Orson Scott Card is the author of Ender’s Game, one of the most influential science fiction novels ever written, and its sequel Speaker for the Dead, among other bestselling works. Ender’s Game is widely read in schools across the US and has been included in some educational curricula. In our conversation, we explore: His approach to creating page-turners: Why telling users what's coming beats clever "hooks"  His method of ensuring the reader understands his writing (great for design teams)  His unique perspective to character development that could help with customer interviews  The one trick Orson uses for getting real feedback This episode teaches product teams how to apply storytelling principles to build more engaging, intuitive products. Whether you're working on marketing, user experience, or team leadership, Orson Scott Card's insights on crafting immersive narratives that respect both audience and reality offer valuable lessons for anyone building products people love (and pay for). Enjoy this episode? Rate it and leave a review. It really helps others find the podcast.Learn more about Kristen and Irrational Labs ⁠here⁠.

Kristina Gibson, an accomplished product leader with experience at Booking.com, Lyft, and Eventbrite, shares her insights on user growth strategies and A/B testing. She discusses when to rely on experimentation versus making bold strategic decisions. Kristina reveals the psychology behind last-minute purchases and how showing unavailable options can paradoxically drive conversions. The conversation dives into the power of micro-details in product listings and the delicate balance between user preferences and innovation risks. A treasure trove of strategies for shaping user behavior!

Dan Petroski is the founder and winemaker of Massican Wines. Massican was recently acquired by Gallo and is the only solely white wine producer in Napa Valley—a region famed for reds. Dan is known as a world-class marketer, combining storytelling, positioning and distribution insights to make Massican what it is today. In our conversation, we discuss: The theory of pricing (and the sweet spot in wine pricing) Why you should build your distribution channel before the product The key to building a premium brand experience Massican’s secret for reducing risk in a very risky market How to use language to build customer confidence  This episode is packed with fresh insights on pricing psychology, brand storytelling, and the art (and behavioral science) of crafting memorable customer experiences. Enjoy this episode? Rate it and leave a review. It really helps others find the podcast.Learn more about Kristen and Irrational Labs⁠ ⁠here⁠⁠.

Joel Burgess, co-founder of Soft Rains and director at Capybara Games, alongside Dan Vader, Creative Director at Capybara, dive into the intricate world of game design. They discuss how onboarding can shape player retention and the role of strategic game mechanics in fostering engagement. The duo offers insights into pricing psychology and leaderboard dynamics, while sharing tips on balancing complexity in gameplay. Their innovative approach in designing Grindstone emphasizes character evolution and evolving game dynamics, making for a compelling conversation.

Cal Thompson, VP of Product Design & Research at Headspace, leads a team creating user-centered designs for meditation. He discusses key performance metrics for the app, revealing what drives user engagement and re-engagement. A small feature change boosted engagement significantly. Cal also shares insights on how pricing models impact user behavior and the importance of simplifying meditation practices. His expertise provides valuable strategies for anyone interested in habit formation and mindfulness.

Host Kristen Berman interviews Akhil Kuduvalli Ramesh, VP of Consumer Product at Yelp, about the power of Yelp reviews. They discuss the engineering behind reviews, why people write them, and how reviews promote human connection. They also explore Yelp's search processes, the benefits of being a responsive business owner, and Yelp's target diversification.

You’ve probably heard of Asana or maybe you already use it in your workplace. In this episode, Paige Costello, Core Product Leader at Asana, joins the show to explain the features that help codify and amplify some of the key components that make work to actually work. We talk about interesting concepts such as deadline visibility, social loafing, long-term planning and authentic acts of recognition. Let's take a look at what work actually is and which are the most important (and sometimes hidden) gears that create productive work environments!Jump straight into:(01:42) - The coordination layer: Asana's role in helping teams plan and achieve their work together.(05:45) - A visual connection: How Asana’s accurate deadline display turns procrastination into motivation.(10:05) - Is social loafing a real thing? Team productivity, accountability systems, being evaluated and why public tasks are so effective to overcome social loafing.(15:28) - Traction, focus and engagement drive: The tools that make it easier to break down big projects into small tasks.(21:41) - A manager’s best friend: Asana’s insights to make long-term planning and goal tracking easier.(25:37) - Setting the norm: Templates, updates and other features that help Asana work for every team structure and user.(31:03) - The power of compliments: Enabling specific and authentic acts of appreciation and the future of collaborative work management.Episode resourcesConnect with Paige Costello through LinkedInAsanaThank you for listening to The Science of Change podcast. Reach out to Kristen through LinkedIn and visit The Irrational Labs website for more information on behavioral science. This show is presented by SetSail (follow on LinkedIn)and produced by Kristen Berman and Studio Pod Media. The executive producer is Rachel Roberts. All episodes are written by Jack Bueher. Music and editing provided by nodalab.

Nupur Kantamneni, responsible for Consumer Product, discusses the behavioral strategies used by Affirm for their flexible buy now pay later model. Topics covered include understanding payment terms, mental models for onboarding experiences, the appeal of zero interest, revenue generation, and aligning incentives. The podcast also explores the compromise effect, surprises in user onboarding, missed payments handling, partnerships, and the pros and cons of buy-now-pay-later.

Product leaders at Match discuss the science behind creating successful profiles and improving user engagement. They cover topics such as profile engineering, onboarding process, common mistakes in dating, messaging features, and the future of dating apps.

Kira Wampler, a product launching expert, discusses her time at Lyft and the brand's philosophy of treating better. She shares insights on the successful Undercover Lyft program and the incentives that built trust with new drivers. The implementation of a tipping system and the complexity of Lyft's choice architecture are also discussed. Kira's current efforts in the healthcare sector and the work of Jasper, a smart planner for cancer care, are explored too.