No Stupid Questions

Also: is it better to send a congratulatory note to someone who deserves it or a condolence note to someone who needs it? This episode originally aired on June 28, 2020. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: should we all have personal mission statements? This episode originally aired on June 21, 2020.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: is there such a thing as too much science? Plus, our special guest, Luis von Ahn, an inventor of CAPTCHA and a pioneer of free online language learning. This episode originally aired on June 14, 2020. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: is life precious because it’s finite? This episode originally aired on June 7, 2020.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: how does age affect happiness? This episode originally aired on May 31, 2020.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: why do we treat pets better than people? This episode originally aired on May 24, 2020. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: why can't humans handle uncertainty already? We’re replaying No Stupid Questions, starting here with the very first episode, from May 17, 2020. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How can you learn to love uncertainty? Is it better to cultivate acceptance or strive for change? And, after 223 episodes, what is the meaning of life?    SOURCES: Jessica Alquist , professor of psychology at Texas Tech University. Roy Baumeister , professor of psychology at The University of Queensland. Raymond Carver , 20th-century American short story writer and poet. Stephen Colbert , comedian...

What do Karl Marx, Sigmund Freud, and Malcolm Gladwell have in common? Are interesting theories more significant than true ones? And what has been keeping Angela up at night? Plus: an important announcement about the show.    SOURCES: Charles Darwin , 19th-century naturalist and biologist. Murray Davis , cultural sociologist. Malcolm Gladwell , journalist and author. Adam Grant , professor of mana...

Why does listening to No Stupid Questions feel like you’re hanging out with your best friends? Why did the whole world take it personally when Princess Diana died? And how do “parasocial relationships” affect your mental health?   SOURCES: Bradley Bond , professor of communication studies at the University of San Diego. John Cacioppo , professor of psychology at the University of Chicago. Joe Cobb...

Are things really as bad as they seem? Has Gen Z given up hope for the world? And why was the father of positive psychology a lifelong pessimist?   SOURCES: Albert Bandura , professor of psychology at Stanford University. David Brooks , author and opinion columnist .  Andrew Grove , former C.E.O. and chairman of Intel Corporation. Kalev Leetaru , founder of the GDELT Project. Steven Maier , profes...

Does a surplus of information create a shortage of attention? Are today’s young people really unable to focus? And do goldfish need better PR?    SOURCES: Neil Bradbury , professor of physiology at Rosalind Franklin University. Nicholas Carr , writer and journalist. Johann Hari , writer and journalist. Charles Howard , University Chaplain and Vice President for Social Equity & Community at the Uni...

What’s the difference between narcissism and high self-esteem? Does social media fuel arrogance or self-consciousness? And do people get less toxic with age?    SOURCES: Brené Brown , research professor at the University of Houston and visiting professor in management at the University of Texas at Austin. Jonathan Haidt , professor of social psychology at the New York University Stern School of Bu...

How many bottles of wine are regifted? What’s wrong with giving cash? And should Angela give her husband a subscription to the Sausage of the Month Club?   SOURCES: Joel Waldfogel , professor of strategic management & entrepreneurship at the University of Minnesota.   RESOURCES: “ How to Become a Truly Excellent Gift Giver ,” by Eliza Brooke ( Vox, 2022). “ How to Calculate a Holiday Tip for the D...

How does social media exploit our evolutionary instincts? How dangerous is it to post about your children online? And does Angela regret talking about her daughters on the podcast?   SOURCES: Erin Carbone , visiting assistant professor of social and decision sciences at Carnegie Mellon University. Jimmy Kimmel , comedian and late-night television host. George Loewenstein , professor of economics a...

Would you steal Halloween candy? Should people be required to identify themselves online?  And why did Angela go trick-or-treating in a trash bag?    SOURCES: Hajo Adam , professor of management at the University of Bath. Marianna Cerini , journalist. Edward Diener , professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Illinois. Adam Galinsky , professor of leadership and ethics at Columbia Busin...

Is it better to explain a mistake or just accept responsibility? What’s the difference between an excuse and a justification? And why is it important to remember that you’re not a pizzeria on the Jersey Shore?    SOURCES: Robert Cialdini , professor of psychology at Arizona State University. Raymond Higgins , professor emeritus of psychology at University of Kansas. Martin Seligman , professor of...

What’s wrong with donating to charity for the tax write-off? Should we think less of people who do volunteer work to pad their resumes? And why is Angela stopping women in public parks to compliment them?   SOURCES: Bill Gates , co-founder of Microsoft and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Geoffrey Goodwin , professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Jon Huntsman , politician, d...

How do you come back from being “canceled”? Are we more likely to forgive someone if they cry? And what makes a successful public apology?    SOURCES: Karen Cerulo , professor emeritus of sociology at Rutgers University. Bill Clinton , former president of the United States. David Gergen , professor emeritus of public leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School; former White House adviser to four U.S....

When are negative emotions enjoyable? Are we all a little masochistic? And do pigs like hot sauce?   SOURCES: Carol Dweck , professor of psychology at Stanford University. Sigmund Freud , neurologist and father of psychoanalysis. Paul Rozin , professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Robert Sapolsky , professor of biology, neurology, and neurosurgery at Stanford University. George...

What makes normal people do terrible things? Are there really bad apples — or just bad barrels? And how should you deal with a nefarious next-door neighbor?   SOURCES: Jonathan Haidt , professor of ethical leadership at New York University’s Stern School of Business. Christina Maslach , professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. Stanley Milgram , 20th century professor of p...

Who decided that we’re fully mature at 18? Should 16-year-olds have the right to vote? And why are young people bringing their parents to job interviews?   SOURCES: Jeffrey Arnett , senior research scholar in psychology at Clark University. Julie Beck , staff writer at The Atlantic . Grace Icenogle , confinement prevention administrator in the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families...

What are Mike and Angela’s favorite songs to cry to? Can upbeat music lift you out of a bad mood? And what is Angela going to sing the next time she does karaoke?   SOURCES: Matthew Desmond , professor of sociology at Princeton University. Daniel Kahneman , professor emeritus of psychology and public affairs at Princeton University. Joshua Knobe , professor of philosophy, psychology, and linguisti...

What is the evolutionary purpose of laughter? What’s the difference between Swedish depression and American depression? And why aren’t aliens interested in abducting Mike?    SOURCES: Jennifer Aaker , professor of marketing at Stanford University. Judd Apatow , film director, screenwriter, and comedian. Fredrik Backman , author. Naomi Bagdonas , lecturer in management at Stanford University. James...

Also: are the most memorable stories less likely to be true? Stephen Dubner chats with Angela Duckworth in this classic episode from July 2020.   SOURCES: Pearl S. Buck , 20th-century American novelist. Jack Gallant , professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. Steve Levitt , professor emeritus of economics at the University of Chicago, host of People I (Mos...