

Katie Milkman
Professor at the Wharton School and author of How to Change who presents evidence-based advice on setting and keeping New Year's resolutions, including tactics like temptation bundling and accountability.
Top 10 podcasts with Katie Milkman
Ranked by the Snipd community

130 snips
Jan 1, 2026 • 34min
The science of fresh starts
Katie Milkman, a behavioral scientist and bestselling author, dives into the fascinating world of fresh starts. She shares insights on how daily choices greatly influence health and longevity. Katie explains the concept of fresh starts, revealing their motivational edge and when they might fall flat. She discusses the obstacles to lasting change, emphasizes the importance of concrete planning, and introduces self-nudging strategies. With tips on creating fresh starts anytime, she empowers listeners to harness behavioral science for personal and organizational growth.

74 snips
Dec 31, 2025 • 28min
Numbers of the year 2025
Tim Cross, a science writer at The Economist, dives into the impressive 208 billion transistors of NVIDIA's Blackwell GPU and explores limitations of Moore's Law. John Byrne Murdoch, a data reporter at the Financial Times, analyzes an 8% decline in social media usage, attributing it to shifting cultural trends. James O'Malley, writer and co-host of the Abundance Agenda podcast, critiques the escalating costs of the Sizewell C nuclear project. Lastly, Katie Milkman, a professor at Wharton, shares effective strategies for sticking to New Year's resolutions.

Feb 3, 2022 • 45min
Are You Ready for a Fresh Start? (Ep. 455 Replay)
Katie Milkman, a behavioral scientist at the Wharton School and author of "How to Change," explores the dynamics of fresh starts. She discusses how the pandemic might offer the largest reset in history. Topics include the psychology behind New Year's resolutions, accidental and forced fresh starts, and how habits can be transformed through disruptions. Milkman highlights the complexities of achieving personal goals and the power of flexibility in routines, providing insights that inspire listeners to embrace change.

Jan 12, 2026 • 21min
Why is it so hard to stick to a New Year's resolution?
Caitlin Woolley, a marketing professor at Cornell specializing in motivation science, and Katie Milkman, a behavioral scientist at Wharton, dive into the challenges of sticking to New Year’s resolutions. They explore the surprising benefits of the 'fresh start effect' and how specific dates can boost motivation. Woolley shares insights on how enjoyment and engagement are key to long-term success, while Milkman introduces 'temptation bundling' to make achieving goals more fun. Together, they provide practical tips on setting achievable and measurable resolutions.

Dec 5, 2025 • 49min
Pods Fight Poverty: Why Giving Money to Others Makes us Happier | from The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
Tim Harford, a journalist and economist, shares a touching story about kindness experienced in Cameroon, revealing how trust can prevail in unfamiliar places. Behavioral scientist Katie Milkman discusses the psychology behind our charitable impulses, offering practical hacks to ensure we follow through on our generosity. Psychologist Dr. Maya Shunker reflects on a childhood experience of moral elevation from being defended against bullying, showing how acts of kindness can inspire a lasting impact. The conversation dives into the deeper joy found in giving to others.

Aug 21, 2025 • 37min
525. Unpacking Left Digit Bias with Choiceology
Katie Milkman, host of the Choiceology podcast and a professor at the Wharton School, teams up with Melina Palmer to explore the fascinating left digit bias. They discuss how this psychological phenomenon affects our perception of prices, revealing why $4.99 feels much cheaper than $5. The conversation dives into its real-world implications in healthcare and consumer decisions, including intriguing stories about iTunes’ pricing strategy. Listeners will learn how being aware of this bias can enhance their decision-making skills.

May 3, 2021 • 1h 8min
Katy Milkman on How to Change
Katy Milkman, a behavioral scientist and author at the Wharton School, dives into the fascinating science behind changing our habits. She discusses strategies for overcoming willpower struggles and the importance of making desired behaviors enjoyable. The conversation highlights the 'fresh start effect' and the interplay between self-control and motivation. Milkman also addresses the complexities of behavioral research reliability and the profound impact of belief and peer influence on personal growth.

Mar 18, 2021 • 42min
455. Are You Ready for a Fresh Start?
Katie Milkman, a Wharton School professor and author of "How to Change," dives into the dynamics of personal transformation. She explores the psychological 'fresh start effect,' discussing its significance during New Year’s and the pandemic. The conversation highlights fascinating studies on how disruptions, like commuting changes and life events, can trigger impactful behavior change. Milkman shares insights on setting goals and navigating the complexities of habit formation, emphasizing the power of second chances and self-compassion.

Sep 25, 2020 • 39min
Costco, Tesla, and Temptation Bundling
Katie Milkman, a Wharton Professor and consumer behavior expert, shares insights on temptation bundling—combining enjoyable activities with chores to improve motivation. She discusses how rising temperatures can influence our shopping decisions, often to our detriment. The conversation also touches on Costco's impressive performance juxtaposed against its stock dip, Tesla’s innovations in battery technology, and the struggles of brands like Stitch Fix. Expect a lively discussion on behavioral science and its impact on consumer habits.

Apr 6, 2017 • 35min
282. Could Solving This One Problem Solve All the Others?
Angela Duckworth, a renowned psychology professor known for her work on grit, joins Katie Milkman, a behavior change expert, to explore the complexities of human decision-making. They discuss the concept of temptation bundling, where fun activities help foster positive habits. The duo also tackles societal disparities in health and financial decisions, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions. Moreover, they delve into how interdisciplinary collaboration can enhance behavior change research and apply innovative strategies in public policy.


