Podcast appearances and mentions of Nir Eyal

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3717: Nir Eyal and Charles Wang explore the surprising value of embracing the mindset of an amateur rather than striving for rigid expertise. By focusing on curiosity, experimentation, and playfulness, we stay adaptable, avoid burnout, and discover deeper joy in learning. This approach invites growth by valuing exploration over perfection. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.nirandfar.com/train-to-be-amateur-not-expert/ Quotes to ponder: "An amateur is someone who does something because they love it." "Experts often feel the need to defend their knowledge and authority, while amateurs are open to questioning and rethinking what they know." "When we give ourselves permission to be amateurs, we free ourselves to learn without fear of failure." Episode references: Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise: https://www.amazon.com/Peak-Secrets-New-Science-Expertise/dp/0544947223 Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: https://www.amazon.com/Zen-Mind-Beginners-Informal-Meditation/dp/1590308492 So Good They Can't Ignore You: https://www.amazon.com/Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3717: Nir Eyal and Charles Wang explore the surprising value of embracing the mindset of an amateur rather than striving for rigid expertise. By focusing on curiosity, experimentation, and playfulness, we stay adaptable, avoid burnout, and discover deeper joy in learning. This approach invites growth by valuing exploration over perfection. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.nirandfar.com/train-to-be-amateur-not-expert/ Quotes to ponder: "An amateur is someone who does something because they love it." "Experts often feel the need to defend their knowledge and authority, while amateurs are open to questioning and rethinking what they know." "When we give ourselves permission to be amateurs, we free ourselves to learn without fear of failure." Episode references: Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise: https://www.amazon.com/Peak-Secrets-New-Science-Expertise/dp/0544947223 Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: https://www.amazon.com/Zen-Mind-Beginners-Informal-Meditation/dp/1590308492 So Good They Can't Ignore You: https://www.amazon.com/Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3717: Nir Eyal and Charles Wang explore the surprising value of embracing the mindset of an amateur rather than striving for rigid expertise. By focusing on curiosity, experimentation, and playfulness, we stay adaptable, avoid burnout, and discover deeper joy in learning. This approach invites growth by valuing exploration over perfection. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.nirandfar.com/train-to-be-amateur-not-expert/ Quotes to ponder: "An amateur is someone who does something because they love it." "Experts often feel the need to defend their knowledge and authority, while amateurs are open to questioning and rethinking what they know." "When we give ourselves permission to be amateurs, we free ourselves to learn without fear of failure." Episode references: Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise: https://www.amazon.com/Peak-Secrets-New-Science-Expertise/dp/0544947223 Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: https://www.amazon.com/Zen-Mind-Beginners-Informal-Meditation/dp/1590308492 So Good They Can't Ignore You: https://www.amazon.com/Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are your tech habits running the show, or are you in control? In the season finale of Empowering Real Talk, Keith Glascock joins Coach Kay to explore the art of setting boundaries with technology. Inspired by Indistractable by Nir Eyal, they dive into the impact of digital distractions and how they can quietly sabotage our focus, energy, and peace of mind.From mastering internal triggers to managing notifications, this episode is packed with practical insight to help you reset your digital routine. Whether you're a busy entrepreneur, corporate executive, or simply craving a more intentional life, this is your wake-up call to transform your tech habits and reclaim your time.Chapters:00:00 Introduction01:26 Digital Distractions04:45 Personal Experiences with Social Media09:04 Mastering Internal Triggers13:39 Creating Traction Over Distraction19:52 The Psychology of Notifications24:07 Commitments to Reduce Distractions27:26 Making a Pact for Change31:22 Final ThoughtsKeith Glascock is a seasoned data analyst and mindful technologist who redefined his relationship with social media after losing access to his Facebook account. Choosing not to return, he embraced a quieter digital life, trading 45 daily notifications for intentional tech habits. Keith now advocates for more humane technology, drawing from personal experience and professional insight to explore how devices shape our routines, attention, and connection.To learn more about Upgraded MindsetZ's products and services, visit www.upgradedmindsetz.life

This week's podcast is about habit formation. And Gmail is a good example of a moderate version of this that can be copied.You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.Here is the link to our Tech Tours.Here are the 4 psych hacks:Gmail is Habit Forming via a High Frequency Utility Over a Long TimeGmail is Internally Triggering. That's the Gold Standard.Gmail Has Task Completion Rewards. Ok But Not as Good as Variable Rewards.Gmail has Infinite Variability. But This Is More Powerful in Entertainment than a Utility.A lot of this is from the book Hooked: How to Build Habit Forming Products, by Nir Eyal. ---------I am a consultant and keynote speaker on how to accelerate growth with improving customer experiences (CX) and digital moats.I am a partner at TechMoat Consulting, a consulting firm specialized in how to increase growth with improved customer experiences (CX), personalization and other types of customer value. Get in touch here.I am also author of the Moats and Marathons book series, a framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.Support the show

Variable rewards once powered slot machines; now they're inside your pocket. Behavior-design expert Nir Eyal shows how modern apps turned casino psychology into daily routine. He unpacks the psychological levers hidden in everyday products.Hear the science and the clever design tricks that turn a few minutes into far more time than you intended.If knowledge is power, this episode hands you the switch.

Jeny Wood: Wild Courage Over an 18 year career at Google, Jenny Wood grew from entry-level to executive, most recently leading a large operations team that helped drive billions of revenue per year. In 2021, she started a passion project within Google called Own Your Career, which grew to one of the largest career development programs in Google's history. Her work has since been featured in Harvard Business Review, Entrepreneur, and Forbes and she's now the author of Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It*. Leadership is about serving others – and it's also ensuring that we take care of ourselves along the way. Sometimes leaders over-index on helping their organizations and teams, to their own detriment. In this conversation, Jenny and I explore where being a little more selfish might actually be better for everyone. Key Points Selfish redefined means having the courage to stand up for what you want. People want to join a winning team, even if they don't say that out loud. Guilt is natural, but always caving to it is self-defeating. Don't do work that's not actually promotable. There's no prize for an empty inbox. A belief like “I owe it to them,” may signal an over-commitment to the organization. They will not love you back. Appreciate truth when you get it, but don't sign up for a burned-out boss. It's inefficient to always be in the lead. Draft in another leader's wake. Resources Mentioned Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It* by Jenny Wood Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes Align Your Calendar to What Matters, with Nir Eyal (episode 431) The Ways Leadership Can Derail Us, with Bill George (episode 596) The Path to More Joy in Work and Life, with Judith Joseph (episode 734) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

Today's wisdom comes from Indistractable by Nir Eyal.   If you're loving Heroic Wisdom Daily, be sure to subscribe to the emails at heroic.us/wisdom-daily.   And… Imagine unlocking access to the distilled wisdom form 700+ of the greatest books ever written.   That's what Heroic Premium offers: Unlimited access to every Philosopher's Note. Daily inspiration and actionable tools to optimize your energy, work, and love. Personalized coaching features to help you stay consistent and focused   Upgrade to Heroic Premium →   Know someone who'd love this? Share Heroic Wisdom Daily with them, and let's grow together in 2025!   Share Heroic Wisdom Daily →

Imagine this: You walk into work on a normal Tuesday, coffee in hand, only to be called into an emergency all-hands meeting. Your division is being dissolved.Or perhaps your phone alerts you to another presidential directive that threatens your livelihood or community.Or a routine doctor's visit turns into a life-altering diagnosis, and treatments and medical appointments take the place of canceled plans.Or you stare at the remains of your home after a natural disaster tore through your region.In an instant, everything changes. Your carefully laid plans evaporate. The future becomes a blur. Your brain, in its protective wisdom, either goes into overdrive or shuts down completely.These scenarios have become increasingly common. When radical change strikes, most of us experience the sensation of having the rug pulled out from under us—whether through job loss, natural disaster, or events beyond our control.When our world transforms abruptly, our brains shift into survival mode, triggering the fight-or-flight response. While this reaction evolved to address immediate threats, it becomes problematic during extended periods of uncertainty, taking a significant physical toll. Research on “the selfish brain” reveals that our nervous system, attempting to minimize uncertainty, prioritizes energy flow to itself at the expense of the rest of the body, reducing oxygen and glucose delivery elsewhere.But when our instincts push us toward panic or paralysis, what actions should we take instead? Behavioral science offers a path from overwhelm to stability.You can read the Nir And Far blog post on: Finding Your Footing When The Ground Shifts Beneath You ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.Nir And Far, a podcast about business, behaviour and the brain by Nir Eyal. If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe on iTunes and leave an iTunes review. It will greatly help new listeners discover the show. Please visit my website Nir and Far for other info about my writing, books and teaching: ⁠⁠http://www.nirandfar.com/

"Busy implies activity, but not necessarily accomplishment." – Jones Loflin Today's featured #1 best-selling author is a father, husband, internationally recognized keynote speaker, coach, trainer, and beekeeper, Jones Loflin. Jones and I had a fun on a bun chat about his book that he co-authored with his daughter, “Focused As A Bee: Six Buzzworthy Strategies To Thrive In A Distracting World”, the importance of intentional rest, the value of learning from setbacks, and more!Key Things You'll Learn:How Jones became a licensed trainer for "Who Moved My Cheese"What helped Jones to gain the confidence to create his own content and write his book "Juggling Elephants"What keeps him energized after 29 years of businessHis favorite productivity strategy from his latest bookThe distinction between being busy and being focused on meaningful outcomesWhat helps Jones create an environment conducive to focus and productivityJones' Site: https://jonesloflin.com/Jones' Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001JP8MN2/allbooksThe opening track is titled, “North Wind and the Sun” by Trevin P. To listen to and download the full track, click the following link. https://compilationsforhumanity.bandcamp.com/track/north-wind-and-the-sunPlease support today's podcast to keep this content coming! CashApp: $DomBrightmonDonate on PayPal: @DBrightmonBuy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dombrightmonGet Going North T-Shirts, Stickers, and More: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/dom-brightmonThe Going North Advancement Compass: https://a.co/d/bA9awotYou May Also Like…Ep. 953 – How to Find Sweetness in Adversity with Amy Olmedo: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-953-how-to-find-sweetness-in-adversity-with-amy-olmedo/Ep. 508 – “Great Things Happen Every Day” with Phil Barth (@pjbarth): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-508-great-things-happen-every-day-with-phil-barth-pjbarth/Ep. 682 – “Leadership Begins with Motivation” with Dr. Danny Brassell (@DannyBrassell): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-682-leadership-begins-with-motivation-with-dr-danny-brassell-dannybrassell/179 - "Indistractable" with Nir Eyal (@nireyal): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/179-indistractable-with-nir-eyal-nireyal/Ep. 438 – “Acoustic Leadership” with Rick Lozano, CSP (@rick_lozano): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-438-acoustic-leadership-with-rick-lozano-csp-rick_lozano/#GNPYear3 Bonus Episode 2 – “Attention Management” with Maura Nevel Thomas (@mnthomas): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/gnpyear3-bonus-episode-2-attention-management-with-maura-nevel-thomas-mnthomas/288.5 (Host 2 Host Bonus) – “Choose the Right Mountain; Climb Faster!” with David Wood (@_playforreal): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/DavidWood2/Ep. 920 – The Surprisingly Simple Art of Getting It Done with Sam Bennett (@realsambennett): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-920-the-surprisingly-simple-art-of-getting-it-done-with-sam-bennett-realsambennett/Ep. 879 – No B.S. Time Management for Entrepreneurs with Ben Glass (@BenGlassLaw | @OfficialGLM): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-879-no-bs-time-management-for-entrepreneurs-with-ben-glass-benglasslaw-officialglm/Ep. 914 – Book More Business with Lois Creamer (@loiscreamer): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-914-book-more-business-with-lois-creamer-loiscreamer/#Bonus Ep. – “Structure Creates Freedom” with Brad A. Milford (@BAMilford): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/bonus-ep-structure-creates-freedom-with-brad-a-milford-bamilford/Ep. 706 - "The Life Is Too Short Guy" with Scott White (@ScottEWhite2): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-706-the-life-is-too-short-guy-with-scott-white-scottewhite2/Ep. 884 – How to Go From Stuck to Unstoppable with Murielle Marie Ungricht: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-884-how-to-go-from-stuck-to-unstoppable-with-murielle-marie-ungricht/

Your beliefs are tools, not truths.In 2006, U.S. Team freestyle skier Michelle Roark zoomed down the slope at her first Olympics, conquering hilly terrain that not even a 4×4 could handle. At 31, she was already years older than the average Olympic freestyle skier (24 years old at the time). She had fought through massive obstacles for half her life to get there.Roark was kicked out of her mother's house when she was 15 and spent the next three years living in a tent in Winter Park, Colorado. She worked three jobs to support herself. At 16, she qualified for the Olympics but sustained a knee injury that kept her out of the 1994 Olympics. Two more serious knee injuries, each right before the Olympic Games in 1998 and 2002, prevented her from competing. At one point, a coach told her she was never going to make it to the Games.But Roark knew what she wanted, believed she was capable of it, and refused to quit. She used the rehab time after her second knee surgery to pursue a degree in chemical engineering, which she eventually used to launch a business that she continues to run today. She competed in the 2010 Olympics at the age of 35.Belief is one of the most powerful forces in our lives. Roark's unflagging belief that she could be an Olympian brought that goal to fruition. In her mind, her Olympic future was inevitable.You can read the Nir And Far blog post on: Unlock Your Potential With The Power Of Belief ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.Nir And Far, a podcast about business, behaviour and the brain by Nir Eyal. If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe on iTunes and leave an iTunes review. It will greatly help new listeners discover the show. Please visit my website Nir and Far for other info about my writing, books and teaching: ⁠⁠http://www.nirandfar.com/

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3054: Nir Eyal and Lakshmi Mani explore how the “peak-end rule” shapes our memories, influencing the way we evaluate experiences and make future decisions. By intentionally crafting memorable high points and thoughtful endings, we can improve everything from daily routines to product design and customer satisfaction. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.nirandfar.com/2018/04/peak-end-rule.html Quotes to ponder: "The peak-end rule states that people judge an experience largely based on how they felt at its peak and at its end, rather than the total sum or average of every moment of the experience." "In the case of experiences, we remember the highlight and the ending." "The memories we take away from an experience influence how we evaluate those experiences, and whether we want to repeat them." Episode references: The Paradox of Choice: https://www.amazon.com/Paradox-Choice-Why-More-Less/dp/0060005696 Daniel Kahneman TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/daniel_kahneman_the_riddle_of_experience_vs_memory Thinking, Fast and Slow: https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Fast-and-Slow/dp/0374533555 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3054: Nir Eyal and Lakshmi Mani explore how the “peak-end rule” shapes our memories, influencing the way we evaluate experiences and make future decisions. By intentionally crafting memorable high points and thoughtful endings, we can improve everything from daily routines to product design and customer satisfaction. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.nirandfar.com/2018/04/peak-end-rule.html Quotes to ponder: "The peak-end rule states that people judge an experience largely based on how they felt at its peak and at its end, rather than the total sum or average of every moment of the experience." "In the case of experiences, we remember the highlight and the ending." "The memories we take away from an experience influence how we evaluate those experiences, and whether we want to repeat them." Episode references: The Paradox of Choice: https://www.amazon.com/Paradox-Choice-Why-More-Less/dp/0060005696 Daniel Kahneman TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/daniel_kahneman_the_riddle_of_experience_vs_memory Thinking, Fast and Slow: https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Fast-and-Slow/dp/0374533555 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1745: Nir Eyal explores how to use tools like Slack without letting them hijack your time and attention. Learn why internal triggers, not external notifications, are the real source of distraction, and how mastering them leads to greater focus, control, and productivity. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.nirandfar.com/slack-use/ Quotes to ponder: "Time management is pain management." "We don't get distracted because of the pings and dings, we get distracted because of what's going on inside of us." "The antidote to impulsiveness is forethought." Episode references: The Power of Now: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Now-Guide-Spiritual-Enlightenment/dp/1577314808 Indistractable: https://www.amazon.com/Indistractable-Control-Your-Attention-Choose/dp/194883653X Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1745: Nir Eyal explores how to use tools like Slack without letting them hijack your time and attention. Learn why internal triggers, not external notifications, are the real source of distraction, and how mastering them leads to greater focus, control, and productivity. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.nirandfar.com/slack-use/ Quotes to ponder: "Time management is pain management." "We don't get distracted because of the pings and dings, we get distracted because of what's going on inside of us." "The antidote to impulsiveness is forethought." Episode references: The Power of Now: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Now-Guide-Spiritual-Enlightenment/dp/1577314808 Indistractable: https://www.amazon.com/Indistractable-Control-Your-Attention-Choose/dp/194883653X Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the opening shot of the music video for “Throw Some Ass,” the camera scans a clinical white sign: “Sofi Tukker Center for Asses That Don't Move Good.” Inside the mock hospital, a heart monitor flatlines—until the beat drops. Suddenly, the music video erupts into a NSFW riot of sensual movement. To fans, the song is a catchy ode to booty shaking, but to Sophie Hawley-Weld, one half of electronic music duo Sofi Tukker, it was a revelation of her journey through chronic pain and the power of the mind.In 2018, Sophie and Tucker Halpern were in the middle of a whirlwind year—releasing their first (later Grammy-nominated) album, launching their own record label, and headlining tours—when Sophie began to have chronic migraines.“We were full-time touring … there was so much happening,” Sophie explained on the podcast Like Mind, Like Body. “We were going out five nights a week. We were traveling way crazier than we are now … Because our career was so new, we said yes to every opportunity, and it put our bodies through a strain. I didn't do the simple things as well, like take a walk and go get sunlight, all these things I've learned how to do since this [pain]. So my body was really confused.”For the next year and a half, Sophie endured debilitating chronic migraines that forced her to retreat to dark rooms. “I was having to cancel shows, and nothing was working.”Later, back pain created a destructive cycle when traditional medical approaches failed. She tried every drug and treatment she could find, but they didn't work. Doctors recommended cortisone injections for her back, which only intensified her fear and worsened her condition—a phenomenon well-documented in pain studies.As a performing artist, her inability to move without pain didn't just affect her health; it jeopardized her thriving career.Yet today, Sophie has been nearly pain-free for almost seven months. How did she get there?You can read the Nir And Far blog post on: The Pain Paradox: How Fear of Pain Creates More Pain ⁠here⁠.Nir And Far, a podcast about business, behaviour and the brain by Nir Eyal. If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe on iTunes and leave an iTunes review. It will greatly help new listeners discover the show. Please visit my website Nir and Far for other info about my writing, books and teaching: ⁠http://www.nirandfar.com/

Some tools are built to help us grow; to learn, connect, or reach meaningful goals. But eventually, we might ask: are these tools still working for us, or have they hooked us and quietly turned us into their tool? This question has been on my mind since I started using Duolingo seventy-six days ago. I had just returned from a trip to Finland and wanted to keep learning a bit of Finnish: nothing too intense, just some gentle exposure to the language each day. From what others had said, Duolingo seemed like the ideal tool. I started on the free version. It offered just enough. However, I was soon being nudged constantly toward the premium upgrade. Eventually, I gave in and accepted the offer of a 7-day trial. Before I knew it, £68.99 was taken from my account. Dagh! I had forgotten to cancel in time. That was frustrating. But what I noticed next was fascinating. Over time, I realised I was no longer using Duolingo to expand my learning outside of the app. I was using it to keep my streak alive inside it. It works. And it works well. But it also works against us (and our bigger picture aspirations). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8tC3VtbgSk The Hook Model in Action This shift in behaviour mirrors the “Hook Model” described by Nir Eyal in his book Hooked, which outlines how habit-forming products are designed to draw us in and keep us there. The hook model follows a four-step cycle: Trigger – External cues like notifications or internal ones like guilt or fear of missing out. Action – The easiest possible behaviour in response to the trigger, like opening the app or doing a lesson. Variable Reward – Unpredictable reinforcement like badges, praise, or social validation that keeps us engaged. Investment – The time, energy, or money we've already poured into the product, which makes it harder to walk away. This system is incredibly effective at building engagement, but it often does so by subtly shifting our focus from what we originally cared about to what keeps the platform profitable. When the Tool Hooks Us What starts as a helpful tool can morph into a system that prioritises retention over transformation. Only 0.1% of Duolingo users ever complete a full course. That isn't a design flaw; it's the business model. The goal is not to help us complete something, but to keep us inside the ecosystem. Duolingo began nudging me toward other courses I hadn't asked for. Music theory. Chess. It was no longer about Finnish. It was about keeping me engaged, clicking, and coming back. This is when a tool becomes a trap, not because it stops working, but because it starts working too well at the wrong thing (keeping us engaged). From Motivation to Manipulation This isn't just about language apps. It's about how many of our digital experiences are shaped by systems designed to extract our wealth and capture our attention, energy, and even our identity. In Punished by Rewards, Alfie Kohn warns that external motivators like badges, praise, or pizza vouchers for reading not only influence behaviour but also diminish it. Over time, we stop asking “Why do I care about this?” and instead ask “What do I get for it?” In The Burnout Society, philosopher Byung-Chul Han argues that we have shifted from a culture of external discipline to one of internalised self-optimisation. We no longer rely on a manager or teacher to pressure us; instead, we pressure ourselves. Rest is viewed as a failure. Play is considered wasted time. Self-worth is now linked to productivity. Apps like Duolingo thrive in this cultural moment. They don't just support our goals; they reshape them. We start wanting to learn a language and end up wanting to maintain a streak. What once felt like growth begins to feel like a contract we're stuck in. The Rocket Booster Test Good tools (as well as teachers, programs, coaches, therapists, etc) should be like solid rocket boosters: they help us launch,

Being easily distracted by the latest technologies has been a consistent feature of the human race since the time of Plato. But is the technology to blame? Or is the key to being more productive and present in life have to do with forming healthy habits around the technology?Nir Eyal, writer, consultant, and former lecturer in marketing at Stanford, is the author of Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life and Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products. In his work, Nir explores the psychology behind habit-forming technology.Nir and Greg discuss the positive applications of habit-forming technologies, the timeless nature of distraction, the importance of forethought in combating impulsiveness, and practical strategies for becoming “Indistractable.” *unSILOed Podcast is produced by University FM.*Episode Quotes:The antidote to impulsiveness is forethought15:32: Studies have found that 90% of your distractions are not external triggers. They do not come from the outside world. Ninety percent of the time you check your phone, you check your phone not because of a ping, ding, or ring, but because of an internal trigger. Because 90% of distractions begin from within. They start because of these internal triggers. What are internal triggers? Internal triggers are uncomfortable emotional states—boredom, loneliness, fatigue, uncertainty, anxiety. This is the source of 90% of our distractions. So what that means is, when you let those impulses take over, right? The antidote to impulsiveness is forethought. When you allow yourself to check social media or watch something on the news or whatever it is that is not what you want to do, because of an immediate sensation, that tends to be, 90% of the time, the source of the problem. That is when it becomes something of, “Oh my gosh, what was I doing? I wasted the whole day worrying about somebody else's problems online,” as opposed to what I really need to do. Whereas if you plan that time in advance, it is fine. There is nothing wrong with it.How do you become indistractable?50:42: The first step to becoming indistractable is mastering internal triggers, or they will master you. So you can have the best tools, the best life hacks, the best—all that stuff. But if fundamentally you do not know how to deal with that sensation, you do not know how to process boredom, loneliness, fatigue, uncertainty, anxiety—if you do not know what to do with that sensation—you are always going to find a way to escape.Humans adapt and adopt with every new technology07:29: The solution is not to abandon the technology. The solution is to make it better, to do what we as Homo sapiens have always done. We have always done two things in the face of dramatic technological innovation. What we have done is to adapt and to adopt, right? We adapt our behaviors. We adapt to new social norms. We adapt to the downsides of these behaviors by changing our manners, and then we adopt new technologies to fix the last generation of technologies.Show Links:Recommended Resources:AkrasiaPaul VirilioPeter GrayAmy Edmondson | unSILOedRobert D. PutnamGuest Profile:Official Website Professional Profile on LinkedInGuest Work:Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your LifeHooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products

Are you the person who's constantly checking your phone…and it's driving everyone in your life crazy?  Your attention is a valuable commodity, and everyone wants a piece of it. That's why distractions are everywhere. But the real problem isn't your phone, social media, or the flashing electronic billboards all vying for your attention.  Distractibility comes from something much deeper. This conversation sheds light on the little-known truth about why we really get distracted and provides a proven 4-step system to reclaim your attention.   What You'll Learn: 4:02 The internal triggers that lead to distractions 5:12 Why time management is actually pain management 8:38 The reason ADHD diagnoses in America exceed Europe 12:02 The 4-step system to become indistractable 20:58 Why to-do lists are sabotaging your productivity 25:12 How to hack back external triggers that steal your time 30:33 The creative professional's guide to structured inspiration Today, Ginni Saraswati welcomes bestselling author and behavioral design expert Nir Eyal. After a gut-check moment with his daughter made him recognize how distraction was damaging his most important relationships, Nir wanted to understand the psychology behind our inability to focus. His research uncovered that everything we do, every product we use, every action we take stems from one fundamental human drive. You'll learn what drives us to distraction, and why ADHD diagnoses are skyrocketing in America. He shares facts about the dangerous psychological dependency we're creating with pharmaceutical solutions, and why "pills don't teach skills." Nir shares his personal toolkit for becoming indistractable, including the concentration crown technique that transformed his family dynamics and the identity shift that makes focus effortless. Most importantly, you'll learn how to harness the “skill of the century”: becoming “indistractable”.  Connect with Nir Eyal: Website: https://www.nirandfar.com/ Book: Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life Connect with Ginni: Website: https://ginnisaraswati.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theginnishow/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginnisaraswati Ginni Media: www.ginnimedia.com Got a great show topic idea? A guest you'd love to see on the Ginni Show? Tell us about it: (844) 543-1772

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3644: Nir Eyal and Stuart Luman explore how the ancient fear of being left out has been supercharged by modern technology, leading to a constant state of distraction and anxiety. By embracing the Joy of Missing Out (JOMO), they show how we can shift from reactive behavior to intentional living. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.nirandfar.com/2015/01/fomo.html Quotes to ponder: "FOMO is an ancient fear, lodged deep in our brains, that we might be left out or left behind." "Technology didn't create the problem; it just made it more visible and pervasive." "JOMO comes when you stop looking at what you may be missing and start appreciating what you have." Episode references: Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products: https://www.amazon.com/Hooked-How-Build-Habit-Forming-Products/dp/1591847788 Drive by Daniel Pink: https://www.amazon.com/Drive-Surprising-Truth-About-Motivates/dp/1594484805 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You're not lazy. You're just listening to the wrong voice in your head. This episode breaks down 5 invisible saboteurs that make you think you're stuck. The reality is you're just thinking the wrong thoughts. Think of your brain like an iPhone. If it runs on a 2012 mindset, don't expect 2025 results. Sam dives into the limiting beliefs that sneak into our self-talk, from the myth of perfectionism to the lie that you “don't have enough willpower.” You'll hear how comedians bomb for years, why imposter syndrome gets worse with success, and what cats can teach us about distraction. Flip the script on your inner critic before it sets the tone for your day. Ditch “I need to be ready” and build momentum instead. Learn to treat willpower like an emotion, not a battery. You're one mindset shift away from progress. ------- NEW SHOW - How to Change the World Sam's new show can be found on major podcast players: Spotify - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Can't find it on your player? RSS feed - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ------- UPGRADE to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Premium⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠:

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3644: Nir Eyal and Stuart Luman explore how the ancient fear of being left out has been supercharged by modern technology, leading to a constant state of distraction and anxiety. By embracing the Joy of Missing Out (JOMO), they show how we can shift from reactive behavior to intentional living. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.nirandfar.com/2015/01/fomo.html Quotes to ponder: "FOMO is an ancient fear, lodged deep in our brains, that we might be left out or left behind." "Technology didn't create the problem; it just made it more visible and pervasive." "JOMO comes when you stop looking at what you may be missing and start appreciating what you have." Episode references: Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products: https://www.amazon.com/Hooked-How-Build-Habit-Forming-Products/dp/1591847788 Drive by Daniel Pink: https://www.amazon.com/Drive-Surprising-Truth-About-Motivates/dp/1594484805 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3644: Nir Eyal and Stuart Luman explore how the ancient fear of being left out has been supercharged by modern technology, leading to a constant state of distraction and anxiety. By embracing the Joy of Missing Out (JOMO), they show how we can shift from reactive behavior to intentional living. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.nirandfar.com/2015/01/fomo.html Quotes to ponder: "FOMO is an ancient fear, lodged deep in our brains, that we might be left out or left behind." "Technology didn't create the problem; it just made it more visible and pervasive." "JOMO comes when you stop looking at what you may be missing and start appreciating what you have." Episode references: Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products: https://www.amazon.com/Hooked-How-Build-Habit-Forming-Products/dp/1591847788 Drive by Daniel Pink: https://www.amazon.com/Drive-Surprising-Truth-About-Motivates/dp/1594484805 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1706: Nir Eyal breaks down how to build better habits by leveraging the same psychological principles that make apps and products so addictive. By understanding internal triggers and reinforcing behavior through simple, consistent cues, anyone can design habits that stick, without relying on sheer willpower. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.nirandfar.com/habit-forming/ Quotes to ponder: "Behavior that gets rewarded gets repeated." "The best products don't win by being the most habit-forming, they win by being the most useful and easiest to use." "All habits start with a trigger, a cue to act." Episode references: Atomic Habits: https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0735211299 BJ Fogg's Behavior Model: https://www.behaviormodel.org/ Hooked: https://www.amazon.com/Hooked-How-Build-Habit-Forming-Products/dp/1591847788 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1706: Nir Eyal breaks down how to build better habits by leveraging the same psychological principles that make apps and products so addictive. By understanding internal triggers and reinforcing behavior through simple, consistent cues, anyone can design habits that stick, without relying on sheer willpower. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.nirandfar.com/habit-forming/ Quotes to ponder: "Behavior that gets rewarded gets repeated." "The best products don't win by being the most habit-forming, they win by being the most useful and easiest to use." "All habits start with a trigger, a cue to act." Episode references: Atomic Habits: https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0735211299 BJ Fogg's Behavior Model: https://www.behaviormodel.org/ Hooked: https://www.amazon.com/Hooked-How-Build-Habit-Forming-Products/dp/1591847788 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The true joy of parenthood lies in watching our children unfold into their authentic selves. Week by week, month by month, year by year, they evolve into increasingly complex human beings with their own preferences, talents, and perspectives. Yet in our eagerness to know them—and as a natural result of our constant proximity—we often fall into the trap of assigning fixed identities to them prematurely.As humans, we instinctively categorize and label the world around us. But when applied to developing children, this tendency can be not just unfair but actively harmful to their growth potential.You can read the Nir And Far blog post on: Let's Not Decide Who Kids Are Before They Do here.Nir And Far, a podcast about business, behaviour and the brain by Nir Eyal. If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe on iTunes and leave an iTunes review. It will greatly help new listeners discover the show. Please visit my website Nir and Far for other info about my writing, books and teaching: http://www.nirandfar.com/

Alex Strathdee is the founder of Shelf Life, a company he started at age 22 to fix the scam-filled book marketing world. Now 28, Alex leads a team of 17 from San Diego, generating over $1 million a year and working with top authors like Dan Heath, Nir Eyal, Lewis Howes, Reid Hoffman, and Carrie Bentley. After leaving a six-figure software job, Alex built Shelf Life into a go-to resource for authors seeking real results in book marketing. His unique journey, tech-forward approach, and deep understanding of both the publishing and marketing landscapes make him a standout guest for anyone interested in turning books into a thriving business. On this episode we talk about: How Alex started Shelf Life and transitioned from a six-figure tech job to entrepreneurship The biggest challenges authors face in selling books after publishing The evolution and current state of Amazon ads for book marketing Leveraging podcasts as a powerful business development and networking tool Creative strategies for landing high-profile clients and building credibility in a crowded market Actionable book marketing tactics, including giving away free copies and building authentic relationships with readers The importance of audiobooks and trends in book consumption Why authors should focus on genuine marketing over vanity metrics like “bestseller” status Top 3 Takeaways Podcasting is a Trojan horse for business development: Hosting a podcast enabled Alex to build relationships with top authors, land major clients, and learn from industry leaders—all while growing his business organically. Give value before asking for value: Offering free copies of a book to the right audience can turn readers into fans and generate authentic reviews, which is far more effective than focusing on paid bestseller campaigns or cold outreach. Tech-forward thinking wins: Understanding technology—even at a basic level—helps entrepreneurs move faster, automate processes, and stay ahead of less agile competitors in marketing and publishing. Notable Quotes "It's way easier to get someone to come on and talk to you for 30-60 minutes during an interview than it is to be like, 'Hey, can I talk to you about marketing my books?'" "A book from a no-name author is an undifferentiated product from someone with no reputation. You're not just asking for their money, you're asking for their time." "The second you learn how to do something, you need to learn how not to do it—that's how you grow and scale." Connect with Alex Strathdee: Website: https://getshelflife.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I can't tell you how many conversations I've had with friends and readers who feel stuck in jobs that don't fulfill them. They're not necessarily in toxic work environments or dealing with poor treatment (although that happens too—it's the main cause of dissatisfaction at work). More often, they're simply bored, feel undervalued, or think their work doesn't matter.They're not alone. A 2024 Gallup report found that 62 percent of people globally are not engaged at work, and another 15 percent are actively disengaged. That means nearly 8 in 10 people feel checked out while on the clock.Our job enables us to provide for ourselves and our families, but that can make us feel all the more shackled to a work situation that makes us miserable or unfulfilled. Are we meant to suck it up? Do we just have to accept the fact that not everyone gets to have a fulfilling job?No. Even when your job doesn't seem meaningful, you can still create meaning. Fulfillment doesn't have to be something your job gives you. It can be something you bring to your job.You can read the Nir And Far blog post on: How to Find Fulfillment When Your Job Doesn't Provide It here.Nir And Far, a podcast about business, behaviour and the brain by Nir Eyal. If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe on iTunes and leave an iTunes review. It will greatly help new listeners discover the show. Please visit my website Nir and Far for other info about my writing, books and teaching: http://www.nirandfar.com/

That flutter of excitement when someone likes your post. The warm glow after your boss praises your presentation. The slight panic when your work receives criticism instead of praise. Sound familiar?We've all been conditioned to seek approval from our families, friends, and bosses before taking action. But here's the uncomfortable truth: we'll never live on our own terms if we live by external validation."For those with high need for approval, their self-esteem is correlated with how positively they believe others perceive them," concluded researchers in one study. This dependency creates a psychological trap where your sense of worth becomes hostage to others' opinions—opinions that are fickle, subjective, and completely beyond your control.You can read the Nir And Far blog post on: Why Seeking Approval is Killing Your Potential here.Nir And Far, a podcast about business, behaviour and the brain by Nir Eyal. If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe on iTunes and leave an iTunes review. It will greatly help new listeners discover the show. Please visit my website Nir and Far for other info about my writing, books and teaching: http://www.nirandfar.com/

➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory In this "Lessons" episode, behavioral design expert Nir Eyal explains how to eliminate distractions by aligning your calendar with your core values—starting with yourself, your relationships, and finally, your work. Learn how the regret minimization framework helps you protect your time like money, why scheduling self-care and reflective work reduces future regrets, and how mastering internal triggers like boredom or anxiety is the first step toward becoming truly indistractable and living with intention.➡️ Show Linkshttps://successstorypodcast.com YouTube: https://youtu.be/u5R-IxjC2yA Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nir-eyal-habit-procrastination-expert-how-to-stay-focused/id1484783544 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7hqAz3pxSiqjf4wd6lYcwH ➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Timeboxing is the most powerful time-management technique. However, there is no one way to timebox. Some people keep the same schedule every week and review it on Sundays. Others change their timeboxed calendar daily and review it the night before.Some people use a spreadsheet in 30 or 15-minute increments, others use Google Calendar, and others use one of the many timeboxing apps available.This step-by-step guide, plus timeboxing examples from real people, will help you figure out what timeboxing looks like for you.Remember: No productivity technique is effective and easy. It's going to be effective and hard. Nothing will magically solve time management without some effort.You can read the Nir And Far blog post on: How Successful People Timebox here.Nir And Far, a podcast about business, behaviour and the brain by Nir Eyal. If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe on iTunes and leave an iTunes review. It will greatly help new listeners discover the show. Please visit my website Nir and Far for other info about my writing, books and teaching: http://www.nirandfar.com/

Author, speaker, founder, investor and behavioral design maestro Nir Eyal joins me for his second appearance on the show. Today, we dig into Nir's first book, “Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products.” We also discuss the difference between coercion and persuasion, AI's use case as our personal Jiminy Cricket and MUCH more! I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, “Hmm, that's interesting!”, check out our Substack. Important Links: Nir's personal blog Nir's LinkedIn Nir's Twitter Nir's YouTube channel Nir's Habit Tracking Tool Nir's Schedule Maker Tool Show Notes: What Makes Silicon Valley's Tech Products So Sticky? The Morality of Manipulation The Perils of Legalized Gambling Twitter is for Journalists and Nerds AI for Behavioural Design Believing in our own Agency On Labels and Limiting Identities Pills Don't Teach Skills The Power of an Internal Locus of Control Escaping Discomfort & Getting Hooked AI as a Self-Directed Personal Tutor Nir As Emperor of the World Books Mentioned: Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products; by Nir Eyal Influence; by Robert Cialdini Sick Souls, Healthy Minds: How William James Can Save Your Life; by John Kaag

Have you ever cringed while showering, suddenly remembering something embarrassing you said years ago? That memory still feels so fresh, so real—but what if I told you it might be entirely distorted?We navigate life believing our memories are faithful recordings of the past. We replay conversations with crystal-clear certainty, convinced that what we remember is exactly what happened. But here's the uncomfortable truth: our brains are unreliable narrators.You can read the Nir And Far blog post on: Stop Gaslighting Yourself: Why Your Memory Isn't as Reliable as You Think here.Nir And Far, a podcast about business, behaviour and the brain by Nir Eyal. If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe on iTunes and leave an iTunes review. It will greatly help new listeners discover the show. Please visit my website Nir and Far for other info about my writing, books and teaching: http://www.nirandfar.com/

Nir Eyal, bestselling author of "Hooked" and "Indistractable", joins Fabian Tausch to discuss how to design habit-forming products, balance personal focus, and build a life free from distractions. Nir shares his unique insights on the psychology of habits, why most people misunderstand distraction, and how founders can create meaningful, ethical products that improve users' lives. What You'll Learn in This Episode: How to Build Habit-Forming Products: The Hook Model and how it helps create products that build healthy customer habits Why ethical design is critical when building products that people use frequently Becoming Indistractable: The difference between traction and distraction and why intent is everything How to master internal triggers—the root cause of most distractions—and take control of your time Time Management and Productivity: Why to-do lists often fail and how time-boxing can completely change how you work Practical strategies to prioritize reflective work over reactive tasks like emails and meetings Balancing Responsibility as a Founder: How to define your responsibility when building habit-forming products Why founders should consider a use and abuse policy to address overuse of their products Nir's Approach to Angel Investing: How Nir chooses to invest in startups using the Hook Model to create positive, habit-forming products Examples of impactful companies Nir has supported, like Calm and Sunnyside, and how they create value ALL ABOUT UNICORN BAKERY: https://zez.am/unicornbakery  Where to find Nir: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nireyal/  Website: https://www.nirandfar.com/  Join our Founder Tactics Newsletter: 2x die Woche bekommst du die Taktiken der besten Gründer der Welt direkt ins Postfach: https://www.tactics.unicornbakery.de/  Chapters: (00:00:00) Who did you write your books for and what is the message? (00:04:11) As a founder, what responsibility do I have to the user-terms of consuming my product? (00:09:18) How much can I leave users to their own responsibility to use my product and should I include safety elements in my product? (00:17:07) How do you feel about the fact that too often overconsumption (e.g. alcohol) is laughed at rather than criticized because it is "normal"? (00:21:16) Is too much self-optimization unhealthy, even if you are happy with your situation? (00:23:49) What levers can I move if I feel too much outside influence is affecting my focus on my own projects? (00:29:09) How important is repetition when you want to tackle things and make them happen, and how do you get rid of external triggers that distract you? (00:38:32) What is your perspective on the topic of To Do - Lists? (00:44:42) How does your knowledge of focus and productivity influence your work as an angel investor?

This guest post is by Jenny Wood, a former Google executive who led one of the company's biggest career programs, helping thousands take charge of their professional growth. Her new book, Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It, is a bold guide to standing out and getting ahead by embracing 9 unexpected traits.Most professionals don't struggle with time management. They struggle with people-pleasing.From an early age, we're conditioned to say “yes.” Yes to additional responsibilities. Yes to impromptu meetings. Yes to anything that signals we're cooperative team players. But this automatic response creates a significant dilemma: every time we say yes to something inessential, we're implicitly saying no to work that actually matters.As Nir Eyal points out in Indistractable, if you don't take control of your time, someone else will.You can read the Nir And Far blog post on: https://www.nirandfar.com/protect-your-focus/Nir And Far, a podcast about business, behaviour and the brain by Nir Eyal. If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe on iTunes and leave an iTunes review. It will greatly help new listeners discover the show. Please visit my website Nir and Far for other info about my writing, books and teaching: http://www.nirandfar.com/

Kids are suffering. In the United States, 13 percent of three- to 17-year-olds had a mental or behavioral health diagnosis. That number climbs to 20.3 percent among teens aged 12 to 17 (as of 2023). Globally, 15 percent of 10- to 19-year-olds have a mental health disorder.You're right in thinking it hasn't always been like this. There's been a sharp spike in recent years—even before the COVID-19 pandemic's contribution. Between 2012 and 2018, there was a 34.6 percent increase in child mental illness. ADHD, anxiety, depression, and behavior/conduct problems are the most common conditions afflicting youth. Diagnoses of depression in children aged 3 to 17 grew 27 percent from 2016 to 2020.Parents and teachers often blame social media for rising teen depression rates. But many studies show only a correlation between the two (and a low one at that), not causation. It's just as or more likely that kids experiencing poor family dynamics, a lack of autonomy, academic pressures, or other issues find solace and distraction in excessive social media use. Too much tech use is a symptom of a deeper problem, not the sole cause.As mental health diagnoses surge, so does the reliance on therapy and medication. While these interventions can be helpful, they are reactive rather than preventive. To support children's mental health, we need to focus on one of the root causes.But what exactly about modern childhood environments is making kids so unhappy? The answer lies in understanding the stark gap between what children need psychologically and what their daily lives actually provide.You can read the Nir And Far blog post on: https://www.nirandfar.com/kids-mental-health-crisis/Nir And Far, a podcast about business, behaviour and the brain by Nir Eyal. If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe on iTunes and leave an iTunes review. It will greatly help new listeners discover the show. Please visit my website Nir and Far for other info about my writing, books and teaching: http://www.nirandfar.com/

Did you like the episode? Send me a text and let me know!!Launching Your Physical Product: Prototyping to MarketingIn this episode of 'Business Conversations With Pi,' Skoob and his AI co-host, Pi, delve into the essential steps for new entrepreneurs launching physical products. The discussion offers comprehensive advice on market research, design, prototyping, manufacturing, and marketing strategies. Listeners will learn about tools like CAD software and 3D printing, gather tips for refining prototypes, and receive guidance on creating a strong brand identity and effective pricing strategy. The episode also includes book recommendations to further support entrepreneurial success. Whether you're just starting out or looking to enhance your existing strategies, this episode is packed with actionable insights. "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries:   "Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products" by Nir Eyal:"Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind" by Al Ries and Jack Trout: "The Ultimate Sales Machine" by Chet Holmes:00:00 Introduction to Business Conversations with Pi00:46 Meet Your Hosts: KU and Pi01:11 Diving into Entrepreneurial Questions01:59 Special Focus: Sunglasses Startup02:37 Steps to Launching a Product03:42 Prototyping Tips for Sunglasses04:49 Getting Help with CAD and 3D Printing05:50 Marketing and Pricing Strategies06:54 Recommended Reading for Entrepreneurs07:59 Final Words of Wisdom08:24 Conclusion and Next Steps Thank you for being a Skoobeliever!! If you have questions about the show or you want to be a guest please contact me at one of these social mediasTwitter......... ..@djskoob2021 Facebook.........Facebook.com/skoobamiInstagram..... instagram.com/uepodcast2021tiktok....... @djskoob2021Email............... Uepodcast2021@gmail.comAcross The Start Line Facebook Community If you would like to be coached on your entrepreneurial adventure please email me at for a 2 hour free discovery call! This is a $700 free gift to my Skoobelievers!! Contact me Now!! On Twitter @doittodaycoachdoingittodaycoaching@gmailcom

Nir's Note: This guest post is by Will Storr, an acclaimed author and journalist known for his deep exploration into human behavior, storytelling, and psychology. His newest book, “A Story is a Deal: How to Use the Science of Storytelling to Lead, Motivate, and Persuade,” reveals how powerful storytelling techniques can be harnessed in business, leadership, and communication to drive impactful results.Every successful leader, marketer, or entrepreneur is, at heart, a great storyteller. Storytelling is not just an art—it's a science, grounded in psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral design. Here are four science-backed principles for crafting persuasive narratives, adapted from my new book, A Story is a Deal.You can read the Nir And Far blog post on: https://www.nirandfar.com/storytelling-for-business/Nir And Far, a podcast about business, behaviour and the brain by Nir Eyal. If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe on iTunes and leave an iTunes review. It will greatly help new listeners discover the show. Please visit my website Nir and Far for other info about my writing, books and teaching: http://www.nirandfar.com/

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1646: Nir Eyal breaks down the psychology behind user engagement through a simple three-step framework: trigger, action, and reward. He explains how companies can design products that create lasting habits by tapping into users' internal motivations and building feedback loops that keep them coming back. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.nirandfar.com/2012/04/hooking-users-in-3-steps.html Quotes to ponder: "Habits are defined as behaviors done with little or no conscious thought." "The more users invest time and effort into a product, the more they value it." "The Hook model has three steps: a trigger, an action, and a variable reward." Episode references: BJ Fogg's Behavior Model: https://www.behaviormodel.org/ Skinner's Variable Rewards Study: https://psychology.fandom.com/wiki/B._F._Skinner Hooked: https://www.amazon.com/Hooked-How-Build-Habit-Forming-Products/dp/1591847788 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'll never forget the day I learned about Facebook's $19 billion WhatsApp acquisition. Instead of celebrating my own recent success as an author, I found myself spiraling into a pit of self-doubt. “Why hadn't I created a simple messaging app?” I wondered, mentally berating myself for missing out on what seemed like an obvious opportunity.Sound familiar?We've all been told that comparing ourselves to others is toxic. It's the ultimate happiness killer, the thief of joy, the fast track to misery—or so conventional wisdom tells us. But here's the thing: If comparison is so destructive, why do our minds keep returning to it? What if there's more to this story than meets the eye?You can read the Nir And Far blog post on: https://www.nirandfar.com/social-comparison/Nir And Far, a podcast about business, behaviour and the brain by Nir Eyal. If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe on iTunes and leave an iTunes review. It will greatly help new listeners discover the show. Please visit my website Nir and Far for other info about my writing, books and teaching: http://www.nirandfar.com/

Social media, video games, YouTube—they're designed to be fun, right? Sure. But they're also designed to trap you. Tech companies don't just hope you stay on their platforms… they engineer them to be addictive. In this episode, Joey Mascio exposes The Hooked Model from Nir Eyal's Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products and reveals how apps and games use triggers, variable rewards, and investment cycles to keep you scrolling, tapping, and playing. Drawing from Jonathan Haidt's The Anxious Generation, Joey shows you exactly how tech is affecting your brain—and how to break free before you get reeled in.--My gamified mindset training app for teens, Sidekick to Hero, is available now! Go to www.sidekicktohero.com to start a two-week free trial.--Follow me on Instagram! www.instagram.com/sidekicktohero--Joey Mascio is a teen confidence coach and motivational speaker. He helps teens eliminate self-doubt, manage emotions, develop social skills, and achieve their goals. He was a middle school teacher and counselor for 7 years, a former Disneyland performer, and an experienced improv comedian. He uses his Masters in Education, Bachelors in Creative Writing, and two professional life coach certifications to teach powerful resilience tools and strategies to teens through humor and stories.

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1632: Nir Eyal and Ximena Vengoechea explore the psychology behind effective notifications, explaining how they should be timely, relevant, and actionable to enhance user engagement without causing frustration. Learn the key principles that make notifications truly helpful rather than intrusive. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.nirandfar.com/2015/03/notifications-that-work.html Quotes to ponder: "Notifications succeed when they are timely, relevant, and actionable." "When apps send notifications at the wrong time or for the wrong reasons, they become nuisances rather than helpful prompts." "Effective notifications don't just demand attention; they deliver value." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Visit our Substack for bonus content and more: https://designbetterpodcast.com/p/kristen-berman Many of the most successful products launched in Silicon Valley lean heavily on behavioral design to increase engagement. Former Design Better guest Nir Eyal talks about this in his books Hooked and Indistractable, and today we have another expert in this field, Kristen Berman, who co-founded Irrational Labs with professor and researcher Dan Ariely in 2013. We chat with Kristen about how to design products that change behavior, and also about the darker side of behavioral design, which in extreme cases can create addictive products. We also learn how Kristen uses behavioral science on herself, to achieve goals and encourage positive habits. Bio Kristen Berman is a leading figure in applied behavioral economics and behavioral product design. In 2013, she co-founded Irrational Labs with Dan Ariely, collaborating with major organizations such as Google, PayPal, Facebook, and Netflix to enhance user health, wealth, and happiness. She was also on the founding team of the behavioral economics group at Google, a collective that supported over 26 teams within the company, and hosted the global behavioral change conference StartupOnomics. In addition, Kristen co-founded the Common Cents Lab at Duke University, where her leadership guided over 50 experiments aimed at improving the financial well-being of tens of thousands of low- to middle-income Americans. Her expertise has been featured in outlets like The Stanford Social Innovation Review, TechCrunch, and Scientific American. As a co-author of the workbooks series Hacking Human Nature for Good alongside Dan Ariely, Kristen has provided practical guidance on changing behavior that is widely used by prominent companies—Google, Intuit, Netflix, Fidelity, and Lending Club among them—for their business strategies and product design. *** Premium Episodes on Design Better This is a premium episode on Design Better. We release two premium episodes per month, along with two free episodes for everyone. Premium subscribers also get access to the documentary Design Disruptors and our growing library of books, as well as our monthly AMAs with former guests, ad-free episodes, discounts and early access to workshops, and our monthly newsletter The Brief that compiles salient insights, quotes, readings, and creative processes uncovered in the show. Upgrade to paid *** Visiting the links below is one of the best ways to support our show: Masterclass: MasterClass is the only streaming platform where you can learn and grow with over 200+ of the world's best. People like Steph Curry, Paul Krugman, Malcolm Gladwell, Dianne Von Furstenberg, Margaret Atwood, Lavar Burton and so many more inspiring thinkers share their wisdom in a format that is easy to follow and can be streamed anywhere on a smartphone, computer, smart TV, or even in audio mode. MasterClass always has great offers during the holidays, sometimes up to as much as 50% off. Head over to http://masterclass.com/designbetter for the current offer. To get $100 towards your first bed purchase, go to http://thuma.co/designbetter. *** If you're interested in sponsoring the show, please contact us at: sponsors@thecuriositydepartment.com If you'd like to submit a guest idea, please contact us at: contact@thecuriositydepartment.com

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2510: Raising kids who can manage their own attention is more crucial than ever in a world filled with digital distractions. Nir Eyal explains why teaching children to be "indistractable" is the key to their future success and how giving them autonomy over screen time can help them develop self-discipline. By involving kids in setting their own limits, parents empower them to take responsibility for their choices and build lifelong habits of focus and self-control. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.nirandfar.com/most-important-skill/ Quotes to ponder: "Becoming indistractable is the most important skill for the 21st century, and it's one that many parents fail to teach their kids." "The most important thing is to involve the child in the conversation and help them set their own rules." "While it's important our kids are aware that products are designed to be highly engaging, we also need to reinforce their belief in their own power to overcome distraction." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1618: Nir Eyal and Sam McNerney explore how "framing" influences our decisions and perceptions, often without us realizing it. By understanding how choices are presented, whether through wording, context, or comparison, we can make more rational decisions and avoid being subtly manipulated. Learning to recognize framing effects helps in everything from daily choices to high-stakes negotiations. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.nirandfar.com/framing/ Quotes to ponder: "How we frame information impacts the way we perceive it and the decisions we make." "Two people can hear the same information and come to wildly different conclusions simply because of how it was presented." "We can learn to recognize these framing effects and make more rational choices rather than be subtly manipulated." Episode references: Thinking, Fast and Slow: https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Fast-Slow-Daniel-Kahneman/dp/0374533555 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3514: Staying informed without feeling overwhelmed is possible with the right approach. Nir Eyal shares strategies to filter out noise, focus on high-quality information, and take control of your media consumption. By applying these techniques, you can stay updated without sacrificing your mental well-being or productivity. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.nirandfar.com/how-to-stay-informed-without-losing-your-mind/ Quotes to ponder: "You are what you consume, and consuming junk makes you feel like junk." "Too much information can actually make us less informed by overwhelming our ability to process and retain what matters." "If you don't make time to think, you'll always be reacting instead of reflecting." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this compelling episode of Steve's Rants, Steve Sims delves into the transformative power of books in the journey of building a successful business. He shares his top three favorite books that have profoundly impacted his business philosophies, highlighting their relevance in understanding media, psychology, and consumer behavior. Steve kicks off the list with "Trust Me, I'm Lying" by Ryan Holiday, a book that explores the intricacies of media manipulation and the critical role attention plays in the modern economy. He emphasizes the necessity of mastering media's power to enhance business visibility and reputation. Continuing with "Hooked" by Nir Eyal, Steve underscores the importance of understanding consumer psychology and creating products and experiences that foster loyalty and addiction. He explains how this book provides insights into crafting that essential 'stickiness' in customer relationships, vital for any business looking to thrive. The third recommendation, "Alchemy" by Rory Sutherland, taps into human psychology by challenging logical conventions and embracing creative magic. Steve appreciates how this book encourages thinking beyond logic to understand why people engage with brands, urging entrepreneurs to embrace disruption and difference. Steve rounds off his recommendations with a unique fourth choice: a genre mixing imagination with reality. He advocates for stepping out of the business realm to refresh and inspire creativity through crime dramas and fantasy. This episode is an essential listen for entrepreneurs eager to understand the dynamics of attention and consumer engagement, urging them to blend logical strategies with imaginative exploration for success in today's business world. Discover how these books can reshape your approach, infusing your business with innovative energy and strategic thinking.

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer dives into the psychology of setting and achieving goals. As the new year resolutions may start to fade, this episode offers a timely reminder and practical guidance to re-energize your goal-setting process. Originally aired in October 2019, the episode provides insights into setting "brainy goals" and the steps necessary to not only achieve but exceed them. Melina outlines three essential tips for setting and achieving brainy goals: defining and limiting your goals to three, breaking them down into small steps, and saying no to distractions. She emphasizes the importance of focus and prioritization, drawing on insights from Nir Eyal's book, Indistractable, and Warren Buffett's goal-setting advice. Melina also shares personal anecdotes and strategies, including how she balances her professional ambitions with family time, to illustrate the application of these principles in real life. In this episode: Understand why limiting goals to three is crucial for success. Learn how to break down goals into actionable and tiny steps. Discover the importance of avoiding distractions and maintaining focus. Gain insights into using visualization and reminders to keep your goals top of mind. Explore the concept of traction versus distraction in achieving your objectives. Visit this episode's page for important links, top recommended books and episodes, and a full transcript. Looking to explore applications of behavioral economics further?  Learn With Us on our website. Subscribe to Melina's Newsletter Brainy Bites on LinkedIn Let's connect: Send Us a Message Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube The Brainy Business on Instagram

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1601: Expending effort on a product makes users more committed to it, a concept known as "user investment." Instead of always making things easier, successful habit-forming products like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Evernote encourage small investments - such as following someone, entering data, or contributing content - that increase a service's value over time. When stored value meets a network effect, user commitment deepens, making the product an integral part of daily life. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.nirandfar.com/2012/07/makeyourusersdothework.html Quotes to ponder: "Despite the considerable effort required to pick the lottery numbers, a process reminiscent of filling out multiple choice questions on a test, players valued the tickets they spent the time and effort picking." "The tiny bit of effort associated with providing workplace information created a hook the system could use to get users to return." "The more users invest in a way of doing things through tiny bits of work, the more valuable the service becomes in their lives and the less they question its use." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we discover the science behind habits, how they're formed, how they can be broken, and the fascinating role self-perception plays in the process. We explore the power of reframing uncomfortable tasks, how habits are influenced by our self-image, and why pushing yourself too hard can backfire. You'll also learn why willpower is a limited resource, how to use discomfort as a tool for growth, and why small, achievable goals are the key to lasting change. Professor Steve Peters Episode - https://bit.ly/4jqZSGK Nir Eyal's Episode - https://bit.ly/3WuY05U Follow Professor Steve Peters: Instagram - https://bit.ly/3D5YBBA Website - https://bit.ly/3iZtr84 Follow Nir Eyal: Twitter: https://bit.ly/3BJR9uv Instagram: https://bit.ly/43dDHuL Watch the Episodes On Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/c/%20TheDiaryOfACEO/videos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices