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EconTalk

Russ Roberts
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Israel
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United States
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EconTalk: Conversations for the Curious is an award-winning weekly podcast hosted by Russ Roberts of Shalem College in Jerusalem and Stanford's Hoover Institution. The eclectic guest list includes authors, doctors, psychologists, historians, philosophers, economists, and more. Learn how the health care system really works, the serenity that comes from humility, the challenge of interpreting data, ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes1070Founded21 years ago
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CoursesEducationScienceSocial Sciences

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Latest Episodes

Why do we keep doing things we know we shouldn't? And is that really a failure of will? Author Meghan O'Gieblyn spent years trying to answer that question, first in response to her struggle with alcoholism and her loss of faith, and then by means of ... more

Before you give the government new powers, try the Munger Test: cross out "government" and insert the name of the politician you trust least. Then see if you still like the idea. In his 52nd EconTalk appearance, Mike Munger talks with host Russ Rober... more

Are we living in the new Dark Ages? Despite vast technological advances, our societies are increasingly looking like those that preceded the advent of literacy. So argues journalist James Marriott, who sees in our abandonment of reading a threat to d... more

Incentives matter, sure. But what should you do when following the incentives means quietly participating in something wrong? Psychologist Adam Mastroianni argues that obeying bad incentives--shading a headline for clicks, keeping the found wallet be... more

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Recent Guests

Adam Kirsch
Senior editor at The Atlantic, author of We Want to Believe
The Atlantic
Episode: Are We Alone? Cosmic Loneliness and the Longing to Believe (with Adam Kirsch)
Ben Southwood
Founder/editor and researcher; expert on the topic discussed
Works in Progress, Create Streets, Housing and Policy Exchange
Episode: The Hidden Cause of the Industrial Revolution (with Ben Southwood)
Ben Sasse
Former US Senator and former President of the University of Florida
University of Florida; Senator, Nebraska
Episode: Ben Sasse on Faith, Family, and Facing Death
Hussein Aboubakr Mansour
Author; affiliated with JINSA; substack author of Abrahamic Metacritique
JINSA (Jewish Institute for National Security of America)
Episode: The Political Economy of Palestine (with Hussein Aboubakr Mansour)
Cal Flyn
Author and journalist
Author of The Savage Landscape
Episode: Savage Landscapes (with Cal Flyn)
Ronnen Harary
Entrepreneur, television and film producer, co-founder of Spin Master
Spin Master
Episode: From Sawdust to Paw Patrol: The Spin Master Story (with Ronnen Harary)
Ido Hevroni
Colleague at Shalem College who teaches the Iliad and Odyssey
Shalem College
Episode: EconTalk Book Club on the Iliad (with Ido Hevroni)
John Mandrola
Cardiac electrophysiologist
Sensible Medicine (Substack)
Episode: Do Less, Heal More: The Case for Medical Conservatism (with John Mandrola)
Philip Auerswald
Economist and author of A Phone is a Cow
George Mason University
Episode: Can a Phone Be a Cow? (with Philip Auerswald)

Host

Russ Roberts
Host of EconTalk; guides discussion with a focus on humility, clear thinking, and open inquiry.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 6.5k ratings
  • Absolute trash

    I came expecting a analytical discussion of markets in the “emerging order” episode. Rather than an evaluation of supply and demand or discussing principles that could be at play, I received over an hour of bloviation and wonderment amongst three individuals engaged in capitalism worship, almost none of which was disagreement or valuable point/counter point. This episode was merely a platform for anti-regulation (which I am not a fan of by the way). If you’re looking for content aimed at expandi... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    ChaseReadSomeBooks
    United Statesa month ago
  • Ben Sasse

    Perhaps the very best interview of all the many conducted by Russ Roberts. Intelligent, philosophical and humbling.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    OBSCOM
    United States2 months ago
  • Superb podcast

    Russ routinely brings interesting guests and does a great job engaging. Truly conversations for the curious. Thanks!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Taptapppy
    United States2 months ago
  • Intriguing topics

    But why not focus on different walks of sociey, for a change, when discussing societal themes. Your target audience can still be the educated and/ well-heeled, but please introduce more anecdotes from and about diverse audiences.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Workforce Consultant
    United States3 months ago
  • What’s the appeal?

    I don’t really understand the appeal of this podcast. I’ve tried. But I find the host less intelligent and competent than he seems to believe himself to be. A lot of faux profundity. A misplaced sense of self-importance.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    NicolasAJD
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Consistent quality and breadth of topics; highly recommended for listeners seeking substantive conversations.
Some listeners feel the discussions can be slow but rigorously reasoned.
Teases out big ideas with thoughtful guests and civil discourse.
Guests bring deep expertise; host guides with curiosity and humility.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#2
United States/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts
#63
United States/Education
Apple Podcasts
#2
Canada/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts
#10
United Kingdom/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts
#73
Canada/Education
Apple Podcasts
#171
United Kingdom/Education

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Hidden Cause of the Industrial Revolution (with Ben Southwood)
Q: How did the reform affect incentives for innovation and capital accumulation?
By reallocating and consolidating property rights and allowing mortgageable, tradable, or more easily investable estates, Parliament created conditions for farmers to invest in improvements, adopt new crops, and fund infrastructure, which in turn spurred technological progress and broader industrial development.
The Hidden Cause of the Industrial Revolution (with Ben Southwood)
Q: Why did Parliament move in this direction, expanding rights and enabling investment in land and infrastructure?
Parliament acted as a representative body for landowners to resolve long-standing rights problems, unlock investment in land, and create a framework that could coordinate across many small holdings. This allowed larger, more productive farming and the financing of roads, canals, and other public goods, ultimately boosting productivity and growth.
Savage Landscapes (with Cal Flyn)
Q: Did you feel anything at Mount Sinai?
Cal recalls feelings of amazement and aesthetic appreciation rather than a definitive transcendence, noting moments of realization during research, and explains how famous wilderness sites can become crowd-managed or touristy, which can dilute the sincerity of personal epiphanies.
Savage Landscapes (with Cal Flyn)
Q: Two questions. First, describe what historically human beings have turned to the wilderness to commune with the divine or something transcendent.
Cal describes Sinai and other sacred landscapes as opening sequences that show wilderness as a site for transcendence across religions, with early literature like the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Ramayana illustrating this perennial search for enlightenment and meaning in wild places.
EconTalk Book Club on the Iliad (with Ido Hevroni)
Q: Why should a thoughtful reader engage with the Iliad?
The guest argues the Iliad is foundational to Western culture and a source for understanding heroism, moral complexity, and the roots of Western storytelling, offering a framework to analyze leadership, fate, and human emotion in ways that resonate today.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About EconTalk

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

Thoughtful, long-form conversations across economics, science, history, philosophy, and public policy. Guests range from economists and authors to doctors and journalists, with a strong emphasis on evidence, critical thinking, and humility in exploring big ideas. The show often blends rigorous analysis with personal storytelling, drawing out policy implications, ethical questions, and practical insights for professionals and curious listeners alike. A standout trait is the host's ability to guide deep, nuanced dialogue while remaining open to opposing viewpoints, making it a likely magnet for listeners who enjoy intellectual curiosity and civil debate.

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Which podcasts are similar to EconTalk?

These podcasts share a similar audience with EconTalk:

1. Conversations with Tyler
2. The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg
3. Uncommon Knowledge
4. Dwarkesh Podcast
5. The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie

How many episodes of EconTalk are there?

EconTalk launched 21 years ago and published 1070 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 EconTalk?

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What guests have appeared on EconTalk?

Recent guests on EconTalk include:

1. Adam Kirsch
2. Ben Southwood
3. Ben Sasse
4. Hussein Aboubakr Mansour
5. Cal Flyn
6. Ronnen Harary
7. Ido Hevroni
8. John Mandrola

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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