Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford

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Latest Episodes:

The Treasure Hunt that Broke America (Part 2) Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

Forrest Fenn’s legendary treasure hunt ignites a nationwide obsession. The thrill of adventure, the promise of gold, and the call of the wild entice many seekers into the quest. Over time, excitement gives way to conspiracy and resentment, as treasure hunters stray into increasingly dangerous or aggressive interpretations of the clues. As the body count climbs, even Forrest begins to fear for his safety.
For a full list of show notes see www.timharford.com

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The Treasure Hunt that Broke America (Part 1) Nov 07, 2025

Show notes

Forrest Fenn never does things the regular way. Despite no formal training and little knowledge of art, he becomes a millionaire gallery owner. An outsider by nature, Fenn’s charm, audacity, and disregard for convention earns him both wealth and respect. When a streak of bad luck threatens to destroy his empire, Fenn dreams up an audacious final act. He'll mastermind the greatest treasure hunt America has ever known. As the legend spreads, and gold fever grips the nation, Fenn begins to lose control.

The story of Forrest Fenn's treasure hunt will continue next week.

Find "Who Can You Trust?" by Rachel Botsman (19:45), on Apple Books or where ever you get your audiobooks.

This episode discusses death by suicide. If you are suffering emotional distress or having suicidal thoughts, support is available - for example, from the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US, or the Samaritans in the UK on 116 123

Read more about Tim's work at http://timharford.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Truth About Hansel and Gretel (Classic) Oct 31, 2025

Show notes

Was the fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel - the story of a woodcutter’s children abandoned in the woods and left at the mercy of a witch - in fact, early true crime? A hit book - The Truth About Hansel and Gretel - said that historical records pointed to the story being based on fact. Are we too quick to dismiss the truth behind tall stories? Or are we always falling for tales that are too good to be true?

Read more about Tim's work at http://timharford.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Fire from the Inside - Lethal Injection Up Close with Malcolm Gladwell Oct 28, 2025

Show notes

Last week, Cautionary Tales told the tragic story of Derek Bentley, exploring Britain's troubled relationship with capital punishment. Across the Atlantic, Revisionist History has also been scrutinizing what it means for a state to try to execute a person. For this bonus episode, Malcolm Gladwell joins Tim Harford to discuss his new series The Alabama Murders, and to confront the disturbing truth behind the death penalty in America today.
Hear Revisionist History: The Alabama Murders wherever you get podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Derek Bentley Must Hang Oct 24, 2025

Show notes

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.

For a full list of show notes go to timharford.com, and to join our new Patreon, go to patreon.com/cautionaryclub.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Canal, the Crash and the Ketamine - Pushkin's Reign of Error Oct 17, 2025

Show notes

In 1983, a plane takes off from Ottawa with less than half the required fuel on board. As the engines cut out one by one, the pilot is left with a ticking clock and an impossible task. But what does a tale of an unusual plane crash have in common with one about a disappearing canal?

For this special episode, Tim is joined by colleagues from across Pushkin's podcast network. Heavyweight's Jonathan Goldstein stops by to muse on the cost of mistakes and whether we're really in control of how many we make. Plus, Nate Silver and Maria Konnikova from the podcast Risky Business give a gambler's take on the strange science of regret.

Heavyweight and Risky Business are available wherever you get your podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Schrödinger's Spy: Businessman, Fraud, or Russian Agent? - with Sam Jones Oct 10, 2025

Show notes

When the Financial Times uncovered the billion-dollar Wirecard fraud, it seemed like the story was over. But then the company’s Chief Operating Officer, Jan Marsalek, vanished - leaving behind clues that pointed to a double life as a secret agent.

In his new podcast Hot Money: Agent of Chaos, FT journalist Sam Jones follows Marsalek’s trail through a globe-spanning world of spies, secrets, and corruption. Sam joins Tim to take him behind the scenes of the hunt for Marsalek, share his insights on the future of Russian espionage, and explore what modern spy stories tell us about ourselves.

Find Hot Money: Agent of Chaos wherever you get your podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Missing Fish and Fatal Feasts: Ritual and Ruin at the Sun King’s Table Oct 03, 2025

Show notes

In the gilded court of Louis XIV, 17th Century France, manners are everything. Where to sit, how to eat, what to wear - any misstep is costly. No one knows this better than François Vatel, the greatest party planner in all of France. Tonight, Vatel must deliver the ultimate banquet, a chance for his master to rise through the ranks and win the king's favor. But where there is opportunity there is danger, and even one mistake could prove deadly.

WARNING: This episode discusses death by suicide. If you are suffering emotional distress or having suicidal thoughts, support is available - for example, from the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US, or the Samaritans in the UK on 116 123

For a full list of show notes go to timharford.com, and to join our new Patreon, go to patreon.com/cautionaryclub.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Don't Panic! Douglas Adams' Guide to Tomorrow - with Arvind Ethan David Sep 26, 2025

Show notes

Writer Douglas Adams, best known for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, used science fiction and satire to warn us about potential dangers in our future, from artificial intelligence to social media and animal extinction. In this Cautionary Conversation, Tim is joined by Arvind Ethan David, author of the new audiobook Douglas Adams: Ends of the Earth, to discuss why Adams was in the business of telling Cautionary Tales, his worries (and fixes) for the future, and what we all have in common with a sentient puddle.

For more information go to timharford.com.

Douglas Adams Ends of the Earth on audiobook: https://www.pushkin.fm/audiobooks/douglas-adams-the-ends-of-the-earth
The Hitchhikers Immersive evening in London: https://riversidestudios.co.uk/see-and-do/the-hitchhikers-guide-to-the-galaxy-185234/

Become a Cautionary Club member on Patreon for bonus Cautionary Tales episodes, behind-the-scenes chats, newsletters, and more. To join Pushkin+ visit pushkin.fm⁠ or the show page on Apple.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Deadly Day at the Races: What Radical Protest Can and Cannot Do Sep 19, 2025

Show notes

After years of campaigning for votes for women, the Suffragettes emerge at the turn of the 20th Century. Their motto, 'Deeds Not Words', heralds the start of more radical actions, including fire bombing, civil disobedience and hunger strikes. Emily Davison is a passionate rebel, but she pushes at the limits of what her allies find acceptable. History remembers Emily for her final act, but have we got everything about the story right?

Read more about Tim's work at http://timharford.com/

Become a Cautionary Club member on Patreon for bonus Cautionary Tales episodes, behind-the-scenes chats, newsletters, and more. To join Pushkin+ visit pushkin.fm⁠ or the show page on Apple.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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