Logo
    Search

    Podcast Summary

    • Fashion Industry Insights and Education InnovationsThe Fashion People podcast explores industry drama and trends, while the Million Dollar Live Tour teaches financial skills through interactive methods.

      There are fascinating behind-the-scenes stories in the multi-billion dollar fashion industry, as discussed in the new podcast "Fashion People." Hosted by Lauren Sherman and industry insiders, the podcast covers topics like creative director changes, mergers and acquisitions drama, direct-to-consumer challenges, and Met Gala mishaps. Meanwhile, in the world of education, the Million Dollar Live Tour aims to teach financial basics to students through interactive and immersive methods, with the help of tour partner Greenlight, a debit card and money app for kids and teens. And on a lighter note, hosts Meghan McCarty Carino and Rima Jerez shared their experience making date shakes during a recent podcast recording, with Meghan sharing her personal mission to recreate an expensive date shake she once had in Palm Springs, which is known for producing 95% of the country's dates due to its hot climate.

    • Discovering the Perfect Pairing for Dates in Palm SpringsUsing high-quality ice cream and alternative drink options can elevate the tasting experience of dates in Palm Springs. Social media competition and potential legal disputes continue to shape the industry.

      Palm Springs, with its low humidity, has become an ideal location for growing dates, which have historical connections to the Middle East and are enjoyed by many. During a recent tasting session, it was noted that using high-quality ice cream instead of a generic brand could enhance the flavors. Meanwhile, a non-alcoholic beverage, the Bitter Orange Spritz from Weekday Vibes, was discussed as an alternative drink option. The conversation then turned to the news, specifically Meta's new app, Threads, and Twitter's allegations of intellectual property theft and hiring of former Twitter staff. This incident highlights the increasing competition between social media platforms and the potential legal implications that come with it.

    • The power of existing networks in social mediaExisting networks and user bases contribute to the success of new social media platforms. Users may be hesitant to join due to the need to rebuild their following list, but the potential for connection and access to diverse conversations can be a strong draw.

      The success of social media platforms like Threads, even with early concerns, can be attributed to their existing user base and network effects. The speaker, who is not an early adopter, was hesitant to join due to the need to rebuild their following list and potential for overwhelming content. However, the allure of being in the same space as friends, celebrities, and conversations proved to be a strong draw. Despite initial feelings of being overwhelmed and the need for a more curated following list, the speaker acknowledges the potential fun and connection that can come from being in a large and diverse community. However, concerns about privacy policies and the potential for information overload may deter some users from fully committing to the platform. Overall, the speaker's experience highlights the power of existing networks and the challenge of balancing connection and curation in social media.

    • Privacy Concerns Hinder Threads App in EUThe Threads app, linked to Instagram, faces challenges in the EU due to privacy concerns, including data collection and sharing with third parties, and lack of account deletion option.

      The social media app, Threads, which is a companion app to Instagram, has faced challenges in becoming available in the EU due to privacy concerns. The app collects sensitive information about users, including their identity, health, fitness, location, and employment, and shares this data with third parties for advertising. These practices are in contrast with the stricter data privacy regulations under GDPR in the EU. Additionally, the inability to delete a Threads account without deleting an Instagram account adds to the hesitation for some users. On a related note, the behavioral science community was shaken by recent allegations against Harvard Business School professor Francesca Gino, who studies dishonesty, for falsifying data in at least four of her papers. The irony of the situation is palpable, as her research focuses on why normal people lie and cheat. The implications of these incidents highlight the importance of adhering to data privacy regulations and ethical research practices.

    • The impact of external pressures on behavioral science researchBehavioral science research is susceptible to external pressures, leading to a lack of proper replication and oversimplification of complex behavior, emphasizing the importance of scientific rigor and integrity

      The world of behavioral science and pop psychology, while providing valuable insights into human behavior, can be influenced by external factors such as wealth, pressure to perform, and the desire for sensational results. The case of celebrated researcher Gina Raschka, who taught at Harvard and had colleagues earning millions, raises questions about the potential impact of these incentives on the scientific process. The financial times reported that unlike other scientific fields, behavioral science results are often released without proper replication, leading to sensationalized headlines and self-help books. This complex relationship between the pursuit of knowledge and external pressures highlights the importance of maintaining rigorous scientific standards in the field. Additionally, the human tendency to simplify complex behavior into easily digestible concepts can sometimes oversimplify the issue, leading to potential oversight of important nuances. Overall, the intersection of wealth, pressure, and the human desire for understanding complex behavior creates a unique environment for behavioral science, requiring constant vigilance and a commitment to scientific integrity.

    • Meaningful purchases bring joy and create connectionsConsider the potential for communal impact and long-term joy when making a meaningful purchase

      Meaningful purchases go beyond just satisfying individual needs or wants; they can bring joy, create connections, and foster communal experiences. Megan's recent splurge on an Ooni pizza oven is a prime example. Although she initially planned to buy pre-made dough, the experience of making her own dough and using the oven led her down a deep rabbit hole of dough-making experiments. The pizza oven has become a beloved centerpiece in her life, bringing her family and friends closer through shared meals and experiences. Similarly, Drew's $100 sweatshirt, purchased on a whim during a trip to Mexico, is more than just a piece of clothing; it's a cherished memory of a romantic getaway. So, when considering a splurge, think about the potential for communal impact and the long-term joy it could bring.

    • Personal items hold deep meaning and valueUnique and memorable items, like a red sweatshirt or a camping sleeping pad, can evoke fond memories and experiences beyond their initial purpose.

      Personal experiences and purchases can hold deep meaning and value beyond their initial purpose. The discussion revolves around unique and memorable items, including a distinctive red sweatshirt with a ghostly painting and an expensive camping sleeping pad. For the speaker, the sweatshirt serves as a reminder of a fun trip to Mexico City, while the sleeping pad is a necessary investment for a new lifestyle choice in Portland, prioritizing nature and camping. These items transcend their functional uses and become cherished possessions that evoke fond memories and experiences.

    • Defending a hobby splurge: A custom quilting table for improved sewing experienceUnique hobby items can deepen engagement and connect people, like a custom quilting table for enhanced sewing or a whole wheat dough for pizza making

      People have unique ways of engaging with their hobbies and interests, and sometimes splurging on related items can enhance those experiences and connect us with others. The speaker shared her excitement about a custom quilting table for her sewing machine, which improves her sewing experience and helps her create better seams. This discussion took place during the "Defend Your Splurge" segment of the podcast "Make Me Smart," where listeners share their justifications for expensive purchases related to their hobbies. The podcast also covers various topics, including recommendations and the hosts' personal perspectives. The speaker plans to return some purchases from Amazon and is looking forward to trying out a whole wheat dough for pizza making. The podcast "Sold A Story" was mentioned as having an impact on the speaker's perspective on literacy education and inspiring a renewed focus on improving reading skills.

    Recent Episodes from Make Me Smart

    From “Million Bazillion”: Why is there so much gold at Fort Knox?

    From “Million Bazillion”: Why is there so much gold at Fort Knox?

    Hey Smarties! We’re off for the Fourth of July holiday. So today we’re bringing you a super fun episode of “Million Bazillion” that’ll teach you and your kiddos about a bit of our nation’s history and a highly secretive landmark. It’s all about Fort Knox, known as one of the most secure places in the world, and why it holds so much of the country’s gold. Plus, its role in stabilizing the U.S. economy in a time of crisis.

    Make Me Smart
    enJuly 04, 2024

    Our GPS system is wearing down

    Our GPS system is wearing down

    Much in our modern lives depends on GPS. But the United States’ GPS system is getting old and hasn’t kept up with international competition. We’ll get into how this leaves the U.S. vulnerable to national security threats. And, new data shows that as abortion protections have eroded across the country, more young women have been getting sterilized. Plus, one nonprofit’s work to give kids who’ve aged out of foster care a bona fide college move-in experience, and a women’s soccer stadium’s surprise success story.

    Here’s everything we talked about today:

    We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

    Make Me Smart
    enJuly 03, 2024

    The evolution of the American office

    The evolution of the American office

    It’s been about four years since the great remote work experiment took off for many employees who work computer-bound jobs. After plenty of back and forth between return-to-office mandates and work-from-home advocates, neither side really won. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the share of Americans doing some or all of their work from home has leveled off to about 35%. On the show today, The New York Times’ Emma Goldberg explains who’s working from home these days and how it’s impacting both employees and their bosses. Plus, the commercial real estate question looms large over the remote work debate.

    Then, we’ll get into why the Joe Biden administration’s new protections for workers in extreme heat could be threatened by recent Supreme Court rulings and a potential second Trump presidency. And, the CEO of GS1, the company administering retail barcodes, didn’t see the QR code takeover coming.

    Here’s everything we talked about today:

    We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

    Make Me Smart
    enJuly 02, 2024

    A one-two punch for the power of federal agencies

    A one-two punch for the power of federal agencies

    A Supreme Court ruling today gives companies a dramatically wider window to challenge federal regulations with lawsuits. We’ll get into why this is particularly important in light of a separate decision to overturn the Chevron doctrine, and how it could impact other federal regulations like the Federal Trade Commission’s ban on noncompete clauses. Then, we’ll discuss the Supreme Court’s decision on former President Donald Trump’s immunity case and where the heck we go from here. Plus, what you can do to protect the health of our democracy.

    Here’s everything we talked about today:

    We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

    Make Me Smart
    enJuly 01, 2024

    Our take on the debate (and drone light shows)

    Our take on the debate (and drone light shows)

    There were no fireworks for the Democratic Party during last night’s debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. While Trump made false claims throughout the night, Biden did little to assuage fears that he’s not up to the job. We’ll get into how the Biden campaign’s fundraising strategy is already shifting and what it might mean for downballot races. Then, we’ll weigh in on Fourth of July travel and drone light shows during a game of Half Full/Half Empty!

    Here’s everything we talked about today:

    We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

    Make Me Smart
    enJune 29, 2024

    SCOTUS shakes up SEC

    SCOTUS shakes up SEC

    The U.S. Supreme Court dealt a huge blow to the Securities and Exchange Commission today when it ruled against its use of in-house judges to enforce securities fraud laws. We’ll get into why the decision will make the SEC’s job harder and what it could mean for other federal agencies. Plus, we’ll bust a common myth about Social Security and explain why homeownership is key factor in how Americans are faring in this economy.

    Here’s everything we talked about today:

    We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

    Make Me Smart
    enJune 27, 2024

    Keeping up with the Supreme Court

    Keeping up with the Supreme Court

    This year’s Supreme Court decision season has been a busy one, and it’s not over yet. We’ll get into the court’s leaked opinion on emergency abortions and two other expected decisions that have the business world watching. Plus, another round of Cybertruck recalls and why it’s fine to keep referring to X as Twitter (per one Supreme Court justice).

    Here’s everything we talked about today:

    We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

    Make Me Smart
    enJune 26, 2024

    Are we living in a K-shaped economy?

    Are we living in a K-shaped economy?

    In the wake of the COVID-19 recession, many economists were describing the United States’ economic recovery as K-shaped. Basically, high-income Americans bounced back quicker than those at the lower end of the income scale. So, did we ever ditch that K shape? The person who coined the phrase “K-shaped recovery” back then, says no. On the show today, Peter Atwater, president of Financial Insyghts and adjunct professor at the College of William & Mary, explains why he believes economic inequality has grown since the pandemic recovery, why considerable wage gains for low-wage workers tell only part of the story and the risks of letting a K-shaped economy run wild.

    Then, we’ll get into how the fragility of global shipping supply chains could be playing into Federal Reserve decisions on interest rates. And, happy wedding anniversary, Susanna!

    Here’s everything we talked about today:

    We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

    Make Me Smart
    enJune 26, 2024

    The conservative push to weed out anti-Trump federal workers

    The conservative push to weed out anti-Trump federal workers

    Groups aligned with former President Trump are hunting through information to come up with a list of federal employees who might be resistant to a second Trump administration. We’ll discuss the push to reshape government. Plus, is the urban/rural divide a myth? And, a viral voicemail pep talk from a testing center worker makes us smile.

    Here’s everything we talked about today:

    We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

    Make Me Smart
    enJune 24, 2024

    The IRS battles a fraud-plagued tax credit

    The IRS battles a fraud-plagued tax credit

    Four years after the Internal Revenue Service created a tax credit to help struggling businesses get through the pandemic, the agency ultimately plans to reject the majority of claims filed under the program. We’ll explain how it became swamped with fraud. And, Major League Baseball legend Reggie Jackson opened up about the racism he and other Black players faced in the ’60s. We’ll get into it. And, we’ll play a round of Half Full / Half Empty!

    Here’s everything we talked about today:

    We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

    Make Me Smart
    enJune 22, 2024

    Related Episodes

    Michael Luca & Max Bazerman - Experimentation In The New Age

    Michael Luca & Max Bazerman - Experimentation In The New Age
    During our fifth episode we speak to Harvard Business School’s Mike Luca and Max Bazerman, co-authors of the book The Power of Experiments: Decision Making in a Data-Driven World.

    In this episode we dive into:

    • How experiments were a necessary condition for the development of behavioral economics, and how without them, applied behavioral economics consultants would not exist.

    • The birth of experimentation in business and the role experiments are playing in shaping customer behavior.

    • Why the tech sector has been a leader in this space, and how the rest of the private sector can catch-up.

    • Advice to grow better leaders, including the role of intuition in decision making and what the data tells us.

    • A perspective on experimentation in the context of our rapidly changing world.

    What Your Employees Need and Won't Tell You with Melina Palmer

    What Your Employees Need and Won't Tell You with Melina Palmer

    In this podcast episode, host Roger Dooley interviews Melina Palmer, author of What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, about change initiatives in companies. They discuss the misconception that 70% of change initiatives fail and the importance of approaching change thoughtfully. Melina emphasizes the significance of small, everyday changes and micro-decisions that influence employees' reactions to change. They also explore the impact of employee engagement on successful change, the importance of creating the right environment for change, and the barriers to employee engagement. They touch on Elon Musk's approach to change at Twitter and the power of small steps in achieving change. The conversation also delves into cognitive biases and their impact on the change process, as well as conflicts and stereotypes between different departments within organizations. Melina suggests building connections across departments and fostering a sense of unity to overcome these challenges.

    Show notes, video, text, resources: https://www.rogerdooley.com/melina-palmer-employees/

    Video: https://youtu.be/v_X5Cg6MniA

    Book: https://amzn.to/3YHPJvb

    Melina Palmer is the founder and CEO of The Brainy Business, which provides behavioral economics consulting to businesses of all sizes from around the world. She has contributed research to the Association for Consumer Research, Filene Research Institute, and runs the Behavioral Economics & Business column for Inc Magazine. Her podcast, The Brainy Business: Understanding the Psychology of Why People Buy, has downloads in over 170 countries and was named the #1 psychology podcast people in business should listen to by Psychology. Melina’s first book is What Your Customer Wants (And Can’t Tell You).

    Hal Hershfield - Making Decisions for a Better Tomorrow

    Hal Hershfield - Making Decisions for a Better Tomorrow

    In this episode of the B.E. Good! Podcast, we speak with Hal Hershfield, author of the new book “Your Future Self—How to Make Tomorrow Better Today.” 


    Hal is a renowned expert in marketing, decision-making, and psychology at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management, with his work being featured in esteemed media outlets like the Guardian, BBC, NYTimes, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and NPR. In this episode, we discuss his captivating work exploring the disconnect between our present and future selves and practical ways to make better choices for the future.  


    You’ll learn: 

    📅 Why the present day takes precedence over planning for the future. 

    🧠 How our preferences change over time and why acknowledging these changes is important. 

    🚀 The ways connecting with your future self can lead to smarter long-term decisions. 


     

    To learn more about Hal and his work visit: halhershfield.com or find him on Twitter @HalHershfield. 


    Join the conversation and share your thoughts about this podcast on Twitter @BVANudgeConsult. Don’t have social media? Our inbox is always open at contact@bvanudgeconsulting.com.  

    Context is Key with ideas42

    Context is Key with ideas42

    At ideas42, brain and behavioral science are not theoretical or abstract. In this episode, Cassie Taylor, Principal Behavioral Designer, shares how she uses human-centered design to apply and scale behavioral insights in post-secondary education. Cassie highlights how context is key – everything from systemic racism to the seemingly innocuous ‘default’ options can hinder adults in their pursuit of learning – and offers concrete frameworks and strategies for generating change.

    Read the transcript for this episode on our website.

    Follow us on Twitter @GLPconsultants for the latest updates about the show and resources available for businesses and individuals alike. You can also find us on Instagram @GlobalLearningPartners, Facebook, and LinkedIn!

    Listen on Apple PodcastsSpotify or virtually anywhere podcasts are found!

    This show is produced by Global Learning Partners and Greg Tilton JR. Our theme music is titled ‘Pretty Face’ by singer/songwriter Una Walkenhorst.

    Like what you hear? Consider leaving us a rating on your podcast platform of choice!

    Behavioral Science, UX, & How Human Behavior Research Can Spark Business Growth – Susan Weinschenk, Ph.D. (ep.2)

    Behavioral Science, UX, & How Human Behavior Research Can Spark Business Growth – Susan Weinschenk, Ph.D. (ep.2)

    Susan is the Chief Behavioral Scientist at The Team W, Inc., a business she founded nearly a decade ago. During our interview she will be sharing insight into behavioral science, user experience, ethics, and how human behavior research can dramatically improve the impact of an organization’s products or services.

    Susan works at the intersection of behavioral science and design — and this is an excellent opportunity for business leaders to learn how these methodologies can spark sustainable growth. She will also be sharing some challenges she’s faced over the years, and how she and her team handled them.

    Susan's background:

    • Ph.D. in Psychology
    • Author of many books including, “100 Things Every Designer Needs To Know About People”
    • Chief Behavioral Scientist and CEO at The Team W, Inc
    • Co-host of the HumanTech podcast, and writes her own blog and a column for Psychology Today online
    • Her clients include Amazon, Disney, Target

    Learn more about Susan:

    • https://theteamw.com
    • https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanweinschenk/