Are we optimizing the joy out of our friendships? In Part 1, conflict resolution expert and author Priya Parker joins Trevor and Eugene to explain why your closest relationships actually need a good fight, and how inconveniencing the people you love is the surest way to build intimacy.

What happens when Michael Che accidentally kicks Trevor Noah out of a New York VIP section? The SNL star joins Trevor and Eugene to revisit their awkward encounter and swap stories about life in comedy, from its unwritten rules to the challenges of navigating fame and mental health. Along the way, they explore the cultural differences between Africans and Black Americans, share stories about some of comedy's biggest legends, and somehow end up debating whether Japanese bidets might be one of humanity's greatest inventions.

Is it possible Thanos was actually the good guy? Trevor, Eugene, and Devin sit down for a hilarious and unpredictable conversation that tackles everything from the physics of Elon Musk’s flying cars to the true meaning of the Avengers franchise. Trevor pitches his most controversial idea yet: legally mandating robust storylines in all adult films to save humanity's attention spans. The crew also unpacks the hidden dopamine cycle of theme parks, exploring why buying a fast pass to skip the line actually destroys the psychological thrill of the roller coaster and how that demand for instant gratification is changing the way kids experience video games. Plus, Devin shares the unbelievable true story of his parents surviving a fiery 1982 plane crash, sparking a massive debate on why society easily swears off airplanes and motorcycles, but will never stop driving cars.

Are you expecting too much from the wrong people? Organizational psychologist Adam Grant joins Trevor and Eugene to explore why making real friends can be so difficult, how power dynamics shape our relationships at work, and why even our closest connections can leave us disappointed. Adam breaks down the three kinds of relationships we all need and explains why confusing them can create unnecessary tension in our lives. It's a funny, thought-provoking conversation about friendship, expectations, and why building stronger relationships might start with understanding what we actually need from one another.

Comedian Gary Gulman joins Stephen Dubner in this preview of an episode from the Freakonomics Radio creator's new show, Better in Person. Watch Better in Person on the Freakonomics Radio Network YouTube channel.

What happens when one of the biggest stars in wrestling history decides to completely start over? John Cena isn't who you think he is—and in this raw, deeply reflective sit-down with Trevor and Eugene, he proves it. From facing the fear of losing everything to questioning society’s obsession with success, the WWE legend turned bonafide movie star delivers a masterclass in self-awareness, aging, and what is takes to evolve beyond the roles that define us. He also opens up about his most personal choices, from why he doesn't want kids to healing his relationship with his father, before offering a powerful mindset shift on why we should replace the word "deserve" with "earn".

What does it actually take to stay relevant for four decades without losing your soul? Before he was a hip-hop icon, LL Cool J was just a kid riding mini bikes and dreaming big. Decades later, he joins Trevor and Eugene to reflect on the wild journey—sharing unforgettable encounters with Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson, the family values that kept him grounded, and why true reinvention requires dropping your ego. Plus, LL breaks down why intuition is God’s voice, why cynicism is just cowardice in disguise, and how he turned his grandfather’s belief into his legendary debut album, Radio.

What makes a joke work, and why are we so afraid to have real conversations? British comedian Jimmy Carr joins Trevor and Eugene to break down the mechanics of comedy, the rise of AI, and what we’re losing as human connection becomes harder to find. Jimmy shares how making his depressed mother laugh helped launch his career, what writing a book about the structure of jokes taught him about being funny, and why dark humor can help us confront the things that scare us most. It’s a funny, surprisingly vulnerable conversation about comedy, technology, and why making each other laugh may be one of the most human things we do.

Colin Kaepernick tells the parts he's never told: what NFL owners said in the room, the offer made while he was being blackballed — and the Jay-Z call that never happened. In this episode of What Now?, Colin sits with Trevor and Eugene for the full story: adopted into a white family in Turlock, the hair that became an identity, the backup who took a team to the Super Bowl in his 10th start — and the protest that cost him everything.

Sizwe and Eugene are not letting Trevor get a hair transplant without a fight. What starts as a beard debate spirals into elbow grafts, foreskin logistics, and the exact wingspan-to-height ratio you'd need after leg-lengthening surgery. Trevor makes an unexpectedly convincing case for Elon Musk as pure talent wrapped in pure bamboozlement, and the three rank which movies actually change how you see the world -- plus Trevor's borderline-scientific approach to watching them on a plane. Then it turns real: xenophobia, why nuance doesn't sell, and who a mob actually protects when it picks a target.