No Stupid Questions

Oct 12 2024 25.2k

No Stupid Questions Podcast artwork

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 our network without ads and a monthly bonus episode of Freakonomics Radio, sign up for SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts at http://apple.co/SiriusXM.

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215. Is It Okay to Do the Right Thing for the Wrong Reason?

Oct 12 2024 35 mins

What’s wrong with donating to charity for the tax write-off? Should we think less of people who do volunteer work to pad their resumes? And why is Angela stopping women in public parks to compliment them?

214. What Does It Take to Survive a Scandal?

Oct 05 2024 38 mins

How do you come back from being “canceled”? Are we more likely to forgive someone if they cry? And what makes a successful public apology?

Why Do People Love Horror Movies? (Replay)

Oct 03 2024 33 mins

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

213. What Is Evil?

Sep 28 2024 39 mins

What makes normal people do terrible things? Are there really bad apples — or just bad barrels? And how should you deal with a nefarious next-door neighbor?

212. When Do You Become an Adult?

Sep 21 2024 38 mins

Who decided that we’re fully mature at 18? Should 16-year-olds have the right to vote? And why are young people bringing their parents to job interviews?

211. Why Do We Listen to Sad Songs?

Sep 14 2024 36 mins

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?

210. What Makes a Good Sense of Humor?

Sep 07 2024 38 mins

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?

Why Are Stories Stickier Than Statistics? (Replay)

Sep 05 2024 31 mins

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

209. Why Do We Settle?

Aug 31 2024 35 mins

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?

208. Can A.I. Companions Replace Human Connection?

Aug 24 2024 35 mins

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