“I Thought It Was My Birthday”: A Nobel Laureate’s Surprised Awakening in Michigan

When the phone rang before dawn in rural Michigan, Joel (a newly named Nobel laureate) wasn’t expecting life-changing news. “It’s five in the morning here,” he laughed, his voice still heavy with disbelief. “Everybody says this, but I’m really being truthful — this came as a total surprise.”

The call came from Adam Smith, the host of Nobel Prize Conversations, reaching out from Stockholm with the traditional congratulations. Joel’s first instinct wasn’t to answer. His phone only accepts calls from saved contacts — a safeguard against interruptions during lectures. So, like many before him, he learned about his Nobel Prize in a roundabout way.

Even as the reality began to settle, his mind raced with practicalities. “It’s less than two months until December 10,” he noted. “I haven’t bought my airline tickets yet.”

Ten years ago, Joel attended the Nobel ceremony as a guest — a distant admirer of the laureates’ brilliance. “Are you kidding me?” he said when asked if he’d ever imagined himself on the other side. “I’m an economic historian. We don’t win Nobel Prizes. Or we did once, but that was a long time ago.”

Yet here he was, moments after learning he had joined one of the world’s most exclusive circles — and before even having his morning coffee. “We’re in our summer home in Michigan, about to drive back to Chicago,” he said, chuckling. “But I think it’s safer if my wife drives. I’m a little bit confused.”

Among the many surprises of the day was another coincidence: one of his co-laureates, Thomas Philippon, is a collaborator on a forthcoming book. “That’ll probably sell well,” Joel quipped.

As the call ended, Smith congratulated him once more. “If not before, I’ll see you in Stockholm,” Smith said.

Joel replied softly, still in awe of his new reality. “I’ll see you there.”

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This article is based on a transcript from the Nobel Prize podcast “Nobel Prize Conversations.”