Freakonomics Radio

Aron D'Souza, founder of the Enhanced Games advocating performance-enhancement acceptance. April Henning, sport management scholar who studies doping history and policy. Floyd Landis, former pro cyclist turned whistleblower and entrepreneur. They explore how rules around enhancement evolve, the history and mechanics of doping in cycling, and the controversial idea of competitions that permit human enhancement.

Jeffery Whitney, longtime NFL agent who navigated contract markets. Brian Burke, sports data scientist who pioneered expected-points analysis. Roland Fryer, Harvard economist applying data to player valuation. They unpack rule and CBA changes, analytics favoring passing, career shortness and perishability, agency shifts away from backs, and whether a running back renaissance is possible.

Pierre Elias, cardiologist and AI medical director, and Bob Wachter, UCSF medicine chair and author, discuss how AI is being integrated into healthcare. They explore AI screening with ECGs, ambient AI scribes that reduce clinician burden, EHR dominance and data challenges, regulation and platform battles, and risks like de-skilling and governance.

Zeke Emanuel, an oncologist and bioethicist from the University of Pennsylvania, shares refreshing insights on wellness and longevity. He controversially suggests indulging in ice cream for joy and moderation. Emanuel critiques the $7 trillion wellness industry, emphasizing the importance of real social connections and lifelong learning. He also discusses the limits of nutritional studies, the risks of smoking, and the promising potential of psychedelics for mental health. His practical tips include simplifying nutrition habits and building exercise routines for better health.

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.

Marty Makary, a prominent physician-scientist and FDA Commissioner, passionately discusses pivotal healthcare reforms. He critiques historical FDA failures, like OxyContin's approval, and the impact of outdated medical dogmas on allergies and dietary advice. Makary emphasizes his agenda for faster drug approvals and price transparency, while tackling misleading prescription ads. He also highlights innovative approaches using AI and organ-on-chip technology for drug testing. Listeners gain insight into his bold vision to cure diabetes and improve public health.

In this insightful discussion, physician and longevity expert Peter Attia shares his perspective on the booming brain supplement market, emphasizing potential risks due to mislabeling and contamination. Harvard's Pieter Cohen highlights the lack of FDA oversight and alarming safety issues with common supplements. They explore the limited efficacy of popular brain boosters and stress that a solid lifestyle—sleep, exercise, and nutrition—trumps quick-fix solutions. Attia also offers recommendations for specific supplements while urging evidence-based use.

James Choi, a Yale finance professor, and Morgan Housel, a renowned author, delve into the pitfalls of popular personal finance advice. Choi critiques the disparity between academic recommendations and mainstream guidance, particularly around debt strategies and mortgage choices. Housel emphasizes the psychological aspects influencing financial decisions, arguing that human emotions often derail sound strategies. Together, they explore the complexities of household finance, the significance of mental accounting, and the value of low-cost index funds.

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.

In this engaging discussion, economist Jim Andreoni, behavioral economist Jan Stoop, and Nikos Nikiforakis delve into the surprising dynamics of wealth and generosity. They explore groundbreaking research that challenges the notion that the rich are inherently less altruistic. By conducting an innovative field experiment involving misdelivered envelopes, they reveal that wealthier households actually returned more envelopes than poorer ones. The conversation also highlights how financial stress may diminish the returns of the less wealthy, reshaping understandings of generosity.