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
8 snips
Nov 26, 2025 • 42min
NO LIMIT, Some AI… Poker’s Documentary-Gate
A poker documentary has been pulled from the internet after it was revealed to include AI-generated quotes. The hosts delve into the ethics of storytelling and how fabricating quotes undermines journalistic integrity. Historical cases of fabrication highlight the risks of blurring fiction with nonfiction. They discuss the unique challenges of telling authentic poker stories and the responsibility creators have toward their subjects. A call to action is made for honesty and real storytelling in poker media, emphasizing the need for ethical practices.
12 snips
Nov 22, 2025 • 52min
Risky Business Live! How To Read People In Poker And Beyond
Discover the art of reading people, both at the poker table and in real life. Nate and Maria reveal why humans default to truthfulness and how this complicates spotting bluffs. They share insights on cognitive load, discussing strategies to bluff effectively. Tune in for real poker examples and learn about nonverbal tells, the importance of behavioral baselines, and the influence of player image. Plus, explore insights on intuition versus expertise, the ethics of bluffing, and the need to protect others at the table.
27 snips
Nov 19, 2025 • 38min
Will The Epstein Files Sink Trump?
The discussion kicks off with Trump’s surprising shift on the Epstein files, raising questions about its impact on his presidency. Nate explains the mechanics of a discharge petition that could expedite the files' release. They explore potential legal obstacles and the chances of media leaks. The hosts debate whether public reactions to these revelations could alter Trump's support among Republicans. Maria argues for transparency, while they ponder how elite scandals could fuel populism. Will this shift push Trump into a lame-duck status?
16 snips
Nov 15, 2025 • 52min
Society is betting on AI – and the outcomes aren’t looking good (with Nate Soares)
Nate Soares, President of the Machine Intelligence Research Institute and co-author of If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies, forewarns about the perils of artificial superintelligence. He argues that current AI development poses catastrophic risks, calling for an immediate halt to its advancement. Soares explains emergent unwanted AI behaviors and how misaligned AIs could unintentionally threaten humanity. He discusses three grim futures: failure, corporate domination, or extinction, urging society to prioritize alignment and awareness to avert disaster.
18 snips
Nov 12, 2025 • 47min
The Democrats Are Folding on the Shutdown
Senate Democrats have made surprising concessions during the shutdown, losing critical health care subsidies and potentially their momentum. Nate and Maria dissect the political fallout, particularly for Chuck Schumer's leadership. They explore the impact of recent elections and discuss why healthcare messaging failed to resonate with voters. Using poker analogies, they highlight the risks of political strategy. Finally, they debate the challenges facing new leaders like Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani and what issues should dominate the Democratic agenda.
9 snips
Nov 8, 2025 • 36min
Even Our Economy Is Gamified Now
Gamification is rampant, even infiltrating our economy, as discussed through the lens of a 'casino economy.' The allure of speculation, like meme stocks and prediction markets, is examined for its addictive qualities. Intermittent reinforcement, reminiscent of slot machines, drives compulsive behavior in digital interfaces. The hosts analyze how government decisions can echo market gambles and the long-term repercussions of such strategies. Finally, they provide practical advice on reclaiming attention and making more informed decisions.
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.
