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EconTalk

Russ Roberts
Artificial Intelligence
Israel
Hamas
Economics
Education
Gaza
Happiness
Parenting
Psychology
Decision-Making
United States
Industrial Policy
Intuition
Opera
VAR
Football
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Public Health
Birds
Mohammed Bin Salman

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes1059Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationCoursesSocial SciencesScience

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Artwork for EconTalk

Latest Episodes

What happens when a poet who survived prison sits down with the world's oldest war story--and reads it in three sleepless, wandering days? In this second episode of the EconTalk Book Club on the Iliad, Dwayne Betts and EconTalk host Russ Roberts trad... more

A nylon stocking filled with sawdust that grows grass for hair launched one of the most successful toy companies in the world. Ronnen Harary, co-founder of Spin Master and co-creator of Paw Patrol, talks about his book No Experience Necessary with Ec... more

Ego, pride, wrath, fear, gods, superheroes, mortals, and lots of killing. Welcome to Homer's Iliad, which reads at times like a script for a Tarantino film or the latest installment of the Avengers franchise. In the first episode of the EconTalk Book... more

What if the surgery that fixed your knee did no better than fake surgery? EconTalk host Russ Roberts speaks with Dr. John Mandrola about a striking clinical trial in which patients who received sham knee surgery (a real incision, but no actual repair... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Recent Guests

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)
Rowan Jacobsen
Author of In Defense of Sunlight
Author, In Defense of Sunlight
Episode: The Case for Sunshine (with Rowan Jacobsen)
Luke Burgis
Author of The One and the Ninety-Nine; discusses social contagion and identity
Author, The One and the Ninety-Nine
Episode: The Self, the Crowd, and Social Contagion (with Luke Burgis)
Benjamin Todd
Founder of 80,000 Hours; author of the book 80,000 Hours, How to Have a Fulfilling Career That Does Good
80,000 Hours
Episode: Making Your 80,000 Hours Count (with Benjamin Todd)
Sebastian Junger
Author and journalist known for The Perfect Storm, Tribe, and In My Time of Dying
Author and journalist
Episode: Facing Death (with Sebastian Junger)
Aled Maclean-Jones
Writer, author of The Last Useful Man essay
Rake's Digress (Substack)
Episode: Tom Cruise's Body of Work (with Aled Maclean-Jones)
David Epstein
Author of Inside the Box, How Constraints Make Us Better
Author, Inside the Box
Episode: Thinking Inside the Box (with David Epstein)
Gary Belsky
Author of Solo Golf, former ESPN The Magazine editor
Author, Solo Golf; ESPN The Magazine
Episode: Golfing Alone (with Gary Belsky)

Host

Russell Roberts
Host of the program, known for guiding in-depth conversations with guests across economics, science, and public life.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 6.5k ratings
  • 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 Statesa month ago
  • One of my favourite episodes

    Podcast Addict
    5
    sean
    2 months ago
  • Always interesting

    Always interesting

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    C_L3K
    United States4 months ago
  • Used to be

    This used to be a great podcast. Now just pro Israel propaganda media. So sad.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    R3hauer
    United States4 months ago
  • I was too harsh in my last review

    It’s like Conversations with Tyler but the host is dumber.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Bellinater
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The host steers thoughtful, authentic conversations with fantastic guests.
Some episodes attract strong critique around perceived political stances and topic choices.
Listeners value the deep, idea-forward discussions and multidisciplinary approach.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Case for Sunshine (with Rowan Jacobsen)
Q: Why did sunscreen not end the skin cancer epidemic according to the discussion?
Sunscreen use tracks with sun exposure and, in some older formulations, blocked UVB but not UVA, which may contribute to melanoma risk; higher SPF without broad spectrum coverage and behavioral factors also complicate the impact.
The Case for Sunshine (with Rowan Jacobsen)
Q: What's the central idea of the book Rowan?
The central idea is that enough science now exists to reconsider sun exposure recommendations; past wisdom on sun exposure no longer accurately reflects what we know, and moderate sun exposure can have health benefits alongside its risks.
Thinking Inside the Box (with David Epstein)
Q: Can you explain the story of Mendeleev and how it illustrates the power of constraints versus the myth of complete freedom?
Mendeleev constrained the problem to make a classroom-friendly, logical organization, which revealed underlying patterns and led to accurate predictions, showing that boundaries can unlock rather than limit discovery.
Thinking Inside the Box (with David Epstein)
Q: What's the main idea of Inside the Box and what role do constraints play in creativity and productivity?
Constraints focus attention, prompt smarter trade-offs, and guide effort toward meaningful goals, which can boost creativity and efficiency rather than restrict it.
Golfing Alone (with Gary Belsky)
Q: Why is solo golf valuable beyond the sport itself?
It reveals how self-consciousness, expectations, and external judgment shape performance, and teaches being present, forgiving oneself, and applying mindfulness to other areas of life.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About EconTalk

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

Thoughtful, wide-ranging conversations with leading thinkers across economics, science, technology, history, philosophy, and public life. Topics span mortality and consciousness, AI governance and policy, innovation and business history, education and labor markets, and cultural narratives that shape global affairs. The host steers rigorous, often unpacking complex ideas with guests who blend scholarly depth with accessible storytelling, producing episodes that reward careful listening and intellectual curiosity. The show's notable strengths lie in its patient dialogue, willingness to challenge assumptions, and a roster of guests who are both rigorous and engaging, making it a strong fit for listeners who enjoy long-form, idea-forward discu... more

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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. GoodFellows: Conversations on Economics, History & Geopolitics
4. Uncommon Knowledge
5. GLoP Culture

How many episodes of EconTalk are there?

EconTalk launched 20 years ago and published 1059 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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What guests have appeared on EconTalk?

Recent guests on EconTalk include:

1. John Mandrola
2. Philip Auerswald
3. Rowan Jacobsen
4. Luke Burgis
5. Benjamin Todd
6. Sebastian Junger
7. Aled Maclean-Jones
8. David Epstein

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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