Best Behaviouraleconomics Podcasts (2024)

1
Playing the Gene Game: On Genomics, Insurance, and Game Theory | with Eduardo Azevedo 28:48

9d ago28:48

28:48

In this episode, we discuss with Eduardo Azevedo his research on adverse selection in insurance markets. Eduardo gives details on recent developments in genomic advances, also in light of the significant price decrease for obtaining the individual genome. We discuss the possible long-term effect on the insurance market (e.g. specific health insuran…

1
The Science of Mental Health 46:46

17d ago46:46

46:46

What can monkeys drinking fruit juice teach us about mental health? How does the placebo effect really work? Are magic mushrooms the silver bullet for treating mental illness? In this episode, James talks to Camilla Nord who leads Cambridge Universitys Mental Health Neuroscience Lab.By James Healy

1
Explaining Loss Aversion using Game Theoretic models | with Greg Kubitz 23:14

23d ago23:14

23:14

In this episode, we discuss with Greg Kubitz his research on loss aversion. Greg shares his research in which he targets to explain loss aversion using Game Theoretic approaches. He combines approaches such as the principal agent model to be able to look at loss aversion through the evolutionary lens considering realistic assumptions on biological …

1
Neurobollocks 54:59

1M ago54:59

54:59

Have you ever heard that we only use 10% of our brains? That the brain's right hemisphere is creative and the left hemisphere is logical? Or that we all have a lizard brain, a mammal brain, and a human brain? All of these statements have one thing in common....they're #neurobollocks. In this episode, James talks to UCL Neuroscientist Joe Devlin abo…

1
Us vs. Them: Experiments on group identity| with Yan Chen 32:15

1M ago32:15

32:15

In this episode, we engage with Yan Chen to unravel the underlying mechanisms of group identity and group discrimination. Yan discusses her research on ingroup favoritism. We learn how ingroup favoritism can occur even in assigned, artificial groups, and that people with a strong group identity even have a willingness to pay to shield themselves fr…

1
Game Theory Goes to School: Strategic Decisions in Young Minds | with Isabelle Brocas 31:48

2M ago31:48

31:48

In this episode, we explore the fascinating intersection of developmental psychology and economic theory through the lens of children's strategic decision-making abilities: Our discussion focuses on how the evolving capacities of children's brains influence their ability to engage in complex strategic thoughts. Our guest Isabelle Brocas shares the …

1
Playing for a Better Society: Game Theory and Civic Responsibility | with Tore Ellingsen 25:28

2M ago25:28

25:28

In this episode, we delve into the complex world of fostering civic responsibility. Our guest Tore Ellingsen explains how the interplay of regulation, personal sacrifice, and culture can build socially responsible societies or organisations. The conversation is rooted in the perspectives offered in Tore’s recent book, "Institutional and Organizatio…

1
To click or not to click: can we trust sponsored search results? | with Maarten Janssen 28:07

3M ago28:07

28:07

In this episode, our guest Maarten Janssen helps us to explore the field of consumer (online) search. We discuss why economists are particularly interested in this topic and explore the reliability and dynamics of sponsored search results, uncovering the nuances and implications of these prevalent online phenomena. The insights from Maarten’s resea…

1
Discouraging consumption of sin goods – taxes versus nudges | with Dmitry Taubinsky 36:30

3M ago36:30

36:30

In this episode, we explore with Dmitry Taubinsky economic approaches on regulating sin goods such as alcohol or sugary beverages. We discuss the classical approach of taxation and Dmitry compares the approach to nudging approaches. Our discussion leads us into many further economic details: From externalities and internalities, over the question w…

1
Hidden Games: Exploring the rationality of irrational choices | with Moshe Hoffman 27:23

4M ago27:23

27:23

In this episode, we explore the often misunderstood relationship between game theory and human behaviour. Our guest Moshe Hoffman challenges the conventional belief that game theory only applies to rational actors. As Moshe explains in his book “Hidden games” (co-authored with Erez Yoeli), even seemingly irrational behaviours and preferences can be…

1
Avoid sending mixed signals! – signalling in negotiations and beyond | with Uri Gneezy 22:31

4M ago22:31

22:31

In this episode we are talking to Uri Gneezy about his latest book publication “Mixed Signals – How Incentives Really Work”. He explains to us what mixed signals are and makes us aware that we encounter them far more frequently than one would expect. We deep dive into the topic in the context of negotiations where signaling plays a major role. Uri …

1
The Economist's Brain: Tracing Choices with Neuroeconomic Insights | with Juan D. Carrillo 27:26

5M ago27:26

27:26

In this episode, we explore together with our guest Juan D. Carrillo the confluence of economics and neuroscience in understanding human decision-making processes. We delve into how the combination of these two disciplines can illuminate the biological basis of decision making, with a particular focus on complex scenarios like multi-task decision m…

1
Feeding America – allocating food to food banks with innovative market mechanisms | with Canice Prendergast 38:15

5M ago38:15

38:15

In this episode, we discuss with Canice Prendergast how market design mechanisms can be applied in social services. Canice shares how he collaborated with Feeding America on optimally allocating about 300 million pounds of food per year to hundreds of food banks across the United States. They were developing a market-based allocation mechanism intr…

1
Does opaque AI lead to a catastrophe? – a Game Theorist’s view | with Jeffrey Ely 35:41

5M ago35:41

35:41

In this episode, we discuss with Jeff Ely a topic that has gotten significant public attention last year with the introduction of Chat GPT and similar programmes: The role of AI. Jeff shares his research with Balazs Szentes on a natural selection model on AI. They set up a model to study the AI control problem in the context of decentralized econom…

1
Split or Steal? Experiments on lies and self-deception | with Marta Serra-Garcia 33:14

6M ago33:14

33:14

In this episode, we explore with Marta Serra-Garcia the paradoxes of human behavior in the realms of self-deception and lie detection. Marta's research, rooted in behavioral and experimental economics, questions why lying persists in a society that values morality. We delve into her experiments that examine how people reconcile their self-image wit…

1
Start At The End 56:15

6M ago56:15

56:15

Every organisation, including yours, is in the business of behaviour change. But is your organisation willing to try new ideas, test and learn, experiment? In this episode, James talks to author and behavioural science pioneer Matt Wallaert about Don Draper, Steve Jobs, actuaries, toddlers, and the power of humility. There's even a bit of David Att…

1
Fortune's Fairness: The Super-Rich's View on Inequality | with Alain Cohn 40:44

6M ago40:44

40:44

In this episode, our guest Alain Cohn helps us to understand the complex relationship between wealth and perceptions of fairness in society. We explore his innovative research methodology, which move beyond traditional surveys to more accurately reflect the nuances of economic behaviors. The conversation also highlights the differences in attitudes…

1
Union negotiators are Game Theorists – 2023 UAW strike and its outcomes | with Marc Robinson 29:29

7M ago29:29

29:29

In this episode, our guest Marc Robinson, strategy and risk management expert, shares details on the recent UAW strikes and negotiations. With his rich background in the automotive industry and his experience as an economist at General Motors in the past, Marc observed the recent negotiations from a Game Theorist perspective. He shares the key succ…

1
(Nuclear) Deterrence as a Game Theoretic concept | with Frank Zagare 15:17

7M ago15:17

15:17

In this episode we are talking to Frank Zagare about deterrence. The term gained popularity in particular during the cold war to describe the role of nuclear weapons in Soviet-American relations and, in light of recent events, has surfaced again. Together with Frank we look at the concept from a Game Theoretic perspective and discuss the shortcomin…

1
Would you return a lost wallet? – Economist’s perspective on honesty | with Michel Maréchal 26:44

8M ago26:44

26:44

In this episode we are talking to Michel Maréchal about honesty from an economist’s perspective. He shares with us two studies he has conducted on honesty: Firstly, we talk about a mega-study in which Michel and his colleagues have tested in more than 300 cities around the globe with more than 17000 wallets whether people would rather return lost w…

1
The Power of No 48:04

8M ago48:04

48:04

No. Non. Não. Nein. Nej. Nie. La. It's a simple word. Why do so many of us find it so difficult to say? In this episode, James is joined by Professor Vanessa Patrick to talk about how to say "no" more effectively, whether you've been asked to work on your birthday, to marry someone live on the big screen at a football game, or indeed to shoot a ran…

1
In plain sight - why simplicity should be considered in game theoretic concepts | with Shengwu Li 28:50

8M ago28:50

28:50

In this episode we are talking to Shengwu Li about simplicity in game theoretic concepts. He explains to us, what simple means in this context, how this notion facilitates application of game theory to the "real world" and what an obviously dominant strategy is. We discuss how this understanding of game theory can be particularly helpful when condu…

1
Picking up speed - how companies can make headway in reaching CO2 targets | with Daniel Helmig 27:27

9M ago27:27

27:27

For many companies reaching their self-imposed CO2 targets has become quite a tall order. While procurement has tried to rise to the occasion progress is often slow. In this episode we are talking to Daniel Helmig who explains to us how companies can get unstuck and move forward in reaching their CO2 targets. We discuss what the past can teach us a…

1
Cracking the Code: Incentivising teams in non-routine tasks | with Florian Englmaier 30:01

9M ago30:01

30:01

In this episode, our guest Florian Englmaier explores the effectiveness of monetary incentives in driving team efficiency and innovation. He shares insights from an experimental study conducted in an escape room setting, uncovering surprising findings about the impact of incentives on non-routine tasks and the emergence of leadership dynamics withi…

1
Learning from a negotiation expert - the role of ‘tactical empathy’ | with Chris Voss 30:53

10M ago30:53

30:53

In this episode we are talking to Chris Voss. He is a former FBI hostage negotiator and has written a bestselling book “Never split the difference”. We discuss with him, what we can learn from hostage negotiations about negotiations in other settings, especially in the business context. Chris shares his approaches to negotiations and compares the i…

1
Less is More 45:27

10M ago45:27

45:27

More. Faster. Sooner. The modern world of work is all about productivity. What if the secret of increasing productivity was actually the last thing youd think of? In this episode James meets Dale Whelehan, CEO of 4 Day Week global to talk about Frederick Winslow Taylor, Josef Stalin, Richard Nixon, Pink Floyd, Sisyphus, and why less really might be…

1
Let’s go to the movies! – Game Theory in films | with Santiago Sanchez-Pages 24:31

11M ago24:31

24:31

In today’s episode, we discuss Game Theory in movies. Santiago shares in which movies the prisoner’s dilemma, the chicken game and other concepts are portrayed. The discussion brings us to many known movies, amongst them ‘The dark knight’, ‘A Beautiful Mind’, and many others. Below we have listed a list of links of the movie clips we discuss in thi…

1
Hidden Gems – Gathering insights from unconventional data sources | with Stefano DellaVigna 29:00

12M ago29:00

29:00

In this episode, our guest Stefano DellaVigna shares his approach to answering research questions through various data sources, including lab experiments, natural experiments, and field experiments. We explore the significance of seeking out natural experiments and their value in enhancing our understanding of human behavior. Using examples such as…

1
Experimental Sustainability 42:40

12M ago42:40

42:40

How can organisations use experiments to get better outcomes? What role does behavioural science play in the fight against climate change? What can we learn about human nature from the movie Don't Look Up? Experimental Economist Christina Gravert joins James to discuss the benefits of trial and error and how behavioural interventions can help in th…

1
Behind the Stars: Uncovering the Biases in Online Reviews | with Tommaso Bondi 26:30

12M ago26:30

26:30

In this episode Tommaso Bondi shares his research on cultural markets with us. We take a deep dive into the insights he gained when studying online reviews and he explains to us why, counterintuitively, earning public recognition does not necessarily lead to higher ratings. A finding which, as we learn from Tommaso, is closely related to how well c…

1
A Tale of Two Players: Exploring the Rubinstein Bargaining Model | with Ariel Rubinstein 32:55

1y ago32:55

32:55

In today’s episode, we explore one of the classics in Bargaining theory: The Rubinstein Bargaining Model. And we have found the perfect guest - who better to explain this bargaining model than its founder Ariel Rubinstein himself! Ariel not only shares how the idea of the model came to be, but he also comments on some results and critically discuss…

1
Change Myths 1:11:39

1y ago1:11:39

1:11:39

Do the 5 Stages of Grief really apply to organisations? Is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator just a work horoscope? How effective is corporate training? And what can Bob Geldof teach us about strategy? James talks all things organisational change with author and management myth-slayer, Paul Gibbons.By James Healy

1
Can Cash Cloud the Mind? Exploring the Influence of Incentives on Personal Choices | with Sandro Ambühl 29:19

1y ago29:19

29:19

Monetary incentives are a part of our daily lives, from work bonuses to fines for minor traffic violations. But can they lead us to make bad decisions? In this episode, our guest Sandro Ambühl presents an empirical study in which he investigates this very question. He explains what constitutes a bad decision in the economic/rational sense and how p…

1
Clicking Against the Clock: How time pressure and regret influence our behaviour in online shopping | with Timm Opitz 26:23

1y ago26:23

26:23

In this episode, we explore how time pressure and regret can influence our search behavior as customers in the world of online shopping. Our guest, Timm Opitz, sheds light on his research paper titled "Time Pressure and Regret in Sequential Search", which investigates the impact of urgency and regret on optimal search behavior by conducting experim…

1
Friends 53:16

1y ago53:16

53:16

How many Facebook friends can you have? Do friends have benefits? What's the point of gossip? What does an increasingly globalised, virtual world mean for human relationships at work and for wellbeing? In this episode James is joined by Evolutionary Psychologist Robin Dunbar to discuss the profound influence of our relationships on human evolution …

1
AI and Regulation: Finding the Sweet Spot for Consumer Welfare | with Keith Chan 25:49

1y ago25:49

25:49

Join us in this episode as we explore the rise of AI technology and the complex decisions that policy makers are facing regarding the protection of privacy and fostering of innovation. Our guest Keith sheds light on how moderately loosening regulations in a competitive market environment may maximize consumer welfare. However, we also discuss how s…

1
From Connections to Careers: On the Impact of Personal Referrals in the Labour Market | with Felix Mylius 21:47

1y ago21:47

21:47

In this episode Felix Mylius shares his insights on personal referrals in labour markets. He explains to us why personal referrals are still relevant for job search today despite the predominant use of online platforms to find jobs and how all this is linked to Game Theory and matching markets. Together we dive into firms' incentives, implications …

1
Dylanomics 1:12:40

1y ago1:12:40

1:12:40

What can HR learn from advertising? What do Jesus and Bob Dylan have in common? Why are AI speed cameras a bad idea? And why are mediocre statisticians so dangerous? James is joined by the legendary Rory Sutherland for an unmissable discussion on a huge range of topics.By James Healy

1
The doctor is in! Misguided incentives and regulation in healthcare markets | with Simon Reif 20:11

1y ago20:11

20:11

In this episode we are diving into the topic of healthcare markets together with Simon Reif. He explains to us what makes the healthcare market so special, why its characteristics call for regulation and how systems differ substantially across countries. Focusing on Europe we discuss how, counterintuitively, setting a "global budget" for hospitals …

1
Truth-telling by design: how Market Design can alleviate inequality | with Piotr Dworczak 24:19

1+ y ago24:19

24:19

In this episode Piotr Dworczak explains to us how Market Design can contribute to alleviating inequality by increasing accuracy of policies targeting inequality. He does so using an example from the housing market which shows that more often than not it is very difficult to ensure that subsidies actually reach people in need since they cannot be ea…

1
Why sometimes we are better off not knowing – on information design and Bayesian persuasion | with Emir Kamenica 30:33

1+ y ago30:33

30:33

In this episode Emir Kamenica introduces us to the research field of information design. He recaps the history of modelling information in economics from the 70s to today, and explains term “Bayesian Persuasion” (and if and how it differs from the term “information design”). He then illustrates how having full information e.g. as a navigation app u…

1
Putting your money where your mouth is – on commitment in auctions | with Vitali Gretschko 21:22

1+ y ago21:22

21:22

In this episode, Vitali Gretschko sheds some light on a fundamental game theoretic concept: Commitment. He explains why commitment is a crucial prerequisite of auctions and introduces different ways of generating commitment. We also explore how commitment is linked to the concept of information and discuss auction concepts which make it less likely…

1
Auctions, bidding strategies and uncertainty | with Bernhard Kasberger 24:35

1+ y ago24:35

24:35

From selling on eBay over Google advertisements to buying a house, auctions are all around us! But what makes it so difficult to find the right bidding strategy? In this episode Bernhard Kasberger sheds some light on what a so called first price auction is, why it is challenging to "bid correctly" and what the recipe for the optimal bid strategy un…

1
A dangerous game: On Geoengineering and moral hazard | with Gernot Wagner 23:50

1+ y ago23:50

23:50

In this episode Gernot Wagner explains the concept of Geoengineering and its potential role in preventing climate change. He analyses the implications of Geoengineering from a game theoretic perspective and shows the connection to the game theoretic concept of “moral hazard”. He also gives some advice on how we can all profit from the (potential) a…

1
To share or not to share. Credit, incentives and competition among researchers | with Remco Heesen 21:32

1+ y ago21:32

21:32

To share or not to share. Credit, incentives and competition among researchers | with Remco Heesen In this episode Remco Heesen shares his insights on the trade-offs researchers face when deciding whether to share intermediate results with fellow researchers. He explains how incentive structures in research lead to a suboptimal outcome and gives hi…

1
How to bid in an auction – with Paul Papayoanou 22:14

1+ y ago22:14

22:14

In this episode, we discuss with Paul Papayoanou his real life experience as a consultant applying Game Theory. Paul has worked on over 150 engagements using his expertise. In our discussion we especially focus on Paul’s experience in consulting bidders participating in auctions. Paul shares how he prepares his clients when they enter an auction an…

1
Celebrating 50 episodes of Game Changer | with Miriam, Simon and Florian 15:39

1+ y ago15:39

15:39

To celebrate 50 episodes of Game Changer, we take a look behind the scenes. The hosts Simon and Florian take the role of interviewees and answer Miriam’s questions on their motivation and goals for the game changer podcast and how the episodes are prepared and recorded. We would like to thank all our listeners for sticking with us for 50 episodes a…

1
‘Would you rather’ - what drives our decisions– with Shachar Kariv 31:51

1+ y ago31:51

31:51

In this episode, we focus on ‘decision theory’ and discuss with Shachar its connection to Game Theory. Shachar shares the three key trade-offs relevant for taking a decision. We also discuss the ‘dictator game’ and how Shachar applied a modified version of the dictator game to study preferences of decision makers in real life. Shachar Kariv is Benj…

1
Are football players Game Theorists? – scoring the perfect penalty | with Ben Lyttleton 31:33

1+ y ago31:33

31:33

In this episode we talk to Ben Lyttleton about a particular topic in football: how to score the perfect penalty. Ben is an expert on penalties and has gathered a lot of insights on the ‘perfect penalty’ in his book Twelve Yards: The Art & Psychology of the Perfect Penalty. Ben shares that penalties are much more complex than initial Game Theory mod…

1
The 2022 Nobel Prize – why the economy needs banks | with Karolin Kirschenmann 35:01

1+ y ago35:01

35:01

In this episode, Karolin Kirschenmann explains why this year’s Nobel Prize in economics was given to Ben Bernanke, Douglas Diamond and Philip Dybvig. We discuss their research on the role of banks in the economy and the models developed by the researchers. We deep-dive into the modelling of bank-runs and their relationship to Game Theory. Karolin K…

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