Nudge

Latest Episodes:

The hidden (sexual) symbolism in the McDonald's logo Mar 11, 2024

Show notes

Is there a hidden sexual symbolism behind the famous golden arches? Yes (apparently). I laughed at this, thinking it was BS, but today I realise I’m probably wrong. See subtle tweaks in logo designs dramatically change how they’re perceived. Today, I talk to Professor Nazuk Sharma as she explains how tweaks to design can make people buy.

Connect with Nazuk on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nazuksharma/

Nazuk’s Google Scholar Profile: https://tinyurl.com/bdduyt2k

The story behind McBreasts: https://tinyurl.com/2pdbx8ak

Why these irrational prices actually work Mar 04, 2024

Show notes

Every year $342 billion is spent on bottled water. And yet, for many of those customers a safer version, that tastes the same, is 300x cheaper. Our collective thirst for bottled water is largely irrational. It doesn’t make sense. But so, it seems, are the pricing strategies of several major brands, from fashion, to food, to flights, irrational prices often trump rational approaches. Today, Melina Palmer, host of the Brainy Business, explains why irrational prices surprisingly sell.

Melina’s podcast: https://thebrainybusiness.com/

Melina’s book (with free chapters): https://thebrainybusiness.com/nudge

Fiji ad: https://tinyurl.com/yufdwdj9

Cleveland Utilities Response: https://tinyurl.com/4hhh45wj

Life lessons from a world-leading neuroscientist Feb 26, 2024

Show notes

Today, a world-leading neuroscientist explains everything wrong in my life. She details why marriages fail, if cleaning can be fun, how Facebook drove depression, and shares lessons on creativity. In 30 minutes, I learnt more about happiness than in the past 30 years.

Access the bonus episode: https://nudge.ck.page/de30a8ac24

Tali’s book, Look Again: https://tinyurl.com/5n8p3btb

Tali’s lab: https://affectivebrain.com/?page_id=161

Do you have unethical amnesia? Feb 19, 2024

Show notes

In 2016 Amnesty international revealed how Microsoft, Volkswagen, and Samsung used suppliers with links to child labour. In 2017 BBC’s Panorama revealed how dozens of iPhone workers had committed suicide due to poor working conditions. In the summer of 2023 we learnt that Amazon’s UK division paid no corporation tax for the second year in a row. Did any of these unethical scandals directly affect sales?

Nope.

Today, professor Daniel Zane—who has studied the wilful ignorance customers have towards unethical practices—explains why.

Danny’s webpage at Lehigh: https://business.lehigh.edu/directory/daniel-zane

The hypnotising effect of Valentine’s day Feb 12, 2024

Show notes

Special days like Valentine’s day have an interesting effect on us. In ancient Roman times they inspired men to whip each other with animal hides. And today, they encourage men to spend hundreds on prospective partners. In today’s Nudge, researcher Danny Zane explains why this happens, sharing his eye-opening studies on how these special days affect us.

Danny’s webpage at Lehigh: https://business.lehigh.edu/directory/daniel-zane

The dark history of Valentine’s day: https://tinyurl.com/yfh68kj5

My experiment with International Podcast Day: https://im.ge/i/PrV4l9

How to create an irresistible offer (that’s proven to sell) Feb 05, 2024

Show notes

Learn the 7 scientifically-proven tips which are certified to improve your offer, and create a promotion that’s “too good to refuse”. Today Thomas McKinlay, founder of Ariyh is back on the show with more marketing-science wisdom. You’ll hear why extraordinary long warranties win, how time-limited offers fail, and why a thank you note isn’t as sweet as it seems.

Ariyh newsletter: https://ariyh.com/

The ecommerce playbook: https://ariyh.gumroad.com/l/ecommerce

Follow Thomas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasdmckinlay

Sign up to my newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list

What makes a song popular? Jan 30, 2024

Show notes

What do Bieber, Lorde, Cézanne, Monet, Nudge Podcast, and Rock Around The Clock have in common? They all became much more popular through exposure. In today’s episode of Nudge I’ll share the irrational psychology behind popularity, and you’ll learn what it takes to create a hit.

My billboard experiment: https://i.im.ge/2022/10/21/2Nj6C0.Costly-Signal.png

I have two big announcements Jan 29, 2024

Show notes

Grab your copy of Wallet-Opening Words here:

https://www.walletopeningwords.com/

Support me as I go full-time:

Should I share all my secrets? Jan 22, 2024

Show notes

Sharing secrets shouldn’t be frowned upon. Being open, transparent, and candid can work in your favour. Today I’m speaking to someone who doesn’t hide much, John Lee Dumas, host of Entrepreneurs on Fire, one of the world’s most popular business podcasts. John shares almost everything, from his exact monthly income, his tax saving schemes and intimate tours of his house. Today, I explain the psychology behind sharing secrets, and how John’s business probably benefited from his transparency.

Listen to my bonus episode with JLD: https://nudge.ck.page/25236676ed

Listen to Entrepreneurs on Fire: https://www.eofire.com/podcast/

JLD’s website: https://www.eofire.com/

Is mass hysteria more common than you think? Jan 15, 2024

Show notes

In the middle ages hundreds of thousands of Europeans danced themselves to exhaustion. Some danced for weeks on end, many ended up dying of heart attacks and heat stroke. But why? What strange illness was causing this oddity? Turns out, it was all psychological. The dancing epidemic of the middle ages was one of the first noted examples of mass hysteria, a phenomenon where these individuals experience real illness, brought on by imagined ailments. Mass hysteria has been documented in 19th century nunneries, 20th century Palestine and 21st century CIA agents. Today, I attempt to figure out if mass hysteria is more common than we think—and I discover how the same phenomenon has changed the wine we drink, the podcasts we love, and the names we give our kids.

Tali Sharot’s book The Influential Mind: https://tinyurl.com/ytvpyuk2

AP Archive footage of the 1983 fainting epidemic: https://youtu.be/8qcQwbJFlsU?si=xgDYI2JWWfmOTJHj

Synchronised clapping: https://youtu.be/Au5tGPPcPus?si=PN_jRK2XQkGSTpgn

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected