Judd Kessler on How to Become Lucky by Design | EP 677

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4.9 • 1.3K Ratings

🗓️ 16 October 2025

⏱️ 56 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

John brings on Wharton economist Judd B. Kessler to unpack why outcomes that look like luck are usually the product of hidden market designs. Kessler explains the three E’s—equity, efficiency, and ease—and why designers must make those tradeoffs explicit. He shows how to win in choose-me markets (jobs, dating, college admissions) by signaling clearly and sometimes prioritizing early commitment (e.g., early decision). In high-scarcity races (restaurant reservations, tickets), he argues for “settling for silver”—acting on a strong second choice first—to beat the crowd.

The conversation gets tactical: how to stand out when AI drafts cover letters, why human connection cuts through noise, how public-school lotteries and clearinghouses really work, and how to make household labor fair using envy-freeness and full-stack task ownership (Conception-Planning-Execution). Listeners leave with a repeatable loop: see the market, learn the rules, choose the strategy—and start designing luck on purpose.

Catch more of Judd Kessler: https://bepp.wharton.upenn.edu/profile/juddk/

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Your first great love story is free when you sign up for a free 30-day trial at audible.coed.
0:05.5	U.K.-slash-wondery. That's audible.com.
0:08.8	U.K. slash Wondery.
0:11.2	Coming up next on Passionstruck.
0:13.7	The way that I think about the hidden markets that I talk about in the book is indeed about
0:18.6	about scarcity and about when there's more people who want something than we have
0:22.3	slots to give. And that's true for French laundry reservations. It's true for Taylor Swift
0:27.0	tickets. It's true for the seats in the best elementary schools in New York City. But it's also true
0:32.1	in getting into the elite colleges. And the admissions rates at the Ivy Leagues and at many of the universities
0:39.7	that are the best in the country are very small. The chance of getting in is vanishingly small.
0:45.5	Welcome to Passionstruck. I'm your host, John Miles. This is the show where we explore the
0:51.0	art of human flourishing and what it truly means to live like it matters.
0:55.5	Each week, I sit down with change makers, creators, scientists, and everyday heroes to decode the
1:01.2	human experience and uncover the tools that help us lead with meaning, heal what hurts,
1:06.5	and pursue the fullest expression of who we're capable of becoming. Whether you're designing your
1:11.6	future, developing as a leader, or seeking deeper alignment in your life, this show is your
1:16.9	invitation to grow with purpose and act with intention. Because the secret to a life of deep
1:22.4	purpose, connection, and impact is choosing to live like you matter.
1:40.6	Welcome back, friends, to episode 67 of Passionstruck. I'm John Miles, and I'm so glad you're here.
1:44.9	Whether this is your first time joining us or you're part of the growing community who returns week after week, welcome. Over a third of you come back for every episode, and that
1:50.9	loyalty fuels this global movement. If this show has ever inspired you or helped you take a meaningful
1:56.7	step forward, here's how you can help it grow. First, share this episode with someone who
	...

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