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Judd B. Kessler

Wharton School economist and author focusing on market design and allocation; presents key insights from his book Lucky by Design about hidden markets and strategies to improve outcomes.

Top 10 podcasts with Judd B. Kessler

Ranked by the Snipd community
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62 snips
Oct 14, 2025 • 25min

How To Be Lucky (By Design)

Judd Kessler, a Wharton School economist and author of 'Lucky by Design', delves into the mechanics of how luck can be engineered rather than just stumbled upon. He introduces the concept of hidden markets, where opportunities are shaped by invisible rules rather than mere prices. Discussing the three E's—efficiency, equity, and ease—Kessler shares strategies to enhance your chances in these markets. He also explores how AI is reshaping signaling, urging listeners to prepare and reduce friction to attract opportunities.
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24 snips
Oct 6, 2025 • 60min

Luck Isn’t Random—It’s Designed | Judd B. Kessler

Judd B. Kessler, a Wharton economics professor and author of "Lucky by Design," dives into the intriguing idea that luck can actually be engineered. He discusses hidden markets, focusing on how factors like signaling interest and competence can influence success in job hunting, dating, and even snagging Taylor Swift tickets. Listeners will learn why sometimes 'settling for silver' can lead to unexpected gold, and how unique, idiosyncratic signaling can outperform safer strategies. Kessler offers practical tips for navigating life’s markets strategically.
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22 snips
Oct 30, 2025 • 51min

How You Can Access Hidden Markets & How to Be A Super Conversationalist

Judd Kessler, a Wharton School professor and author of "Lucky by Design", reveals how to navigate hidden markets for opportunities in crowded spaces, like snagging concert tickets or securing restaurant reservations. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Charles Duhigg, author of "Supercommunicators", shares insights into becoming a better conversationalist through techniques like deep questions and understanding conversation dynamics. Together, they explore how strategic communication and clever timing can tip the odds in your favor in both life and conversations.
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18 snips
Nov 27, 2025 • 37min

Hidden Economics Within Your Business & Beyond

Judd B. Kessler, a Wharton professor and author of "Lucky by Design," dives into the fascinating concept of hidden markets. He discusses how market design can transform traditional revenue metrics, using examples like ticket allocation for live events. Judd shares insights on identifying allocation rules and emphasizes the importance of intentional design. With a keen eye on AI's limitations, he highlights the need for expert guidance in navigating complex markets. His criteria for successful allocation—equity, efficiency, and ease—offer a new lens on economic strategy.
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16 snips
Jan 3, 2026 • 52min

Judd B. Kessler, "Lucky by Design: The Hidden Economics of Getting More of What You Want" (Little, Brown Spark, 2025)

Judd B. Kessler is the Howard Marks Endowed Professor at the Wharton School and an expert in market design. He reveals how hidden markets impact key life outcomes—from restaurant reservations to organ donations. Kessler discusses the concept of 'settle for silver' strategies for better choices in competitive situations like college applications. He also explains the criteria for good market design, emphasizing equity, efficiency, and ease, and delves into the role of lotteries in enhancing winning odds. It's a fascinating exploration of how to navigate life's hidden economies!
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15 snips
Nov 11, 2025 • 58min

596. The Rules of Life’s Everyday Markets & How to Get Them to Work in Your Favor feat. Judd Kessler

In a captivating discussion, Judd Kessler, a Wharton School professor and author of *Lucky by Design*, delves into the intricacies of everyday markets. He reveals how non-price allocation mechanisms affect restaurant reservations, concert tickets, and college admissions. Judd explains the balance of efficiency, equity, and ease in market design, touching on the pitfalls of first-come, first-served systems and exploring innovative solutions like centralized matching. He also shares strategies for navigating these hidden markets to enhance your chances in life.
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13 snips
Dec 21, 2025 • 58min

Navigate Hidden Markets With Judd Kessler - TWMJ #1015

Judd Kessler, an influential economist and the inaugural Howard Marks Endowed Professor at Wharton, dives into the concept of hidden markets. He discusses how these markets operate based on rules rather than prices, using examples like concert tickets and organ donations. Kessler explains the role of lotteries and waiting lists in reducing friction and promoting fairness. He highlights AI's disruptive impact on market signaling and the importance of strategic design in daily life. Discover how understanding these hidden systems can help us navigate scarcity.
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11 snips
Oct 16, 2025 • 43min

1102: How to be “Lucky” by Hacking Hidden Markets to Get More What You Want with Judd Kessler

Judd B. Kessler, a Wharton economist and author of *Lucky by Design*, guides listeners through the intriguing world of hidden markets. He explains how certain individuals consistently secure coveted resources by adapting their strategies. Discover the surprising benefits of settling for less and how to signal genuine interest when job hunting to boost your chances. Judd also critiques traditional first-come ticketing systems and offers innovative alternatives that foster fairness. Tune in for practical tips to navigate these unseen dynamics!
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10 snips
Dec 15, 2025 • 27min

Here's How to Get Lucky

Judd Kessler, a Wharton School economist, explores the fascinating world of hidden markets and strategies from his book, *Lucky by Design*. He discusses techniques like 'settling for silver' and multi-listing to improve your odds in lottery-like systems. Christian Busch, a community builder and expert on serendipity, introduces the 'Serendipity Mindset', emphasizing how to create unexpected opportunities. He shares insights on using open questions and a balance of direction and flexibility to navigate life's uncertainties.
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9 snips
Dec 4, 2025 • 48min

554. Lucky By Design: Strategies for Success in a Scarcity Economy

In this episode, Dr. Judd Kessler, a behavioral economist and Wharton professor, delves into the fascinating world of hidden markets—the unseen forces shaping our decisions. He explains how familiar rules can lead to unfair outcomes, using concert tickets as an example. Listeners learn about strategies to enhance decision-making, such as when to pursue big opportunities versus settling for less. Judd also discusses the importance of signaling in competitive landscapes like college admissions and job markets, and how AI is reshaping these dynamics.

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