Best Sports Tech Research Network Podcasts (2024)

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206. When Is It Time to Step Aside? 38:26

2h ago38:26

38:26

Should government jobs have mandatory retirement ages? Is it foolish to care about your legacy? And why did Jason always call Angela’s father “Dr. Lee”? SOURCES: William Bridges, professor emeritus of American literature at Mills College, consultant, and author. Arthur Brooks, professor of leadership at Harvard University. Jimmy Carter, former Pres…

1
205. Where Do Values Come From? 41:47

14m ago41:47

41:47

Do you get your principles from your parents — or in spite of them? Is there anything wrong with valuing conformity? And why doesn’t McDonald’s sell salads? SOURCES: Erika James, dean of the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Olivia Rodrigo, singer-songwriter. Shalom Schwartz, professor emeritus of psychology at the Hebre…

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204. What Happens When You’re Cut Off From All Human Contact? 40:09

1h ago40:09

40:09

How is the brain affected by solitary confinement? How would you deal with being stranded on a deserted island? And do baby monkeys make the best therapists? SOURCES: William Broyles Jr., screenwriter, journalism, and former U.S. Marine Corps officer. Beatriz Flamini, Spanish mountaineer. Craig Haney, professor of psychology at the University of Ca…

1
203. Do You Need a Hug? 39:11

38m ago39:11

39:11

Do humans need touch to survive? Do any of us get enough touch throughout our lives? And why doesn’t Angela want to hug anyone for eight seconds? SOURCES: Ophelia Deroy, chair of the department of philosophy of mind and cognitive neuroscience at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. Kory Floyd, professor of communications at the University of Ari…

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How Effective Are Ultimatums? (Replay) 36:04

7d ago36:04

36:04

How final is a final offer, really? Does anonymity turn nice people into jerks? And should you tell your crush that you dreamed about marrying them? SOURCES: Max Bazerman, professor of business administration at Harvard Business School. Deepak Malhotra, professor of business administration at Harvard Business School. Elon Musk, owner and C.T.O. of …

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202. Why Can’t We Tolerate Discomfort? 40:29

14d ago40:29

40:29

Are we using technology to make ourselves numb? What’s the downside of air conditioning? And was Angela the most annoying person in her college classes? SOURCES: Paul Bloom, professor of psychology at the University of Toronto. Ed Diener, professor emeritus at the University of Illinois. Michael Easter, author. Alex Hutchinson, journalist. Shigehir…

1
201. Are You Dreaming Too Big? 41:44

2M ago41:44

41:44

Are fantasies helpful or harmful? How is daydreaming like a drug? And what did Angela fantasize about during ninth-grade English class? SOURCES: Patrick Bet-David, YouTuber and founding C.E.O. of PHP Agency Inc. Barbara Corcoran, "Shark" and executive producer on ABC’s Shark Tank and founder of The Corcoran Group. Peter Gollwitzer, professor of psy…

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200. What’s the Difference Between Empathy and Sympathy? 40:48

28d ago40:48

40:48

Can you ever really know how another person feels? What’s the best way to support a grieving person? And why doesn’t Hallmark sell empathy cards? SOURCES: Daniel Batson, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Kansas. Paul Bloom, professor of psychology at University of Toronto. Paul Polman, businessman, author, and former C.E.O. of U…

1401
199. What Makes a Good Gathering? 36:59

2M ago36:59

36:59

Why do so many book clubs fall apart? Do the best parties have rules? And does Angela’s husband want to date you? SOURCES: Fredrik Backman, author. David Chavis, senior fellow at Community Science. Daniel Gilbert, professor of psychology at Harvard University. Sebastian Junger, journalist and author. David McMillan, clinical and community psycholog…

1
198. What Does It Mean to Be “Cool”? 40:10

2M ago40:10

40:10

What’s the difference between being popular and being cool? How has social media changed the trend cycle? And what do Taylor Swift and Walmart have in common? SOURCES: Anette Asp, project manager and research coordinator at the California Institute of Technology. Lalin Anik, professor of marketing at Vrije University Amsterdam. Marc Bain, journalis…

1
197. Is It Wrong to Lie to Children? 38:47

2M ago38:47

38:47

Why do we tell kids that a fairy will give them cash in exchange for their teeth? How should we talk to them about scary things in the world? And is Mike one of the greatest operatic tenors of all time? SOURCES: Laura Wheatman Hill, journalist. George Lin, Ph.D. student in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Melinda Wenner Moyer, journali…

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Extra: Angela Duckworth on “Masters of Scale” 33:55

3M ago33:55

33:55

WaitWhat C.E.O. Jeff Berman interviews Angela about “grit-scaling” and her unlikely path to academic celebrity.By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

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196. What’s Wrong With Being a Little Neurotic? 38:36

3M ago38:36

38:36

Is there any upside to negative emotions? What can comedians teach us about dealing with pain? And why did Angela eat off of a stranger’s plate at a sushi bar? SOURCES: Ludwig van Beethoven, 18th-19th century composer and pianist. Jen Christensen, reporter and producer at CNN. Lauren Eskreis-Winkler, professor of management & organizations at North…

1
195. Can You Be Too Nice? 38:48

3M ago38:48

38:48

Where is the line between a good guy and a doormat? Do people with sharp elbows make more money? And why did Angela’s mother give away her birthday present? Take the Big Five inventory: freakonomics.com/bigfive SOURCES: Kristen Bell, actor. Jeff Bezos, founder and executive chairman of Amazon. Harry Connick Jr., singer, pianist, and actor. Juli Fra…

1
194. Is It Okay to Be an Introvert? 35:37

3M ago35:37

35:37

What’s the difference between being introverted and being shy? What are extroverts so cheerful about? And does Angela’s social battery ever run out? Take the Big Five inventory: freakonomics.com/bigfive SOURCES: Susan Cain, author. Will Fleeson, professor of psychology at Wake Forest University. Sigmund Freud, neurologist and founder of psychoanaly…

1
193. Are You as Conscientious as You Think You Are? 39:28

3M ago39:28

39:28

Is it really that important to make your bed? What’s the benefit of hiring a lazy person? And how many cups of spinach can Mike fit in a red Solo cup? Take the Big Five inventory: freakonomics.com/bigfive SOURCES: David Barack, philosopher and neuroscientist at the University of Pennsylvania. Randall Bell, socio-economist and C.E.O. of Landmark Res…

1
Should You Get Out of Your Comfort Zone? 40:24

4M ago40:24

40:24

What do the most creative people have in common? How open-minded are you, really? And what’s wrong with ordering eggs Benedict? Take the Big Five inventory: freakonomics.com/bigfive SOURCES: Max Bennett, co-founder and C.E.O. of Alby. David Epstein, author and journalist. Ayelet Fishbach, professor of behavioral science and marketing at the Univers…

1
191. Can You Change Your Personality? 39:03

4M ago39:03

39:03

Are you the same person you were a decade ago? Do we get better as we age? And is your sixth-grade class clown still funny? SOURCES: Aaron (Tim) Beck, professor emeritus of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. Daniel Gilbert, professor of psychology at Harvard University. Olga Khazan, staff writer at The Atlantic. Brian Little, professor o…

1
190. What’s the Point of Nostalgia? 35:21

4M ago35:21

35:21

Is it dangerous to live in the past? Why is Disney remaking all of its classic movies? And why does Angela get sentimental over a cup of soup and a free roll? SOURCES: Julie Beck, senior editor at The Atlantic. Danielle Campoamor, freelance writer and reporter. Kyle Chayka, staff writer at The New Yorker. Amelia Dennis, research associate in psycho…

1
189. When Should You Trust Your Gut? 40:06

4M ago40:06

40:06

Does instinct trump expertise? Can playing poker improve your intuition? And why did Angela jump off of a moving trolley car? SOURCES: Tom Brady, former quarterback for the New England Patriots. Daniel Kahneman, professor emeritus of psychology and public affairs at Princeton University. Gary Klein, cognitive psychologist and pioneer in the field o…

1
188. Why Do Kids Today Get So Many A’s? 41:41

5M ago41:41

41:41

Is grade inflation on the rise? How much does your G.P.A. matter in the long run? And when did M.I.T., of all places, become “the cool university”? SOURCES: Scott Hugo, housing justice attorney at Oakland City Attorney’s Office. Bob Ladouceur, former head football coach at De La Salle High School. Jon Marcus, writer at The Hechinger Report. Amelia …

1
187. Is Fear Running Your Life? 39:00

5M ago39:00

39:00

How can you summon courage when you’re terrified? Is hiking more dangerous than skiing? And what is the stupidest thing that Mike has ever done? SOURCES: Albert Bandura, professor of psychology at Stanford University. Marc Brackett, founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and professor in the Child Study Center at Yale Schoo…

1
186. Do You Need a Routine? 38:34

5M ago38:34

38:34

Would you be more adventurous if you had more structure? Do you multitask while brushing your teeth? And what would Mike’s perfect brother Peter do? SOURCES: David Brooks, opinion columnist for The New York Times. Colin Camerer, professor of economics at the California Institute of Technology. James Clear, writer. Mason Currey, author. David Goggin…

1
Jo Shattuck - Kinesthetic Awareness Training 34:59

5M ago34:59

34:59

In this episode, we are joined by a true pioneer in the world of sports and movement training, Jo Shattuck from PantherTec. Jo is knowledgeable in the brain-behavior relationship of motor learning and developed a ‘Kinesthetic Awareness Training’ system. Kristof and Jo talk about what the system is about, where and how it is used, and what’s next fo…

1
185. Do You Need Closure? 38:08

5M ago38:08

38:08

What’s the best way to carry out random acts of kindness? What’s wrong with making an “Irish exit”? And why is Mike secretly buying lottery tickets? SOURCES: Roy Baumeister, social psychologist and visiting scholar at Harvard University. Daniel Gilbert, professor of psychology at Harvard University. John Gottman, professor emeritus of psychology at…

1
184. Are You Doing Too Much? 40:51

6M ago40:51

40:51

How can you strive for excellence without overworking yourself? Why is perfectionism on the rise? And is Angela part of the problem? SOURCES: Kristin Andrus, philanthropist. Aaron (Tim) Beck, professor emeritus of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. Thomas Curran, professor of psychological and behavioral science at the London School of E…

1
183. Does Free Will Exist, and Does It Matter? 41:09

6M ago41:09

41:09

Does anyone have any real agency? What do McDonald’s and Oxford University have in common? And why did Angela give up on philosophy? SOURCES Sam Harris, neuroscientist, philosopher, author, and podcast host. Brian Galla, associate professor of health and human development at University of Pittsburgh. Robert Sapolsky, professor of biology at Stanfor…

1
182. Is It Good or Bad to Keep Secrets? 40:06

6M ago40:06

40:06

Should you shout your sins from the rooftops? How many skeletons are in the average person’s closet? And what has Angela been hiding? SOURCES: Maya Angelou, memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist. Stephen Baum, postdoctoral researcher at Olin Business School at Washington University. Clayton Critcher, professor of marketing, cognitive science, …

1
181. What’s So Great About Meritocracy? 34:28

6M ago34:28

34:28

Do you really deserve the credit for your accomplishments? Should college admissions be determined by lottery? And how did Mike’s contribution to a charity auction change his life? SOURCES: Warren Buffett, investor and philanthropist. James Flynn, political philosopher at the University of Otago. Robert Frank, professor emeritus of management at Co…

1
180. What Makes Some Objects Feel Special? 38:29

6M ago38:29

38:29

Where does sentimental value come from? Why did Angela throw out her childhood journals? And would Mike wear Hitler’s sweater? SOURCES: Jeffrey Galak, professor of marketing at Carnegie Mellon University. John Irving, author. Marie Kondo, professional organizer and consultant. Paul Rozin, professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Y…

1
179. Can You Really “Manifest” Success Through Positive Visualization? 36:29

7M ago36:29

36:29

Is there any scientific basis for the law of attraction? Are people who believe in “cosmic collaboration” more successful? And what happens when you write yourself a check for $10 million? SOURCES: Rhonda Byrne, writer and TV producer. Jim Carrey, actor. Christopher Clarey, sports journalist and author. Peter Gollwitzer, professor of psychology at …

1
178. Do Kids Need More Independence? 36:46

7M ago36:46

36:46

Are modern parents too protective? Why do we worry so much about things that almost never happen? And how did Mike learn about bus stops? SOURCES: David Bjorklund, professor of psychology at Florida Atlantic University. Peter Gray, professor of psychology at Boston College. David Lancy, professor emeritus of anthropology at Utah State University. L…

1
177. What Does Success Look Like? 37:30

7M ago37:30

37:30

What matters more: meeting our own ambitions, or winning fame and glory? What’s it like to earn a gold medal at the Olympics? And why didn’t Mike’s grandfather get a watch? SOURCES: Alain de Botton, writer and founder of The School of Life. Kirk Flatow, head coach of co-ed varsity track and field at Monta Vista High School. Katie Ledecky, competiti…

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63. How Contagious Is Behavior? With Laurie Santos of “The Happiness Lab.” (Replay) 36:30

7M ago36:30

36:30

Why do we mirror other people’s accents? Does DJ Khaled get tired of winning? And also: life is good — so why aren’t you happy? SOURCES: Albert Bandura, professor emeritus of psychology at Stanford University. John Bargh, professor of psychology and cognitive science at Yale University. Tanya Chartrand, professor of marketing at Duke University. Cl…

1
176. Why Is It So Hard to Make Decisions? 40:17

8M ago40:17

40:17

Why do we get overwhelmed when we have too many choices? Should we make our own decisions or copy other people's? And how can Angela manage her sock inventory? SOURCES: Arie Kruglanski, professor of psychology at the University of Maryland, College Park. Katy Milkman, professor of operations, information, and decisions at the University of Pennsylv…

1
175. Why Is Astrology So Popular? 37:32

8M ago37:32

37:32

Why does your horoscope seem so accurate? Is it possible to believe and not believe in something at the same time? And is Mike a classic Gemini? SOURCES: P. T. Barnum, 19th-century American showman and businessman. David Brooks, New York Times Opinion columnist. Bertram Forer, 20th-century American psychologist. Daniel Kahneman, professor emeritus …

1
174. What’s the Point of I.Q. Testing? 35:42

8M ago35:42

35:42

Are gifted and talented programs discriminatory? Why do so many adults still remember their SAT scores? And how did Angela transform from a party girl to an Ivy League psychologist? SOURCES: Alfred Binet, 19th-century French psychologist. Stefan Dombrowski, professor of psychology and director of the School Psychology Program at Rider University. J…

1
173. How Important Is Your Choice of Words? 35:28

8M ago35:28

35:28

What happens when three psychologists walk into a magic show? What’s Angela’s problem with the word “talent”? And why does LeBron James refer to himself in the third person? SOURCES: John Bargh, professor of psychology at Yale University. Derren Brown, mentalist. Carol Dweck, professor of psychology at Stanford University. Daniel Kahneman, professo…

1
149. Is It Harder to Make Friends as an Adult? (Replay) 52:56

9M ago52:56

52:56

How do friendships change as we get older? Should you join a bowling league? And also: how does a cook become a chef? RESOURCES: “Social Support From Weak Ties: Insight From the Literature on Minimal Social Interactions,” by Joshua Moreton, Caitlin S. Kelly, and Gillian Sandstrom (Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 2023). Join or Die, docum…

1
172. Is Marriage Worth It? 36:38

9M ago36:38

36:38

Can long-term relationships do more harm than good? Where is the line between intimacy and codependence? And should we all try to be more like Mike’s parents? RESOURCES: "A Record-High Share of 40-Year-Olds in the U.S. Have Never Been Married," by Richard Fry (Pew Research Center, 2023). "Divorce Skyrocketing Among Aging Boomers," by Sharon Jayson …

1
171. Where Is the Line Between Exaggeration and Lying? 34:34

9M ago34:34

34:34

Why do we use “literally” figuratively? Does conveying an "emotional truth" justify making things up? And are Angela’s kids really starving or just hungry? RESOURCES: "My Response to The New Yorker Article," by Hasan Minhaj (YouTube video, 2023). "Hasan Minhaj’s 'Emotional Truths,'" by Clare Malone (The New Yorker, 2023). "Lying to Spice up Life," …

1
Ben Smith – Bringing elite data to elite athletes 35:58

9M ago35:58

35:58

With a background at Chelsea Football Club and Loughborough University London, Ben now leads the international business development at Breakaway Data. A US company that puts ‘elite data in the hands of elite athletes’. Kristof and Ben talk about the benefits of putting the athlete at the center of digital product development, the importance of stak…

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170. Are We Getting Lonelier? 30:15

9M ago30:15

30:15

How can you be lonely when so many people showed up at your birthday party? Can you fight loneliness by managing expectations? And where can you find company while enjoying the best garlic cheeseburger in the greater Salt Lake City metro area? RESOURCES: "Surgeon General: We Have Become a Lonely Nation. It’s Time to Fix That," by Vivek H. Murthy (T…

1
169. Can We Disagree Better? 38:53

10M ago38:53

38:53

Do you suffer from the sin of certainty? How did Angela react when a grad student challenged her research? And can a Heineken commercial strengthen our democracy? RESOURCES: "Disagree Better," National Governors Association initiative led by Spencer Cox (2023-2024). "Cooling Heated Discourse: Conversational Receptiveness Boosts Interpersonal Evalua…

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168. Would You Be Happier if You Were More Creative? 31:06

10M ago31:06

31:06

Should you become an artist or an accountant? Did Sylvia Plath have to be depressed to write The Bell Jar? And what can Napoleon Dynamite teach us about the creative life? RESOURCES: "The Science of Why You Have Great Ideas in the Shower," by Stacey Colino (National Geographic, 2022). "So, You Think You’re Not Creative?" by Duncan Wardle (Harvard B…

1
167. Is GPS Changing Your Brain? 37:37

10M ago37:37

37:37

Is it better to be an egocentric navigator or an allocentric navigator? Was the New York City Department of Education wrong to ban ChatGPT? And did Mike get ripped off by Michael Jackson’s cousin? RESOURCES "Don’t Ban Chatbots in Classrooms — Use Them to Change How We Teach," by Angela Duckworth and Lyle Ungar (Los Angeles Times, 2023). "How GPS We…

1
166. Are You Suffering From Burnout? 37:27

10M ago37:27

37:27

What’s the difference between being busy and being productive? Would you be better at your job if you cared a little less? And can somebody get Mike a cup of coffee? RESOURCES: "State of the Global Workplace: 2023 Report," (Gallup, 2023). "What’s Really So Wrong About Secretly Working Two Full-Time Jobs at Once?" by Alison Green (Slate, 2023). "The…

1
165. Do "Generations" Mean Anything? 37:29

10M ago37:29

37:29

Do you get grittier as you age? What's worse for mental health: video games or social media? And do baby boomers make the best D.J.s? RESOURCES: Generations: The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents — and What They Mean for America's Future, by Jean Twenge (2023). "5 Things to Keep in Mind When You Hear About Gen…

1
164. Do You Have Impostor Syndrome? 38:43

11M ago38:43

38:43

Does anyone really know what they’re doing? How do we reward the competent and not the confident? And what’s wrong with using TikTok for research? RESOURCES: "Why Everyone Feels Like They’re Faking It," by Leslie Jamison (The New Yorker, 2023). "The Impostor Phenomenon Revisited: Examining the Relationship between Workplace Impostor Thoughts and In…

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163. Does Your DNA Determine Your Weight? 27:38

11M ago27:38

27:38

How much control do you really have over your body? Could understanding genetics help combat fat-shaming? And why is Mike’s life coach so happy all the time?By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

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