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Artwork for Cautionary Tales

Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes218Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistorySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Cautionary Tales

Latest Episodes

At the start of the 20th century, Britain was slowly becoming a freer place for women. Young Grace Oakeshott seized every opportunity to learn and improve the world around her - though she found those opportunities frustratingly narrow. One day, she ... more

Ever wished you could be a fly on the wall while Cautionary Tales is being made? Now you can.

We just launched the Cautionary Club - our new Patreon community for Cautionary Tales fans who want to go deeper. If you sign up before the end of the yea... more

According to the science, it really is better to give than receive. Donating a dollar; sharing a kind word or lending someone a hand changes lives, but can also hugely boost your happiness. So we're teaming up with other podcasts from Hidden Brain to... more

In 1912, a fossil discovery shakes the scientific world. Piltdown Man is the elusive missing link between humans and their ape-like ancestors. Forty years later, a researcher at the Natural History Museum gets a chance to see the relic for himself an... more

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Recent Guests

Tim Harford
Respected journalist and economist
Financial Times, BBC
Episode: How to Experience the Joy of Giving Right Now: A Giving Tuesday Special from The Happiness Lab
JR Martinez
Army veteran who became a TV actor and host of Medal of Honor
Episode: How to Experience the Joy of Giving Right Now: A Giving Tuesday Special from The Happiness Lab
Michael Lewis
Best-selling author and host of podcast Against the Rules
Episode: How to Experience the Joy of Giving Right Now: A Giving Tuesday Special from The Happiness Lab
Dr. Maya Shankar
Psychologist and host of A Slight Change of Plans
Episode: How to Experience the Joy of Giving Right Now: A Giving Tuesday Special from The Happiness Lab
Katie Milchman
Professor at Wharton School and host of the podcast Choiceology
Episode: How to Experience the Joy of Giving Right Now: A Giving Tuesday Special from The Happiness Lab
Joe Robertson
Co-writer of the play Kyoto
Episode: Kyoto: The Battle that Defined Climate Politics - with Joe Robertson
Ashley Hamer
Managing editor of curiosity.com and co-host of Curiosity Daily
Curiosity
Episode: Presenting: Twenty Thousand Hertz
Maria Konnikova
Psychologist and journalist
Risky Business
Episode: The Canal, the Crash and the Ketamine - Pushkin's Reign of Error
Nate Silver
Statistician and journalist
Risky Business
Episode: The Canal, the Crash and the Ketamine - Pushkin's Reign of Error

Host

Tim Harford
Respected journalist and economist, known for weaving narratives around complex themes. He brings a wealth of knowledge in economics, data analysis, and societal themes, combined with a knack for storytelling that captivates his audience.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 12.9k ratings
  • A Favorite Podcast Publishes a Puzzling Episode

    I love this show and look forward to every episode! However, this latest two-part series about the treasure hunt left me wondering why this particular story deserved so much attention. There was some mention of cognitive biases towards the end of Part 2, but that hardly seemed enough to motivate all the work that must have gone into this story. I don’t really get it.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Podcast Evangelist
    United Statesa month ago
  • Too many ads

    Podcast Addict
    3
    bobbywego
    a month ago
  • It became podcast

    I truly LOVED C.T.

    Is was a story. A superbly researched story.

    I listened to it to be lifted into a narrative, where all other podcast just want to be long radio shows with long interviews.

    I stopped listening to ‘cautionary conversations’ and started listening to Noiser instead… A great balance between story and interview.

    You had it all… journalism, atmosphere, narrative,…

    It’s still good. But it used to be amazing. Why on earth would you want to be more like the other 1 million podcasts ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    scam_alert-123456
    Belgiuma month ago
  • Excellent. Look forward to every episode. Less keen on the interviews, though.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    vasil
    a month ago
  • 🙂

    I love every episode and I think you haven’t found the right episode if you don’t like it and also I only listen to one other podcast which is absolutely no competition. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to listen to podcasts that are actually good

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    review 3254
    United Kingdoma month ago

Listeners Say

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

Feedback often highlights the deep research and insightful commentary, making it a go-to for those interested in learning from past mistakes.
Some listeners express a desire for less focus on certain contemporary figures or opinions they feel are polarizing, yet generally regard the content highly for its quality.
Listeners appreciate the engaging storytelling and the way complex topics are presented in an entertaining manner.
There is a strong emphasis on authentic storytelling that intertwines personal experiences with broader themes in history and psychology.

Chart Rankings

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

Spotify
#37
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#36
United States/History
Spotify
#22
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#246
United Kingdom/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#23
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#24
Canada/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Kyoto: The Battle that Defined Climate Politics - with Joe Robertson
Q: What does Santa tell the conference and how does Don deal with him?
Santa communicates that human emissions are influencing global climate, which Don undermines through disinformation tactics.
Kyoto: The Battle that Defined Climate Politics - with Joe Robertson
Q: How did you come across this story and what convinced you of the dramatic potential?
We had an interest in polarization and stumbled on the story of Kyoto, realizing it spoke to divided societies and showcased the difficulties of reaching agreement.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Cautionary Tales

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

Offering a unique blend of storytelling and analysis, engaging narratives revolve around true stories of human error, missteps, and the lessons learned through catastrophic events. Topics range from historical events to contemporary dilemmas, ensuring listeners are both entertained and educated. The host draws upon rich historical contexts and personal anecdotes, making complex ideas accessible and engaging. Each episode serves as a cautionary tale, shedding light on the pitfalls of human decision-making while offering insights into resilience and growth in the face of adversity.

This podcast likely captivates an audience keen on history, sociology, and psychology, intertwining humor and serious reflection in its storytelling approach.

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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?

To see how many followers or subscribers Cautionary Tales has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Cautionary Tales?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Cautionary Tales:

1. Revisionist History
2. The Last Archive
3. 99% Invisible
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 218 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Cautionary Tales?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Cautionary Tales from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Cautionary Tales?

Recent guests on Cautionary Tales include:

1. Tim Harford
2. JR Martinez
3. Michael Lewis
4. Dr. Maya Shankar
5. Katie Milchman
6. Joe Robertson
7. Ashley Hamer
8. Maria Konnikova

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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