July 31, 2013

Download Caedmon Audio

We are now pleased to be offering Caedmon Audio titles on audio download through LearnOutLoud.com. For over 50 years now Harper Collins’ imprint Caedmon Audio has consistently published classic literature, drama, and poetry read by the authors or by renowned actors. They’ve recorded many full cast productions of William Shakespeare’s plays. They also feature many modern literary classics and short stories by authors such as Kurt Vonnegut, Jack Kerouac, and Edgar Allan Poe, along with audio collections of Noel Coward, John Updike, and John Cheever.

We currently offer over 40 of their classic and contemporary titles on audio download:

Over 40 Caedmon Audio on Download

And you can check out their full collection of over 150 titles on our site as well:

Browse the Entire Caedmon Collection on CD, Cassette, & MP3 Download

Some of the highlights from this collection include:

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, narrated by Tim Robbins, for only $4.99

Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, narrated by Ethan Hawke

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, read by Ruby Dee

A Child’s Christmas in Wales, And Five Poems recording of Dylan Thomas in February of 1952

The Edgar Allan Poe Audio Collection narrated by Basil Rathbone & Vincent Price

A Streetcar Named Desire full-cast recording of Tennessee Williams’s classic play

Fahrenheit 451 written and read by Ray Bradbury

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

The John Updike Audio Collection

The John Cheever Audio Collection

Old Yeller by Fred Gipson

The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain, read by Stanley Tucci

And many more titles including a whole lot of Shakespeare!

Over 40 Caedmon Audio on Download

Browse the Entire Caedmon Collection on CD, Cassette, & MP3 Download

July 30, 2013

Earl Nightingale’s The Strangest Secret for Free on MP3

The Strangest Secret

Today’s free audio book is a short but powerful message from the “Dean of Personal Development” Earl Nightingale. This recording is actually one of the recordings that helped to launch the spoken word industry. Produced in 1956, the spoken word record The Strangest Secret sold over a million copies, making it the first spoken-word recording to achieve Gold Record status.

In only 30 minutes, Earl Nightingale lays out the secret for achieving success in life. Speaking against conformity and aimlessness in one’s career, Nightingale encourages us to set goals and put all our thoughts and creativity upon these goals. He quotes from many of the greatest thinkers of all time who have pointed to this formula for success. He closes the record with 5 steps for achieving success, along with ways to overcome doubt, negativity, and fear.

We’ve linked to the original recording on YouTube, along with a free recording available on streaming audio and MP3 download on markvictorhansen.com. In this free version you’ll also get an introduction and commentary at points in the audio program by personal growth author Mark Victor Hansen who provides examples of how he used ideas from The Strangest Secret to achieve his own success. Also on markvictorhansen.com you’ll see a free download of Mark Victor Hansen’s eBook, “Chronic Profitability – How to Make Money All the Time”. If you scroll down you’ll see the audio version of The Strangest Secret.

Nightingale was a true believer in the power of audio learning! In fact he cofounded the audio & video learning company Nightingale-Conant with Lloyd Conant in 1960. Enjoy this classic recording from Earl Nightingale!

The Strangest Secret

July 6, 2013

10 Presidential Historians Discuss 10 American Presidents

Happy 4th of July! We hope you had a great one. Today we present 10 presidential historians talking about 10 American presidents. First off here’s a fun talk with Edmund Morris in serious jibber-jabber with Conan O’Brien about presidents.

Presidential Biographer Edmund Morris in Serious Jibber-Jabber with Conan O’Brien

In this episode of the Conan’s Serious Jibber-Jabber series, late-night talk show host Conan O’Brien sits down with Presidential biographer Edmund Morris to chat about the diverse men that have made up the American Presidency. Morris spent 30 years of his career chronicling the life of Theodore Roosevelt, who provided a particularly extreme model of lifetime accomplishment that is almost beyond compare. Using Roosevelt as a jumping off point, Morris and O’Brien discuss how Presidents like Taft, FDR, JFK, Carter, and especially Reagan came to assume the role of commander in chief, using their particular talent (or arguable lack thereof) to define a given age. Entertaining, anecdotal, and psychologically perceptive, Morris zeroes in on the type of person that is attracted to the Presidency, and why some personalities failed where others flourished.

1. Life Portrait of Theodore Roosevelt with Biographer Edmund Morris

Teddy Roosevelt biographer Edmund Morris joins C-span for a long discussion on a key president that shaped the country in the years preceding World War I. Here Morris answers various questions on TR’s life, including his reformist policies, his deep intellectual appetites, his life as a big-game hunter and later preservationist, and how the loss of his son put an abrupt end to his presidential ambitions. From minor questions about the origins of the Teddy Bear, to major issues surrounding the Panama Canal, Morris is able to guide viewers through the life of one the most colorful presidents the country ever had.

If you like this talk, check out Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris on audio download.

2. Jon Meacham on Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power

After winning a Pulitzer Prize for his biography of President Andrew Jackson, political writer John Meacham followed up his success with an equally modern assessment of Thomas Jefferson. In this lecture presented to Google Talks, Meacham tracks Jefferson’s legacy, from his starting point as one of the first governmental leaders to apply post-enlightenment ideals, to the intellectual compromises that led to his doubling the nation’s land with the Louisiana purchase, and finally to how he shrank from the specter of slavery despite deeply held personal beliefs on human liberty. In all, Meacham believes Jefferson was one of the rarest of all politicians: someone who could both plot a philosophical course for the country while at the same time devising means to make it happen.

If you like this talk, check out Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power by Jon Meacham on audio book download.

3. Q&A with A. Scott Berg on Wilson

In this hour-long interview provided by C-SPAN, author A. Scott Berg talks about the era-defining Presidency of Woodrow Wilson, and how his policies helped shape progressive politics well into the 21st century. Described by Berg as the first academic President, Wilson’s idealism was constantly at odds with a hostile congress and a world-changing war. Berg also gives us details on Wilson’s romantic side, and how he kept life-long health issues a secret from the public in an era where it was still possible to hide debilitating ailments from the news.

If you like this talk, check out Wilson by A. Scott Berg on audio book download.

4. Robert Caro on the Presidency of LBJ

The Forum Network hosts Robert Caro in this probing look at President Lyndon B. Johnson. Caro is now writing his fourth volume on the life of LBJ, a series that has charted a complicated legacy which pits early success in the Senate with Civil Rights reform against later failure with the Vietnam war. From very early on, Caro felt LBJ’s story had a dual purpose; this is not just the story of a man with an insatiable (sometimes vicious) thirst for power, it’s also the story of how vital the Senate is in checking the abuse of said power. Caro feels that though he had his flaws, Johnson used his power compassionately once it was attained, and in many ways, it was this compassion that led to his later humbling.

5. Steven Spielberg, Doris Kearns Goodwin & Tony Kushner Discuss “Lincoln”

Film Director Steven Spielberg, Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin and “Lincoln” screenwriter Tony Kushner talk about the difficulties and excitement of bringing Abraham Lincoln to life for the screen in this streaming discussion hosted by The Richmond Forum. Using Goodwin’s book “Team of Rivals” as the basis for their 2012 hit “Lincoln”, Spielberg and Kushner at first found it difficult to distill 900 pages into a 2 hour film that would properly explore Abraham Lincoln’s legacy. Finally, Kushner focused on the drama surrounding the passing of the 13 amendment, and with Spielberg’s guidance (and an Oscar-winning portrayal by Daniel Day Lewis), Lincoln came to life for 21st century viewers. Watch them discuss this long process, and offer up plenty of insight on why Lincoln has proven to be one of the most compelling figures in history.

If you like this talk, check out Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin on audio download.

6. Q&A with Ron Chernow on Washington: A Life

When it comes to George Washington, there are over 900 biographies for readers to choose from if they wish to learn about America’s 1st president. Despite this mountain of data, biographer Ron Chernow still managed to break fresh ground with his latest one volume portrait of Washington. Using recently brand new historical documents as a base, Chernow discovered a man that held intense emotions in check with an even deeper devotion to his duties as a leader of men. Chernow feels that the years have sanded down Washington’s edges in our cultural memory, and with his book, we learn the facts of a man before they became the stories of a legend.

7. Life Portrait of John Adams with Biographer David McCullough

C-Span hosts several superb guests at the John Adams estate in Quincy Massachusetts, for a lively discussion on the life and legacy of America’s 2nd president. His most recent biographer David McCullough tells us that Adams’ life was very well documented, because he may have been one of the few founding fathers that had such an acute awareness of the massive historical era he was living in. For over two hours, we learn about Adams’ vital role in the American Revolution, meet his incredible wife Abigail, gain insight on the tense infighting that led to his short Presidency, and assess the Adams family legacy that continues with John Quincy Adams and beyond.

If you like this talk, check out John Adams by David McCullough on audio book download.

8. Historian H.W. Brands on Andrew Jackson

The ongoing historical interpretation of President Andrew Jackson has been a source of great controversy among scholars over the last few decades. In this lecture presented by The Miller Center of Public Affairs, eminent historian H.W. Brands considers the pros and cons of Jackson’s presidency and addresses the stigma attached to anyone that may regard him in a positive light. This lecture is a great opportunity to learn about a man that many consider to be the first president of the modern era. This title is available on MP3 download and streaming audio from the Miller Center of Public Affairs.

If you like this talk, check out Andrew Jackson: His Life and Times by H.W. Brands on audio download.

9. Life Portrait of John F. Kennedy with Historian Robert Dallek

Young, vital, and dynamic, John F. Kennedy defined a new age in American politics when he rose to the presidency in 1960 only to be cut down by an assassin within his first term. JFK Biographer Robert Dallek is interviewed for C-Span in this streaming video program that tracks Kennedy’s life, from his pampered upbringing in a prominent family, to his eventful naval career, to a political life that eventually led to a brief but challenging presidency, where the height of space age optimism was undercut by the looming threat of global nuclear annihilation. Dallek is quick to point out Kennedy’s faults, while at the same time offering measured approval of the trials he faced in a presidency that’s proven popular in part due to its tragic, untimely end.

If you like this talk, check out An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917-1963 by Robert Dallek on audio book download.

10. Book Discussion on FDR with Jean Edward Smith

Biographer Jean Edward Smith explains how Franklin Delano Roosevelt became the common man’s President despite his wealthy upbringing. In this lecture presented by C-Span, Smith argues that there were three U.S. Presidents that dominated the country’s history: Washington who fought for and presided over the birth of a nation, Lincoln who preserved it, and FDR who led America from poverty to world superpower within the span of 4 unprecedented terms. Smith also dispels FDR’s rumored foreknowledge of the attack on Pearl Harbor, shrewdly assesses his tenuous, yet civil “partnership” with wife Eleanor, and provides further insight on the internal drive that made the man overcome paralysis to bring a country back on its feet.

If you like this talk, check out FDR by Jean Edward Smith on audio book download.

And here are some more talks on past presidents!

Amity Shlaes on Coolidge

Author Amity Shlaes sheds light on a rarely discussed President in this hour long program hosted by C-span devoted to Calvin Coolidge. After writing about the economic upheaval that shook the 1930’s, Shlaes questioned why the government ran so smoothly in the decade leading up to the great depression. This led her to write a biography of the quiet President that presided over America’s prosperous guilded age. Shlaes offers insight on what the country was like during a time of incredible growth, and introduces us to the power players that shaped an era that has in many ways been obscured by both the depression and later, the second World War.

If you like this talk, check out Coolidge by Amity Shlaes on audio book download.

Vernon Bogdanor on The Presidency of Ronald Reagan

Political Historian Vernon Bogdanor takes stock of the Reagan presidency in this lecture delivered at Gresham College. In this overview, Reagan is described as an unlikely president that nevertheless proved transformative following a caustic period in American history. This realignment of American leadership saw the end of the Cold War and a new era of U.S. dominance in world affairs; an accomplishment Bogdanor admits would not have been possible without Reagan’s deft understanding of people. This lecture is available on streaming video and MP3 download through FORA.tv.

When Nixon Met Mao with Historian Margaret MacMillan

In this lecture delivered at the World Affairs Council of Northern California, historian Margaret MacMillan discusses Richard Nixon’s historic visit to China in 1972. In what she describes as a watershed moment in a long history of barely veiled antagonism between China and the western world, we see how various economic and geopolitical forces made a reconciliation unavoidable. In this crucial period of relaxed tension, China began its advancement to the modern world stage; an achievement presided over by a president with an otherwise tarnished political legacy. This talk is available on streaming video through FORA.tv.

Professor Robert Dallek on Teddy Roosevelt

This is the first lecture from the Modern Scholar course The American Presidency taught by Professor Robert Dallek.In this first lecture in a series touching on how the U.S. Presidency changed during the 20th century, noted historian Robert Dallek begins with his take on Theodore Roosevelt. In this concise biographical sketch, Dallek describes Roosevelt as the great president that arrived at the turn of the century, painting the portrait of a charismatic visionary that cast a long shadow on his successor, President William H. Taft. In this introduction, Dallek develops themes that run throughout the course, providing students with an unparalleled view of how modern America was shaped by the men that led it.

Jon Meacham on American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House

Pulitzer Prize winners were announced yesterday and author Jon Meacham won in the Biography category for his book American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House. In this lecture provided on streaming video by Google Talks, historian and Newsweek editor Jon Meacham picks apart the mixed legacy of President Andrew Jackson. Over the years, the 7th U.S. President has come under fire for his treatment of Native Americans, conduct that has not aged well in modern times. Meacham does not downplay the negative aspects of Jackson’s presidency, but he does make claims for Jackson’s innovations, not the least of which is his instrumental role in shaping the modern Democratic Party. This lecture is available on streaming video through YouTube. If you like this talk, check out American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House by Jon Meacham on audio download.

Henry Louis Gates on Lincoln and Race

American writer and and public intellectual Henry Louis Gates examines Abraham Lincoln’s views on race in this interview conducted at the Aspen Institute. While the 16th U.S. President has achieved an eternal legacy for the emancipation proclamation, this does not mean that his personal views on race were quite as evolved. Gates explains how over the course of Lincoln’s public life people like Frederick Douglass had a galvanizing personal effect on him, leading to Lincoln’s later conviction that there was no important difference between the races. This talk is available on streaming video and MP3 download through FORA.tv.

Doris Kearns Goodwin on Learning from Past Presidents

In this short lecture provided by TED Talks, Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin explores what we can learn about life from the lives of the Great Presidents. In trying to balance work, love, and play, we see how the ambitious Lincoln was always trying to find respite in Shakespeare, and how Lyndon Johnson found it difficult adjusting to family life after the fast pace of the Presidency. Viewed through the prism of the Presidents, Goodwin demonstrates that even our most celebrated leaders had a hard time sustaining a balanced, happy life. This talk is available on streaming video and MP3 download.

Abraham Lincoln’s Invention of Presidential War Powers with Historian James McPherson

For many of us it may be hard to believe, but there was a time when Abraham Lincoln was labeled a dictator. In this lecture released by University Channel on downloadable audio & video, Historian James McPherson reintroduces us to a period during the American Civil War where Lincoln was forced into the position of war time commander. McPherson traces Lincoln’s decisions during the suspension of habeas corpus, gives perspective on the mistakes made, and guides us through the process that eventually led to emancipation. This is an incredible portrait of a president under pressure and what it takes to lead a country during precarious times. This lecture is available on streaming video.

And if you want to learn more about the first term of Barack Obama’s presidency check out this free FRONTLINE documentary:

Inside Obama’s Presidency

In this concise recap, FRONTLINE traces the entire Barrack Obama presidency up to his 2012 second-term win. Starting with an immediate struggle to regain a foothold on the economic plunge that hit the country just after the 2008 elections, this video documentary explores Obama’s contentious relationship with the GOP leadership, his first year devoted to health care reform, and the eventual killing of Osama Bin Laden. Through it all, the filmmakers interview key witnesses to the events that have shaped the last 5 years in Washington, and end with a note that sets up all the issues Obama faces as he enters his second four years in the White House.

We’ll keep adding more features of presidential talks here to this blog post in the future!

May 27, 2013

Grover Gardner, An Established Narrator in the Self-Development Genre

Grover Gardner has been performing narration on audiobooks since 1981 and has recorded over 650 audiobooks. His prolific career has won him many awards and national recognition for his work. Gardner’s subtle voice is a model of balance and control. He brings the books he narrates to life in a vibrant and vivid manor which adds to the experience of listening to the text in a unique way. Gardner has narrated a number of books in the self-development genre. These fascinating digital audiobooks are available for download at Audible.com.

The Law of Success is one of the original self-development books. In this classic text, published in 1928, Napoleon Hill presents fifteen laws which he derives from a study of the life-work of successful people. The reader is encouraged to follow these laws as a pathway to personal success. Grover Gardner gives this classic a fresh new life with his baritone voice.

In the Alchemy of Finance, investment wizard George Soros walks the reader through his decision making process and investment strategies. Grover Gardner’s narration highlights Soros’ analysis of investing as a kind of alchemy and gives a purposeful voice to Soros’ genius. This book is a must-listen for anyone who wants to develop a deeper knowledge of the world of finance.

Grover Gardner also narrates the classic investment advice of Jeremy Siegel’s, Stocks for the Long Run. Siegel makes a case for a conservative investment strategy, arguing that the stock market is the best long term investment and has averaged a 7% return per year for nearly 200 years.

A huge aspect of success in the business world is based on giving effective presentations and making good first impressions. In another self-development title, Talk Your Way to the Top , Kevin Daley and Laura Daley-Caravella teach readers how to communicate effectively in order to achieve success. The chapters guide the listener through a wide variety of speaking experiences and provide coaching on how to succeed in these areas.

Audible.com is the Internet’s leading provider of digital audiobooks featuring more than 100,000 titles available for download, including books, magazines, radio shows, podcasts, stand-up comedy, and speeches. Listeners can download audiobooks to their iPod, iPhone, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, Kindle, and 500 other devices. With Audible’s new apps for iPhone™, Android™, Windows Phone, and Kindle Fire listeners can browse and download audiobooks wirelessly directly on their mobile device.

JOIN AUDIBLE.COM FOR JUST $7.49

Now you can join Audible.com for Just $7.49 and receive a credit good toward any of the audiobooks mentioned in this article or another audiobook of your choice. This introductory rate of $7.49/month is available for the first three months of your membership and then you can choose to continue at $14.95 per month. In addition, your subscription includes the following member benefits:

• Get 1 audiobook each month
• Save 30% on all audio every day
• Receive advance notice of exclusive sales and promotions
• Enjoy a complimentary weekday audio subscription to the New York Times or The Wall Street Journal

May 27, 2013

Author Dale Carnegie’s Works Available on Audible.com

Dale Carnegie’s story is an inspiring rags to riches tale. Born in 1888, in rural Missouri, Carnegie goes to New York to try to make it as an actor. He does not succeed and winds up broke and living at the YMCA. He offers to teach public speaking to the other men and hits upon a successful method. In just a few years, he develops a training course called the Dale Carnegie Course, which is immensely successful. Today, Carnegie’s work is still the model for people interested in self-development and leadership training.

Carnegie’s book How to Win Friends and Influence People is a classic guide to living a successful life. This book teaches how to respect others, listen to them and address their needs. Carnegie avoids manipulation and a self-centered focus. Instead, he teaches how authentic care and concern for others will lead to success. This classic text is on Audible.com’s self-development bestseller list. Many people over the past 60 years have found in this book helpful guidance in achieving their goals and in helping others to do the same.

A second popular book by Dale Carnegie is How to Stop Worrying and Start Living. Carnegie realized that most people waste much of their time and energy worrying. Concluding that this is not the path to a fulfilling life, he put together some practical advice to help people avoid worry. Carnegie suggests that we focus on what we can do in the present to address our problems and avoid too much speculation about the future. Available for download at Audible.com, Carnegie’s advice will help you to cultivate peace in your life.

Carnegie could not have predicted the new directions that human relationships would take in a digital age. But the same principles he made famous still apply in the new media. To celebrate the 75th anniversary of How to Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnegie and Associates, Inc. have updated the classic original to reflect the new digital ways in which humans communicate. How to Win Friends and Influence People in the Digital Age shows us that while the tools that we use to communicate might change, the principles of human relationships do not. This audiobook shows how to apply those principles to today’s communication technology.

Stand and Deliver, by the Dale Carnegie Organization, presents the meat and bones of public speaking. This audiobook is filled with strategies, tips and secrets to develop top-notch communication skills. It covers all aspects of public speaking from developing an authentic speaking persona to persuading people to act on your words. This audiobook is essential for improving your public speaking skills.

Audible.com is the Internet’s leading provider of digital audiobooks featuring more than 100,000 titles available for download, including books, magazines, radio shows, podcasts, stand-up comedy, and speeches. Listeners can download audiobooks to their iPod, iPhone, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, Kindle, and 500 other devices. With Audible’s new apps for iPhone™, Android™, Windows Phone, and Kindle Fire listeners can browse and download audiobooks wirelessly directly on their mobile device.

JOIN AUDIBLE.COM FOR JUST $7.49

Now you can join Audible.com for Just $7.49 and receive a credit good toward any of the audiobooks mentioned in this article or another audiobook of your choice. This introductory rate of $7.49/month is available for the first three months of your membership and then you can choose to continue at $14.95 per month. In addition, your subscription includes the following member benefits:

• Get 1 audiobook each month
• Save 30% on all audio every day
• Receive advance notice of exclusive sales and promotions
• Enjoy a complimentary weekday audio subscription to the New York Times or The Wall Street Journal

April 12, 2013

The Female Brain vs. The Male Brain with Dr. Louann Brizendine

Today we’re featuring two free talks on video from Dr. Louann Brizendine covering her books The Female Brain and The Male Brain. In these talks she covers the differences between the the female and male brains:

Louann Brizendine: The Female Brain

Dr. Louann Brizendine authored the book The Female Brain back in 2006. She gave this talk at Book Passage which covered some of her findings from that book. Brizendine focuses primarily on hormones and the role that they play in the brain during various stages of a woman’s life. She clarifies some of the differences between male and female brains and answers a number of questions. Definitely a good listen for parents, couples, and individuals of both sexes.

Louann Brizendine: The Male Brain

Dr. Louann Brizendine also authored the book The Male Brain in 2010. In this talk which she delivered at Dominican University of California, Dr. Brizendine shows some of the differences in the male brain covering the important hormone testosterone. She discusses puberty in males and the changes that take place at that time. In the Q&A she addresses the important nature vs. nuture question when it comes to the differences in the sexes.

March 7, 2013

5 Free Freakonomics Video Talks by Steven Levitt

Today we’re featuring 5 free video talks delivered by economist Steven Levitt, who co-authored the bestselling books Freakonomics and the sequel SuperFreakonomics, along with journalist Stephen Dubner:

1. Steven Levitt: Freakonomics and Quirky Economic Stories

In this talk delivered at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit in 2011, Steven Levitt explains what “Freakonomics” is and how he came to study the “freaky” underbelly of economics. Since Levitt was terrible at complex mathematics, he took advice from his father and decided to study economic subjects which no one else wanted to touch. In the latter half of this talk Levitt answers questions and provides some economic observations on the country of India.

2. Steven Levitt Analyzes Crack Economics

In this humorous sketch provided by TED Talks, Steven Levitt analyzes what it takes to make a living selling drugs. Taking America’s crack epidemic as a template, Levitt discusses how inner city gangs developed a corporate structure that consolidated power, left little room for promotion, and was incredibly dangerous to boot. In the end Levitt argues that selling drugs on the street is about as lucrative as working at McDonald’s, but this fact hasn’t diluted its mystique.

3. Beyond Freakonomics: New Musings on the Economics of Everyday Life

In this lecture from Princeton’s University Channel, economist and author of Freakonomics Steven D. Levitt lectures on his unique methods of economic research. Through entertaining stories Levitt discusses the economics of prostitution, whether or not people are generally altruistic, and many other interesting topics. This lecture was recorded at Princeton University and is available on streaming video through YouTube.

4. Steve Levitt & Stephen Dubner on SuperFreakonomics

In this talk economist Steve Levitt & journalist Stephen Dubner discuss their follow up book to Freakonomics called SuperFreakonomics. Levitt & Dubner describe how they met and ultimately came to write Freakonomics. They discuss their unique approach of applied microeconomics to make “freaky” observations about “the hidden side of everything”. They address the financial crisis, but conclude that the macroeconomics of it are a little beyond their comprehension. And they tell many tales from their SuperFreakonomics book.

5. Are Children’s Carseats Necessary?

In this TED talk Steve Levitt tells the story of children’s carseats and how they became mandatory and created a $300 million industry. Levitt then looks at the data for children over 2 years of age and concludes that children’s carseats are no safer than adult seat belts when it comes to protecting children. Levitt even conducted crash tests of child dummies to further prove his point and he shows these tests in the video. He suggests a new solution for children’s safety belts when they are over 2 years of age. It’s an interesting talk that uses data to challenge the status quo of safety.

And if you want even more Freakonomics, check out the popular NPR podcast:

Freakonomics Radio Podcast

Freakonomics co-author Stephen J. Dubner has been hosting the audio podcast since 2010 and there are now over 100 podcasts on the feed that you can listen to. Most of the podcasts are 30 minutes long as Dubner goes into the economics and statistics of a topic, and comes up with often unexpected results. On certain podcast episodes co-author Steve Levitt joins him. Dubner also hosts short 5-minute podcasts where he converses with Kai Ryssdal, host and senior editor of Marketplace. In most of the podcasts the economic topics are often related to current events to give you a unique point of view that goes beneath the headlines. Listen to the “freaky” ideas on this wildly popular and highly rated podcast!

We also sell the Freakonomics audio book now. If you’ve never read it you’re in for a treat:

Freakonomics on MP3 Audio Download

Here’s a blog post we made on the book way back in 2005:

Freakonomics Reviewed in a 2005 Blog Post

March 4, 2013

Forks Over Knives Talk by Dr. T. Colin Campbell

Dr. T. Colin Campbell is a professor of nutritional biochemistry at Cornell University who led a massive study of nutrition in rural China in the 1980s. He published his findings in the now bestselling book The China Study and he was featured prominently in the popular 2011 documentary Forks Over Knives.

Resolving the Health Care Crisis

In this 20-minute TEDx talk, Dr. T. Colin Campbell summarizes many of his findings from his over 40 years of experience at the forefront of nutrition research. He prescribes changes in nutrition instead of prescription drugs for resolving our current health care crisis. Through a plant-based diet that cuts out excess sugar, fat, and salt, along with cutting out excessive consumption of animal protein and dairy products, Dr. Campbell argues that we can prevent and cure many of the diseases that haunt consumers of the Western affluent diet. This talk is available on streaming video along with a visual slide show that Dr. Campbell presents.

And if you’re interested in learning more about Dr. Campbell’s ideas along with nutritional advice from many other doctors, then watch the documentary Forks Over Knives. It will definitely get you thinking about what you eat!

February 27, 2013

Over 40 Free Courses from Open Yale Courses

Of all the universities offering free courses online now, the best courses might be coming from Yale University. Both in terms of the quality of their content and the quality of the way the courses were recorded. Yale offers the courses on streaming video, audio download, and video download, making it optimal for audio & video learners who can watch the videos at home or listen to them on-the-go. All the courses are introductory level courses so you don’t have to worry about starting one that might be over your head. On LearnOutLoud.com we’ve embedded the courses from YouTube’s player and we link to the courses on YouTube for streaming video. We also link to the courses on the Open Yale Courses website for downloading on audio or video. We’ve created a publisher page showcasing the over 40 courses we now offer from Yale University:

Over 40 Free Courses from Yale Open Courses

A little over a year ago we added hundreds of courses to our site and created our Free Courses Collection of over 400 courses available for free online. Since then Yale has added six new courses and we’ll feature them today. The complete course lectures are up for each of these new courses. And please note: To download these courses you’ll need to click “SESSIONS” or “VIEW CLASS SESSIONS” on the Yale website:

African American History: From Emancipation to the Present by Professor Jonathan Holloway

The Atmosphere, the Ocean, and Environmental Change by Professor Ron Smith

The Early Middle Ages, 284-1000 by Professor Paul Freedman

Freshman Organic Chemistry II by Professor Michael McBride (a follow up to Freshman Organic Chemistry I)

Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Faulkner by Professor Wai Chee Dimock

Philosophy and the Science of Human Nature by Professor Tamar Gendler

For this last course we started watching it, and it was excellent. Professor Tamar Gendler dives right in with the first lecture covering some of the fundamental questions of human nature which will be examined in the course. The course combines classic texts from the Western philosophical tradition (including works by Plato, Aristotle, Epictetus, Hobbes, Kant, Mill, Rawls, and Nozick) with recent findings in cognitive science and related fields. Gendler addresses the core question featured in Plato’s Republic, along with presenting the ethical dilemma of the “trolley problem”, and even examines defeating procrastination with the ideas of behavioral economists. This 19-hour, 26-lecture free offering sounds like a great course!

And here are some of the free Yale courses which we’ve featured in the past:

Introduction to Psychology by Professor Paul Bloom

Take PSYC 110 with Professor Paul Bloom at Yale University and learn the basics about your mind and brain. Bloom is the author of numerous books and popular articles including his most recent book How Pleasure Works: The New Science of Why We Like What We Like. He’s a very good lecturer as well and in this course he’ll introduce you to key psychological topics like Freud, Skinner, language, consciousness, memory, emotion, sex & motivation, morality & the brain, and mental illness. Throughout the course he brings in numerous guest lecturers as well. You can watch this 18-hour course on YouTube or download it on audio & video through the Yale website.

The Psychology, Biology, and Politics of Food by Professor Kelly Brownell

We’re featuring this Yale University course that relates both to the health of humanity and our environment. In this course Yale Professor Kelly Brownell, who is also the Director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale, takes on the issue of food in the modern world in a comprehensive way. Through 23 lectures, including a number of special guest lectures, a variety of topics on food are covered such as how our diet has changed, the psychology of eating, obesity, the food industry, modern agriculture, food marketing, and much, much more. Professor Kelly Brownell offers a glimpse into food today and ways we can all make a difference in creating a healthier eating environment and a healthier planet. This talk is available on audio download and streaming video.

Introduction to Political Philosophy by Professor Steven B. Smith

We’re featuring the Yale course “Introduction to Political Philosophy” taught by Professor Steven B. Smith. This course introduces you to the major political works of Plato and Aristotle along with Machiavelli’s The Prince, Hobbes’ Leviathan, Locke’s Second Treatise on Government, Tocqueville’s Democracy in America, and more. You can watch these 24 lectures online or download them on MP3 and take them with you.

Capitalism: Success, Crisis, and Reform by Professor Douglas W. Rae

In the course “Capitalism: Success, Crisis, and Reform” from Yale University, Professor Douglas W. Rae looks at the history of capitalism along with its leading economists including Adam Smith, Karl Marx, and other influential economists. Throughout the course he examines the contemporary global economy with a focus on the current economic crisis. Professor Douglas W. Rae is an engaging lecturer who interacts with his students during the course (thankfully he passes a microphone around so we can hear the questions!), and it provides for a worthy introduction to the complex economic and political ideas surrounding capitalism in the 21st century. This course is available on streaming video through YouTube and free audio & video download on Yale’s Open Courses site. He does have a slide show going with images as he lectures for those interested in the video. Also you can view the syllabus and download transcripts of the lectures through the Yale website.

Enjoy these free courses from one of the most prestigious universities in the World!

January 29, 2013

8 Great Talks About the Science & Art of Happiness

Our month of motivation continues today with eight great talks on happiness! What is happiness? Can someone sustain it, or must it always be fleeting? Learn more about finding happiness with this list of free videos from the happiness experts. Collected here you’ll hear from Matthiew Ricard on the habits that lead to happiness, Nancy Etcoff on the surprising science of happiness, and many more. Learn how to find happiness in even the most troubled times, how to minimize worry despite outer stress, and how to achieve lasting fulfillment in life by clicking any of the links below:

1. The Art of Happiness in Troubled Times by His Holiness the Dalai Lama

In this hour long talk, His Holiness the Dalai Lama reminds the audience that it has always been troubled times, and that while the kinds of suffering changes throughout history, the suffering still remains. He discusses training oneself in compassion in order to overcome self-centeredness, fear, anger, and hatred towards others. His prescription for happiness is keeping oneself open for love and compassion no matter what problems may arise. Watch this talk on streaming video.

2. Don’t Worry, Be Happy Now: The Science and Philosophy of the Happiness Movement

In this talk from UCTV, James Fallows, National Correspondent for The Atlantic, interviews The Happiness Project author Gretchen Rubin. Her book is subtitled “Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun”, and in this talk Gretchen Rubin talks about all the things she attempted in her year-long pursuit of happiness, and all the ways towards happiness she has learned from others since her book was published. Acknowledging that different things make different people happy, she does have one piece of sage advice to make everyone happier: “Make your bed in the morning.” 🙂

3. Understanding Happiness

In this dialogue from bloggingheads.tv, American psychologist Martin Seligman and British economist Richard Layard take a macro view of happiness and how societies can attempt to measure happiness and achieve greater levels of happiness as a whole. Layard has pushed for governments to start analyzing GWB (General Well-Being) along with GDP and other indicators for how well a country is performing. Seligman questions him about how this is measured and advocates measuring according to his own acronym PERMA (which Seligman laid out his in latest book Flourish). PERMA stands for Positive Emotion, Engagement, Positive Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment/Achievement, and Seligman expounds on these points. Seligman and Layard then both take a look at the role public policy can play in leaning toward the greatest happiness for the greatest number. This dialogue can be watched on video or downloaded on MP3 audio.

Here are some more talks on happiness that we’ve featured in the past. A number of them are from the TED conference:

4. Nancy Etcoff on the Surprising Science of Happiness

In this fast-paced talk from cognitive researcher Nancy Etcoff she looks the science of happiness and the many ways in which it is achieved along with the ways that it eludes us. She describes in basic terms the neuroscience of happiness including the importance of neurotransmitter dopamine and the hormone oxytocin. She also talks about the rise of stress, depression, and anxiety in the modern world. It’s an interesting overall view of some of the recent findings in the science of happiness.

5. Dan Gilbert: Why Are We Happy? Why Aren’t We Happy?

Check out this TED talk from Harvard psychologist and the author of Stumbling on Happiness, Dan Gilbert. Gilbert provides info from studies that reveal that what we often think will make us happy is the opposite of the case. He shows that because we have the ability to consider the future, we are much better prepared for the results and can usually be happy regardless. This talk is available on streaming video and MP3 download from the TED.com website.

6. Matthieu Ricard: Habits of Happiness

Biochemist turned Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard examines happiness and well-being in this TED talk. He differentiates between pleasure and happiness as pleasure is fleeting and reliant upon circumstance. He feels that true happiness is found by training the mind to be happy regardless of the situation we find ourselves in and by tapping into the deeper happiness of the awareness that we are more than our fleeting emotional states. This talk is available on streaming video and MP3 download from the TED.com website.

7. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi on Flow

Check out this TED talk from psychology professor Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi who authored the book Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. Csikszentmihalyi talks about how he became interested in psychology after World War II when he heard a lecture by Carl Jung. Csikszentmihalyi eventually began his psychological study of how average people become extraordinary which he attributes to the idea of “flow” when one become completely involved in an activity for its own sake. Csikszentmihalyi provides many examples of individuals who have tapped into this “flow” state.

8. Hardwiring Happiness: The 7 Essential Strengths

Starting September 23rd, 2013, Entheos.com is offering a free virtual conference called “Hardwiring Happiness: The 7 Essential Strengths”, hosted by neuropsychologist Rick Hanson. In this online conference, Dr. Hanson will be interviewing 7 experts on different strengths that can help you find happiness. The interviews feature Joseph Goldstein on “Mindfulness”, Stephen Porges on “Resilience”, Todd Kashdan on “Imagination”, Marci Shimoff on “Courage”, Sharon Salzberg on “Love”, Kristin Neff on “Confidence”, and James R. Doty on “Contentment”. You can stream the videos, and video and audio downloads will be available following the launch of each video interview. Sign up with your email address to get access to the conference and get updates as new interviews become available.

Enjoy these talks on happiness and learn how to be happier today!