Cass Sunstein
Mentioned in 16 analyzed podcast episodes across 10 shows
Legal scholar and Harvard Law School professor best known as co-author of *Nudge*, which introduced libertarian paternalism and behavioral economics to mainstream audiences. He served as head of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) under the Obama administration, where he applied nudge theory to regulatory policy. Podcasts discuss him for his work bridging behavioral economics, constitutional law, and practical policy design.
Appears On
Episode Appearances
Cato Podcast · Apr 2, 2026
The Great Political Realignment
“Referenced for 'Big 10 liberalism' essay arguing liberals can disagree on economic policy”
99% Invisible · Mar 10, 2026
A Man, a Plan, a Canal—Mars!
“Harvard legal scholar who drew parallels between Lowell and RFK Jr. in essay about the book”
Freakonomics Radio · Feb 18, 2026
All You Need Is Nudge (Update)
“Co-author of Nudge; legal scholar who served as head of Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs under Obama”
3 Takeaways™ · Feb 17, 2026
Six Ways the Constitution Keeps Leaders in Check with Cass Sunstein (#289)
“Harvard Law School professor, former OIRA administrator under Obama, author of Separation of Powers, discusses constitutional framework”
3 Takeaways™ · Feb 10, 2026
The Winner’s Curse: Why “Winning” Often Means You Just Lost with Nobel Laureate Richard Thaler (#288)
“Co-author with Richard Thaler of 'Nudge,' introducing libertarian paternalism and nudge theory to broader audiences.”
The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart · Feb 4, 2026
The Irrational Economy with Richard Thaler
“Co-author of 'Nudge' and former White House regulation czar under Obama, advocating behavioral policy design”
Young and Profiting with Hala Taha (Entrepreneurship, Sales, Marketing) · Jan 16, 2026
Dr. Maya Shankar: The Mindset Shift You Need When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned | Human Behavior | YAPClassic
“Author of 'Nudge'; former head of Obama's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs; helped Shankar join White House”
Passion Struck with John R. Miles · Jan 15, 2026
The Winner’s Curse: Why Smart People Lose Their Way | Alex Imas – EP 716
“Co-author with Thaler of Libertarian Paternalism and nudge framework; previous Passion Struck guest”
3 Takeaways™ · Dec 23, 2025
Highlights of 2025 (#281)
“Harvard Law Professor and former White House Regulatory Czar discussed Facebook's emotional manipulation experiment”
Capitalisn't · Oct 30, 2025
Nobel Economist Reveals Why Economic Models Keep Failing Us, ft. Richard Thaler
“Co-author with Thaler; collaborator on nudge theory and concept of 'sludge' in regulation”
3 Takeaways™ · Oct 28, 2025
Your Brain, For Sale: The Hidden Ways AI Can Manipulate You with Cass Sunstein (#273)
“Leading behavioral science expert discussing AI manipulation tactics and advocating for consumer protection rights”
Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas · Oct 13, 2025
AMA | October 2025
“Legal scholar discussed regarding democracy, coordination problems, and illiberal voters”
The Artificial Intelligence Show · Oct 7, 2025
#172: Sora 2, Claude Sonnet 4.5, ChatGPT Instant Checkout, How OpenAI Uses AI, Grokipedia & Mercor’s AI Productivity Index
Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas · Sep 29, 2025
330 | Petter Törnberg on the Dynamics of (Mis)Information
“Political theorist whose work on deliberation and echo chambers informs Törnberg's platform analysis”
Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas · Sep 22, 2025
329 | Steven Pinker on Rationality and Common Knowledge
“Harvard colleague of Pinker; discussed in context of clarifying abstract concepts like liberalism”
Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas · Sep 1, 2025
327 | Cass Sunstein on Liberalism
“Oversaw government regulation in Obama White House using cost-benefit analysis to find cross-partisan agreement”