EconTalk
Russ Roberts
EconTalk: Conversations for the Curious is an award-winning weekly podcast hosted by Russ Roberts of Shalem College in Jerusalem and Stanford's Hoover Institution. The eclectic guest list includes authors, doctors, psychologists, historians, philosophers, economists, and more. Learn how the health care system really works, the serenity that comes from humility, the challenge of interpreting data, how potato chips are made, what it's like to run an upscale Manhattan restaurant, what caused the 2008 financial crisis, the nature of consciousness, the conflicts and history of the Middle East, and more. EconTalk has been taking the Monday out of Mondays since 2006. All 1000+ episodes are available in the archive. Go to EconTalk.org for transcripts, related resources, and comments.
Episodes
Mentioned books
12 snips
Jun 16, 2006 • 24min
Russ Roberts on Intermittent Explosive Disorder: Mental Illness or Made-Up Malady?
A sharp look at a controversial new study claiming 7.3% of people have intermittent explosive disorder. Questions about how the condition is defined and measured are raised. Links between pharmaceutical funding, insurance rules, and incentives to medicalize behavior are examined. A skeptical, sometimes humorous take on psychiatry, measurement, and labeling of anger and adolescent outbursts.
21 snips
Jun 5, 2006 • 40min
Richard Epstein on the Economics of Organ Donation
Richard Epstein, law professor and law-and-economics scholar, outlines how a market for kidneys might work and argues it could increase supply. He covers current wait times, paired exchanges, screening and safeguards, experiments like state purchases, and how markets interact with charity and technology. Short, provocative takes on policy, incentives, and practical hurdles.
24 snips
May 30, 2006 • 39min
Alex Tabarrok on the Economics of Medical Malpractice
Alex Tabarrok, economist and George Mason professor known for Marginal Revolution and health-economics work, explores rising malpractice premiums, why costs vary wildly by state and specialty, whether insurers are profiteering, how judges and politics shape awards, defensive medicine like higher C-section rates, and policy ideas such as caps, specialized courts, and arbitration rules.
28 snips
May 4, 2006 • 39min
Don Cox on the Economics of Inheritance
Don Cox, an economics professor at Boston College, discusses the economics of inheritance, how parents allocate their time and money among their children, changes in inheritance practices in Tanzania, potential conflicts in dividing inheritance, dynamics of family relationships and inheritance distribution, and the biological purpose of adolescence.
20 snips
Apr 18, 2006 • 40min
Skip Sauer on the Economics of Sports
Skip Sauer, Clemson economics professor who studies the economics of sports, discusses public stadium subsidies and why they often fail to deliver net value. He explores owners' impact claims, revenue sharing and how leagues balance competition. He contrasts U.S. closed leagues with European promotion/relegation and examines political deals behind stadium financing.
15 snips
Apr 10, 2006 • 30min
Michael Munger on Ticket Scalping and Opportunity Cost
Michael Munger, economist and Duke professor known for public choice and applied microeconomics, explores ticket scalping and opportunity cost. He uses classroom thought experiments and real-world examples like eBay, gifts versus cash, and reselling season tickets. Short, lively discussions probe why people treat found tickets differently and how markets and emotions shape resale behavior.
28 snips
Mar 16, 2006 • 35min
Don Cox on the Economics of Parenting
Don Cox of Boston College talks with Russ Roberts about how creating incentives can ease daily life with toddlers and young children.
