In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer sits down with Wes Adams and Tamara Miles, co-authors of the impactful book, Meaningful Work. Together, they explore the concept of meaningful work and its profound effects on employee satisfaction and productivity. With research indicating that employees who find meaning in their work can generate an annual gain of nearly $10,000, Wes and Tamara discuss the vital role leaders play in creating an environment where meaningful work thrives. The conversation delves into the three critical sources of meaning at work: community, contribution, and challenge. Wes and Tamara provide practical strategies for leaders to foster a sense of belonging, recognize contributions, and offer growth opportunities. They share compelling stories and actionable insights that can help transform workplace dynamics and enhance employee engagement. Listeners will discover how even small gestures, like expressing gratitude, can have a ripple effect on team morale and performance. In this episode: Understand the significance of meaningful work and its impact on employee performance and retention. Explore the three Cs of meaningful work: community, contribution, and challenge. Learn practical tips for leaders to create a more meaningful work environment. Discover how gratitude and recognition can enhance team dynamics and productivity. Gain insights into the research behind meaningful work and its application across various industries. Get important links, top recommended books and episodes, and a full transcript at thebrainybusiness.com/513. Looking to explore applications of behavioral economics further? Learn With Us on our website. Subscribe to Melina’s Newsletter Brainy Bites. Let’s connect: Send Us a Message Follow Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube The Brainy Business on Instagram
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512. Rethinking the Office: How to Lead Hybrid Teams Effectively
In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer welcomes Dr. Gleb Tsipursky, CEO of Disaster Avoidance Experts and author of the practical guide on returning to the office. This refreshed episode, originally aired in October 2021, remains highly relevant as organizations continue to navigate the complexities of hybrid work environments. Gleb shares his insights on the psychological traps leaders often fall into when making decisions about workplace strategies, including status quo bias and the illusion of control. Together, Melina and Gleb discuss the importance of understanding employee preferences when considering return-to-office policies, emphasizing the need for organizations to survey their teams to ensure retention and recruitment of top talent. Gleb highlights the significant benefits of remote work, including increased productivity and employee well-being, while also addressing the challenges of fostering innovation and collaboration in a hybrid setting. Listeners will gain practical strategies for creating inclusive work environments and promoting meaningful work, as well as actionable tips for overcoming cognitive biases that can hinder effective decision-making. This episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in shaping workplace policies, whether you're a leader, an employee, or simply curious about the evolving landscape of work. In this episode: Understand the psychological biases that can affect leadership decisions regarding workplace strategies. Learn the importance of surveying employees to gauge their preferences for remote or hybrid work. Explore the advantages of remote work for productivity and employee well-being. Discover strategies for fostering innovation and collaboration in a hybrid work environment. Gain insights into creating inclusive policies that support diverse employee needs. Get important links, top recommended books and episodes, and a full transcript at thebrainybusiness.com/512. Looking to explore applications of behavioral economics further? Learn With Us on our website. Subscribe to Melina’s Newsletter Brainy Bites. Let’s connect: Send Us a Message Follow Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube The Brainy Business on Instagram
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511. Staying Human in the Age of AI: Insights from SXSW 2025
In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer shares a dynamic panel discussion from SXSW 2025, titled Enough with the Delving: Staying Human in the Age of AI. With insights from industry experts, the conversation addresses the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in communication and marketing. Melina moderates a lively discussion featuring Usama Fayyad, Joanna Lepore, and Ben Guttmann, who explore the implications of AI on human interaction and decision-making. They delve into the balance between leveraging AI as a tool and maintaining the essential human touch in branding and marketing efforts. The panelists share their perspectives on the risks of over-reliance on AI, the importance of critical thinking, and the potential for innovation when humans and AI work together effectively. In this episode: Discover the key challenges of communicating effectively in the age of AI. Explore how AI can enhance or hinder human creativity and critical thinking. Learn about the importance of maintaining a human connection in marketing and branding. Understand the ethical considerations and biases associated with AI technologies. Gain insights on how organizations can navigate their AI journey while prioritizing human elements. Get important links, top recommended books and episodes, and a full transcript at thebrainybusiness.com/511. Looking to explore applications of behavioral economics further? Learn With Us on our website. Subscribe to Melina’s Newsletter Brainy Bites. Let’s connect: Send Us a Message Follow Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube The Brainy Business on Instagram
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510. When AI Meets Neuroscience
In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer welcomes Dr. Ingrid Nieuwenhaus, head of Science at alpha.one, to explore the fascinating intersection of machine learning and neuroscience. This insightful conversation, originally recorded live at Greenbook's IIEX behavior conference, delves into how advanced technologies are reshaping our understanding of consumer behavior and advertising effectiveness. Ingrid shares her extensive background in neuroscience and how it informs her work in applying predictive eye tracking and neural networks to measure brand value and consumer attention. The discussion highlights the importance of small changes in marketing materials that can dramatically influence consumer perception and engagement. Listeners will learn about the concept of "attention vampires"—elements that unintentionally draw focus away from the intended message—and how machine learning can help identify and optimize these aspects. In this episode: Discover how machine learning techniques are used to predict consumer attention in advertising. Learn about the role of interdisciplinary teams in advancing research and marketing strategies. Explore real-world examples, including the Heineken ad study, showcasing the impact of subtle design changes. Understand the balance between storytelling and brand visibility in marketing campaigns. Gain insights into the future of branding and creativity in an increasingly automated world. Get important links, top recommended books and episodes, and a full transcript at thebrainybusiness.com/510. Looking to explore applications of behavioral economics further? Learn With Us on our website. Subscribe to Melina’s Newsletter Brainy Bites. Let’s connect: Send Us a Message Follow Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube The Brainy Business on Instagram
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509. The Anatomy of Bad Ads
In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer sits down with Dr. Jake Teeny, an assistant professor of marketing at the Kellogg School of Management. Together, they delve into the world of advertising, specifically focusing on what makes an ad ineffective. They discuss the common pitfalls brands encounter, from failures of attention to unclear messaging and memory issues. Jake shares insights from his extensive research on social influence and persuasion, helping listeners understand how to create more impactful advertisements while avoiding the mistakes that lead to cringe-worthy campaigns. Melina and Jake explore the importance of having a clear objective for advertisements, the dangers of overloading messages, and the need for emotional resonance in ads to enhance memorability. They also touch on the consequences of failing to distinguish your brand in a crowded market, and how tunnel vision can lead to offensive or tone-deaf marketing efforts. The episode wraps up with Jake’s actionable framework for evaluating ads, ensuring you’re on the right track to creating memorable and effective marketing communications. In this episode: Discover the two main types of ineffective ads and how they can waste resources. Learn the importance of having a clear objective and specific goals for your advertising campaigns. Understand the impact of emotional high points on memory retention and brand recall. Explore the concept of “tunnel vision” and how it can lead to misjudged advertising strategies. Gain insights into the ad plan framework to evaluate and improve your advertising efforts. Get important links, top recommended books and episodes, and a full transcript at thebrainybusiness.com/509. Looking to explore applications of behavioral economics further? Learn With Us on our website. Subscribe to Melina’s Newsletter Brainy Bites. Let’s connect: Send Us a Message Follow Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube The Brainy Business on Instagram
About The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of Why People Buy | Behavioral Economics
Consumers are weird. They don't do what they say they will do and don't act how we think they "should." Enter Melina Palmer, a sales conversion expert with a personal mission to make your business more effective and brain friendly. In this podcast, Melina will take the complex concepts of behavioral economics (the study and science of why people buy - or not) and provide simple, actionable tips you can apply right away in your business. Whether you're a small business or thriving corporation, Melina's tips can help your business increase sales and get more customers.
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