No Stupid Questions

Stephen Dubner sits down with comedian Gary Gulman to discuss how creativity and recovery intertwine. Gary opens up about using his mental health battles as material, the importance of staying active, and bouncing back from career setbacks. They also head outside to shoot hoops, a ritual Gary credits for his stability. The conversation touches on getting fired and the challenge of holding grudges.

Angela Duckworth and Mike Maughan explore the psychology behind why some people immediately consume treats or experiences while others save them for later. They discuss the personality traits associated with savoring versus gobbling, the role of self-control and delayed gratification, and how binge-watching culture fits into these consumption patterns. The conversation touches on research around anticipation versus consumption happiness, and ends with Mike revealing a surprising story about Adam's relationship with a single apple.

The hosts discuss a puzzle in American public opinion: many people report being satisfied with their own lives while also saying the country is heading in the wrong direction. They explore why this personal-versus-national gap may be more pronounced in the United States than in other countries. The episode also poses an unexpected question about what horror movies have in common with Coca-Cola enemas. It originally aired on March 13, 2022.

Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner explore the nature and value of enthusiasm. They distinguish between willpower—forcing yourself to do something hard—and eagerness—genuinely wanting to do it. The conversation touches on whether enthusiasm can be cultivated, how it affects performance in areas like golf, and the relationship between zest and character.

Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth explore the topic of retirement: how to know when it's time, what a fulfilling retirement looks like, and whether they themselves ever plan to retire. The conversation touches on identity, purpose, and the uncertainty of leaving work behind. This episode originally aired on February 20, 2022.

Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner discuss the difference between dispositional optimism and agentic hope, why taking long shots can be beneficial even when they fail, and what Angela has in common with an NFL quarterback. This episode originally aired in February 2022.

Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth explore whether emotional intelligence can be measured and quantified, and whether it's a better hiring criterion than raw intelligence. They discuss the gap between EI test scores and real-world relational competence, test Angela's own emotional intelligence, and examine what actually predicts workplace success.

Why are humans so fascinated by coincidences? Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth explore the psychology behind finding meaning in meaningless events, touching on Carl Jung's concept of synchronicity and the Police album named after it. Stephen shares a humorous personal anecdote about winning a limbo contest at a bar mitzvah. The episode originally aired January 30, 2022.

Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth discuss the psychological and social barriers to admitting you're wrong. They explore the concept of intellectual humility and how it can foster open-mindedness, while also engaging in a lighthearted debate about whether rum-raisin is the best ice cream flavor. (This episode originally aired on January 23, 2022.)

Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth explore the psychological and behavioral differences between reward and punishment systems. They examine why negative reinforcement and punishment are often confused, investigate whether positive reinforcement can scale to influence entire societies, and analyze Taiwan's unconventional dog-poop lottery as a real-world case study in behavioral design.

Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner explore the social taboo around money conversations. They discuss whether the reluctance to discuss salary is beginning to fade, how open dialogue about finances might boost financial literacy, and the surprising moment when Duckworth’s teenage daughter independently called Vanguard to learn about retirement accounts. The episode originally aired in January 2022.

Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth explore why achieving a long-sought goal often leaves people feeling empty and disappointed—a phenomenon they call a “success hangover.” They discuss whether the post-achievement letdown is just the price of success and whether it’s better to have won and felt low than never to have tried. Along the way, they wonder about the true origin of ping-pong.

In this episode, Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner explore the psychology behind rooting for underdogs. (This episode originally aired in December 2021.)

Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth explore procrastination—why we delay tasks until the last minute despite knowing it causes stress. The episode examines the psychology behind deadline-driven productivity, the role of deadlines in focus, and how our names may influence our identity and behavior.

The hosts of No Stupid Questions discuss two deceptively simple questions: How can you avoid boredom? and Are we any better at assessing COVID risk? Originally aired in late 2021, this episode touches on the psychology of boredom during lockdowns and how people’s ability to judge pandemic risks has evolved (or not).

Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth explore the generational tensions between Baby Boomers and Millennials, examining whether the conflict is rooted in real differences or media-fueled narratives. The episode also investigates how phone cameras reshape our experience of live events, trading presence for documentation.

Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner discuss how to handle intrusive thoughts and examine whether confidence is overrated. The episode explores why unwanted thoughts arise and offers perspectives on managing them, while also questioning the conventional wisdom that high confidence is essential for success.

Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth explore whether reverse psychology actually works as a persuasion technique, and examine how knowing your family history shapes identity. The episode challenges common assumptions about psychological manipulation and asks whether telling someone NOT to do something makes them more likely to do it.

The hosts define social loafing — the tendency for individuals to exert less effort in a group setting — and explore whether it’s ever ethically justifiable. They also examine why being part of a team can be deeply rewarding, even when the group fails to win, highlighting the psychological and social value of shared struggle and belonging.

Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth explore the paradox of workplace meetings: everyone complains about them, yet they persist everywhere. The episode also addresses why so many people feel lost in their 20s and how to navigate that uncertainty productively.

Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth explore why pig milk, despite being nutritionally viable, has never become a commercial or cultural staple in human diets, while cow, goat, and sheep milk are common. The episode examines food taboos, cultural preferences, and the contingent historical reasons why certain animals become domesticated for dairy while others don't. They also discuss personal food preferences that seem disgusting to others.

Also: why is it smart to ignore what your podcast hosts look like? This episode originally aired on October 10th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: what’s the best way to handle rejection? This episode originally aired on October 3, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: why are humans still so tribal? This episode originally aired on September 26th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: why is it so satisfying to find a bargain? This episode originally aired on September 19th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: why don’t you need a license to become a parent? This episode originally aired on August 29th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: should you feel guilty if you don’t read books? This episode originally aired on August 15th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why do we mirror other people’s accents? Does DJ Khaled get tired of winning? And also: life is good — so why aren’t you happy? This episode originally aired on August 8th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company.

Also: how do awards affect motivation? This episode originally aired on August 1st, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: why do we like what we like? This episode originally aired on July 25th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: what do you really mean when you say you “don’t have time”? This episode originally aired on July 18th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: why is music so memorable? This episode originally aired on July 11th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: why do people hate small talk? This episode originally aired on June 27th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: what does your desired superpower say about you? This episode originally aired on June 20th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: what does your perfect day look like? This episode originally aired on June 13th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: would you take a confirmation-bias vaccine? This episode originally aired on June 6th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: is shortsightedness part of human nature? This episode originally aired on May 30th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: how do you recover from a bad day? This episode originally aired on May 23rd, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: does multitasking actually increase productivity? This episode originally aired on May 16th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: why do people pace while talking on the phone? This episode originally aired May 9th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: Angela accidentally discovers the secret to a good night’s sleep. This episode originally aired on May 2, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: why are we so bad at assessing risk? This episode originally aired on April 25, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: what is the most significant choice you will ever make? This episode originally aired on April 18, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: why do we dislike being alone in public? This episode originally aired on April 11, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: what’s wrong with being impatient? This episode originally aired on April 2, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: why do we pad our speech with so much filler language? This episode originally aired on March 28, 2021 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: is it better to “go with the wind” or to “be the wind”? This episode originally aired on March 21, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: what is teasing supposed to accomplish? This episode originally aired on March 14, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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.

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.

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.

Also, what's better: to learn new skills or go deep on what you're good at? This episode originally aired on February 14, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: how can you stop ruminating? This episode originally aired on February 7, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also: do self-help books really help? This episode originally aired on January 31, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Duckworth and Maughan design their perfect days and discover that happiness research aligns with their intuitions: the perfect day includes physical movement, meaningful work, social connection, and unstructured time -- but not leisure, luxury, or consumption.

Duckworth engages with critics of her own grit research, acknowledging limitations while defending the core insight. She discusses when grit is adaptive versus when it becomes stubborn persistence at goals that should be abandoned.

Angela Duckworth and Mike Maughan explore the paradox of perfectionism: the drive for excellence that improves performance at moderate levels becomes self-destructive at extreme levels. Duckworth distinguishes between adaptive perfectionism (high standards with flexibility) and maladaptive perfectionism (rigid standards with self-punishment).

Duckworth and Maughan examine the science of routines: how scripted daily behaviors reduce decision fatigue, create environmental consistency, and free cognitive resources for creative and strategic thinking.

Duckworth and Maughan discuss the science of decision-making, covering confirmation bias, the planning fallacy, and why writing down your reasoning before making a decision dramatically improves decision quality.

Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner explore whether the pursuit of self-improvement is inherently selfish, and whether the self-improvement movement contributes to the greater good. They also discuss a personal anecdote from Stephen about a particular episode that he holds up as proof of his podcast's value.