Persuasion by the Pint

On this episode, Chris Hadnagy joins us to discuss how psychic and fortune-telling scams really work. Chris is the CEO of Social-Engineer, LLC, and the author of five books on social engineering and human communication. His most recent book is Human Hacking: Win Friends, Influence People, and Leave Them Better Off for Having Met You. He's a professor of social engineering at the University of Arizona and an expert witness in cases involving deception, influence, and fraud. You can learn more about his work at www.social-engineer.com.

On this episode, Clive Cable joins us. Clive is a veteran direct-response copywriter, persuasion expert, and someone who has spent decades studying what actually causes people to say yes. His career in persuasion didn't begin behind a keyboard. He started in commission-only, door-to-door sales, where he learned firsthand how people make decisions, what creates desire, and what moves someone from hesitation to action. He later took those lessons into copywriting, generating more than £40 million in sales across a dozen different industries. He's also the author of Neurocopy, and his work today combines classic direct-response principles with psychology, neuroscience, neurochemical triggers, and artificial intelligence to better understand why certain words persuade while others fall flat. You can learn more about his work at https://clivecable.com.

On this episode, Frank Ahearn joins the podcast to discuss how to deal with online blackmail. For more than three decades, he's helped clients facing blackmail, privacy threats, reputation attacks, stalking, and situations where exposure could destroy careers, relationships, or families.   He's also the New York Times bestselling author of "How to Disappear" and the author of numerous books on privacy, disappearing, blackmail, and reputation protection. You can learn more about his work by visiting https://frankahearn.com.  

On this episode, Kristii Krugel joins the show. She is an experienced international negotiator, specializing in high-stakes facilitation and conflict management. Her adage when coaching others is: "You can be right, or you can get what you came for. Which one do you want more?" Negotiating begins long before you sit down with your counterpart, and there are simple techniques for each step of the process to ensure you get what you came for, while preserving and even strengthening the relationship (business or personal). We'll be discussing some of these techniques on the show. You can learn more about her work at https://www.kskcoaching.com/why-work-....

On this episode, we'll debate the most Important skill to develop in the next 10 years. AI is making technical capability cheaper and more accessible, but human connection is becoming scarcer—and therefore more valuable. In a world where almost anyone can generate a polished proposal, presentation, sales email, or strategy in seconds, the competitive advantage shifts toward the person who can walk into a room, understand what people actually care about, earn credibility, handle disagreement, and persuade.

On this episode, we do a flight of persuasion. We'll be discussing a recent study where AI was pitted against some of the best human persuaders. We'll also talk about surveillance pricing and why AI can be socially engineered the same way people can.

On this episode, Jared Braverman joins the podcast. He is the marketing director for Vida Management, where he runs marketing for 18 apartment communities — about 7,000 units across 8 states. He's also the founder of AgencyFix, an AI-native marketing studio. Rather than buy AI tools, he built his own: an AI front desk that answers calls and works leads around the clock, and an SEO system that helps local businesses get found. He also publishes original research on how search competition actually works — data that's free for journalists and writers to cite at www.agencyfix.com/data.

On this episode, Pierce Kafka joins us to discuss movie making and marketing with micro-budget. He is the CEO and Creative Director of Kafka Media Group (KMG), an integrated marketing agency where he leverages his years of experience in commercial production and advertising to transform brands into household names through storytelling. Pierce has worked on award winning campaigns from Fortune 500 companies seeing projects from development, production and distribution, recently releasing his debut feature film, Contradiction, at film festivals across the US. Pierce delivered a TED Talk on filmmaking tactics, and is also a regular Forbes Council Contributor in marketing, publishing pieces such as "How To Market Your Film Like A Startup: A Go-To-Market Playbook". You can learn more by visiting him at https://kafka.com.

On this episode, Jackson Wightman joins the podcast. He's the founder and CEO of Proper Propaganda, a tech PR agency, and the author of Tech PR Playbook. You can check out their work at https://properpropaganda.net.

On this episode, David Dutton joins us as we cover a random flight of topics. We'll be discussing a new report on "The Rise of the Apex Consumer" that shows today's consumers don't just engage with marketing; they dissect it, exploit it, and discard whatever doesn't serve them. We'll also cover some other topics like Columbia Sportswear's "Expedition Impossible"- a viral marketing campaign that offers to give away the company to anyone who could prove the Earth is flat. You might be surprised at the results. 

On this episode, Barna Donovan, Ph.D. joins us to discuss "UFOs, Psyops, and Persuasion". UFOs, Barna is a professor of communication and media studies at Saint Peter's University in Jersey City, New Jersey. He teaches a course on the history of the intersection between conspiracy theories and popular culture, especially the long connection between Hollywood and UFO beliefs. He is also the author of "Conspiracy Films: A Tour of Dark Places in the American Conscious", where he emphasizes the long intertwined history of filmmakers, UFOs, believers, skeptics, and government intelligence agencies.

On this episode, Dr. John Mayer joins the show. He is the co-host of the popular podcast, PodCandy: Cults, Crime and Killers. John is an internationally known forensic psychologist and expert on violent behavior and crime prevention. He is an award-winning screenwriter. He has written 7 screenplays, 4 published novels, a stage play, and has consulted on films. Check out their true crime podcast at https://podcandypodcast.com.

On this episode, we improvise on the fly after a guest had to cancel at the last minute. We'll be discussing the power of analog marketing and how to wow your prospects and customers with a "big box". We'll share some examples of things that have worked not only for getting attention but also for winning some big deals. 

On this episode, Lucy Broadbent joins us. She is the author of "What Would Ted Lasso Do?: How Ted's Positive Approach Can Help You". Lucy is a journalist, author, and contributor to The Los Angeles Times, The London Times, The Sunday Times, The Telegraph, The Daily Mail, Marie Claire (US, UK, Australian editions), Cosmopolitan, and Glamour. You can learn more about her book at https://www.lucybroadbent.net.

On this episode, Frank Niles joins the show. He is a psychologist and executive coach, who helps his clients deliver compelling messages that cause people to act. He is frequently quoted or featured in the media, having appeared in Fast Company, CNN, Inc, US News & World Report, and National Public Radio. His framework is called the A.W.E Method, and we'll be breaking it down on the show. You can learn more about his work at https://frankniles.com.

On this episode, we welcome Carlos Tribino to the show. Carlos is CEO of The Machine, a company that builds influential brands with emotional connections. Carlos's claim to fame is turning Juan Valdez into one of Fast Company's 10 most iconic brand characters in history. Some of the brands he helped are Ferrari, Giorgio Armani, MTV, Guinness, WebMD, GiftCards.com, Walt Disney, and Chivas Regal to name a few. You can learn more about their company at https://www.themachine.biz.

In this episode, we cover a flight of persuasion topics. These include: 1. McDonald's Disaster (CEO Big Arch Burger Video) 2. French Fry Cookies (Repackaging) 3. Cold Caking 4. Lowering the Lights Makes You Spend More (Bars and Restaurants) 5. The KitKat Heist 6. Red Bull Guerilla Marketing  7. Pinterest's "Best Thing Online Is a Reason to Get Offline" You can access the show notes with links at https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/...

On this episode, Clay Stafford joins the show. Clay has had an eclectic career as an author, filmmaker, story and creative consultant, actor, composer, educator, public speaker and business leader. He has sold nearly four million copies of his works in over sixteen languages. He is founder and CEO of the annual Killer Nashville International Writers' Conference now in its 21st year, and a contributor to Writer's Digest magazine with his monthly online column, "Killer Writer". In addition, Clay is the founder of Killer Nashville University, a creative learning platform for writers. You can learn more about him at https://claystafford.com.

On this episode, Daniel Murphy of Tradeshow Secrets joins us to share how to maximize your ROI at Tradeshow events. Daniel is an entrepreneur, consultant, high-ticket and sales mentor. With a transformative journey from adversity to triumph, Daniel specializes in achieving high return on ad spend (ROAS) and streamlining revenue generation.  His dedication to mentorship and empowering others has led to significant success stories in various industries. You can learn more by visiting https://tradeshowsecrets.com.

On this episode. Lisa Cron joins us to discuss the brain science that makes really good writing. Lisa is the author of Wired for Story, Story Genius, and her latest book Story or Die. Lisa has worked in publishing at W.W. Norton, as an agent at the Angela Rinaldi Literary Agency, as a producer on shows for Showtime and CourtTV, and as a story consultant for Warner Brothers and the William Morris Agency. Since 2006, she's been an instructor in the UCLA Extension Writers' Program and been on the faculty of the School of Visual Arts MFA program in visual narrative in New York City. Her 7-hour video class Wired for Story can be found at CreativeLive.com. You can learn more about Lisa at http://wiredforstory.com.

On this episode. Kevin Halbert, son of the legendary copywriter Gary Halbert, joins us on the podcast to share stories of his dad and how he's using AI today in copywriting. We also ask the question, "How would your dad have used AI?" if he were around today.

On this episode, Steve Raju joins us on the podcast. He is the author of the new book, "Cognitive Sovereignty: How To Think For Yourself When AI Thinks for You". There are thousands of books about using AI better. Steve's book is different. It's about what AI is doing to you over time - When you still look like you're thinking for yourself, but in reality, the actual thinking stopped happening somewhere around six months ago. You can get your free chapter at https://cognitivesovereignty.io/#notify.

Returning guest David Dutton joins us for another random flight of topics. We'll be discussing an article from the Independent titled "It's not your imagination. Advertising is getting worse – and it might be deliberate". We'll also talk about Chuck Norris' death. Hard to believe because "death once had a near-Chuck Norris experience".  Lastly, we talk about a successful Missoula billboard campaign by a local credit union designed to appear as authentic, handwritten notes from a guy named Ryan. The campaign was so effective that it helped bring in $20 million in new deposits in its first month.

On this episode, Bill Mueller joins the podcast again to talk about "24 Ways to Tell a Story in an Email Without Telling a Story". Bill has been writing story-based emails and email sequences since 2005. His emails have sold millions in digital and physical products, coaching programs, and more in just about every niche. His approach over the years has been simple: People love stories; therefore, use stories to communicate and sell. He's even created a simple, fill-in-the-blank system for writing countless story-based emails that work. It's called the "Story Sales Machine" because all you have to do is plug in the details about your offer, your audience, their objections, and more. You can find his system at https://www.storysalesmachine.com/sto....

On this episode, we welcome Patrick Clark to the show. He's recently written a book, under his pen name Will Camden, called "Confessions of a Professional Conspiracy Theorist". It's the inside story of the conspiracy movement and how belief is manufactured. In the book, Patrick pulls back the curtain on his 30 years in PR, and how he worked to shape what you think, buy, and believe. It describes how he used the same skills and techniques as part of an organised campaign that made you believe in aliens, rebranded the Devil as the Illuminati, and convinced thousands that the government had weaponised lampposts. You can learn more at https://willcamden.co.uk/product/conf....

On this episode, Tiffany Rose Goodyear joins the show to discuss the psychology behind scent marketing. Tiffany is an innovator in the event sector, specializing in creating immersive sensory experiences. She is the founder of Scentex, an event services company that curates and orchestrates custom fragrances for weddings, galas, meetings, and events. We'll be discussing the science and psychology behind scent marketing.

On this episode, we discuss a little-known book called "Obvious Adams: The Story of a Successful Businessman" and compare his simplistic approach to modern-day marketing and advertising, which is all about just getting attention. Also, we discuss some of this year's Super Bowl ads.

On this episode, legendary copywriter Bob Bly revisits the show to share his perspective on AI in copywriting. For 4+ decades, Bob has been writing high-performance direct response copy for IBM, AT&T, Intuit, Forbes, Medical Economics, ITT, and dozens of other smart direct marketers, both large and small, who want to get more leads and sales -- online and offline.   McGraw-Hill calls Bob Bly "America's top copywriter." He has taught copywriting at New York University and is the author of over 100 published books, including The Digital Marketing Handbook and The Copywriter's Handbook.   You can learn more about him at https://bly.com.  

On this episode, Danielle Hughes joins the podcast to share how she helps individuals develop their Genuine Personality Brand. She's been called a wordsmith, a magician, a copywriter extraordinaire, a lifesaver, and a badass. You can learn more about her at https://www.morethanwordscopy.com.

On this episode, Jody Raynsford joins the show. He is the author of the book "How to Start a Cult". After founding an award-winning, cult running podcast and community, Jody discovered a better way to build brands and businesses. His book is an Amazon best-seller and a Business Book Awards finalist. Through his speaking and coaching, he works with businesses to help them achieve cult status by being bolder, building belonging, and attracting a devoted band of followers. You learn more about Jody and grab a copy of his book at https://howtostartacult.co.uk/pint.

On this episode, Bryant Vander Weerd joins us. He is the Founder of Full Pour Media, an award-winning creative agency that specializes in the food and beverage industry. Full Pour Media works with clients both in US and abroad to plan, produce, and execute marketing and promotional strategies Bryant has won three Emmy awards for his work, and Full Pour Media has won 9 Craft Beer Marketing Awards for their work in marketing and storytelling. You can learn more about Full Pour Media at https://fullpourmedia.com.

On this episode, Dawn Apuan joins us to discuss 5 Neurochemicals That Trigger Buying Behavior. Dawn is the CEO of Copy Queens Ink. She's a top copywriter and funnel strategist who helps coaches and speakers "Write Like a CEO" so they can attract premium clients, sell out high-ticket offers, and multiply their impact with powerful messaging using the Voiceprint System. You can check out her custom GPT course at https://profitablecopywriter.com/bbb.

On this episode, we welcome Professor Matthew Bakowicz to the show to discuss the growth of sports betting in the US and how these betting apps hook users by design. Matt is the program director of Sports Business Management at American University's Kogod School of Business, as a guest. Before academia, he managed sportsbook operations for DraftKings at Foxwoods, overseeing more than $400 million in wagers, risk management, and compliance.

On this episode, we'll be discussing seven successful marketing campaigns that have shaped modern cultural norms and consumer behavior.

On this episode, Gasper Crepinsek joins the podcast. He is a former BCG consultant who walked away from a 6-figure corporate career to join the AI revolution. Now he helps entrepreneurs cut soul-sucking work and run their businesses up to 3x faster with AI. He combines his consulting background with hands-on experimentation to help founders work less and create more. Gasper is also the founder of Rebelpreneurs, a movement for people who want to run their one-person business in 4 focused hours a day using AI. The mission is simple: more freedom, less grind. You can learn more about this by visiting https://www.rebelpreneurlab.com/chall....

On this episode, we'll be covering a random flight of topics, including "What Makes Persuasive Messages Stick" and a simple trick to make you more persuasive in conversations, speeches, or presentations.

On this episode, we're diving into the high-stakes side of persuasion—where the goal isn't to sell a product, but to uncover the truth. Our guest, Mark Anderson, is a science-based investigative interviewing expert who trains professionals across law enforcement, HR, and compliance on how to navigate the toughest kinds of conversations—the ones that deal with accountability, job loss, or even criminal consequences. We'll explore how persuasion works when the stakes are personal and the outcomes painful, why listening—real, active listening—isn't just a soft skill but the foundation of ethical influence, and what business leaders can learn from investigative interviewing when it comes to leading with trust and integrity. You can learn more about Mark by visiting https://andersoninvestigative.com.  

On this episode, we welcome Michael Halcomb to the show. Michael is a professor, comedian, author, and former debate coach. We'll discuss the role of humor in persuasion. You can check out Michael's podcast at https://www.michaelhalcomb.live.  

On this episode, we'll talk about "love triangles" and how brands use them in advertising to strengthen their relationship with customers while weakening the connection with competitors.

The Robert Collier Letter Book is a treasure chest for any copywriter. It's one of the most practical, psychology-driven books ever written on persuasion through the written word. On this episode, we'll be discussing 5 of the most valuable takeaways for persuasive copywriting. You can grab your copy of the Robert Collier Letter Book at https://amzn.to/46Wf5LQ.

On this episode, we welcome John Bejakovic. He is the author of the book "10 Commandments of Con Men, Pickup Artists, Magicians, Door-to-Door Salesmen, Hypnotists, Copywriters, Negotiators, Political Propagandists, Stand Up Comedians, and Oscar-Winning Screenwriters". John writes about copywriting, direct response marketing, and his love for the books and screenplays of William Goldman. If you're curious about these topics, check out John's books on Amazon, or sign up for his free email newsletter at bejakovic.com.

On this episode, we'll be discussing the 6 Scarcity Levers That Attract Affluent Buyers. We'll talk about luxury brands that limit availability and create barriers to entry to build a higher perceived value.  

On this episode, we welcome "Doberman Dan" back to the show. He is a 30-year serial entrepreneur, direct response marketer, and copywriter specializing in creating insanely fast profits for himself and other small business owners worldwide. On this episode, we'll discuss the decline of Facebook ads and the resurgence of direct mail advertising. You can learn more about Doberman Dan at https://www.dobermandan.com.

On this episode, we welcome Winn Schwartau, author of the new book The Art & Science of Metawar: How to Coexist With AI-Driven Reality. Winn has spent decades studying how technology shapes human behavior and decision-making. One of his most compelling areas of expertise is how social media advertisers deliberately use dopamine-triggering tactics—likes, shares, endless scrolls, and micro-rewards—to keep us engaged, addicted, and persuaded without realizing it.

On this episode, data scientist Jonathan Adams joins us to discuss copywriting, email marketing, AI, and more. Jonathan will share some email marketing tips, including the number one trick you can use right now to crank up your email open rates by 6X. You can learn more about Jonathan's work by visiting https://measurableadvertising.com.

On this episode, we tackle a flight of persuasion with topics like Liquid Death selling Ozzy's DNA, Burger King's brilliant strategy for more in-app engagement, and finally... does AI have a sinister side it's hiding from us?

On this episode, we welcome Enrico Faccioli to the show to discuss how AI voice technology is being used in social engineering attacks. Voice, speed, prompts, and background noise are making AI more persuasive and harder to distinguish from people you may know and trust. His company Vishr.AI, uses voice AI agents to test and train employees against these attacks.

On this 400th episode, David Dutton and Ben Blackmon join us to discuss how certain retail brands methodically turn casual shoppers into fanatics by employing persuasion principles such as scarcity, social proof, and commitment & consistency.

On this episode, we welcome Alison McBain to the show. In 2024, Alison pursued a project called "Author Versus AI," where she wrote a book a week, using no AI at all (resulting in 34 books in total). She'll share her own story, and how anyone can write a book in a week without using AI. You can learn more about Alison at https://www.alisonmcbain.com.

AI is fundamentally changing how content is discovered, processed, and presented through AI platforms and AI-powered search. On this episode, copywriter Scott McKelvey joins us to talk about writing content to show up in AI-generated answers, summaries, and overviews. You can learn more about Scott and read some of his work by visiting https://www.scottmckelvey.com.