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Episode 566

Why Is It So Hard (and Expensive) to Build Anything in America?

Most industries have become more productive over time. But not construction! We identify the causes — and possible solutions. (Can you say … “prefab”?)…

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Episode 173

How Important Is Your Choice of Words?

What happens when three psychologists walk into a magic show? What’s Angela’s problem with the word “talent”? And why does LeBron James refer to himself in the third person?…

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Episode 577

The Vanishing Mr. Feynman

In his final years, Richard Feynman’s curiosity took him to some surprising places. We hear from his companions on the trips he took — and one he wasn’t able to….

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Episode 190

What’s the Point of Nostalgia?

Is it dangerous to live in the past? Why is Disney remaking all of its classic movies? And why does Angela get sentimental over a cup of soup and a…

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Episode 202

Why Can’t We Tolerate Discomfort?

Are we using technology to make ourselves numb? What’s the downside of air conditioning? And was Angela the most annoying person in her college classes?…

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EXTRA

What It Takes to Know Everything (Update)

Victoria Groce is the best trivia contestant on earth. The winner of the 2024 World Quizzing Championship explains the structure of a good question, why she knits during competitions, and…

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Episode 17

Truffles (Replay)

It takes fungi-sniffing dogs, back-room deals, and a guy named “The Kingpin” for the world’s most coveted morsel to end up on your plate. Zachary Crockett picks up the scent.

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EXTRA

Roland Fryer Refuses to Lie to Black America (Update)

His research on police brutality and school incentives won him acclaim, but also enemies. He was suspended for two years by Harvard, during which time he took a hard look…

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Episode 66

Stradivarius Violins

Why are these 300-year-old instruments still coveted by violinists today? And how do working musicians get their hands on multimillion-dollar antiques? Zachary Crockett is not fiddling around….

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Episode 609

What Does It Take to Run a Cannabis Farm?

Chris Weld worked for years in emergency rooms, then ditched that career and bought an old farm in Massachusetts. He set up a distillery and started making prize-winning spirits. When…

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Episode 81

Guide Dogs

Before a guide dog can help a blind person navigate the world, it has to pass a series of tests, then go through $75,000 worth of training. Zachary Crockett sniffs…

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Episode 359

Should America Be Run by … Trader Joe’s? (Update)

The quirky little grocery chain with California roots and German ownership has a lot to teach all of us about choice architecture, efficiency, frugality, collaboration, and team spirit….

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Episode 89

Locksmiths

The ability to get into any home, car, or safe can be lucrative — but fixing locks is a tough business. Zachary Crockett gets the key information.

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Episode 96

School Buses

Districts across the country are facing shortages of school bus drivers. Can technology help? Zachary Crockett takes a seat in the back….

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EXTRA

What Do Medieval Nuns and Bo Jackson Have in Common? (Update)

In this episode from 2013, we look at whether spite pays — and if it even exists….

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Episode 640

Why Governments Are Betting Big on Sports

The Gulf States and China are spending billions to build stadiums and buy up teams — but what are they really buying? And can an entrepreneur from Cincinnati make his…

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Episode 18

Mobile Home Parks (Replay)

They’ve long been associated with crime and blight. Now, the investors are moving in. Zachary Crockett follows the trail.

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Episode 103

Satellites

There are now nearly 12,000 satellites orbiting Earth. What does it cost to put them there, and how do they make money? Zachary Crockett launches an investigation….

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Episode 104

Private Investigators

They expose fraud, catch cheating spouses, and track down missing assets — but they don’t come cheap. Zachary Crockett takes the case….

Ticketfree Responds

…of a ticket. Again trying to explain this as best I can, without a lawyer to translate what they originally told us. The feedback we have received via e-mails or…



Out of Touch in California

…and put them in hotels and drive them around and feed them? We aren’t complaining (last night was the first night in ages that one of my kids didn’t pounce…



A Correction of Sorts

…country and put them in hotels and drive them around and feed them? We aren’t complaining (last night was the first night in ages that one of my kids didn’t…





Another Way for Economists to Make Money

…was becoming heavily dependent on economic arguments, has become a prolific and well-remunerated expert witness. He has built a 1300-person research shop, LECG, to feed information to him and other…




Will This Weed Really ‘Save Humanity’?

…That means environmentalists and policy makers don’t have to worry about whether jatropha diverts resources away from crops that could be used to feed people. Barta’s article also includes some…