He turned a small Hollywood talent agency into a massive sports-and-entertainment empire. In a freewheeling conversation, he explains how he did it and why it nearly killed him….
The famously profane politician and operative is now U.S. ambassador to Japan, where he’s trying to rewrite the rules of diplomacy. But don’t worry: When it comes to China, he’s…
As a former top adviser to presidents Clinton and Obama, he believes in the power of the federal government. But as former mayor of Chicago, he says that cities are…
In this interview, first heard on Freakonomics Radio last year, Steve talks with the former top adviser to presidents Clinton and Obama, about his record — and his reputation. And…
Should a nurse or doctor who gets sick treating Covid-19 patients have priority access to a potentially life-saving healthcare device? Americans aren’t used to rationing in medicine, but it’s time…
We spend billions on end-of-life healthcare that doesn’t do much good. So what if a patient could forego the standard treatment and get a cash rebate instead?
The gist: we spend billions on end-of-life healthcare that doesn’t do much good. So what if a patient could forego the standard treatment and get a cash rebate instead?
Photo: juggernautco Last week, Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel announced that he’s rolling out a merit pay program specifically for school principals, using $5 million in donated funds. The plan is…
Americans keep putting on pounds. So is it time for a cheeseburger tax? Or would a chill pill be the best medicine? In this episode, we explore the underbelly of…
…Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel and Hollywood agent Ari Emanuel (fictionalized by Jeremy Piven on Entourage). (Stethescope) Two weeks ago, Emanuel pointed out that even though the U.S. outspends every other…
In many states, it is perfectly legal to not hire someone who smokes. Should employers also be able to weed out junk-food lovers or motorcyclists — or anyone who wants…
…on the prowl for examples where the method of easy cases helps interpret numbers around us. Thank you, Dr. Emanuel! Let’s agree with Emanuel that insurance-company profits are not significant….
…Secretary Arne Duncan‘s reform platform. Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel has just launched his own version of merit pay that focuses incentives toward principals. There’s just one problem: educators almost universally…
…out junk-food lovers or motorcyclists — or perhaps anyone who wants to have a baby? That question is the thrust of this podcast, which features a conversation with Zeke Emanuel….
She showed up late and confused to her first silent retreat, but Caverly Morgan eventually trained for eight years in silence at a Zen monastery. Now her mindfulness-education program Peace…
Every year, Edge.org asks its salon of big thinkers to answer one big question. This year’s question borders on heresy: what scientific idea is ready for retirement?
(Photo: Sage Ross) Ezekiel Emanuel, who’s popped up in our blog and podcasts, writes in the Times about a simple way to reduce suicides: We need to make it harder…
A contestant tries to wow host Stephen J. Dubner and panelists Sam Kass, Gretchen Rubin and Zeke Emanuel. (Photo: Lucy Sutton.) A while back, we tried out a new idea…
…about the Iran nuclear deal, and the dulcet tones of a surprisingly versatile musical instrument. The panelists are: Zeke Emanuel, medical doctor and chief architect of the Affordable Care Act,…
Conventional programs tend to be expensive, onerous, and ineffective. Could something as simple (and cheap) as cognitive behavioral therapy do the trick?
The former chairman of the Obama administration’s Council of Economic Advisors tells Steve how improv comedy was a better training ground for teaching than a Ph.D. from M.I.T., and why…
…locate), the “firing squad” pose (hands behind back) exhibited by Bob Rubin, who in this photo is mostly hidden behind Biden. But the real outlier here is Rahm Emanuel, hands…
The Emanuel Brothers — Rahm, Zeke, and Ari — are famously high achievers, one in politics, one in entertainment, and one in medicine (although the doctor has recently crossed over…
…Now it’s selling off body parts to survive. What does the C.E.O. who presided over the decline have to say for himself? 2/17/21 45:48 Ari Emanuel Is Never Indifferent He…
They are the most-trusted profession in America (and with good reason). They are critical to patient outcomes (especially in primary care). Could the growing army of nurse practitioners be an…
In Latin, the word “placebo” means “I shall please.” In the medical world, placebos mean something … well, a little different. Bapu Jena walks us through the thorny world of…
(Photo: Julie Bocchino) That is the question asked in a New England Journal of Medicine column by Harald Schmidt, Kristin Voigt, and Ezekiel J. Emanuel: Finding employment is becoming increasingly…
…by Thomas Jefferson. Westy asked: How about the very recent “Don’t waste a crisis”? Did that phrase/quote have usage prior to Rahm Emanuel?” Charles Doyle of the University of Georgia,…
…a New England Journal of Medicine article by doctors Ezekiel Emanuel and Margaret Battin, who each come down on opposite sides of the ethical argument over assisted suicide. But could…
…we hope to increase the percentage of federal employees who use this approach while saving the taxpayers’ money.” We have truly entered the Land of the Nudge. (HT: Zeke Emanuel)…
