Are Personal Finance Gurus Giving You Bad Advice? (Update)
2 January - 1 hourOne Yale economist certainly thinks so. But even if he’s right, are economists any better? We find out, in this update of a 2022 episode.
SOURCES:James Choi, professor of finance at the Yale School of Management.Morgan Housel, personal finance author and partner at the Collaborative Fund.
RESOURCES:The Art of Spending Money: Simple Choices for a Richer Life, by Morgan Housel (2025).“Popular Personal Financial Advice versus the Professors,” by James J. Choi (Journal of Economic Perspectives, 2022).“Media Persuasion and Consumption: Evidence from the Dave Ramsey Show,” by Felix Chopra (SSRN, 2021).The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness, by Morgan Housel...
Series Episodes
Are You Ready for a Fresh Start? (Update)
Behavioral scientists have been exploring whether a psychological reset can lead to lasting change. In this update of a 2021 episode, we survey evidence from the London Underground, Major League Baseball, and New Year’s resolutions to look at accidental fresh starts, forced fresh starts, fresh starts that backfire — and the ones that succeed.
42 mins
30 December 2025 Finished
Are the Rich Really Less Generous Than the Poor? (Update)
A series of academic studies suggest that the wealthy are, to put it bluntly, selfish jerks. It’s an easy narrative to embrace — but is it true? As part of GiveDirectly’s “Pods Fight Poverty” campaign, we revisit a 2017 episode.
43 mins
26 December 2025 Finished
657. Whose “Messiah” Is It Anyway?
All sorts of people have put their mark on “Messiah,” and it has been a hit for nearly 300 years. How can a single piece of music thrive in so many settings? You could say it’s because Handel really knew how to write a banger. (Part three of “Making ‘Messiah.’”)
48 mins
19 December 2025 Finished
Who Pays for “Messiah”?
In the 18th century, Handel relied on royal patronage. Today, it’s donors like Gary Parr who keep the music playing. In this bonus episode of our “Making ‘Messiah’” series, Parr breaks down the economics of the New York Philharmonic.
42 mins
17 December 2025 Finished
656. How Handel Got His Mojo Back
When he wrote “Messiah” (in 24 days), Handel was past his prime and nearly broke. One night in Dublin changed all that. (Part two of “Making ‘Messiah.'”)
57 mins
12 December 2025 Finished
