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Artwork for Cautionary Tales

Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford

Pushkin Industries
Wernher Von Braun
Nazi Germany
World War II
Tenerife Airport Disaster
V2 Rocket
Torrey Canyon
George Washington
Peenemünde
Rocketry
Missile Technology
Concentration Camps
Happiness Lab
American Dream
HMS Association
Captain Pastrengo Ruggiati
Martin Luther King Jr.
Gerald Ratner
A4 Rocket
Aiming and Aerodynamics
Rest and Holidays

We tell our children unsettling fairy tales to teach them valuable lessons, but these Cautionary Tales are for the education of the grown ups – and they are all true. Tim Harford (Financial Times, BBC, author of “The Data Detective”) brings you stories of awful human error, tragic catastrophes, and hilarious fiascos. They'll delight you, scare you, but also make you wiser. New episodes every Frida... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes206Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistorySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Cautionary Tales

Latest Episodes

Was the fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel - the story of a woodcutter’s children abandoned in the woods and left at the mercy of a witch - in fact, early true crime? A hit book - The Truth About Hansel and Gretel - said that historical records pointed ... more

Last week, Cautionary Tales told the tragic story of Derek Bentley, exploring Britain's troubled relationship with capital punishment. Across the Atlantic, Revisionist History has also been scrutinizing what it means for a state to try to execute a p... more

An amateurish burglary in 1950s London ends in murder. One of the men involved is a 19-year-old named Derek Bentley. Bentley has the understanding of a child - and he wasn't the killer. But the British justice system seems determined to deliver the d... more

In 1983, a plane takes off from Ottawa with less than half the required fuel on board. As the engines cut out one by one, the pilot is left with a ticking clock and an impossible task. But what does a tale of an unusual plane crash have in common wit... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Jonathan Goldstein
Host of Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Episode: The Canal, the Crash and the Ketamine - Pushkin's Reign of Error
Sheila Hetti
Author known for her book Motherhood
Episode: The Canal, the Crash and the Ketamine - Pushkin's Reign of Error
Sam Jones
European security correspondent at the Financial Times
Financial Times
Episode: Schrödinger's Spy: Businessman, Fraud, or Russian Agent? - with Sam Jones
Arvind Ethan David
Author and speaker, known for his work related to Douglas Adams
Episode: Don't Panic! Douglas Adams' Guide to Tomorrow - with Arvind Ethan David
Sam Bankman-Fried
Former billionaire and founder of FTX and Alameda Research
FTX
Episode: Grand Theft Automated: How to Save a Trillion Lives
Will MacAskill
Philosopher and Effective Altruism advocate
Centre for Effective Altruism
Episode: Grand Theft Automated: How to Save a Trillion Lives
Peter Singer
Philosopher and author known for work on ethics and effective altruism
Episode: Grand Theft Automated: How to Save a Trillion Lives
Michael Lewis
Author and journalist, wrote "Going Infinite"
Episode: Grand Theft Automated: How to Save a Trillion Lives
Rachel Botsman
Trust expert, author, and lecturer at Oxford University
Pushkin Industries
Episode: Would You Trust a Gangster Nanny? - Cautionary Questions with Rachel Botsman

Host

Tim Harford
Host and writer known for presenting compelling stories centered around historical figures and events, emphasizing human error and the lessons learned from them.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 12.8k ratings
  • Hi

    I really love the podcast and keep up the hard work

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mave dalts
    Canadaa month ago
  • Great listening

    Podcast Addict
    4
    Travis
    a month ago
  • Master storyteller

    Tim can make the most mundane seeming topic absolutely fascinating. From structural engineering to aerodynamics to the suffragette movement. Don’t listen to the naysayers - this podcast is exceptionally well produced.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    foxido
    United Statesa month ago
  • Fascinating and fun!

    Very thorough research and captivating topics.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pang Dynasty
    Canada2 months ago
  • Impressive story telling

    Tim’s tone and cadence is mesmerizing, keeping me on the edge of my seat at every turn. Love it.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RenMign09
    Canada2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

A few have expressed concerns over political undertones and the perceived commercialization of the content.
Many are drawn to the podcast's unique concept of integrating cautionary tales with real events, enhancing its compelling nature.
Overall, the majority laud the storytelling quality and Tim Harford's engaging presentation style.
Listeners appreciate the well-researched narratives that combine humor and educational insights.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Spotify
#36
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#15
United States/History
Spotify
#22
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#141
United Kingdom/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#156
Canada/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#6
Canada/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Canal, the Crash and the Ketamine - Pushkin's Reign of Error
Q: Nate, are there any decisions lately that you didn't make and now you're just experiencing a sense of regret?
Nate reflected on a past poker hand where he didn't make a call which is now a source of ongoing regret.
Schrödinger's Spy: Businessman, Fraud, or Russian Agent? - with Sam Jones
Q: Are there any spy stories you can briefly share that do not involve the subject of Agent of Chaos?
Sam shares his experiences covering security and defense, particularly during significant geopolitical events like the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Don't Panic! Douglas Adams' Guide to Tomorrow - with Arvind Ethan David
Q: What did Douglas Adams do to support gorillas in conservation?
He actively worked on a strategic plan to save mountain gorillas and personally sought funding from wealthy individuals to address their conservation.
Don't Panic! Douglas Adams' Guide to Tomorrow - with Arvind Ethan David
Q: Do you think a better internet was possible?
Douglas Adams believed in thinking about regulation and guardrails regarding the internet and technological advancements.
Don't Panic! Douglas Adams' Guide to Tomorrow - with Arvind Ethan David
Q: What did Adams think social media could be?
He imagined a crowd-sourced platform that emphasized editorial contribution and fact-checking, much like a friendly version of social media.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cautionary Tales

What is Cautionary Tales about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring stories that straddle the line between cautionary and entertaining, this series presents true tales of human error, misjudgment, and catastrophic consequences. Each episode is anchored by a compelling narrative that sheds light on fascinating historical figures and pivotal moments, revealing lessons that resonate with contemporary audiences. Tim Harford's storytelling engages listeners with a blend of humor and gravitas, making serious subjects approachable while underscoring their significance. The content spans a diverse range of themes, from medical controversies to legendary disasters, appealing to those interested in historical context as a means to understand modern dilemmas.

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How many listeners does Cautionary Tales get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Cautionary Tales?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Cautionary Tales:

1. Revisionist History: The Alabama Murders
2. 99% Invisible
3. The Last Archive
4. Against the Rules: The Big Short Companion
5. More or Less

How many episodes of Cautionary Tales are there?

Cautionary Tales launched 6 years ago and published 206 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Cautionary Tales?

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What guests have appeared on Cautionary Tales?

Recent guests on Cautionary Tales include:

1. Jonathan Goldstein
2. Sheila Hetti
3. Sam Jones
4. Arvind Ethan David
5. Sam Bankman-Fried
6. Will MacAskill
7. Peter Singer
8. Michael Lewis

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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