Horse meat, kidneys, prostitution. What happens when the things people want to buy, sell, and trade collide with what society has deemed “off-limits”? Nobel Prize-winning economist Alvin “Al” Roth joins us to explore the behavioral science behind controversial markets, from repugnance and social norms to black markets, incentives, and informed consent. We also dig into his work redesigning the kidney exchange market and how asking a different question can open up new possibilities for solving seemingly impossible problems.Topics[[[[[[[[[[[[©2026 Behavioral GroovesLinksAbout Alvin E. RothJoin us on Substack!Join the Behavioral Grooves communitySubscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTubeSupport Behavioral GroovesMusic LinksPaul Simon - You Can Call Me AlLeonard Cohen - I’m Your Man