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PODCAST

The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of Why People Buy | Behavioral Economics

Consumers are weird. They don"t do what they say they will do and don"t act how we think they "should." Enter Melina Palmer, a sales conversion expert with a personal mission to make your business more effective and brain friendly. In this podcast, Melina will take the complex concepts of behavioral economics (the study and science of why people buy - or not) and provide simple, actionable tips you can apply right away in your business. Whether you"re a small business or thriving corporation,

business marketing

All Episodes

38:20

557. My Top Books of 2025

The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of... ·

2025/12/25

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer shares her reflections on the most important books she read in 2025. With a focus on behavioral economics and psychology, Melina categorizes her top picks into seven key themes, showcasing the insights and lessons that shaped her understanding throughout the year. Listeners will discover a diverse range of books, from foundational texts like Lucky by Design by Judd Kessler, which explores choice architecture, to Ask This Book by Vicky

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46:17

556. From Limiting Beliefs to Leadership Breakthroughs

The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of... ·

2025/12/18

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer speaks with Muriel Wilkins, author of Leadership Unblocked: The Beliefs That Limit Your Potential. Together, they delve into the often-hidden beliefs that can hinder effective leadership and personal growth. Muriel, an executive coach with over 20 years of experience, shares insights from her extensive work with C-suite leaders, revealing seven common beliefs that can create barriers to success. The conversation explores how these

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49:21

555. Press Play: The Power of Gaming in Business

The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of... ·

2025/12/11

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer welcomes Bastian Bergman, author of the insightful book, Press Play: Why Every Company Needs a Gaming Strategy. Together, they delve into the transformative power of gaming and how understanding the psychology of play can enhance engagement across various industries. Bastian, co-founder and COO of Solsten, shares his expertise in leveraging psychological insights to design experiences that captivate consumers. The discussion covers the

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48:14

554. Lucky By Design: Strategies for Success in a...

The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of... ·

2025/12/04

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer welcomes Dr. Judd Kessler, author of the insightful book, Lucky by Design. Together, they explore into the intriguing world of hidden markets…those unseen dynamics that influence our decisions in everyday life, from securing concert tickets to navigating job offers. Judd, a professor at the Wharton School, shares his expertise in behavioral economics and market design, revealing how understanding the rules of these hidden markets can

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43:56

553. Removing Barriers to Drive Engagement w/ Matt Sucha

The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of... ·

2025/11/27

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer welcomes Matt Sucha, author of the highly anticipated book, The Hidden Yes. This insightful conversation explores the often-overlooked barriers that prevent people from saying yes, revealing how removing these obstacles can lead to greater success in sales and customer interactions. Matt, the CEO of Mindworks and editor-in-chief of Inside Be, shares his extensive experience in applying behavioral science across various industries,

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52:51

552. Unlocking Learning Potential

The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of... ·

2025/11/25

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer welcomes Dr. Dan Willingham, a cognitive psychologist and author of Outsmart Your Brain. They explore the intricacies of learning and memory, exploring how to effectively adapt our study habits in an ever-evolving world filled with information and distractions. Dan shares practical insights from his book, emphasizing that intention alone is not enough for effective learning; structure and meaningful connections are essential. The

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47:49

551. The Power Trap: Understanding How Leadership...

The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of... ·

2025/11/20

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Nick Kinley, author of The Power Trap. They explore the profound effects of power on leadership, exploring how it can alter decision-making, amplify personal traits, and impact organizational dynamics. Nick, a psychologist and leadership expert, shares insights from his extensive career, including his experiences in forensic psychotherapy and corporate leadership roles. Listeners will learn

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25:13

550. The Power of Questions: Avoiding the Biggest...

The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of... ·

2025/11/18

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer revisits a foundational lesson that underscores the importance of understanding the problems we face before jumping to solutions. Drawing from her extensive experience, Melina emphasizes that the quality of your results is directly linked to the quality of your questions. This episode serves as a powerful reminder that taking the time to define the problem can lead to more effective and innovative solutions. Listeners will explore common

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41:47

549. How Ads Shape Our Choices

The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of... ·

2025/11/13

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer welcomes Alessandra Di Lorenzo, author of the thought-provoking book Adjust: How Ads Shape What We Think and Do. With over 20 years of experience in advertising and marketing, Alessandra sheds light on the often unseen mechanisms of advertising and how they influence our decisions and perceptions. Listeners will discover how advertising shapes our reality, often without us even realizing it. Alessandra discusses the evolution of

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35:56

548. The Sneaky Impact of Negativity Bias

The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of... ·

2025/11/11

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer explores the intriguing concept of negativity bias and its profound impact on our decisions, relationships, and self-perception. Have you ever noticed how a single negative experience can overshadow a day filled with positive moments? Melina explores the science behind this bias, shedding light on why our brains are wired to focus more on the negative than the positive, a trait that has roots in our evolutionary history. Listeners will

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42:36

547. Anointed: How Status Shapes Success

The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of... ·

2025/11/06

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer welcomes Toby Stewart, author of the thought-provoking book, Anointed. Together, they explore the powerful influence of social status and how anointment, being endorsed by someone significant, can dramatically affect success in various fields, from entrepreneurship to the arts. Toby, a professor at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business, shares insights from his extensive research on how social signals and perceived prestige shape outcomes

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43:11

546. The Hidden Language of Semiotics in Retail

The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of... ·

2025/11/04

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer is joined by Dr. Rachel Lawes, a pioneering social psychologist and author of Using Semiotics in Retail. Together, they dive deep into the world of semiotics, the study of signs, symbols, and the unconscious associations that shape our perceptions and behaviors, particularly in the retail environment. Rachel shares her expertise on how brands communicate through visual cues, packaging, and store layouts, often without even realizing it

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46:35

545. Epic Disruptions: Uncovering the Innovations...

The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of... ·

2025/10/30

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer welcomes Scott Anthony, author of Epic Disruptions: 11 Innovations that Shaped Our Modern World. Together, they explore the fascinating concept of disruption, diving into how seemingly ordinary innovations have radically transformed our lives and industries. Scott shares insights from his extensive experience in the field of innovation, including his work with the late Clayton Christensen. They discuss the patterns of disruptive change,

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45:59

544. Transforming Environmental Compliance Using...

The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of... ·

2025/10/28

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer welcomes Karina Montez and Mario Drago from BE UEFA in Peru, who are making waves in environmental compliance through innovative behavioral economics strategies. This conversation revisits their pioneering work in nudging mining companies towards better environmental practices without the need for new regulations, showcasing the power of simple behavioral tweaks. Karina and Mario share their journey of how they identified compliance

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55:59

543. The Winner's Curse

The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of... ·

2025/10/23

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer has the incredible honor of speaking with Dr. Richard Thaler and Dr. Alex Imas, co-authors of the newly reimagined edition of The Winner's Curse. This episode marks a significant milestone in behavioral economics, as Richard Thaler, a Nobel Prize-winning economist and one of the field's pioneers, shares insights into decision-making, choice architecture, and the importance of recognizing anomalies in our choices. Together with Alex, a

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39:55

542. Defaults Decoded: The Subtle Nudges Shaping...

The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of... ·

2025/10/21

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer revisits the powerful concept of defaults and how they can significantly influence decision-making. This refreshed episode explores the psychology behind nudges and the importance of understanding how default settings can shape consumer behavior in various industries. Melina explains the two types of defaults: true defaults, which occur when no action is taken, and implied defaults, which can be strategically framed to guide choices

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44:00

541. The Power of Employee Well-Being

The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of... ·

2025/10/16

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer welcomes Mark C. Crowley, author of The Power of Employee Well Being. This enlightening conversation explores the critical shift from traditional engagement metrics to prioritizing employee well-being as a strategic imperative for leaders. Mark shares compelling insights drawn from decades of research, including a pivotal study involving 17 million workers from the University of Oxford, demonstrating that well-being is directly linked to

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42:49

540. The Art of Experimentation to Gain Consumer...

The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of... ·

2025/10/14

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer welcomes Dr. Henry Stott, co-founder of Dectech, to discuss the nuances of business experimentation and how to better predict customer behavior. Henry shares insights from his extensive experience in applying behavioral economics to commercial challenges, emphasizing the importance of context and delivery in experiments. He highlights the pitfalls of relying on sanitized test environments that may not accurately reflect real-world

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52:13

Beyond Fast: The Power of Belief and Leadership in...

The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of... ·

2025/10/09

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer welcomes Sean Brosnan, author of the inspiring book Beyond Fast. Sean, a high school running coach, shares his remarkable journey of transforming a struggling team at Newberry Park High School into one of the most dominant forces in high school running history. This episode dives deep into the psychology of leadership, the importance of belief systems, and the courage to challenge the status quo. Listeners will learn how Sean's unique

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50:25

How Vision Shapes Our Perception and Behavior

The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of... ·

2025/10/07

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer dives deep into the fascinating world of sight and vision, exploring how our sense of sight profoundly influences behavior and decision-making. Did you know that sight occupies more space in the brain than any other sense? Melina unpacks the difference between sight, what we perceive through our eyes, and vision, which is how our brains interpret that information based on past experiences. Listeners will learn about the significant role

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557 results

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