Stephen J. Dubner

Stephen Dubner, the brilliant mind behind the Freakonomics Radio podcast, dives into capitalism's core with Scott. They tackle the stark realities of CEO compensation and its role in growing inequality. The conversation shifts to private equity's surprising influence on the pet care industry and the struggle of new veterinarians. Dubner also reevaluates Adam Smith's moral philosophy, emphasizing the need for progressive taxation to revive the middle class. Their discussion blends economic theory with personal anecdotes, making complex ideas accessible.

In this engaging conversation, Stephen Dubner, a journalist and co-creator of Freakonomics, dives into the peculiarities of human decision-making. He reflects on why predicting the future is so challenging and questions the real purpose of college. Dubner shares insights from their vast exploration of behavioral economics and discusses the complexities surrounding the legal marijuana industry. With sharp wit, he critiques traditional economic theories and emphasizes the blend of data and storytelling that defines Freakonomics.

Join Stephen Dubner, co-host of Freakonomics and an expert in uncovering economic truths, as he dives into the realities behind popular workplace fads. He critiques the inefficacy of open offices, advocating for a balanced hybrid model. Dubner questions the validity of outdated practices like personality assessments and learning styles, urging listeners to rethink management strategies. His insights challenge conventional beliefs and inspire a fresh approach to workplace effectiveness, sparking discussions about creativity and collaboration.

Stephen J. Dubner (@Freakonomics) returns to the show. He is an award-winning author, journalist, and radio and TV personality. He is best-known for writing, along with the economist Steven D. Levitt, Freakonomics (2005), SuperFreakonomics†(2009), and Think Like a Freak (2014), which have sold more than five million copies in 35 languages. He is the creator of the top-ranked Freakonomics Radio podcast. His brand-new podcast, produced in collaboration with The New York Times, is Tell Me Something I Don't Know It is equal parts game show, talk show, and brain-tease. I had a chance to experiment with this format as a "panelist" alongside Malcolm Gladwell. It's a blast. In this episode, we cover such diverse topics as: Why cats wiggle their butts before they pounce How to grow a podcast If he thinks he could take Malcolm Gladwell in a fist fight Economics and the President's actual influence over the economy How virtual reality might affect education And much, much more Please enjoy this round two with Stephen J. Dubner! Show notes and links for this episode can be found at www.fourhourworkweek.com/podcast. This podcast is brought to you by Wealthfront. Wealthfront is a massively disruptive (in a good way) set-it-and-forget-it investing service led by technologists from places like Apple. It has exploded in popularity in the last two years and now has more than $2.5B under management. Why? Because you can get services previously limited to the ultra-wealthy and only pay pennies on the dollar for them, and it's all through smarter software instead of retail locations and bloated sales teams. Check out wealthfront.com/tim, take their risk assessment quiz, which only takes 2-5 minutes, and they'll show you for free the exact portfolio they'd put you in. If you want to just take their advice and do it yourself, you can. Well worth a few minutes to explore: wealthfront.com/tim. This podcast is also brought to you by 99Designs, the world's largest marketplace of graphic designers. I have used them for years to create some amazing designs. When your business needs a logo, website design, business card, or anything you can imagine, check out 99Designs. I used them to rapid prototype the cover for The 4-Hour Body, and I've also had them help with display advertising and illustrations. If you want a more personalized approach, I recommend their 1-on-1 service. You get original designs from designers around the world. The best part? You provide your feedback, and then you end up with a product that you're happy with or your money back. Click this link and get a free $99 upgrade. Give it a test run. ***If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. I also love reading the reviews!For show notes and past guests, please visit tim.blog/podcast.Sign up for Tim’s email newsletter (“5-Bullet Friday”) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Visit tim.blog/sponsor and fill out the form.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss YouTube: youtube.com/timferrissPast guests on The Tim Ferriss Show include Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, Dr. Jane Goodall, LeBron James, Kevin Hart, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Esther Perel, Elizabeth Gilbert, Terry Crews, Sia, Yuval Noah Harari, Malcolm Gladwell, Madeleine Albright, Cheryl Strayed, Jim Collins, Mary Karr, Maria Popova, Sam Harris, Michael Phelps, Bob Iger, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Neil Strauss, Ken Burns, Maria Sharapova, Marc Andreessen, Neil Gaiman, Neil de Grasse Tyson, Jocko Willink, Daniel Ek, Kelly Slater, Dr. Peter Attia, Seth Godin, Howard Marks, Dr. Brené Brown, Eric Schmidt, Michael Lewis, Joe Gebbia, Michael Pollan, Dr. Jordan Peterson, Vince Vaughn, Brian Koppelman, Ramit Sethi, Dax Shepard, Tony Robbins, Jim Dethmer, Dan Harris, Ray Dalio, Naval Ravikant, Vitalik Buterin, Elizabeth Lesser, Amanda Palmer, Katie Haun, Sir Richard Branson, Chuck Palahniuk, Arianna Huffington, Reid Hoffman, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Rick Rubin, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Darren Aronofsky, and many more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this engaging conversation, Stephen Dubner, the award-winning co-author of the Freakonomics series, dives into the intriguing effects of noise pollution on our lives and how different sounds impact our emotions. He also explores the introspective moments flying can evoke, alongside the role of substances in enhancing creativity and the joys of solitude. The discussion touches on the moral complexities of environmental actions, offering insights into health debates around diet and the resilience of urban wildlife. It's a thought-provoking blend of humor, science, and personal stories.