In this discussion, Peter Blair, a professor of education and faculty research fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research, dives into the role of U.S. colleges as both educational sanctuaries and competitive firms. He examines how perceptions of value in higher education are shifting amidst rising economic disparities. The podcast highlights the crucial role of mid-tier colleges and community colleges in fostering economic mobility, particularly for underrepresented students, while criticizing the elitism that dominates the current system.

Lance Armstrong, a cycling icon with a controversial past, joins David Canton, a history professor, David Epstein, a science journalist, and Domonique Foxworth, a former NFL player, to dissect the hidden factors of athletic success. They explore how genetics, mental toughness, and sheer luck shape elite athletes. The discussion dives into the financial barriers in youth sports and the emotional sacrifices athletes often make. They also reflect on unique journeys in competitive sports, emphasizing resilience and the often-overlooked paths to greatness.

Tania Tetlow, former federal prosecutor and current president of Fordham University, discusses the need to integrate old-fashioned values into modern campuses. She highlights the balance between personal ambition and societal responsibility in education. The conversation dives into campus protests and the complexities of student rights versus responsibilities. Tetlow emphasizes the importance of engaging diverse viewpoints and the challenges of financial sustainability in higher education, particularly for Catholic institutions amid economic pressures.

Nathan Dietz, research director at the Do Good Institute, Al Roth, Stanford economics professor, Krista Wyatt, CEO of Timebanks.org, and Andrew Yang, former presidential candidate, explore the value of human hours as a resource. They delve into time banking as a revolutionary economic model that prioritizes human connections over money. The discussion emphasizes community engagement, the intrinsic worth of time, and the challenges of measuring time in economic terms. They also highlight the potential of this approach to foster support and equity within communities.

In this discussion, Tommy Andersson, an economics professor, Vicki Been, law professor and former NYC housing deputy mayor, Rebecca Diamond, Stanford economics scholar, and David Eisenbach, a history lecturer, tackle the contentious issue of rent control. They explore its unintended consequences, showcasing how such policies may worsen housing shortages. The group critiques recent proposals, emphasizing the need for nuanced approaches and focusing on factors like zoning changes to improve housing availability.

Explore the global spike in myopia and the dominance of Essalure Luxottica in the eyeglass industry. Hear from eye experts about myopia control, innovative spectacle technologies, and the risks of industry consolidation on democracy. Delve into the strategic challenges of eyeglass brands entering new markets and the implications of economic power on politics.

Co-founders of Warby Parker and a fashion historian discuss the eyewear industry, EssilorLuxottica's market dominance, Ray-Ban's luxury status, and antitrust concerns. Explore high prices, historical evolution, monopolies, and Warby Parker's disruption. Government intervention, new challengers like Warby Parker, and strategies for affordable eyeglasses are also discussed.

Richard Thaler, founder of behavioral economics, discusses his Nobel Prize journey, lazy reputation, and efforts to improve the world through nudges. He reflects on the impact of behavioral economics on policy, finance, and decision-making, including insights on economic meltdowns and libertarian paternalism.

Guests discuss Daniel Kahneman's impact on academia, his collaborative work, and his legacy. They explore adversarial collaboration, regrets, income vs. happiness, and the importance of challenging established ideas in science.

Former CEO Katherine Gehl, Professor Michael Porter, and Andrew Yang discuss the flaws in the American political system dominated by two parties, the need to break the duopoly for better candidate selection, and potential solutions like nonpartisan primaries and ranked-choice voting to increase competition and representation.