

Nudge
Phill Agnew
Nudge is the UK's #1 marketing podcast, breaking down the hidden psychology behind what we do and why we do it. No BS, just smart, science-backed insights that actually work.
Episodes
Mentioned books

45 snips
Jan 19, 2026 • 27min
Robert Cialdini: “This study on 6,700 websites proved my principle!”
In this engaging discussion, Robert Cialdini, a leading behavioral scientist and author of the classic book on persuasion, dives into fascinating insights from a groundbreaking study analyzing 6,700 websites. He reveals how simple tactics, like warm greetings and welcome messages, greatly enhance customer engagement and trust. Cialdini shares compelling examples of how likability boosts compliance and showcases the surprising effects of familiarity on our perceptions. Marketers will find his lessons on repeat exposure invaluable for driving conversions.

7 snips
Jan 12, 2026 • 24min
The Secret Behind KFC’s Success
Richard Shotton, a behavioral scientist and author, dives into KFC's famous secret recipe, revealing how its secrecy boosts customer loyalty rather than being just a culinary necessity. He discusses the psychology behind information gaps and how they fuel curiosity, citing experiments that show partial information keeps audiences engaged longer. The conversation also touches on KFC's innovative marketing stunts and how mystery can effectively keep brands memorable. Shotton highlights the Zygarnik effect, explaining its impact on ad recall and ongoing consumer interest.

29 snips
Jan 5, 2026 • 31min
Why is it so hard to say no?
Dr. Sunita Sah, a behavioural scientist and physician at Cornell, explores the perplexing reasons behind our difficulty in saying no. She highlights how social pressure, unclear consent, and a lack of defiance training lead us to comply against our better judgment. Drawing from the Milgram experiments, she discusses the concept of ‘insinuation anxiety’—the fear that saying no might imply distrust. Sunita also offers practical tips for mastering the art of refusal, framing defiance as a learnable skill. Her insights are particularly eye-opening for anyone seeking to reclaim their agency in daily interactions.

89 snips
Dec 29, 2025 • 29min
The top 9 tips from 55 Nudge episodes in 2025
Join Ava van der Broek and Tim Den Heyer, authors of *The Housefly Effect*, as they reveal how scarcity tricks us into valuing products more and boosting sales through clever retail tactics. They share fascinating insights like IKEA's strategic use of ice cream to enhance customer experience. Professor Gerd Gigerenzer breaks down the psychology behind intuitive decision-making, showcasing when quick choices outperform lengthy analysis. Together, they delve into the power of perception in consumer behavior and how simple cues can drive significant results.

42 snips
Dec 22, 2025 • 21min
The nudge that persuaded Aussies to stop speeding
Adam Ferrier, a consumer psychologist and co-founder of Thinkerbell, takes on the challenge of getting Australians to slow down while driving. He shares insights into his creative campaign that compares speeding cars to predators. They discuss how social perceptions of low-level speeding have made it acceptable, and the power of availability bias in shaping fears. Ferrier also highlights the importance of engagement through questioning and recalls memorable ad strategies that enhance recall. Plus, hear about Derren Brown's mind tricks and their connection to consumer behavior!

37 snips
Dec 15, 2025 • 20min
Don’t listen to this podcast
In this intriguing discussion, Adam Ferrier, a consumer psychologist and co-founder of Thinkerbell, unpacks how reverse psychology can reshape marketing strategies. He highlights Jetstar's PR challenges, explaining how negative perceptions make them compete fiercely with Air New Zealand. The conversation delves into reactance, illustrating how telling consumers to 'not' do something can actually boost their desire. Ferrier also shares insights on emotional ad effectiveness and the power of 'don't' messaging, revealing real-world campaign successes and the dynamics of consumer behavior.

39 snips
Dec 8, 2025 • 21min
Why We’re Irrationally Loyal to Amazon Prime
In this insightful conversation, Richard Shotton, a behavioral scientist and marketing author, delves into the quirks of consumer loyalty to Amazon Prime. He reveals how perceived 'free' shipping impacts spending habits and loyalty. Richard discusses the sunk-cost fallacy, explaining why past investments justify continued subscription use. He also highlights the pennies-a-day effect, which frames costs in a way that feels more manageable. Through fascinating studies, he shows how Amazon uses behavioral science tactics to enhance customer retention.

117 snips
Dec 1, 2025 • 28min
Robert Cialdini: "Everyone Should Memorise This Persuasion Principle"
Robert Cialdini, a renowned behavioral scientist and author of the bestseller Influence, shares his insights on the art of persuasion. He explains the principle of reciprocity, emphasizing how giving first fosters obligation and increases returns. With compelling examples, he illustrates how small gifts can significantly boost donations and how matching gifts to needs creates value. Additionally, Cialdini discusses the consistency principle, showcasing how tiny commitments lead to larger actions and customer loyalty.

27 snips
Nov 24, 2025 • 24min
Why Everyone’s Suddenly Drinking Aperol Spritz
Richard Shotton, an applied behavioral scientist and author specializing in marketing psychology, dives into the meteoric rise of the Aperol Spritz, a cocktail largely unknown before 2015. He explains how social proof and distinctiveness drove its popularity, revealing that our tendency to follow perceived trends influences our choices. The vibrant orange color of Aperol plays a crucial role in making its consumption visible, reinforcing the illusion of widespread appeal. Shotton shares fascinating insights into behavioral triggers and marketing strategies that can enhance product visibility and desirability.

52 snips
Nov 17, 2025 • 21min
Five science-backed tips to become a better leader
In this engaging discussion, Professor Adam Galinsky, a leadership authority from Columbia Business School and author of "Inspire," shares his top five science-backed tips for becoming a better leader. He emphasizes the importance of offering autonomy to employees, which boosts creativity and productivity. Galinsky also discusses how asking for advice enhances loyalty, and how phrasing proposals as requests shapes perceptions positively. He concludes with the value of acknowledging others to build respect and status within teams.


