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.
This episode explores the potential downsides of extreme goal-oriented behavior and the balance between ambition and enjoying life's simple pleasures. Against the backdrop of a discussion on "grit," Angela Duckworth and her guest delve into the percentage of time spent pursuing goals versus savoring present moments. ...
This episode explores the concept of locus of control and its impact on individual success and well-being. Against the backdrop of Maria Konnikova's book, "The Biggest Bluff," the discussion delves into the psychological idea of internal versus external locus of control, examining whether an internal locus—believing o...
This podcast episode explores the concepts of "maximizing" and "satisficing" in decision-making, featuring an interview with Angela Duckworth. Duckworth, identifying as a maximizer, explains the differences between striving for the best possible outcome versus choosing a "good enough" option. The discussion covers the...
This episode of "No Stupid Questions" explores the psychological and social implications of social comparison. The conversation begins by examining the inherent human tendency to compare oneself to others, particularly during adolescence, and then delves into the negative consequences, such as decreased motivation and...
This podcast episode explores "as if" thinking, a psychological technique where individuals act as if they possess a desired trait or are in a desired state to influence their mood or behavior. The hosts discuss research on this technique, including a study on extroversion and behavioral activation therapy, and offer ...
This "No Stupid Questions" episode explores the complex relationship between ambition, success, and selfishness, featuring a discussion between Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth. The conversation begins with a broad examination of self-interest versus selfishness, referencing Adam Smith's philosophy and the example ...
This podcast episode explores why stories are more memorable than other forms of information. The hosts debate the relative memorability of stories versus statistics, citing examples like the Ten Commandments versus Big Mac ingredients and the effectiveness of storytelling in various contexts (e.g., legal settings, go...
This "No Stupid Questions" podcast episode features Stephen Dubner interviewing Angela Duckworth about the human capacity for solitude and reflection, and the evolving parent-child dynamic during adolescence. The conversation explores research on the "default mode network" in the brain, highlighting its inverse correl...
This "No Stupid Questions" episode features a conversation between Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth, who discuss the idea of "living funerals"—holding eulogies while a person is still alive—sparked by the recent death of a mutual friend, Anders Ericsson. The discussion explores the benefits and challenges of this c...
This "No Stupid Questions" episode, a panel/co-hosted podcast, explores the paradox of feedback: everyone values it for self-improvement, yet few enjoy receiving criticism. The hosts discuss the difference between helpful feedback and unhelpful criticism, illustrating with examples from golf and music. They highlight...
This "No Stupid Questions" episode features an interview where Stephen Dubner poses the question: is incompetence a form of dishonesty? The conversation explores this idea through examples of workplace sloppiness and the lack of awareness or concern some individuals have for the impact of their actions on others. Ang...
This interview podcast features Luis von Ahn, creator of CAPTCHA and CEO of Duolingo, discussing his career and insights into the world of computer science and academia. The podcast begins with a brief introduction to von Ahn and his accomplishments, followed by a discussion of his invention of CAPTCHAs and how they w...
This interview podcast features Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner discussing the psychological concept of sublimation, particularly in relation to creative pursuits. The conversation begins with a playful exploration of Freud's theory, then delves into the speakers' personal experiences and career choices, examining...
In this episode of the "No Stupid Questions" podcast, psychologists Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner delve into the intricate challenges of quantifying hard work and the intriguing U-shaped curve of happiness throughout life. They discuss the pitfalls of relying on self-reported measures of hard work, pointing out h...
In this episode of the "No Stupid Questions" podcast, psychologist Angela Duckworth and writer Stephen Dubner dive into the complex subject of anger and how to handle it. They start by discussing the rise of anger in our modern world, especially as it spreads through technology. The conversation then moves to practical...
In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," hosts Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth revisit their very first conversation. They tackle two intriguing topics: will the handshake fade away in a post-pandemic world, and why do we struggle with uncertainty despite it being a long-standing part of life? Duckworth suggests t...
In the final episode of "No Stupid Questions," the hosts tackle the challenge of life's unanswered questions. They categorize these questions into educational, experiential, and existential types, stressing the need to build a tolerance for uncertainty. The conversation also highlights how to shift anxiety into excitem...
In this penultimate episode of No Stupid Questions, the hosts delve into what makes an idea truly captivating. They discuss Murray Davis's theory that interesting ideas challenge our assumptions, which stands in contrast to the traditional focus on truth in science. Using examples from Malcolm Gladwell's writings and B...
In this episode of No Stupid Questions, the hosts dive into the intriguing world of parasocial relationships—those one-sided connections where someone feels close to a media figure or character, while that figure remains completely unaware. They explore the psychological research surrounding this phenomenon, weighing t...
In this episode of No Stupid Questions, the hosts tackle the intriguing question of whether society is growing more pessimistic. While data indicates a rise in pessimism, especially among younger people, they explore the nuances behind this trend. They discuss ideas like agency and learned helplessness, pointing out th...
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