Freakonomics Radio Are You Ready for a Fresh Start? (Update)
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Dec 30, 2025 
Katy Milkman, a behavioral scientist from the Wharton School and author of 'How to Change,' delves into the fascinating concept of the fresh start effect. She discusses how psychological resets, such as New Year’s resolutions and environmental disruptions, can foster lasting behavior change. Milkman critiques studies on resolution success rates and shares insights from experiments showing how flexible routines can lead to better exercise habits. The discussion also touches on the impact of fresh starts in sports and the emotional dynamics behind performance after trades.
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Calendar Moments Amplify Motivation
- Fresh starts concentrate goal-setting at calendar landmarks like New Year, birthdays, and Mondays.
- Pointing out a nearby fresh date increases people's likelihood to begin a goal on that date.
Frame Actions Around Personal Landmarks
- Use personal landmarks to time actions by linking a task to a meaningful date like a birthday or start of spring.
- Framing a start around that landmark increases uptake compared with generic invitations.
Train Daddy's Big Rehab Pitch
- Andy Byford described moving across cities and using fresh starts to energize large transit overhauls.
- He sold New York's Fast Forward plan and raised funding to modernize the subway system.
