Influence Anyone

Welcome to this new chapter of the podcast! In this special 50th episode, host Howie Chan interviews “The Godfather of Influence” himself, Dr. Robert Cialdini. He is  the globally renowned psychologist behind "Influence", the book that sold over 5 million copies worldwide,  and the man who made persuasion a science.They delve into the process of influence, Dr. Cialdini's groundbreaking findings, and what it takes to get people to say yes, even before you present the offer.Dr. Cialdini provides insights into his research and learning journey. He shares stories that led to his breakthroughs and others that changed everything. You'll learn how to influence and persuade yourself and others ethically and effectively.Want prospects to become customers and passers-by to become fans?Sign up for Behavioring Blueprint, my FREE 7-day email course.Episode Breakdown:02:22 Dr. Cialdini's shocking and humbling history with Charlie Munger07:04 The surprising discovery that got Dr. Cialdini started on "Influence"11:50 Why Dr. Cialdini went undercover and what influenced his research16:33 Focusing on unchanging human truths and “Small Bigs”19:29 The backstory behind the 7th and newest principle, Unity24:00 What happens to phony and manipulative brands27:21 The power of pre-suasion and how Dr. Cialdini came up with the concept35:00 How to use pre-suasion to maximize results40:07 "Post-suasion": what comes after successful persuasion46:05 Influencing yourself for habit creation and lasting change48:00 One single sentence that can ready people for the change you want52:20 No social proof? How to use future social proof in your business55:50 The difference between ethical and unethical influence1:00:30 Debunking a myth about influence that refuses to die1:06:28 A letter to Dr. Robert Cialdini’s younger selfFrom Our Guest:WebsiteLinkedInYoutubeXFacebookFind all of Dr. Cialdini's groundbreaking books here.Get people to buy into your ideas and offers!Join the FREE Influence Anyone newsletter. Each week, I uncover a proven strategy from world experts and scientific research to influence human behavior – including your own.📩 Go to: www.howiechan.com/subFollow, subscribe, and don’t forget to leave a rating and review!Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Don't want to miss the unveiling of the new chapter with the show? Make sure to subscribe to the podcast and be the first to listen to episode 50, with none other than the Godfather of Influence himself.In preparation for our very special guest in episode 50, today, host Howie is hitting replay on his interview with Steve Martin, an expert on influence and persuasion and the CEO of Influence At Work.They delve into how the answer isn’t always more data, what it actually takes to ethically persuade someone, and the power of story to bring someone to your side. The discussion emphasizes that having a compelling case is not enough to influence and persuade people.Steve dropped one of the most underrated gems of the show in this episode, so it's worth listening to again. He breaks down what it takes to truly influence and persuade someone with the three-part influence equation + the biggest mistakes people make when trying to persuade others–and how to avoid them.Episode Breakdown:04:12 How Steve ended up in the world of persuasion and influence07:09 What most don’t know about Cialdini’s revolutionary book, Influence10:54 Having a compelling case is actually not enough18:34 How to be an influential individual or brand–not just now but in the long run21:54 The influence equation: how it came to be and what it’s all about27:20 Applying the influence equation with real-life examples31:34 How context affects influence and persuasion34:47 The essential role of story in successful influence36:58 The 2 biggest mistakes that keep you from the outcome you want45:41 The messenger traits that make people listen51:41 The one skill that’s always in high demand–even in the age of AI59:43 How to guarantee the best results1:07:09 A letter to Steve Martin’s younger selfFrom Our Guest:WebsiteLinkedInFind all his books here.Check out Steve Martin’s course for The Economist, Influence and persuasion in business.Catch up with my interview with Will Storr in episode 17 of the podcast.It’s time to turn up the volume on life, make your mark, and live your legend. 🤘🏽Join Legend Letters: The free newsletter helping thousands of business owners influence human behavior (and look like a legend) using brand psychology.Follow, subscribe, and don’t forget to leave a rating and review!Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Want prospects to become customers and passers-by to become fans?Sign up for Behavior Blueprint, my FREE 7-day email course.In this episode of the Legend Effect Podcast, host Howie Chan delves into storytelling for business. But he isn't just telling you to tell your story; he's also teaching you how to do it successfully. The discussion emphasizes that stories don't have to be epic or crazy to be powerful. They just need to be from you.Howie breaks down the brain chemistry behind great storytelling, walks you through the five factory settings of your audience's mind, and provides you with a framework that will shift how you write and share stories from now on.Episode Breakdown:01:37 When Howie's introduction fell flat at a  networking event02:32 The five factory settings of the brain03:41 The four-part story framework04:45 What Howie should have said at the event instead07:00 The power of telling a personal story08:47 Start standing out and becoming unforgettable today From Me:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramCatch up with my interview with Karen Eber to learn more about the five factory settings of the brain.Legendary Quotes:“ It wasn't because I was boring, it's because I wasn't telling a story. Me, the person, is interesting. I know that. But I was almost reciting a headline or a resume or something, it's very robotic.” – Howie Chan“ You don't have to say, 'Oh, Howie, I don't have any stories.' Take any facet, anything that you want to say, and put it in that [four-part framework], and you have a story.” – Howie Chan“ Instead of telling them a cookie-cutter, one-line about who you are or what you do, you tell them a story that can connect. And they don't have to be epic or crazy to be powerful. Often, the best stories are personal. They're small, but they just need to be from you.” – Howie ChanIt’s time to turn up the volume on life, make your mark, and live your legend. 🤘🏽Join Legend Letters: The free newsletter helping thousands of business owners influence human behavior (and look like a legend) using brand psychology.Follow, subscribe, and don’t forget to leave a rating and review!Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Want 75 hacks to become more charismatic?Get your FREE copy of my Charisma Tactical Toolkit.In this episode of the Legend Effect Podcast, host Howie Chan interviews William Hanson, a leading authority on etiquette and influence who advises royalty, banks, and global brands. They explore how manners, often seen as outdated, help us connect across cultures, lead with influence, and simply be kind. William explains the difference between manners and etiquette and shares practical tips to show up with confidence, clarity, and connection in any setting.Episode Breakdown:02:41 How William handles others' opinions about his agitating content06:39 The difference between manners and etiquette08:29 When to break the rules of etiquette10:24 The role of etiquette rules for community and belonging12:32 The consequences of a world where everyone is insecure13:58 Making etiquette more accessible and William's book cover controversy18:32 How manners and etiquette rules help and why they matter25:17 Navigating an etiquette mishap27:47 Two powerful habits that we could all benefit from having32:12 What it takes to leave a good first impression36:07 How to give a good handshake and get out of an awkward one39:47 The importance of leading by example41:04 How to approach etiquette rules in a different culture42:45 Keeping up with the changes in social etiquette46:43 Breaks in etiquette that drive William mad49:07 William's viral, controversial How To Eat videos54:02 How to be more influential as a leader and as a new neighbor58:01 The power of humor and not taking yourself too seriously1:01:04 One etiquette rule on its way out and what should remain1:03:46 A letter to William Hanson’s younger selfFrom Our Guest:WebsiteYouTubeGet the book, Just Good Manners.Podcasts, Help I Sexted My Boss and The Luxury Podcast.The cringe comments video that Howie shows William at the start.How To Eat videos: Banana, Rice, and Peas.Catch up with my episode with 6x USA Memory Champion Nelson Dellis to learn how to remember names.It’s time to turn up the volume on life, make your mark, and live your legend. 🤘🏽Join Legend Letters: The free newsletter helping thousands of business owners influence human behavior (and look like a legend) using brand psychology.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Want prospects to become customers and passers-by to become fans?Sign up for Behavior Blueprint, my FREE 7-day email course.In this episode of the Legend Effect Podcast, host Howie Chan interviews Ed Tate, the 2000 World Champion of Public Speaking and the go-to coach for corporations, entrepreneurs, and leaders who need to win  hearts and minds in high-stakes moments.Ed provides the tools to help you create a memorable opening, the steps to rejection-proof your pitch, his recipe for developing a great story, his process for engineering engaging presentations, and how to end your presentation on a high note.The discussion emphasizes that public speaking and presentation skills aren't just a nice-to-have. These are essential life skills that everyone with a job should master.Episode Breakdown:03:59 Ed's 7 seconds of terror and how he turned it all around08:54 How Ed's stutter led him to his public speaking career13:00 The road to winning the 2000 World Championship of Public Speaking19:12 The enemy of a good presentation22:46 The elements of a memorable opening experience27:39 Presentation skills: The power of a relevant story29:22 Steps to rejection-proof your pitch37:31 Ed's recipe for developing a great story and his secret sauce45:38 How Ed engineers his powerful presentations57:26 Ed's recommendations for those looking to become public speakers1:06:57 Ed's take on AI's impact on the industry of public speaking1:09:04 A letter to Ed Tate’s younger selfFrom Our Guest:WebsiteLinkedInYoutubeXCheck out the best place in the world to build your confidence, Toastmasters.Watch Ed's winning speech of the Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speaking, One of Those Days.Get Robert Cialdini's book, Influence.Get started with speaking! Learn more about the National Speakers Association.Legendary Quotes:“ I will never ask an audience to put down their cell phones or their devices or close their laptops because it is my job to be more interesting than any screen. And if I'm not more interesting than any screen, I shouldn't be in this business.” – Ed Tate“When I began, I emulated certain speakers that I liked. But I started making serious money when Ed showed up on stage as opposed to me being a cheap version of somebody else.” – Ed TateIt’s time to turn up the volume on life, make your mark, and live your legend. 🤘🏽Join Legend Letters: The free newsletter helping thousands of business owners influence human behavior (and look like a legend) using brand psychology.Follow, subscribe, and don’t forget to leave a rating and review!Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Want 75 hacks to become more charismatic?Get your FREE copy of my Charisma Tactical Toolkit.In this episode of the Legend Effect Podcast, host Howie Chan interviews Mita Mallick,  a powerhouse executive, a LinkedIn Top Voice, a trusted advisor to some of the biggest brands on the planet, and a best-selling author and speaker. They delve into  what makes a boss bad, and how we can flip the script so that bad behavior becomes a blueprint for better leadership.The discussion emphasizes that everyone can be a bad boss at some point, but that doesn't mean we have to stay bad. Mita shares practical strategies and tools for us to catch our bad boss moments and come back into being good leaders. She also offers brilliant advice for employees to navigate working for bad bosses.Episode Breakdown:04:38 The biggest retention tool we have is currently under attack07:40 Mita's biggest bad boss moments and the transition into the boss role11:09 Three factors that make us fall into bad boss behaviors13:20 Strategies to build self-awareness and become a better boss16:14 A simple approach to build trust with your team that won't backfire20:01 Medusa: the baddest of Mita's bad bosses23:47 The 5Ds of bystander intervention to become a better colleague29:03 Why people don't intervene in a toxic workplace34:16 Self-work foundations for good leadership39:39 The pregnancy penalty and intent versus impact45:59 Three truths of human behavior that Mita discovered49:40 Brilliant advice and tools for working better with your boss53:48 Two messages Mita would leave for every boss54:47 A letter to Mita Mallick’s younger selfFrom Our Guest:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramPre-order the book, The Devil Emails at Midnight, out September 30, 2025.Learn more about the 5Ds of Bystander Intervention at Right To Be.Legendary Quotes:“ Have you noticed the engagement on your team shifting and changing? And how many of us have the courage to look in the mirror and say, 'Do I have something to do with that?' Or am I gonna blame everything else?” – Mita Mallick“ I know there's still Medusas out there in the workplace. I know people still behave this way, and just because you are getting a paycheck every two weeks doesn't give you permission to disrespect or humiliate or devalue people.” – Mita Mallick“ I hope that we have more courage and humility in the workplace. That's what I think we're in desperate shortage of right now.” – Mita MallickIt’s time to turn up the volume on life, make your mark, and live your legend. 🤘🏽Join Legend Letters: The free newsletter helping thousands of business owners influence human behavior (and look like a legend) using brand psychology.Follow, subscribe, and don’t forget to leave a rating and review!Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Want prospects to become customers and passers-by to become fans?Sign up for Behavior Blueprint, my FREE 7-day email course.In this episode of the Legend Effect Podcast, host Howie Chan delves into  one of the most powerful and most overlooked human truths: ease. The discussion emphasizes that, ultimately, humans are lazy and will always choose the easiest option over the best one.Howie shares the reason why our brains are wired to take the path of least resistance and provides  real-world examples of how ease can make or break success, and concrete tactics for applying this truth,  whether you're leading a team or trying to get more people to buy your product.Episode Breakdown:02:30 How US companies got employees to sign up for the 401(k)03:40 The two systems that drive the way we think and choose05:14 The Fogg Behavior Model and why motivation isn't enough06:36 Three real-world examples of how ease changes everything07:52 How brands actually grow (it's not loyalty programs)10:40 Three tactics for leaders to make work easy to do12:20 Three tactics  for marketers and business owners  to make buying easy14:49 This hidden driver of human behaviorFrom Me:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramRead the world-famous psychologist and winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics, Daniel Kahneman's book Thinking, Fast and Slow.Learn more about the Fogg Behavior Model by Stanford researcher Dr. BJ Fogg.Get one of the most evidence-based marketing books ever written, How Brands Grow by Byron Sharp.Discover more about Barry Schwartz's Paradox of Choice in his 2005 TED Talk.Legendary Quotes:“ When you see failed marketing campaigns or you see maybe offers are not converting, they all have one thing in common: it was too much work for the person on the other end.” – Howie Chan“ If you want people to take action, whether that's your team following through or your customers buying, don't just try to increase motivation. You have to make it easier.” – Howie Chan“ Ease isn't a nice-to-have. It is a hidden driver of human behavior. People don't always pick the best product. People don't always follow the smartest leader.  They pick the easiest path.” – Howie ChanIt’s time to turn up the volume on life, make your mark, and live your legend. 🤘🏽Join Legend Letters: The free newsletter helping thousands of business owners influence human behavior (and look like a legend) using brand psychology.Follow, subscribe, and don’t forget to leave a rating and review!Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Start conversations with a single unforgettable line that wins hearts and opens wallets.Get the Legendary One-Liner playbook and make your message legendary.In this episode, Howie interviews Ron Tite,  an award-winning creative, founder of the Church+State Agency, and the  mind behind campaigns for brands like Google, Walmart, and Microsoft. Ron delivers a true masterclass on the purpose of purpose and alignment, both personal and organizational, and how to get your message across in a relatable and engaging way. The discussion emphasizes that people used to vote with their wallets, and now they vote with their time. So, to influence others, our message must be worth their time.Ron provides us with how to craft a purpose for a company and for yourself, the right way, along with his "Think. Say. Do." framework. He shares the ins and outs of how he structures all his speeches and how to apply comedy to them. Lastly, he flips advertising on its head.Episode Breakdown:06:54 Understand what purpose is and how brands have gotten it wrong09:50 The parallel between personal purpose and the organization's purpose13:04 How purpose can lead a profit-driven company towards growth16:49 The different business model of purpose-driven companies20:30 How to get the purpose right within the company23:49 What you need to craft an organizational purpose that actually gets buy-in30:59 The big flip in advertising from promise to confirmation36:26 You don't have to save the world, focus on what you care about38:15 The power of starting with comedy42:41 The warm open technique that silences the room48:08 How Ron did it and your permission to fake it as you go51:45 The process of comedy and how you can apply it56:43 How Ron structures and customizes his speeches59:21 The key ingredients of a successful and relatable speech1:05:54 We don't need a great big meaningful story to deliver value1:08:10 One simple exercise to help you  better influence behavior1:10:00 A letter to Ron Tite’s younger selfFrom Our Guest:WebsiteLinkedInYoutubeGet the books, Think. Do. Say. and The Purpose of Purpose.Listen to the podcast, The Coup.Read the Mark Ritson article on the purpose and profit paradox.Listen to my interview with David Aaker about his book The Future of Purpose-Driven Branding.It’s time to turn up the volume on life, make your mark, and live your legend. 🤘🏽Join Legend Letters: The free newsletter helping business owners influence human behavior using brand psychology.Follow, subscribe, and leave a rating and review!Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Want prospects to become customers and passers-by to become fans?Sign up for Behavior Blueprint, my FREE 7-day email course.In this episode of the Legend Effect Podcast, host Howie Chan interviews Rob Volpe, the empathy activist. He is the Founder and Chairman of Ignite 360, an award-winning, best-selling author, and he empowers people to build empathy and be better at the work they do and the people they are.They delve deep into empathy, what it is and isn't, why it's so critical in our personal and work life, and how to develop it so it too can be your superpower. The discussion emphasizes that empathy is not just a "nice to have," in fact, its absence is actually the reason companies lose millions and millions of dollars every year.Rob walks us through the 5 Steps to Empathy that can help you dissolve any conflict and come out on the other side more connected, more powerful, and more effective. He also shares a simple but profound technique called the Curious Breath, which is a quick reset that takes you from reactive to thoughtful, from spiraling to strategic.Episode Breakdown:03:33 A miracle of life, Judy Garland, and a lot of empathy08:08 Listen to your intuition to connect with others10:32 The development of empathy and a real-life example15:05 Why empathy is so critical in all facets of life18:31 Fusing the head and the heart to connect and build empathy 21:45 The current empathy crisis in a polarized, angry society24:31 Empaths: when empathy can quickly become too much28:18 Go from reacting to responding with a curious breath32:52 The 5 Steps to Empathy35:06 How to dismantle judgment so it stops getting in your way43:56 Choosing to ask questions differently and ditching "Why?"48:59 What active listening looks like and some exercises to help55:40 Play the ice cream game and integrate different points of view1:02:45 Put yourself in the other person's shoes to imagine solutions 1:04:07 How people rallied around Rob after a recent injury1:07:01 What to do today to start your empathy journey1:07:42 A letter to Rob Volpe’s younger selfFrom Our Guest:WebsiteLinkedInTikTokInstagramGet the book, Tell Me More About That.You can find more content about Rob's cats – Domino, Barnabas, and Solitaire – here.Check out the Empathy Circle.It’s time to turn up the volume on life, make your mark, and live your legend. 🤘🏽Join Legend Letters: The free newsletter helping thousands of business owners influence human behavior (and look like a legend) using brand psychology.Follow, subscribe, and don’t forget to leave a rating and review!Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Want to go from unknown to unforgettable in 44 simple steps?Check out my Personal Brand Checklist.In this episode of the Legend Effect Podcast, host Howie Chan interviews Lisa Bragg, a strategic visibility expert, a former broadcast journalist turned entrepreneur, and author of Bragging Rights. They delve into how great work won't speak for itself and how self-advocacy is the superpower that will allow you to be seen, to influence, lead, and create lasting impact.The discussion emphasizes that if you're not bragging or self-promoting, you're getting left behind. Lisa provides us with your roadmap out of hiding. She shares easy first steps and strategies to start bragging the right way, the pitfalls to avoid on your path to standing out, and gives you the push you need to start advocating for yourself today.Episode Breakdown:03:26 The value of sparkle and showing up with shine, shimmer, and bravery08:21 The evolution of the word brag into something negative10:10 The biggest lie we've been told about bragging10:55 What makes bragging either icky or not15:04 When bragging goes wrong17:33 Easy first steps to start bragging the right way22:08 Lisa guides Howie through reaching potential podcasting guests27:43 Self-promotion, effectively reaching out cold, and opening doors33:42 The importance of amplifying what you're doing again and again38:22 Overcoming internal barriers to bragging39:58 Why your work won't speak for itself43:48 The risks and rewards of standing out46:05 Don't humble brag, do this instead49:21 The power of sharing the story behind everything52:16 Stop holding back, start advocating for yourself today56:06 How to avoid over-bragging57:42 Always think of your audience and don't make things up1:02:34 Find the shortcut to your future through self-advocacy1:07:08 A letter to Lisa Bragg’s younger selfFrom Our Guest:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramGet the book, Bragging Rights.Catch up with my interview with Fotini Iconomopoulos.Legendary Quotes:“ It's not a Me, Me, Me journey when we are doing bragging and self-promoting. It's really how do I make sure that people know where I am of service and then how do I bring other people along the way.” – Lisa Bragg“ You don't have to constantly start something brand new all the time. We don't have to have a million ideas. We can just even have one really solid idea. And be known for that over and over again. That'll give you influence.” – Lisa BraggIt’s time to turn up the volume on life, make your mark, and live your legend. 🤘🏽Join Legend Letters: The free newsletter helping thousands of business owners influence human behavior (and look like a legend) using brand psychology.Follow, subscribe, and don’t forget to leave a rating and review!Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.