No Stupid Questions

Epizode

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  92. Is Poor Nutrition a Supply Problem or a Demand Problem? 13.09.2026 32min

  Is evolution stacked against healthy eating? What policies could increase demand for nutritious food? And does Popeyes count as a cultural icon? This episode originally aired on March 27th, 2022.
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  How Gary Gulman Turned Depression Into Comedy Gold | Better in Person 09.09.2026 47min

  In this episode of Stephen Dubner’s new TV talk show, Gary and Stephen talk about creativity, recovery, getting fired, and holding grudges. They also get outside and play basketball, which is a big part of how Gary stays well. If you'd like to see the video version of Better in Person, watch it on YouTube or Apple Podcasts.
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  91. Do You Savor or Gobble? 06.09.2026 39min

  What’s the difference between people who preserve special things and people who devour them right away? Why do we love to binge-watch? And did Adam really eat an apple? This episode originally aired on March 20th, 2022.
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  90. If America Is a Train Wreck, Why Am I Doing Fine? 30.08.2026 30min

  Why do so many Americans say they’re satisfied with their own lives but upset about the way the country is going? Why don’t other countries experience the same gap? And what do horror movies have in common with Coca-Cola enemas? This episode originally aired on March 13th, 2022.
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  89. How Valuable Is Enthusiasm? 23.08.2026 28min

  What’s the difference between willpower and eagerness? Is there a lifehack that can make you zestier? And could it help Stephen improve his golf game? This episode originally aired on March 6th, 2022.
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  88. Is Self-Improvement Too Selfish? 16.08.2026 34min

  Is it more important to help society or to help yourself? Does the self-improvement movement do any good for the world? And which podcast episode does Stephen cling to as proof that he’s doing something valuable? This episode originally aired on February 27th, 2022.
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  87. What’s So Great About Retirement? 09.08.2026 30min

  How do you know when it’s the right time to retire? What does a “good” retirement look like? And will Stephen and Angela ever really hang up their hats? This episode originally aired on February 20nd, 2022.
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  86. Should We All Be Taking More Long Shots? 02.08.2026 31min

  What’s the difference between dispositional optimism and agentic hope? Are there benefits to taking a long shot, even if it turns out to be an air ball? And how is Angela like an N.F.L. quarterback? This episode originally aired on February 13th, 2022.
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  85. Is Emotional Intelligence Really So Important? 26.07.2026 31min

  Can you quantify emotional intelligence? Who should you hire — someone smart, or someone good with people? And how did Angie do on an online emotional intelligence test? This episode originally aired on February 6th, 2022.
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  84. Why Do We Find So Much Meaning in Meaningless Coincidences? 19.07.2026 28min

  Why are humans so fascinated by coincidences? What do Carl Jung and an album by The Police have in common? And what did Stephen win in a bar mitzvah limbo contest? This episode originally aired on January 30th, 2022.
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  83. Can You Change Your Mind Without Losing Face? 12.07.2026 32min

  What is the cost of admitting you’re wrong? How can intellectual humility make you more open minded? And will Stephen finally persuade Angela that rum-raisin is the best flavor of ice cream? This episode originally aired on January 23rd, 2022.
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  82. Which Is More Powerful: Reward or Punishment? 05.07.2026 27min

  How is “negative reinforcement” different from punishment? Could positive reinforcement encourage prosocial behavior on a national scale? And what’s the deal with Taiwan’s dog-poop lottery? This episode originally aired on Jan 16th, 2022.
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  81. Why Is It So Hard to Talk About Money? 28.06.2026 28min

  What’s the connection between conversations about money and financial literacy? Could the taboo against talking about your salary be fading? And why did Angie’s teenage daughter call Vanguard to learn about I.R.A.s? This episode originally aired on January 9th, 2022.
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  80. Is a “Success Hangover” Real? 21.06.2026 29min

  Why are great accomplishments often followed by disappointment? Is it better to win and feel bummed out than to never have won at all? And where was ping-pong invented? This episode originally aired on January 2nd, 2022.
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  79. Why Do We Root for Underdogs? 14.06.2026 35min

  Also: Angela proposes an upgrade to the show. This episode originally aired on December 26th, 2021.
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  78. Why Do We Put Things Off Until the Very Last Minute? 07.06.2026 38min

  Also: what does your name say about who you are? This episode originally aired on December 19th, 2021.
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  77. How Can You Avoid Boredom? 31.05.2026 37min

  Also: are we getting any better at assessing COVID risk? This episode originally aired on December 12, 2021.
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  76. Why Can’t Baby Boomers and Millennials Just Get Along? 24.05.2026 38min

  Also: how do phone cameras affect the way we experience live events? This episode originally aired on December 5th, 2021.
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  75. How Do You Deal With Intrusive Thoughts? 17.05.2026 38min

  Also: how much does confidence really matter? This episode originally aired on November 21st, 2021.
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  74. Does Reverse Psychology Really Work? 10.05.2026 37min

  Also: does knowing your family history affect your identity? This episode originally aired on November 14th, 2021.