How Do We Know What Really Works in Healthcare?

Freakonomics Radio | 2 April 2015 | 0h 41m | Listen Later
A lot of conventional wisdom in medicine is nothing more than a hunch or wishful thinking. A new breed of data detectives is hoping to change that.

Paul Bloom on Empathy

EconTalk | 27 February 2017 | 1h 08m | Listen Later | iTunes
Interview with Paul Bloom about his book Against Empathy: The Case for Rational Compassion. Bloom argues that empathy – the ability to feel the emotions of others – is a bad guide to charitable giving and public policy. Bloom argues that reason combined with compassion is a better and more effective guide to making the world a better place.

The Evolution Of Human Violence

KERA’s Think | 12 February 2019 | 0h 48m | Listen Later | iTunes
Interview with anthropologist Richard Wrangham about the ideas in The Goodness Paradox: The Strange Relationship Between Virtue and Violence in Human Evolution. Draws on evolutionary evidence to suggest that as we domesticated ourselves, we reduced our tendency to reactive violence, whilst simultaneously retaining our capacity for organised violence.

The Diabolical Genius of the Baby Advice Industry

The Guardian’s Audio Long Reads | 2 February 2018 | 0h 32m | Listen Later | iTunes
Adorable Oliver Burkeman article for perspective on all you read and hear about parenting dogma.

Edward Watts on the End of the Roman Republic

Sean Carroll’s Mindscape | 11 March 2019 | 1h 31m | Listen Later | iTunes
Interview with Edward Watts, author of Mortal Republic: How Rome Fell into Tyranny. Describes the history of how the largely democratic Roman Republic transitioned to autocracy. Highlights the role of populist politicians setting aside long-standing conventions.

Cordelia Fine on Testosterone Rex

London Review Bookshop Podcasts | 18 April 2017 | 1h 06m | Listen Later | iTunes
Interview with Cordelia Fine, author of Testosterone Rex: Myths of Sex, Science, and Society. Examines the interplay between nature and nurture in the construction of gender and argues that differences between the sexes are overstated.

A Vision for a Society of Free, Prosperous, and Responsible Individuals

The Rubin Report | 25 February 2019 | 0h 54m | Listen Later | iTunes
Interview with Tyler Cowen discussing Stubborn Attachments: A Vision for a Society of Free, Prosperous, and Responsible Individuals. Cowen defines his political position, explains the need for innovation to outpace regulation, reminds us how little we know and sets out the central importance of economic growth. Also touches on crypto, gratitude, climate change, immigration and sourcing talent.

Michael Mayer – Pseudonymous Social Capital and Bottomless Coffee

Invest Like the Best | 12 March 2019 | 1h 07m | Listen Later | iTunes
Interview with Michael Mayer of Bottomless, a startup that uses scales to ship coffee as you need it. Insights on education, learning, social media, personal productivity, technology, business and strategy. Interesting throughout.