What We Actually Learn From Experience

What We Actually Learn From Experience

From If/Then by Stanford GSB

March 25, 2026 · 26 min · Season 3 · Episode 48

About this episode

Steven Callander discusses how people learn from experience through a mathematical framework of correlated learning.

Steven Callander has spent years building a mathematical framework to answer the question of how people learn from experience. “Here in Silicon Valley, the expression that you learn from failure is very widespread and very intuitive. But the question is… what do you learn? How do you optimally learn from that experience?” In this episode, Callander, the Herbert Hoover Professor of Public and Private Management and Professor of Political Economy at Stanford Graduate School of Business, explains the hidden, deceptively simple logic of correlated learning — and it may change how you think about finding the right job, the right market, or the right strategy.  “It fascinates me and I can't stop thinking about it,” he says.   Has theory made an impact on your life? Tell us more at ifthenpod@stanford.edu . Related Content: Steven Callander faculty profile How to Turn Old Ideas Into Creative Solutions to Modern Problems What We’re Still Learning from Silicon Valley’s Bank Collapse Chapters: 00:00 Ann Miura-Ko on learning and the search for patterns in Venture capital 02:51 Introduction 05:23 What is correlated learning? 06:40 Where does this research apply in the real…

People in this episode

Guest: Steven Callander

Topics covered

  • learning from experience
  • correlated learning
  • Silicon Valley
  • job market
  • strategy

Keywords

  • learning
  • experience
  • correlated learning
  • Silicon Valley
  • job market
  • strategy
  • failure

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Stanford Graduate School of Business

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