Episode notes
In a fairly inconspicuous SXSW podcast, two marketers shook the music industry. Jesse Coren and Andrew Spelman, two co-founders at Chaotic Good, explained how they make bands go viral. Their methods shocked people. Today on Nudge, I reveal how these two marketers use psychological hacks to manipulate the masses and make 'indie' bands mainstream. --- Become an FSB member: https://get.fsb.org.uk/nudge/ Listen to the Billboard podcast: https://youtu.be/v1rP3cpilkM?si=iF2B9zzMQEZ5tSVb Listen to the Guardian podcast:…
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31 Aug 2026 · 35 min
Are metrics controlling your life?
Have you ever finished a book you dislike just to say you’ve finished it? Have you loaded up Duolingo at 11:55pm to keep the streak alive? Have you felt the crushing disappointment of realising you forgot to record your run for Strava? If so, metrics might be controlling your life. And philosopher C. Thi Nguyen, my guest on today’s episode of Nudge, thinks that’s a problem. Nguyen believes that our lives are increasingly organised around metrics and that these rankings don’t just track what we value. They replace it. This episode contains some explicit language. --- Get Thi’s book The Score:…
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24 Aug 2026 · 24 min
The mental tricks used to break the 2-hour marathon
On April 26th, 2026, Sebastian Sawe did what many thought was impossible. Running the marathon in under two hours. Today on Nudge, I explain the psychological tricks Sawe may have used to break the record. --- Become an FSB member: https://get.fsb.org.uk/nudge/ Unlock the Nudge Vaults: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/vaults Join 12,199 readers of the Nudge Newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phill-agnew/ Buy Alex’s book Endure: https://amzn.to/3TdJv7P --- Today’s sources: Blanchfield, A. W., Hardy, J., & Marcora, S. M. (2014).…
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17 Aug 2026 · 25 min
How much should you reveal to your co-workers
In 1997, Miss USA won Miss Universe with one perfectly judged answer. She revealed just enough to charm, but not enough to shock. Harvard professor Leslie John says that's scientifically proven to persuade. Her research shows revealers are more likeable, more hireable, and even more dateable. In this episode, she shares why oversharing beats staying guarded, why privacy promises make us shy, and how putting fears into words can cure phobias. --- Become an FSB member: https://get.fsb.org.uk/nudge/ Unlock the Nudge Vaults: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/vaults Leslie’s book Revealing:…
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10 Aug 2026 · 24 min
Katy Milkman: “Here’s how to make exercise fun”
Katy Milkman shares one technique that could keep you exercising for 55% longer. --- Become an FSB member: https://get.fsb.org.uk/nudge/ Unlock the Nudge Vaults: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/vaults Katy’s book: https://amzn.to/3RF63xA Katy’s podcast: https://www.schwab.com/learn/choiceology Katy’s newsletter: https://www.katymilkman.com/newsletter-milkman-delivers Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phill-agnew/ --- Today’s sources: Gallus, J. (2017). Fostering public good contributions with symbolic awards: A…
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3 Aug 2026 · 28 min
Why fear won’t always persuade
To persuade someone, most of us are tempted to use fear. We tell clients how much they’ll struggle if they pick a competitor. We tell our kids how they’ll lose TV time if they don’t finish their homework. We plead with our partners to kick bad habits by highlighting how unhealthy it’s making them. We all do it; we opt for doom-and-gloom messages baked in fear. But today's guests on Nudge, Elizabeth Dunn and JZ, explain that these messages won’t work. When it comes to persuasion, fear doesn’t persuade. To find out what does, listen to today’s episode of Nudge. --- Access the bonus episode:…
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20 Jul 2026 · 29 min
Can balsamic vinegar make beer better?
In 2007, two Harvard researchers added a splash of balsamic vinegar to beer. When drinkers knew the beer contained vinegar, they hated it. But when the researchers told them “this is our MIT brew," the majority loved it. The study reveals the secrets behind marketing. On today’s episode of Nudge with award-winning science writer David Robson, we explain how good marketing can shape our perception. Link to the bonus episode: https://nudge.kit.com/86d3e39845 Become an FSB member: https://get.fsb.org.uk/nudge/ Read the Expectation Effect: https://amzn.to/4dvkb3s David’s website:…
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13 Jul 2026 · 20 min
88 out of 90 people fall for this bias. Do you?
Imagine you’re a chef. You are shown the recipe for a soup. It has five ingredients. You’re told to improve the recipe. What do you do? 96% of people reveal a bias when answering this question. And that bias makes marketing less effective, communication less engaging and products less appealing. Find out why in today’s episode of Nudge with the award-winning professor Leidy Klotz. Warning: this episode contains explicit language. --- Become an FSB member: https://get.fsb.org.uk/nudge/ Leidy’s book, Subtract: https://amzn.to/4df4duk Leidy’s latest book, In a Good Place:…
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6 Jul 2026 · 27 min
Will the UK’s social media ban backfire?
The British government recently announced a ban on all social media usage for children up to the age of 16. But will the ban work? Today on Nudge, I explore the psychology of restrictions, bans and friction. Warning: this show is restricted to those aged 16 or over. --- Become an FSB member: https://get.fsb.org.uk/nudge/ Use code NUDGE for 10% off your FSB membership. Unlock the Nudge Vaults: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/vaults Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phill-agnew/ --- Today’s sources: Driscoll, R.,…
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29 Jun 2026 · 39 min
Katy Milkman: Learn how to change habits in 39 minutes
World-leading behaviour change expert Katy Milkman details how to change your habits. --- Become an FSB member: https://get.fsb.org.uk/nudge/ Unlock the Nudge Vaults: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/vaults Katy’s book: https://amzn.to/3RF63xA Katy’s podcast: https://www.schwab.com/learn/choiceology Katy’s newsletter: https://www.katymilkman.com/newsletter-milkman-delivers Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phill-agnew/ --- Today’s sources: Beshears, J.Beshears, J., Dai, H., Milkman, K. L., & Benartzi, S. (2021).…
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22 Jun 2026 · 31 min
Were the 2018 Gatwick drones real?
In December 2018 Gatwick Airport shut down. 109 eyewitnesses reported sighting 170 drone flights over the airport. All flights were grounded, and the nation braced for a terrorist attack. But what if those sightings weren’t real but instead an imagination caused by expectations? In today’s episode with award-winning science journalist David Robson, we explore the science of the expectation effect. Link to the bonus episode: https://nudge.kit.com/86d3e39845 Become an FSB member: https://get.fsb.org.uk/nudge/ Read the Expectation Effect: https://amzn.to/4dvkb3s David’s website:…
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