logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2021
43m 20s

13. What’s Wrong With Shortcuts?

Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
About this episode
You know the saying: “There are no shortcuts in life.” What if that saying is just wrong? In his new book "Thinking Better: The Art of the Shortcut in Math and Life," the mathematician Marcus du Sautoy argues that shortcuts can be applied to practically anything: music, psychotherapy, even politics. Our latest installment of the Freakonomics Radio Book Club. 
Up next
Apr 17
32. Why Has There Been So Little Progress on Alzheimer’s Disease?
One possibility: a leading hypothesis pursued by researchers (and funders) was built on science that now appears to be fraudulent. Stephen Dubner speaks with the scientist and the journalist who blew the whistle. SOURCES: Charles Piller, investigative journalist for Science, auth ... Show More
1h 1m
Mar 2026
The Most Powerful People You’ve Never Heard Of (Update)
Just beneath the surface of the global economy, there is a hidden layer of dealmakers for whom war, chaos, and sanctions can be a great business opportunity. In this updated episode from 2025, journalists Javier Blas and Jack Farchy help us shine a light on the shadowy realm of c ... Show More
1h 6m
Feb 2026
31. Werner Herzog Isn’t Afraid ...
... of bad reviews, meager financing, or artificial intelligence. But he is worried that the world is full of sloppy thinkers who mistake facts for the truth. SOURCES: Werner Herzog, writer, filmmaker, and actor. RESOURCES: The Future of Truth, by Werner Herzog (2025). Every Man ... Show More
49m 8s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2022
494. Why Do Most Ideas Fail to Scale?
<p>In a new book called <i>The Voltage Effect</i>, the economist John List — who has already revolutionized how his profession does research — is trying to start a scaling revolution. In this installment of the Freakonomics Radio Book Club, List teaches us how to avoid false posi ... Show More
48m 54s
Sep 2024
The Overton Window (E)
Creativity and self doubtAkimbo is a weekly podcast created by Seth Godin. He's the bestselling author of 20 books and a long-time entrepreneur, freelancer and teacher.You can find out more about Seth by reading his daily blog at seths.blog and about the podcast at akimbo.link.To ... Show More
27m 4s
Feb 2024
Systems thinking (E)
The reality of Duncan Hines and the magic of Betty Crocker.Akimbo is a weekly podcast created by Seth Godin. He's the bestselling author of 20 books and a long-time entrepreneur, freelancer and teacher.You can find out more about Seth by reading his daily blog at seths.blog and a ... Show More
19m 32s
Nov 2017
Mind Games
How to make people like you, why you should lick rocks, and what an awkward person is really thinking. Angela Duckworth (Grit author) is co-host; Mike Maughan (Qualtrics) is live fact-checker. 
47m 46s
May 2021
463. How to Get Anyone to Do Anything
<p>The social psychologist Robert Cialdini is a pioneer in the science of persuasion. His 1984 book <em>Influence</em> is a classic, and he has just published an expanded and revised edition. In this episode of the <em>Freakonomics Radio Book Club</em>, he gives a master class in ... Show More
58m 3s
Mar 2022
Say What You’re Going To Say
This week, Thea Lenarduzzi and Lucy Dallas are joined by the writer and critic Mary Norris to discuss the phenomenon that is Margaret Atwood – surely her kind of success requires a method? A new collection of essays and talks sheds some light; Sujit Sivasundaram, the author of ‘W ... Show More
52m 53s
Apr 2023
The Snowball Effect
<p>Why do some companies become household names, while others flame out? How do certain memes go viral? And why do some social movements take off and spread, while others fizzle? Today on the show, we revisit a favorite 2021 conversation with sociologist <a href="https://www.asc. ... Show More
48m 58s
May 2024
The perils of mindreading (E)
Wrestling with mysterious voicesAkimbo is a weekly podcast created by Seth Godin. He's the bestselling author of 20 books and a long-time entrepreneur, freelancer and teacher.You can find out more about Seth by reading his daily blog at seths.blog and about the podcast at akimbo. ... Show More
26m 36s
Sep 2024
Sample size (E)
The perils of predicting the futureAkimbo is a weekly podcast created by Seth Godin. He's the bestselling author of 20 books and a long-time entrepreneur, freelancer and teacher.You can find out more about Seth by reading his daily blog at seths.blog and about the podcast at akim ... Show More
22m 43s
May 2023
The spirit of the game (E)
Selfishness, altruism and our culture. Akimbo is a weekly podcast created by Seth Godin. He's the bestselling author of 20 books and a long-time entrepreneur, freelancer and teacher.You can find out more about Seth by reading his daily blog at seths.blog and about the podcast at ... Show More
29m 50s
Listen to millions of songs and podcasts on Anghami