Freakonomics Radio Steve Levitt Quits His Podcast, Joins Ours
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Jan 21, 2026 
Steven D. Levitt, an influential economist and co-author of Freakonomics, shares insights as he transitions from hosting his own podcast to joining another. He discusses the impact of his transformative trip to India on his views of spirituality. Levitt dives into his educational initiatives, emphasizing mastery learning and redesigning success in schools. He explores AI's dual role in education and reflects on his most memorable guests, including personal stories with his daughters. His journey highlights how interviewing has reshaped his thinking.
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Mastery Learning Frees Classroom Time
- Mastery learning impressed Levitt as vastly more efficient than one-size-fits-all schooling.
- Mastery frees school time for creative, transformative activities with students.
Tell Students The Truth About School
- Speak directly to students about educational myths and unrealistic promises.
- Tell them the current incentive system rewards box-checking, not genuine learning.
Broaden What 'Success' Means In School
- Celebrating many forms of accomplishment reduces zero-sum competition among students.
- Broad success definitions let students pursue unique strengths without feeling like failures.
