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Revisionist History podcast

Revisionist History

Revisionist History is Malcolm Gladwell's journey through the overlooked and the misunderstood. Every episode re-examines something from the past—an event, a person, an idea, even a song—and asks whether we got it right the first time. From Pushkin Industries. Because sometimes the past deserves a second chance. To get early access to ad-free episodes and extra content, subscribe to Pushkin+ in Apple Podcasts are pushkin.fm/pus. iHeartMedia is the exclusive podcast partner of Pushkin Industries.

Revisionist History is Malcolm Gladwell's journey through the overlooked and the misunderstood. Every episode re-examines something from the past—an event, a person, an idea, even a song—and asks whether we got it right the first time. From Pushkin Industries. Because sometimes the past deserves a second chance. To get early access to ad-free episodes and extra content, subscribe to Pushkin+ in Apple Podcasts are pushkin.fm/pus. iHeartMedia is the exclusive podcast partner of Pushkin Industries.

 

#107

The Crisis in Girls’ Sports with Lauren Fleshman and Linda Flanagan

In a live conversation taped at the 92nd Street Y in New York City, Malcolm and his Martian friend consult athletes Linda Flanagan and Lauren Fleshman on how to level the proverbial playing field. What would they ban from youth sports: Coaches? Parents? Uniforms? Whatever it takes to bring the love of the game to everyone. See [omnystudio.com/listener] (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. ... Read more

25 May 2023

55 MINS

55:33

25 May 2023


#106

The Mystery of Mastery with Adam Gopnik

In a live conversation taped at the 92nd Street Y in New York City, Malcolm chats with his old friend and New Yorker magazine colleague, Adam Gopnik, about Adam’s latest book, The Real Work: On the Mystery of Mastery. In the book, Adam follows numerous masters of their craft to find out just how they do what they do—and discovers that there is mastery all around us. In this episode, Malcolm and Adam highlight a few of the folks from the book, and what they have to teach us. You can purchase the audiobook version of The Real Work: On the Mystery of Mastery at [Pushkin.fm] (http://pushkin.fm/) See [omnystudio.com/listener] (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. ... Read more

18 May 2023

37 MINS

37:19

18 May 2023


#105

Introducing: So Many Steves, A New Audiobook from Steve Martin and Pushkin

Today, we’re bringing you a preview of Pushkin's new audiobook, “So Many Steves.” Steve Martin is more candid than he’s ever been about his creative life in this engrossing audio-biography centered around a series of conversations recorded over many afternoons at home with his friend and neighbor, writer Adam Gopnik. You can get “So Many Steves,” an audio-exclusive, now at Audible: [http://audible.com/stevemartin] (http://audible.com/stevemartin) See [omnystudio.com/listener] (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. ... Read more

03 May 2023

10 MINS

10:45

03 May 2023


#104

Malcolm Goes to Debate School

What do you do after you've been humiliated at the Munk Debates? You call in the A-Team.  See [omnystudio.com/listener] (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. ... Read more

13 Apr 2023

44 MINS

44:08

13 Apr 2023


#103

Higher Animals with Michael Specter

Malcolm talks with his old friend, the brilliant science writer Michael Specter, about the future of life on Earth. Michael's response to the Covid-19 pandemic was to create a new audiobook on how the mRNA vaccines have sparked a biotechnology revolution: [Higher Animals: Vaccines, Synthetic Biology, and the Future of Life] (https://www.pushkin.fm/audiobooks/higher-animals) . He and Malcolm talk about how this scientific revolution is bigger than many that came before it, about the promise of heritable vaccines for endangered species, and about how a smallpox infection could genuinely have wiped out New York in 1947. Also, we share a portion of Higher Animals' first, thrilling chapter. To purchase your own, complete copy of Michael Specter's Higher Animals, visit [Pushkin.fm] (https://www.pushkin.fm/) . See [omnystudio.com/listener] (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. ... Read more

06 Apr 2023

34 MINS

34:05

06 Apr 2023


#102

Started From The Bottom with Justin Richmond

Today, we dig into the fascinating life of someone Malcolm knows very well: fellow Pushkin host Justin Richmond. Malcolm and Justin talk about being the product of biracial marriages, surviving racist bullies, and Justin's chance dinner with a megastar that changed his life.  Justin created his newest show, [Started from the Bottom] (https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/started-from-the-bottom) , to talk with successful people who grew up as outsiders about how they made it against the odds. Origin stories of mostly men and women of color and brilliant people who others counted out. How they climbed their way up the ladder, and the obstacles they overcame along the way. If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts, be sure to sign up for our [email list] (https://pushkin.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ec28005461416f0b42178894f&id=1694c40f69) at Pushkin.fm. See [omnystudio.com/listener] (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. ... Read more

16 Mar 2023

43 MINS

43:31

16 Mar 2023


#101

Rodents and Red Wine with Maria Konnikova

Author, psychologist and professional poker player Maria Konnikova joins the show as Revisionist History’s first ombudsman. Maria advocates for the audience, reading letters from listeners and challenging Malcolm on matters great and small. They discuss how iodized salt is changing lives, the ethics of the Minnesota starvation experiments, and the ever-changing guidance around drinking alcohol. If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts, be sure to sign up for our email list at [Pushkin.fm] (http://pushkin.fm/) .  See [omnystudio.com/listener] (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. ... Read more

09 Mar 2023

42 MINS

42:13

09 Mar 2023


#100

A Treat for the Die-Hards

Every writer, podcaster and storyteller obsesses about how they begin a story. But they rarely pay enough attention to endings. Nothing matters more. Malcolm and Mike Birbiglia solve endings for you. From our first-ever Revisionist History: LIVE events at the Town Hall in New York City and the Fillmore Philadelphia, Malcolm revisits how he’s tried to land the narrative plane. If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts, be sure to sign up for our [email list] (https://pushkin.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ec28005461416f0b42178894f&id=1694c40f69) at Pushkin.fm. See [omnystudio.com/listener] (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. ... Read more

16 Feb 2023

30 MINS

30:29

16 Feb 2023


#99

From Broken Record: Rick Rubin in Conversation with Malcolm Gladwell

In which Malcolm reunites with his colleague, friend and fellow host of Broken Record (not to mention a music icon in his own right), Rick Rubin. This month Rick released his first book, called "The Creative Act: A Way Of Being." In it he shares practical principles on how anyone can generate creative authenticity and ultimately find their voice. If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts, be sure to sign up for our [email list] (https://pushkin.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ec28005461416f0b42178894f&id=1694c40f69) at Pushkin.fm.  See [omnystudio.com/listener] (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. ... Read more

26 Jan 2023

1 HR 02 MINS

1:02:09

26 Jan 2023


#98

The Cadillac LYRIQ: Malcolm Gladwell meets an Electric Icon - Part Two

In part two of our special series with Cadillac, we test whether the all-electric Cadillac LYRIQ can keep up with the demands of a 21st-century helicopter parent, put a baby to sleep, and impress a collector of immaculate old-school Caddies. Join Malcolm on a test ride like you’ve never been on before. Part two of two.  This episode is sponsored by Cadillac. See [omnystudio.com/listener] (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. ... Read more

20 Dec 2022

10 MINS

10:09

20 Dec 2022


#97

The Cadillac LYRIQ: Malcolm Gladwell meets an Electric Icon – Part One

Not long ago, we got a call at Pushkin Headquarters from Cadillac. They knew that Malcolm takes cars very seriously… so they asked if he’d heard of the all-electric Cadillac LYRIQ and if he’d like to borrow one for a few days to put it to the test. Yes, yes he did. What resulted was a series of road tests, blindfolded experiments, and head-to-head comparisons. Part one of two.    This episode is sponsored by Cadillac.  See [omnystudio.com/listener] (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. ... Read more

22 Nov 2022

10 MINS

10:01

22 Nov 2022


#96

From Inside Voice: Lake Bell and the Sexy Baby Voice Phenomenon

Malcolm's friend, actress/writer/director/producer Lake Bell, is obsessed with voice. Malcolm is a little obsessed with Lake. This excerpt from Lake's new Pushkin audiobook Inside Voice: My Obsession with HowWe Sound, showcases Lake and Malcolm's conversation about the phenomenon of the sexy baby voice (think Paris Hilton or any Real Housewife). Inside Voice is a deep dive into what our voices mean and what they say about us. Go buy yourself a copy at [insidevoiceaudiobook.com] (http://insidevoiceaudiobook.com/) , Audible, Apple Books, Spotify, or anywhere audiobooks are sold.  See [omnystudio.com/listener] (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. ... Read more

01 Nov 2022

26 MINS

26:02

01 Nov 2022


#95

The Creative Power of Misfits

Sharing something from our friends at the TED Audio Collective—an episode of WorkLife with Adam Grant. Adam talks about harnessing the power of frustrated people to shake up the status quo — just like Pixar did. If you'd like to hear more, they've got a brand new podcast out called Re: Thinking with Adam Grant. On the show, get a peek into the minds of some of the world's most creative people. This season they've got entrepreneur Mark Cuban, bestselling author Celeste Ng, Oscar-winning actor and producer Reese Witherspoon, neuroscientist Chantel Prat, Nobel laureate physicist Saul Perlmutter, and death-defying rock climber Alex Honnold. Listen at  [https://www.ted.com/podcasts/rethinking_with_adam_grant] (https://www.ted.com/podcasts/rethinking_with_adam_grant) See [omnystudio.com/listener] (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. ... Read more

20 Oct 2022

40 MINS

40:58

20 Oct 2022


#94

The Mennonite National Anthem

Lester Glick’s year in the Minnesota Starvation Experiment cost him his hoped-for career and also left him with an eating disorder for the rest of his life. But like many of the other volunteers, he said he would have done it again in a heartbeat. Revisionist History explores the scientific legacy of this experiment, and asks whether it’s time to reimagine our understanding of sacrifice.    If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts, be sure to sign up for our [email list] (https://pushkin.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ec28005461416f0b42178894f&id=1694c40f69) at Pushkin.fm. See [omnystudio.com/listener] (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. ... Read more

06 Oct 2022

31 MINS

31:46

06 Oct 2022


#93

The Rise of the Guinea Pigs

The Minnesota Starvation Experiment could never be done today. No scientist could get permission to starve 36 healthy people for close to a year. But why? Revisionist History tries to follow the strange logic that governs our thinking about medical experiments.  If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts, be sure to sign up for our [email list] (https://pushkin.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ec28005461416f0b42178894f&id=1694c40f69) at Pushkin.fm. See [omnystudio.com/listener] (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. ... Read more

29 Sep 2022

42 MINS

42:36

29 Sep 2022


#92

The Department of Physiological Hygiene

In the final year of the Second World War, 36 men spent a year in a dingy set of rooms under the University of Minnesota football stadium. They were part of an experiment none of them would ever forget. What happened in the Department of Physiological Hygiene? Revisionist History uncovers a forgotten box of interviews in the archives of the Library of Congress.  If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts, be sure to sign up for our [email list] (https://pushkin.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ec28005461416f0b42178894f&id=1694c40f69) at Pushkin.fm. See [omnystudio.com/listener] (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. ... Read more

22 Sep 2022

31 MINS

31:42

22 Sep 2022


#91

Outliers, Revisited

Did Malcolm Gladwell blow it in his bestselling book Outliers? What if all he did was write a primer for neurotic helicopter parents? To find out, Revisionist History descends on the University of Pennsylvania to run a roomful of eager students through a mysterious experiment, complete with Sharpies, huge white stickers, and a calculator. It does not end well. If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts, be sure to sign up for our [email list] (https://pushkin.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ec28005461416f0b42178894f&id=1694c40f69) at Pushkin.fm. See [omnystudio.com/listener] (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. ... Read more

15 Sep 2022

44 MINS

44:26

15 Sep 2022


#90

We’re Back … With More Experiments!

Revisionist History returns on September 15th with a saga about self-sacrifice. Plus, Malcolm offers a mea culpa for an unintended consequence of a chapter he wrote in Outliers. If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts, be sure to sign up for our [email list ] (https://pushkin.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ec28005461416f0b42178894f&id=1694c40f69) at Pushkin.fm. See [omnystudio.com/listener] (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. ... Read more

12 Sep 2022

01 MINS

01:28

12 Sep 2022


#89

Tim Harford Cools Us Down This Summer

We’ll be back in September with new episodes of Revisionist History. In the meantime, I got to sit down with my good friend and host of Cautionary Tales, Tim Harford. We discuss his recent trilogy about the epic race between two explorers to the South Pole and all the challenges they encounter along the way. We draw parallels between the 1920s explorers and Silicon Valley startups, and of course, who of the two explorers we’d prefer to have dinner with. Enjoy! See [omnystudio.com/listener] (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. ... Read more

19 Aug 2022

21 MINS

21:44

19 Aug 2022


#88

“I Was A Stranger and You Welcomed Me”

Malcolm tells the story of how his parents and their friends sponsored three Vietnamese refugees, in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. And wonders: do we underestimate the value of ordinary acts of kindness? If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts, be sure to sign up for our [email list] (https://pushkin.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ec28005461416f0b42178894f&id=1694c40f69) at Pushkin.fm.  See [omnystudio.com/listener] (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. ... Read more

28 Jul 2022

33 MINS

33:47

28 Jul 2022


#87

When Will Met Grace

You thought the antics of Will, Grace, Jack and Karen were just harmless fun. Oh please. Revisionist History dives deep into a television sitcom that you may not have realized even had a deep end.  If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts, be sure to sign up for our [email list ] (https://pushkin.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ec28005461416f0b42178894f&id=1694c40f69) at Pushkin.fm. See [omnystudio.com/listener] (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. ... Read more

21 Jul 2022

35 MINS

35:53

21 Jul 2022


#86

Star Struck

A legendary Hollywood mogul, a famous author, a fatal drunk driving accident, and a brilliant bit of screenwriting, left on the cutting room floor. Revisionist History engages in a pop culture what-if experiment about the 1937 version of A Star is Born.  If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts, be sure to sign up for our [email list] (https://pushkin.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ec28005461416f0b42178894f&id=1694c40f69) at Pushkin.fm. See [omnystudio.com/listener] (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. ... Read more

14 Jul 2022

47 MINS

47:54

14 Jul 2022


#85

In Triplicate

A mystery that begins with the half-baked idea of an obscure California bureaucrat in the 1930’s and ends with one of the worst public crises in American history. Chicken Little said the sky was falling. And sometimes Chicken Little is right.  If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts, be sure to sign up for our [email list] (https://pushkin.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ec28005461416f0b42178894f&id=1694c40f69) at Pushkin.fm. See [omnystudio.com/listener] (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. ... Read more

07 Jul 2022

34 MINS

34:15

07 Jul 2022


#84

Way to Go, Ohio

A century ago, a mysterious and disfiguring disease was finally cured by an experiment in Akron, Ohio . . . with a condiment. We ask: it is time to return to Akron, and try the same trick again? Ay, oh, way to go, Ohio. If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts, be sure to sign up for our [email list] (https://pushkin.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ec28005461416f0b42178894f&id=1694c40f69) at Pushkin.fm. See [omnystudio.com/listener] (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. ... Read more

30 Jun 2022

38 MINS

38:49

30 Jun 2022


#83

The Magic Wand Experiment

What if you could design any experiment you wanted? Without worrying about money, ethics, logistics, or even the laws of nature? Revisionist History kicks off the season by giving some of the world’s smartest scientists a magic wand to create the experiment of their dreams. We hear about the best twins study ever, how to test the effects of iPhone vs Blackberry, and a bizarre plan to get Americans into shape. If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts, be sure to sign up for our [email list] (https://pushkin.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ec28005461416f0b42178894f&id=1694c40f69) at Pushkin.fm. See [omnystudio.com/listener] (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. ... Read more

30 Jun 2022

35 MINS

35:05

30 Jun 2022


#82

Revisionist History Season 7: The Experiment Experience

Revisionist History is back! And obsessed with ... experiments. Natural experiments. Thought experiments. Failed experiments. Experiments that end up in salt factories and file drawers filled with carbon copies. Not to mention experimental endings to Hollywood classics and a deep dive involving the sitcom Will and Grace. Season 7 gets underway June 30, with episodes available a week early for Pushkin+ subscribers. Find out more at [Pushkin.fm] (http://pushkin.fm/) . See [omnystudio.com/listener] (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. ... Read more

16 Jun 2022

03 MINS

03:10

16 Jun 2022


#81

Relax and Win from Legacy of Speed

Sharing a new Pushkin show, Legacy of Speed. When two Black sprinters raised their fists in protest at the 1968 Olympic Games, it shook the world. More than 50 years later, the ripple effects of their activism are still felt. Host Malcolm Gladwel tells the stories of the runners who took a stand, and the coaches and mentors who helped make them fast enough — and brave enough — to change the world.In this episode, we hear how coach Bud Winter took what he learned from working with fighter pilots in World War II and created a system for training sprinters at San Jose State. His “Relax and Win” methods used breathing, visualization and other unconventional coaching techniques to create a powerhouse track program. Another thing that made him unique at the time? His focus on recruiting Black athletes to a mostly white school. See [omnystudio.com/listener] (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. ... Read more

14 Jun 2022

33 MINS

33:06

14 Jun 2022