Nudge

Richard Wiseman, psychologist and author known for quirky research into humour and deception, recounts his Laugh Lab search for the world’s funniest joke. He discusses how superiority, incongruity and cultural differences shape what makes people laugh. He also tells stories about placebo effects, wine tasting and why some classic psychology findings are hard to replicate.

Owain Service, behavioural scientist, co-founder of the Behavioural Insights Team and CEO of CogCo, explains commitment devices and why removing choice beats relying on willpower. He covers implementation intentions, public pledges, written commitments, and real-world trials from jobcentres to savings. Short, practical stories show how planning and binding choices change behaviour.

Richard Wiseman, psychologist and author known for Quirkology and public experiments. He reveals how people usually miss lies, what behavioural cues actually matter, whether the world is really ‘six degrees’ apart, and quirky studies on luck, honesty and pupil-driven buying. Short, surprising science stories and live-experiment tales.

Nir Eyal, author and behavioral design expert behind Hooked and Indistractable, explores why placebos work. He traces belief’s power from Richter’s rats to placebo steroids and open-label pills. He explains how context, branding, and expectations alter pain, performance, and perception in surprising ways.

Professor Richard Wiseman, a psychologist who studies luck, persuasion and everyday quirks, shares surprising findings from experiments. He explains how small rewards can backfire. He reveals why pratfalls make people more likeable. He describes a photo that helps wallets come back and the top chat-up line plus playful alternatives to small talk.

Markus Husemann-Kopetzky, pricing expert and researcher at Freie Universität Berlin and founder of the Price Management Institute, walks through eight psychological pricing tips in 24 minutes. He covers anchoring with high incidental prices, precise versus rounded anchors in negotiation, making competitor comparisons concrete, unbundling standout features, multi-unit promotion framing, and novel discount presentations.

Will Guidara, lifelong restaurateur and co-founder of Eleven Madison Park, shares how tiny final touches reshape dining. He talks about using behavioral science to redesign endings, the cognac-with-the-check trick, simple generosity that boosts tips, and playful surprises like surprise snacks and tailored keepsakes. Short, clever design choices that make memories stick.

Jaega Wise, British beer sommelier, broadcaster and food journalist, unpacks the wild Scottish tea scandal. She recounts how a charming fraudster fooled media and luxury brands. The conversation covers why Scotland sounded plausible, how taste and prestige helped sell the story, and the scientific testing that ultimately exposed the lie.

Will Guidara, former co-owner of Eleven Madison Park and author of Unreasonable Hospitality, used behavioural science to craft unforgettable dining experiences. He talks about using reciprocity and anchoring to shape guests’ perceptions. He explains systematizing small surprises, the 95-5 budgeting rule for memorable spends, and subtle signals that create seamless, distinctive service.

Markus Husemann-Kopetzky, pricing expert and author, breaks down why nine-ending and rounded prices feel different. He discusses left-digit bias, when charm pricing boosts spending and when it backfires for premium goods. They cover alternative endings like .95, subtle price differences to nudge choice, freebies versus discounts, and the power of strong money-back guarantees.