Should America Be Run by … Trader Joe’s? (Update)

03/21/25 • 48 min

1 Listener

The quirky little grocery chain with California roots and German ownership has a lot to teach all of us about choice architecture, efficiency, frugality, collaboration, and team spirit.

SOURCES:
- Kirk DesErmia, facilities manager in Seward, Alaska.
- Mark Gardiner, journalist and author.
- Sheena Iyengar, professor of business at Columbia Business School.
- Michael Roberto, professor of management at Bryant University.
RESOURCES:
- “Trader Joe’s,” David Ager and Michael Roberto (Harvard Business School Case, 2014).
- “What Brands Are Actually Behind Trader Joe’s Snacks?,” Vince Dixon (Eater, 2017).
- Build a Brand Like Trader Joe’s by Mark Gardiner (2012).
- “When Choice is Demotivating: Can One Desire Too Much of a Good Thing?,” Sheena Iyengar and Mark Lepper (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2000).
- Unlocking Creativity, by Michael Roberto (2019).
EXTRAS:
- “How Can This Possibly Be True?,” by Freakonomics Radio (2016).
- “How to Save $1 Billion Without Even Trying,” by Freakonomics Radio (2016).

The quirky little grocery chain with California roots and German ownership has a lot to teach all of us about choice architecture, efficiency, frugality, collaboration, and team spirit.

SOURCES:
- Kirk DesErmia, facilities manager in Seward, Alaska.
- Mark Gardiner, journalist and author.
- Sheena Iyengar, professor of business at Columbia Business School.
- Michael Roberto, professor of management at Bryant University.
RESOURCES:
- “Trader Joe’s,” David Ager and Michael Roberto (Harvard Business School Case, 2014).
- “What Brands Are Actually Behind Trader Joe’s Snacks?,” Vince Dixon (Eater, 2017).
- Build a Brand Like Trader Joe’s by Mark Gardiner (2012).
- “When Choice is Demotivating: Can One Desire Too Much of a Good Thing?,” Sheena Iyengar and Mark Lepper (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2000).
- Unlocking Creativity, by Michael Roberto (2019).
EXTRAS:
- “How Can This Possibly Be True?,” by Freakonomics Radio (2016).
- “How to Save $1 Billion Without Even Trying,” by Freakonomics Radio (2016).

Previous Episode

626. Ten Myths About the U.S. Tax System

Nearly everything that politicians say about taxes is at least half a lie. They are also dishonest when it comes to the national debt. Stephen Dubner finds one of the few people in Washington who is willing to tell the truth — and it’s even worse than you think.

SOURCES:
- Jessica Riedl, senior fellow in budget, tax, and economic policy at the Manhattan Institute.
RESOURCES:
- "The House Wants to Pass Trump’s Agenda in One Big Bill. Here’s What’s in It." by Margot Sanger-Katz and Alicia Parlapiano (New York Times, 2025).
- "Correcting the Top 10 Tax Myths," by Jessica Riedl (Manhattan Institute, 2024).
- "Spending, Taxes, and Deficits: A Book of Charts," by Jessica Riedl (Manhattan Institute, 2024).
- "Why Did Americans Stop Caring About the National Debt?" by Jessica Riedl (Reason, 2024).
- "A Comprehensive Federal Budget Plan to Avert a Debt Crisis," by Jessica Riedl (Manhattan Institute, 2024).
- "When Does Federal Debt Reach Unsustainable Levels?" by Jagadeesh Gokhale, Kent Smetters, and Mariko Paulson (The Wharton School of Business, 2023).
- "The Limits of Taxing the Rich," by Jessica Riedl (Manhattan Institute, 2023).
EXTRAS:
- "Farewell to a Generational Talent," by Freakonomics Radio (2024).

Next Episode

627. Sludge, Part 1: The World Is Drowning in It

1 Recommendations

Insurance forms that make no sense. Subscriptions that can’t be cancelled. A never-ending blizzard of automated notifications. Where does all this sludge come from — and how much is it costing us? (Part one of a two-part series.)