

Paul Zak
Professor and author of Immersion, specializing in neuroscience research on human engagement and influence.
Top 10 podcasts with Paul Zak
Ranked by the Snipd community

190 snips
Dec 4, 2023 • 45min
Increase Your Influence With the Science of Immersion
Paul Zak, a professor and author specializing in neuroscience, discusses how to transform mundane experiences into extraordinary ones through immersion. He explores the science behind emotional engagement, highlighting the role of neurochemicals like dopamine and oxytocin. Zak emphasizes the power of storytelling, the importance of tension in captivating audiences, and practical tips for creating memorable interactions in business, education, and daily life. Tune in to discover how to enhance your influence and foster deeper connections using immersive techniques!

46 snips
Aug 4, 2025 • 31min
How your brain can reveal what you buy
Paul Zak, a neuroeconomist and Professor at Claremont Graduate University, dives into the fascinating world of consumer behavior. He reveals how physiological responses, particularly oxytocin, can predict purchasing decisions and enhance charitable giving. Zak discusses the impact of immersion in advertising, using Super Bowl ads as a case study. He emphasizes that emotional engagement often trumps mere likability in ads, and highlights how novelty in marketing can capture attention. His insights challenge traditional measures of ad effectiveness, advocating for objective, neurological assessments.

28 snips
Mar 11, 2023 • 1h 49min
331. Paul Zak — Immersion: The Science of the Extraordinary and the Source of Happiness
The world is rapidly transforming into an experience economy as people increasingly crave extraordinary experiences. Experience designers, marketers, entertainment producers, and retailers have long sought to fill this craving. Paul Zak says there’s a scientific formula to consistently create extraordinary experiences, and that the data show that those who use this formula increase the impact of experiences tenfold. Shermer and Zak discuss: neuroeconomics, neuromanagement, and neuromarketing • Zak’s work with the CIA and DARPA • immersion and how is it quantified (with a formula) • monotony of the mundane • the ordinary and extraordinary • peak-end storytelling • immersion in advertising, entertainment, education, attractions, and retail • what makes a great movie or successful unscripted TV show • novelty • sensitivity training programs in universities and corporations • how to give a TED talk • immersion and political candidates • marriage and immersion • The Bachelor: Ben’s season • happiness, flourishing, meaningfulness, purposefulness and immersion. Paul Zak is a professor of economics, psychology, and management at Claremont Graduate University. He is ranked in the top 0.3 percent of most-cited scientists with over 170 published papers and more than 18,000 citations. He helped start several interdisciplinary fields, including neuroeconomics, neuromanagement, and neuromarketing. Paul is a regular TED speaker, four-time tech entrepreneur, and corporate consultant. He frequently appears in the media, including Good Morning America, the BBC, NBC’s The Today Show, CNN, and Fox & Friends. His groundbreaking research has been reported in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Time, The Economist, Scientific American, Forbes, and many other publications.

18 snips
Aug 28, 2025 • 2h 5min
Paul Zak on Neuroscience, Trust, and Why Communism Sucks
In this engaging conversation, Paul Zak, a neuroeconomist and author, delves into the fascinating world of oxytocin, the 'moral molecule,' revealing its pivotal role in trust and social bonds. He addresses the emotional struggles of Gen Z and emphasizes the importance of genuine relationships for personal success. The discussion critiques modern technology's impact on connection and navigates the complexities of masculinity and political identity. Zak also explores the moral contrasts between capitalism and communism, urging critical thinking in evaluating economic systems.

9 snips
Feb 13, 2024 • 45min
Paul Zak: What makes people tick
Dr. Paul Zak, a neuroscientist and neuroeconomist, talks about understanding human social behaviors, the link between trust and wealth, creating amazing experiences, his favorite Ted Talk, and the use of a nasal spray to improve human interactions.

4 snips
Aug 3, 2024 • 9min
The Two Chemicals Behind The Best Hospitality Experiences - Samantha Hardcastle
Samantha Hardcastle, Founder & Creative Director at The Storied Experience, joins expert Paul Zak to explore the neuroscience of hospitality. They discuss how oxytocin and dopamine play vital roles in creating immersive experiences. Samantha shares her insights from a trip to Sicily, emphasizing the importance of emotional connection and safety in hospitality. Paul unveils an innovative app for measuring immersion levels in real-time, blending technology and emotional engagement to elevate guest experiences.

4 snips
Jun 11, 2024 • 1h 7min
Paul Zak: What Measuring 50,000 Brains Taught Me About Building Highly Engaged Workplaces
Neuroscientist Paul Zak discusses creating engaged workplaces through immersion, oxytocin, and neuromanagement. Topics include the impact of social interactions on behavior, the role of oxytocin in trust and advertising, and the benefits of having dogs at work. Paul also shares insights on work transformation, personal development, and knowing when to move on in the workplace.

Sep 23, 2025 • 51min
Episode #76: How Immersive Experiences Lead to Flourishing, with Dr. Paul Zak
Dr. Paul J. Zak, a renowned neuroeconomist and author, discusses how our brains influence happiness and relationships. He emphasizes the importance of investing in connections for a fulfilling life. Zak explains that simple social actions can strengthen bonds and that shared challenges create deeper trust. He introduces the Six app, which measures high-value moments that enhance mood. Zak reveals how oxytocin boosts empathy and can strengthen relationships while cautioning against its potential for fostering in-group bias. Practical daily actions to enrich relationships are also shared.

Oct 16, 2024 • 53min
437. The Science of Immersion: Transforming Business with Dr. Paul Zak
Dr. Paul Zak, a distinguished professor and behavioral neuroscientist, dives deep into the neuroscience of happiness and immersion in business. He reveals how oxytocin influences trust and storytelling can create powerful emotional connections. Paul emphasizes the need for businesses to enhance customer experiences through memorable moments and genuine service. He also introduces the SIX app, designed to track emotional wellness and maximize engagement. Discover the transformative impact of immersion on relationships in both business and personal realms.

Apr 12, 2024 • 1h 1min
483 Immersion by Paul Zak
Author Paul Zak discusses how to create extraordinary experiences using neuroscience research. They delve into the shift towards experiences in business, harnessing brain technologies for understanding customer preferences, enhancing communication through immersion and technology, crafting immersive retail narratives, and the power of joy in advertising.