Brain Driven Brands

It this episode, we walk through the story of Nate—a customer who walked into the dealership craving nostalgia, heritage, and the familiar comfort of a classic Ford. But he drove away in a Range Rover. Why? In this episode, we dissect the identity shifts that quietly hijacked Nate’s decision in real time. You’ll learn: The subconscious identity conflict that made Ford feel right—but Range Rover feel necessary How brands lose sales not because of features, but because they fail to speak to the right version of the customer Why Ford could have saved this sale—if they knew which identities were activated and how to speak to them What this means for any brand trying to turn browsers into buyers If you’ve ever lost a customer to a brand that seemed like a weird fit, this story will hit home—and help you never let it happen again.   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  

Apples had the head start, a catchy slogan, and decades of trust. So how did oranges swoop in, steal breakfast, and build a billion-dollar juice empire? In this episode, Sarah and Nate break down the biggest fruit war in history—a juicy battle of marketing, identity, and manufactured need. You'll hear: 🍏 Why apples lost, even with “an apple a day” as a slogan. 🍊 How orange growers invented a crisis—and then sold the cure 🧠 The psychological trick that turned a seasonal fruit into a daily ritual ⚔️ The real reason oranges won the war (hint: it wasn’t taste) And most importantly: how modern brands can steal the same playbook today.   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  

In a playful and intense brand-building challenge, cohost Nate faces the Tattoo Test, where he must prove his brand's dedication potential. They explore how creating customer rituals can deepen engagement and discuss crafting a memorable tagline that signifies brand identity. The hosts humorously measure brand loyalty by questioning how far consumers would go for their favorite brands. A rapid-fire game categorizes brands as ‘tattoo’ or ‘trash,’ revealing insights into meaningful branding in today’s market.

What if one tiny shift in your ads could increase the ratings of your products? In this episode, Sarah and Nate reveal the underrated psychology tactic that boosted product satisfaction by 32% in live tests. This one’s fast, practical, and immediately useful. If you're stuck in performance purgatory, this is your way out. Source: https://app.sciencesays.com/p/where-being-creative-truly-matters   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  

Dive into the fascinating world of Generation X, the often overlooked powerhouse of consumers. Discover their unique shopping habits and how nostalgia drives their purchasing decisions. Learn why they're more habit-loyal than brand-loyal and uncover the secrets to selling to them effortlessly. The hosts humorously reminisce about Dairy Queen's charm and share insights on leveraging 90s culture to spark emotional connections. It's all about targeting the generation that's truly making waves in the market!

In this episode, we get a sneak peek into one of Sarah’s newest projects (the BPE) and dissect what Original Grain is doing right…and what they’re still missing - more specifically, the killer positioning play they’re missing out on! We’ll use the BPE to break down: The biggest gap in their brand strategy (and how most brands fall into the same trap). Why "handcrafted" and/or “craftsmanship” isn’t a strong enough selling point anymore (and what works instead). How to build a true brand enemy—and why fighting The Disposable Age could make Original Grain unforgettable. Messaging tweaks that instantly make a brand feel bigger, bolder, and more ownable. If you’ve ever wondered how to take a “good” brand and make it truly category-defining, this episode is a masterclass. 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  

Kevin Luby, Founder of High Camp Flasks, discusses the art of selling a lifestyle instead of just products. He reveals how brands can resonate with consumers by aligning with their identities, especially in the outdoor market. The conversation dives into the distinction between growth and brand identity, sharing insights on community-building and luxury branding. Luby emphasizes the importance of authentic marketing and creating memorable connections that not only showcase products but also reflect deeper consumer desires and experiences.

We’re doing a full brand website roast with Consumer Casey on this episode…and the results might shock you! Consumer Casey goes through a complete breakdown of his shopping habits on Caraway’s site with some interesting results. We dive into:   Which elements are actually working customers towards a purchase. The differences between male/female shopping experiences. The CRO elements that aren’t doing anything at all. Why color/shape should be prioritized over everything else.   Special Guest: Casey Levinger Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consumercasey/   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  

In this week’s episode, Sarah interviews Consumer Casey about a very sensitive topic - why he churned from Nike’s ecosystem after being a loyal customer for 2 decades. We break down the psychology behind what happened, why he left, and the impact negative customer experience have on brands as a whole. We also dissect a study that shows you how to increase customer forgiveness by 32% using a simple psychology hack.   Source: https://app.sciencesays.com/p/apologies-work-better-than-compensation   Special Guest: Casey Levinger Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consumercasey/   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  

Sarah, Nate and Consumer Casey go back to Chat to for another exciting game on pricing! Who will win the 3 round competition of real brands and their pricing decisions! Is it real or is it FAKE?  Special Guest: Casey Levinger Instagram:   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