The Behavioral Economics in Marketing's Podcast

Why do consumers trust influencers more than traditional ads? It’s not just about popularity — it’s about psychology. In this episode of Behavioral Economics in Marketing, we unpack the behavioral science that makes influencer marketing so effective. From social proof and authority bias to narrative transportation and parasocial relationships, we explore how influencers build trust, shape buying decisions, and convert followers into customers. You’ll learn the cognitive triggers that drive this multi-billion-dollar industry — and how to use them to elevate your own brand. We also break down the influencer landscape, from mega to nano, and offer tactical advice for identifying, approaching, and collaborating with the right creators for your campaign. Whether you’re looking to drive awareness or deepen loyalty, understanding the why behind influencer impact is your unfair advantage. Key themes: influencer tiers, trust signals, behavioral triggers, content strategy, social proof, endorsements, campaign design, community-building. Behavioral Economics in Marketing Podcast | Understanding how we as humans make decisions is an important part of marketing. Behavioral economics is the study of decision-making and can give keen insight into buyer behavior and help to shape your marketing mix. Marketers can tap into Behavioral Economics to create environments that nudge people towards their products and services, to conduct better market research and analyze their marketing mix. Sandra Thomas-Comenole | Host | Marketing professional with over 15 years of experience leading marketing and sales teams and a rigorously quantitative Master’s degree in economics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. 

See how the power of social influence shapes buying decisions. This episode explains different forms of social proof and how to effectively incorporate them to build trust and drive customer action. Keywords: social proof marketing, increase conversion rates, behavioral economics influence, consumer trust strategies, social influence psychology Behavioral Economics in Marketing Podcast | Understanding how we as humans make decisions is an important part of marketing. Behavioral economics is the study of decision-making and can give keen insight into buyer behavior and help to shape your marketing mix. Marketers can tap into Behavioral Economics to create environments that nudge people towards their products and services, to conduct better market research and analyze their marketing mix. Sandra Thomas-Comenole | Host | Marketing professional with over 15 years of experience leading marketing and sales teams and a rigorously quantitative Master’s degree in economics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. 

In this teaser episode for Season 10 of the Behavioral Economics in Marketing Podcast, we revisit one of the most energetic and content-rich seasons yet — Season 6: the 30-Day Challenge. With over 30 actionable episodes, this season was a crash course in applying behavioral science to real-world marketing. This time, we’re highlighting Leveraging Social Proof to Increase Conversion Rates — an episode that explores how seeing others’ actions can significantly impact trust, confidence, and buying behavior. We discuss types of social proof, why it works, and how smart marketers use it to guide customer decisions. Then we tee up an all-new companion episode: The Power of Influencers: Behavioral Economics Behind Influencer Marketing. We’ll explore how influencers — from macro to micro — serve as dynamic social proof, backed by behavioral science. You’ll learn how to choose the right influencer partners, why their messages stick, and how to amplify trust and engagement with authentic storytelling. Whether you're launching a campaign or growing your brand’s credibility, this two-episode pairing will help you better understand the psychology of trust and influence in modern marketing. Behavioral Economics in Marketing Podcast | Understanding how we as humans make decisions is an important part of marketing. Behavioral economics is the study of decision-making and can give keen insight into buyer behavior and help to shape your marketing mix. Marketers can tap into Behavioral Economics to create environments that nudge people towards their products and services, to conduct better market research and analyze their marketing mix. Sandra Thomas-Comenole | Host | Marketing professional with over 15 years of experience leading marketing and sales teams and a rigorously quantitative Master’s degree in economics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. 

Why do consumers pay six figures for a handbag they’ll rarely use — or line up overnight for a hoodie they might never wear? The answer lies in status, scarcity, and the zero-sum game of exclusivity. In this episode of Behavioral Economics in Marketing, we explore how zero-sum branding drives desire by making status a competition. Using real-world examples from Hermès to Supreme, we unpack how luxury brands use scarcity, gatekeeping, and social comparison to increase their perceived value — not by what they offer, but by what they withhold. We’ll explore the psychology behind why exclusion works, the power of signaling theory and social proof, and how marketers can ethically apply these principles to craft irresistible brand experiences. If you’re building a brand that trades in aspiration, identity, or prestige — this episode is your blueprint. Keywords: luxury branding, zero-sum marketing, scarcity marketing, social status, exclusivity, behavioral economics, Hermès, Supreme, signaling theory, social comparison, artificial scarcity, brand strategy Behavioral Economics in Marketing Podcast | Understanding how we as humans make decisions is an important part of marketing. Behavioral economics is the study of decision-making and can give keen insight into buyer behavior and help to shape your marketing mix. Marketers can tap into Behavioral Economics to create environments that nudge people towards their products and services, to conduct better market research and analyze their marketing mix. Sandra Thomas-Comenole | Host | Marketing professional with over 15 years of experience leading marketing and sales teams and a rigorously quantitative Master’s degree in economics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. 

Delve into the strategic interplay where one party’s gain equals another’s loss. This episode explores risk, insurance decisions, and how zero-sum dynamics influence consumer behavior and market strategies. Keywords: zero sum games, insurance behavioral economics, risk management psychology, decision-making under uncertainty, game theory marketing Behavioral Economics in Marketing Podcast | Understanding how we as humans make decisions is an important part of marketing. Behavioral economics is the study of decision-making and can give keen insight into buyer behavior and help to shape your marketing mix. Marketers can tap into Behavioral Economics to create environments that nudge people towards their products and services, to conduct better market research and analyze their marketing mix. Sandra Thomas-Comenole | Host | Marketing professional with over 15 years of experience leading marketing and sales teams and a rigorously quantitative Master’s degree in economics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. 

This special teaser episode of Behavioral Economics in Marketing revisits the powerful and deeply personal Season 5: Lessons from the Fire — a series born from the devastating Colorado wildfire that changed my life and inspired new ways to see decision-making, risk, and resilience through the lens of behavioral economics. We highlight two of the most compelling episodes from that season: Zero Sum Games and Insurance — where we unpack why insurance, while rooted in zero-sum logic, plays such a vital role in managing risk and restoring peace of mind. Social Status and Zero-Sum Branding: Why Luxury Thrives on Exclusion — a fresh companion episode exploring how brands like Hermès and Supreme tap into scarcity and status to drive aspirational behavior and exclusivity. This teaser sets up a deep dive into how zero-sum thinking influences both consumer behavior and marketing strategy — whether it’s about protecting your future or elevating your image. 🎧 Tune in for an emotional and analytical look at how we assign value, manage risk, and compete for status — and how marketers can ethically and effectively tap into these core drivers of human behavior. Behavioral Economics in Marketing Podcast | Understanding how we as humans make decisions is an important part of marketing. Behavioral economics is the study of decision-making and can give keen insight into buyer behavior and help to shape your marketing mix. Marketers can tap into Behavioral Economics to create environments that nudge people towards their products and services, to conduct better market research and analyze their marketing mix. Sandra Thomas-Comenole | Host | Marketing professional with over 15 years of experience leading marketing and sales teams and a rigorously quantitative Master’s degree in economics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. 

What if the secret to better marketing isn’t who your customer is — but how they think? In this episode of the Behavioral Economics in Marketing podcast, we explore how dual process theory — the idea that people make decisions using either fast, emotional (System 1) or slow, rational (System 2) thinking — can revolutionize your personalization and behavioral segmentation strategy. You’ll learn how to identify which cognitive mode your audience is operating in and tailor your messaging, UX, and content to align with their mindset. Whether it’s quick impulse buys or high-consideration purchases, we break down actionable tactics for reaching both System 1 and System 2 customers at the right time, with the right message. From ecommerce UX to digital ads, from loyalty programs to in-store experiences, discover how understanding thinking styles can help you boost engagement, improve targeting, and influence decisions more effectively. Keywords: dual process theory, System 1 and System 2, personalization strategy, behavioral segmentation, customer experience design, fast vs slow thinking, behavioral targeting, marketing psychology, decision-making science, intuitive vs rational behavior Behavioral Economics in Marketing Podcast | Understanding how we as humans make decisions is an important part of marketing. Behavioral economics is the study of decision-making and can give keen insight into buyer behavior and help to shape your marketing mix. Marketers can tap into Behavioral Economics to create environments that nudge people towards their products and services, to conduct better market research and analyze their marketing mix. Sandra Thomas-Comenole | Host | Marketing professional with over 15 years of experience leading marketing and sales teams and a rigorously quantitative Master’s degree in economics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. 

Unpack how fast, instinctive thinking and slow, reflective decision-making shape customer experiences. Understand how tailoring marketing to these thinking styles can optimize journeys and increase conversion rates. Keywords: dual process theory marketing, customer journey optimization, system 1 system 2 thinking, behavioral segmentation, consumer decision psychology Behavioral Economics in Marketing Podcast | Understanding how we as humans make decisions is an important part of marketing. Behavioral economics is the study of decision-making and can give keen insight into buyer behavior and help to shape your marketing mix. Marketers can tap into Behavioral Economics to create environments that nudge people towards their products and services, to conduct better market research and analyze their marketing mix. Sandra Thomas-Comenole | Host | Marketing professional with over 15 years of experience leading marketing and sales teams and a rigorously quantitative Master’s degree in economics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. 

In this mini teaser episode of Behavioral Economics in Marketing, we revisit one of the most eye-opening episodes from Season 4: Dual Process Theory on Customer Journey Optimization. Learn how understanding the brain’s two systems — the fast, intuitive System 1 and the slow, analytical System 2 — can transform the way you design touchpoints, content, and campaigns that align with how your customers actually think and decide. Then, we give you a preview of our new companion episode for Season 10: Personalization and Behavioral Segmentation: Targeting System One vs. System Two Customers. In this advanced exploration, we turn theory into practice — showing how to identify your customers’ decision-making modes and tailor your strategy accordingly, using real-world brand examples and behavior-driven insights. This teaser introduces how Season 10 pairs a classic behavioral concept with a fresh application, giving you even more ways to influence decisions and build better customer experiences. 🎯 Tune in to discover the brain science behind smarter marketing — and how to use it to boost engagement, loyalty, and conversions. Behavioral Economics in Marketing Podcast | Understanding how we as humans make decisions is an important part of marketing. Behavioral economics is the study of decision-making and can give keen insight into buyer behavior and help to shape your marketing mix. Marketers can tap into Behavioral Economics to create environments that nudge people towards their products and services, to conduct better market research and analyze their marketing mix. Sandra Thomas-Comenole | Host | Marketing professional with over 15 years of experience leading marketing and sales teams and a rigorously quantitative Master’s degree in economics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. 

Why do so many well-meaning goals fall apart before they ever take off? In this episode of the Behavioral Economics in Marketing podcast, we explore the intention-action gap — the frustrating disconnect between what people plan to do and what they actually do. Whether it’s starting a new habit, executing a marketing campaign, or leading change within your organization, good intentions are often derailed by hidden behavioral pitfalls. We’ll dive into the psychology behind this gap and unpack why things like procrastination, unclear planning, environmental distractions, and fading motivation keep even our best goals from becoming action. You’ll also learn evidence-based strategies to bridge the gap — including implementation intentions, habit reinforcement, and small-step goal design. Perfect for marketers, leaders, and changemakers, this episode gives you actionable tools to turn vision into follow-through and create change that lasts. Keywords: intention-action gap, behavioral economics, goal setting, habit change, follow-through strategies, leadership psychology, behavior design, motivation barriers, implementation intentions Behavioral Economics in Marketing Podcast | Understanding how we as humans make decisions is an important part of marketing. Behavioral economics is the study of decision-making and can give keen insight into buyer behavior and help to shape your marketing mix. Marketers can tap into Behavioral Economics to create environments that nudge people towards their products and services, to conduct better market research and analyze their marketing mix. Sandra Thomas-Comenole | Host | Marketing professional with over 15 years of experience leading marketing and sales teams and a rigorously quantitative Master’s degree in economics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.