Best Richard Flacks Podcasts (2025)

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#50 Daraka & Dick talking about what the recent election might mean for living in the USA 1:01:35

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27d ago1:01:35

1:01:35

#50 Daraka & Dick Talking About the Recent Election Mamdani's astonishing campaign in NYC along with the Democratic sweep last week inspired us to grab our mics for a conversation. How will Mamdani be able to bring the change his supporters are hoping for? How can the electoral repudiation of MAGA be built on and to what ends? We try to go beyond t…

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#49 Talking with faculty leaders about the Trump assault on the University of California 1:05:09

1M ago1:05:09

1:05:09

#49: Talking with faculty leaders resisting the Trump assault on the University of California Prof. Jessica Taft, co-president of the Council of UC Faculty Associations (CUCFA) and Prof. Charmaine Chua, CUCFA director of campus organizing, talk about the new lawsuits challenging the Trump coercive actions against UC, sponsored by a historic coaliti…

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Playing the Long Game: The Power of Self-Control 34:23

2M ago34:23

34:23

As a special addition to this week's episode, you can see Katy's full sit-down interview with Angela Duckworth, where they also explore the relationship between self-control and grit. Watch or listen to their conversation on YouTube or Spotify. When your emotions flare or temptation calls, what does it take to hold back? Whether it’s resisting the …

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Bonus: A Sit Down With Katy Milkman & Angela Duckworth 33:36

2M ago33:36

33:36

In this bonus addition of Choiceology, Katy Milkman sits down with psychologist and Grit author Dr. Angela Duckworth, a leading expert on self-control. She breaks down what science tells us about managing impulses, why willpower by itself falls short, and how simple environmental tweaks and practical strategies can help anyone delay gratification a…

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How Mindset Shapes Success 35:08

2M ago35:08

35:08

Most of us label ourselves early on as academic (or not), athletic (or not), or talented (or not). But even if you feel like you're lacking in natural talent or ability in certain areas, approaching new skills or challenges with openness, effort, and curiosity can take you farther than you might expect. In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milk…

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Why Starting Over Hurts 37:56

3M ago37:56

37:56

If you've ever gotten well into a project—maybe a DIY renovation—and then realized that you've taken the wrong approach, you probably know that it's very tempting to just stay the course. Starting all over again would be so painful, even if starting over is clearly the best option. Or maybe you've taken a wrong turn on a hike and only noticed it a …

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Teamwork That Works: What Great Teams Have in Common 42:53

3M ago42:53

42:53

What makes an effective team? Talent? Skill? Discipline? In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milkman, we're looking at some of the more surprising ingredients of successful teams, according to science. Teams where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. You'll hear the story of the Kon-Tiki expedition—a harrowing journey across the Pac…

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#48 Talking with David Duhalde on Understanding DSA 1:20:42

3M ago1:20:42

1:20:42

"#48: Talking History and Strategy with David Duhalde David is a long tme DSA leader. He served as deputy director of DSA and as director of the DSA Fund. We invited him back to reflect on his recent article which situates DSA today within the long history of American socialist organization. Ww try to draw good lessons from the past that can help g…

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When It Feels Like Everyone's Watching 36:34

3M ago36:34

36:34

We've all been there. Maybe you fumbled a line in a presentation. Or tripped on a shoelace. Or suffered a bad hair day. It can feel like the whole world is watching you—and judging you—in those embarrassing moments. But are people paying as much attention to you as you think? In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milkman, we explore why we tend …

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How a Single Source of Information Can Seem Like Several 28:36

4M ago28:36

28:36

You've probably been in situations where multiple friends recommend the same product. It must be great, if everyone is talking about it, right? But then you find out that those friends had all just seen the same product on a popular TV show. What seemed like independent recommendations really came from a single source. In this episode of Choiceolog…

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Coming Soon: A New Season of Choiceology 1:35

4M ago1:35

1:35

It's a new season of Choiceology, an original podcast from Charles Schwab. New episodes arrive every two weeks, so please follow us in your favorite podcasting app. Important Disclosures The comments, views, and opinions expressed in the podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of Charles Schwab. Data contained h…

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#47 Talking with J.W. Mason about what can Zohran accomplish? 1:01:18

5M ago1:01:18

1:01:18

#47 Talking with JW Mason about what Zohran can accomplish Jpsh Mason is an economics professor at John Jay College, CUNY and a senior fellow at Groundwork, whose recent article in Dissent provides much insight into what Mamdani, if elected, can do to advance the "democratic socialist" agenda that helped inspire his grassroots victory in the NY may…

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#46 Talking with Michael Podhorzer on how to understand elections 1:06:25

6M ago1:06:25

1:06:25

#46: Talking with Michael Podhorzer about how to understand elections Michael recently retired as Political Director of the AFL-CIO. He's a brilliant analyst of election data and pioneered the use of data for progressive electoral strategy. His Substack site: www.weekendreading.net, where you'll find a bunch of the analysis we talk about. Subscribe…

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Little Bits of Happiness: With Guests Sally Millington & Ellen Evers 28:27

6M ago28:27

28:27

Were you the kind of kid who devoured all your Halloween candy in one sitting—or savored it daily until, somehow, it was Easter? And when it comes to bad news, do you prefer it all at once or with some time in between? Turns out, the way we bundle or separate life's highs and lows can influence our happiness. In this episode of Choiceology with Kat…

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#45 Talking with Nelson Lichtenstein about the state of the unions 58:14

6M ago58:14

58:14

Prof. Nelson Lichtenstein returns to talk with us about his new book, an anthology of writings about the labor movement over the last 75 years from the pages of DISSENT magazine, called LABOR'S PARTISANS, that history illuminates the current scene. Nelson shares well informed insights' about the potentials and problems for workers organizing in thi…

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Cents & Sensibility: With Guests Melina Palmer & Devin Pope 32:49

7M ago32:49

32:49

Would you pay more for a car with 29,999 miles than one with 30,000? The answer should be no—it's a negligible difference, after all—but research shows that people often do pay more than they should for cars that are just short of certain odometer thresholds. In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milkman, we look at why a price or an age or a te…

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Hooked on Streaks: With Guests Chloë Hamilton & Jackie Silverman 31:27

7M ago31:27

31:27

Streaks have long been logged in the world of sports. And for tracking habits, like daily writing. But now apps encourage us to keep streaks going for just about anything. Messaging friends, learning new languages, meditating, exercising, you name it. In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milkman, we explore the motivational power of streaks. An…

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Obstacle Illusions: With Guests Daniella McCahey & Tom Gilovich 30:41

8M ago30:41

30:41

First-born children tend to believe that their parents were harder on them than their siblings are willing to grant. Football fans take disproportionate note of the challenging games on their team's schedules. We're wired to interpret our challenges as bigger than our advantages, even if the reality is more balanced. In this episode of Choiceology …

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#44 Talking with Eric Blanc about how workers are now self-organizing 50:42

8M ago50:42

50:42

Eric Blanc is sociologiste/labor activist whose new book WE ARE THE UNION documents the spreading efforts by workers to initiate and carry forward union organizing without dependence on professional organizers. We explore some key examples and talk about what this might promise for empowering the working class. music: "You are the U in Union" a Si …

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The Reality Trap: With Guests Ken Adelman & Julia Minson 38:22

8M ago38:22

38:22

Is it ever possible to see the world objectively, as it is? Turn on the news, open social media, engage with that family member at Thanksgiving, and it appears to some the answer is yes. But what if our biggest blind spot is thinking we don't have a blind spot? In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milkman, we look at how we can easily be fooled…

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A Numbers Game: With Guests Linda Chang & Stephen M. Colbert 29:37

9M ago29:37

29:37

Workplaces often rely on numerical ratings for performance reviews. Election debates focus on poll numbers and approval ratings. Your watch counts your steps in a day. Numbers increasingly influence our decisions. In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milkman, we look at our very human tendency to fixate on digits even when words or graphs repre…

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#43 Talking about Class, Identity Politics & DEI 1:08:27

10M ago1:08:27

1:08:27

#43 Talking about class, race, identity politics & DEI Daraka and Dick critically examine a lot of the talking points and arguments in Democratic circles about how class, race, sexuality and immigration are intertwined--and offer some thoughts about how a\ democratic popular working-class majority can be built and sustained. music 'Black Brown and …

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#42 Talking with Harley Augustino About Deep Organizing 55:19

10M ago55:19

55:19

After years of legendary success as a labor and community organizer, Harley embarked on a journey to recruit and train organizers and volunteers to reach out to working-class voters in swing states. In this conversation, he reflects on this work, inspired by finding many folk ready to listen and engage. Music: 'Step by Step" Sung by Sweet Honey in …

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"#41: Starting Season 4: 3R's for Trump Time 47:36

11M ago47:36

47:36

Daraka suggests a 3 R framework for organizing and action in the coming time: REFORM, REALIGNMENT, RESISTANCE--and in this episode we describe what each of these might involve. We promise from now on to strive to be 'Grunny". To find out what we're talking about, click on.. Give us your ideas, suggestions and feedback--and subscribe at: patreon.com…

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BONUS: Talking About Ethel Rosenberg with her son, Michael Meeropol 54:10

1y ago54:10

54:10

"BONUS: Talking About Ethel Rosenberg with her son, Michael Meeropol For Dick interviewed Michael Meeropol for his weekly radio show 'Culture of Protest". triggered by new evidence that Ethel Rosenberg was executed along with Julius even though the government knew she was not guilty. President Biden is being petitioned to declare her exonerated bef…

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BONUS: Jeremy Brecher talks about the Green New Deal From Below 52:19

1y ago52:19

52:19

Jeremy Brecher 's books on social change have changed how many activists think about labor and anti-globalization movements. On Dick Flacks' long running radio show he etalksabout his just published book: THE GREEN NEW DEAL FROM BELOW., and we've added this conversation to our podcast series. Do you know about the Liliput Strategy? To comment on th…

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#40 Dick & Daraka Talk Post-Election 43:59

1y ago43:59

43:59

"n which Daraka and Dick talk about the most important things Left activists should learn from the election results and what we need to figure out. Can we imagine a Democratic Party that's intersectional and working class? Music: 'What We Want" by Joe Hill (on the 109th anniversary of his execution) performed by the Shelby Bottom duo Mixed & Edited…

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A Hero's Journey: With Guests Ethan Gilsdorf, David Fajgenbaum & Kurt Gray 39:52

1y ago39:52

39:52

Luke Skywalker, Frodo Baggins, Katniss Everdeen, the main characters of many great stories, they all have one thing in common: the shape of their journey. From answering the call to adventure, to undergoing tests of character and strengths, to triumphantly returning home forever changed. It's a classic narrative structure that's inspired countless …

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Rebel With a Cause: With Guests Francis Kelly & Christopher Bryan 35:34

1y ago35:34

35:34

Most parents encounter resistance from their children. Perhaps when the kids are young and turning their noses up at vegetables, or when they're teenagers and balking at curfews or dress codes. So what's the best way to encourage good choices in the face of a rebellious kid? Or a rebellious adult, for that matter? In this episode of Choiceology wit…

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On a High Note: With Guests Maurice Schweitzer & Matthew Polly 38:03

1y ago38:03

38:03

Do you recall the best concert you ever went to? Best trip? Best meal? Chances are good that a few memories come to mind—maybe not every detail of the event, but perhaps a couple great moments. It can go the opposite way, too. Worst travel experience. Worst date. Our memory works in snapshots of particular parts of our experience. In this episode o…

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#39 Talking About Democratic Prospects with Harold Meyerson 51:25

1y ago51:25

51:25

Harold Meyerson is editor at large of Americn Prospect, Formerly a columnist forrthe Washington Post and the LA Times, a much respected reporter on the labor movement, the Demoratic Partty and California politics. He was one of the founders of DSA (Democratic Socialists of America) and we talk to him abut the Demoratic conventions of 2024, 1968 and…

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The Truth Is Out There: With Guests Tania Lombrozo & Toby Ball 31:42

1y ago31:42

31:42

Your car breaks down. Must be because you skipped an oil change last month. Or your favorite team loses. Well, that was because of a bad call by a corrupt referee. In reality, many events involve multiple contributing factors. But we tend to gravitate toward single causes. In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milkman, we look at our desire to e…

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To Know What You Know: With Guests David Dunning & Andrew Flack 27:58

1+ y ago27:58

27:58

In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milkman, we look at the often-misunderstood and surprisingly common Dunning-Kruger effect with an interview featuring one of the researchers who first identified it, David Dunning. But we start with the story of Cecilia Jimenez, the humble Spanish grandmother and amateur landscape painter who took it upon he…

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The Buddy System: With Guests Max Maeder & Rachel Gershon 29:41

1+ y ago29:41

29:41

Pursuing a goal alone is convenient. Whether you're training for a marathon or aiming to read 20 books this year, it's convenient to move at your own pace and schedule. But having a gym buddy or a book club pal can make a bigger difference to your goal completion than you think. In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milkman, we look at the benef…

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#38 Talking with Maurice Isserman: Learning from the Tragedy of American Communism 58:26

1+ y ago58:26

58:26

Historian Maurice Isserman’s new book: Reds: The Tragedy of American Communism helps us think about how the organized left ought to be organized. We talk about the past’s relevance to the present; Maurice, like us, is an activist, vitally concerned with building a Left that’s democratic and effective. The episode ends with the voice of Swedish sing…

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#37 Talking with Phyllis Bennis 48:23

1+ y ago48:23

48:23

Phyllis Bennis is a unique left journalist, having dedicated her life's work to reporting from the UN and helping the antiwar movements understand international law and diplomacy. She's a long time activist for Palestinian justice, a fellow at the Institute for Policy 'studies, and international advisor for Jewish 'voice for Peace. And an alumna of…

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#36 Talking with Vlad and Matthew, leftwing zionists 1:05:50

1+ y ago1:05:50

1:05:50

Daraka & Dick engage with Vladidas Khaykin, anti-semitism specialist with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), abd Matthew Finkelstein, co-founder, Progressive Zionists of California. They spell out their experience of leftwing anti-semitism and we all try to define a common ground for a just peace. closing music: David Broza "Yiyeh Tov (It will be be…

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#35 Talking with Sherene Sekaily, Palestine Scholar 46:43

1+ y ago46:43

46:43

#35 Talking with Sherene Seikaly, Palestine Scholar Daraka and Dick converse with one of the leading Palestinian intellectuals in academia. It was an enlightening and heart-wrenching encounter for us--and perhaps you'll feel that as well. Music: Jerusalem Youth Choir: 'A Different Way"By Richard Flacks

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To Fight Another Day: With Guests Alex Imas & Mary Stockwell 35:55

1+ y ago35:55

35:55

When you're facing loss—say, in a board game or during a sporting event or with a declining stock—it can be difficult to remember your true tolerance for risk. You're likely to seek risk more than you normally would. In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milkman, we look at a tendency to seek risk in the face of losses when those losses aren't y…

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Choiceology's Guide to Better Decisions: With Guests James Korris, Carey Morewedge & Jack Soll 31:28

1+ y ago31:28

31:28

Over the years, Choiceology has offered a lot of advice for making better decisions. In this special episode of Choiceology with Katy Milkman, we bring you the story of a video game that is surprisingly effective at reducing decision errors, and you'll hear about a practical checklist for improving choices in many different contexts. Solving fictit…

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#34 Talking with Rosie, UCSB Protester 54:40

1+ y ago54:40

54:40

A conversation with Rosie, a media spokesperson for the Palestinian solidarity encampment at UC Santa Barbara. We talk about why and how she's engaged, the impact of the protest on campus, how participants respond to concerns about anti-semitism, and how she defines the movement's goals. We learned a lot. Music: Phil Ochs: "I;m gonna say itn now" D…

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The Charmer's Playbook: With Guests Wilfred Webster & Daniel Read 34:20

1+ y ago34:20

34:20

"Don't judge a book by its cover" is an old adage for a good reason. Elegant book cover designs can create a positive impression and make you more likely to judge the writing quality more positively. But these traits—cover art and writing—are separate and distinct features of books. So why do we allow the judgment of one trait to spill over to anot…

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#33 Daraka & Dick talking about the campus protests 50:23

1+ y ago50:23

50:23

Daraka and Dick use the current Columbia student protests as a springboard for examining the way efforts to control the student movement are threatening the framework of campus democracy and free expression--and how and why 'anti-semitism' labelling is being weaponized. Are there ways out of this mess? closing song: 'it Isn't Nice" by Malvina Reyno…

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Recipe for Success: With Guests Simon Rogan & Michele Gelfand 34:12

1+ y ago34:12

34:12

Are rules made to be followed—or meant to be broken? Often, the answer will depend on culture and the context in which people make decisions. In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milkman, we look at how carefully people in different contexts follow social norms, rules, and procedures. We'll also see how strict and relaxed cultures affect the qu…

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Take the Deal! With Guests Daniel Kahneman, Colin Camerer & Luis Green (Rebroadcast) 44:32

1+ y ago44:32

44:32

In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milkman, we look at how framing a decision based on what you stand to lose versus what you stand to gain affects your tolerance of risk. Luis Green was a contestant on the popular TV game show Deal or No Deal. The game is largely one of chance, but there are moments during play where the contestant has an op…

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Top of Mind: With Guests John Farrell & Manasvini Singh 32:05

1+ y ago32:05

32:05

When someone asks, "What's your favorite restaurant?" odds are you're inclined to recommend a place you've eaten at recently—even if it's not really your favorite. It's just top of mind. Why do we weigh recent events so heavily? And how does this tendency impact important decisions, like whom to vote for or how to conduct medical procedures? In thi…

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#32 Talking With Palestinian-American Activist Murad "Moe" Samara 49:07

1+ y ago49:07

49:07

A conversation with Murad "Moe" Samara, Palestinian American Democratic Party leader, Moe is an envirnmental scientist, ather of five, and a signifiant voice in Sacramento politics. He describes the gap between the Biden adminIstration and Arab American and youth Democratic Party activists, expressing hope for a war ending poicy, and fear if there …

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Repeat After Me: With Guests Jennifer LeMesurier & Tali Sharot 34:15

1+ y ago34:15

34:15

Vitamin C is a cure for the common cold. Bats are blind. Sugar makes children hyperactive. All of these statements are false. So why are they so pervasive? And why do they feel so true? In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milkman, we look at a phenomenon that can cause us to believe inaccurate information more than we should, and also lead us …

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#31 Talking with Meretz Party leader Uri Zaki 1:06:37

2y ago1:06:37

1:06:37

He’s one of the key voices of Israel’s electoral left. He defends Israel’s need to end Hamas control of Gaza, while bitterly attacking Netanyahu and his rightwing regime. The conversation illumuinates the grim political frustrations of the situation—while providing rays of hope for change. Music: “Mashup for Change” Jerusalem Youth Chorus…