Freakonomics Radio

Games are as old as civilization itself, and some people think they have huge social value regardless of whether you win or lose. Tom Whipple is not one of those people. That's why he consulted an army of preposterously overqualified experts to find the secret to winning any game. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Angela Duckworth, a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania and author of "Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance," shares insights on the significance of grit in achieving success. She explains that grit can be cultivated rather than being an innate trait. The conversation explores how perseverance impacts academic and personal growth, illustrated by stories of young competitors and siblings overcoming familial expectations. Duckworth emphasizes the critical role of deliberate practice, intrinsic motivation, and resilience in reaching long-term goals.

Malcolm Gladwell, a best-selling author known for his thought-provoking works, shares candidly about the challenges of writing. He discusses the 10,000 hour rule, emphasizing that mastery combines talent, dedicated practice, and support. Gladwell reflects on his experiences as a staff writer for The New Yorker and the nuances of achieving success. He also reveals why he’ll never take up golf and explores the balance between pursuing hobbies and personal growth, illustrating his insights with engaging anecdotes.

Research psychologist Anders Ericsson discusses the overrated concept of talent and the importance of deliberate practice for excellence. The podcast explores the 10,000-hour rule, the debunking of talent myths, and the journey of a psychologist improving her singing abilities through rigorous practice.

It's Self-Improvement Month at Freakonomics Radio. We begin with a topic that seems to be on everyone's mind: how to get more done in less time. First, however, a warning: there's a big difference between being busy and being productive. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Exploring the impact of technology on job markets and proposing a guaranteed basic income as a solution. Discussing experiments in Canada and the U.S., viability of a basic income system, Y Combinator's research project, and the transition from workers to companions in a technologically advanced world.

Critics -- including President Obama -- say short-term, high-interest loans are predatory, trapping borrowers in a cycle of debt. But some economists see them as a useful financial instrument for people who need them. As the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau promotes new regulation, we ask: who's right? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

People who sleep better earn more money. Now all we have to do is teach everyone to sleep better. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Could a lack of sleep help explain why some people get much sicker than others? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As sexy as the digital revolution may be, it can't compare to the Second Industrial Revolution (electricity! the gas engine! antibiotics!), which created the biggest standard-of-living boost in U.S. history. The only problem, argues the economist Robert Gordon, is that the Second Industrial Revolution was a one-time event. So what happens next? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.