42courses Podcast

Trust is the thing every organisation says it wants and almost nobody can describe.Dan Bennett runs Ogilvy's behavioural science practice globally and curates Nudgestock, the world's biggest behavioural science festival. This year's theme is Trust Issues, so Chris got him on to take it apart: why trust breaks at an identifiable moment rather than quietly drifting away, what aviation worked out about trusting strangers that the rest of us haven't, why conspiracy theories are a trust story, and whether AI has cleverly rebranded lying as "hallucination".Nudgestock 2026 is on Thursday 17 September at The Fireworks Factory in Woolwich, London. Tickets and the free livestream are at nudgestock.com.Ten of the best talks from past festivals are free at 42courses.com/courses/nudgestock

AI is moving faster than anyone can keep up with, and most people are quietly knackered just trying. In this episode we sit down with old friend and fellow educator Dave Duarte to ask the awkward question: what's actually worth learning when every shiny new tool has the shelf life of a banana? Expect philosophy, paperclip machines, surprisingly creepy smart homes, and a genuinely useful framework for staying authentically human while everything else gets automated.Dave Duarte42courses.com

In this episode, Chris and Conor McCarthy explore the move from standard Chatbots to Agentic AI.If you are trying to figure out how to move beyond basic prompts and build systems that actually do the work for you, this conversation is for you. Conor breaks down the confusion between simple workflows and true AI agents, sharing practical examples of how to automate everything from email triage to complex coding tasks.In this episode, we cover:The 3 Levels of AI Interaction: From basic LLMs to "If/Then" workflows, and finally, true Agentic AI.The "Decision" Factor: How to trust AI to make decisions without you watching over its shoulder.Real-World Wins: How to use agents to fix your inbox and optimise marketing ads automatically.The Tech Stack: A look at "Model Context Protocols" (MCPs) and tools like Lindy.ai and Claude Code.Enjoy the show, and to learn more about AI and other subjects that will help you thrive in tomorrow's work, head to 42courses.com

Why does a vacuum cleaner need a transparent case? Why do Pringles need to crunch loudly to taste fresh? And why are we willing to pay a locksmith more if they take longer to open the door?In this episode, we sit down with the legendary Richard Shotton to discuss his brand new book, Hacking the Human Mind. Unlike his previous bestsellers, Richard flips the script this time, analysing 17 of the world’s most successful brands to reverse-engineer the behavioural science behind their dominance.We discuss:- The "Labour Illusion": Why Dyson proudly advertises their 5,127 failures.- The Curse of Knowledge: Why you are probably communicating poorly with your customers.- Sensory Marketing: How the weight of cutlery changes the taste of food.- The AI Trap: New research on why labelling art as "AI-generated" crashes purchase intent by 61%.Whether you are a marketer, an entrepreneur, or just fascinated by human psychology, this is a masterclass in why we buy what we buy.

What do a NASA engineer, a knuckle duster, and a trip to Uzbekistan have in common?We sat down with creative legend Tay Guan Hin to find out. In this episode, recorded fresh from the historic Silk Road, Tay reveals why playing it safe is officially boring.His new book, Collide, argues that the best ideas don’t come from peace and quiet; they come from smashing things together. Tune in to discover how a failed heat pump accidentally became the Super Soaker, why "imperfect" humans are still cooler than AI, and how to turn a little conflict into a lot of magic.

Is AI a job-killer, or is it the spark for a new creative renaissance? Join Chris (CEO, 42courses), Dave Duarte (CEO, Treeshake), and Conor McCarthy (AI Consultant & Engineer) for a candid conversation about navigating the choppy seas of the AI revolution.In this episode, we move past the doom-scrolling and focus on practical optimism. We discuss why AI is the "fastest depreciating asset humanity has ever invented," how to stop being a "secret cyborg" at work, and why the rise of synthetic media is actually driving a massive return to real-world community events. Plus, we share the simple "two Post-it note" strategy to build your AI muscle memory and debate the distinct "personalities" of ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.If you’re looking for a safe, optimistic place to make sense of the changing world, this conversation is for you.

Why do customers say "no" even when you offer them something for free? And how can simply changing a question double your sales?In this episode, Chris chats with behavioural science expert and Mindworx founder Matt Suchánek. A former actuary turned consumer psychology pro, Matt reveals why the secret to boosting sales isn't about giving people more reasons to buy—it's about giving them fewer reasons to say no.We discuss:🧠 The "Free" Trap: Why a travel insurance giveaway failed (and how psychology fixed it).🍕 The Pizza Experiment: How a simple reframe changed topping orders by 100%.🏄 The SURF Model: A practical framework to decode customer behaviour.🚫 Psychological Reactance: Why pushing too hard kills the sale.🎁 SPECIAL OFFER: Matt is offering signed copies of his new book, The Hidden Yes, plus a special bonus exclusively for our listeners! 👉 Get your copy here: https://www.thehiddenyes.com/42

Why are 95% of us deficient in the one nutrient that could slash our risk of disease by nearly 30%?In this episode, we chat with Chris Read, founder of the health company Indi. Chris breaks down his journey from the world of sleep products to becoming obsessed with nutrition, revealing the shocking truths about the food industry, from hidden "nasty emulsifiers" to the problems with traditional multivitamins.Tune in to discover:The simple power of adding just 7 more grams of fiber to your diet.How to feed your "second brain" and why 90% of your happiness starts there.Actionable tips, like the two-kiwi-a-night sleep hack and what to really look for on a food label.The story behind Indi's "indigenous" ingredients and the mission to make health convenient.Visit Indi at https://indisupplements.com/Visit 42courses at https://42courses.com

How do you turn a funny idea into primetime chatter and global buzz? In this lively episode, Mike Sharman shares the “Holy Trinity of marketing” that still wins today: activation first, scale it digitally, then PR the living daylights out of it. He breaks down how his team spoofed My Octopus Teacher" into the cult hit “My Creepy Teacher,” why curiosity is a superpower, and how to engineer virality rather than wish for it.Find out more about Mike at retroviral.co.zaFind out more about 42courses at 42courses.comWhat you’ll learnThe Holy Trinity that powers modern viral campaigns.How “My Creepy Teacher” went from a Cape Town shoot to a global hit.  How to build successful creator partnerships.How to use obsessive curiosity as a career advantage.Why being “worthy of the news” is the bar that keeps work sharp.

Why are brands continually out-played, out-thought and out-innovated by artists with zero marketing knowledge, training or experience? In this delightful conversation with globally renowned strategy legends, Rob Campbell and Paula Bloodworth, we take a look at what you can learn from artists and how it can help you get ahead.Rob's Website: https://robcampbell.coPaula's Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-bloodworth-3899833

Why do smart, capable women still freeze up when it comes to money?In this episode of the 42courses podcast, former CNN anchor and author of What’s Up with Women and Money, Alison Kosik, opens up about her own financial journey and why money talk still feels taboo for so many women.From cultural conditioning to salary shame, Alison tackles the myths that keep women financially sidelined. She shares cautionary tales, actionable advice on budgeting and investing, and the one thing every woman needs to do right now to gain control of her finances.It’s equal parts wake-up call and pep talk, and you’ll leave this episode feeling just a little more unstoppable.Read up on Alison's new book here: https://harriman-house.com/authors/alison-kosik/whats-up-with-women-and-money/9781804090534Find out more about 42courses here: https://42courses.com

Chris from 42courses interviews JoséPablo Dominguez from Atla Design. José chats about how Mexican culture shaped his design thinking, the surprising role education played in unlocking his creativity, and his shift from marketing to full-time design. He shares lessons from starting his own agency, why colour is everything in branding, and why design is moving from minimalism to glorious maximalism. There’s also talk of AI tools, and plenty of gold for anyone looking to break into design.Find out more about José's work at https://www.atla.design/ Find out more about 42courses at https://42courses.com

42courses' Louise Ward interviews Greg Davies from Oxford Risk, an expert in behavioural investing and the brains behind our new upcoming course, Behavioural Investing. They talk about how Greg got into behavioural finance, the mental biases affecting financial choices, and why sustainable investing matters. Greg discuses how important it is for people to recognise their own biases and emotional responses when investing, plus a whole host of practical ways to make smarter financial decisions.Find out more about Greg at https://www.innovatefinance.com/profiles/greg-b-davies-phd/Find out more about 42courses at https://42courses.com

42courses Louise Ward interviews storytelling expert and all-around wonderful chap Will Storr. You'll learn about how to use storytelling in business situations, comms, and for a better life in general too.You'll also hear about the evolving role of storytelling in the age of AI as well as lots of other marvellously helpful insights.Find out more about Will at https://www.thescienceofstorytelling.com/Find out more about 42courses at https://42courses.com

Economics isn’t just about numbers, graphs, or GDP, it can also be used to create a happier, more equitable world.In this episode, philosopher and economist Erik Angner, author of How Economics Can Save the World, shares how his unique perspective bridges the gap between data and humanity.Erik’s approachable style and deep insights reveal how economics can tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from climate change to our pursuit of happiness. Follow Erik on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikangner/and in Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/erikangner.com

What can high-stakes hostage negotiations teach us about leadership, persuasion, and building trust? In this episode, Louise gets to chat with former hostage negotiator and award-winning expert speaker Nigel Taberner. From managing emotions under pressure to building trust in seconds, Nigel provides actionable insights for leaders and professionals navigating today’s complex and unpredictable world. Discover: - The art of active listening and how it shapes better outcomes. - Proven techniques for negotiating as a conversation between real people! - How to apply negotiation principles to leadership and daily interactions. This episode is packed with stories and lessons to inspire you about communication and connection. Enjoy. Find out more about Nigel at https://www.nigeltaberner.com

42courses founder Chris Rawlinson talks with Behavioural Science legend Prof. Dan Ariely about his year in review. You'll learn about the power of embracing randomness and luck, the incredible power of citizen committees, the state of humanity and technology and much more. Enjoy the listing. Find out more about Dan at: https://danariely.com Find out more about 42courses at: https://42courses.com

Find out our favourite books and insights from 2024. You'll also learn tips about business success, personal finance, AI, happiness, and as usual, lots of creativity and behavioural science tips too, we even share in our dad joke of the year! Learn more about us at https://42courses.com

Ever wondered how to design products that truly change behaviour? In this episode, we sit down with Matt Wallaert, applied behavioural scientist, author of Start at the End, and founder of BeSci.io. He’s the brains behind helping global organisations build behavioural science into their DNA. Oh, and he has a quirky twist, he only wears secondhand clothes sourced from an eBay script. Yes, really. 💡 What’s Inside? • Practical insights from Matt’s experience, blending ideas from Nudge by Richard Thaler and Hooked by Nir Eyal. • How behavioural science can revolutionise organisations. • Why defining the desired behaviour outcome is the key to creating meaningful change. • The connection between financial stress, mental health, and education. • Ethical considerations in behaviour change and the role of diversity in spotting biases. Listen in for an inspiring, quirky, and deeply practical conversation that will leave you buzzing with ideas! Find Matt at https://besci.io Find 42courses at https://42courses.com

This episode of the 42courses podcast is full of actionable tips for applying behavioural insights to your own lives. The lessons come from the new Behavioural Science book "The Housefly Effect." The authors, B.R.A.I.N Creatives founder Tim den Heijer, and Behavioural Insights Nederland, founder Eva van den Broek, are two incredibly charming and smart experts in behavioural science. You'll learn about all things Behavioural Science, including the Dunning-Kruger effect, the role of manipulation in marketing, the importance of experimentation in understanding human behaviour, and much much more. Enjoy. The Housefly Effect Book: https://amzn.to/3OcmBYR B.R.A.I.N Creative: https://braincreatives.nl/wie Behavioural Insights Nederland: https://behaviouralinsights.nl

On this episode, we chat with an award-winning Brazilian creative duo, João Soares and Pedro Minari from Ogilvy. We go look at some of their work and go through all the stages from idea to execution. It's a mini creative masterclass full of advice! We also talk about some of the current creative trends, including how AI is impacting the creative process. Enjoy the show! Find out more about Pedro here. Find out more about João here: Find out more about us at https://42courses.com

Conor McCarthy, AI consultant and teacher, discusses how you can best navigate the transformative role of AI in modern work environments. You'll learn the importance of continuous learning and upskilling, understand the common challenges organisations face when adopting AI, learn the strategic benefits of using AI as a partner in business, and get practical advice on creating custom AI solutions. You'll also get lots of incredible recommendations for exploring various AI tools and resources to enhance productivity and creativity.

Legendary multiple award-winning art director and copywriter Dave Dye and Steve Harrison discuss their new book on the legendary 60s adman Howard Gossage. This episode has a gold mine of tips and advice for creatives, young and old, so enjoy the show. The book is called "The Howard Gossage Show" and is available on Amazon now at https://amzn.to/3XPuXes

Multiple Award-Winning CMO advisor and author of the book "Responsible Marketing", Lola Bakare, talks with 42courses about her new book and how you can become a more responsible marketer and increase your brand loyalty and sales. If you're interested in upskilling yourself in the world of creativity and marketing, you can check out all our courses at www.42courses.com

Join Michael Norton, Harvard Professor and author of 'The Ritual Effect,' as he explores the power of rituals in everyday life. Discover how rituals evolve beyond tradition, enhancing mental health, creativity, and innovation. Learn about brand rituals like Oreos, tips for creating your own, and the role of rituals in personal relationships and work teams. Chris and Michael also discuss rituals for overcoming challenges and their adaptation in the digital age. Tune in for a fascinating conversation on the profound impact of rituals!

Todd Henry, author and consultant, discusses how to help creative professionals excel in their work. He also shares the five key areas to build skills in, as well as the key obstacles and how to overcome them. In this episode, your host is Zsa Perry from 42courses. To learn more about Todd, head to: https://www.toddhenry.com To learn more about our creative courses, go to https://42courses.com

We decided to interview GPT-4o in this week's episode because we've been so impressed by how well this new audio assistant can be. I edited out the many pauses and false starts in the AI's replies to make for smoother listening, but other than that, I kept the answers as they came. We asked GPT about privacy, creativity, and the future of AI, as well as some fun "would you rather" questions at the end. We hope you enjoy this podcast. It's for sure the first time I've interviewed an AI machine, and I am almost certain it won't be the last, either! Let us know what you think! We're creating a new AI for marketers course at 42courses, to sign up, go to: https://42courses.com

Adobe's Chris Duffey discusses AI's impact on the creative world and what you can do to stay ahead of the game. We also discuss AI in education, self-driving cars, and much more. To find out more about Chris and his brilliant work, go to: https://chrisduffey.ai/ To take any of our creative courses, head to https://42courses.com

The marvellous Matt Locke talks about behaviour, technology and storytelling. Matt used to head up innovation at the BBC and is one of the world's leading minds on multiplatform storytelling. If you want to tell stories in today's world that will stand out and get attention then take a listen to this episode. Visit Matt's company: https://storythings.com Visit our company: https://42courses.com

Alice Sherwood, author of Authenticity, discusses the concept of authenticity and its relevance in today's world. Alice explores the impact of technology, such as AI, on misinformation and the changing dynamics of authenticity in advertising, marketing, and art. To view Alice's book, go to: https://amzn.to/3vUeRoy To view all our courses, go to https://42courses.com

In this episode, we chat to the marvellous Bonnie Wan. In this 45-minute podcast, Bonnie shares a playbook for no-regrets living from her book "The Life Brief". Bonnie also talks about her role as the head of strategy at Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, as well as leadership advice and much more. You can find out more, get the book or even book Bonnie for a workshop at https://thelifebrief.com If you're looking for enjoyable professional courses to help you in life, check out https://42courses.com

In this episode, we chat to the incredible Dr. Paul Zak on the fascinating topic of understanding human social behaviours. Paul is an American neuroscientist and neuroeconomist, as well as the founding director of the Center for Neuroeconomics Studies at Claremont Graduate University. Paul chats to us about his numerous studies into how humans are able to co-operate effectively and easily, and essentially what makes people tick. We also chat about how to create amazing experiences, the link between trust and wealth, his work with legendary ad man Josy Paul, as well as his favourite Ted Talk, and company that creates immersive experiences. Finally he also gives us some insights into how a nasal spray can help people get along better - you'll just have to give this podcast a listen to find out. Enjoy!

In this episode, we chat to the incredible digital designer, creative director and influential feminist, Laura Jordan Bambach. Grey London's ex-President and Chief Creative Officer, Laura believes that creativity has the power to change the world for the better. Here she chats to us about the cross over between creativity and geekiness, her tips for young creatives, the power of mentors and much more. Laura is also the co-founder of SheSays, an award-winning global creative network for women. Here she gives us some insights into what led to its creation as well as some of the brilliant work they do today. Enjoy listening.

We chat to the incredible Erik Kessels on all things advertising, creativity & coming up with brilliant ideas. Erik is a Dutch artist, designer, author, advertising guru, and curator with a great passion for photography. In this episode Erik shares some marvellous tips on how you can come up with creative ideas, what to do when you feel uninspired, and how to tap into your hidden creative ideas. Enjoy listening.

This week we chat with Ryan Wallman and Giles Edwards, the authors of the new entertaining marketing and creativity book, How Brands Blow. To get yourself a copy head over to https://amzn.to/3QOqVhG

Prof. Ian Robertson chats with our founder, Chris Rawlinson, about how confidence works. You'll learn why it's helpful (and not) and the factors that lead to an increase or decrease in your self-belief. Learn more about Ian and order his book at: https://ianrobertson.org/ Learn more about us at https://42courses.com

Professor Dan Ariely joins us to talk about his marvellous new book, "Misbelief", about why and how rational people believe irrational things. We also discuss how not to fall prey to corrosive information, lots of fascinating Behavioural Science and Psychology insights, and even his brand new TV show, The Irrational. Learn more about Dan and order his book at: https://danariely.com Learn more about 42courses at https://42courses.com

In this episode, our co-founder Jake Courage talks about the psychology behind brand-building, debunking marketing myths, sharing the difference between differentiation vs distinctiveness, Category Entry Points and market segmentation. This week's speakers are the award-winning marketer, strategist and author Eaon Pritchard and marketing and brand-building consultant Dr. Lachezar Ivanov. To read Eaons Books, go to www.eaonpritchard.com To chat with Dr. Lachezar, head to www.firebrandconsultants.com

The self-taught super successful behavioural scientist Richard Shotton shares his secret to finding his many incredible insights, as well as chatting about his new book "The Illusion of Choice" + we also discuss how you can get a pay rise too! Richard's Website: ⁠richardshotton.com Richard's Twitter: ⁠twitter.com/rshotton⁠ Richard's new book: ⁠https://amzn.to/45vPOEr

The marketing legend that is Mark Ritson talks about how he got into the world of marketing and brand building, The Marketing MBA, which brands he thinks are doing well (and not), his bromance with Byron Sharp, and who he would most like to have a dinner party with too. Enjoy the podcast. Marks Website: mba.marketingweek.com Marks Twitter: twitter.com/markritson Mark's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/markritson

A special podcast in the run-up to Nudgestock, we were supposed to talk about Nudgestock, but of course, in true Rory style, we ended up talking about everything 😂. You'll hear Rory's wisdom and thoughts on AI, Advertising, Cannes Lions and, of course, Nudgestock 2023 too. To celebrate our continued sponsorship of the event, if you use the voucher code NUDGESTOCK23 at checkout on 42courses.com, you'll get a pleasant wallet-friendly surprise (For a limited time only). Enjoy the podcast.

Rob says, “Creativity can achieve things that logic can’t”, which sums up the theme of our podcast episode with the incredible adman. We chat to the brilliant Rob Campbell, Chief Strategy Officer for Colenso BBDO in Auckland, and one of the most awarded strategists in the world. Rob shares his journey from wanting to be a policeman, to becoming a rockstar, and, finally, one of the most respected strategists in the world. He also shares the power of mentors and those that help you along your journey, what he learnt from living in eight countries, how to set yourself up for success in ad-land, and even why he was called an a**hole by Richard Branson. Enjoy the listen - it’s one not to be missed. ⭐️⭐️ Our Most Popular courses ⭐️⭐️ 🎓 Creative Leadership: https://www.42courses.com/courses/cre... 🎓 Behavioural Economics: https://www.42courses.com/courses/beh... 🎓 Storytelling: https://www.42courses.com/courses/sto... 🎓 Marketing Strategy: https://www.42courses.com/courses/mar... 🎓 The Happy Course: https://www.42courses.com/courses/hap... 🎓 Copywriting: https://www.42courses.com/courses/cop... 🎓 Creative Thinking: https://www.42courses.com/courses/how... ⭐️⭐️Follow Us On Social Media ⭐️⭐️ 📈 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/42cou... 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/42courses 🌅 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/42courses 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/42courses

It’s time to give your ears a treat with our latest podcast featuring Connor Swenson & Claire Dinan. In this episode, Connor & Claire chat to us about anti-burnout habits, AI and productivity, as well as practical tips on increasing your productivity and overall wellbeing. Connor & Claire are the founders of Forgewell, a company that specialises in building healthier and more high performance teams. And if you’d like to learn more from them, just sign up to our Sustainable Productivity course today and start your journey to a more productive, healthier you.

Patrick used to help run Google's in-house agency and previously was the ECD of Ogilvy UK. He's judged at Cannes Lions and now runs the Caples, a free-to-enter (as long as you enter on time) advertising awards show that helps highlight great creative work globally. In this podcast, Patrick shares how the Caples started and valuable advice for people wanting to enter and win more awards. You can read up more on the Caples at www.caples.org You can find out more about Patrick at www.creative-matters.com Take a creative course at www.42courses.com

The marvellous Amani Duncan shares her creative and career advice in this 42courses podcast. Amani has worked with some of the biggest names in music, from P Diddy to Coldplay and more. She also discusses lessons learned from her time as CEO and Chairwoman of BBH USA and as a Jury President at Cannes Lions and Dubai Lynx. Enjoy the show.

We chat to the incredible Andy Nairn on his new book “Go Luck Yourself” - 40 tips on how to bring more luck into your life. Andy is a creative tour de force, and is the founder of Lucky Generals, an ad agency that works with some of the biggest brands including Amazon, Virgin Atlantic and Yorkshire Tea. In this episode, Andy chats about the inspiration for his new book, working with Amazon to create a marvellous Super Bowl ad, his personal favourite lucky tips, as well as how to be more creative.

In this podcast episode, we chat to the wonderful Joe Glover, founder of the Marketing Meetup, a community of 35k marketers around the world. Joe chats to us about Marketing Meetup’s mission to educate, connect and bring people together with kindness. He also shares his hopes for the Marketing Meetup's future, the importance of storytelling and many marvellous marketing insights. Enjoy the listen. 

This week, we're delighted to chat to the incredible Nir Eyal.  Nir needs little introduction, but for those who may not know him as well, he is a marvellous Behavioural Designer who helps companies build products and services that promote healthy habits in users' lives. He is also a best selling author of "Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products" and "Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life", the former about adopting good habits and the latter about breaking bad ones. And on top of that, a legendary TedTalk speaker.  In this podcast episode, Nir gives science-based insights to building healthy habits, improving productivity and focus, and managing distraction.  Enjoy the listen! 

In this podcast episode, Annie Duke shares why we should all start a new relationship with the word "quit". We discuss the bias in the language of quitting, share lots of incredible examples, and the behavioural science behind them. You'll also get advice and recommendations, so you will know when it's right to walk away and quit.   You can get Annie's incredible new book here: amzn.to/3gmFryG Read up more on Annie at: annieduke.com If you want to learn more about behavioural science and other creative subjects, visit us at 42courses.com

Terry Behan is a design practitioner and teach at Parsons School of Design. In this episode Terry shares how you can use design thinking to create better products and services, and also talks about our new course that he helped co-create called Human Centered Design. We hope you enjoy the show and if you want to check out the course go to 42courses.com/courses/human-centered-design