The Science of Change

Julie King is a renowned parenting expert, author, and workshop leader who has dedicated her career to helping parents communicate more effectively with their children. She is the co-author of two bestselling books: "How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen” and "How to Talk When Kids Won't Listen”.Julie joined this episode to discuss:The trick to get kids to leave the park (and your users to retain)The secret framing solution for showing kids (and users) their progressThe way to ask someone to do something that is foolproofHow to set boundaries and still acknowledge feelings (employee management 101)The psychology behind getting your kids to go to bed (or users to engage)This episode reveals why the same psychological principles that work with stubborn toddlers can transform your product strategy and team dynamics.Whether you're designing user flows, managing stakeholder relationships, or creating engagement strategies, Julie's communication framework offers valuable techniques for influencing behavior without creating resistance—critical skills for anyone building a successful product.Enjoy this episode? Rate it and leave a review. It really helps others find the podcast. Learn more about Kristen and Irrational Labs ⁠here⁠.

Mac Namara is an expert dog trainer who specializes in positive reinforcement techniques. She runs Puppy Prep, a company designed to help new dog owners set their puppies up for success from day one through science-based training methods. In our conversation, we explore:Why the speed of reinforcement (every 6 seconds!) is critical for behavior changeHow to train in short, focused bursts rather than lengthy sessionsThe importance of environment design over willpower or personality traitsHow to properly transition from consistent to variable reward schedulesWhy focusing on what TO do works better than punishing unwanted behaviorsThe problem with saying "no" without showing the alternativeHow these principles directly translate to product design and user onboardingLessons from dog training that apply to workplace feedback and managementThis episode offers practical insights on designing for behavior change through the science of positive reinforcement. A must-listen for product teams looking to create more engaging experiences and anyone interested in the psychology of meaningful habit formation!Enjoy this episode? Rate it and leave a review. It really helps others find the podcast.Learn more about Kristen and Irrational Labs ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

Christine May helped spearhead behavioral science at Noom, shaping it into an engine for user segmentation and accountability. As their former Head of Behavioral Science, she championed Noom's “big picture” motivation model—tying everyday habits to goals—and played a role in scaling one-on-one coaching into a digital system for millions. Now, Christine helps consumer tech startups build habit-forming experiences rooted in evidence-based psychology.In our conversation, we explore:The book club principle: How to embed accountability in features customers actually wantWhy 90% of users reject direct accountability features (and how to solve this)How Noom's lengthy sign-up flow acts as a commitment filterThe counterintuitive confidence level that predicts user successWhat makes fixed-length plans more effective than endless subscriptionsHow to design rewards around behaviors instead of outcomesThe unexpected way social desirability drives product engagementThis episode is packed with practical insights on designing for sustainable behavior change, creating effective accountability systems that users actually want, and the surprising psychology behind what motivates people to stick with challenging goals.Enjoy this episode? Rate it and leave a review. It really helps others find the podcast.Learn more about Kristen and Irrational Labs ⁠here⁠.

Marin Alsop is a world-renowned conductor and the first woman to lead major orchestras internationally. The subject of the Emmy-nominated documentary "The Conductor” and formerly Music Director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, she's Chief Conductor of the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Ravinia Festival, and Principal Guest Conductor of the Philharmonia Orchestra and the Philadelphia Orchestra. She has recorded 200+ titles and is the only conductor to receive a MacArthur Fellowship.In this episode, we explore:How giving people max autonomy drives performance How to balance elite talent with team cohesionTheories on talent selection to build top teamsThe "no shortcuts" practice philosophy This episode is great for anyone building teams. It offers powerful insights on creating excellence at scale, balancing autonomy with accountability, and fostering self-motivation. Enjoy this episode? Rate it and leave a review. It really helps others find the podcast.Learn more about Kristen and Irrational Labs ⁠here⁠.

David Gerard is one of Silicon Valley's most sought-after magicians and mentalists, performing over 90 shows annually for Fortune 500 companies and tech industry leaders. Before pursuing magic full-time, David spent 12 years in tech, starting at Google where he worked on flagship products including YouTube, AdWords, and Google Play, before leading growth and marketing initiatives at Discord and Aalto. Now, David combines his expertise in product growth with his mastery of psychological principles from magic, consulting with series A and B startups while maintaining a rigorous performance schedule that includes over 60 shows at Hollywood's prestigious Magic Castle. His unique background bridging tech and magic makes him a distinctive voice on user psychology, attention, and engagement.In our conversation, we unpack: A magician's secret for creating engaging experiences How magic shows achieve retention (and what products can learn from it) The misdirection technique that can transform user experiences What magicians know about building trust that most companies miss The surprising way performers make experiences feel personalized at scaleFrom Google to the stage, David Gerard has mastered both tech product growth and performance magic. In this episode, he reveals the psychological principles behind great magic shows and how product teams can apply them to create experiences users can't look away from. A must-listen for growth, product and design leaders looking to add a touch of magic to their user experience.Enjoy this episode? Rate it and leave a review. It really helps others find the podcast.Learn more about Kristen and Irrational Labs⁠here⁠.

Orson Scott Card is the author of Ender's Game, one of the most influential science fiction novels ever written, and its sequel Speaker for the Dead, among other bestselling works. Ender's Game is widely read in schools across the US and has been included in some educational curricula. In our conversation, we explore: His approach to creating page-turners: Why telling users what's coming beats clever "hooks"  His method of ensuring the reader understands his writing (great for design teams)  His unique perspective to character development that could help with customer interviews  The one trick Orson uses for getting real feedback This episode teaches product teams how to apply storytelling principles to build more engaging, intuitive products. Whether you're working on marketing, user experience, or team leadership, Orson Scott Card's insights on crafting immersive narratives that respect both audience and reality offer valuable lessons for anyone building products people love (and pay for). Enjoy this episode? Rate it and leave a review. It really helps others find the podcast.Learn more about Kristen and Irrational Labs ⁠here⁠.

Kristina Gibson most recently was the CPO at Dott, accelerating their growth to over 100M rides annually. She led the merger with TIER to form Europe's largest e-bike and scooter operator. She is a former Director of Product at Booking.com, where she pioneered user growth strategy across global markets. As an early product leader at Lyft, she architected the company's expansion into new cities and innovative verticals. At Eventbrite, Kristina transformed the business from a US-only operation to a powerhouse platform across 20+ markets, founding and scaling teams throughout Europe and Latin America.  Kristina began her career at Intuit, building international payments that transformed how small businesses pay vendors across borders. When Mint.com was acquired by Intuit, she drove their expansion into new markets. She holds five patents. In this episode, we explore: When to rely on A/B tests compared to taking bigger strategic bets The hidden psychology behind last-minute purchase decisions Why showing unavailable options can drive more conversions The unexpected power of surfacing micro-details in product listings How to balance user preferences with innovation risks This episode is packed with insights from a trailblazing product leader who has run thousands of experiments at top product growth companies. It's essential listening for teams looking to shape user behavior through thoughtful product decisions. Enjoy this episode? Rate it and leave a review. It really helps others find the podcast.Learn more about Kristen and Irrational Labs ⁠here⁠.

Dan Petroski is the founder and winemaker of Massican Wines. Massican was recently acquired by Gallo and is the only solely white wine producer in Napa Valley—a region famed for reds. Dan is known as a world-class marketer, combining storytelling, positioning and distribution insights to make Massican what it is today. In our conversation, we discuss: The theory of pricing (and the sweet spot in wine pricing) Why you should build your distribution channel before the product The key to building a premium brand experience Massican's secret for reducing risk in a very risky market How to use language to build customer confidence  This episode is packed with fresh insights on pricing psychology, brand storytelling, and the art (and behavioral science) of crafting memorable customer experiences. Enjoy this episode? Rate it and leave a review. It really helps others find the podcast.Learn more about Kristen and Irrational Labs⁠ ⁠here⁠⁠.

Joel Burgess, co-founder of Soft Rains, and Dan Vader, Creative Director at Capybara Games, are the minds behind Grindstone, one of the most acclaimed indie puzzle games in recent years. Joel has worked on iconic titles like Watch Dogs: Legion and Skyrim. Dan, a long-time creative force at Capybara, has shaped the studio's reputation with beloved games like Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP. Together, Joel and Dan bring a fresh perspective on game design, combining narrative depth with challenging gameplay mechanics to engage players at a deeper level. In this episode, we explore: Which types of game mechanics drive retention What game designers know about onboarding users  What game designers have learned about leaderboards How pricing influences user behavior Tips on simplifying complex experiences (and when to make them more complex) Loaded with actionable insights, this episode is a must-listen for growth and design teams looking to build lasting engagement through intrinsic motivation and thoughtfully designed user experiences. Enjoy this episode? Rate it and leave a review. It really helps others find the podcast.Learn more about Kristen and Irrational Labs ⁠here⁠.

Cal Thompson is the VP of Product Design & Research at Headspace, where they lead a team dedicated to creating user-centered designs that drive real-world impact. Their focus is to combine design practices with rigorous research to help users achieve their meditation goals. Before Headspace, Cal served as a Design Director at Fjord San Francisco. In this episode, we explore: What key metric Headspace measures for active use The small feature change that increased engagement The one trick they use for copy-editing What drives people to re-engage with Headspace How pricing (free vs. paid) impacts user engagement  This episode is packed with practical takeaways for PMs and anyone interested in the psychology of habit creation. Enjoy this episode? Rate it and leave a review. It really helps others find the podcast. Learn more about Kristen and Irrational Labs here.

Trying something new is hard at the macro level. Yelp reviews reduce that uncertainty that comes with new things. But how do they help businesses achieve organic and meaningful reviews? In this episode, host Kristen Berman is joined by Akhil Kuduvalli Ramesh, VP of Consumer Product at Yelp. He explains why Yelp prefers quality over quantity when it comes to reviews and how your Yelp review creates community and helps new businesses. They also talk about high-frequency low-risk experience while taking a look at some studies and other companies' strategies, like Spotify's approximate nearest neighbor search. Stay tuned and learn the many features that are promoting human connection at Yelp! Jump straight into: (01:17) - Engineering behind a review: Reminders, thank you notes and opportune timing to enhance more reviews. (07:42) - Why do people write reviews? The common denominators the most frequent Yelp contributors share. (13:19) - Promoting human connection: The best hacks to make first reviews flow organically and be longer. (16:57 - Understanding search processes' verticals for different business categories in Yelp (and how they created the reorder button).  (26:15) - The perks of being a responsive business owner (and how Yelp facilitates clever questions to be answered by more than one person). (32:41) - Looking for something wildly different than ice cream: On Yelp's target diversification and the appearance of new kinds of experiences. Episode resources Connect with Akhil through https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhilkuduvalliramesh/ (LinkedIn) https://www.yelp.com/ (Yelp) Thank you for listening to Science of Change podcast. Reach out to Kristen through https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenberman/ (LinkedIn) and visit The Irrational Labs https://irrationallabs.com/ (website) for more information on behavioral science.  This show is presented by https://www.setsail.co/ (SetSail) and produced by Kristen Berman and https://www.studiopodsf.com/ (Studio Pod Media). The executive producer is Rachael Roberts. All episodes are written by Kristen Berman and Ying Lin with experts, script editing by Jack viewer. Special thanks to Lydia Trupe for fact checking and citations. Music and editing provided by https://nodalab.com/ (nodalab). 

You've probably heard of Asana or maybe you already use it in your workplace. In this episode, Paige Costello, Core Product Leader at Asana, joins the show to explain the features that help codify and amplify some of the key components that make work to actually work. We talk about interesting concepts such as deadline visibility, social loafing, long-term planning and authentic acts of recognition. Let's take a look at what work actually is and which are the most important (and sometimes hidden) gears that create productive work environments! Jump straight into: (01:42) - The coordination layer: Asana's role in helping teams plan and achieve their work together. (05:45) - A visual connection: How Asana's accurate deadline display turns procrastination into motivation. (10:05) - Is social loafing a real thing? Team productivity, accountability systems, being evaluated and why public tasks are so effective to overcome social loafing. (15:28) - Traction, focus and engagement drive: The tools that make it easier to break down big projects into small tasks. (21:41) - A manager's best friend: Asana's insights to make long-term planning and goal tracking easier. (25:37) - Setting the norm: Templates, updates and other features that help Asana work for every team structure and user. (31:03) - The power of compliments: Enabling specific and authentic acts of appreciation and the future of collaborative work management. Episode resources Connect with Paige Costello through http://linkedin.com/in/paigecostello/ (LinkedIn) http://asana.com (Asana) Thank you for listening to The Science of Change podcast. Reach out to Kristen through https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenberman/ (LinkedIn) and visit The Irrational Labs https://irrationallabs.com/ (website) for more information on behavioral science.  This show is presented by https://www.setsail.co/ (SetSail) (follow onhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/setsail/ ( LinkedIn))and produced by Kristen Berman and https://www.studiopodsf.com/ (Studio Pod Media). The executive producer is Rachel Roberts. All episodes are written by Jack Bueher. Music and editing provided by https://nodalab.com/ (nodalab).

In the last few years, buy now pay later has become the hottest development in the digital payment space. The flexibility of this type of models can bring many benefits for companies that know how to implement them, but the irrational decisions that can arise should also be part of a company's responsibility. In this episode, our host Kristen Berman talks with Nupur Kantamneni, responsible for Consumer Product, one of three product pillars at Affirm. We delve into the behavioral strategies that provide such a flexible business model for Affirm, as well as mental models and the positive emotions that come with free stuff. Join us and discover how loans inside Affirm are radically different from other credit companies! Jump straight into: (01:09) - Exploring how Affirm is helping users to understand the way that carts, payment methods and terms work. (07:46) - The compromise effect: The truth about comparison, decisions to save money and picking the middle options. (11:32) - Establishing mental models: The science behind the successful onboarding experiences within Affirm's savings accounts. (15:58) - Positive emotions that come with free stuff: Why the appeal of zero interest with full transparency and no hidden cost is simply irresistible. (18:48) - Affirm two ways to make revenue: Does the ‘buy now pay later' model encourage people to spend more? (24:13) - The challenge to set up our own payments and the alignment of incentives that lets Affirm stand out. (29:33) The opportunity to move my payment date: What are Affirm's flexibility offers that other lenders do not provide? (35:06) Virtual debit cards and the types of consumer products that Affirm is trying to offer to users and why some work and others don't. (39:24) - Choosing priorities and Affirm's responsibility to improve the life of its users. Episode resources https://www.affirm.com/ (Affirm) Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely Nupur Kantamneni https://www.linkedin.com/in/nupur-kantamneni-bb39b75b (Linkedin) Thank you for listening to Science of Change. Reach out to Kristen through https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenberman/ (LinkedIn) and visit The Irrational Labs https://irrationallabs.com/ (website) for more information on behavioral science.  This show is presented byhttps://www.setsail.co/ ( SetSail) (follow onhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/setsail/ ( LinkedIn)) and produced by Kristen Berman andhttps://www.studiopodsf.com/ ( Studio Pod Media). The executive producer is Rachael Roberts. All episodes are written by Kristen Berman and Ying Lin with experts, script editing by Jack viewer. Special thanks to Lydia Trupe for fact checking and citations. Music and editing provided byhttps://nodalab.com/ ( nodalab).

What are the most common mistakes people make looking for love online - and how do apps try to solve them? In this episode, host Kristen Berman talks with Jin Chua and Matt Gray, a pair of product leaders working at Match, one of the largest dating platforms in the US. They both share fundamental product design decisions to increase engagement between users, as well as the company's philosophy on attraction and the hard work from their team of dating experts giving super useful insight. Listen and discover the science behind opening the conversation by just being yourself! Jump straight into: (01:09) - Profile Engineering: How does Match's team of dating experts know the type of information that increases feelings of connection between strangers? (07:57) - Getting Started: The platform's onboarding process and the need for interaction to achieve a sense of compatibility. (16:37) - Overcoming the ‘shopping mindset': The most common mistakes that people make when looking for a match. (22:23) - The ‘Ghostbuster' feature: Fundamental product design decisions to increase engagement with messaging and gender differences in the dating world. (28:30) - The 37% rules, opening line alternatives, and features that make it easier to decide if it's better to keep meeting new people or settle down. (34:28) - Addressing the adoption rate of video calls inside the app and how dating apps will work in the future. Episode resources https://apps.apple.com/us/app/match-dating-relationships/id305939712 (Match) Follow Jin Chua on https://www.linkedin.com/in/jinchua/ (LinkedIn) Follow Matt Gray on https://www.linkedin.com/in/macray/ (LinkedIn) Thank you for listening to The Science of Change. Reach out to Kristen through https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenberman/ (LinkedIn) and visit The Irrational Labs https://irrationallabs.com/ (website) for more information on behavioral science.  This show is presented by https://www.setsail.co/ (SetSail) (follow on https://www.linkedin.com/company/setsail/ (LinkedIn)) and produced by Irrational Labs and https://www.studiopodsf.com/ (Studio Pod Media). Our executive producer is Rachael Roberts, all episodes are written by Kristen Berman and Ying Lin with expert script editing by Jack Buehrer. Special thanks Lydia Trupe for fact checking and citations.

Let's take a ride into some of the behavioral principles that made Lyft a trustworthy transportation solution for millions. In this episode, I'm joined by the almighty Kira Wampler. Kira has had a wildly incredible career launching and growing dozens of products. We talk about her time at Lyft: diving into the brand's core philosophy of “treating better” and how rating systems and incentives took Lyft into a more human approach. We also discuss her current efforts at Redesign Health, where she's trying to drive medical adherence and design chronic care. Plus, Kira shares the process of helping caregivers' jobs with Jasper, a smart planner for cancer care.  Jump straight into: (01:09) - “We treat you better”: Kira's work approach during her first days working at Lyft and why positive interactions are actually contagious.  (05:03) - The Undercover Lyft Program: A successful content experiment that got Lyft on the world's radar. (12:24) - The incentives that worked (and the ones that didn't): On the Lyft Mentor Program and how it consolidated trust among new drivers. (26:04) - Energizing Lyft users: Implementing a tipping system for drivers and ambiguity aversion. (32:39) - A peer-to-peer ride sharing: The complexity of Lyft's choice architecture when the app was launched. (36:15) - Redesign Health: How Kira is taking her expertise to fund the future of the healthcare sector with companies like Jasper. (43:20) - How is Jasper working to help people to take their medication regularly? Episode resources Connect with Kira through https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirawampler/ (LinkedIn) https://redesignhealth.com/ (Redesign Health) Thank you for listening to Science of Change. Reach out to Kristen through https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenberman/ (LinkedIn) and visit The Irrational Labs https://irrationallabs.com/ (website) for more information on behavioral science.  This show is presented by https://www.setsail.co/ (SetSail) and produced by Kristen Berman and https://www.studiopodsf.com/ (Studio Pod Media). The executive producer is Rachael Roberts. All episodes are written by Kristen Berman and Ying Lin with experts, script editing by Jack viewer. Special thanks to Lydia Trupe for fact checking and citations. Music and editing provided by https://nodalab.com/ (nodalab). 

Bert Lui is Co-founder & CPO at SetSail, an AI-powered sales tracking, motivation, and empowerment solution. Not only have they changed the classic incentive system within sales organizations, they figured out how to drive the right behaviors within that incentive system in sales. We deep dive on the trade-offs between extrinsic and intrinsic motivations, how being charismatic affects your sales, the thin line between compliments and gratitude and the pros and cons of quotas. So let's get ready to -wait for it- Set sail on this super fascinating episode of the Science Of Change! Jump straight into: (01:12) - Motivation to sell more and better: How SetSail makes it easier for sales reps to prioritize deals through goal visibility.  (06:01) - Intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation: On charisma and behavioral indicators that are essential to predict a closing deal. (13:03) - The pros and cons of leaderboards:  A practical example of what a weekly contest and prizes look like for sales reps inside SetSail. (20:59) - Playing to win: How does the SetSail reward model motivate middle and low ranked (and recent winners) sales reps? (25:16) - Don't overthink it: Psychological tips to reduce the fear of rejection, sales quotas and the goal to experiment on compensation size. (29:10) - Real-time feedback: What does Bert think the future of sales will look like?  Episode resources Connect with Bert through https://www.linkedin.com/in/bertlui/ (LinkedIn) https://www.setsail.co/ (SetSail) Thank you for listening to Science of Change. Reach out to Kristen through https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenberman/ (LinkedIn) and visit The Irrational Labs https://irrationallabs.com/ (website) for more information on behavioral science.  This show is presented by https://www.setsail.co/ (SetSail) and produced by Kristen Berman and https://www.studiopodsf.com/ (Studio Pod Media). The executive producer is Rachael Roberts. All episodes are written by Kristen Berman and Ying Lin with experts, script editing by Jack viewer. Special thanks to Lydia Trupe for fact checking and citations. Music and editing provided by https://nodalab.com/ (nodalab).

Letting a person into your home involves a careful evaluation process, but with the right behavioral principles, it can become a task that you can easily perform from your smartphone. In this episode, the talented Product Leader Jiaona Zhang shares the most significant lessons learned while being part of the Product Development team in Airbnb, such as the importance of progress trackers, real time feedback and host measurement beyond the guest reviews. Listen and learn how to build experiences that delight and bring the best out of each user! Jump straight into: (01:10) - Today's guest Jiaona Zhang introduction. (02:30) - Consider using progress trackers: Insights from the onboarding flow design for hosts at Airbnb. (09:03) - Trying to hit the mark: The science that makes uploading photos to Airbnb a less daunting experience. (10:59) - Rapid and relevant feedback: How Airbnb achieves small incremental changes in hosts' behavior and deals with bad experiences. (17:00) - Enabling more honest reviews: The secret sauce behind the rating system development in Airbnb. (23:07) - Measurement beyond the ratings: How response time impacts the way in which the app measures each host (and how that measurement improves the host behavior). (27:47) - Carrots and sticks: The value of public recognition and enhancing the communication between guests and hosts. (32:36) - Micro learnings from setting new norms: The link between interaction and comfort (and providing guests the choice to interact). (35:38) - Everyone wants to be delighted: Lessons from Jiaona's early gaming experience that have impacted her PM skills. (40:11) - A spirit of optimization: What change has Airbnb established over the last 10 years? Episode resources Connect with JZ through https://www.linkedin.com/in/jiaona/ (LinkedIn) and https://twitter.com/jiaonazhang?lang=en (Twitter) Thank you for listening to Science of Change. Reach out to Kristen through https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenberman/ (LinkedIn) and visit The Irrational Labs https://irrationallabs.com/ (website) for more information on behavioral science.  This show is presented by https://www.setsail.co/ (SetSail) and produced by Irrational Labs and https://www.studiopodsf.com/ (Studio Pod Media). Our executive producer is Rachael Roberts, all episodes are written by Kristen Berman and Ying Lin with expert script editing by Jack Buehrer. Special thanks Lydia Trupe for fact checking and citations.

It's well known that Netflix has made history by revolutionizing the way we consume and interact with TV series and movies. This process has required considerable experimentation and result testing, leading to the invention of a past time we now know and love: binge-watching. In this episode, Gibson Biddle, one of the leaders who established the fundamentals for Netflix success joins the show to have an insightful conversation from what predicts our movie preferences to conversion rates of free trials. We also get into a light chat on the ethics of autoplay and deep dive into the theory of revealed preferences. Ready for some Netflix and chill with Gibson and host Kristen Berman? Click the play button and enjoy this new episode of The Science of Change! Jump straight into: (01:10) - Introducing Gibson Biddle: A product leader who helped pave the way to success at Netflix. (02:46) - Early test results focused on retention improvement: Why waiting and anticipating may be the key to maximizing happiness from an experience. (09:45) - Non-intuitive preferences, enjoyment, and prediction errors: Is movie rating actually helping Netflix improve retention? (15:23) - Past behavior makes future choices: The essential data behind movie taste prediction. (17:33) - Revealed preferences and the effects of highlighting movies and shows: How much of my taste is determined by the algorithm? (23:43) - The radical binge-watch invention: A conscious perspective on the efficiency of episodic TV formats. (27:42) - Rapid-fire questions: Adapting the algorithm, the value of new members, free trial reminders, and Gibson's career on A/B testing for consumer behavior research. (37:07) - Positive actions payback: Explaining reciprocity principles and quitting brand benefits to grow trust in consumers. (39:49) - The balancing act between discipline and chaos: Gibson's career advice on constant experimentation.  Episode resources Connect with Gibson through https://twitter.com/gibsonbiddle?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor (Twitter) and https://www.linkedin.com/in/gibsonbiddle (LinkedIn) https://www.gibsonbiddle.com/ (Gibson Biddle: Product Leadership & Strategy) Thank you for listening to The Science of Change. Reach out to Kristen through https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenberman/ (LinkedIn) and visit The Irrational Labs https://irrationallabs.com/ (website) for more information on behavioral science.  This show is presented by https://www.setsail.co/ (SetSail) and produced by Kristen Berman and https://www.studiopodsf.com/ (Studio Pod Media). The executive producer is Rachael Roberts. All episodes are written by Jack Bueher. Music and editing provided by https://nodalab.com/ (nodalab). 

Next week, behavioral scientist and co-founder of Irrational Labs Kristen Berman returns. This time, she's sitting down with even more product pioneers and thought leaders from your favorite apps.  You'll hear conversations with guests like former Netflix product head Gibson Biddle as Kristen gets to the bottom of binge-watching. Listen to marketing powerhouse Kira Wampler breaking down how Lyft got us to ride in cars with strangers. VP of Webflow and former product leader at Airbnb explains how their review system created trust for both hosts and guests alike. And CPO Bert Lui from SetSail is changing the sales game, with an all new incentive system - rooted in none other than behavior science. And that's just the beginning.  What do these conversations tell us about our own behavior? What can we learn from the impact these apps have had on how we behave? And what tactics could be beneficial to your product? Kristen answers these questions and more with this 8-episode run taking us from February to mid April. So get ready to deep dive into The Science of Change!  This show is presented byhttps://www.setsail.co/ ( SetSail) and produced by Kristen Berman andhttps://www.studiopodsf.com/ ( Studio Pod Media). The executive producer is Rachel Roberts. All episodes are written by Jack Bueher. Music and editing provided byhttps://nodalab.com/ ( nodalab).

The Science of Change host and behavior scientist Kristen Berman is back again to save you from another classic holiday blunder: not keeping your New Year's Resolution. In this mini-isode, Kristen breaks down three behavior science principles that will help make sure your resolution sticks in 2022. Hint: one might involve getting a furry friend. But the best resolution of all? Make sure you follow and like The Science of Change for all-new episodes starting this January. Episode resources Thank you for listening to Science of Change. Reach out to Kristen through https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenberman/ (LinkedIn) and visit The Irrational Labs https://irrationallabs.com/ (website) for more information on behavioral science.  This show is presented by https://www.setsail.co/ (SetSail) and produced by Kristen Berman and https://www.studiopodsf.com/ (Studio Pod Media). The executive producer is Rachel Roberts. All episodes are written by Jack Bueher. Music and editing provided by https://nodalab.com/ (nodalab). 

The holidays are here and that means it's the season for gift giving! But how can you make sure you're giving the right gift this year? In this mini-sode, our host Kristen Berman uses behavior science to unwrap three common mistakes we make in exchanging gifts, as well as some tips on how to avoid them. Remember not all gifts are bought, sometimes we can put our creativity to work and think of something to give that will contribute to someone else's life in an unexpected way. Let's jump in! Episode resources Thank you for listening to Science of Change. Reach out to Kristen through https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenberman/ (LinkedIn) and visit The Irrational Labs https://irrationallabs.com/ (website) for more information on behavioral science.  This show is presented by https://www.setsail.co/ (SetSail) and produced by Kristen Berman and https://www.studiopodsf.com/ (Studio Pod Media). The executive producer is Rachel Roberts. All episodes are written by Jack Bueher. Music and editing provided by https://nodalab.com/ (nodalab). 

Who said numbers ain't fun? When it comes to football and sports in general, many fans try to develop a new way to connect with the game through analytics and predictions based on stats. Data research has become so important that it now determines how teams make decisions and how they operate as a whole, defining what their strategy is and even becoming the key to winning a championship. In this episode, Kristen talks with Eric Eager, VP of Research and Development at Pro Football Focus to discover the many ways in which they're changing the game of football with behavior science. Jump straight into: (01:27) - Get to know PFF: A football data collection and analysis firm for every single player in every single game that offers an entertainment platform. (08:39) - Trust in the numbers: On math-based playbook strategies versus intuition, risk aversion, and omission bias. (17:15) - Behavior and decisions made under pressure: What's behind the mistakes of a quarterback and a coach? (24:04) - How did the analytics revolution in sports start plus why it works so differently in football. (28:01) - Exploring the many ways data has changed football teams' draft and trade decisions and how that impacts their money cap. (34:58) - Drawing up trick plays meant to deceive the other team and how that applies to markets and real-life decisions. (38:37) - Home team advantage relevance: Discussing the fans' role when it comes to predictions. (41:31) - What's going to change for football in the future? Determined positions and the use of algorithms. Episode resources Connect with Eric through https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-eager-31a2a220 (LinkedIn) https://www.pff.com/ (PFF) Thank you for listening to Science of Change. Reach out to Kristen through https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenberman/ (LinkedIn) and visit The Irrational Labs https://irrationallabs.com/ (website) for more information on behavioral science.  This show is presented by https://www.setsail.co/ (SetSail) and produced by Kristen Berman and https://www.studiopodsf.com/ (Studio Pod Media). The executive producer is Rachel Roberts. All episodes are written by Jack Bueher. Music and editing provided by https://nodalab.com/ (nodalab).

What is the perfect job for you? In a world with thousands of companies and millions of job seekers, what's the most efficient way of finding your dream job? In this episode of Science of Change, Kristen talks to Ada Yu, Director of Product Management at LinkedIn, to understand how this platform helps people and companies find the perfect match while mitigating bias, helping seekers apply for the right openings, and making the hiring processes much easier for everyone. Job sites are marketplaces that are evolving, what might have worked yesterday to help you stand out may not do the trick next year. Jump into this conversation and learn from Ada the state-of-the-art strategies for hiring and what the difficult task of applying for a job and signing a contract will look like in the near future.  Jump straight into: (00:52) - Getting from search to hire: How LinkedIn helps job seekers and companies find the perfect match with present bias and stopping cues. (08:32) - Diversity, inclusion and equity: How LinkedIn nudges diverse applicants and recruiters towards job equity.  (13:51) - “Open for work” & “Easy Apply”: LinkedIn's response to the massive layout that hit during the COVID19 pandemic.   (17:45) - Cognitive overload and verified skills: Sorting applicants and job openings to showcase them in a digestible and truthful way. (24:51) - Applying, stretching and handling rejection: LinkedIn's strategies to increase your chance of getting a job that matches your skills.  (29:46) - Reshaping the workforce: Some changes we have seen in the professional world in the last years of online recruitment.   (34:14) - Dip a toe and step out!: Empowering seekers to identify companies committed to diversity and reaching out to new networks. (44:07) - The future of the job market: What is market signaling and what it's going to take to stand out in the future.  Episode resources Connect with Ada through https://www.linkedin.com/in/adayu/ (LinkedIn) http://www.linkedin.com (LinkedIn) Thank you for listening to Science of Change. Reach out to Kristen through https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenberman/ (LinkedIn) and visit The Irrational Labs https://irrationallabs.com/ (website) for more information on behavioral science.  This show is presented by https://www.setsail.co/ (SetSail) and produced by Kristen Berman and https://www.studiopodsf.com/ (Studio Pod Media). The executive producer is Rachel Roberts. All episodes are written by Jack Bueher. Music and editing provided by https://nodalab.com/ (nodalab).

Americans have a complicated relationship with diets, and obesity is a global epidemic rapidly becoming the single most preventable cause of costly chronic diseases. To talk about the difficulties of weight loss and how to overcome them, our host Kristen Berman talks to Julie O'Brien, behavioral scientist and former head of Applied Behavioral Science at WW. There are a ton of diets and weight loss programs out there, so does Weight Watchers actually work? What strategies have they developed to track new habits and break old ones? Tune in and learn Weight Watchers tactics to encourage people to eat better and stay motivated in the very difficult path of losing weight.  Jump straight into: (00:50) - How Weight Watchers fights Americans' complicated relationship with diets: The best way to introduce new habits and break existing ones.  (05:17) - Thinking about balance, moderation, and expectations: How to teach people awareness and build an identity around healthy habits.  (08:51) - Micro-habit changes and making-one time decisions: What triggers people to join WW and how do they keep motivation?  (15:52) - Some factors that make people stay longer on a diet: The highs and lows, and the challenge of tracking the path of weight loss. (21:11) - Set goals successfully and take action!: Figuring out your barriers and making a plan to overcome them. (24:07) - How does the WW point system work?: A simpler way to interpret a nutrition label to help you eat better.  Episode resources Connect with Julie through https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-o-brien-3282531a/ (LinkedIn) https://www.weightwatchers.com/us/ (WW) Thank you for listening to Science of Change. Reach out to Kristen through https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenberman/ (LinkedIn) and visit The Irrational Labs https://irrationallabs.com/ (website) for more information on behavioral science.  This show is presented by https://www.setsail.co/ (SetSail) and produced by Kristen Berman and https://www.studiopodsf.com/ (Studio Pod Media). The executive producer is Rachael Roberts. All episodes are written by Jack Bueher. Music and editing provided by https://nodalab.com/ (nodalab).

Behavior Change is hard, but if there is an area even harder to master it's personal finances. Things like saving and building a credit score are far from our favorite activities. In this episode of The Science of Change, Kristen talks to Product Manager and the Growth Lead for Credit Karma Money, Kyle Thibaut. Kyle and Kristen talk about getting people to save and spend, habit formation, removing friction, and overall changing people's relationship with money; all leading to Credit Karma's ultimate goal: automate our finances for us. Hop in and learn about this company's behavioral science and its expertise in defaulting people into good financial behavior. Jump straight into: (01:10) - How much do you have in your emergency fund?: Credit Karma's start as a savings account service. (10:51) - Instant Karma!: Getting people to spend money and sign up for their service with prize-linked spending.  (16:49) - Sorting old obstacles for debit card users: Removing friction, setting new users up quickly, and adding digital options to the user experience. (23:13) - How paternalistic should an app be?: Helping people save money and have a great credit score. (27:36) - Multi-step flows vs. single page forms: What works better for Credit Karma data collection. (30:56) - What is your job?: How ranking by popularity can decrease time and energy spent making choices.  (35:03) - What's next for Credit Karma?: The future of money, FinTechs, and how to make financial products for today and tomorrow.  Episode resources Connect with Kyle through https://twitter.com/kylethibaut?lang=es (Twitter) https://www.creditkarma.com/ (Credit Karma)  Thank you for listening to Science of Change. Reach out to Kristen through https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenberman/ (LinkedIn) and visit The Irrational Labs https://irrationallabs.com/ (website) for more information on behavioral science.  This show is presented by https://www.setsail.co/ (SetSail) and produced by Kristen Berman and https://www.studiopodsf.com/ (Studio Pod Media). The executive producer is Rachael Roberts. All episodes are written by Jack Bueher. Music and editing provided by https://nodalab.com/ (nodalab).

In this episode of Science of Change, our host Kristen Berman talks to one of the sharpest applied behavioral scientists out there and the Chief Product Officer at Big Health, Kelvin Kwong. The popular sleep app Sleepio and the anxiety therapeutic app Daylight are some of Big Health's products in the rising market of health apps. How have they managed to join behavioral science and clinical psychology methods into an online service? Kelvin and Kristen go deep on the science, the methods, and the effects that constitute Big Health's success; from getting people to learn new strategies to assessing their improvement and establishing commitment. Join this conversation and learn about the science behind your anxiety or sleep assistance mobile app.  Jump straight into: 01:12 - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and some of its counterintuitive but very efficient techniques: How sleep restriction works as a therapy for insomnia.  08:13 - Precommitment and dealing with failure: How Sleepio knows about your readiness to change and makes an assessment of your level of commitment.  11:51 - The Hurricane Effect and the optimism bias: What is the perfect moment to introduce people to useful techniques? Before or after a crisis? 16:00 - Big Health's focus on getting you better: Retention, follow-through, and getting users successfully to remission.   21:20 - What are the metrics that assess well-being?: How Big Health tailors your program and assesses your outcomes through a highly precise clinical survey.  24:27 - Behavioral science rapid-fire questions: On failing experiments, the use of scores, and why we often rationalize symptoms of mental illness.  28:31 - Combining clinical experience with behavioral science expertise: Is it possible to build a real “therapeutic alliance” through an app? 30:33 - The importance of uniqueness in psychology and the Barnum Effect: How Big Health understands your drivers and personalizes your experience using technology. 33:46 - On the future of digital mental health: Making the apps more efficient and intelligent based on people's digital behavior.  Episode resources Connect with Kelvin through https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelvinskwong/ (LinkedIn) https://www.bighealth.com/ (Big Health) Thank you for listening to Science of Change. Reach out to Kristen through https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenberman/ (LinkedIn) and visit The Irrational Labs https://irrationallabs.com/ (website) for more information on behavioral science.  This show is presented by https://www.setsail.co/ (SetSail) and produced by Kristen Berman and https://www.studiopodsf.com/ (Studio Pod Media). The executive producer is Rachael Roberts. All episodes are written by Jack Bueher. Music and editing provided by https://nodalab.com/ (nodalab).

In this second episode of The Science of Change, our host Kristen Berman dives into one of the most successful apps for language learning: Duolingo. Kristen sits with Duolingo's Head of Product Management Cem Kansu to talk about the ways this amazing app keeps people engaged and learning. From their daily streaks and batches, all the way to the length and difficulty of each exercise, Kristen and Cem unpack the behavioral science behind Duolingo App. Listen now and learn from the challenges, Cem and his team have managed to successfully solve in their commitment to education. Have you reached your daily goal? Jump straight into: (01:09) - How Duolingo keeps its users motivated: Reducing barriers and keeping streaks without losing the focus on learning. (05:11) - The sweet spot for creating a daily habit: How Duolingo uses freezes and repairs to keep users engaged in a gamified language-learning method.  (14:59) - Extrinsic vs. Intrinsic motivation: Why Duolingo asks you how much you want to practice every day.  (19:54) - AB Testing: The best tactics to get users to upgrade their subscription and try their Duolingo Plus free week.  (24:57) - Running out of lives?: How Duolingo makes you practice active learning by tracking your errors and making each answer count. (30:31) - The theory of learning: Levels, skills, and how to get people to dive into a new level of difficulty. (41:56) - Measuring for today and tomorrow: How Duolingo measures learning and what will be the future of learning a language on mobile.   Episode resources https://www.setsail.co/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/TheScienceOfChange_LiteratureSummary_Language.pdf (Additional reading, resources and literature review on language learninng ) Connect with Cem through https://www.linkedin.com/in/cemkansu/ (LinkedIn) https://en.duolingo.com/ (Duolingo) Thank you for listening to The Science of Change. Reach out to Kristen through https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenberman/ (LinkedIn) and visit The Irrational Labs https://irrationallabs.com/ (website) for more information on behavioral science.  This show is presented by https://www.setsail.co/ (SetSail) and produced by Kristen Berman and https://www.studiopodsf.com/ (Studio Pod Media). The executive producer is Rachael Roberts. All episodes are written by Jack Bueher. Music and editing provided by https://nodalab.com/ (nodalab).

Welcome to https://www.setsail.co/podcasts/ (The Science of Change podcast)! In this first episode, our host Kristen Berman kicks it off with a case study on an enormously successful company: Peloton. Kristen sits with David Packles, Senior Director of Product Management at Peloton Interactive, to unpack the behavioral tactics used by this game-changing home fitness enterprise. From the way they've crafted workouts to their engagement strategies such as leaderboards and streaks, Peloton's strategies look like a behavior science textbook. Join this conversation and peek inside the secrets behind Peloton.   Jump straight into: (01:09) - How Peloton has completely changed the home fitness game. (02:44) - Make it easier and shorter!: How Peloton figured out the perfect way to get the foot in the door. (07:07) - Building accountability and commitment: The story behind Peloton's customized social experience, plus“Here Now” and their coordinated start time features. (16:10) - Daily and weekly streaks: The pros and cons of using tracking motivation techniques and nudges.  (20:40) - Implementation intention: How to capture the attention of different people through challenges, entertainment, and social accountability. (23:51) - Do leaderboards really work?: Competition, presence, and simplifying the levels of success for users. (28:40) - Consistency vs. routine: The best way to create a working out habit. (35:32) - Explore and exploit: The importance of onboarding and letting people try different experiences and then settle into a habit. (38:13) - Quickfire questions on Peloton: Surprises, news, learnings, tips, and other words of wisdom from David. Episode resources https://www.setsail.co/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/TheScienceOfChange_LiteratureSummary_Exercise.pdf (Additional reading, resources and literature review on exercise & habits ) Connect with David through https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidpackles/ (LinkedIn) https://www.onepeloton.com/ (Peloton) Thank you for listening to Science of Change. Reach out to Kristen through https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenberman/ (LinkedIn) and visit The Irrational Labs https://irrationallabs.com/ (website) for more information on behavioral science.  This show is presented by https://www.setsail.co/ (SetSail) and produced by Kristen Berman and https://www.studiopodsf.com/ (Studio Pod Media). The executive producer is Rachael Roberts. All episodes are written by Jack Bueher. Music and editing provided by https://nodalab.com/ (nodalab).

Join host Kristen Berman, behavior scientist and co-founder of Irrational Labs, as she chats with visionary product and organizational leaders to uncover their insights about user behavior — and how they've managed to change it. She'll mash this up with some of the latest research in the field to get to the bottom of our core psychologies. So let's dive in and unlock the secrets behind The Science of Change.