Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford

Afleveringen

1. The Pedlar and the Witch | Halloween Season

   23 oktober 2026 · 39 min

   Afspelen
   In 1612, a young woman encounters a pedlar in the British countryside. A seemingly trivial quarrel spirals into chaos when the pedlar is struck down by an unknown force, leading to one of Britain's most notorious witch trials. Lees meer

   Justice for Witches Campaign: https://charlottemeredith.co.uk/the-campaign/

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

   Cautionary Tales is celebrating Halloween with a full month of paranormal themed episodes. If you have a spooky story or a skeptical question, get in touch at tales@pushkin.fm. If you want access to an extra Halloween episode about the strange world of radio telepathy, alongside plenty of other benefits, check out the Cautionary Club on Patreon.

   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2. A Tale of Blood and Ashes: The Exeter Vampires | Halloween Season

   16 oktober 2026 · 38 min

   Afspelen
   In 1800s America, something terrifying is feeding on the quiet town of Exeter. As members of George Brown's family succumb one by one, the town considers drastic measures to protect the living from the dead. Lees meer

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

   Cautionary Tales is celebrating Halloween with a full month of paranormal themed episodes. If you have a spooky story or a skeptical question, get in touch at tales@pushkin.fm. If you want access to an extra Halloween episode about the strange world of radio telepathy, alongside plenty of other benefits, check out the Cautionary Club on Patreon.

   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

3. When Aliens Landed in Wiltshire | Halloween Season

   9 oktober 2026 · 38 min

   Afspelen
   In 1980s Southern England, intricate crop circles are appearing overnight, and people are desperate for an explanation. Could humans really create something so complex without anyone spotting them? The truth is out there! Actually, the truth is right here. The problem is getting people to believe it. Lees meer

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

   Cautionary Tales is celebrating Halloween with a full month of paranormal themed episodes! If you have a spooky story or a skeptical question, get in touch at tales@pushkin.fm. If you want access to an extra Halloween episode - about the strange world of radio telepathy - alongside plenty of other benefits, check out the Cautionary Club on Patreon.

   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

4. The Mummy's Curse (Halloween Classic)

   2 oktober 2026 · 38 min

   Afspelen
   This October, Cautionary Tales is going all out for Halloween. We've got four brand new spooky episodes coming your way throughout the month, plus a fifth over on the Cautionary Club on Patreon. Lees meer

   If you have your own Halloween-themed Cautionary Tale or have any questions about belief and the paranormal we'd love to hear from you - contact tales@pushkin.fm

   To begin the month, we're revisiting one of our favourite episodes, about the grizzly fates of the archaeologists who disturbed the resting place of Tutankhamun.

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

   To join the Cautionary Club head to Patreon.com/cautionaryclub

   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

5. When Muhammad Ali Met Henry’s Hammer

   25 september 2026 · 41 min

   Afspelen
   Before he became Muhammad Ali, Cassius Clay was known as the "Louisville Loud-mouth", as famous for his sharp taunts and poetic put-downs as he was for his skills in the ring. In 1963, Clay arrived in England to take down beloved British Heavyweight, Henry Cooper. Clay is the clear favourite, but the showdown will be remembered as one of boxing history's most shocking battles, changing both men forever and showing what it really means to win. Lees meer

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

   Join our Cautionary Club to get episodes ad-free, hear bonus interviews and get an extra Cautionary Tale every month .

   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6. How a Broken Arm Improved my French - with David Epstein

   18 september 2026 · 43 min

   Afspelen
   Last week, Cautionary Tales described the rise and fall of General Magic, the startup with too much money and too few constraints. Was General Magic really doomed from the start, and what does its fate tell us about AI, drug discovery and our love lives? David Epstein, author of Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better, joins Tim to make the case for loving limitations. Lees meer

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

   Join our Cautionary Club to get episodes ad-free, hear bonus interviews and get an extra Cautionary Tale every month.

   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

7. Talent, Time and Money: The Curse of General Magic

   11 september 2026 · 39 min

   Afspelen
   It's 1990. A new company called General Magic is going to build its vision of the future: the smart phone. They have talent, almost unlimited cash, and a 15 year head start on the iPhone. What could go wrong? Lees meer

   This episode was based, with permission, on David Epstein's book Inside the Box: How Constraints Make us Better. For a list of sources, see the show notes.

   Join our Cautionary Club to get episodes ad-free, hear bonus interviews and get an extra Cautionary Tale every month.

   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8. Evel Knievel Faces the Abyss

   4 september 2026 · 40 min

   Afspelen
   Evel Knievel, the world-famous daredevil, is planning his greatest ever stunt. In 1974, he wants to leap over Snake River Canyon in Idaho. The chasm is almost a third of a mile wide, much bigger than any jump he's done before. To make it work, he'll need a custom-made rocket-powered "Skycycle," TV camera crews and - most importantly - a very positive attitude. Lees meer

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

   Join our Cautionary Club to get episodes ad-free, hear bonus interviews and get an extra Cautionary Tale every month.

   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9. Dumm und Dümmer: Hitler Invades Florida

   28 augustus 2026 · 39 min

   Afspelen
   In 1942, eight men are sent from Nazi Germany to infiltrate America. Their mission: to sabotage critical infrastructure. Their problem: they're idiots. Operation Pastorius soon devolves into one of the most baffling failures of World War II. Lees meer

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

   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10. The DeLorean Saga: Fraud, Drugs and Marty McFly's Car - with Business History

    21 augustus 2026 · 49 min

    Afspelen
    This is a special crossover episode with Business History. Lees meer

    John DeLorean was a visionary who wanted to create a futuristic new sports car - a stainless steel marvel with distinctive gull-wing doors. The British Government agreed to finance the project, provided he built his factory in a troubled part of Northern Ireland. Production stumbled, sales fizzled and DeLorean liked to fiddle with the numbers. As the company approached ruin, a neighbour offered DeLorean a lifeline, if he'd only come in on a cocaine deal.

    See the show notes at timharford.com

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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