Episode · Freakonomics Radio · 2025-05-16

Books mentioned on How to Succeed at Failing, Part 3: Grit vs. Quit (Update)

3 books · With Angela Duckworth, Steve Levitt, Travis Thull, Jill Hoffman, John Boykin, Melanie Stefan, Mike Ridgeman, Joseph O'Connell, Helen Fisher · Listen · Watch on YouTube

Giving up can be painful. That's why we need to talk about it.

Books mentioned, in the order they came up

  1. Grit

    Angela Duckworth · at 0:53

    Grit by Angela Duckworth is a widely acclaimed psychological exploration of how passion and perseverance are far more critical to long-term success than innate talent alone.

    Discussed
    “Our friend Angela Duckworth, a research psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania, wrote a book about this. It's called Grit, the power of passion and perseverance.”
    Where to get it
  2. GRIT The Power of PASSION and PERSEVERANCE

    Angela Duckworth · at 4:36

    GRIT The Power of PASSION and PERSEVERANCE by Angela Duckworth is an influential psychology book exploring how sustained passion and long-term perseverance are far more critical to achieving success than raw talent alone.

    Discussed
    “You'll run into that Churchill quote in a lot of the literature around grit.”
    Where to get it
  3. The Power of Passion and Perseverance

    Angela Duckworth · at 4:36

    Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth is a popular psychology book that argues long-term success, achievement, and high-level performance stem primarily from sustained dedication and resilience rather than innate talent.

    Discussed
    “You'll run into that Churchill quote in a lot of the literature around grit.”
    Where to get it