Episodes

  • Shaping Global Policy: Chiara Varazzani's Behavioral Science Journey
    Aug 6 2024

    🎧 In this episode we are excited to welcome Chiara Varazzani, a behavioral science expert who has established and led behavioral science units in several governments, including as the principal advisor of the Behavioural Insights Unit of the Victorian Government in Australia and the senior executive advisor in behavioral economics to the Australian Federal Government. She was also a research fellow at the Behavioural Insights Team in London. Varazzani has designed a diverse set of behavioral change programs, addressing health, education, financial decision-making, energy, and international development. She now serves as the lead behavioral scientist at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Today we're excited to discuss her experience in the field and her vision for the future of behavioral science in government.

    During this conversation, we’ll explore: 

    • The underappreciated value of neuroscience in behavioral interventions 🧠

    • Principles on how to mainstream behavioral science in government 🏛️

    • The Implementation-Scale Gap 🌐

    • Ethical use of behavioral science and nudging in policy ⚖️

    👉 You can find out more about Varazzani’s current projects by viewing OECD website page on insights and behavioral science to see the current project repository.

    This includes an interactive map on behavioral science work in motion worldwide 🌍.


    Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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    50 mins
  • Tune In: How to Make Smarter Decisions in a Noisy World - Nuala Walsh
    Jul 15 2024

    🎧 In this episode we're excited to welcome Nuala Walsh author of the new book, Tune In: How to Make Smarter Decisions in a Noisy World. Named among the 100 most influential women in finance with over three decades of experience in investment management at BlackRock, Merrill Lynch, and Standard Life Aberdeen, she brings a wealth of knowledge to today's conversation. Currently serving as the CEO at Mind Equity, she advises organizations on behavior change, culture, and reputation.


    Join us as we delve into her journey exploring the nuances of decision-making in a complex world and uncover strategies to navigate the noise and make smarter choices ✨


    During this conversation, we’ll explore:

    • 📣 Four key factors that influence our ability to tune in

    • 🧠 Cognitive challenges that affect our judgment and decision-making abilities

    • 🔎 Practical case studies and behavioral science research for improving our judgement

    To learn more about Walsh's work visit www.nualawalsh.com.


    👉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.


    Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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    46 mins
  • Cass Sunstein - Look Again: The Power of Noticing What Was Always There
    Jun 10 2024

    🎧 In this episode we are honored to welcome Cass Sunstein, renowned legal scholar known for his contributions to behavioral science and administrative law. From 2009 to 2012 Sunstein served as the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs with the Obama Administration, where he pioneered the use of behavioral science in public policy. His interdisciplinary work has been internationally recognized, earning him the Holberg prize in 2018.


    Today we're excited to discuss his new book, co-authored with Tali Sharot called, Look Again: The Power of Noticing What Was Always There.


    During this conversation, we’ll explore:


    🧠 How our brains become desensitized to experiences over time

    🔎 Real-world examples of habituation and their consequences

    ⚔️ Practical strategies for disrupting routines, environments, and perspectives for a more holistic understanding of the present

    To learn more about Sunstein's work you can find his academic papers at the Social Science Research Network (SSRN).

    In addition, over his career Sunstein has written over 20 books including best sellers Nudge, written with Richard Thaler, and Noise, written with Daniel Kahneman and Oliver Sibony.


    Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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    46 mins
  • Writing for Busy Readers - Todd Rogers
    Apr 15 2024

    🎙️ In this episode, we're excited to welcome Todd Rogers, co-author of the insightful book, Writing for Busy Readers. Known for his groundbreaking research leveraging behavioral science to enrich communication, Todd's expertise has earned national acclaim. As a distinguished professor of public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and co-founder of social enterprises, the Analyst Institute and EveryDay Labs, Todd shares a wealth of knowledge about the transformative power of effective communication.


    During this conversation, we’ll explore:


    📖Factors that influence reading comprehension

    🚀Strategies to achieve clarity and better reader engagement

    💡 Real-world examples of effective communication strategies

    To learn more about Rogers and his work visit his website at www.writingforbusyreaders.com. Interested in receiving feedback firsthand? Try the “AI for Busy Readers” tool to enhance your writing skills using OpenAI’s GPT-4.

    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.


    Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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    39 mins
  • Misbelief: What makes Rational People Believe Irrational Things - Dan Ariely
    Mar 4 2024

    🧐 We are honored to have the opportunity to welcome Dan Ariely, the esteemed James B. Duke Professor of psychology and behavioral economics at Duke University, for a second time to engage in a captivating conversation in this podcast episode.

    In this episode, we explore the world of misbelief and its impact on decision-making:

    • 📖 Dan discusses the inspiration behind his latest book, "Misbelief – What Makes Rational People Believe Irrational Things," drawn from personal experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    • 🔎 Learn about Dan’s unique research approach, which combines scientific experiments with interviews and insights from individuals who hold misbeliefs.

    • 🧠 Explore the concept of the misbelief funnel and its four stages, illustrating how stress, misinformation, cognitive biases, and social forces contribute to the spread of misbelief.

    • 🗺 Discover how misbelief shapes our perceptions, decision-making processes, and vulnerability to misinformation in today’s complex world.

    • 🦉Dan expresses optimism for the future of behavioral science and the resilience and understanding of humanity.


    💌To learn more about Dan and his work, visit his website : https://danariely.com/

    Let us know what you think on Twitter @BVANudgeConsult. 

    Don’t have social media? Our inbox is always open at contact@bvanudgeconsulting.com .  


    Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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    55 mins
  • Unpacking Voter Behavior - Vincent Pons
    Jan 22 2024

    🧐 In this engaging podcast episode, we have the privilege of welcoming Vincent Pons, associate professor at the Harvard Buisness School and distinguished Ph.D. graduate of MIT. His research is dedicated to understanding democratic systems and developing practical ways to improve them. As such he frequently collaborates with renowned institutions like the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR), and the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL).

    During our conversation, Pons sheds light on critical aspects of voter behavior, political preferences, and innovative strategies to enhance civic participation 💌.


    Join us for a thought-provoking discussion as we explore:

    • The factors that influence voter participation

    • How voter preferences are shaped by the environment

    • The impact of representativeness on election results

    • How elections impact policies and economic performance

    To learn more about Vincent and his work visit his website at vincentpons.org or check out his monthly column in Les Echos.


    👉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.


    Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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    53 mins
  • Vanessa Patrick-Ralhan - The Power of Saying 'No'
    Dec 22 2023

    In this episode of the B.E. Good! Podcast, we welcomed Professor Vanessa Patrick-Ralhan, author of the newly published book, “The Power of Saying No : The New Science of How to Say No That Puts You in Charge of Your Life”.

    With an impressive career that spans academia and multinational agencies like Ogilvy & Mather and J. Walter Thompson, Vanessa is a leading authority in consumer behavior and psychology 🧠. Her extensive research, featured in top-tier journals, has left an indelible mark on the field. During this episode, Vanessa shares her expertise on how to master the art of saying ‘no’ and why embracing an empowered refusal is essential for effective decision-making ✅.

    🧐 In this episode we’ll cover:

    • The psychology behind the ‘yes reflex’: why we often agree when we’d rather decline

    • Empowering strategies for saying no that reflect your values and personal identity

    • The hidden skills that arise from refusing with conviction

    To learn more about Vanessa and her work visit her website at vanessapatrick.net or find her on Twitter @vpatrick23.

    📩 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.


    Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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    51 mins
  • Hal Hershfield - Making Decisions for a Better Tomorrow
    Nov 14 2023

    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.


    Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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    44 mins