logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2024
36m 44s

211. Why Do We Listen to Sad Songs?

Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
About this episode

What are Mike and Angela’s favorite songs to cry to? Can upbeat music lift you out of a bad mood? And what is Angela going to sing the next time she does karaoke?

 

 

 

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
Jul 2024
596. Farewell to a Generational Talent
Daniel Kahneman left his mark on academia (and the real world) in countless ways. A group of his friends and colleagues recently gathered in Chicago to reflect on this legacy — and we were there, with microphones. SOURCES:Maya Bar-Hillel, professor emeritus of psychology at the H ... Show More
52m 41s
Mar 2025
How Is Trauma Dumping Affecting My Relationships?
This week, JVN sits down with existential psychotherapist and author Dr. Sara Kuburic, widely recognized as the @Millennial.Therapist in Instagram, to delve into the phenomenon of "trauma dumping." We’re exploring the nuances between sharing personal experiences and overloading o ... Show More
43m 20s
Jun 2021
Mozart the Happy Harlequin and Lost British Labourism
This week, Lucy Dallas and Toby Lichtig are joined by Paul Griffiths to discuss the beauty and grace of Mozart, the untortured genius; David Edgerton talks us through the decline and fall of British coal mining and its relationship with the Labour Party; plus, new discoveries abo ... Show More
50m 38s
Feb 2025
Daniel Levitin
Daniel Levitin is a psychologist and neuroscientist who is fascinated by the way our brains respond to music. He first worked as a musician, playing in bands, and then became a record producer and engineer. He’s worked with some of best-known names in the world, including Stevie ... Show More
48m 31s
Dec 2024
Episode 509 || Best Books of the Year with Hunter Mclendon
This week on From the Front Porch, Annie and Hunter (@shelfbyshelf) discuss their top 10 favorite books of 2024. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search “Episode 509”) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s ... Show More
57m 36s
Sep 27
167. The Secret of Humanity? It’s Common Knowledge.
Steven Pinker’s new book argues that all our relationships depend on shared assumptions and “recursive mentalizing” — our constant efforts to understand what other people are thinking. He and Steve talk about the psychology of eye contact, the particular value of Super Bowl ads, ... Show More
58m 45s
Sep 2024
601. Multitasking Doesn’t Work. So Why Do We Keep Trying?
Only a tiny number of “supertaskers” are capable of doing two things at once. The rest of us are just making ourselves miserable, and less productive. How can we put the — hang on a second, I've just got to get this. Come see Stephen Dubner live! “A Questionable Evening: A strate ... Show More
58m 4s
Sep 26
Voice
Over the course of millions of years, human voices have evolved to hold startling power. These clouds of vibrating air carry crucial information about who we are–and we rely on them to push ourselves up and out into the physical world.This week, we’re on a journey to understand h ... Show More
1h 6m
Dec 2024
The Psychology of Nostalgia
In the first of two special holiday episodes, Claudia Hammond and an expert panel of psychologists look back, nostalgically. At this festive time of year, you might be thinking wistfully about Christmas past – perhaps you’ll be rewatching old films, arguing over a game of Monopol ... Show More
29m 45s
Nov 2024
Let's Celebrate Crying
We all feel better after a good cry. In fact, humans are the only animals who cry emotional tears. But what about people who don't cry? And have you ever wondered why a sad song or movie makes you cry?Original Air Date: August 05, 2023Interviews In This Hour: Hip-hop artist Dxtr ... Show More
51m 53s