The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of Why People Buy | Behavioral Economics

Host Melina Palmer shares her personal collection of transformative books that have changed her thinking. These books cover topics such as combinatorial thinking, binary thinking, innovation inspired by nature, and the influence of metaphors. The podcast also explores the importance of finding inspiration from nature and the power of metaphors in our daily lives. Additionally, it discusses the concept of discretionary time and its impact on happiness and provides tips for achieving maximum happiness.

In this episode of The Brainy Business Podcast, you'll discover host Melina Palmer's favorite brainy books and why they're worth checking out. Melina begins by sharing how many listeners have reached out to her, thanking her for the book recommendations that have expanded their knowledge and understanding. She explains that as a behavioral economics enthusiast, she has the privilege of reading books before they hit the shelves and even getting to speak with the authors. Melina kicks off the episode by introducing her new series where she'll recommend books based on specific topics. She emphasizes the importance of understanding what you want to achieve with the information before diving into her book recommendations. In this episode, you will: Discover the fascinating world of behavioral economics and how it influences our decision-making processes. Gain valuable insights into the foundations of behavioral economics and how it can be applied to different areas of life. Learn about the power of nudges and choice architecture in shaping our behavior and decision-making. Explore the intersection of neuroscience, marketing, and branding to understand how our brains respond to promotional messages. Discover effective strategies for increasing productivity and minimizing distractions in an increasingly distracting world. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina introduces the episode and mentions how she often gets asked for book recommendations. She also mentions that this episode is the first in a series of book recommendations and asks for feedback from listeners. 00:03:00 - Daniel Kahneman's Thinking, Fast and Slow, Melina recommends Daniel Kahneman's Thinking, Fast and Slow as a foundational book in the field of behavioral economics. She describes it as a comprehensive guide to understanding behavioral science and highlights its importance for anyone interested in the field. 00:06:30 - Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein's Nudge, Melina recommends Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein's book Nudge as another foundational book in behavioral economics. She explains that it provides a great foundation in the concept of nudges and choice architecture, and shares examples related to money, health, and freedom. 00:09:42 - Dan Ariely's Predictably Irrational, Melina recommends Dan Ariely's Predictably Irrational as an introductory book to behavioral economics. She praises Ariely's conversational tone and relatable storytelling, making it an easy and enjoyable read for those interested in understanding the hidden forces that shape our decisions. 00:11:28 - A. K. Pradeep's The Buying Brain, Melina recommends A. K. Pradeep's "The Buying Brain" for those interested in consumer mindset, marketing strategy, and applying behavioral insights. 00:16:09 - Overview of Indistractable Book, Melina provides an overview of the book Indistractable and highlights its importance in understanding motivation, triggers, and focus. She explores tips for preventing distractions, making workplaces and relationships indistractable, and offers practical advice for hacking back external triggers. 00:16:51 - Hacking Back External Triggers, Part three of the book is discussed, focusing on hacking back external triggers such as notifications and interruptions. The chapter provides specific tips for managing work interruptions, email, group chat, meetings, smartphones, and online distractions. The information is actionable and easy to implement. 00:17:27 - Reducing Notifications, Melina shares personal experience of using the author's tips to reduce notifications, resulting in increased productivity. Removing push notifications for social media and email, except for text messages and phone calls, has made a significant difference. The book offers insights into understanding the brain and facilitates making behavioral shifts. 00:18:21 - Understanding Distraction and Traction, The section emphasizes the core insight of the book: distraction is the opposite of traction. It highlights the importance of identifying what distractions are pulling us away from and finding our traction. The book provides guidance on staying focused on what truly matters. 00:19:20 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show. I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books. Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Thinking Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman Nudge, by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein The Buying Brain, by AK Padreep Friction, by Roger Dooley Indistractable, by Nir Eyal Top Recommended Next Episode: Nir Eyal (ep 290) Already Heard That One? Try These: Dan Ariely (ep 101) NUDGES & Choice Architecture (ep 35) Incentives – The "N" In NUDGES (ep 272) Understanding Mapping: The "U" in NUDGES (ep 37) Defaults: The "D" in NUDGES (ep 38) Expect Error: The "E" in NUDGES (ep 39) Give Feedback: The "G" in NUDGES (ep 40) Sense of Sight (ep 24) Sense Of Smell (ep 298) Why You Actually Taste With Your Nose – On The Sense Of Taste (ep 26) Did You Hear That? – On The Sense of Hearing (ep 300) Power Of Touch (ep 302) Roger Dooley (ep 274) Nir Eyal (ep 290) Understanding the Problem (ep 126) Other Important Links: Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter 3 Ways You Can Limit Everyday Distractions, by Melina Palmer

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, you'll hear from guest Meghaan Lurtz, a finance and psychology expert, who is dedicated to improving communication skills, particularly in the context of difficult conversations surrounding money. She believes that the challenge lies not in the topic itself, but in what it represents in society and the shame associated with it. Meghaan's passion lies in helping individuals become skilled communicators who can ask thoughtful questions that support and connect with others. Through her work as a professor, she has witnessed the transformative power of asking questions in various settings, including personal relationships and financial planning. Meghaan emphasizes the importance of follow-up questions, which not only enhance understanding but also make individuals more likable. She also highlights the significance of phrasing questions in a way that promotes safety and avoids confrontations. By focusing on effective communication strategies, Meghaan aims to improve relationships and foster deeper connections among individuals. In this episode: Discover the small changes in communication style that can have a significant impact on your interactions. Enhance relationships and deepen understanding through the power of asking thoughtful questions. Utilize body language and posture to create a positive and receptive atmosphere for effective communication. Deepen connections and understanding by using techniques such as reflection, labeling, and scaling questions. Understand the importance of establishing a strong and safe relationship before offering advice or solutions. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, In this episode, Melina Palmer introduces Megaan Lurtz, a writer and senior research associate who specializes in the intersection of finance and psychology. Meghaan shares her expertise on communication skills and the challenges of discussing money. 00:04:06 - Why People Hate Talking About Money, Meghaan explains that money is a difficult topic to discuss due to the various emotions and judgments associated with it. People often feel shame or judgment when talking about their financial situation, making it a taboo subject. 00:06:09 - The Power of Scaling Questions, Scaling questions are a powerful tool for communication. Meghaan describes how scaling questions can be used to gauge someone's feelings or experiences on a scale of 1 to 10 and then follow up with why they didn't choose a lower number. This technique helps shift the focus to positive aspects and improves overall communication. 00:09:40 - The Impact of Follow-Up Questions, Meghaan shares a study conducted on speed daters, which found that the most significant factor in securing a second date was asking engaging follow-up questions. Follow-up questions that keep the conversation focused on the other person make individuals more likable and improve connections. 00:14:44 - The Importance of Listening, Active listening is crucial for effective communication. Meghaan emphasizes the importance of genuinely listening to others, without distractions or interruptions. 00:15:13 - The Power of Communication, The way we communicate can have a significant impact on how others respond to us. Small changes in our communication style can lead to either a positive or contentious response. Nonverbal cues, such as body language and posture, also play a crucial role in effective communication. 00:16:38 - Finding the Right Balance, Communication styles differ from person to person, and it's important to find the right balance that works for each individual. Experimenting and testing different approaches can help determine what feels comfortable and yields the best response. 00:18:41 - Asking Interesting Questions, The way we ask questions can make a significant difference in the depth of communication. Simple changes, like asking follow-up questions that reflect genuine interest, can lead to more meaningful and engaging conversations. 00:22:43 - Getting to the Deeper Meaning, Rather than sticking to surface-level facts, it's essential to delve deeper into the meaning and feelings behind people's responses. By asking reflective questions and exploring emotions, we can create stronger connections and foster better understanding. 00:26:18 - The Importance of Connection, Building strong connections is crucial in all relationships, whether personal or professional. Without a solid foundation and safe space for communication, advice and recommendations may not be effectively received or acted upon. Communication and connection go hand in hand. 00:30:22 - The Importance of Questions in Communication, Questions serve a purpose beyond just seeking answers. They can help create a more comfortable and open conversation, leading to deeper connections and understanding between people. 00:31:32 - The Power of Communication in Healing, Research has shown that individuals with positive relationships heal faster when faced with physical injuries. Good communication, expressing love and care, can make us superhuman and have a significant impact on our well-being. 00:34:00 - The Value of Teaching Communication Skills, Instead of focusing solely on academic subjects, teaching communication skills such as asking open-ended questions, reflective listening, and labeling can be more useful in improving relationships and changing lives. 00:36:02 - Effective Questioning Techniques, Mirroring, where you repeat back what the person said, and labeling, where you identify and reflect their emotions, are powerful questioning techniques that show genuine interest and encourage further conversation. 00:38:20 - The Impact of Questions on Energy and Focus, Questions can influence where people direct their attention and effort. By encouraging others to focus on positive aspects or different perspectives, we can help shift energy and improve relationships and outcomes. 00:45:04 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show. I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Connect with Meghaan: Follow Meghaan on Twitter Follow Meghaan on LinkedIn Meghaan's Faculty Page at Columbia Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books. Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: A More Beautiful Question, by Warren Berger Listen Like You Mean It, by Ximena Vengoechea The Hype Handbook, by Michael F. Schein You're Invited! by Jon Levy Magic Words, by Jonah Berger Top Recommended Next Episode: A More Beautiful Question, with Warren Berger (ep 340) Already Heard That One? Try These: Common Mistakes in Personal Finance, with Chuck Howard (ep 213) Mental Accounting (ep 282) Why Every Business Needs to Care About Personal Finances (ep 283) A More Just Future, with Dolly Chugh (ep 247) Hype: What It Is And Why You Need More Of It (ep 143) Magic Words, by Jonah Berger (ep 301) Can Behavioral Economics Increase Savings? (ep 65) Having Difficult Conversations at Work, with Kwame Christian (ep 107) The Power of Human Connection, with Nick Epley (ep 265) Framing (ep 296) You're Invited! with Jon Levy (ep 348) How To Ethically Influence People, with Brian Ahearn (ep 104) Other Important Links: Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, you'll hear an insightful interview with Warren Berger, an expert in the power of questioning. Warren's exploration of design thinking led him to delve into the origins of breakthrough innovations, startups, and the role of questioning in driving them. His books, A More Beautiful Question and The Book of Beautiful Questions, provide frameworks and examples for using questioning effectively in different domains of life. Warren emphasizes the importance of questioning in education, business, relationships, and leadership. He highlights the transformative power of asking beautiful questions, which can lead to continuous learning, innovation, and deeper connections with others. By embracing questioning, individuals and organizations can unlock their full potential and lead a path of growth and discovery. In this episode: Unleash your potential and drive personal and professional growth by harnessing the power of questioning. Discover how questioning plays a vital role in design thinking and innovation, and unlock new possibilities in your creative endeavors. Ignite exploration and creativity by asking beautiful questions that inspire curiosity and push the boundaries of what is possible. Foster continuous improvement and engagement by incorporating mission questions into your personal and professional life. Learn how questioning can enhance interpersonal relationships, problem-solving, and lead to deeper connections and understanding. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Introduction to the podcast episode and the guest, Warren Berger, who is an expert in questioning and author of the book A More Beautiful Question. 00:01:23 - Importance of Questioning, Warren discusses the importance of questioning and how it is a powerful tool for problem-solving and decision-making. He emphasizes that questioning should be recognized as a field of study and incorporated into education and business training. 00:04:29 - Questioning and Design Thinking, Warren explains his background in writing about design thinking and how it led him to explore the role of questioning in problem-solving. He highlights that designers and successful business leaders are often skilled questioners. 00:07:06 - Researching Questions, Warren shares his research approach, which involves studying how different fields and professionals use questioning. He mentions sources such as Harvard Business Review and Psychology Today, and notes that there are few books dedicated solely to questioning. 00:10:47 - The Challenge of Writing about Questions, Warren discusses the challenge of expanding the topic of questioning from a chapter in a book to multiple books. He emphasizes the limitless depth and breadth of the subject and his commitment to exploring it fully. 00:15:26 - The Power of Questioning, Warren discusses how questioning leads to breakthroughs and innovation, emphasizing that many innovations start with a simple question. He introduces his first book, which explores the general concept of questioning with a focus on innovation. 00:16:16 - Questioning in Different Areas, Warren explains that people approach questioning from different angles depending on their interests. He highlights the relationships between questioning and creativity, decision-making, relationships with others, and leadership. Businesses are recognizing the importance of leaders who can ask insightful questions. 00:17:31 - The Book of Beautiful Questions, Warren's second book delves into four key areas where questioning is relevant: creativity, leadership, relationships, and decision-making. He offers examples of useful questions in each area and encourages readers to come up with their own. 00:18:31 - Questioning in Education, Warren's third book, targeted at educators, focuses on how to encourage students to ask more questions. He emphasizes the importance of engaging students' curiosity and creating a classroom environment where questioning is encouraged. 00:21:02 - Modeling Questioning Behavior, Warner discusses the importance of modeling questioning behavior, both for teachers and parents. He explains that demonstrating a balance of confidence and humility as a questioner can inspire others and create a more approachable leadership style. Intellectual curiosity is a valuable trait for both leaders and learners. 00:30:45 - The Three Types of Questions, The three types of questions are why, what if, and how. These questions work together in a cycle to push you forward and prevent you from getting stuck. Each question serves a different purpose in the problem-solving process. 00:31:19 - The Importance of the Why Question, The why question helps you understand the problem and its importance. However, it's important not to get trapped in the philosophical stage of constantly asking why. The why question is the first step in the process. 00:31:50 - Moving to the What If Stage, After asking why and gaining an understanding of the problem, it's time to start asking what if. This stage is for brainstorming and speculating on possible solutions. However, it's important not to get stuck in this stage and move on to the next. 00:32:28 - The How Question, The "how" question is about implementation and practicality. It's about figuring out how to solve the problem and get started. This question should be the last step in the process, after understanding the problem and exploring possible solutions. 00:35:30 - The Importance of Spending Time on Each Stage, It's important not to rush through any of the stages. Spending time on each stage ensures that you have a deep understanding of the problem, explore different possibilities, and then figure out how to implement the solution. Don't shortchange any of the stages. 00:44:52 - The Power of Beautiful Questions, Warren discusses the importance of formulating a powerful question that can drive motivation and purpose. He encourages individuals and companies to focus on mission questions rather than mission statements, as questions are ongoing and open-ended. 00:46:14 - Finding Your Beautiful Question, Warren encourages listeners to find their own beautiful question, a question that they can continuously pursue and work on throughout their lives. He also suggests that businesses should have mission questions that drive their purpose and motivate their employees. 00:47:18 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show. I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Connect with Warren: WARREN'S WEBSITE WARREN ON TWITTER WARREN ON LINKEDIN Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books. Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: A More Beautiful Question, by Warren Berger Beautiful Questions in the Classroom, by Warren Berger The Book of Beautiful Questions, by Warren Berger CAD Monkeys, Dinosaur Babies, and T-Shaped People, by Warren Berger Both/And Thinking, by Wendy Smith Top Recommended Next Episode: Questionstorming at KIND (ep 215) Already Heard That One? Try These: Dunning-Kruger Effect (ep 266) What Problem Are You Solving? (ep 126) Framing (ep 296) Questions or Answers (ep 4) Bikeshedding (ep 99) Priming (ep 252) Influence Is Your Superpower with Zoe Chance (ep 308) How Businesses Can Design for Behavior Change, with Amy Bucher (ep 164) You're Invited! with Jon Levy (ep 150) Nudging for Good at Walmart (ep 206) Both/And Thinking, with Wendy Smith (ep 261) Is There a System 3? with Leigh Caldwell (ep 233) What is Cognitive Semiotics? with Sarah Thompson (ep 259) Other Important Links: Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Warren Berger TED Talk: Nurturing the Ability to Question Right Question Institute The Questionologist, Psychology Today Warren Berger Articles, Harvard Business Review

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, you'll gain valuable insights from Lucie Buisson, the Chief Product Officer at Contentsquare. Lucie's expertise lies in optimizing user experience on websites and mobile apps, and she shares her research and experience to provide practical tips for product managers. By understanding user behavior and identifying their real needs and problems through careful observation and analysis, businesses can create a more effective and engaging user experience. Lucie also emphasizes the importance of data-driven decision making, testing assumptions, and balancing quick wins with long-term projects. Additionally, she discusses the challenges of scaling a company and offers valuable insights on maintaining clear communication and team cohesion during periods of growth and change. Whether you're a product manager looking to improve user experience or interested in the dynamics of scaling a company, this episode provides valuable knowledge and actionable strategies. In this episode: Uncover actionable insights from user data analysis to drive strategic decision-making and optimize user experience. Strike a balance between quick wins and long-term projects to continually improve product performance and customer satisfaction. Gain a deeper understanding of user behavior through data analysis, going beyond customer feedback alone to make informed product decisions. Navigate the challenges and considerations of scaling a tech company, unlocking opportunities for growth and success. Recognize the impact of time discounting on user behavior and explore strategies to effectively engage and retain customers. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, In this episode, host Melina Palmer introduces Lucie Buisson, the Chief Product Officer at Content Square. She discusses Lucie's role in the company's growth and the mission of Contentsquare to make the digital world more human. 00:02:07 - Scaling a Company, Lucie shares her insights on scaling a company, emphasizing the importance of adaptability while staying true to the company's vision and goals. She also highlights the challenges of transitioning from a small team to a larger organization. 00:06:27 - Understanding Behavior, Content Square's technology collects anonymous user interactions to understand customer behavior and preferences. Lucie emphasizes the importance of focusing on customer intent and providing personalized online experiences that mimic the positive aspects of in-store shopping. 00:08:31 - Challenges of Scaling, Lucie discusses the challenges of scaling a company, including the need to define roles and maintain a shared vision as the organization grows. She also highlights the importance of explicit communication in a larger team. 00:11:34 - Scientific Approach to Customer Understanding, Lucie emphasizes the scientific approach to understanding customers and the importance of data-driven decision-making. She discusses the role of data analysis in product management and the need for empirical evidence rather than opinions. 00:18:06 - The Power of Contentsquare, Contentsquare allows users to gain insights and identify website performance issues without knowing exactly what they're looking for. Unlike tagging plans, Contentsquare collects every interaction on a website, providing a more exploratory approach to understanding customer behavior. 00:19:46 - Prioritizing the Most Important Problems, Contentsquare's reports provide valuable information without users having to choose what to analyze in advance. By presenting click rates on every element of a webpage, users can identify areas of improvement without bias. Solving the most pressing problems yields the greatest impact. 00:24:47 - Finding Simple Fixes with Significant Results, Customer assumptions about what needs to be fixed often lead to massive and time-consuming projects. However, Contentsquare can reveal simple fixes like optimizing a landing page's hero image or call-to-action placement, resulting in substantial improvements and revenue opportunities. 00:27:31 - Balancing Voice of Customer Feedback, While Voice of Customer (VOC) tools provide valuable feedback, it often comes from extreme ends of the satisfaction spectrum. Contentsquare helps differentiate between isolated incidents and symptomatic behavior by tying VOC feedback to session replays. This allows users to prioritize actions based on quantifiable impact. 00:30:42 - The Iterative Cycle of Innovation, Contentsquare serves as the middle piece in a cycle of innovation. By understanding why customers struggle and making changes to address those issues, users can then use experimentation tools like A/B testing to analyze the impact of their modifications. 00:34:38 - Understanding Future Behavior, People often answer questions about their future behavior based on what they hope to be, not necessarily what they will actually do. Our predictions about our future selves are often different from our current behaviors, and this should be taken into account when designing products and experiences. 00:35:36 - Customer Feedback and Implementation, When gathering customer feedback, it's important to ask the right questions. Customers may say they want a new feature, but that doesn't necessarily mean they will use it. Implementing unnecessary features can overcomplicate the user experience and deter usage. 00:37:47 - Testing and Understanding Behavior, Testing and understanding user behavior is crucial for optimizing experiences. A case study from Netflix shows that what people say they want may not align with their actual behavior. It's important to go beyond customer requests and truly understand their needs and motivations. 00:40:36 - Balancing Customer Requests and Solutions, While it's important to listen to customer feedback, it's equally important to go beyond their requests and find innovative solutions to their problems. Product managers should balance quick wins with long-term projects and use their expertise to identify the best solutions. 00:43:37 - Optimizing Website Experience, To optimize website experiences, start by listening to customers and identifying small signals of behavior. Quantify the impact of these behaviors and find a balance between quick wins and long-term improvements. Understanding the customer while also leveraging product expertise is key to success. 00:46:09 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show. I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Connect with Lucie: Follow Lucie on LinkedIn Contentsquare on Twitter Contentsquare Website Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books. Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: The Voltage Effect, by John LIst What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Continuous Discovery Habits, by Teresa Torres Friction, by Roger Dooley What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Top Recommended Next Episode: The Voltage Effect, with John List (ep 190) Already Heard That One? Try These: Peloton: A Behavioral Economics Analysis (ep 338) Friction, with Roger Dooley (ep 274) Sludge (ep 179) Choice Architecture and NUDGES (ep 35) Priming (ep 252) The Dunning-Kruger Effect (ep 266) Habits (ep 256) Your Future Self, with Hal Hershfield (ep 329) Time Discounting (ep 328) Optimism Bias (ep 34) Planning Fallacy (ep 346) Other Important Links: Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter

Discover the fascinating world of behavioral economics in Peloton's marketing success. Learn how Peloton leveraged behavioral economics concepts to create a strong connection with their target audience through effective messaging and branding strategies. Dive into the power of storytelling, community-building, and framing offers. Explore the impact of social proof, herding, and anchoring in Peloton's advertising and business strategies. Enhance your own branding and advertising strategies by applying behavioral economics principles for a Peloton-like success.

Social psychologist Sander van der Linden discusses the role of critical thinking in resisting misinformation. Topics include the illusory truth effect, conjunction fallacy, and inoculation as a strategy to combat misinformation. Gain insights on improving critical thinking skills in today's digital landscape.

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, you'll hear a fascinating conversation between host Melina Palmer and guest David McRaney. They delve into the power of perception and how our minds construct reality. David shares his journey of discovering the topic of perception while researching for his book. The discussion explores how our prior experiences and brain processes influence our perception, and how our perception can vary greatly based on individual differences. By understanding the power of perception, you'll gain valuable insights that can enhance your content creation and improve your understanding of how we construct our reality. So, join Melina and David on this thought-provoking episode to expand your knowledge and gain a new perspective on perception. In this episode: Discover the science behind psychology and behavior change. Explore the power of perception and how our minds construct reality, revealing the impact it has on our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Understand the intricacies of belief change and gain practical strategies for effectively changing minds and transforming perspectives. Bonus: Learn expert tips for conducting interviews and securing interesting guests to keep your podcast episodes compelling and informative. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina Palmer introduces this episode, featuring a conversation with David McRaney about his book "How Minds Change." She explains that the book explores the psychology of changing minds and discusses why she chose to feature this episode. 00:02:32 - David McRaney's Background, David shares his background, from owning businesses to working in journalism and local television. He talks about starting his blog, You Are Not So Smart, which led to a book deal and a successful podcast. He mentions his interest in biases, fallacies, and critical thinking. 00:05:00 - Overview of How Minds Change, David introduces his book, How Minds Change, which explores the psychology of changing opinions, persuasion, and social change. He discusses his fascination with understanding conspiratorial thinking, resistance to change, and misinformation. 00:07:59 - Advice for Discerning Pursuits, David advises against jumping into trends and suggests pursuing topics that spark a deep curiosity and obsession. He recommends exploring areas that you want to share with others and that drive you to learn more. 00:10:53 - Importance of Following an Obsession, David emphasizes the importance of following an obsession and delving deep into a topic of interest. He shares his personal experience with his blog, You Are Not So Smart, and how his curiosity led to the success of his book and podcast. 00:14:02 - The Importance of Enthusiasm and Passion in Podcasts, David discusses how he can quickly tell if a podcast is just following an algorithm, and emphasizes the importance of infectious enthusiasm and passion in keeping listeners engaged. 00:14:30 - The Need for Genuine Interest in Writing a Book, David's agent stresses the importance of genuine passion and commitment when pitching book ideas, and he agrees that he prefers to embark on a book project without all the answers, allowing the authoritative voice to emerge naturally. 00:15:17 - McRaney's Approach to Writing a Book, As a journalist, David believes that his books are better when his authoritative voice develops throughout the project, taking readers on a journey of discovery and learning alongside him. 00:18:04 - Behavioral Baking and Connecting with the Audience, David shares his experience with introducing a cookie segment on his podcast, where he would bake cookies and share them with his audience. While some loved it, others were not as enthusiastic, leading David to retire the segment after 100 episodes. Melina discusses his concept of "Behavioral Baking" and how it ties into her podcast. 00:28:08 - The Power of Networking, David shares his experience of reaching out to experts at NYU and how it led to valuable connections and collaborations for his podcast and book projects. 00:29:33 - The Fascination with the Dress, David discusses the viral phenomenon of "the dress," an image that appeared on the internet and sparked intense debate over its colors. He explains how this event became a touchstone for understanding disagreements and perception. 00:31:35 - The Importance of Curiosity, David emphasizes the importance of curiosity and asking questions when networking and conducting interviews. He shares advice from a seasoned journalist on always coming back with multiple story ideas to avoid writer's block. 00:32:45 - The Dress Phenomenon Explained, McRaney delves into the psychology and neuroscience behind the dress illusion. He explains how the brain processes overexposed images and how this can lead to different color perceptions. He references the strawberries illusion as another example. 00:43:09 - Going Beyond Right and Wrong, Engaging in arguments over who is right and who is wrong prevents deeper conversations about why people hold different interpretations. This applies to various disagreements and limits our understanding of ourselves and others. 00:45:25 - The Croc Experiment, The croc experiment demonstrated the surf pad concept by showing that people's prior experiences influenced how they perceived the color of crocs and socks under different lighting conditions. This bizarre experiment highlights the complexity of perception and how it varies among individuals. 00:49:36 - Minds Changing on Same-Sex Marriage, The shift in attitudes towards same-sex marriage challenged the notion that people can't change their minds. Understanding what happens in a person's brain when they no longer agree with their past beliefs became the focus of investigation. 00:51:28 - How to Change Minds, Changing minds requires moving away from a confrontational approach and towards compassionate listening. Brute-forcing facts on others doesn't work; instead, engaging in non-judgmental conversations that allow for understanding can lead to effective persuasion. 00:55:43 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show. I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Connect with David: DAVID'S WEBSITE DAVID ON TWITTER DAVID ON LINKEDIN Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books. Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: How Minds Change, by David McRaney You Are Not So Smart, by David McRaney You Are Now Less Dumb, by David McRaney What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Look, by Christian Madsbjerg Top Recommended Next Episode: Confirmation Bias (ep 260) Already Heard That One? Try These: Robert Cialdini and the (Now!) 7 Principles of Persuasion (ep 312) Influence Is Your Superpower with Yale's Dr. Zoe Chance (ep 189) A More Beautiful Question with Warren Berger (episode 200) Indistractible, with Nir Eyal (ep 290) Survivorship Bias (ep 110) Focusing Illusion (ep 330) Priming (ep 252) What is Behavioral Baking? (episode 155) Partitioning (ep 252) You Have More Influence Than You Think with Vanessa Bohns (ep 318) The Power of Us with Dr. Dominic Packer (ep 304) Reciprocity (ep 238) Sense Of Smell (ep 298) Sense of Sight (ep 24) Look, with Christian Madsbjerg (ep 325) A More Just Future, with Dolly Chugh (ep 247) Negativity Bias (ep 223) The Dunning Kruger Effect (ep 266) Both/And Thinking, with Wendy Smith (ep 261) Other Important Links: Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter You Are Not So Smart Website The Dress Strawberry Illusion

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