182. Is It Good or Bad to Keep Secrets?
11 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Should you shout your sins from the rooftops? How many skeletons are in the average person’s close...
181. What’s So Great About Meritocracy?
04 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do you really deserve the credit for your accomplishments? Should college admissions be determined b...
180. What Makes Some Objects Feel Special?
28 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Where does sentimental value come from? Why did Angela throw out her childhood journals? And would M...
179. Can You Really “Manifest” Success Through Positive Visualization?
21 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is there any scientific basis for the law of attraction? Are people who believe in “cosmic collabo...
178. Do Kids Need More Independence?
14 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are modern parents too protective? Why do we worry so much about things that almost never happen? An...
177. What Does Success Look Like?
07 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What matters more: meeting our own ambitions, or winning fame and glory? What’s it like to earn a ...
63. How Contagious Is Behavior? With Laurie Santos of “The Happiness Lab.” (Replay)
31 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Why do we mirror other people’s accents? Does DJ Khaled get tired of winning? And also: life is go...
176. Why Is It So Hard to Make Decisions?
24 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Why do we get overwhelmed when we have too many choices? Should we make our own decisions or copy ot...
175. Why Is Astrology So Popular?
17 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Why does your horoscope seem so accurate? Is it possible to believe and not believe in something at ...
174. What’s the Point of I.Q. Testing?
10 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Are gifted and talented programs discriminatory? Why do so many adults still remember their SAT scor...
173. How Important Is Your Choice of Words?
03 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when three psychologists walk into a magic show? What’s Angela’s problem with the w...
149. Is It Harder to Make Friends as an Adult? (Replay)
26 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How do friendships change as we get older? Should you join a bowling league? And also: how does a co...
172. Is Marriage Worth It?
19 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Can long-term relationships do more harm than good? Where is the line between intimacy and codepende...
171. Where Is the Line Between Exaggeration and Lying?
12 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Why do we use “literally” figuratively? Does conveying an "emotional truth" justify making thing...
170. Are We Getting Lonelier?
05 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How can you be lonely when so many people showed up at your birthday party? Can you fight loneliness...
169. Can We Disagree Better?
29 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do you suffer from the sin of certainty? How did Angela react when a grad student challenged her res...
168. Would You Be Happier if You Were More Creative?
22 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Should you become an artist or an accountant? Did Sylvia Plath have to be depressed to write The Bel...
167. Is GPS Changing Your Brain?
15 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is it better to be an egocentric navigator or an allocentric navigator? Was the New York City Depart...
166. Are You Suffering From Burnout?
08 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What’s the difference between being busy and being productive? Would you be better at your job if ...
165. Do "Generations" Mean Anything?
01 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do you get grittier as you age? What's worse for mental health: video games or social media? And do ...
164. Do You Have Impostor Syndrome?
24 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Does anyone really know what they’re doing? How do we reward the competent and not the confident? ...
163. Does Your DNA Determine Your Weight?
17 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How much control do you really have over your body? Could understanding genetics help combat fat-sha...
162. How Can You Be Kinder to Yourself?
10 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How do you practice self-care if you don’t have time for a break? Is it weird to talk to yourself?...
161. How Effective Are Ultimatums?
03 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How final is a final offer, really? Does anonymity turn nice people into jerks? And should you tell ...
160. How Do You Like Me Now?
27 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Why would a successful person feel the need to stick it to the little guy? Is Angela a name-dropper?...
159. How Much Personal Space Do You Need?
20 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How do you deal with a close talker? Is Angela drinking too much water? And why can’t Mike keep hi...
158. Bigger Fish, or Bigger Pond?
13 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is it better to be the best player on the worst team or the worst player on the best team? How did A...
157. How Can You Get Closer to the People You Care About?
06 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How well do you know the people in your life, really? Are you stuck having surface-level conversatio...
156. How Do You Connect With Someone You Just Met?
30 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How vulnerable should you get with your coworkers? What’s the benefit of telling strangers about y...
155. How Do You Deal With Big Life Changes?
23 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What’s more stressful, divorce or jail? Are you in the middle of a “lifequake”? And should we ...
154. Why Is There So Much Social Pressure Around Alcohol?
16 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Why do people drink? Why do people not drink? And why specifically do Angela and Mike not drink? Hos...
153. Should You Spend More Time in Nature?
09 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is a walk through the city as good as a walk through the woods? Who’s most likely to die while tak...
152. What’s the Worst Kind of Regret?
02 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is it worse to regret something you’ve done, or something you haven’t done? What’s the upside ...
151. Is It Okay to Be Average?
25 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Must one always strive for excellence? Is perfectionism a good thing? And can Mike have two bad days...
150. Why Do People Get Scammed?
18 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What makes a con succeed? Does snake oil actually work? And just how gullible is Angela? Hosted by S...
149. Is It Harder to Make Friends as an Adult?
11 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How do friendships change as we get older? Should you join a bowling league? And is Angela more impo...
Do You Savor or Gobble? (Ep. 91 Replay)
04 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What’s the difference between people who preserve special things and people who devour them right ...
148. What Is Fun, Exactly?
28 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Why does time fly when you’re having fun? How do you teach rats to play hide and seek? And what do...
147. Is Nudging Enough?
21 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is it enough to toss a soda can in the recycling? Why is Maria obsessed with Nobel Prize lectures? A...
146. How Do You Avoid Freezing Under Pressure?
14 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Should you visualize success or failure? How do you bounce back from a mistake? And will Maria hustl...
145. Do You Have a Scarcity Mindset or an Abundance Mindset?
07 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Are highly effective people quicker to share credit? What does poverty do to your brain? And how did...
144. What Should Be the Eighth Deadly Sin?
30 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We asked you to nominate the worst sins of the modern age. Which one do Stephen and Angela think bel...
143. How Sinful Are "No Stupid Questions" Listeners?
23 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What does the Seven Deadly Sins survey tell us about the people who listen to this podcast? Are we m...
142. Is Pride the Worst Sin?
16 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is pride an emotion? Where’s the line between self-esteem and hubris? And what does Stephen have a...
141. Is Greed Good?
09 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Who’s greedier — gamblers or casinos? What’s the difference between betting on sports and ente...
140. Is Envy Healthy?
02 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What does social media do to our self-esteem? How is envy affecting our politics? And should you go ...
139. Why Do We Get Angry?
26 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What’s the difference between anger and indignation? What’s Angela’s problem with turkey sandw...
138. Why is Everyone Having Less Sex?
19 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Are we too busy watching Friends? Is porn driving us apart? And why did New Yorkers stop vacationing...
137. Are We All Addicted to Ultra-Processed Foods?
12 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is your favorite treat changing your brain? Why do so many snacks melt in your mouth? And why can’...
136. Is Sloth a Sin or a Virtue?
05 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How can we distinguish between laziness and patience? Why do people do crossword puzzles? And how is...
135. What Should You Do on Your Birthday?
26 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Birthdays! Why do Americans prefer Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July to theirs? Why do they make S...
134. Will You Live to Be 100?
19 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How far would you go to extend your life? What’s the best way to stay sharp as your brain ages? An...
Why Is It So Hard to Talk About Money? (Ep. 81 Replay)
12 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What’s the connection between conversations about money and financial literacy? Could the taboo ag...
133. Can You Really Work on an Airplane?
05 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Are those travelers on their laptops just showing off? Why does V8 taste better at 35,000 feet? And ...
132. Is It Wrong to Enjoy Yourself While the World Is Burning?
29 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Are things as dire as they seem? How big is your moral circle? And should Angela spend time with her...
131. Why Do We Cry?
22 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is sobbing a survival tactic? What happened when Angela wept in front of her boss? And what do sauer...
130. Why Is It So Hard to Resist Temptation?
15 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Why are people so inconsistent? Is there such a thing as character? And did Stephen once have the wo...
129. Why Do We Cheat, and Why Shouldn’t We?
08 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is there such a thing as a victimless crime? In an unfair system, is dishonesty okay? And are adoles...
What’s So Great About Retirement? (Ep. 87 Replay)
01 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How do you know when it’s the right time to retire? What does a “good” retirement look like? A...
128. How Can You Give Better Gifts?
25 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How many bottles of wine are regifted? What’s wrong with giving cash? And should Angela give her h...
127. How Can You Be a Better Communicator?
18 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How do you express yourself when you're not sure what you want to say? What’s the number one way t...
126. Why Do People Love Horror Movies?
11 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When are negative emotions enjoyable? Are we all a little masochistic? And do pigs like hot sauce? H...
125. Should We Replace Umpires With Robots?
04 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What do gamblers and referees have in common? When do machines make better decisions than people? An...
124. How Do You Stop Grinding Your Teeth?
27 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How can you break a bad habit if you’re not aware that you’re doing it? Does Barack Obama grind ...
123. What’s Wrong With Coveting?
20 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What’s the difference between schadenfreude and sadism? Can envy be put to good use? And how do yo...
When Is It OK to Tell a Lie? (Replay from Ep. 66)
13 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Can a little dishonesty be a good thing? How many fibs does Angela tell every day? And why does Step...
122. Is Family Overrated?
06 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re frustrated with your family, should you cut ties with them? Who’s more likely to break...
121. How Good Are Your Snap Judgments?
30 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How much can you tell about someone from the first few seconds of a Zoom call? What did Stephen thin...
120. Why Are Rich Countries So Unhappy?
23 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How does comparing yourself to others affect your well-being? What do you do when there’s no one l...
119. J***s C****t, Angela, Why Are You Such a F***ing Potty-Mouth?
16 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What’s the purpose of profanity? Why is cursing on the rise? And will Angela finally swear off swe...
118. How Do You Keep Winter From Getting You Down?
09 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How should you treat Seasonal Affective Disorder? Would we all be happier if we hibernated? And why ...
117. What’s Wrong With Holding a Grudge?
02 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How do you let go of resentment? Do apologies even work? And what grievances have Stephen and Angela...
116. Do People Pay Attention to Signs?
25 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Do highway warnings save lives or cost lives? How do you keep men from peeing on the floor? And what...
115. Are You Having a Midlife Crisis?
18 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How is aging different today than it was in the past? What do young people get wrong about happiness...
114. Can You Learn to Love Hard Work?
11 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Can exercising your body boost your brain's stamina? Are some people just born lazy? And why did Ang...
113. How Can You Improve Your Mental Endurance?
04 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Why do some activities tire your brain more than others? How exhausting is poverty? And could most o...
112. Is It Okay to Hate Highbrow Culture?
28 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Are Europeans more sophisticated than Americans? What’s wrong with preferring Taylor Swift to Pucc...
111. Would You Be Happier if You Lived Someplace Else?
21 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Will Angela finally break up with Philadelphia? Is New York really the unhappiest city in the U.S.? ...
110. Why Is Angela Stepping Down as C.E.O. of the Nonprofit She Founded?
14 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Are you a problem solver or an opportunity seeker? Why is it so hard to find a good leader these day...
What’s the Best Advice You’ve Ever Received? (Replay from Ep. 65)
07 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What risks are worth taking? When should you ignore feedback and go with your gut? And what did Step...
109. What Is the Purpose of Embarrassment?
31 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What’s worse: shame, guilt, or humiliation? Does Angela have psychopathic tendencies? And where’...
108. Should You Try to Be Less Angry?
24 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What is the purpose of negative emotions? Why do we engage with things we know will upset us? And ho...
107. Is It Worth It for Charities to Harass Their Donors?
17 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Is it O.K. to bother people for a good cause? Why do people donate to charity in the first place? An...
106. Did Your Early Childhood Determine the Course of Your Life?
10 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Are we all either secure, avoidant, or anxious? How does your relationship with your parents shape y...
How Does Facing Death Change Your Life? (Replay from Ep. 49)
03 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Are you more likely to experience post-traumatic stress or post-traumatic growth? How does belief in...
105. Should You Give Kids an Allowance or Make Them Get Jobs?
26 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How do kids learn about money? What’s the big problem with education? And who made "Raiders of the...
104. How Simple Is Too Simple?
19 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Why are humans so eager for magic-bullet solutions? Can you explain how a pen works? And how does An...
103. Should Toilets Be Free?
12 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Why do Americans tip so much? What happened when Angie eliminated grading in a college course? And w...
102. What’s So Bad About Nepotism?
05 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How does the profitability of family firms stack up against the rest? Has nepotism become more taboo...
101. Are You Really "Addicted" to Diet Coke?
29 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Where’s the line between an addiction and a bad habit? Why do definitions of mental illnesses chan...
100. Is It Weird for Adults to Have Imaginary Friends?
22 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Why does listening to No Stupid Questions feel like you’re hanging out with your best friends? Why...
99. Do You Mind if I Borrow Your Personality?
15 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Are there downsides to “personality plagiarism”? Why did no one buy the Crayola Crayon Carver? A...
98. Is Having Children Worth It?
08 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Why have fertility rates dropped so dramatically? Do fathers or mothers get more happiness from pare...
97. Are Women Really Less Happy Than Men?
01 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Why are women unhappier than men? What can we do to move the needle? And is it better to be happy or...
96. Why Is Chick-fil-A Such a Big Deal?
24 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How did Chick-fil-A become the third-largest restaurant chain in the U.S.? Why does it serve salad? ...
95. What’s So Bad About Denial?
17 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Can denial be a healthy way of dealing with the death of a loved one? What do the five stages of gri...
94. What to Do When Everything Looks Like a Catastrophe?
10 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What is the relationship between “catastrophizing” and anxiety? How did Angela react when her mo...
93. Does the Early Bird Really Catch the Worm? Or Could the Night Owl Get There First?
03 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How have Angie’s views on sleep changed since she wrote her Harvard application essay? Would start...
92. Is Poor Nutrition a Supply Problem or a Demand Problem?
27 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Is evolution stacked against healthy eating? What policies could increase demand for nutritious food...
91. Do You Savor or Gobble?
20 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What’s the difference between people who preserve special things and people who devour them right ...