Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford

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Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford

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We tell our children unsettling fairy tales to teach them valuable lessons, but these Cautionary Tales are for the education of the grown ups – and they are all true. Tim Harford (Financial Times, BBC, author of “The Data Detective”) brings you stories of awful human error, tragic catastrophes, and hilarious fiascos. They'll delight you, scare you, but also make you wiser. New episodes every Friday.

  1. 7H AGO

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

    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. Get ad-free episodes, plus an exclusive monthly bonus episode, to Cautionary Tales by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm. Pushkin+ subscribers can access ad-free episodes, full audiobooks exclusive binges, and bonus content for all Pushkin shows. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkinSubscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    40 min

  2. 3D AGO · BONUS • PUSHKIN+ ONLY

    Pushkin+ Exclusive: Derek Bentley Must Hang

    This episode is available exclusively to Pushkin+ subscribers. To learn more about Pushkin+ offerings, like ad-free episodes, exclusive content and early access, visit pushkin.fm or the show page on Apple. An amateurish burglary in 1950s London ends in murder. One of the men involved is a 19-year-old named Derek Bentley. Bentley has the understanding of a child - and he wasn't the killer. But the British justice system seems determined to deliver the death penalty. The fate of capital punishment lies in the balance, and so too does the fate of Derek Bentley.

    39 min

  3. APR 4

    The Old Man and the Wrecking Crew

    When Britain entered its first Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020, many found comfort in evoking the British wartime spirit. A timely hero emerged - Captain Tom Moore, a WWII veteran who walked up and down his garden to raise money for frontline nurses. But when the fundraising switched to a new charity, did anyone think to check where was the money was going? *Cautionary Tales has been nominated for a Webby Award* If you can spare a moment to give us a vote, 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. Get ad-free episodes, plus an exclusive monthly bonus episode, to Cautionary Tales by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm. Pushkin+ subscribers can access ad-free episodes, full audiobooks exclusive binges, and bonus content for all Pushkin shows. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkinSubscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    39 min
  4. Houdini: The Phone Call from the Coffin (Part 3)

    MAR 28

    Houdini: The Phone Call from the Coffin (Part 3)

    Fearing for his life, Harry Houdini leaves secret codes with his loved ones, promising to use them in any post-mortem messaging. In 1926, Houdini's death shocks the world, but the news that follows is even more astounding. A report of the impossible: contact has been made. For a full list of sources, see the show notes at timharford.com. Get ad-free episodes, plus an exclusive monthly bonus episode, to Cautionary Tales by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm. Pushkin+ subscribers can access ad-free episodes, full audiobooks exclusive binges, and bonus content for all Pushkin shows. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkinSubscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    41 min
  5. Houdini's Detective and her 1500 Dead Husbands (Part 2)

    MAR 21

    Houdini's Detective and her 1500 Dead Husbands (Part 2)

    Harry Houdini finds an ally in his fight against spiritualism, a brilliant detective called Rose Mackenberg, who'll do whatever it takes to expose a fake. Together, the two head to Washington to try and get lawmakers to criminalise mediums. The hearing that follows will be violent, sensational and leave Houdini fearing for his life. This is the second of a three-part series. For a full list of sources, see the show notes at timharford.com. Get ad-free episodes, plus an exclusive monthly bonus episode, to Cautionary Tales by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm. Pushkin+ subscribers can access ad-free episodes, full audiobooks exclusive binges, and bonus content for all Pushkin shows. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkinSubscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    42 min
  6. Houdini: A Message from the Spirits (Part 1)

    MAR 14

    Houdini: A Message from the Spirits (Part 1)

    Harry Houdini is remembered today for his legendary escapes and illusions, but he also had a lifelong obsession with the paranormal. After dabbling in fake seances himself, Houdini made it his mission to uncover frauds and expose mediums. This would put him on a collision course with his spiritualist friend, Arthur Conan Doyle, and leave him fearing for his life. This is the first of a three-part series. For a full list of sources, see the show notes at timharford.com. Get ad-free episodes, plus an exclusive monthly bonus episode, to Cautionary Tales by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm. Pushkin+ subscribers can access ad-free episodes, exclusive audiobook binges, and bonus content for all Pushkin shows.  Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkinSubscribe on Pushkin.fm: pushkin.fm/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    43 min

  7. MAR 11 · BONUS • PUSHKIN+ ONLY

    Pushkin+ Exclusive: True Lies and Genuine Fakes

    This episode is available exclusively to Pushkin+ subscribers. To learn more about Pushkin+ offerings, like ad-free episodes, exclusive content and early access, visit pushkin.fm or the show page on Apple. In 1998, an art gallery gets a mysterious phone call. The caller claims they have been fooled by a master forger and that many of their prized paintings are fakes. Or are they? This is the story of the life and lies of the notorious Eric Hebborn. What did he do, and what does that teach us about how we can root out deepfakes without undermining our trust in reality? For a full list of sources, see the show notes at timharford.com

    41 min

  8. MAR 7

    Would You Trust a Gangster Nanny? - Cautionary Questions with Rachel Botsman

    Do we trust our fitness trackers too much? How do fraudsters gain our faith? Why do people trust podcasters? And would you trust a drug dealing nanny with a tambourine? Tim Harford is joined by trust expert Rachel Botsman to answer your questions. Rachel lectures in trust at Oxford University and her new audiobook How To Trust and Be Trusted is available via Pushkin.fm and wherever audiobooks are sold.We love hearing from you, so please keep your questions coming: tales@pushkin.fm. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    41 min
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Hosts & Guests

4.7
out of 5
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About

We tell our children unsettling fairy tales to teach them valuable lessons, but these Cautionary Tales are for the education of the grown ups – and they are all true. Tim Harford (Financial Times, BBC, author of “The Data Detective”) brings you stories of awful human error, tragic catastrophes, and hilarious fiascos. They'll delight you, scare you, but also make you wiser. New episodes every Friday.

Information

  • Channel
    Pushkin
  • Creator
    Pushkin Industries
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    170
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    2025 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia
  • Show Website
    Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford
  • Provider
    Pushkin Industries Inc.

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