In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, host Melina Palmer and guest Marc Zao-Sanders reveal how the technique of timeboxing transformed not just his productivity but his life. In this episode, you'll hear a genuine transformation story from chaos to structured success, and how intentional living can lead to profound personal and professional growth.  Marc and Melina dissect the practicalities of digital organization, intentional decisions, and share personal experiences that bring...

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer explores the psychology behind precommitments and how they can profoundly impact our lives. Step into a thought-provoking conversation about the tools that assist us in adhering to our goals, including innovative apps like Stickk and Forest. Melina discusses the art of balancing personal aspirations and professional interactions, sharing anecdotes and advice on commitment and accountability. Get insights into practical methods for...

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer engages in an enlightening conversation with Hugh Massie, the executive chairman and founder of DNA Behavior. Hugh's journey into human behavior began during his tenure as a tax specialist at Arthur Anderson, where he honed his ability to tailor advice to clients based on their behavior. This experience led him to establish a wealth management family office business, where he recognized the crucial importance of understanding...

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Nuala Walsh, CEO of Mind Equity Consulting, shares her extensive experience in advising on behavior change, culture, and communications for various organizations, including World Athletics and the Football Association. With a background in behavioral science and a focus on gender equality and diversity, Nuala provides valuable insights into the challenges of whistleblowing in the workplace.  She emphasizes the reluctance of employees to report...

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Huggy Rao, a distinguished professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, shares profound insights on the concept of workplace friction and its impact on organizational dynamics. Huggy's extensive research and expertise in organizational behavior and management bring a unique perspective to the discussion, emphasizing the critical role of leaders in managing workplace obstacles effectively. Throughout the episode, Huggy dissects the...

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer delves into the concept of sludge in business processes, shedding light on unnecessary barriers that hinder customers and internal operations. Drawing from her deep understanding of behavioral economics and cognitive psychology, Melina provides practical insights and real-world examples to demonstrate the impact of sludge on customer satisfaction, employee morale, and overall efficiency.  With a focus on creating brain-friendly...

In the episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Dr. Michael Norton, a professor at Harvard Business School and author of The Ritual Effect, explores the significance of rituals in our lives. Michael delves into the distinctions between habits, routines, and rituals, emphasizing the emotional depth and purpose that rituals add to our actions. He shares insights into the role of rituals in various domains, from sports to work, family, and personal routines. Drawing from his interest sparked by...

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Dr. Nick Hobson, a distinguished behavioral scientist specializing in social psychology and social neuroscience, joins host Melina Palmer for an insightful discussion on the intersection of psychology, philosophy, and behavioral science. Dr. Hobson's journey into the realm of rituals and moral emotions, shaped by collaborations with renowned behavioral scientists like Mike Norton and Francesca Gino, underscores his profound expertise in the...

In episode 381 of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer interviews Dr. Therese Huston, a cognitive scientist and author of Let's Talk: Make Effective Feedback Your Superpower. Therese's expertise in cognitive psychology and her personal experiences with feedback inspired her to provide insights into giving effective feedback in various contexts. She shares stories emphasizing the power dynamics and emotional impact of feedback, highlighting the need for thoughtfulness and empathy in...

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, host Melina Palmer delves into the concept of the IKEA effect, highlighting its influence on consumer behavior and business strategies. Drawing from real-life examples, Palmer emphasizes the significance of recognizing and celebrating employees' contributions in fostering a culture of innovation and engagement. By involving employees in development and change initiatives, businesses can tap into the innate need for ownership and connection.  ...

In episode 379 of The Brainy Business podcast, Nuala Walsh, an award-winning business consultant and behavioral scientist, shares her expertise on decision-making biases and blind spots. Drawing from her background in global investment management and Fortune 500 consulting, Nuala provides valuable insights into the concept of tuning in and its significance in various contexts, such as mergers and acquisitions. She discusses the challenges of listening in a noisy world, emphasizing the...

In this episode of The Brainy Business, Melina Palmer delves into the fascinating concept of selective attention biases, shedding light on how our brains naturally filter what we focus on, influencing our decisions and perceptions. Through real-life examples and relatable anecdotes, Melina explores various biases, including the frequency illusion, mere exposure effect, and Von Restorff effect, to showcase how our perceptions are shaped by what we pay attention to.  By emphasizing the power...

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Carmen Rodriguez, the Managing Director and Global Chief Client Officer at Gut, shares profound insights about Gut's unique approach to advertising and the importance of embracing intuition and unconventional ideas in decision-making processes. She discusses Gut's founding principles, which emphasize the significance of following intuition and trusting instincts in the advertising industry.  Carmen's expertise in developing brain-friendly...

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer dives into the fascinating world of status quo bias. She delves into how our brains are wired to stick to what's familiar and how that impacts our decision-making. Melina talks about how our subconscious, or system one, is responsible for processing a whopping 99% of our decisions, and how it relies on biases and heuristics to navigate through the daily information overload.  From choosing familiar routes to work to hesitating to...

In episode 375 of The Brainy Business podcast, Yves Boudreau, head of technical sales at Google Cloud, provides valuable insights into the intersection of generative AI, language models, and behavioral science in business. Yves, with a background in technology and a keen interest in applied behavioral science, emphasizes the responsible adoption and application of AI and large language models. He highlights the importance of understanding the social science perspective to ensure responsible...

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Dr. Marco Palma, a researcher at the Human Behavior Lab at Texas A&M University, discusses the utilization of advanced technology, such as eye tracking devices, to understand and influence consumer behavior. Marco's extensive research in the field of human behavior and decision-making offers a unique perspective, emphasizing the significance of small changes in behavior and the impact of understanding the brain's wiring.  His insights shed...

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer delves into the world of behavioral science and marketing with guest Rory Sutherland, vice chairman of Ogilvy UK and a prominent expert in this field. Sutherland's extensive experience in co-founding a behavioral science practice within Ogilvy, where he explores hidden opportunities in consumer behavior, makes him a valuable resource for marketers seeking to understand and leverage consumer psychology.  Throughout the...

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Sam Tatum, the leader of Ogilvy's behavioral science team, shares insights from his book, Evolutionary Ideas, and its application in problem-solving. Sam's background as an organizational psychologist and his transition into advertising strategy equips him with a unique perspective on the intersection of behavioral science and business.  His book emphasizes gaining insights from nature to drive innovative solutions in business, drawing...

In the episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Cass Sunstein, a renowned legal scholar and behavioral economist, joined host Melina Palmer to discuss his new book, Look Again, and the concept of habituation and its impact on decision-making. Cass' extensive work in government and with businesses has provided him with a deep understanding of human behavior, making his insights invaluable for business leaders and decision-makers. The conversation delved into the significance of habituation,...

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer explores the concept of normalcy bias and its implications for decision-making. She provides compelling examples of how normalcy bias impacts individuals and industries, emphasizing the necessity of overcoming this mindset to foster adaptability and innovation. Melina underscores the significance of seizing virtual opportunities and leveraging behavioral economics for business success, urging her audience to consider the enduring...

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Dr. Scott Rick, an associate professor of marketing at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, shares his insights into the psychology of spending behavior and its impact on personal relationships, financial decisions, and consumer behavior. Scott's research focuses on understanding the emotional causes and consequences of consumer financial decision-making, particularly concerning the behavior of tightwads and spendthrifts.  He...

In this episode of The Brainy Business, Melina Palmer dives into the fascinating world of habits and their impact on business. Inspired by an upcoming interview with author Scott Rick on habits and money, Melina explores how habits can be harnessed in various business settings. She shares examples of big players like Starbucks and Costco, highlighting how they leverage habits to keep customers engaged and coming back for more.  Melina's insights on the power of habits and their application...

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer interviews Amy Porterfield, an esteemed author and host of the Online Marketing Made Easy podcast, who shares her journey from working with Tony Robbins to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Amy's insights on leaving a 9-to-5 job and starting a business emphasize the importance of embracing entrepreneurship for personal freedom and the ability to design a fulfilling professional life.  She advises aspiring entrepreneurs to have...

In this episode of The Brainy Business Podcast, Melina Palmer digs into the psychology of time pressure and its effects on decision-making. She explains how time pressure creates a sense of scarcity and triggers loss aversion in the brain, leading to impulsive choices, especially during holiday shopping. Melina shares strategies to combat this, like setting a budget and creating a gift list to resist impulse buying. She also delves into how businesses can use time pressure to drive sales but...