Risky Business with Nate Silver and Maria Konnikova
Pushkin IndustriesRisky Business is a weekly podcast about making better decisions. The hosts, Maria Konnikova and Nate Silver, are both journalists who moonlight as high-stakes poker players. On Risky Business, they bring their analytical framework to everything from politics to poker to personal decisions.
Maria has a PhD in psychology and is the author of several books including, most recently, The Biggest Bluf... more
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 137 | Founded | 2 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | NewsSociety & CulturePolitics | |||
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Latest Episodes
Streamed by millions every day, porn is everywhere. It shapes our culture, our relationships, and even technology. Yet, nobody seems to know who really controls the business. The power brokers tend to lurk in the shadows, while their performers remai... more
In the final episode of Risky Business, Nate and Maria check in on the predictions they made back in January for 2025, and then talk about what they think might be in store in 2026.
For more from Nate and Maria, subscribe to their newsletters:
T... more
We look back at Nate and Maria’s interview with former professional poker player Vanessa Selbst—the only woman ever to reach the number one ranking on the Global Poker Index. They discuss her experiences playing poker, her move into the world of fina... more
Every year, the World Happiness Report comes out and the Nordic countries rejoice. Just kidding – sort of. Small, homogenous countries like Finland (2025’s happiest country) often top the list. But what does that really mean? Nate and Maria dive into... more
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Reviews
- Nate needs to do his homework
Very interesting topics and Maria and Nate are clearly both thoughtful and intelligent people, but I get the feeling like Nate is constantly “winging it.” They will have a topic and Nate will say “I don’t know anything about this” and Maria will spend time explaining it. Isn’t it a bit unprofessional to show up to your own podcast unprepared? And wouldn’t a little bit of preparation lead to much deeper and more insightful conversations? In the end, I didn’t learn anything, though I kept waiting... more
Apple Podcasts3sew2sew
United States23 days ago - That was great!
Thanks!
Apple Podcasts5Lena_1980
Germany3 months ago - Could easily be 5 stars.
Would prefer more Maria and less Nate. Maria’s points are well thought out and succinct; whereas, Nate just seems to ramble on for minutes hoping to hit the point somewhere along the way. Can’t rate higher when there is 15 minutes of these rambling each episode. Edit. Changed to 5 because the dynamics are much better lately.
Apple Podcasts5redjay66
Canada4 months ago - Risky Business Rocks
Been listening to the show for a few months. Outstanding podcast. Read Nate’s new Edge book. Great! Read Maria’s poker and con books. Both great! Keep up entertaining us with cutting edge analysis. Bravo.
Apple Podcasts5Ken Ace TenUnited States4 months ago Enjoy this quite a bit. Good insights and fresh perspective on risk-informed decisions.
Podcast Addict44 months agovasil
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #155 |  France/News/Politics |
Apple Podcasts | #79 |  Japan/News/Politics |
Apple Podcasts | #94 |  Philippines/News/Politics |
Apple Podcasts | #212 |  China/News/Politics |
Apple Podcasts | #220 |  India/News/Politics |
Apple Podcasts | #241 |  Spain/News/Politics |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Risky Business
What is Risky Business about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A weekly podcast centered around decision-making, featuring two accomplished hosts who apply their analytical skills from journalism and poker to a variety of topics including politics, personal choices, and societal trends. The conversation often merges high-stakes gambling with current events, providing a unique lens through which listeners can understand risk and strategy. The hosts' backgrounds enrich discussions, as they leverage their experiences in psychology and data analysis to unravel complex issues across different domains. This podcast appeals to audiences interested in both intellectual discourse and practical insights into decision-making processes.
Where can I find podcast stats for Risky Business?
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How many listeners does Risky Business get?
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What are the audience demographics for Risky Business?
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How many subscribers and views does Risky Business have?
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Which podcasts are similar to Risky Business?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Risky Business:
1. Against the Rules: The Big Short Companion
2. Money Stuff: The Podcast
3. Odd Lots
4. Conversations with Tyler
5. The Ezra Klein Show
How many episodes of Risky Business are there?
Risky Business launched 2 years ago and published 137 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 Risky Business?
Recent guests on Risky Business include:
1. Kelly Holland
2. Jessica (Stoya)
3. Curtis Potec
4. Vanessa Selbst
5. Matt Levine
6. Daryl Morey
7. Nate Soares
8. Nicholas Thompson
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.