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Nudge

Nudge

Phill Agnew 295 Episodes Jul 20, 2026

Nudge is the UK's #1 marketing podcast, breaking down the hidden psychology behind what we do and why we do it. No BS, just smart, science-backed insights that actually work.

Episodes

Can balsamic vinegar make beer better?
Can balsamic vinegar make beer better? Jul 20, 2026 1715 In 2007, two Harvard researchers added a splash of balsamic vinegar to beer.  When drinkers knew the beer contained vinegar, they hated it.  But when the researchers told them “this is our MIT brew," the majority loved it.  The study reveals the secrets behind marketing.  On today’s episode of Nudge with award-winning science writer David Robson, we explain how good marketing can shape our per
88 out of 90 people fall for this bias. Do you?
88 out of 90 people fall for this bias. Do you? Jul 13, 2026 1199 Imagine you’re a chef.  You are shown the recipe for a soup. It has five ingredients.  You’re told to improve the recipe.  What do you do?  96% of people reveal a bias when answering this question. And that bias makes marketing less effective, communication less engaging and products less appealing.  Find out why in today’s episode of Nudge with the award-winning professor Leidy Klotz.  Warn
Will the UK’s social media ban backfire?
Will the UK’s social media ban backfire? Jul 6, 2026 1614 The British government recently announced a ban on all social media usage for children up to the age of 16.  But will the ban work?  Today on Nudge, I explore the psychology of restrictions, bans and friction.  Warning: this show is restricted to those aged 16 or over.  --- Become an FSB member: https://get.fsb.org.uk/nudge/ Use code NUDGE for 10% off your FSB membership.  Unlock the Nudge
Katy Milkman: Learn how to change habits in 39 minutes
Katy Milkman: Learn how to change habits in 39 minutes Jun 29, 2026 2367 World-leading behaviour change expert Katy Milkman details how to change your habits.  --- Become an FSB member: https://get.fsb.org.uk/nudge/ Unlock the Nudge Vaults: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/vaults Katy’s book: https://amzn.to/3RF63xA  Katy’s podcast: https://www.schwab.com/learn/choiceology  Katy’s newsletter: https://www.katymilkman.com/newsletter-milkman-delivers  Subscribe to my n
Were the 2018 Gatwick drones real?
Were the 2018 Gatwick drones real? Jun 22, 2026 1887 In December 2018 Gatwick Airport shut down. 109 eyewitnesses reported sighting 170 drone flights over the airport.  All flights were grounded, and the nation braced for a terrorist attack. But what if those sightings weren’t real but instead an imagination caused by expectations?  In today’s episode with award-winning science journalist David Robson, we explore the science of the expectation ef
Do broken windows cause crime?
Do broken windows cause crime? Jun 15, 2026 1413 The broken windows theory suggests that one broken window can cause a neighbourhood to descend into disrepair. But is it true?  Today, with the award-winning professor Leidy Klotz, we investigate the broken windows theory and explain how environments shape our behaviour.  --- Become an FSB member: https://get.fsb.org.uk/nudge/ Leidy’s book Subtract: https://amzn.to/4df4duk Leidy’s latest boo
“How we used nudges reach £12 billion in sales” Octopus Energy's Pete Miller
“How we used nudges reach £12 billion in sales” Octopus Energy's Pete Miller Jun 8, 2026 2432 Octopus Energy went from £0 in revenue to £12 billion in 10 years.  Today, on Nudge, I chat with their first employee Pete Miller, who explains how they used nudges to grow.  Hear why they:  1) Encourage customers to spin a wheel to reward metre readings.  2) Give away free electricity at 4pm.  3) Play you the number one song from the year you turned 14.  4) And gave away 40,000 electric bla
Enhanced Games: Did the $320m marketing stunt backfire?
Enhanced Games: Did the $320m marketing stunt backfire? Jun 1, 2026 1695 The Enhanced Games, hosted in Las Vegas last Saturday, made a bold claim. With the use of performance-enhancing drugs, enhanced athletes would break not just personal records but world records.  And the end goal? To sell those same drugs to the masses.  It’s arguably the biggest marketing stunt of the year so far, and today on Nudge I reveal the psychology behind it.  Did the Enhanced Games su
What makes a good logo?
What makes a good logo? May 25, 2026 1430 In this episode, I chat to Pete Miller, part of the co-founding team at Octopus Energy, who helped design one of the most recognisable new logos in Britain.  Hear how Octopus used two proven psychological principles to build a logo people remember (and why those same principles are being ignored by most of the industry). You'll learn: - Why a distinct logo made one beer taste 5% better - How a
How peer pressure built a $5 billion fitness revolution
How peer pressure built a $5 billion fitness revolution May 18, 2026 1315 In Singapore, a group of runners charge 50p per kilometre to run on strangers' Strava accounts.  That's how far people will go to look fit online.  This episode explains the psychology behind why being watched changes everything. --- Owain’s book: https://amzn.to/4smVtrP  Owain’s company CogCo: https://cogco.co/  Unlock the Nudge Vaults: ⁠https://www.nudgepodcast.com/vaults⁠  Join 11,626 re
Prof Wiseman: “My (Failed) Search for the World's Funniest Joke”
Prof Wiseman: “My (Failed) Search for the World's Funniest Joke” May 11, 2026 1463 Professor Richard Wiseman searched for the world’s funniest joke.  He found it.  But it wasn’t what he expected.  --- Richard’s book Quirkology: https://amzn.to/4shYOJ6  Richard’s book 59 Seconds: https://amzn.to/3Pf9pWI  Richard’s SubStack: https://richardwiseman.substack.com/  Join 11,934 readers of the Nudge Newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list Unlock the Nudge Vaults:
Why willpower alone doesn’t work
Why willpower alone doesn’t work May 4, 2026 1514 Three thousand years ago, Odysseus tied himself to a mast to resist the Sirens.  He didn't trust his willpower, so he removed the choice entirely.  Today, Owain Service, co-founder of the Behavioural Insights Team and CEO at CogCo, calls that a commitment device.  And modern evidence shows it works for everything from saving money to staying married. --- Owain’s book: https://amzn.to/4smVtrP 

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