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 the Freakonomics Radio Network without ads and a monthly bonus episode of Freakonomics Radio, start a free trial for SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.

  • 31 minutes 42 seconds
    16. What’s the Downside to Being Goal-Oriented?

    Also: how does a cook become a chef? With Gabrielle Hamilton. This episode originally aired on August 30, 2020.

    6 April 2025, 12:00 am
  • 36 minutes 37 seconds
    15. How Much of Your Life Do You Actually Control?

    Also: why do we procrastinate? This episode originally aired on August 23, 2020.

    30 March 2025, 12:00 am
  • 24 minutes 12 seconds
    14. Are You a Maximizer or a Satisficer?

    Also: what is the best question you’ve ever been asked in a job interview? This episode originally aired on August 16, 2020.

    23 March 2025, 12:00 am
  • 33 minutes 57 seconds
    13. How Can You Stop Comparing Yourself With Other People?

    Also: how can we stop confusing correlation with causation? This episode originally aired on August 9, 2020.

    16 March 2025, 12:00 am
  • 32 minutes 57 seconds
    12. Does “As If” Thinking Really Work?

    Also: how effective is the placebo effect? This episode originally aired on August 2, 2020.

    9 March 2025, 1:00 am
  • 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
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