of us get enough touch throughout our lives? And why doesn’t Angela want to hug anyone for eight seconds?

 

SOURCES:Ophelia Deroy, chair of the department of philosophy of mind and cognitive neuroscience at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.Kory Floyd, professor of communications at the University of Arizona.Harry Harlow, 20th-century American psychologist.Sirin Kale, associate editor at Vice.Christy Kane, clinical mental health counselor.Carmen Rasmusen Herbert, country music artist and columnist.Virginia Satir, 20th-century clinical social worker and family therapist.

 

RESOURCES:"A Syst...

How final is a final offer, really? Does anonymity turn nice people into jerks? And should you tell your crush that you dreamed about marrying them?

 

SOURCES:Max Bazerman, professor of business administration at Harvard Business School.Deepak Malhotra, professor of business administration at Harvard Business School.Elon Musk, owner and C.T.O. of X Corp (formerly Twitter), C.E.O. of Space X, and C.E.O. of Tesla.John Krasinski, actor and filmmaker.

 

RESOURCES:"Elon Musk Says Twitter Will Try to Rehire Some of Its Laid-Off Staff, and That Some of th...

Are we using technology to make ourselves numb? What’s the downside of air conditioning? And was Angela the most annoying person in her college classes?

 

SOURCES:Paul Bloom, professor of psychology at the University of Toronto.Ed Diener, professor emeritus at the University of Illinois.Michael Easter, author.Alex Hutchinson, journalist.Shigehiro Oishi, professor of psychology at the University of Chicago.Taylor Swift, singer-songwriter.

 

RESOURCES:"World Happiness Report," (Gallup, 2024)."How Painful Should Your Workout Be?" by Alex Hutchinson (The New York Times, 2022)."Taylor Swift’s NYU Commencement Speech: Read the Full Transcript," by Hannah...

Are fantasies helpful or harmful? How is daydreaming like a drug? And what did Angela fantasize about during ninth-grade English class?

 

SOURCES:Patrick Bet-David, YouTuber and founding C.E.O. of PHP Agency Inc.Barbara Corcoran, "Shark" and executive producer on ABC’s Shark Tank and founder of The Corcoran Group.Peter Gollwitzer, professor of psychology at New York University.Danny Kahneman, professor emeritus of psychology at Princeton University.Robert Nozick, philosopher.Gabriele Oettingen, professor of psychology at New York University.Kim Scott, co-founder of Radical Candor and prominent C.E.O. coach in Silicon Valley.

 ...

Can you ever really know how another person feels? What’s the best way to support a grieving person? And why doesn’t Hallmark sell empathy cards? 

 

SOURCES:Daniel Batson, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Kansas.Paul Bloom, professor of psychology at University of Toronto.Paul Polman, businessman, author, and former C.E.O. of Unilever.

 

RESOURCES:“Empathy, Sympathy, and Emotion Regulation: A Meta-Analytic Review,” by H. Melis Yavuz, Tyler Colasante, Emma Galarneau, and Tina Malti (Psychological Bulletin, 2024).“Have Some Sympathy,” by Pamela Paul (The New York Times, 2023).“What is Club 33? Inside Disney’s M...

Why do so many book clubs fall apart? Do the best parties have rules? And does Angela’s husband want to date you? 

 

SOURCES:Fredrik Backman, author.David Chavis, senior fellow at Community Science.Daniel Gilbert, professor of psychology at Harvard University.Sebastian Junger, journalist and author.David McMillan, clinical and community psychologist.Priya Parker, strategic advisor and author.

 

RESOURCES:"Do Conversations End When People Want Them to?" by Adam M. Mastroianni, Daniel Gilbert, Gus Cooney, and Timothy D. Wilson (PNAS, 2021)."3 Steps to Turn Everyday Get-Togethers Into Transformative Gatherings," by Priya Parker (TED Talk, 2019).The A...

What’s the difference between being popular and being cool? How has social media changed the trend cycle? And what do Taylor Swift and Walmart have in common?

 

SOURCES:Anette Asp, project manager and research coordinator at the California Institute of Technology.Lalin Anik, professor of marketing at Vrije University Amsterdam.Marc Bain, journalist.Judy Blume, young adult author.Colin Camerer, professor of behavioral economics at the California Institute of Technology.James Dean, 20th-century American actor.Ryan Hauser, Ph.D. candidate at the Yale School of Management.Michael Jordan, former professional basketball player.Johnny Miles, senior val...

Why do we tell kids that a fairy will give them cash in exchange for their teeth? How should we talk to them about scary things in the world? And is Mike one of the greatest operatic tenors of all time? 

 

SOURCES:Laura Wheatman Hill, journalist.George Lin, Ph.D. student in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.Melinda Wenner Moyer, journalist and author.Luciano Pavarotti, Italian operatic tenor.Amy Stoeber, clinical psychologist.Jacqueline Woolley, professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin.

 

RESOURCES:"Parenting by Lying," by Peipei Setoh, Petrina Hui Xia...

WaitWhat C.E.O. Jeff Berman interviews Angela about “grit-scaling” and her unlikely path to academic celebrity.

Is there any upside to negative emotions? What can comedians teach us about dealing with pain? And why did Angela eat off of a stranger’s plate at a sushi bar? 

 

SOURCES:Ludwig van Beethoven, 18th-19th century composer and pianist.Jen Christensen, reporter and producer at CNN.Lauren Eskreis-Winkler, professor of management & organizations at Northwestern University.Sigmund Freud, neurologist and founder of psychoanalysis.Shirley MacLaine, actor.George Vaillant, professor of psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital.Ali Wong, comedian.

 

RESOURCES:"The Sad Clown: The Deep Emotions Behind Stand-Up Comedy," by Jen Christensen (CNN, 2018)."Neuroticism," by Je...

Where is the line between a good guy and a doormat? Do people with sharp elbows make more money? And why did Angela’s mother give away her birthday present?

Take the Big Five inventory: freakonomics.com/bigfive

 

SOURCES:Kristen Bell, actor.Jeff Bezos, founder and executive chairman of Amazon.Harry Connick Jr., singer, pianist, and actor.Juli Fraga, psychologist and writer.Adam Grant, professor of management and psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.Allison Sweet Grant, writer.Timothy Judge, chair of the department of Management and Human Resources at The Ohio State University.Fran...

What’s the difference between being introverted and being shy? What are extroverts so cheerful about? And does Angela’s social battery ever run out?

Take the Big Five inventory: freakonomics.com/bigfive

 

SOURCES:Susan Cain, author.Will Fleeson, professor of psychology at Wake Forest University.Sigmund Freud, neurologist and founder of psychoanalysis.Adam Grant, professor of management and psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.Carl Jung, psychiatrist and psychoanalyst.Donald Kamentz, founder and C.E.O. of Contigo Ed.Sonja Lyubomirsky, professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside.Seth Margolis, professor of bio...

Is it really that important to make your bed? What’s the benefit of hiring a lazy person? And how many cups of spinach can Mike fit in a red Solo cup?  

Take the Big Five inventory: freakonomics.com/bigfive

 

SOURCES:David Barack, philosopher and neuroscientist at the University of Pennsylvania.Randall Bell, socio-economist and C.E.O. of Landmark Research Group.Julia Cameron, author, poet, songwriter, filmmaker, and playwright.Charles Duhigg, journalist and author.Guy Kawasaki, author and Silicon Valley venture capitalist.William McRaven, professor of national security at the University of Texas at Aus...

What do the most creative people have in common?  How open-minded are you, really? And what’s wrong with ordering eggs Benedict? 

Take the Big Five inventory: 

freakonomics.com/bigfive

 

SOURCES:Max Bennett, co-founder and C.E.O. of Alby.David Epstein, author and journalist.Ayelet Fishbach, professor of behavioral science and marketing at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.Alison Gopnik, professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley.Steve Jobs, co-founder and former C.E.O. of Apple.Oliver John, professor of psychology at the University of Califo...

Are you the same person you were a decade ago? Do we get better as we age? And is your sixth-grade class clown still funny? 

 

SOURCES:Aaron (Tim) Beck, professor emeritus of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania.Daniel Gilbert, professor of psychology at Harvard University.Olga Khazan, staff writer at The Atlantic. Brian Little, professor of psychology at the University of Cambridge.Jordi Quoidbach, professor of people management and organisation at ESADE, University Ramon Llull.Carl Rogers, 20th-century psychologist.Martin Short, actor and comedian.Richard Wiseman, professor of the public understanding of psychology at the Uni...

Is it dangerous to live in the past? Why is Disney remaking all of its classic movies? And why does Angela get sentimental over a cup of soup and a free roll? 

 

SOURCES:Julie Beck, senior editor at The Atlantic.Danielle Campoamor, freelance writer and reporter.Kyle Chayka, staff writer at The New Yorker.Amelia Dennis, research associate in psychology at the University of Bath.Erica Hepper, lecturer in personality/social psychology at the University of Surrey.Lucy Hone, director of the New Zealand Institute of Wellbeing and Resilience.Imran Rahman-Jones, freelance journalist.Florence Saint-Jean, executive di...

Does instinct trump expertise? Can playing poker improve your intuition? And why did Angela jump off of a moving trolley car?

 

SOURCES:Tom Brady, former quarterback for the New England Patriots.Daniel Kahneman, professor emeritus of psychology and public affairs at Princeton University.Gary Klein, cognitive psychologist and pioneer in the field of naturalistic decision making.Brock Purdy, quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers.Josh Waitzkin, former chess player, martial arts competitor, and author.

 

RESOURCES:"When and How To Sleep Train Your Baby," by Cleveland Clinic (2021)."The ShadowBox Approach to Cognitive Skills Training: An Em...

Is grade inflation on the rise? How much does your G.P.A. matter in the long run? And when did M.I.T., of all places, become “the cool university”?

 

SOURCES:Scott Hugo, housing justice attorney at Oakland City Attorney’s Office.Bob Ladouceur, former head football coach at De La Salle High School.Jon Marcus, writer at The Hechinger Report.Amelia Nierenberg, Connecticut correspondent for The New York Times. James Pennebaker, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin.Stuart Rojstaczer, writer and former professor of geophysics at Duke University.

 

RESOURC...

How can you summon courage when you’re terrified? Is hiking more dangerous than skiing? And what is the stupidest thing that Mike has ever done?

 

SOURCES:Albert Bandura, professor of psychology at Stanford University.Marc Brackett, founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and professor in the Child Study Center at Yale School of Medicine.Lisa Damour, clinical psychologist and senior advisor to the Schubert Center for Child Studies at Case Western Reserve University.Christopher Peterson, professor of psychology and organizational studies at the University of Michigan.Stanley Rachman, professor of psychology at the...

Would you be more adventurous if you had more structure? Do you multitask while brushing your teeth? And what would Mike’s perfect brother Peter do? 

 

SOURCES:David Brooks, opinion columnist for The New York Times.Colin Camerer, professor of economics at the California Institute of Technology.James Clear, writer.Mason Currey, author.David Goggins, ultra-endurance athlete and retired U.S. Navy SEAL.Jesse Itzler, entrepreneur and author.Katy Milkman, professor of operations, information and decisions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and host of the Choiceology podcast.Aneesh Rai, professor of management and...

What’s the best way to carry out random acts of kindness? What’s wrong with making an “Irish exit”? And why is Mike secretly buying lottery tickets?

 

SOURCES:Roy Baumeister, social psychologist and visiting scholar at Harvard University.Daniel Gilbert, professor of psychology at Harvard University.John Gottman, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Washington.Kurt Lewin, 20th-century German-American psychologist.E. J. Masicampo, professor of psychology at Wake Forest University.Timothy Wilson, professor of psychology at the University of Virginia.Bluma Zeigarnik, 20th-century Soviet psychologist.

 

RESOURCES:"Life and Work of the Psychologi...

How can you strive for excellence without overworking yourself? Why is perfectionism on the rise? And is Angela part of the problem?

 

SOURCES:Kristin Andrus, philanthropist.Aaron (Tim) Beck, professor emeritus of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania.Thomas Curran, professor of psychological and behavioral science at the London School of Economics.Julia DiGangi, neuropsychologist.Zac Efron, actor.Scott Hugo, housing justice attorney at Oakland City Attorney's Office.

 

RESOURCES:"For Happiness in the New Year, Stop Overdoing Everything," by Julia DiGangi (The Wall Street Journal, 2023)."Good Enough," by Thomas Curran (Character Lab, 2023).The Perfection Tr...

Does anyone have any real agency? What do McDonald’s and Oxford University have in common? And why did Angela give up on philosophy?

 

SOURCESSam Harris, neuroscientist, philosopher, author, and podcast host.Brian Galla, associate professor of health and human development at University of Pittsburgh.Robert Sapolsky, professor of biology at Stanford University.Harry Emerson Fosdick, founding minister of Riverside Church in New York City.Martin E. P. Seligman, professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.Brian Kershisnik, American painter. Plato, ancient Greek philosopher.

 

RESOURCESFree Will, by Sam Harris (2012).Determined: A Science of Life...

Should you shout your sins from the rooftops? How many skeletons are in the average person’s closet? And what has Angela been hiding?

 

SOURCES:Maya Angelou, memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist.Stephen Baum, postdoctoral researcher at Olin Business School at Washington University.Clayton Critcher, professor of marketing, cognitive science, and psychology at Berkeley Haas School of Business.John Legend, singer-songwriter and pianist.Kareem Abdul Jabbar, former professional basketball player.Michael Slepian, professor of leadership and ethics at Columbia Business School.Jason Sudeikis, actor, writer, and producer.Chrissy Teigen, model and TV personality.Vauhini Vara, jou...

Do you really deserve the credit for your accomplishments? Should college admissions be determined by lottery? And how did Mike’s contribution to a charity auction change his life? 

 

SOURCES:Warren Buffett, investor and philanthropist.James Flynn, political philosopher at the University of Otago.Robert Frank, professor emeritus of management at Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.Rogé Karma, staff writer at The Atlantic.Nicholas Lemann, professor of journalism and dean emeritus at Columbia Journalism School.Daniel Markovits, professor of law at Yale Law School.Charles Munger, investor and philanthropist.John Rawls, 20th-century legal and political philo...

Where does sentimental value come from? Why did Angela throw out her childhood journals? And would Mike wear Hitler’s sweater? 

 

SOURCES:Jeffrey Galak, professor of marketing at Carnegie Mellon University.John Irving, author.Marie Kondo, professional organizer and consultant.Paul Rozin, professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.Yang Yang, research scientist at the Institute of Behavioral Research at Texas Christian University.

 

RESOURCES:"Experiences Endure," by Angela Duckworth (Character Lab, 2022)."Study Finds That THESE Are the Most Valued Family Heirlooms," by SWNS Staff (SWNS, 2021)."Micro Wave: How 'Bout Dem Apple...Seeds," by Thoma...

Is there any scientific basis for the law of attraction? Are people who believe in “cosmic collaboration” more successful? And what happens when you write yourself a check for $10 million?

 

SOURCES:Rhonda Byrne, writer and TV producer.Jim Carrey, actor.Christopher Clarey, sports journalist and author.Peter Gollwitzer, professor of psychology at New York University.Dave Levin, co-founder and executive director of KIPP Public Charter Schools.Gabriele Oettingen, professor of psychology at New York University.Wallace Wattles, self-help writer.

 

RESOURCES:"'The Secret' to Success? The Psychology of Belief in Manifestation," by Lucas J. Dixon, Matthe...

Are modern parents too protective? Why do we worry so much about things that almost never happen? And how did Mike learn about bus stops?

 

SOURCES:David Bjorklund, professor of psychology at Florida Atlantic University.Peter Gray, professor of psychology at Boston College.David Lancy, professor emeritus of anthropology at Utah State University.Lenore Skenazy, president of Let Grow and founder of the Free-Range Kids movement.

 

RESOURCES:"Decline in Independent Activity as a Cause of Decline in Children’s Mental Well-being: Summary of the Evidence," by Peter Gray, David Lancy, and David Bjorklund (The Jour...

What matters more: meeting our own ambitions, or winning fame and glory? What’s it like to earn a gold medal at the Olympics? And why didn’t Mike’s grandfather get a watch?

 

SOURCES:Alain de Botton, writer and founder of The School of Life.Kirk Flatow, head coach of co-ed varsity track and field at Monta Vista High School.Katie Ledecky, competitive swimmer.Diana Nyad, long-distance swimmer.Michael Phelps, former competitive swimmer.Martin Seligman, professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.Kerri Walsh Jennings, professional beach volleyball player.John Wooden, men's basketball coach at the...

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?

 

SOURCES:Albert Bandura, professor emeritus of psychology at Stanford University.John Bargh, professor of psychology and cognitive science at Yale University.Tanya Chartrand, professor of marketing at Duke University.Clay Cockrell, psychotherapist and founder of Walk and Talk Therapy.Iain Couzin, director of the department of collective behavior at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior.William Irvine, professor of philosophy at Wright State University.Daniel Kahneman, professor emeritus of psychol...

Why do we get overwhelmed when we have too many choices? Should we make our own decisions or copy other people's? And how can Angela manage her sock inventory?

 

SOURCES:Arie Kruglanski, professor of psychology at the University of Maryland, College Park.Katy Milkman, professor of operations, information, and decisions at the University of Pennsylvania.Sylvia Plath, 20th-century American novelist and poet.Barry Schwartz, professor of social theory and social action at Swarthmore College.Herbert Simon, professor of computer science and psychology at Carnegie Mellon University.Will Smith, actor and film producer.

 

RESOURCES:"Choice De...

Why does your horoscope seem so accurate? Is it possible to believe and not believe in something at the same time? And is Mike a classic Gemini?

 

SOURCES:P. T. Barnum, 19th-century American showman and businessman.David Brooks, New York Times Opinion columnist.Bertram Forer, 20th-century American psychologist.Daniel Kahneman, professor emeritus of psychology and public affairs at Princeton University.Irving Kirsch, associate director of the Program in Placebo Studies and lecturer in medicine at Harvard Medical School.Sten Odenwald, Director of STEM Resource Development at NASA.Sydney Page, staff reporter for The Washington Post. Jane L...

Are gifted and talented programs discriminatory? Why do so many adults still remember their SAT scores? And how did Angela transform from a party girl to an Ivy League psychologist?

 

SOURCES:Alfred Binet, 19th-century French psychologist.Stefan Dombrowski, professor of psychology and director of the School Psychology Program at Rider University.Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 18th- to 19th-century German author.Travis Kelce, tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs in the N.F.L.Robert O'Connell, writer and reporter.Robert Rosenthal, professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside.Amy Tan, author.

 

RESOURCES:"Wh...

What happens when three psychologists walk into a magic show? What’s Angela’s problem with the word “talent”?  And why does LeBron James refer to himself in the third person?

 

SOURCES:

John Bargh, professor of psychology at Yale University.Derren Brown, mentalist.Carol Dweck, professor of psychology at Stanford University.Daniel Kahneman, professor emeritus of psychology and public affairs at Princeton University.Ethan Kross, professor of psychology at the University of Michigan.Barbara Mellers, professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.Daniel Southwick, visiting professor of psychology at Brigham Young University and former N.F...

How do friendships change as we get older? Should you join a bowling league? And also: how does a cook become a chef?

 

RESOURCES:

“Social Support From Weak Ties: Insight From the Literature on Minimal Social Interactions,” by Joshua Moreton, Caitlin S. Kelly, and Gillian Sandstrom (Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 2023).Join or Die, documentary (2023).“I Tried Bumble BFF for 30 Days — Here’s What Happened,” by Beth Gillette (The Everygirl, 2022).Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make — and Keep — Friends, by Marisa Franco (2022).“Grocery Store Opens ‘Chat Registers’ for Lonely Customers,” by Gabriel Geiger (Vice...

Can long-term relationships do more harm than good? Where is the line between intimacy and codependence? And should we all try to be more like Mike’s parents?

 

RESOURCES:

"A Record-High Share of 40-Year-Olds in the U.S. Have Never Been Married," by Richard Fry (Pew Research Center, 2023)."Divorce Skyrocketing Among Aging Boomers," by Sharon Jayson (AARP, 2023)."Don’t Let Love Take Over Your Life," by Faith Hill (The Atlantic, 2023)."Marriage Provides Health Benefits – and Here’s Why," by Libby Richards, Melissa Franks, and Rosie Shrout (The Conversation, 2023)."The Benefits of Diversifying Your Social Portfolio...

Why do we use “literally” figuratively? Does conveying an "emotional truth" justify making things up? And are Angela’s kids really starving or just hungry? 

 

RESOURCES:

"My Response to The New Yorker Article," by Hasan Minhaj (YouTube video, 2023)."Hasan Minhaj’s 'Emotional Truths,'" by Clare Malone (The New Yorker, 2023)."Lying to Spice up Life," by Holly Cole (Society for Personality and Social Psychology, 2019).Words on the Move: Why English Won't - and Can't - Sit Still (Like, Literally), by John McWhorter (2016)."Literally," entry by Deathmatch1127 (Urban Dictionary, 2015)."Does Living in California Make People Happy? A F...

How can you be lonely when so many people showed up at your birthday party? Can you fight loneliness by managing expectations? And where can you find company while enjoying the best garlic cheeseburger in the greater Salt Lake City metro area?

 

RESOURCES:

"Surgeon General: We Have Become a Lonely Nation. It’s Time to Fix That," by Vivek H. Murthy (The New York Times, 2023)."Home Alone: More Than A Quarter of All Households Have One Person," by Lydia Anderson, Chanell Washington, Rose M. Kreider, and Thomas Gryn (United States Census Bureau, 2023)."Loneliness Before and...

Do you suffer from the sin of certainty? How did Angela react when a grad student challenged her research? And can a Heineken commercial strengthen our democracy?

 

RESOURCES:

"Disagree Better," National Governors Association initiative led by Spencer Cox (2023-2024)."Cooling Heated Discourse: Conversational Receptiveness Boosts Interpersonal Evaluations and Willingness to Talk," by Julia Minson, David Hagmann, and Kara Luo (Preprint, 2023)."Megastudy Identifying Effective Interventions to Strengthen Americans’ Democratic Attitudes," by Jan G. Voelkel, Robb Willer, et al. (Working Paper, 2023).Conflicted: Why Arguments Are Tearing Us Apart and How They Can Bring Us Together, by Ian...

Should you become an artist or an accountant? Did Sylvia Plath have to be depressed to write The Bell Jar? And what can Napoleon Dynamite teach us about the creative life?

 

RESOURCES:

"The Science of Why You Have Great Ideas in the Shower," by Stacey Colino (National Geographic, 2022)."So, You Think You’re Not Creative?" by Duncan Wardle (Harvard Business Review, 2021)."The Correlation Between Arts and Crafts and a Nobel Prize," by Rosie Cima (Priceonomics, 2015)."Report: State of the American Workplace," by Gallup (2014)."Poverty Impedes Cognitive Function," by Anandi Mani, Sendhil Mullainathan, Eldar Shafir, and...

Is it better to be an egocentric navigator or an allocentric navigator? Was the New York City Department of Education wrong to ban ChatGPT? And did Mike get ripped off by Michael Jackson’s cousin?

 

RESOURCES

"Don’t Ban Chatbots in Classrooms — Use Them to Change How We Teach," by Angela Duckworth and Lyle Ungar (Los Angeles Times, 2023)."How GPS Weakens Memory — and What We Can Do about It," by Mar Gonzalez-Franco, Gregory Dane Clemenson, and Amos Miller (Scientific American, 2021)."Habitual Use of GPS Negatively Impacts Spatial Memory During Self-Guided Navigation," by Louisa Dahmani and Véron...

What’s the difference between being busy and being productive? Would you be better at your job if you cared a little less? And can somebody get Mike a cup of coffee? 

 

RESOURCES:

"State of the Global Workplace: 2023 Report," (Gallup, 2023)."What’s Really So Wrong About Secretly Working Two Full-Time Jobs at Once?" by Alison Green (Slate, 2023)."The Problem With Venting," by Ethan Kross (Character Lab, 2021)."Conan O'Brien's Final Monologue: 'Nobody in Life Gets What They Thought They Were Going to Get,'" by Lynette Rice (Entertainment Weekly, 2020)."Employee Burnout, Part 1: The 5 Main Causes," by Ben...

Do you get grittier as you age? What's worse for mental health: video games or social media? And do baby boomers make the best D.J.s? 

 

RESOURCES:

Generations: The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents — and What They Mean for America's Future, by Jean Twenge (2023)."5 Things to Keep in Mind When You Hear About Gen Z, Millennials, Boomers and Other Generations," by Michael Dimock (Pew Research Center, 2023)."Lock Screens," by Jean Twenge (Character Lab, 2023)."The Blurred Lines Between Goldman C.E.O.’s Day Job and His D.J. Gig...

Does anyone really know what they’re doing? How do we reward the competent and not the confident? And what’s wrong with using TikTok for research? 

 

RESOURCES:

"Why Everyone Feels Like They’re Faking It," by Leslie Jamison (The New Yorker, 2023)."The Impostor Phenomenon Revisited: Examining the Relationship between Workplace Impostor Thoughts and Interpersonal Effectiveness at Work," by Basima Tewfik (Academy of Management Journal, 2022)."You’re Not an Imposter. You’re Actually Pretty Amazing," by Kess Eruteya (Harvard Business Review, 2022)."Workplace ‘Impostor Thoughts’ May Have a Genuine Upside," by Meredith Somers (Ideas Made to Matter, 2022...

How much control do you really have over your body? Could understanding genetics help combat fat-shaming? And why is Mike’s life coach so happy all the time?

How do you practice self-care if you don’t have time for a break? Is it weird to talk to yourself? And does Mike need a bag of Doritos — or just a hug?

How final is a final offer, really? Does anonymity turn nice people into jerks? And should you tell your crush that you dreamed about marrying them?

Why would a successful person feel the need to stick it to the little guy? Is Angela a name-dropper? And why do rappers grab their crotches?

How do you deal with a close talker? Is Angela drinking too much water? And why can’t Mike keep his phone out of his bedroom?

Is it better to be the best player on the worst team or the worst player on the best team? How did Angela cope with her extremely impressive freshman dorm mates? And why won’t Shaquille O'Neal let Charles Barkley have an onion ring?

How well do you know the people in your life, really? Are you stuck having surface-level conversations? And should we all be in couples therapy?

How vulnerable should you get with your coworkers? What’s the benefit of telling strangers about your relationship with your mother? And why did Mike’s childhood home burn down — twice?

What’s more stressful, divorce or jail? Are you in the middle of a “lifequake”? And should we all be taking notes from Martha Stewart?

Why do people drink? Why do people not drink? And why specifically do Angela and Mike not drink?

Is a walk through the city as good as a walk through the woods? Who’s most likely to die while taking a selfie? And how does Angela protect herself from the beer cans falling onto her deck? 

Is it worse to regret something you’ve done, or something you haven’t done? What’s the upside of rejection? And which great American short-story writer convinced Angela to quit driving?

Must one always strive for excellence? Is perfectionism a good thing? And can Mike have two bad days in a row? 

What makes a con succeed? Does snake oil actually work? And just how gullible is Angela?

How do friendships change as we get older? Should you join a bowling league? And is Angela more important to Mike than Mike is to Angela?

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?

Why does time fly when you’re having fun? How do you teach rats to play hide and seek? And what does all this have to do with Anne Boleyn?

Is it enough to toss a soda can in the recycling? Why is Maria obsessed with Nobel Prize lectures? And wait — is that a news alert or a tiger?

Should you visualize success or failure? How do you bounce back from a mistake? And will Maria hustle Angela into a poker game? 

Are highly effective people quicker to share credit? What does poverty do to your brain? And how did Stephen's mother teach him about opportunity costs? Plus: an announcement about the future of the show.

We asked you to nominate the worst sins of the modern age. Which one do Stephen and Angela think belongs on the list? And which does Angie struggle with the most? 

What does the Seven Deadly Sins survey tell us about the people who listen to this podcast? Are we more afflicted by sloth or by lust? And what does Angela mutter under her breath?

 

Take the Seven Deadly Sins survey: freakonomics.com/nsq-sins/

 

Is pride an emotion? Where’s the line between self-esteem and hubris? And what does Stephen have against peacocks?

 

Take the Seven Deadly Sins survey: freakonomics.com/nsq-sins/

 

Who’s greedier — gamblers or casinos? What’s the difference between betting on sports and entering a charity raffle? And does Angela know the name of her city’s football team?

Take the Seven Deadly Sins survey: freakonomics.com/nsq-sins/

What does social media do to our self-esteem? How is envy affecting our politics? And should you go to your high school reunion?

 

Take the Seven Deadly Sins survey: freakonomics.com/nsq-sins/

What’s the difference between anger and indignation? What’s Angela’s problem with turkey sandwiches? And why wasn’t a No Stupid Questions listener angry at the men who assaulted him?

 

Take the Seven Deadly Sins survey: freakonomics.com/nsq-sins/

Are we too busy watching Friends? Is porn driving us apart? And why did New Yorkers stop vacationing in the Catskills?

Take the Seven Deadly Sins survey: freakonomics.com/nsq-sins/

 

Is your favorite treat changing your brain? Why do so many snacks melt in your mouth? And why can’t Stephen replicate his favorite salad dressing?

 

Take the Seven Deadly Sins survey: freakonomics.com/nsq-sins/

 

How can we distinguish between laziness and patience? Why do people do crossword puzzles? And how is Angie like a combination of a quantum computer and a Sherman tank?

 

Take the Seven Deadly Sins survey: freakonomics.com/nsq-sins/

 

Birthdays! Why do Americans prefer Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July to theirs? Why do they make Stephen think of molasses and chicken feed? And is “Happy Birthday” the worst song ever written?

How far would you go to extend your life? What’s the best way to stay sharp as your brain ages? And does Keith Richards deserve a Nobel Prize? 

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?

Are those travelers on their laptops just showing off? Why does V8 taste better at 35,000 feet? And why won't Angela chat with her seatmate? 

Are things as dire as they seem? How big is your moral circle? And should Angela spend time with her kids or answer her emails?

Is sobbing a survival tactic? What happened when Angela wept in front of her boss? And what do sauerkraut and sadness have in common?

Why are people so inconsistent? Is there such a thing as character? And did Stephen once have the world's longest chain of gum wrappers?

Is there such a thing as a victimless crime? In an unfair system, is dishonesty okay? And are adolescent vandals out of ideas? 

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?

How many bottles of wine are regifted? What’s wrong with giving cash? And should Angela give her husband a subscription to the Sausage of the Month Club?

How do you express yourself when you're not sure what you want to say? What’s the number one way to get people to listen to you? And why are letters to advice columns always well-written? Plus: An update to the NSQ drinking game.

When are negative emotions enjoyable? Are we all a little masochistic? And do pigs like hot sauce?

What do gamblers and referees have in common? When do machines make better decisions than people? And has Stephen been replaced by a computer?

How can you break a bad habit if you’re not aware that you’re doing it? Does Barack Obama grind his teeth? And is Angela’s dentist a crook? 

What’s the difference between schadenfreude and sadism? Can envy be put to good use? And how do you teach a kid to punch a clown?

Can a little dishonesty be a good thing? How many fibs does Angela tell every day? And why does Stephen have a forehead?

If you’re frustrated with your family, should you cut ties with them? Who’s more likely to break with relatives over politics, liberals or conservatives? And what would it take for Stephen to buy a baby elephant?

How much can you tell about someone from the first few seconds of a Zoom call? What did Stephen think of Angie when he first met her? And: a special message to babies from the future. 

How does comparing yourself to others affect your well-being? What do you do when there’s no one left to blame? And should we all just move to Finland? 

What’s the purpose of profanity? Why is cursing on the rise? And will Angela finally swear off swearing?

How should you treat Seasonal Affective Disorder? Would we all be happier if we hibernated? And why does Stephen think football fans have an easier time?

How do you let go of resentment? Do apologies even work? And what grievances have Stephen and Angela been nursing for years?

Do highway warnings save lives or cost lives? How do you keep men from peeing on the floor? And what’s Angela’s plan to get more people washing their hands?

How is aging different today than it was in the past? What do young people get wrong about happiness? And what does it mean if you impulsively decide to get your ear pierced in an unusual place?

Can exercising your body boost your brain's stamina? Are some people just born lazy? And why did Angela stop reading “Us Weekly”?

Why do some activities tire your brain more than others? How exhausting is poverty? And could most of the world’s problems be solved with a sandwich?

Are Europeans more sophisticated than Americans? What’s wrong with preferring Taylor Swift to Puccini? And is Steve Levitt “Team Edward” or “Team Jacob”?

Will Angela finally break up with Philadelphia? Is New York really the unhappiest city in the U.S.? And are there trash tornadoes in the metaverse?

Are you a problem solver or an opportunity seeker? Why is it so hard to find a good leader these days? And could you be Angela’s next boss?

What risks are worth taking? When should you ignore feedback and go with your gut? And what did Stephen learn on a fishing trip with the town barber?

What’s worse: shame, guilt, or humiliation? Does Angela have psychopathic tendencies? And where’s the worst place to sit at a magic show? 

What is the purpose of negative emotions? Why do we engage with things we know will upset us? And how does Angie deal with rejection?

Is it O.K. to bother people for a good cause? Why do people donate to charity in the first place? And do those personalized address labels actually make people get out their checkbooks?  

Are we all either secure, avoidant, or anxious? How does your relationship with your parents shape your romantic partnerships? And what is Stephen’s attachment style? 

Are you more likely to experience post-traumatic stress or post-traumatic growth? How does belief in the afterlife affect how you view death? And why did Angela hike a deadly gorge with her ex-boyfriend? 

How do kids learn about money? What’s the big problem with education? And who made "Raiders of the Lost Ark?"

Why are humans so eager for magic-bullet solutions? Can you explain how a pen works? And how does Angela feel about being forever branded “the grit lady”?

Why do Americans tip so much? What happened when Angie eliminated grading in a college course? And why did almost every pay toilet in the U.S.A. vanish between 1970 and 1980? 

How does the profitability of family firms stack up against the rest? Has nepotism become more taboo over time? And why are 90 percent of adoptees in Japan not children but adults?

Today, something different; we're sharing an episode of WorkLife with Adam Grant, another podcast we like from the TED Audio Collective. Perfectionism is on the rise–and not just in job interviews when people claim it’s their greatest weakness. But the desire to be flawless is not always productive—or healthy. As a recovering perfectionist, Adam dives into how he managed to abandon the quest for 10s while holding onto his drive for excellence. To hear more episodes on the science of making work (and life) not suck, follow WorkLife with Adam Grant wherever you're listening to this. 

Where’s the line between an addiction and a bad habit? Why do definitions of mental illnesses change over time? And what’s the most addictive thing in the world?

Why does listening to No Stupid Questions feel like you’re hanging out with your best friends? Why did the whole world take it personally when Princess Diana died? And how do “parasocial relationships” affect your mental health?

Are there downsides to “personality plagiarism”? Why did no one buy the Crayola Crayon Carver? And should Stephen feel bad for copying Angela’s email signature?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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 society is structured?

Is evolution stacked against healthy eating? What policies could increase demand for nutritious food? And does Popeyes count as a cultural icon?

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?

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 Coca-Cola enemas?

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? 

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? 

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?

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?

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? 

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? 

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?

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?

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?

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?

Also: Angela proposes an upgrade to the show.  

Also: what does your name say about who you are? 

Also: are we getting any better at assessing COVID risk?

Also: how do phone cameras affect the way we experience live events? 

Also: is a little knowledge truly a dangerous thing? 

Also: how much does confidence really matter?

Also: does knowing your family history affect your identity?

Also: why is it so great to be part of a team, even when you lose?

Also: why do so many people feel lost in their 20s? 

Also: what’s a food you love that seems disgusting to everyone else?

Also: which professions have the happiest people?

Also: why is it smart to ignore what your podcast hosts look like?

Also: what’s the best way to handle rejection?

Also: why are humans still so tribal?

Also: why is it so satisfying to find a bargain?

Also: is obsessing over your mental health bad for your mental health?

Also: do we overestimate or underestimate our significance in other people’s lives?

Also: why don’t you need a license to become a parent?

Also: why do we hoard? (Rebroadcast From Ep. 28)

Also: should you feel guilty if you don’t read books?

Also: life is good — so why aren’t you happy?

Also: how do awards affect motivation?

Also: why do we like what we like?

Also: what do you really mean when you say you “don’t have time”?

Also: why is music so memorable?

Also: how can we stop confusing correlation with causation?

Also: why do people hate small talk?

Also: what does your desired superpower say about you?

Also: what does your perfect day look like?

Also: would you take a confirmation-bias vaccine?

Also: is shortsightedness part of human nature?

Also: how do you recover from a bad day?

Also: does multitasking actually increase productivity?

Also: why do people pace while talking on the phone?

Angela accidentally discovers the secret to a good night’s sleep

Also: why are we so bad at assessing risk?

Also: what is the most significant choice you will ever make?

Also: why do we dislike being alone in public?

Also: what’s wrong with being impatient?

Also: why do we pad our speech with so much filler language?

Also: is it better to “go with the wind” or to “be the wind”?

Also: what is teasing supposed to accomplish?

Also: how did Angela do with her no-sugar challenge?

Also: do we subconsciously lie about our major influences?

Also: is it better to be right or “not wrong”?

Also, what's better: to learn new skills or go deep on what you're good at?

Also: how can you stop ruminating?

Also: do self-help books really help?

Also: does wisdom really come with age?

Also: how many “selves” is it OK to have?

Also: how can you become a more curious person?

Also: why is public speaking so terrifying?

Also: why do we procrastinate?

Also: where is the line between acronyms, initialisms, and gibberish?

Also: which professions have the happiest people?

Also: is a little knowledge truly a dangerous thing?

Also: why is it so hard to predict success?

Also: do you spend more time thinking about the past, the present, or the future?

Also: why is behavior change so darn hard?

Also: what’s so great about New York City anyway?

Also: is it wrong to feel inured to the pandemic?

Also: do we overestimate or underestimate our significance in other people’s lives?

Also: should everyone have their own trauma score?

Also: how is social media like a knife?

Also: is there a downside to billionaire philanthropy?

Also: what is the meaning of life?

Also: how do you know if you have a “bad personality”?

Also: what’s so great about friendship?

Also: is it better to be a thinker, a doer, or a charmer?

Also: how does a cook become a chef? With Gabrielle Hamilton.

Also: why do we procrastinate?

Also: what is the best question you’ve ever been asked in a job interview?

Also: how can we stop confusing correlation with causation?

Also: how effective is the placebo effect?

Also: why do we habituate to life’s greatest pleasures?

Also: are the most memorable stories less likely to be true?

Also: how do you avoid screwing up your kids?

Also: how does a comedian cope with tragedy? With Eugene Mirman.

Also: is it better to send a congratulatory note to someone who deserves it or a condolence note to someone who needs it?

Also: should we all have personal mission statements?

Also: is there such a thing as too much science? With special guest Luis von Ahn.

Also: is life precious because it’s finite?

Also: how does age affect happiness?

Also: why do we treat pets better than people?

Also: why can't humans handle uncertainty already?

Stephen Dubner, the host of Freakonomics Radio, and Angela Duckworth, the psychologist and author of Grit, explore the weird and wonderful ways in which humans behave. In each episode, they take turns asking each other questions, with conversations ranging from friendship and parenting to immortality and whether dogs are better than people. No Stupid Questions premieres May 18th.