logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2024
38m 14s

210. What Makes a Good Sense of Humor?

Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
About this episode

What is the evolutionary purpose of laughter? What’s the difference between Swedish depression and American depression? And why aren’t aliens interested in abducting Mike? 

 

 

 

Up next
Oct 5
42. How Does When You Are Born Affect Who You Are?
Also: how did Angela do with her no-sugar challenge? This episode originally aired on March 7, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. 
38m 35s
Sep 28
41. Why Are We So Attracted to Fame?
Also: do we subconsciously lie about our major influences? This episode originally aired on February 28, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. 
35m 41s
Sep 21
40. Have We All Lost Our Ability to Compromise?
Also: is it better to be right or “not wrong”? This episode originally aired on February 21, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. 
36m 15s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2021
Ep186 - Jennifer Aaker & Naomi Bagdonas | Humor, Seriously: Why Humor Is a Secret Weapon in Business and Life
Humor is serious business. And that’s a fact backed by cold, hard research. Humor builds bonds, defuses tension, boosts innovation, and bolsters resilience through hard times. That’s why Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas teach a class called “Humor: Serious Business”, at Stanford ... Show More
1h 2m
Aug 10
Episode 146, The Philosophy of Comedy (Part I - The Nature of Humour)
In 2021, Netflix released His Dark Material, a Christmas stand-up special by Irish–British comedian Jimmy Carr. The show sparked international outrage. Toward the end of the set, Carr delivered what he called a ‘career ender’ – a joke about the Holocaust, in which he described th ... Show More
54m 18s
Nov 2024
Ep. 208 | Funny Business: The Science and Satire of Humor with Ian Brownhill
Science still hasn’t cracked the code on what humor truly is. While we can’t pinpoint exactly what makes something funny or why we laugh at the strangest moments, we do know that humor plays a powerful role in shaping our relationships, communication, and even how attractive we f ... Show More
36m 1s
Aug 2024
Life, Humour and Comedy in Culture
On this week's episode, we chat with comedian Shawn Chidiac, known on Instagram as "My Parents Are Divorced," Shawn recounts his journey into comedy, beginning with his early attempts to make his stoic mother laugh, which ultimately inspired his career. He discusses his unique ap ... Show More
35m 32s
Jun 2025
160. How to Help Kids Succeed
Psychologist David Yeager thinks the conventional wisdom for how to motivate young people is all wrong. His model for helping kids cope with stress is required reading at Steve’s new high school. SOURCES:David Yeager, professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. ... Show More
1 h
Oct 2024
Judd Apatow On: Panic Attacks, His Creative Process, And Why Comedians Are Often So Neurotic
New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- Why the man behind “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” is a self-help junkie. Judd Apatow is one of the most prolific comedic minds in the industry. Recently, Apatow pr ... Show More
1h 17m
Oct 1
Serpopsychology (WHAT’S CREEPY?) with Frank McAndrew
Are you creepy? How would you know? What’s “creepy” as opposed to scary or eerie? We talk to the pioneer of this research, Serpopsychologist, Dr. Frank McAndrew, a professor emeritus at Knox College. We chat: dates that give you the willies, Weary Willie the Clown, haunted dolls, ... Show More
1h 9m
Feb 2022
Aba & Preach on Rogan Hit Piece
0:00 - start 4:32 - Rogan 35:18 - Canadian Freedom Convoy 56:00 - Drake, A$AP, Rhianna 1:25:00 - money, fame, and is uncomfortable? 2:07:52 - Tinder Swindler documentary 2:26:30 - Awkwafina Blaccent Flagrant 2 is a comedy podcast that delivers unfiltered, unapologetic, and unruly ... Show More
2h 46m
Mar 2025
MO GILLIGAN: WHY WE FEEL SO LOST IN OUR 20s
Mo Gilligan is a very funny man - he’s one of the biggest comedians in the UK, he’s hosted the BRITs, numerous TV shows and is currently on a world tour. He’s hugely successful, but what happens when you achieve all your dreams? Do you feel fulfilled? Or lost without that directi ... Show More
56m 33s
Aug 18
How to be a confident woman
While confidence is widely understood as important, actually building and maintaining it can feel like an impossible task. A comedian from New Zealand and a body positive writer, speaker and influencer from the UK tell Datshiane Navanayagam about how they grew their self-confiden ... Show More
26m 30s