About this episode
In a special episode of No Stupid Questions, Angela Duckworth and Mike Maughan talk about unfinished tasks, recurring arguments, and Irish goodbyes.
Yesterday
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 27
665. 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
Feb 20
664. Are Thousands of Medical Cures Hiding in Plain Sight?
Existing drugs can sometimes be repurposed to treat rare diseases. But making that match can be hard — and the financial incentives are weak. Guest host Steve Levitt tries to solve the puzzle. SOURCES: Chris Snyder, professor of economics at Dartmouth College. David Fajgenbaum, c ... Show More
51m 45s
Mar 2024
185. Do You Need Closure?
38m 8s
Jan 2024
180. What Makes Some Objects Feel Special?
38m 29s
Dec 2023
63. How Contagious Is Behavior? With Laurie Santos of “The Happiness Lab.” (Replay)
36m 30s
Apr 2024
191. Can You Change Your Personality?
39m 3s
Dec 2023
173. How Important Is Your Choice of Words?
35m 28s
May 2024
194. Is It Okay to Be an Introvert?
35m 37s
Jun 2024
201. Are You Dreaming Too Big?
41m 44s
Jan 2024
179. Can You Really “Manifest” Success Through Positive Visualization?
36m 29s
Mar 2024
187. Is Fear Running Your Life?
39 m
Sep 2023
164. Do You Have Impostor Syndrome?
38m 43s
<p>What’s the best way to carry out random acts of kindness? What’s wrong with making an “Irish exit”? And why is Mike secretly buying lottery tickets?</p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES:</strong><ul><li><a href="https://roybaumeister.com/">Roy Baumeister</a>, social psychologist ... Show More
<p>Where does sentimental value come from? Why did Angela throw out her childhood journals? And would Mike wear Hitler’s sweater? </p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES:</strong><ul><li><a href="https://www.cmu.edu/tepper/faculty-and-research/faculty-by-area/profiles/galak-jeffrey.h ... Show More
<p>Why do we mirror other people’s accents? Does DJ Khaled get tired of winning? And also: life is good — so why aren’t you happy?</p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES:</strong><ul><li><a href="https://news.stanford.edu/2021/07/30/psychology-professor-albert-bandura-dead-95/">Alber ... Show More
<p>Are you the same person you were a decade ago? Do we get better as we age? And is your sixth-grade class clown still funny? </p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES:</strong><ul><li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9768518/">Aaron (Tim) Beck</a>, professor emer ... Show More
<p>What happens when three psychologists walk into a magic show? What’s Angela’s problem with the word “talent”? And why does LeBron James refer to himself in the third person?</p><p> </p><p>SOURCES:</p><ul><li><a href="https://psychology.yale.edu/people/john-bargh">John Bargh</ ... Show More
<p>What’s the difference between being introverted and being shy? What are extroverts so cheerful about? And does Angela’s social battery ever run out?</p><p>Take the Big Five inventory: <a href="http://freakonomics.com/bigfive" target="_blank">freakonomics.com/bigfive</a></p><p> ... Show More
<p>Are fantasies helpful or harmful? How is daydreaming like a drug? And what did Angela fantasize about during ninth-grade English class?</p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES:</strong><ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/psHQN_yANkg">Patrick Bet-David</a>, YouTuber and ... Show More
<p>Is there any scientific basis for the law of attraction? Are people who believe in “cosmic collaboration” more successful? And what happens when you write yourself a check for $10 million?</p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES:</strong><ul><li><a href="https://www.rhondabyrne.com ... Show More
<p>How can you summon courage when you’re terrified? Is hiking more dangerous than skiing? And what is the stupidest thing that Mike has ever done?</p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES:</strong><ul><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/29/science/albert-bandura-dead.html">Al ... Show More
<p>Does anyone really know what they’re doing? How do we reward the competent and not the confident? And what’s wrong with using TikTok for research? </p><p> </p><p>RESOURCES:</p><ul><li>"<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/02/13/the-dubious-rise-of-impostor-syndrome ... Show More
