logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2024
38m 29s

180. What Makes Some Objects Feel Specia...

Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
About this episode
Where does sentimental value come from? Why did Angela throw out her childhood journals? And would Mike wear Hitler’s sweater? 
Up next
Yesterday
63. How Contagious Is Behavior? With Laurie Santos of “The Happiness Lab.” (Replay)
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? This episode originally aired on August 8th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection an ... Show More
36m 23s
Feb 22
62. How Can You Escape a Drama Triangle?
Also: how do awards affect motivation? This episode originally aired on August 1st, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. 
39m 44s
Feb 15
61. Should We Just Ignore Our Weaknesses?
Also: why do we like what we like? This episode originally aired on July 25th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. 
33m 35s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2023
569. Do You Need Closure?
tail spinning
39m 34s
Jun 2024
133. Pay Attention! (Your Body Will Thank You)
<p>Ellen Langer is a psychologist at Harvard who studies the mind-body connection. She’s published some of the most remarkable scientific findings Steve has ever encountered. Can we really improve our physical health by changing our mind?</p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCE:</stron ... Show More
59m 30s
Jan 2024
5 Psychology Terms You’re Probably Misusing (Replay)
tail spinning
49m 12s
Jan 2022
A scientist's case for "woo-woo"
Sean Illing talks with David Hamilton, a scientist and former research chemist turned author, about his new book Why Woo-Woo Works, in which he offers a scientifically-grounded defense of alternative practices like meditation, crystals, and the law of attraction. They discuss the ... Show More
58m 34s
Sep 2023
115. The Future of Therapy Is Psychedelic
<p>For 37 years, Rick Doblin has been pushing the F.D.A. to approve treating post-traumatic stress disorder with MDMA, better known as Ecstasy. He tells Steve why he persisted for so long, why he doesn’t like calling drug use “recreational,” and what he learned from his pet wolf. ... Show More
53m 5s
Oct 2020
What's Your Spiritual Belief?
<p>From January 30, 1996: Psychotherapist, speaker and author of <em>The Little Book of Big Questions</em>, Jonathan Robinson <em>joins The Oprah Winfrey Show</em> to share how asking certain questions can create a spiritual connection with friends and family. Oprah asks the audi ... Show More
36m 43s
May 2023
Being human in the age of AI
Will AI change what it means to be human? Sean Illing talks with essayist Meghan O'Gieblyn, author of God, Human, Animal, Machine, a book about how the way we understand human nature has been interwoven with how we understand our own technology. They discuss the power of metaphor ... Show More
53m 10s
Dec 2021
The good life is painful
Sean Illing talks with psychologist Paul Bloom about his new book The Sweet Spot, and whether it's necessary to experience suffering in order to live a fulfilling, meaningful life. They discuss the rich philosophical history of the question: what does it mean to be happy? They al ... Show More
53m 20s
Jul 2023
#254 — The Mating Strategies of Earthlings
Sam Harris speaks with David Buss about the differential mating strategies of men and women. They discuss the controversy that surrounds evolutionary psychology, the denial of sex differences, cross-cultural findings in social science, the replication crisis in psychology, the bi ... Show More
39m 32s