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 | 275 | Founded | 7 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | HistorySociety & Culture | |||
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Latest Episodes
For this special crossover episode, Tim is joined by the one and only Roman Mars to discuss his new series, A History Of The United States In 100 Objects. From a safe that stayed locked away for a century to a well-intentioned milk carton that terrif... more
In the late 1970s, Yorkshire miner Chris Campbell sees something that terrifies him. The spirit of a miner who died in a collapse is calling to him. Is the ghostly figure a waking dream, a trick of the light, or something we should take altogether mo... more
This episode comes to you from Unexplained, the podcast that explores mysterious and haunting true stories.
In 2009, during the war in Afghanistan, eight marines are tasked with occupying an isolated outpost known as The Rock. For those marines, th... more
In 1612, a young woman encounters a pedlar in the British countryside. A seemingly trivial quarrel spirals into chaos when the pedlar is struck down by an unknown force, leading to one of Britain's most notorious witch trials.
Justice for Witches C... more
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I've listened to every free episode. I might have more existential anxiety and I might have more distrust of the medical system, but I've also learned a lot and I approach life and politics / history-in-the-making with more calm and more perspective!
Podcast Addict519 days agoOliegatorOutstanding pod. Great listen. 😁
Podcast Addict522 days agoAndy KGreat podcast. The stories are always interesting and well told.
Podcast Addict522 days agojtrendaBeautifully read and fascinating stories 👏
Podcast Addict523 days agoDallasI love the delivery of this podcast generally, and the episode Dumm and Dummer is absolutely priceless and hard to believe.
Podcast Addict5a month agogambrel
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Spotify | #41 |  United States/History |
Apple Podcasts | #16 | United States/History |
Spotify | #20 |  United Kingdom/History |
Spotify | #128 | United Kingdom/Trending |
Apple Podcasts | #119 | United Kingdom/Top Podcasts |
Apple Podcasts | #168 |  Canada/Top Podcasts |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cautionary Tales
What is Cautionary Tales about and what kind of topics does it cover?
Cautionary Tales combines rigorous storytelling with historical and behavioral analysis to unpack how humans bungled, misread, or manipulated systems—often with outsized consequences. Episodes weave archival voices, expert interviews, and careful research to explore disasters, hoaxes, technological missteps, and the social psychology behind risk. A standout feature is the tight narration and production that turn complex cases into accessible, morally cheeky narratives that stay with you after the credits, while maintaining a scholarly undercurrent. The show often pairs historical events with modern implications, making it appealing for listeners who enjoy learning from mistakes and understanding how institutions fail and adapt.
Noteworthy ... 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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How many subscribers and views does Cautionary Tales have?
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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. Against the Rules: Blockers Companion Podcast
5. Freakonomics Radio
How many episodes of Cautionary Tales are there?
Cautionary Tales launched 7 years ago and published 275 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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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Cautionary Tales?
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What guests have appeared on Cautionary Tales?
Recent guests on Cautionary Tales include:
1. Roman Mars
2. David Epstein
3. Robert Smith
4. Jacob Goldstein
5. Pascal Wyse
6. Maddy Pelling
7. Tom Toohey
8. Lorna Rainbow / Arnold
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.