

Alex Edmans
Professor of finance at London Business School. Author of the book 'May Contain Lies'.
Top 10 podcasts with Alex Edmans
Ranked by the Snipd community

138 snips
Feb 3, 2025 • 27min
Why most bestselling business books are BS
Alex Edmans, a finance professor at London Business School and author of 'May Contain Lies', delves into the pitfalls of bestselling business books. He discusses how cognitive biases, like confirmation bias, distort our understanding and acceptance of oversimplified advice. Edmans critiques popular concepts, from the Atkins diet to Simon Sinek's 'Start With Why', highlighting the danger of black-and-white thinking. He urges listeners to critically evaluate the claims made in these books and emphasizes the importance of nuanced, evidence-based insights.

119 snips
Jun 12, 2025 • 1h 5min
Episode 361: Alex Edmans - Finding "The Truth" in Economics, Finance, and Life
In this engaging discussion, Alex Edmans, a Professor of Finance at London Business School and author of 'May Contain Lies', delves into the world of misinformation and confirmation bias. He shares insights on how biased interpretation affects governance and decision-making, particularly in shaping laws. The conversation explores the pitfalls of black-and-white thinking and critically evaluates popular claims like the 10,000-hour rule. Edmans emphasizes the importance of rigorous data analysis and diverse perspectives for discerning truth in economics and beyond.

70 snips
Jun 9, 2025 • 40min
315 - May Contain Lies - Alex Edmans
In this engaging discussion, Alex Edmans, a finance professor at London Business School and author of 'May Contain Lies,' uncovers how narratives and statistics can mislead us. He dives into the Ladder of Misinference and how our biases shape decision-making. Exploring confirmation bias, he illustrates how even rational thinkers can fall prey to it. Edmans emphasizes the need for critical thinking and skepticism to navigate misinformation in business and personal life, urging listeners to embrace nuance over simplistic beliefs.

64 snips
Sep 3, 2025 • 1h 32min
Seeing through cognitive traps (with Alex Edmans)
Alex Edmans, Professor of Finance at London Business School, explores the complexities of causation versus correlation in organizational success, particularly regarding ESG criteria. He delves into the nuances of gray thinking in climate policies, arguing against binary views. The discussion touches on how cognitive biases shape understanding of diversity and company performance, countering the assumption that higher diversity guarantees better outcomes. Edmans also critiques the pressures of academic publishing and shares insights on the interplay between market dynamics and corporate responsibility.

49 snips
Jan 27, 2025 • 37min
Can 10,000 hours of practice make you great?
Join Professor Alex Edmans, a finance expert at the London Business School and author of "May Contain Lies," as he challenges the 10,000-hour rule of mastery. He reveals the psychological biases like confirmation bias that solidify misinformation, illustrated through stories like Barry Staw's study and Belle Gibson's tragic scam. Discover how narrative fallacies can distort our understanding of success and the importance of critical thinking in navigating belief systems. Edmans equips listeners with tools to combat misleading ideas.

34 snips
Jun 21, 2025 • 9min
How to spot a suspicious statistic
In this episode, Alex Edmans, a finance professor at London Business School and author of 'May Contain Lies', shares insights on how to spot misleading statistics. He examines the nuances of breastfeeding data, emphasizing a holistic interpretation. The conversation also tackles the complex relationship between economic inequality and social issues, questioning causation versus correlation. Edmans empowers listeners to critically engage with statistics, offering practical techniques to discern trustworthy data from misleading claims.

19 snips
May 8, 2024 • 60min
The Uncomfortable Truth about Sustainable Investing
Professor Alex Edmans from London Business School discusses the effectiveness of ESG investing, questioning if companies truly contribute to society. The podcast explores the complexities of ethical investing, the impact of divestment strategies, and the importance of balancing short-term gains with long-term sustainability.

18 snips
Sep 2, 2025 • 39min
Prof Alex Edmans: Does divestment from fossil fuels work?
Professor Alex Edmans, a finance expert from the London Business School, shares his skepticism about the effectiveness of divesting from fossil fuels. Instead, he argues that implementing a carbon tax is a far more effective climate solution. During the discussion, Edmans highlights the complexities of individual investment choices and the potential benefits of supporting companies transitioning to sustainable practices. The conversation also touches on the crucial roles that various stakeholders play in combating climate change and the need for pragmatic solutions.

17 snips
Jan 3, 2024 • 26min
Rerun: Ep15 "Shareholder vs. Stakeholder Capitalism" with Alex Edmans
Delve into the debate of prioritizing shareholder value vs. broader stakeholder interests. Explore government intervention, societal impact, and CEO compensation. Learn how corporations can leverage their strengths for the greater good.

9 snips
Jul 15, 2024 • 1h 5min
How even facts can mislead you with money
Finance Professor Alex Edmans discusses how even facts can mislead you with money. Topics include navigating misinformation in finance, social media bias, pitfalls of data mining in investments, balancing data and intuition in decision-making, diversified cryptocurrency investment, and investing with a slow and informed approach.