Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford
Pushkin IndustriesWe 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
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 248 | Founded | 7 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | HistorySociety & Culture | |||
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Latest Episodes
Thomas Midgley's inventions caused his own death, hastened the deaths of millions of people around the world, and very nearly extinguished all life on land.
Midgley and his employers didn't set out to poison the air with leaded gasoline or wreck t... more
We usually bring you failures of the past, but today we're sharing an episode from someone who uncovers failures as they happen. Amy Westervelt is an award-winning investigative climate journalist and the host of Drilled, a true-crime climate change ... more
Part Two: When Tudor polymath John Dee meets a man who claims he can speak with angels, his path to understanding the universe suddenly becomes clear. At their instruction, the pair begin searching for the fabled philosopher's stone. But the angels g... more
In Tudor England, the line between mathematics and the mystic arts is vanishingly thin. Straddling both worlds is John Dee, a brilliant scholar and astrologer whose intellect grants him access to the highest circles of power. Dee navigates the politi... more
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Reviews
- I love cautionary tales
Really one of the best podcasts out there. Wonderful interesting stories about how the world works. Wonderfully produced as well!
Apple Podcasts5albicaulis
United States20 days ago - Top notch
One of the only podcasts that has stayed in my top three for years now. Always a story worth hearing, told expertly.
Apple Podcasts5frondofplants
Canada25 days ago I hate these "background music and storytelling" podcasts from randos who give opinions for a living, featuring themselves, with surface-level understanding of the eventd. Give me experts in the field talking about their field, not whatever this is
Podcast Addict2a month agoLen- Love this show
One of my absolute favorites. Learn a bunch of cool stuff and Tim’s voice and delivery are epic
Apple Podcasts5Labradoodle1101United Statesa month ago - Look forward to it every week.
The ad reads for Claude make me feel like Mr. Harford has been taken prisoner. That being said, the recent “ The race around the world” episodes were riveting and I look forward to a new production every week. 6 out of 5
Apple Podcasts5MikeWellsyUnited Statesa month ago
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Chart Rankings
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Spotify | #46 | United States/History |
Apple Podcasts | #43 | United States/History |
Spotify | #22 |  United Kingdom/History |
Apple Podcasts | #31 | Canada/History |
Apple Podcasts | #31 | United Kingdom/History |
Spotify | #18 |  Australia/History |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cautionary Tales
What is Cautionary Tales about and what kind of topics does it cover?
The show consistently explores historical misjudgments, organizational failures, and human psychology through richly told narratives. Episodes blend archival research, expert commentary, and case studies—from Tudor prophecy and industrial-scale franchising to aviation disasters and tech scandals—highlighting how pride, bias, and flawed risk assessment produce cautionary outcomes. A standout is the use of diverse guest voices, including historians, journalists, and practitioners, to illuminate lessons that still feel relevant to business, governance, and everyday decision-making.
Noteworthy qualities include meticulous storytelling, rigorous sourcing, and a willingness to tackle big ideas with wide-ranging historical and contemporary releva... more
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How many listeners does Cautionary Tales get?
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What are the audience demographics for Cautionary Tales?
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Which podcasts are similar to Cautionary Tales?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Cautionary Tales:
1. Revisionist History
2. 99% Invisible
3. The Last Archive
4. Freakonomics Radio
5. Against the Rules: The Big Short Companion
How many episodes of Cautionary Tales are there?
Cautionary Tales launched 7 years ago and published 248 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
How do I contact Cautionary Tales?
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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. Gilles Dutour
2. Katie Prescott
3. Ben Walter
4. Ian Breckon
5. Peter Mahn
6. Gordon Vettie
7. Peter Mulgrew
8. Martha McPhee
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.