Jon Birger is best known for his books on the demographics, statistics, game theory, and number-crunching of modern dating, but in this episode, we dig into the subplot in his books on romance: the widening academic achievement gap between men and women. The conversation delves into possible causes of this widening gap and what parents can do to address it, with a specific focus on navigating developmental differences and academic readiness. Birger shares personal experiences and insights from his journey as a father of three boys (one a teacher), offering valuable perspectives on parenting and education. Jon Birger is an award-winning journalist and author specializing in socio-economic dynamics. A Brown University graduate, Jon has been a senior writer for Fortune and Money and contributed to notable publications such as Bloomberg BusinessWeek and The Washington Post. Known for his book "Date-onomics: How Dating Became a Lopsided Numbers Game," he has been a prominent speaker at esteemed forums like The Cato Institute and South By Southwest and is often seen on media outlets like BBC World Service and CNN.
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Time Codes
00:00:00 — Introduction: Manisha introduces Jon Birger and his work
00:01:02 — Jon Birger's journey from economics to dating dynamics and its surprising connection to education
00:03:05 — Discussing the education gap
00:014:30 — Birger's insights on the challenges of first-time parenting and setting realistic expectations
00:17:30 — Debunking myths around early education: Is starting earlier really better?
00:25:21 — The impact of COVID-19 on children's education and overcoming learning gaps
00:29:00 — The evolving role of music and arts in education
00:32:06 — The future of education: adapting to changes and embracing new methodologies
00:35:40 — Birger's current interests and studies outside of education and dating dynamics
00:38:00 — Closing thoughts and reflections on the conversation
This podcast is made possible through a generous grant from the Vela Education Fund
VELA Education Fund is catalyzing a vibrant alternative education ecosystem. VELA provides trust-based funding to entrepreneurs, fosters community-building and knowledge-sharing, and increases visibility through storytelling that promotes cultural awareness and acceptance of the out-of-system space. Today, VELA serves the largest community of out-of-system education entrepreneurs in the country, with over 2,000 community members. About half of VELA’s community members operate small learning environments, and the other half are ecosystem and community builders offering direct services and support across the out-of-system space. Learn more at
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