13. The "No-Lose Lottery," Part 2

A ruthless (and ruthlessly efficient) industry is using digital tools to supercharge one of the world’s oldest behaviors. We look at how the industry works, and ask the scam-fighters what they’re doing about it. SOURCES: Kati Daffan, former assistant director at the Federal Trade ... Show More

Economists don’t usually talk about “culture.” But Joel Mokyr argues that it’s the engine of innovation — and the Nobel Prize committee agreed. Stephen Dubner sits down for a thousand-year conversation (including advice!) with the new Nobel laureate. SOURCES: Joel Mokyr, economic ... Show More

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

A chance of luck, a stroke of fortune, a twist to beat the odds… The lottery represents hopes and dreams—but not everyone's willing to wait for their lucky day. These criminals set out to rig the system through cons, theft, and even murder. Ash and Alaina stack up the ten most st ... Show More

<p>From scratchers to the Powerball, the lottery is the most popular form of gambling in the United States, even though the odds of winning a big jackpot is infinitesimally small. Jonathan D. Cohen is a historian and the author of the book  <i>For a Dollar and a Dream; State Lott ... Show More

Why do so many people feel that the financial system is rigged against the average person, that the system is built to benefit the elite at the expense of the average person?In this podcast Maya has a frank discussion with David Buckham, founder and CEO of Monocle Solutions and a ... Show More

<p>It happens every year as tax season comes around in the US. Numerous media outlets publish excoriating investigations of wealthy corporations and individuals that, somehow, don't seem to be paying taxes. And the majority of American citizens believe the system is, in one way o ... Show More

The lottery part 2: is life always better after winning a lot of money? 

How offshore is ruining the 'Beautiful Game' - the Taxcast scrutinises football's own goal. Also: how banks with criminal convictions are being allowed to continue to handle our money, how people may be allowed to apply for anonymity in the UK's register of beneficial owners to b ... Show More

<p>There are few things more futile than trying to count all of the money in the world. Even many governments have no idea how much currency they have issued. But that won't stop Chuck and Josh from trying and explaining why we can't be sure how much money exists and the problems ... Show More

Winning the lottery shouldn’t be a part of your financial plan- but why are we so enthralled by the idea of winning the lottery?! On average, Americans spend over $1,000 every year for the chance to strike it rich. That’s a lot of wasted money that could be going towards literal ... Show More