People I (Mostly) Admire

SiriusXM Podcasts
People I (Mostly) Admire

Ad-free listening to new episodes

NOK 79,00/mo or NOK 599,00/yr after trial

Freakonomics co-author Steve Levitt tracks down other high achievers for surprising, revealing conversations about their lives and obsessions. Join Levitt as he goes through the most interesting midlife crisis you’ve ever heard — and learn how a renegade sheriff is transforming Chicago's jail, how a biologist is finding the secrets of evolution in the Arctic tundra, and how a trivia champion memorized 160,000 flashcards. To get every show in the Freakonomics Radio Network without ads and a monthly bonus episode of Freakonomics Radio, start a free trial for SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.

  1. 5 JUL

    161. How to Captivate an Audience

    Twenty years ago, before the Freakonomics book tour, Bill McGowan taught Steve Levitt to speak in public. In his new book he tries to teach everyone else.   SOURCES:Bill McGowan, founder and C.E.O. of Clarity Media Group.  RESOURCES:Speak, Memorably: The Art of Captivating an Audience, by Bill McGowan (2025)."Sheryl Sandberg Gives UC Berkeley Commencement Keynote Speech," (UC Berkeley, 2016)."Our failing schools. Enough is enough!" by Geoffrey Canada (TED, 2013).  EXTRAS:"The Power of a Bad Example – A Field Experiment In Household Garbage Disposal," by Robert Dur and Ben Vollaard (Tilburg Law and Economics Center, 2013)."Unit pricing of municipal solid waste and illegal dumping: an empirical analysis of Korean experience," by Geum-Soo Kim, Young-Jae Chang and David Kelleher (Environmental Economics and Policy Studies, 2008)."Garbage, Recycling, and Illicit Burning or Dumping," by Don Fullerton and Thomas Kinnaman (Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, 2002).
    49 min

  2. 28 JUN

    Annie Duke Thinks You Should Quit (Update)

    Former professional poker player Annie Duke wrote a book about Steve’s favorite subject: quitting. They talk about why quitting is so hard, how to do it sooner, and why we feel shame when we do something that’s good for us.   SOURCES:Annie Duke, author and former professional poker player.  RESOURCES:Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away, by Annie Duke (2022)."Heads or Tails: The Impact of a Coin Toss on Major Life Decisions and Subsequent Happiness," by Steven Levitt (NBER Working Papers, 2016).Superforecasting: The Art and Science of Prediction, by Philip E. Tetlock and Dan Gardner (2015)."Knee-Deep in the Big Muddy: A Study of Escalating Commitment to a Chosen Course of Action," by Barry M. Staw (Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 1976).Alliance for Decision Education.  EXTRAS:"How to Make Your Own Luck," by Freakonomics Radio (2020)."How Do You Know When It’s Time to Quit?" by No Stupid Questions (2020)."The Upside of Quitting," by Freakonomics Radio (2011).
    48 min

  3. 21 JUN

    160. How to Help Kids Succeed

    Psychologist David Yeager thinks the conventional wisdom for how to motivate young people is all wrong. His model for helping kids cope with stress is required reading at Steve’s new high school.   SOURCES:David Yeager, professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin.  RESOURCES:10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People: A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation―And Making Your Own Life Easier, by David Yeager (2024)."A synergistic mindsets intervention protects adolescents from stress," by David Yeager, Christopher Bryan, James Gross, Jared Murray, Danielle Krettek Cobb, Pedro Santos, Hannah Gravelding, Meghann Johnson, and Jeremy Jamieson (Nature, 2022)."Harnessing adolescent values to motivate healthier eating," by Christopher Bryan, David Yeager, Cintia Hinojosa, Aimee Chabot, Holly Bergen, Mari Kawamura, and Fred Steubing (Proceedings of the Natural Academy of Sciences, 2016)."Breaking the Cycle of Mistrust: Wise Interventions to Provide Critical Feedback Across the Racial Divide," by David Yeager, Julio Garcia, Patti Brzustoski, William Hessert, Valeria Purdie-Vaughns, Nancy Apfel, Allison Master, and Matthew Williams (Journal of Experimental Psychology, 2014)."The Influence of the National truth Campaign on Smoking Initiation," by Matthew Farrelly, James Nonnemaker, Kevin Davis, Altijani Hussin (American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2009)."Tobacco is Whacko Commercial," (2002)."Florida Tobacco Pilot Program: Thanking Customers," (2000)."Think, Don't Smoke PSA Commercial," (1999)."The Mentor’s Dilemma: Providing Critical Feedback Across the Racial Divide," by Geoffrey Cohen, Claude Steele, and Lee Ross (Personal and Social Psychology Bulletin, 1999).  EXTRAS:"The Suit, Savile Row, and Smartly Dressed Men," by The Rest is History (2024).
    1 hr

  4. 7 JUN

    159. Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Manifesto for a Gift Economy

    She’s a botanist, a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, and the author of the bestselling Braiding Sweetgrass. In her new book she criticizes the market economy — but she and Steve find a surprising amount of common ground.   SOURCES:Robin Wall Kimmerer, botanist and founder and director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment.  RESOURCES:The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World, by Robin Wall Kimmerer (2024).Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants, by Robin Wall Kimmerer (2015).Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses, by Robin Wall Kimmerer (2003)."The Deadweight Loss of Christmas," by Joel Waldfogel (The American Economic Review, 1993)."Reproductive Ecology of Tetraphis pellucida. I. Population Density and Reproductive Mode," by Robin Wall Kimmerer (The Bryologist, 1991).  EXTRAS:"The Deadliest Disease in Human History," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2025)."How Smart Is a Forest?" by People I (Mostly) Admire (2023)."Jane Goodall Changed the Way We See Animals. She’s Not Done." by People I (Mostly) Admire (2022).
    57 min

  5. 31 MAY

    Does Death Have to Be a Death Sentence? (Update)

    Palliative physician B.J. Miller asks: Is there a better way to think about dying? And can death be beautiful?   SOURCES:B.J. Miller, palliative-care physician and President at Mettle Health.  RESOURCES:A Beginner’s Guide to the End: Practical Advice for Living Life and Facing Death, by Shoshana Berger and B.J. Miller and (2019).“After A Freak Accident, A Doctor Finds Insight Into ‘Living Life And Facing Death,'” by Fresh Air (W.Y.P.R., 2019).“Dying In A Hospital Means More Procedures, Tests And Costs,” by Alison Kodjak (W.Y.P.R., 2016).“The Final Year: Visualizing End Of Life,” by Arcadia (2016).“What Really Matters at the End of Life,” by B.J. Miller (TED, 2015).“The Flexner Report ― 100 Years Later,” by Thomas P. Duffy (Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, 2011).“My Near Death Panel Experience,” by Earl Blumenauer (The New York Times, 2009).The Center for Dying and Living.  EXTRAS:“Max Tegmark on Why Superhuman Artificial Intelligence Won’t be Our Slave (Part 2),” by People I (Mostly) Admire (2021).“Max Tegmark on Why Treating Humanity Like a Child Will Save Us All,” by People I (Mostly) Admire (2021).“Amanda & Lily Levitt Share What It’s Like to be Steve’s Daughters,” by People I (Mostly) Admire (2021).“Edward Glaeser Explains Why Some Cities Thrive While Others Fade Away,” by People I (Mostly) Admire (2021).“Sendhil Mullainathan Explains How to Generate an Idea a Minute (Part 2),” by People I (Mostly) Admire (2021).“Sendhil Mullainathan Thinks Messing Around Is the Best Use of Your Time,” by People I (Mostly) Admire (2021).“How Does Facing Death Change Your Life?” by No Stupid Questions (2021).“How to Be Better at Death,” by Freakonomics Radio (2021).
    42 min

  6. 24 MAY

    158. Why Did Rome Fall — and Are We Next?

    Historian Tom Holland narrowly escaped a career writing vampire novels to become the co-host of the wildly popular podcast The Rest Is History. At Steve’s request, he compares President Trump and Julius Caesar and explains why the culture wars are arguments about Christian theology.   SOURCES:Tom Holland, historian and host of The Rest is History.  RESOURCES:Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World, by Tom Holland (2019).Rubicon, by Tom Holland (2005).  EXTRAS:Unforgiving Places: The Unexpected Origins of American Gun Violence, by Jens Ludwig (2025)."A Solution to America’s Gun Problem," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2025)."Richard Dawkins on God, Genes, and Murderous Baby Cuckoos," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2024).
    55 min

  7. 10 MAY

    157. The Deadliest Disease in Human History

    John Green returns to the show to talk about tuberculosis — a disease that kills more than a million people a year. Steve has an idea for a new way to get treatment to those in need.   SOURCES: John Green, best-selling author and YouTube creator.  RESOURCES: Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection, by John Green (2025)."The Deadliest Infectious Disease Isn’t a Science Problem. It’s a Money Problem," by John Green (The Washington Post, 2024)."The Deadliest Infectious Disease of All Time," by John Green (Crash Course, 2024)."Barely Contained Rage: An Open Letter to Johnson & Johnson," by John Green (Vlogbrothers, 2023)."Designing Advance Market Commitments for New Vaccines," by Michael Kremer, Jonathan D. Levin, and Christopher M. Snyder (NBER, 2020)."Are CEOs Rewarded for Luck? The Ones Without Principals Are," by Marianne Bertrand and Sendhil Mullainathan (The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 2001)."A Further Communication on a Remedy for Tuberculosis," by Robert Koch (The Indian Medical Gazette, 1891).  EXTRAS: "His Brilliant Videos Get Millions of Views. Why Don’t They Make Money?" by People I (Mostly) Admire (2025)."Sendhil Mullainathan Thinks Messing Around Is the Best Use of Your Time (Update)," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2024)."John Green’s Reluctant Rocket Ship Ride (Update)" by People I (Mostly) Admire (2024)."Rajiv Shah Never Wastes a Crisis," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2024)."'There’s So Many Problems — Which Ones Can I Make a Difference On?'" by People I (Mostly) Admire (2022).The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet, by John Green (2021).The Anthropocene Reviewed (podcast).Nerdfighteria.TBFighters.
    1h 5m

  8. 3 MAY

    Abraham Verghese Thinks Medicine Can Do Better (Update)

    Abraham Verghese is a physician and a best-selling author — in that order, he says. He explains the difference between curing and healing, and tells Steve why doctors should spend more time with patients and less with electronic health records.   SOURCES:Abraham Verghese, professor of medicine at Stanford University and best-selling novelist.  RESOURCES:The Covenant of Water, by Abraham Verghese (2023).“Abraham Verghese’s Sweeping New Fable of Family and Medicine,” by Andrew Solomon (The New York Times, 2023).“Watch Oprah’s Emotional Conversation with Abraham Verghese, Author of the 101st Oprah’s Book Club Pick” (Oprah Daily, 2023).“How Indian Teachers Have Shaped Ethiopia’s Education System,” by Mariam Jafri (The Quint, 2023).“How Tech Can Turn Doctors Into Clerical Workers,” by Abraham Verghese (The New York Times Magazine, 2018).Cutting for Stone, by Abraham Verghese (2009).“Culture Shock — Patient as Icon, Icon as Patient,” by Abraham Verghese (The New England Journal of Medicine, 2008).“The Cowpath to America,” by Abraham Verghese (The New Yorker, 1997).My Own Country: A Doctor’s Story, by Abraham Verghese (1994).“Urbs in Rure: Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in Rural Tennessee,” by Abraham Verghese, Steven L. Berk, and Felix Sarubbi (The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 1989).  EXTRAS:“Are You Suffering From Burnout?” by No Stupid Questions (2023).“Would You Rather See a Computer or a Doctor?” by Freakonomics, M.D. (2022).“How Do You Cure a Compassion Crisis?” by Freakonomics Radio (2020).The Citadel, by A. J. Cronin (1937).Uncle Tom’s Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe (1852).
    47 min
See All (191)

Trailer

Shows with Subscription Benefits

Ad-free listening to new episodes

NOK 79,00/mo or NOK 599,00/yr after trial

View Subscription FAQs

Hosts & Guests

4.7
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Freakonomics co-author Steve Levitt tracks down other high achievers for surprising, revealing conversations about their lives and obsessions. Join Levitt as he goes through the most interesting midlife crisis you’ve ever heard — and learn how a renegade sheriff is transforming Chicago's jail, how a biologist is finding the secrets of evolution in the Arctic tundra, and how a trivia champion memorized 160,000 flashcards. To get every show in the Freakonomics Radio Network without ads and a monthly bonus episode of Freakonomics Radio, start a free trial for SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.

Information

  • Channel
    SiriusXM Podcasts
  • Creator
    Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    191
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    People I (Mostly) Admire
  • Provider
    Sirius XM Radio Inc

More From SiriusXM Podcasts

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada