No Stupid Questions

Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

Research psychologist Angela Duckworth (author of Grit) really likes to ask people questions, and believes there’s no such thing as a stupid one. So she has a podcast where she and her smartest friends 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. read less

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Introducing "No Stupid Questions"

Introducing "No Stupid Questions"

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.

Do You Savor or Gobble? (Ep. 91 Replay)

Do You Savor or Gobble? (Ep. 91 Replay)

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?

148. What Is Fun, Exactly?

148. What Is Fun, Exactly?

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?

147. Is Nudging Enough?

147. Is Nudging Enough?

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?

146. How Do You Avoid Freezing Under Pressure?

146. How Do You Avoid Freezing Under Pressure?

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

145. Do You Have a Scarcity Mindset or an Abundance Mindset?

145. Do You Have a Scarcity Mindset or an Abundance Mindset?

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.

144. What Should Be the Eighth Deadly Sin?

144. What Should Be the Eighth Deadly Sin?

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?

143. How Sinful Are "No Stupid Questions" Listeners?

143. How Sinful Are "No Stupid Questions" Listeners?

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/

142. Is Pride the Worst Sin?

142. Is Pride the Worst Sin?

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/

141. Is Greed Good?

141. Is Greed Good?

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/

140. Is Envy Healthy?

140. Is Envy Healthy?

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/

139. Why Do We Get Angry?

139. Why Do We Get Angry?

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/

138. Why is Everyone Having Less Sex?

138. Why is Everyone Having Less Sex?

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/

137. Are We All Addicted to Ultra-Processed Foods?

137. Are We All Addicted to Ultra-Processed Foods?

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/

136. Is Sloth a Sin or a Virtue?

136. Is Sloth a Sin or a Virtue?

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/

135. What Should You Do on Your Birthday?

135. What Should You Do on Your Birthday?

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?

134. Will You Live to Be 100?

134. Will You Live to Be 100?

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?

Why Is It So Hard to Talk About Money? (Ep. 81 Replay)

Why Is It So Hard to Talk About Money? (Ep. 81 Replay)

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?

133. Can You Really Work on an Airplane?

133. Can You Really Work on an Airplane?

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?

132. Is It Wrong to Enjoy Yourself While the World Is Burning?

132. Is It Wrong to Enjoy Yourself While the World Is Burning?

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?

131. Why Do We Cry?

131. Why Do We Cry?

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