logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2022
3m 4s

Cautionary Tales Returns Every Other Fri...

Pushkin Industries
About this episode

The greatest mistakes, disasters and fiascos of the past aren't just gripping stories... they're also warnings from which we all can learn.

Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford returns EVERY OTHER FRIDAY FROM MARCH 25th to chronicle the defeats of mighty armies, the destruction of business empires and the deadly eruptions of fearsome volcanoes. And from amongst the wrecked lives and wrecked egos, Tim finds the simple lessons we can apply in our daily lives.

Tim's also created some special Cautionary Tales Shorts, available exclusively to Pushkin+ subscribers. To hear them, sign up for Pushkin+ on the show page in Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm/plus. 

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Oct 30
Why Miners See Ghosts | Halloween Season
In the late 1970s, Yorkshire miner Chris Campbell sees something that terrifies him. The spirit of a miner who died in a collapse is calling to him. Is the ghostly figure a waking dream, a trick of the light, or something we should take altogether more seriously? For a full list ... Show More
37m 58s
Oct 27
Introducing... Unexplained: Lying in Wait
This episode comes to you from Unexplained, the podcast that explores mysterious and haunting true stories. In 2009, during the war in Afghanistan, eight marines are tasked with occupying an isolated outpost known as The Rock. For those marines, the war is going to become strange ... Show More
35m 28s
Oct 23
The Pedlar and the Witch | Halloween Season
In 1612, a young woman encounters a pedlar in the British countryside. A seemingly trivial quarrel spirals into chaos when the pedlar is struck down by an unknown force, leading to one of Britain's most notorious witch trials. Justice for Witches Campaign: https://charlottemeredi ... Show More
39m 15s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2022
TEASER: From Cautionary Tales: Death on the Floor
Here’s a special preview of the new season of Cautionary Tales from Pushkin Industries. On Cautionary Tales, bestselling author Tim Harford shares stories of human error, natural disasters, and tragic catastrophes from history that teach us important lessons for today. In this pr ... Show More
10m 53s
Dec 2021
Noted
<p>Learning about things that happened in the past can generate a sense of wonder. And these two stories are bound to do just that.</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a><p>See <a hre ... Show More
9m 49s
Nov 2023
892 - Big Warning - Sad Story - Great Lesson
<p>Some of the best lessons come from the most painful times. Hopefully, sharing this lesson will help you avoid the same pitfalls. </p> <p>Please take a second to leave this podcast a rating/review on whatever platform you listen to it on. </p> <p>Thank you!</p> <p>Your Trading ... Show More
12m 18s
Jun 2022
Cautionary Tales, with Tim Harford
<p>What can history teach us about the present? How can the average person use critical thinking to avoid being taken in by slick infographics and ardent pundits? In today’s interview, Ben, Matt and Noel sit down with legendary economist, author and podcaster Tim Harford to learn ... Show More
1h 1m
Oct 2025
The Canal, the Crash and the Ketamine - Pushkin's Reign of Error
Today, Jonathan joins his fellow Pushkin hosts for a special episode all about mistakes. Jonathan speaks with his friend, the writer Sheila Heti. Together, they muse on the cost of mistakes and whether we're really in control of how many we make. Plus, Nate Silver and Maria Konni ... Show More
44m 25s
Jan 2022
Unsung Hero
tail spinning
10m 3s
Feb 2023
A Treat for the Die-Hards
Every writer, podcaster and storyteller obsesses about how they begin a story. But they rarely pay enough attention to endings. Nothing matters more. Malcolm and Mike Birbiglia solve endings for you. From our first-ever Revisionist History: LIVE events at the Town Hall in New Yor ... Show More
30m 29s
Mar 2025
Once Upon A Time…
Every story has to start somewhere. Whether it’s with “once upon a time” or “when tigers used to smoke tobacco”, storytellers have been setting the scene for their audiences in beautiful and interesting ways. Join us as we dig into the origins of story beginnings AND endings!Cont ... Show More
51m 13s
Nov 2025
History is a Freakshow - Fin Taylor & Horatio Gould - #1019
Fin Taylor is an English comedian, writer and podcaster. Horatio Gould is also an English comedian, writer, and podcaster. History is basically one long reminder that no matter how bad your day is, someone in the past was probably getting catapulted off a castle wall. Feel better ... Show More
1h 32m