There’s a strange ritual Messi does at the start of every game that helps make him great. This ritual also helps job candidates succeed in interviews, sketch comedians create better jokes, and helped A-ha write Take On Me. To hear what it is, listen to bestselling author Adam Alter teach me the science behind beating procrastination. Adam’s book: https://adamalterauthor.com/anatomy Subscribe to the (free) Nudge Newsletter: https://nudge.ck.page/profile
Sep 09, 2024•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Whether clinking a glass with a friend, blowing on a cake, touching wood for good luck or tapping the plane before boarding, most of us have at least one weird ritual. Today’s guest, Harvard Professor Mike Norton, studied them for years. In today’s Nudge episode, he shares his findings. It turns out that those odd rituals are more important than we think. Mike’s book Ritual Effect: https://tinyurl.com/mwbvws3n Subscribe to the (free) Nudge Newsletter: https://nudge.ck.page/profile
Sep 02, 2024•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast I didn’t pay them. I didn’t force them. I didn’t even try to persuade them. No, to convince these 8 influencers I used an extremely powerful psychological bias. This same bias has been used to sell one thousand pounds of cheese in three hours, turn greedy bankers into charitable donors, and (potentially) save us from nuclear war. Listen to find out how I persuaded 8 influencers to promote this podcast. The (free) Science of Persuasion course: https://nudge.ck.page/persuasion-course The Science o...
Aug 26, 2024•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast I interviewed a (former) mind reader. He still reads minds today, but not for gimmicks. Instead, he uses his powers to help companies increase their sales. Today on Nudge, he shares 21 psychology-inspired tips that are proven to increase revenue. Nick's newsletter: https://www.kolenda.io/ Subscribe to the (free) Nudge Newsletter: https://nudge.ck.page/profile
Aug 19, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast The bestselling author of The Power of Habits and Supercommunicators shared his top communication advice. Today, on Nudge, I tested Charles Duhigg's advice on four strangers. Will his advice make me more popular? Access the bonus episode: https://nudge.ck.page/72cea6802d Charles's book Supercommunicators: https://tinyurl.com/447wkpmz Subscribe to the (free) Nudge Newsletter: https://nudge.ck.page/profile
Aug 12, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Facebook has developed AI that’s smart enough to manipulate and persuade humans. Political spinsters have used it to persuade voters. Scam artists used it to con thousands of people at scale. Yet, I’m most worried about how AI might take my job, how AI is almost certain to become a better podcaster, writer, and marketer than me. Today, I share what happens when AI can persuade humans, and I suggest a way for all of us to keep our jobs in an AI-dominated world of work. The Coming Wave: https://ti...
Aug 05, 2024•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast What do Maradona’s Hand of God and Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” have in common? Both might be due to cognitive biases. Today, on Nudge, Nuala Walsh shares seven cognitive biases that shape our decisions and might ruin my life. Nuala’s book: https://www.nualagwalsh.com/ Nuala’s TED talk: https://youtu.be/xLSAkVxPOk0?si=PPjFSAO7tk8VszPM Subscribe to the (free) Nudge Newsletter: https://nudge.ck.page/profile
Jul 29, 2024•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast He lied to his students, his friends, and his family. He fabricated data in 57 separate studies. He publicised racist views as scientific fact. And for a decade, he got away with it. Today, I share how one of the world’s most popular behavioural scientists fooled the world. Nobody’s Fool: https://tinyurl.com/yv6pf93v Influence: https://www.influenceatwork.com/store-new/ Subscribe to the (free) Nudge Newsletter: https://nudge.ck.page/profile
Jul 22, 2024•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today’s episode of Nudge, Rory Sutherland explains how to Sell a £500 hoover Make a flight delay pleasurable Improve the London Tube map Persuade more effectively Make any cafe more popular Stop drink drivers It’s a cracker. (A version of this episode was released in 2021, but it’s been heavily edited so still worth tuning in to). Access the bonus episode here: https://nudge.ck.page/a48dd10ceb Rory’s book Alchemy: http://tinyurl.com/3ucjy6rz Sign up for the Nudge Newsletter: https://www.nudge...
Jul 15, 2024•26 min•Ep 191•Transcript available on Metacast What do election winners have in common? What makes a speech more persuasive? Are there tactics that every politician follows? And can we use these same tactics in our day-to-day work? I’ve spent the past week listening to nothing but election winning speeches. Today, I share what makes an election winning speech. Derek’s book Hit Makers: https://tinyurl.com/yeymzds8 Jonah’s book Magic Words: https://jonahberger.com/magic-words/ Follow the Nudge Newsletter (it’s free): https://www.nudgepodcast.c...
Jul 08, 2024•25 min•Ep 190•Transcript available on Metacast In today’s episode of Nudge, Rory Sutherland explains: The reason behind Brexit How doormen were undervalued What bees teach us about creativity The problem with R&D Amazon’s two way door Don’t miss this. (Warning this episode contains explicit language). Access the bonus episode here: https://nudge.ck.page/a48dd10ceb Rory’s book Alchemy: http://tinyurl.com/3ucjy6rz Sign up to the Nudge Newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list
Jul 01, 2024•34 min•Ep 189•Transcript available on Metacast In the 5 years I’ve spent creating this show, I’ve learnt a lot about advertising. Today, I share six evidence-based principles that are proven to improve any ad. If you want to understand why you buy the things you buy, then tune in. Join the free Science of Persuasion Course: https://nudge.ck.page/persuasion-course
Jun 24, 2024•17 min•Ep 188•Transcript available on Metacast I guarantee that the words you use to win arguments are ineffective. I don’t think you’re a lousy persuader, I think we all are. Today, world-leading neuroscientist Tali Sharot shares her decade-long research into persuasion. She tells me that the way I argue is ineffective and reveals how to win any argument. Access the bonus episode: https://nudge.ck.page/de30a8ac24 Tali’s book, Look Again: https://tinyurl.com/5n8p3btb Tali’s lab: https://affectivebrain.com/?page_id=161 Sign up to my newslette...
Jun 17, 2024•23 min•Ep 187•Transcript available on Metacast I’ve tested 100s of psychological tactics on my email subscribers. Today, I reveal the 10 tactics that actually work. Join the free Science of Persuasion Course: https://nudge.ck.page/persuasion-course My endowment test: https://tinyurl.com/bv2umtup My scarcity nudge: https://tinyurl.com/376stytp My loss aversion nudge: https://tinyurl.com/5hyh9y4h My experiment with International Podcast Day: https://im.ge/i/PrV4l9 My consistency experiment: https://bit.ly/3sABZTU My curiosity gap experiment: h...
Jun 10, 2024•21 min•Ep 186•Transcript available on Metacast This is surely the most persuasive message on earth? It made 22,000 Brits agreed to 1,000 hours of community service, including, but not limited to; cleaning toilets at festivals, scraping chewing gum off the streets, and manually relieving sewer blockages. In today’s episode, Harvard Professor Todd Rodgers explains how. Access the bonus episode here: https://nudge.ck.page/b64397a286 Writing for Busy Readers book: https://writingforbusyreaders.com/ Sign up for the Nudge Newsletter: https://www.n...
Jun 03, 2024•25 min•Ep 185•Transcript available on Metacast Warning. This episode contains explicit language. In 2018, KFC told the world they FCK’d up. Today on Nudge, Professor Moore shares the science behind swearing and reveals if swearing in ads helps or hinders a brand. Access the bonus episode here: https://nudge.ck.page/e1bed9bc16 Sign up for the Nudge Newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list
May 27, 2024•25 min•Ep 184•Transcript available on Metacast It seems inevitable to us now that someone would eventually land on the moon. But back in 1962 that wasn’t so certain. With the ever-rising costs of the Apollo space program, and a huge amount of tax needed from each US citizen, JFK struggled to convince people. That was until one speech on a sunny day in September. This speech went down in history, persuading the nation to reach for the moon. In today’s Nudge, I explain the psychological tactics Kennedy used to make that speech so compelling. S...
May 20, 2024•26 min•Ep 183•Transcript available on Metacast Chris Voss, the FBI’s former chief hostage and kidnapping negotiator, shares how to succeed in any negotiation. Chris’s newsletter: https://www.blackswanltd.com/the-edge Chris’s book: https://www.blackswanltd.com/never-split-the-difference Follow the Nudge newsletter: https://nudge.ck.page/profile
May 13, 2024•28 min•Ep 182•Transcript available on Metacast Chris Voss, former chief hostage and kidnapping negotiator for the FBI, shares the worst negotiation mistakes you can make. Chris’s newsletter: https://www.blackswanltd.com/the-edge Chris’s book: https://www.blackswanltd.com/never-split-the-difference Follow the Nudge newsletter: https://nudge.ck.page/profile
May 06, 2024•26 min•Ep 181•Transcript available on Metacast In the 5 years I’ve run Nudge, I’ve interviewed 10 experts on pricing. These aren’t run-of-the-mill LinkedIn gurus. They’re peer-reviewed researchers from some of the world’s most prestigious universities. Today, I reveal their top 10 pricing tips. Join the free Science of Persuasion Course: https://nudge.ck.page/persuasion-course
Apr 29, 2024•18 min•Ep 180•Transcript available on Metacast In today’s episode of Nudge, Rory Sutherland explains: When to tell smokers to quit smoking How to double McDonald’s orders Ways to make Londoners recycle Why pensions schemes are broken How to make high earners pay more tax You won’t want to miss this. (Warning this episode contains explicit language). Rory’s book Alchemy: http://tinyurl.com/3ucjy6rz Sign up to the Nudge Newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list
Apr 22, 2024•33 min•Ep 179•Transcript available on Metacast I’ve spent 200 hours interviewing persuasion experts. Today, I share the persuasion tactics that actually work. Join the free Science of Persuasion Course: https://nudge.ck.page/persuasion-course Reddit ads: https://imgur.com/a/BsCwx7n Reddit ads results: https://imgur.com/a/iEB4W79
Apr 15, 2024•18 min•Ep 178•Transcript available on Metacast I wish I had followed Prof Todd Rodgers’ advice earlier. Writing for Busy Readers book: https://writingforbusyreaders.com/ Sign up for the Nudge Newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list Churchill’s plea for brevity: https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/churchills-call-for-brevity/
Apr 08, 2024•21 min•Ep 177•Transcript available on Metacast I used to love football, but nowadays I’m indifferent towards it. Today on Nudge, Professor Sarah Moore explains why. Sign up for the Nudge Newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list
Apr 01, 2024•24 min•Ep 176•Transcript available on Metacast In today’s episode of Nudge, Uri Gneezy explains why Amazon paid staff $5,000 to quit, how he got Singapore taxi drivers to walk more, and how Pret made their staff friendlier. Uri’s book Mixed Signals: https://tinyurl.com/28mh4kke Follow the Nudge Newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list Uri's previous episodes on Nudge: Episode One / Episode Two
Mar 25, 2024•29 min•Ep 175•Transcript available on Metacast In 1991, CEO of one of the UK’s largest high street brands lost £500m in value overnight. He almost caused his company to go bankrupt, which ultimately led to his dismissal and a complete company rebrand. In today’s episode of Nudge, I share his story, explaining the psychology behind why this happened and some messaging advice that every marketer needs to know. Sign up to the Nudge Newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list Episode 70 of Nudge: https://tinyurl.com/vk2cxcuc Classic VW...
Mar 18, 2024•19 min•Ep 174•Transcript available on Metacast Is there a hidden sexual symbolism behind the famous golden arches? Yes (apparently). I laughed at this, thinking it was BS, but today I realise I’m probably wrong. See subtle tweaks in logo designs dramatically change how they’re perceived. Today, I talk to Professor Nazuk Sharma as she explains how tweaks to design can make people buy. Sign up for the Nudge Newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list Connect with Nazuk on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nazuksharma/ Nazuk’s Goo...
Mar 11, 2024•22 min•Ep 173•Transcript available on Metacast Every year $342 billion is spent on bottled water. And yet, for many of those customers a safer version, that tastes the same, is 300x cheaper. Our collective thirst for bottled water is largely irrational. It doesn’t make sense. But so, it seems, are the pricing strategies of several major brands, from fashion, to food, to flights, irrational prices often trump rational approaches. Today, Melina Palmer, host of the Brainy Business, explains why irrational prices surprisingly sell. Melina’s podc...
Mar 04, 2024•23 min•Ep 172•Transcript available on Metacast Today, a world-leading neuroscientist explains everything wrong in my life. She details why marriages fail, if cleaning can be fun, how Facebook drove depression, and shares lessons on creativity. In 30 minutes, I learnt more about happiness than in the past 30 years. Access the bonus episode: https://nudge.ck.page/de30a8ac24 Tali’s book, Look Again: https://tinyurl.com/5n8p3btb Tali’s lab: https://affectivebrain.com/?page_id=161 Sign up to my newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-lis...
Feb 26, 2024•37 min•Ep 171•Transcript available on Metacast In 2016 Amnesty international revealed how Microsoft, Volkswagen, and Samsung used suppliers with links to child labour. In 2017 BBC’s Panorama revealed how dozens of iPhone workers had committed suicide due to poor working conditions. In the summer of 2023 we learnt that Amazon’s UK division paid no corporation tax for the second year in a row. Did any of these unethical scandals directly affect sales? Nope. Today, professor Daniel Zane—who has studied the wilful ignorance customers have toward...
Feb 19, 2024•31 min•Ep 170•Transcript available on Metacast