Cautionary Tales “I love being the person who doesn’t know anything” – Why Steven Levitt has swapped academia for podcasting

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20 years ago, a book called Freakonomics became an instant bestseller and worldwide sensation. Tim Harford got his hands on the first copy that Steve Levitt ever signed… and promptly sold it on eBay. In this Cautionary Conversation, the pair are reunited to discuss the Freakonomics phenomenon, why Levitt left the hostile world of academia, and how simple changes could revolutionise everything from education to organ donation.

*Cautionary Tales has been nominated for a Webby Award*

To vote for us, head to:  https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2025/podcasts/features/original-music-score-sound-design


For a full list of sources, see the show notes at timharford.com.

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The Host

Tim Harford

Tim Harford’s long-running column in the Financial Times, “The Undercover Economist,” reveals the economic ideas behind everyday experiences. His first book, The Undercover Economist, was published in 30 languages and sold…