Young people have been reporting a sharp rise in anxiety and depression. This maps neatly onto the global rise of the smartphone. Some researchers are convinced that one is causing the other. But how strong is the evidence?
Jan 23
660. The Wellness Industry Is Gigantic — and Mostly Wrong
Zeke Emanuel (a physician, medical ethicist, and policy wonk) has some different ideas for how to lead a healthy and meaningful life. It starts with ice cream. (Part three of “The Freakonomics Radio Guide to Getting Better.”) SOURCES:Zeke Emanuel, oncologist, bioethicist, profess ... Show More
1h 5m
Jan 21
Steve Levitt Quits His Podcast, Joins Ours
After five years, Levitt is ending People I (Mostly) Admire, and will start hosting the occasional Freakonomics Radio episode. We couldn’t be happier. SOURCES:Steve Levitt, co-author of Freakonomics and host of People I (Mostly) Admire. RESOURCES:"How to Help Kids Succeed," by Pe ... Show More
45m 58s
Mar 2025
153. We’re Not Getting Sicker — We’re Overdiagnosed
<p>Suzanne O'Sullivan is a neurologist who sees many patients with psychosomatic disorders. Their symptoms may be psychological in origin, but their pain is real and physical — and the way we practice medicine, she argues, is making those and other health problems worse.</p><p> < ... Show More
1h 3m
Aug 2024
62: Lacan and Psychosis in the City feat. Loren Dent
<p>Abby and Patrick welcome Loren Dent, a clinical psychologist in the Lacanian tradition. The topic is psychosis, both as understood theoretically by Freud and Lacan, and also as experienced and encountered by real people in New York City, where Loren practices and where he has ... Show More
2h 7m
Nov 2024
Will Kids Online, In Fact, Be All Right?
<p>In her new FX docuseries “Social Studies,” the artist and filmmaker Lauren Greenfield delves into the post-pandemic lives—and phones—of a group of L.A. teens. Screen recordings of the kids’ social-media use reveal how these platforms have reshaped their experience of the world ... Show More
48m 28s
May 2025
The Root of Menticide and Collective Care with Dr. Evan Auguste
Menticide, or the systematic and intentional undermining of a person's conscious mind, effectively "killing" or destroying their independent thought and beliefs, is one of the most effective ways to supress revolutionary change in a society. So how do we protect our communities f ... Show More
1h 25m
<p>What’s the difference between narcissism and high self-esteem? Does social media fuel arrogance or self-consciousness? And do people get less toxic with age? </p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES:</strong><ul><li><a href="https://brenebrown.com/">Brené Brown</a>, research profes ... Show More
<p>Is social media to blame for the teen mental health crisis? It's complicated!</p><p><em>Thanks to </em><a href='https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262047357/behind-their-screens/'><em>Emily Weinstein</em></a><em>, </em><a href='https://amyorben.com'><em>Amy Orben</em></a><em>, ... Show More
