Recent Episodes

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#520

The Free JD (Ep. 520)

Ben and Nathan share strategies for using visualization to stay engaged in Reading Comprehension. They also explain that getting a full-ride to law school takes more than just a high LSAT score—your application timing, school choices, and willingness to walk away from weak offers all matter.

The Thinking LSAT Podcast cover image featuring hosts Ben Olson and Nathan Fox as well as the episode number.

#519

Rushing to Failure (Ep. 519)

Ben and Nathan field a handful of questions with a common theme: they come from students who are moving too fast on the LSAT, attempting too many questions, and failing to understand what they’re reading. In other words, they’re rushing to failure. The solution is simple: Attempt one question at a time. If you miss it, review until you understand why. Then, move on to the next one. Slow down, skip all the gimmicks, and the LSAT becomes easy.

The Thinking LSAT Podcast cover image featuring hosts Ben Olson and Nathan Fox as well as the episode number.

#518

Ticketmaster Vibes (Ep. 518)

In preparation for test week, Ben and Nathan remind students of a foundational piece of advice: treat the official test exactly like you would any other practice test. They apply that advice to everything from testing location decisions to your test week study plan.

The Thinking LSAT Podcast cover image featuring hosts Ben Olson and Nathan Fox as well as the episode number.

#517

Ignore the Cycle Hype (Ep. 517)

Ben and Nathan push back against hype-driven decisions, urging students to ignore rising August LSAT registrations and wait to test until their practice scores consistently reflect readiness. They caution against chasing perceived trends, whether that means rushing to take an “easier” test or relying on gimmicks like diagramming. Even if more conditional logic appears in Logical Reasoning, the path to success remains the same: focus on intuitive understanding and resist shortcuts that only complicate the test.

The Thinking LSAT Podcast cover image featuring hosts Ben Olson and Nathan Fox as well as the episode number.

#516

The Theory Trap (Ep. 516)

This week, Josh and Nate tackle the misconception that the Demon isn’t built for beginners—a belief that emerges from the absence of an introduction to LSAT “theory”. They explain that a bloated curriculum, disconnected from questions, often confuses students and can even reduce scores. The Demon advocates jumping right into questions and letting the test, paired with our explanations, be your teacher.

The Thinking LSAT Podcast cover image featuring hosts Ben Olson and Nathan Fox as well as the episode number.

#515

Skip the GPA Sob Story (Ep. 515)

After an influx of GPA addenda questions, Nathan and Josh address several examples in a rapid-fire segment. Their main point: you probably shouldn’t write one at all. Addenda highlight weaknesses and provide information that admissions committees may hold against you. Skip the sob stories and focus on showing why you’ll succeed in law school.

The Thinking LSAT Podcast cover image featuring hosts Ben Olson and Nathan Fox as well as the episode number.

#514

Parallel Reasoning Is Easy (Ep. 514)

Ben and Nathan tackle Parallel Reasoning questions, a question type that some students prefer to skip. They assure listeners that these questions work just like any other LSAT question. Gimmicks—like reading the question first or diagramming—don’t help and only distract from the core task. Focus instead on reading for comprehension and understanding the argument. The key is to identify the reasoning and treat everything else as secondary.

The Thinking LSAT Podcast cover image featuring hosts Ben Olson and Nathan Fox as well as the episode number.

#513

Read It Like You Mean It (Ep. 513)

On this week’s Thinking LSAT, Josh joins Ben to answer questions from students who feel stuck. They explain that plateaus often come from ignoring the core skill tested by the LSAT: “Did you understand what you read?” “Strategies” like skimming passages or completing 10 questions in 10 minutes distract from comprehension. Instead, you unlock the LSAT when you read each sentence carefully and make sure you understand every word.

The Thinking LSAT Podcast cover image featuring hosts Ben Olson and Nathan Fox as well as the episode number.

#512

Lemon Law Schools (Ep. 512)

Ben and Nathan discuss how law school admissions resemble a “market for lemons,” where students face steep information asymmetries. They highlight tools like the LSAT Demon Scholarship Estimator and 509 reports that help applicants manage expectations and avoid overpaying. While there are several ways to strengthen an application, none are as effective as a strong LSAT and GPA.

The Thinking LSAT Podcast cover image featuring hosts Ben Olson and Nathan Fox as well as the episode number.

#511

Regressive Cross-Subsidy (Ep. 511)

Ben and Nathan explore how AI is acing law school exams and what that says about legal education. They unpack Donald Rumsfeld’s “unknown unknowns” and how the LSAT helps uncover them. The guys break down what the LSAT curve really means (or doesn’t), then offer advice on predatory pre-law jobs. Then they revisit the difference between sufficient and necessary assumptions. Temple University is featured in this week’s What’s the Deal With… Finally, another contestant in the Personal Statement Gong Show and amanuensis is the word of the week.

The Thinking LSAT Podcast cover image featuring hosts Ben Olson and Nathan Fox as well as the episode number.

#510

The Disparity Index (Ep. 510)

Law schools manipulate scholarships to obscure what they’re actually willing to pay for LSAT scores. Ben and Nathan reveal how some schools offer up to $40,000 per LSAT point. They introduce the “Disparity Index” to show how wildly different financial outcomes can be for students at the same school. Don’t settle for mediocre scores—top LSAT performance unlocks the best deals.

The Thinking LSAT Podcast cover image featuring hosts Ben Olson and Nathan Fox as well as the episode number.

#509

The Freedman Firm (Ep. 509)

Michael Freedman joins Nathan on Thinking LSAT to share his story as a trial lawyer in some of the nation’s most high-profile criminal cases. Along the way, he shares candid advice for law students about finding their path, building experience, and starting a firm. Michael emphasizes the importance of treating law school like a job, embracing trial work, and nurturing every professional relationship.

The Thinking LSAT Podcast cover image featuring hosts Ben Olson and Nathan Fox as well as the episode number.

508

Champagne Prices. Beer Salaries. (Ep. 508)

Ben and Nathan investigate income-debt ratios for average law students. Their findings paint a sobering picture for the average law school graduate. In many cases, students are paying champagne prices for beer salaries. Paying full price at even top schools can disrupt personal financial stability for a decade or longer.

The Thinking LSAT Podcast cover image featuring hosts Ben Olson and Nathan Fox as well as the episode number.

#507

The Timeline Trap (Ep. 507)

Applying this late in the cycle shows desperation. And schools love to charge full price for desperation. There are two rules every applicant should follow. Apply early. Apply broadly. Neither of those things can happen at this point in the cycle. Instead, students should focus on getting the best LSAT score possible and apply at the beginning of the next cycle.

The Thinking LSAT Podcast cover image featuring hosts Ben Olson and Nathan Fox as well as the episode number.

#506

Schools Know Your Price (Ep. 506)

Colleges use advanced data tracking to fine-tune scholarship offers based on what they think you’ll pay and to make you feel good about your price. Ben and Nathan explain how firms analyze digital behavior, like email click speed, to calculate offers. Wealthy students get merit aid, lower-income students get need-based aid, but both often pay the same price. The result is personalized pricing that favors schools.

The Thinking LSAT Podcast cover image featuring hosts Ben Olson and Nathan Fox as well as the episode number.

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