No Stupid Questions

Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

Research psychologist Angela Duckworth (author of "Grit") and tech and sports executive Mike Maughan really like to ask people questions, and they believe there’s no such thing as a stupid one. So they have a podcast where they can ask each other as many “stupid questions” as they want. New episodes each week. "No Stupid Questions" is a production of the Freakonomics Radio Network. To get every show in our network without ads and a monthly bonus episode of Freakonomics Radio, sign up for SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts at http://apple.co/SiriusXM.

  • 36 minutes 3 seconds
    11. Are Ambitious People Inherently Selfish?

    Also: why do we habituate to life’s greatest pleasures? This episode originally aired on July 26, 2020.

    2 March 2025, 1:00 am
  • 30 minutes 28 seconds
    10. Why Are Stories Stickier Than Statistics?

    Also: are the most memorable stories less likely to be true? This episode originally aired on July 19, 2020. 

    23 February 2025, 1:00 am
  • 33 minutes 40 seconds
    9. Why Is It So Hard to Be Alone With Our Thoughts?

    Also: how do you avoid screwing up your kids? This episode originally aired on July 12, 2020.

    16 February 2025, 1:00 am
  • 36 minutes 58 seconds
    8. Wouldn’t It Be Better to Hear Your Eulogy Before You’re Dead?

    Also: how does a comedian cope with tragedy? With Eugene Mirman. This episode originally aired on July 5, 2020.

    9 February 2025, 1:00 am
  • 30 minutes 27 seconds
    7. How Do You Handle Criticism?

    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.

    2 February 2025, 1:00 am
  • 39 minutes 19 seconds
    6. Is Incompetence a Form of Dishonesty?

    Also: should we all have personal mission statements? This episode originally aired on June 21, 2020. 

    26 January 2025, 1:00 am
  • 29 minutes 34 seconds
    5. What Do Tom Sawyer and the Founder of Duolingo Have in Common?

    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.

    19 January 2025, 1:00 am
  • 31 minutes 50 seconds
    4. Does All Creativity Come From Pain?

    Also: is life precious because it’s finite? This episode originally aired on June 7, 2020. 

    12 January 2025, 1:00 am
  • 26 minutes 34 seconds
    3. What Does It Mean to Be a “Hard Worker”?

    Also: how does age affect happiness? This episode originally aired on May 31, 2020. 

    5 January 2025, 1:00 am
  • 34 minutes 54 seconds
    2. What is the Optimal Way to Be Angry?

    Also: why do we treat pets better than people? This episode originally aired on May 24, 2020.

    29 December 2024, 1:00 am
  • 39 minutes 20 seconds
    1. Did Covid-19 Kill the Handshake?

    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.

    22 December 2024, 1:00 am
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