Risky Business with Nate Silver and Maria Konnikova
Pushkin Industries
Risky Business is a weekly podcast about making better decisions. The hosts, Maria Konnikova and Nate Silver, are both journalists who moonlight as high-stakes poker players. On Risky Business, they bring their analytical framework to everything from politics to poker to personal decisions.
Maria has a PhD in psychology and is the author of several books including, most recently, The Biggest Bluff. While researching the book, she inadvertently became a professional poker player, with over $500,000 in tournament winnings. She is a PokerStars Team Pro.
Nate is the founder and former editor-in-chief of FiveThirtyEight, and one of the country’s leading election forecasters. He has over $800,000 in lifetime poker tournament winnings and his forthcoming book, On the Edge, is about gambling and risk.
Risky Business is a co-production of iHeart Media and Pushkin Industries.
Maria has a PhD in psychology and is the author of several books including, most recently, The Biggest Bluff. While researching the book, she inadvertently became a professional poker player, with over $500,000 in tournament winnings. She is a PokerStars Team Pro.
Nate is the founder and former editor-in-chief of FiveThirtyEight, and one of the country’s leading election forecasters. He has over $800,000 in lifetime poker tournament winnings and his forthcoming book, On the Edge, is about gambling and risk.
Risky Business is a co-production of iHeart Media and Pushkin Industries.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 5, 2025 • 44min
What Happens in Vegas...Might Tell Us Something About the US Economy
Las Vegas is facing significant challenges, with declining traffic and gaming revenue raising concerns about its future. The hosts explore how casino pricing missteps have affected customer experiences and highlight high-end steakhouses as unexpected indicators of economic trends. They analyze how Vegas can reflect broader consumer sentiment and discuss the impact of the pandemic on visitor preferences. Ultimately, they conclude that while Vegas isn't dead yet, it needs to evolve to attract more visitors.
19 snips
Nov 1, 2025 • 41min
What to Make of the NBA Sports Betting Scandal
Recent federal indictments have sent shockwaves through the NBA and underground poker scenes, revealing high-stakes cheating scandals. The discussion dives into specific allegations of insider information being leaked by players and connections to organized crime in rigged poker games. The conversation also highlights the vulnerabilities of basketball and tennis to manipulation, the motives behind why individuals risk cheating, and the role of sportsbooks in fraud detection. Proposed reforms aim to safeguard the integrity of sports and restore public trust.
Oct 29, 2025 • 42min
Lessons From A Marathoner (with Nicholas Thompson)
Join Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic and elite runner, as he delves into the intersection of running and life. He shares insights from his new book, discussing how running fosters productivity and fulfillment. Listen in as he reflects on the influence of his father, a complex figure linked to a Bali brothel. The conversation explores the balance between risk and discipline in training, his unique coaching experiences, and how running fuels creativity. Plus, discover his favorite NYC running spots and tips for aspiring athletes!
Oct 25, 2025 • 44min
The Canal, the Crash and the Ketamine - Pushkin's Reign of Error
In this episode, psychologist Maria Konnikova and writer Sheila Heti delve into the weight of mistakes and regrets. Maria explores how fear of regret affects decision-making in poker and life, while Sheila shares a hilarious mishap involving a lost grant and an accidental ketamine experience. They discuss the emotional aftermath of errors and how some situations leave little room for mistakes. With engaging anecdotes and thought-provoking insights, they unwrap the complexity of regret and the human experience.
Oct 22, 2025 • 45min
What Democrats Should Take from No Kings Protests
Recent 'No Kings' protests saw millions marching, signaling a shift in public sentiment. The hosts explore the psychology behind protests and their potential for collective action. They discuss the impact of crowd size on media narratives and how protests can offer counter-narratives to dominant messaging. The effectiveness of protests versus voting and lobbying is debated, highlighting the need for Democrats to focus on inclusivity and long-term strategies for renewal. Ambiguity in protest demands is also examined, revealing the tension between broad movements and specific goals.
27 snips
Oct 18, 2025 • 41min
What the Nobels Tell Us About the World Right Now
The discussion dives into the 2025 Nobel Prizes, exploring how winners reflect current cultural values. Maria critiques the politicization of the Peace Prize and shares the fascinating story of a winner unreachable while hiking. They unravel the complex selection process and historical biases in awards, particularly in literature. The economics prize highlights creative destruction and its importance in innovation. Lastly, the hosts humorously ponder what prizes they'd give each other, promising an engaging follow-up for next year's awards.
13 snips
Oct 15, 2025 • 38min
Good Call/Bad Call: Bari Weiss as CBS’s New Editor-in-Chief
Paramount's $150 million acquisition of The Free Press raises eyebrows, especially with Bari Weiss as the new editor-in-chief of CBS. Nate and Maria debate Weiss's qualifications, the implications for media strategy, and the cultural shift at CBS. They tackle whether an opinion writer can run a newsroom and discuss the distinct skill sets needed for television versus print. With critiques from public figures and thoughts on ownership pressures, they ultimately weigh the decision as a good financial move but question Weiss's editorial suitability.
10 snips
Oct 11, 2025 • 42min
What Jane Goodall Teaches Us About Outsider Thought
Nate and Maria honor Jane Goodall's groundbreaking work in primatology and how her outsider perspective transformed scientific understanding of animal cognition. They discuss her empathy-driven research methods and the complex nature of chimpanzee behavior. The duo also explores the vital role outsiders play in sparking paradigm shifts, the advantages they hold over insiders, and the importance of maintaining curiosity. Throughout, they emphasize Goodall's lasting legacy and the essential balance between creativity and influence.
11 snips
Oct 8, 2025 • 45min
With Sora 2, We’re Climbing Higher on the Dystopia Scale
Nate and Maria dive into the intricacies of the government shutdown, exploring its potential end and political implications. They then analyze OpenAI's new app, Sora 2, discussing its capabilities, risks of deepfakes, and societal impact. Highlights include the debate on its mainstream appeal versus highbrow applications, concerns over privacy, and moral tradeoffs in tech innovation. They rate our current state of dystopia at an alarming 8.2, reflecting on how AI advancements could shape our future.
16 snips
Oct 4, 2025 • 36min
Sleep, Track, Don’t Multitask: How To Succeed In Online Poker
Dive into the strategic world of online poker! Learn how managing your schedule and prioritizing information can impact your game. Discover the differences between live and online play dynamics, from pacing to sensory encoding. Find out why multitasking can hinder your decision-making and get actionable tips to enhance your online skills. Plus, hear about the importance of sleep schedules and note-taking to improve your performance. It's a blend of fun banter and valuable insights for both novices and seasoned players!
