

Brain Driven Brands
Sarah Levinger
Host Sarah Levinger breaks down the advanced neuromarketing secrets of 9-figure brands (like True Classic, Spotify, and Plants vs. Zombies) to show you psychology tactics any e-commerce brand can use today to cut costs, boost sales, and captivate the masses.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 18, 2025 • 28min
7 Good Cookies: The Marketing Lie That’s Costing You Growth
We kicked off Season 3 with some heat. 🔥 In this episode, Nate and Sarah talk about why the volume game in ads is broken — and how brands are shooting themselves in the foot by flooding their accounts with 100+ AI-generated ads a week. Spoiler: consumers aren’t dumb. They’re tired, frustrated, and tuning out repetitive, irrelevant creative. We share some new stats on consumer behavior (61% are less likely to buy after seeing the same ad too many times, 49% flat out refuse). We dig into why volume ≠ diversity, why overloading creative teams is unsustainable, and why the future looks more like “7 great cookies” than “50 mediocre ones.” Nate and Sarah also shift into brand strategy — how to prime buyers long before the sale, the reality of emotional lag in purchasing decisions, and why building memorable brand campaigns is the antidote to cookie-cutter volume. We even talk about why silly things (like my little red dinosaur) actually work for brand recall. If you’ve ever wondered: Why dumping ads into Meta isn’t working anymore How to think about emotional timing in customer behavior How to balance brand vs. performance spend without losing your shirt And why “be more interesting” might be the most practical advice you’ll hear this year …this episode is for you. Season 3 is here, and we’re starting loud. 🧠⚡️ 🔑 Episodes Referenced: Marketers...Don't Think About WHO Think About WHEN: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brain-driven-brands/id1752169629?i=1000675762314 👉 Learn more how to apply psychology to your ads: skool.com/tether-lab CoHost: Nate Lagos Twitter: https://x.com/natelagosLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natelagos/ Tactical and Practical Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tactical-practical/id1752915534 CoHost: Sarah Levinger Learn more at: https://www.tetherinsights.io/ Twitter: https://x.com/SarahLevingerLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahlevinger/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah.levinger/ Watch me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKwfjt_7PU5N_2fTfHemXXg

Sep 16, 2025 • 21min
🎉 Episode 100: The Top 7 Episodes You Need to Send to a Friend
In this episode of Brain-Driven Brands, Nate and Sarah kick off Season 3 by reflecting on some of our favorite episodes from past seasons, share the lessons that stuck with us, and give you a preview of what’s coming next. If you haven’t listened to Brain Driven Brands for long, or if you jut wanna send your friend some good content this week, SEND THEM THIS. 🔑 Key Takeaways Why “just spending more on ads” is the wrong lever—and the surprising shift that actually drives scale. The one theme that secretly connected our favorite past episodes (storytelling, bias, and identity)… and why we didn’t see it until now. A behind-the-scenes look at what we’re building for Season 3—something we’ve never shared publicly before. 🔑 Episodes Referenced: The “When” Episode – about when people are primed to buy: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brain-driven-brands/id1752169629?i=1000675762314 $100M Marketing Challenge – a live experiment episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brain-driven-brands/id1752169629?i=1000693460164 The Orange Episode / Apples vs. Oranges – about the seriously shady business of orange juice vs apple juice (juice/consumables): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brain-driven-brands/id1752169629?i=1000702690496 Ford to Range Rover Episode – identity-based buying contrast episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brain-driven-brands/id1752169629?i=1000702997660 Sarah Makes Snake Cry – a memorable/funny one that might change copywriting forever: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brain-driven-brands/id1752169629?i=1000710416478 Gut Driven Brands – spinoff episode when Sarah was out, so Scotty & Nate ran it: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brain-driven-brands/id1752169629?i=1000679071306 The “Because” Episode – got notable (kinda negative) listener reactions: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brain-driven-brands/id1752169629?i=1000687116891 BONUS: BPE Episode – people couldn't get enough of this one: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brain-driven-brands/id1752169629?i=1000700103181 BONUS: Valence of Testing – one of the best episodes we've done by far! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brain-driven-brands/id1752169629?i=1000710416478 👉 Learn more how to apply psychology to your ads: skool.com/tether-lab CoHost: Nate Lagos Twitter: https://x.com/natelagos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natelagos/ Tactical and Practical Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tactical-practical/id1752915534 CoHost: Sarah Levinger Learn more at: https://www.tetherinsights.io/ Twitter: https://x.com/SarahLevinger Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahlevinger/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah.levinger/ Watch me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKwfjt_7PU5N_2fTfHemXXg

Aug 28, 2025 • 24min
Steal Your Customers from Your Competitors (the Easy Way)
Nate and Sarah delve into the intriguing world of consumer psychology to showcase how businesses can effectively attract competitors' customers. They share insights on the psychological implications of naming practices, particularly among women, and analyze how design influences choices in jewelry. The podcast explores the rising trend of Damascus steel and discusses marketing strategies that link products to emotional milestones. They also emphasize the importance of personal connections and storytelling in enhancing consumer motivation.

Aug 26, 2025 • 20min
Boost Your Sales by 42%...With ONE Great [Secret]
Discover how effective messaging can elevate sales by a staggering 42%! The hosts delve into the art of tailored advertising, sharing personal anecdotes that highlight the psychology behind consumer choices. They also explore the quirky world of luxury toothpaste, discussing a $300 option and the rise of charcoal products. Plus, get insights on marketing strategies for watches with an emphasis on coherent, relatable messaging. Join them for a fun, engaging conversation packed with valuable tips!

Aug 21, 2025 • 12min
Static Creative Ads, hate it or love it? (Feat. Joanna Wallace)
In this episode of Brain Driven Brands, special guest Joanna Wallace joins Nate and Sarah to look at some of Nate’s favorite ads and Joanna chimes in on what she likes and might not like. JOIN The TETHER Community- https://www.skool.com/tether-lab/about CoHost: Nate Lagos Twitter: https://x.com/natelagos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natelagos/ Tactical and Practical Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tactical-practical/id1752915534 Learn more at: https://www.tetherinsights.io/ Twitter: https://x.com/SarahLevinger Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahlevinger/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah.levinger/ Watch me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKwfjt_7PU5N_2fTfHemXXg Thanks to Cytrus for the theme song, “Sky High” You can follow and find them on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/track/1oKGDsxjRdQlf2xHLZsiSJ?si=8fbd275dbbb54cbf

Aug 14, 2025 • 32min
5 Things Marketers Need to Stop Believing (Feat. Joanna Wallace)
In this episode of Brain Driven Brands, special guest Joanna Wallace joins Nate and Sarah to discuss some of the marketing strategies, tactics, methodologies and theory we’re just not gonna believe anymore…mostly because we were wrong about them. JOIN The TETHER Community- https://www.skool.com/tether-lab/about CoHost: Nate Lagos Twitter: https://x.com/natelagos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natelagos/ Tactical and Practical Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tactical-practical/id1752915534 Learn more at: https://www.tetherinsights.io/ Twitter: https://x.com/SarahLevinger Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahlevinger/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah.levinger/ Watch me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKwfjt_7PU5N_2fTfHemXXg Thanks to Cytrus for the theme song, “Sky High” You can follow and find them on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/track/1oKGDsxjRdQlf2xHLZsiSJ?si=8fbd275dbbb54cbf

Aug 12, 2025 • 24min
We Made Mashed Potatoes (A Miscellaneous Episode)
We don’t even know how to describe this episode so...you’ll just have to listen to it. JOIN The TETHER Community- https://www.skool.com/tether-lab/about CoHost: Nate Lagos Twitter: https://x.com/natelagos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natelagos/ Tactical and Practical Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tactical-practical/id1752915534 Learn more at: https://www.tetherinsights.io/ Twitter: https://x.com/SarahLevinger Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahlevinger/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah.levinger/ Watch me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKwfjt_7PU5N_2fTfHemXXg Thanks to Cytrus for the theme song, “Sky High” You can follow and find them on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/track/1oKGDsxjRdQlf2xHLZsiSJ?si=8fbd275dbbb54cbf

Aug 5, 2025 • 31min
“Nash Equilibrium" Is Why Your Competitors Are Winning
On today’s episode of Brain Driven Brands, we dissect a brand new psychological topic: Nash Equilibrium One that might mean the difference between JOIN The TETHER Community- https://www.skool.com/tether-lab/about CoHost: Nate Lagos Twitter: https://x.com/natelagos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natelagos/ Tactical and Practical Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tactical-practical/id1752915534 Learn more at: https://www.tetherinsights.io/ Twitter: https://x.com/SarahLevinger Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahlevinger/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah.levinger/ Watch me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKwfjt_7PU5N_2fTfHemXXg Thanks to Cytrus for the theme song, “Sky High” You can follow and find them on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/track/1oKGDsxjRdQlf2xHLZsiSJ?si=8fbd275dbbb54cbf

Jul 24, 2025 • 29min
What’s NOT Working Tells You More About What Will (Here’s Why…)
ON this episode of Brain Driven Brands, Sarah has beef with Nate, we talk about the Tampon ad that changed a nation, and dissect the real reason your ads aren’t working! All this and more… JOIN The TETHER Community- https://www.skool.com/tether-lab/about CoHost: Nate Lagos Twitter: https://x.com/natelagos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natelagos/ Tactical and Practical Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tactical-practical/id1752915534 Learn more at: https://www.tetherinsights.io/ Twitter: https://x.com/SarahLevinger Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahlevinger/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah.levinger/ Watch me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKwfjt_7PU5N_2fTfHemXXg Thanks to Cytrus for the theme song, “Sky High” You can follow and find them on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/track/1oKGDsxjRdQlf2xHLZsiSJ?si=8fbd275dbbb54cbf

Jul 22, 2025 • 28min
Want to Boost CVR by 5X? Don’t test hooks…JUST DO THIS!
Join Sarah and Nate as they uncover a marketing study revealing a staggering 5.43X boost in customer buying likelihood through a secret hack. They share amusing travel anecdotes and dive into the emotional power of personalized marketing, especially how handwritten fonts can enhance consumer appeal. Discover the captivating interplay between aesthetics and utility in the watch market, plus the nuances of crafting a compelling brand personality. Tune in for fun insights and the excitement of an upcoming guest segment!