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You Are Not So Smart

You Are Not So Smart
Quit
Decision-Making
Visual Thinking
Grit
Autism
Engineering
Sunk Cost Fallacy
Animal Behavior
Education
Science
Jonestown Mass Suicide
Conspiracy Theories
Critical Thinking
Mental Health
Richard Thaler
Daniel Kahneman
Hands-On Learning
Neurodiversity
Cognitive Styles
Punctuation

You Are Not So Smart is a show about psychology that celebrates science and self delusion. In each episode, we explore what we've learned so far about reasoning, biases, judgments, and decision-making.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes323Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Science

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Artwork for You Are Not So Smart

Latest Episodes

We sit down with Dr. Madeleine Beekman, a professor emerita of evolutionary biology and behavioral ecology at the University of Sydney, Australia, whose new book, The Origin of Language, presents a completely new and fascinating theory for how langua... more

In this episode we welcome Dr. Sarah Stein Lubrano, a political scientist who studies how cognitive dissonance affects all sorts of political behavior. She’s also the co-host of a podcast about activism called "What Do We Want?" and she wrote a book ... more

In this episode, the story of a doomsday cult who predicted the exact date and circumstances of the end of the world, and what happened when that date passed and the world did not end.

Also, we explore our drive to remain consistent via our desire t... more

Are you unhappy at your job? Are you starting to consider a change of career because of how your current work makes you feel? Do you know why? 

According to our guest in this episode, Dr. Tessa West, a psychologist at NYU, if you are currently conte... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Madeleine Beekman
Professor emerita of evolutionary biology and behavioral ecology at the University of Sydney, Australia.
University of Sydney
Episode: 326 - The Origin of Language - Madeleine Beekman
Steven Pinker
Cognitive psychologist and professor of psychology at Harvard University
Harvard University
Episode: 323 - Job Therapy - Tessa West (rebroadcast)
Dr. Tenille Porter
Assistant professor of psychology at Rowan University
Rowan University
Episode: 322 - Intellectual Humility - Tenelle Porter
Matthew Facciani
Sociologist and interdisciplinary social scientist focusing on media literacy
University of Notre Dame
Episode: 320 - Misguided - Matthew Facciani
Britt Frank
Therapist, author, and human behavior expert
Author of The Science of Stuck and The Getting Unstuck Workbook
Episode: 318 - The Intention Action Gap - Britt Frank (rebroadcast)
Sarah Stein Lubrano
Political scientist and author
Episode: 317 - Don't Talk About Politics - Sarah Stein Lubrano
Mary C. Murphy
Professor of psychology and author of Cultures of Growth
Indiana University and Stanford University
Episode: 316 - Cultures of Growth - Mary C. Murphy (rebroadcast)
Alex Edmans
Professor of finance at London Business School and author of May Contain Lies.
London Business School
Episode: 315 - May Contain Lies - Alex Edmans
Erica Chenoweth
Harvard political scientist and co-director of the Nonviolent Action Lab
Harvard University
Episode: 313 - The 3.5 Percent Rule - Erica Chenoweth

Host

David McRaney
Host of discussions about psychology, reasoning, and self-delusion, engaging with experts across various fields to share insights and personal stories.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 3.4k ratings
  • But You Will Be Smarter For Listening

    David does a fantastic job of illuminating many aspects of the way the human brain works and doesn’t work. Some listeners are critical of his left H political comments, but compared to other academics I have listened to and read, he keeps politics out of it except when the topic is closely tied to politics or United States culture. I personally enjoyed and benefitted greatly from the episodes which discuss logical fallacies. David makes learning fun

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NutellaOnMelbaToast
    United Statesa month ago
  • Everybody should listen

    This honestly is one of my favorite podcasts! I’m a psych nerd too but I wish more people would listen and learn about these concepts. The topics are pertinent and really helps me make sense of the people around me.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Crazykrizzy
    United States2 months ago
  • Always learning how not do smart I am

    Great show, always love it, always entertained, always enlightened, always impressed.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    goorooo
    Canada3 months ago
  • Can’t recommend More Highly

    David McRaney is a genius. Even better, he’s a humble genius who asks great questions toward the goal of making us all wiser.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Moshe b Abraham
    United States5 months ago
  • One of my new favorite podcasts

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Aurorespera
    6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall, the podcast is seen as a valuable resource for understanding human cognition and societal issues, contributing significantly to listener knowledge and perspective.
Many reviewers highlight the engaging nature of discussions, although there are some critiques regarding the host's interjections during interviews.
Listeners appreciate the thought-provoking content and the expert interviews that often lead them to further reading and personal growth.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#180
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#212
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#225
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#123
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#60
South Africa/Science
Apple Podcasts
#89
Israel/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

326 - The Origin of Language - Madeleine Beekman
Q: Is language mostly acquired or is it innate?
There is no gene for language; instead, language emerges innately in any highly social species with sufficiently large brains.
326 - The Origin of Language - Madeleine Beekman
Q: Why did our ancestors decide to walk on two legs?
The prevailing theory suggests environmental changes led our ancestors to adopt bipedalism, despite the risks associated with predation.
326 - The Origin of Language - Madeleine Beekman
Q: What came first, these big brains or sociality?
Beekman discusses how bipedalism led to social cooperation, which was essential for survival, highlighting that social dynamics likely preceded the development of larger brains.
323 - Job Therapy - Tessa West (rebroadcast)
Q: What happens when two or more people have common knowledge that alters the way we make complementary choices?
When common knowledge becomes explicit, it can lead individuals to adjust their behaviors in accordance with the shared understanding of their relationship or the social norms in place.
323 - Job Therapy - Tessa West (rebroadcast)
Q: What does it mean for two people to be friends?
Being friends involves each person knowing that the other knows about their friendship, creating a mutual understanding without formal contracts.

Audience Metrics

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions About You Are Not So Smart

What is You Are Not So Smart about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast offers an engaging exploration of psychology, particularly focusing on the complexities of reasoning, judgment, and decision-making. Each episode features discussions with experts from various fields, delving into subjects like mental health, cognitive biases, social psychology, and the impacts of misinformation. Unique in its approach, the show combines personal stories with scientific insights, often addressing contemporary issues while encouraging listeners to think critically about their own beliefs and decisions. Noteworthy is its emphasis on self-delusion and the intricate ways our minds work, making it a thought-provoking choice for anyone interested in psychology and human behavior.

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Which podcasts are similar to You Are Not So Smart?

These podcasts share a similar audience with You Are Not So Smart:

1. Science Vs
2. Hidden Brain
3. Freakonomics Radio
4. Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford
5. The Gray Area with Sean Illing

How many episodes of You Are Not So Smart are there?

You Are Not So Smart launched 14 years ago and published 323 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 You Are Not So Smart?

Recent guests on You Are Not So Smart include:

1. Madeleine Beekman
2. Steven Pinker
3. Dr. Tenille Porter
4. Matthew Facciani
5. Britt Frank
6. Sarah Stein Lubrano
7. Mary C. Murphy
8. Alex Edmans

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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