The Decision Corner

The Decision Lab

The Decision Corner connects you with cutting-edge insights from the world's best applied behavioral scientists to bring wisdom to your daily and professional life.

Rather than talking about nudges and trying to codify science into design principles, TDC goes deep and finds out just how the world's brightest minds solve complex real-world problems using the social sciences.

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70 episodes
Updated Oct 11, 2022

Episodes70

Newest first

Apr 20, 2021 · 42 min
Creating startups through empathy & behavioural research: Dr. Rachel Carey
Dr Rachel Carey is Chief Scientist at Zinc, a UK-based organisation that runs a venture-builder for mission-driven entrepreneurs, combining the best of creative design, scientific rigour, technological innovation and entrepreneurship. She leads Zinc’s Research & Development team, a growing, interdisciplinary team of applied scientists, committed to building a new approach to science-based innovation. She completed her PhD in psychology at the National University of Ireland, Galway, which examined the impact of threat-based persuasive communications on driver behavior. She spent several years as a postdoc at University College London, before joining a newly formed behavioural science team at Bupa. Since joining Zinc in 2017, she has helped to shape over 40 new mission-driven start-ups. Through an honorary role at UCL, she continues to be involved in a range of research and teaching - mainly centred around health behaviour change, safe and sustainable transport, and digital health. Dr. Carey has a wealth of knowledge about the differences between behavioral science academia and applied research, and is eager to share her experiences and ideas about how to bridge the two worlds. In today’s episode, she discusses these differences, as well as how behavioral science shows up in the world of entrepreneurship, and the need for certain elements of research culture - including public perception - to evolve. Some specific topics discussed include: The differences of applying and generating behavioral science in the academic versus startup worlds How these two worlds, particularly research and entrepreneurship, are bridged in practice How behavioral science projects and ventures are prioritized The risks of entrepreneurship, and the privilege required to take those risks Current public misconceptions regarding science and research, and how these misconceptions are shaped by a lack of public access and information The changing face of entrepreneurship, and the new potential garnered by including more diversity The trade-off between statistics and anecdotal evidence, and the motivating power of stories
Apr 12, 2021 · 35 min
Leading with purpose through moments of crisis: Kimberly Seals Allers
In this episode of the Decision Corner, Brooke speaks with award-winning journalist Kimberly Seals Allers. Kimberly was formerly a senior editor at Essence and a writer at Fortune magazine. She now uses her decades of media experience as the founder of the IRTH app, which is specifically designed to help mothers of color rate their doctors for optimal health. She discusses the need for apps like IRTH, and how the tragedies that gave rise to the BLM movement last year impact the communities she serves. This episode is an important reminder of the realities that people of color face in both personal and professional environments. Some of the topics discussed include… The discrepancy of maternal and infant mortality for peoples of color, and the need for apps like IRTH. The struggle that professional people of color have with ‘dual identities’, where they must separate their cultural and professional selves. The trauma experienced by entire communities in response to the killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd over the Spring and Summer of 2020. The additional challenges faced by minority innovators, especially when it comes to issues of racism and cyber-security Why society needs to acknowledge that people of color have different experiences in professional and personal environments, and how the ignorance and denial of racism is one of its root causes. The ongoing struggle and the difficult conversations that are needed to start bringing about meaningful change.
Apr 6, 2021 · 39 min
That feeling of crisis: Rachel Kiddell-Monroe
In this episode, Brooke speaks with Rachel Kiddell-Monroe - Founder and Executive Director at SeeChange Initiative, and board member at Médecins Sans Frontières. In their discussion, they examine the impact of COVID-19 on marginalized communities, as well as the lack of empathy exhibited by first world nations towards less developed countries. Rachel raises the question of whether the models and systems on which our societies are built actually serve the interests of all. From our colonial roots to our current education and healthcare systems, this episode examines many factors that shape our view of struggling communities. Some of the items discussed include: The legacy of colonial systems and how they persist all around the world, despite their weaknesses and inability to tackle the big challenges facing us. The need for both individual and community action to bring about real change, and how both relate to each other. When individuals and movements come together, the momentum and desire for change builds, as exhibited by the Black Lives Matter movement over the past year. Why a single visionary leader cannot solve all of our problems. Unless the whole society is ready to change, there will always be the need for such leaders to compromise and not be able to fully achieve the change they want to see. Now that we have been living with COVID for over a year, taking a step back and seeing it as a potential opportunity to drastically change some of the systems that are broken or no longer working. And not letting this opportunity pass us by as this pandemic (hopefully) starts to get under control.
Mar 29, 2021 · 40 min
Corporate impact through profitable purpose: Phillip Haid
As humans, we frequently think in absolute terms, which lead us to believe that extreme amounts of corporate profit - allowed in a capitalist economic system - also cause extreme damage. While this notion often holds, there are exceptions and caveats. On today’s episode of The Decision Corner, our host Dr. Brooke Struck sits down with Phillip Haid, CEO and founder of social impact marketing agency Public Inc. At Public Inc., Haid and his colleagues help major corporations make positive global impacts. Nowadays, consumers are more and more interested in buying from socially- and environmentally-conscious companies. In turn, major corporations are gaining intrinsic motivation to make positive impacts, since advertising them attracts consumers. For companies, then, profit and purpose seem to go hand in hand. In this episode, Brooke and his guest discuss: The false notion that profit is inherently evil The structure of a purpose-led economy, rather than a greed-led economy The importance of leadership in social impact Consumer views on social impact and why people care Tailoring company values to match consumer values Working with versus against competitors in the social impact market Conveying social and environmental impacts genuinely back to consumers
Mar 22, 2021 · 40 min
Disasters at Work: Daniel Kaniewski
In this episode of the Decision Corner, Brooke speaks with Daniel Kaniewski, former Deputy Administrator for Resilience at FEMA and currently Managing Director, Public Sector at Marsh McLennan. Daniel has been involved in managing some of the worst disasters in American history, through various roles at the White House, with FEMA, and in the private sector. He draws from his experience to provide us with fascinating insights about government and individual decision-making in times of crisis. Surprisingly, human behavior is one of the more predictable elements of disaster management, so if you’re keen to learn more about how governments handle emergencies and mobilize their citizens to react appropriately, this episode is for you! Some of the things discussed include… The early phases of a disaster or emergency, how a response is mobilized and why salience and intensity play a big role in shaping our reaction. Communicating during an emergency, balancing a need for calm and reassurance while getting people to do what they need to do to stay safe. Practical ways that we as citizens can support emergency response, without getting in the way of the professionals. The ‘ramp-down’ and recovery phases of an emergency, and why they’re as, if not more important, than the initial response. How the COVID-19 pandemic is unlike any disaster we’ve faced before, but the lessons we’ve learned will stand to us in the future.
Mar 3, 2021 · 46 min
A Brave New World of Work: Troy Campbell
In this episode of the Decision Corner, Brooke speaks with Troy Campbell, Chief Scientist at On Your Feet - an innovative consultancy that offers strategic guidance and behaviorally-informed training to some of the world’s most successful companies. Troy holds a PhD in behavioral science from Duke University and was previously a marketing professor at the University of Oregon. In their discussion, Brooke and Troy discuss how our shift to a mostly virtual work environment has disrupted the world of corporate knowledge acquisition and application. Troy gives an optimistic view of the many opportunities presented by virtual tools, and offers some practical advice to help improve our virtual interactions, as well as a compelling case for greater knowledge sharing within and between organisations. Some of the topics covered include; How remote working has accelerated the ‘flipped classroom model’ - and why knowledge acquisition is no longer confined to the classroom. Ways we can improve our virtual interactions, and optimize the time we do spend face-to-face. Why the shift to virtual delivery has made a lot of things more accessible and affordable for businesses - like cross-functionality and hiring skilled trainers. Inspirational versus educational content - seeing the difference between the two and knowing when they’re needed. Why engaging with outside experts is one of the best things a business can do, and the need for a carefully managed marketplace or ecosystem that businesses can go to for such specialised knowledge.
Feb 26, 2021 · 25 min
Run for the Cure: Kelley Keehn
In this episode of The Decision Corner, Brooke is joined by Kelley Keehn, financial literacy advocate and best-selling author. Kelley has written over 10 books on topics related to personal finance, behavioural economics and financial empowerment. In their discussion, Brooke and Kelley explore why the lessons our parents taught us might not be so relevant today, the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on our financial trajectories, and how behavioural insights can be used to help overcome the crippling debt crisis faced by so many Canadians. Some of the topics discussed include; The unpredictability of financial upheaval. The financial wisdom handed down to us by older generations, and why it can’t always be applied in the times we’re living in. Personal debt, and why so many Canadians have a bad relationship with it. Social pressure, keeping up with the Jones’ and wanting what everyone else has. The difficulties people have when discussing their finances, especially when it comes to debt. Can behavioral insights help more debt-stricken Canadians help themselves? Why we need to ‘run for the cure’ and stop tip-toeing around our financial struggles.
Feb 20, 2021 · 46 min
How Behavioral Science Can Inform A Post-COVID World: Susan Michie
Since the beginning of 2020, COVID-19 has changed virtually everything about our lives, from how we work to how we care for one another, and even how we spend our time and money. Behavioral science is keeping up. In this episode of The Decision Corner, we sit down with British psychologist and behavioral science advisor Susan Michie to tear apart some of the most complex causes and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Michie shows us how increased public engagement in behavioral science and health research can help us imagine a post-COVID world that is more equitable, environmental, and convenient than the one we left behind. Read more about her research, including the development of the behavior change wheel, here. Some topics discussed include: The operation of British scientific advisory group in emergencies (SAGE) The gap between scientific research and public policy—are governments really “following the science?” How a psychological look at problem framing can help change the way we talk about the pandemic Contributors to the pandemic, including weakening global ties and environmental degradation The need for increased public engagement in behavioral science research How behavioral science can inform a better future
Feb 12, 2021 · 39 min
Artificial Intelligence for Social Betterment: Bob Suh
From the proliferation of social comparisons to growing political extremism, we have come face to face with the rippling negative effects technology that technology has on our societal fabric. But can we create a future that looks different? One in which technology has our backs, and best interest at heart? On this episode of The Decision Corner, our host Brooke Struck is joined by Bob Suh, founder and CEO of OnCorps. OnCorps is an American company dedicated to elevating workplace performance outcomes through the use of artificial intelligence. By applying predictable algorithms to a variety of decisions and tasks, OnCorps reduces work, errors, and risk within the financial service industry. The organization provides cutting-edge solutions to an array of companies, with advisors from Yale, Harvard, and Oxford. Their innovative algorithms earned them the 2019 NOVA Award by NICSA and the 2019 Fintech Breakthrough Award for best banking infrastructure software. Bob Suh has also written for the Harvard Business Review about how efficient use of AI can lead to better decision making and forecasting. Find his work here. In this episode, Brooke and Bob discuss: The foundational behavioral science that applies to AI How the emotional intelligence of humans can be harnessed to benefit technology How our strong grip on data analytics can influence behavior that is inconsistent with truth and authenticity, as well as a saturation of advertising How we can mitigate some of these problems to use technology for positive choice architecture The monetization of current and future social platforms, and how it is changing The future of social and technological innovation: how technology is moving toward positive social outcomes
Jan 25, 2021 · 44 min
How to screw up less when it matters most: Olivier Sibony
In this episode of The Decision Corner podcast, Brooke is lucky to be joined by Olivier Sibony. Olivier is a thoroughly experienced strategic consultant and a learned researcher on applied behavioral science at the most senior level. He has 25 years of experience at McKinsey and Co. that inform his investigation into successful practices and common pitfalls of organizational behaviour. This conversation brings Olivier’s insights to bear on the issue of decision-making in the C-suite. He draws out some essential guidelines, both from anecdotes and focused research, which culminate in applicable strategies to make any group better able to accomplish its goals. Some of the topics we discuss include: How countering individual cognitive biases may be the secret to a successful corporation Implicit guidelines in the social order of any organization Some apparent paradoxes in the patterns of risk aversion and risk-seeking behaviour in the business world Small vs big risks and how to engineer the right risks at the right times The all-consuming morass of corporate culture Searching for a portfolio approach towards risk: getting in front of the situations that dictate organizational success Which decisions are the important ones, and the case for bureaucracy
Nov 17, 2020 · 40 min
Trust in a Technological Age: Kevin Werbach
In this episode of The Decision Corner, we are lucky to be joined by Kevin Werbach. Professor Werbach is a renowned expert on emerging technology and its implications in the legal and public policy spheres. He is a professor of legal studies and business ethics at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to his position at Wharton, Kevin Werbach has been an advisor in the Obama administration and a member of Obama’s transition team. He is also a widely sought after writer and speaker. He has been featured on a diverse range of platforms and his academic work is cited in top publications. In 2018, he wrote The Blockchain and the New Architecture of Trust, where he explores the nuances and consequences of distributed ledger technologies. Some of the topics we discuss in this podcast include: Blockchain: what it is, where it is going, and how it impacts a wide range of industries and applications What international shipping, contact tracing apps, Facebook, and Uber have in common Kevin’s book and how it dissects the hype from the facts surrounding blockchain technology How blockchain can improve decision-making at a variety of levels Law, regulation, and governance as three key elements of successful blockchain implementation Human nature and how it can never be perfectly eradicated through technology How these technologies are establishing new patterns of faith The essential nature of interdisciplinary work at the frontier of invention
Nov 6, 2020 · 37 min
Emerging Data Ecosystems and Modern Banking Tech: Olivier Berthier
This episode of The Decision Corner features Olivier Berthier: data scientist, software designer, and CEO of Moneythor. Moneythor is a digital infrastructure company that specializes in banking solutions that use machine learning, big data analytics, and behavioral science to orient financial systems towards customer-centric ends. Some topics we discuss include: Olivier’s financial software company Moneythor: what it is and what it does The constantly evolving relationship between banks and their customers The impact of digital spaces on financial relationships The transition from a product to customer focus at major banking institutions The potential benefits of the big changes coming to banking through software analysis and behavioral science The unique potential of emerging data ecosystems How to ethically manage customer data How to popularize behavioral science and the tools to implement it digitally
Oct 29, 2020 · 42 min
Smart Giving for a Cognitively Saturated World: Nick Fitz and Ari Kagan
In this episode of The Decision Corner, we discuss giving, incentives, and the ethics of behavioral science with Ari Kagan and Nick Fitz, the co-founders and executives at Momentum. Momentum is a charity that ties donations to everyday choices. For example, every time Donald Trump tweets, the app will have you automatically donate 10 cents to civil rights and racial justice groups. Nick and Ari have extensive research experience in behavioral science. They both held senior positions at the Center for Advanced Hindsight at Duke University before starting up their donation company. Topics mentioned in this episode include: How to make our daily activities contribute to making the world the kind of place we want it to be The consequences of evolutionary change on our cognitive system, especially with respect to social connection and meaning-making The feeling of power versus the real thing, and what that has to do with choice overload bias Utilitarianism and the role of fairness in donation decision-making Samantha, Baby Jessica, and the problems of personalized donations Stalin’s insight on donation psychology The twin problems of paternalism and finding the right decision-makers
Oct 23, 2020 · 46 min
Strategies to Motivate for the Collective Good: Erez Yoeli
In this episode of The Decision Corner, Brooke Struck invites Erez Yoeli to share his insights on how people tick. Dr. Erez Yoeli is a research associate at MIT’s Sloan School of Management and co-director of the Applied Cooperation Team (ACT). ACT is a team of researchers that applies insights from the social sciences towards increasing contributions to real-world public goods. Erez designs and tests large-scale interventions to promote altruistic behaviors such as charitable donations, volunteering, resource conservation, and medication adherence. He has worked as a researcher at Harvard University’s Program for Evolutionary Dynamics and Yale University’s Human Cooperation Laboratory. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics and an MBA from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago. In this episode, we discuss: What motivates people to do the right thing How group behavior works The difference between reputation and identity High and low tech solutions to problems of collective action The importance of speaking to communities in their own language (sometimes literally) What sets our current pandemic response apart from those of the past The unique power of social norms The meaning of community, and its unique role in mediating motivation
Oct 20, 2020 · 36 min
Tradition, Institution, and Change through Behavior Intervention: Peter Brooks
In this episode of The Decision Corner, Brooke sits down with Peter Brooks. Peter is a longtime employee at Barclays, the esteemed British banking organization. He joined over a decade ago, when the bank established the world’s first dedicated Behavioural Finance Team. Currently, he is the Chief Behavioural Scientist at Barclays. Peter asserts that his job is primarily finding true value for customers. He identifies ways to improve customers’ decisions and money habits, while exploring how we can all make changes for the better. The Decision Lab was interested in getting a little bit of his time to hear about how that mission is going. Some topics we discuss in this conversation include: How banking adopted the central premises of behavioral science Why it didn’t happen sooner How humility and ignorance can be markers of authentic experience The power of tradition in large organizations The competing priorities of customer satisfaction, core values, and the company’s bottom line How to stay linked in to a rapidly evolving field Tips for up and coming behavioral scientists, and others who are just starting to explore the discipline
Oct 15, 2020 · 34 min
Human-Centered Design And Behavioral Science: Chris Larkin
In today’s episode of The Decision Corner, we are joined by Chris Larkin, the senior director of impact at IDEO.org. At IDEO, Chris works with design teams to integrate systems thinking, social and behavior change frameworks, and measurement in the creative design process. She has a long track record of impact in social and international development. She has worked at companies such as Girl Effect and BBC Media Action to pursue creative and effective strategies to engineer behavioral change. Chris holds an MSc in Occupational and Organisational Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Applied Psychology. She has worked extensively in East Africa and has lived in Dublin, London, Yangon, and New York. In this episode, we discuss: Human-centered design: what it is, where it is applied, and who benefits from its implementation Mental strategies for organizational behavior The surprising ways that design experience manifests itself in a team context The factors holding people back from achieving goals like financial stability Process vs product IDEO’s successful work in reproductive health
Sep 30, 2020 · 45 min
Habits, Happiness, and Personality Types: Gretchen Rubin
In today’s episode of The Decision Corner, we are joined by Gretchen Rubin, a writer, speaker, and influencer on the subjects of happiness, habits, and human nature. Gretchen Rubin is the author of several books, including the number one New York Times bestseller, The Happiness Project. Her books have sold over 3.5 million copies and been published in more than thirty languages globally. Gretchen has spoken at places such as GE, Google, LinkedIn, Accenture, Facebook, Procter & Gamble, Yale Law School, Harvard Business School, and Wharton as well as at conferences such as SXSW, World Domination Summit, the Atlantic, Alt Design, and Behance’s 99u. Gretchen graduated from Yale University with a BA in English in 1989 and a J.D in 1994, where she served as the Editor-in-chief of the Yale Law Journal. Some of her specialties include habits, happiness, positive psychology, writing, memoirs, blogging, social media, self-improvement, self-help, non-fiction, and podcasts. Her "Four Tendencies" personality framework divides people into Upholders, Questioners, Obligers, and Rebels, which will both be routinely mentioned throughout this episode. You can take the quick, free quiz here. In this episode, we discuss: The four tendencies and their respective idiosyncrasies The validity of psychological frameworks and when they can be useful How to communicate with people more effectively so that they follow through with important behaviors What kinds of problems are best suited for the four tendency taxonomy Individual versus gender-based differences in behavior Public service messages that work for all four tendencies The brilliance of the Don’t mess with Texas campaign Leveraging big data to test messaging with different tendencies
Sep 14, 2020 · 36 min
The Tools Of The Behavioral Science Trade: Matt Wallaert
In today’s episode of The Decision Corner, we are joined by Matt Wallaert, a pioneer in applied behavioral science and a serial entrepreneur. Matt has over a decade of experience applying behavioral science to practical problems, ranging from startups to Fortune 500s to an array of prosocial side projects. He has given hundreds of talks on the science of behavior change, including appearances at the United Nations and South by SouthWest. Recently, he brought behavioral science into healthcare management as Clover Health’s Chief Behavioral Officer. There, he directs one of the world’s largest behavioral science teams, combining qualitative researchers, quantitative researchers, and project managers. His book, Start at the End: How to Build Products that Create Change, proposes a science-based process to create behavior change that can be implemented in organizations of any size and industry. In this episode, we discuss: His experience bridging the divide between multiple spheres where behavioral science has begun to take root Several metaphors for the process of democratizing behavioral science Figuring out whether a company needs a consultant, an agency, or if behavioral science should be used internally. How to discern talent among newcomers to behavioral science Equalizing opportunities in a still developing field Helping people find unique and meaningful career paths
Sep 2, 2020 · 36 min
How Fun Might Move the World: Cass Sunstein
In today’s episode of The Decision Corner, we are joined by Cass Sunstein, the Robert Walmsley University Professor at Harvard University. Professor Sunstein is the founder and director of the Program on Behavioral Economics and Public Policy at Harvard Law School. He is a prolific writer, who has written over 40 books, and hundreds of articles, including the international bestseller and essential introduction to behavioral science, Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, and Happiness (with Richard H. Thaler, 2008). He is a recipient of the Holberg Prize, which is bestowed by the Government of Norway. The Holberg Prize is recognized as a counterpart to the Nobel Prize for unparalleled contributions to scholarship in the humanities or the law. Sunstein is currently the Chair of the WHO technical advisory group on Behavioural Insights and Sciences for Health, and he advises the United Nations, the European Commission, the World Bank, and countries around the world on issues of law and public policy. He was Administrator of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs from 2009 to 2012; subsequently, he served on the President’s Review Board on Intelligence and Communications Technologies and the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Board. He is now working on a variety of projects involving the regulatory state, “sludge,” fake news, and freedom of speech. In the episode, we discuss: What is fun? What kind of people have the most fun, and whether that is something worth pursuing as a society. The effectiveness of fun in marketing, such as Amazon’s frustration-free packaging project. The role of fun in policy-making: determination and playfulness in Taiwan, how jokes can lead to optimism and hope, New Zealand’s Prime Minister’s attempts at making peoples’ days better. Political leadership and vulnerability. Making mandated behavior change a more tolerable and shared enterprise. Fear appeals: the benefits of enhancing high stakes situations to prevent harm. Populism and the need for personal connections with our political leaders. Cass’s nuanced distinction between the first and second waves of behavioral science. FEAST (Fun, Easy, Attractive, Social, and Timely): Cass’s guidelines for engaging affective responses when developing policy. Why every revolution must tolerate dancing. What Cass Sunstein asked a world-class athlete about having fun under pressure.
Aug 28, 2020 · 45 min
Developing The Global Economy With Behavioral Science: Zeina Afif
Zeina Afif is a Senior Social Scientist with the World Bank’s Mind, Behavior & Development Unit (eMBeD), within the Poverty and Equity Global Practice at the World Bank. Zeina is currently working on applying behavioral insights to improve women’s access to finance and jobs, reduce youth unemployment, reduce gender-based violence, promote social cohesion, and improve access to public services and programs in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as Latin America & Caribbean region. Prior to joining the team, Zeina provided operational communication and behavioral insights support to World Bank projects and has worked in countries such as Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, and Yemen in the areas of taxes, social protection, social accountability, and citizen engagement. Zeina holds a MBA from George Washington University, and a M.Sc. in Behavioral Science from London School of Economics. In this episode, we discuss: Zeina’s work at the eMBeD unit at the Bank. How the behavioral science approach of eMBed changed the way the Bank approaches problems Challenges of differentiating the value of behavioral science compared to other social sciences Evolution of behavioral science at The Bank Why an RCT is not always the most appropriate approach in a development project Why empathy is a key skill in working in applied behavioral science Zeina’s take on the private sector applying behavioral science