No Stupid Questions
by Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
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.
Episodes
86. Should We All Be Taking More Long Shots?
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 originally aired on February 13th, 2022.
85. Is Emotional Intelligence Really So Important?
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, 2022.
84. Why Do We Find So Much Meaning in Meaningless Coincidences?
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.
83. Can You Change Your Mind Without Losing Face?
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 aired on January 23rd, 2022.
82. Which Is More Powerful: Reward or Punishment?
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 aired on Jan 16th, 2022.
81. Why Is It So Hard to Talk About Money?
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? This episode originally aired on January 9th, 2022.
80. Is a “Success Hangover” Real?
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, 2022.
79. Why Do We Root for Underdogs?
Also: Angela proposes an upgrade to the show. This episode originally aired on December 26th, 2021.
78. Why Do We Put Things Off Until the Very Last Minute?
Also: what does your name say about who you are? This episode originally aired on December 19th, 2021.
77. How Can You Avoid Boredom?
Also: are we getting any better at assessing COVID risk? This episode originally aired on December 12, 2021.
76. Why Can’t Baby Boomers and Millennials Just Get Along?
Also: how do phone cameras affect the way we experience live events? This episode originally aired on December 5th, 2021.
75. How Do You Deal With Intrusive Thoughts?
Also: how much does confidence really matter? This episode originally aired on November 21st, 2021.
74. Does Reverse Psychology Really Work?
Also: does knowing your family history affect your identity? This episode originally aired on November 14th, 2021.
73. Is It Okay to Engage in “Social Loafing”?
Also: why is it so great to be part of a team, even when you lose? This episode originally aired on November 7th, 2021.
72. If Everyone Hates Meetings, Why Do We Have So Many of Them?
Also: why do so many people feel lost in their 20s? This episode originally aired on October 31st, 2021.
71. Why Is Pig Milk the One Milk We Don’t Drink?
Also: what’s a food you love that seems disgusting to everyone else? This episode originally aired on October 24th, 2021.
70. In a Job Interview, How Much Does Timing Matter?
Also: why is it smart to ignore what your podcast hosts look like? This episode originally aired on October 10th, 2021.
69. How Can You Convince Someone They’re Wrong?
Also: what’s the best way to handle rejection? This episode originally aired on October 3, 2021.
68. Why Do We Want What We Can’t Have?
Also: why are humans still so tribal? This episode originally aired on September 26th, 2021.
67. How Can You Escape Binary Thinking?
Also: why is it so satisfying to find a bargain? This episode originally aired on September 19th, 2021.