
The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of Why People Buy | Behavioral Economics
Consumers are weird. They don't do what they say they will do and don't act how we think they "should." Enter Melina Palmer, a sales conversion expert with a personal mission to make your business more effective and brain friendly. In this podcast, Melina will take the complex concepts of behavioral economics (the study and science of why people buy - or not) and provide simple, actionable tips you can apply right away in your business. Whether you're a small business or thriving corporation, Melina's tips can help your business increase sales and get more customers.
Latest episodes

Apr 10, 2025 • 42min
487. What We Value
In this discussion, Emily Falk, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania and expert in behavior change, reveals the complex layers of value beyond money. She discusses how self-relevance and social relevance shape our choices, influencing personal behavior and the spread of ideas. Through compelling examples, including the inspiring journey of NBA player Ernie Grunfeld, she emphasizes the importance of effective framing in communication. Listeners also learn strategies to reduce defensiveness, fostering openness in decision-making and improving relationships.

Apr 8, 2025 • 49min
486. Making It Easy: The Art of Seamless Sales
Nikki Rausch, a seasoned sales coach and founder of SalesMaven, shares her expertise in simplifying the sales process. She emphasizes the importance of clear, customer-focused messaging to enhance engagement and conversion rates. The discussion covers effective scheduling techniques, including the 'three times technique' for meeting arrangements. Nikki also highlights the need to reduce 'I' statements in communication for better reader connection. Throughout, she provides actionable tips to make the sales experience as effortless as possible for clients.

8 snips
Apr 3, 2025 • 46min
485. The Social Art of Influence
Mikael Klintman, a sociology professor at Lund University and author of "Framing: The Social Art of Influence," dives into the transformative power of framing in everyday decisions. He breaks down four key framing categories: texture, temperature, position, and size, showing how they can sway consumer behavior. From luxury brand strategies to the ethics of messaging, he outlines how framing not only shapes perceptions but also drives actions. Get ready to reevaluate how you present ideas and influence choices!

8 snips
Apr 1, 2025 • 29min
484. The Psychology of Pricing: Framing with Numbers
Delve into the intriguing world of numerical framing and how it shapes consumer behavior. Discover that how numbers are presented can wield more influence than the figures themselves. Learn about pricing strategies like the effectiveness of ending prices in '99 versus rounding up. Explore the psychological impacts of using random numbers and how they can disrupt buying habits. Finally, gain insights into presenting statistics persuasively to enhance your business communications.

Mar 27, 2025 • 47min
483. Unlocking the Laws of Connection
David Robson, an award-winning science writer and author of "The Laws of Connection," shares fascinating insights into the power of human relationships. He explores how our expectations shape interactions, introducing the concept of the 'liking gap' and the magic behind meaningful compliments. Listeners learn actionable strategies to foster deeper connections, such as asking the right questions and expressing gratitude. By embracing vulnerability and challenging perceptions, Robson emphasizes that anyone can enhance their social skills and create supportive networks.

Mar 25, 2025 • 34min
482. The Power of Unity in Persuasion
Dive into the powerful concept of unity in persuasion, where shared identities can dramatically affect decision-making. Learn how to establish a sense of 'we' to enhance influence in both work and personal relationships. The discussion highlights the critical connection between unity and other persuasion principles, offering real-life examples that illustrate its effectiveness. Discover practical strategies to leverage unity in your communications and understand its role in fostering strong connections through meaningful interactions.

Mar 20, 2025 • 47min
481. The Consumer Insights Revolution
In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer welcomes Steve Phillips, CEO of Zappi and co-author of The Consumer Insights Revolution. Steve shares his extensive experience in consumer insights and discusses the evolution of the field, emphasizing the importance of leveraging technology and AI to enhance decision-making processes in organizations. Melina and Steve explore the challenges companies face in understanding consumer behavior and the high failure rates of new product launches. They explore how Zappi aims to transform the consumer insights landscape by providing faster, more cost-effective solutions that empower businesses to make informed decisions. The conversation highlights the significance of creating a harmonized data ecosystem and the need for behavior change within organizations to fully utilize new technologies. In this episode: Discover how AI and technology can revolutionize the consumer insights process, making it faster and more efficient. Learn about the critical role of understanding consumer behavior in successful product development and marketing strategies. Explore the concept of "work before the work" and how it can lead to better outcomes in consumer insights. Understand the importance of building a robust data asset for informed decision-making across organizations. Gain insights into how to effectively pitch behavioral economics and consumer insights initiatives within your organization. Get important links, top recommended books and episodes, and a full transcript at thebrainybusiness.com/481. Looking to explore applications of behavioral economics further? Learn With Us on our website. Subscribe to Melina’s Newsletter Brainy Bites. Let’s connect: Send Us a Message Follow Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube The Brainy Business on Instagram

Mar 18, 2025 • 39min
480. Marketing to Mindstates
In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer welcomes Will Leach, founder and CEO of Mindstate Group, to discuss the powerful marketing concepts. Drawing from his extensive experience in behavioral science and marketing, Will shares insights from his bestselling book, Marketing to Mindstates, and explains how understanding consumer psychology can transform marketing strategies. Melina and Will discuss the importance of clarity in messaging, exploring the distinction between optimistic and cautious approaches to marketing. They also explore how brands can effectively connect with their target audiences by aligning their messaging with the psychological motivations of consumers. Will shares compelling examples, including the innovative snack brand Wicked Crisps, which was built entirely on behavioral science principles. In this episode: Discover the concept of mind states and how they influence consumer behavior. Learn about the nine motivations that drive consumer choices and how to tailor marketing messages accordingly. Explore the difference between optimistic and cautious regulatory approaches in marketing. Gain insights into the practical application of behavioral science in branding and marketing strategies. Understand the significance of clarity in messaging and how it impacts consumer perception. Get important links, top recommended books and episodes, and a full transcript at thebrainybusiness.com/480. Looking to explore applications of behavioral economics further? Learn With Us on our website. Subscribe to Melina’s Newsletter Brainy Bites. Let’s connect: Send Us a Message Follow Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube The Brainy Business on Instagram

Mar 13, 2025 • 40min
479. The Housefly Effect: Small Changes, Big Impact
In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer welcomes Eva van den Broek and Tim den Heijer, co-authors of the intriguing new book, The Housefly Effect. Join the conversation as they explore the fascinating concept of how small, seemingly insignificant factors can have a profound impact on behavior—much like the annoying buzz of a fly that suddenly demands your attention. Eva, a behavioral economist and founder of Behavioral Insights Netherlands, shares her expertise on applying behavioral science to improve public policy, while Tim, a creative strategist and founder of Brain Creatives, discusses the intersection of advertising and behavioral insights. Together, they explore the origins of their book and how it relates to everyday decision-making. In this episode: Discover the concept of the Housefly Effect and its implications for understanding human behavior. Learn about the famous fly in the urinal nudge and how small changes can lead to significant outcomes. Explore the importance of framing and how it can simplify complex information for better decision-making. Understand the impact of social proof and the dangers of negative messaging in marketing and public campaigns. Gain insights into the placebo effect and how perception can influence our experiences with products and brands. Get important links, top recommended books and episodes, and a full transcript at thebrainybusiness.com/479. Looking to explore applications of behavioral economics further? Learn With Us on our website: thebrainybusiness.com/learn-with-us/ Subscribe to Melina’s Newsletter Brainy Bites Let’s connect: Send Us a Message: thebrainybusiness.com/contact/ Follow Melina on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melinapalmer/ The Brainy Business on Youtube: youtube.com/c/thebrainybusiness The Brainy Business on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrainybiz/

6 snips
Mar 12, 2025 • 50min
478. The Power of Choice Architecture in Behavior Change
In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Eric Johnson, a leading expert in choice architecture and behavioral decision-making. They explore the critical elements of choice and how the way options are presented can significantly influence decision outcomes. Eric, a faculty member at Columbia Business School and director of the Center for Decision Sciences, shares insights from his extensive research, including the implications of defaults, the paradox of choice, and the importance of framing in decision-making. Gain a deeper understanding of how small adjustments in choice architecture can lead to substantial changes in behavior, as illustrated by real-world examples such as organ donation rates and consumer preferences. Eric emphasizes the role of designers in shaping choices and the ethical considerations that come with this influence. In this episode: Discover the concept of choice architecture and its impact on decision-making. Learn about the importance of defaults and how they can drive behavior change. Explore the balance between offering too many choices and the potential for overwhelm. Understand how framing and priming can alter preferences and outcomes. Gain insights into the ethical responsibilities of choice designers. Get important links, top recommended books and episodes, and a full transcript at thebrainybusiness.com/478. Looking to explore applications of behavioral economics further? Learn With Us on our website: thebrainybusiness.com/learn-with-us/ Subscribe to Melina’s Newsletter Brainy Bites Let’s connect: Send Us a Message: thebrainybusiness.com/contact/ Follow Melina on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melinapalmer/ The Brainy Business on Youtube: youtube.com/c/thebrainybusiness The Brainy Business on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrainybiz/
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