Category Archives: Marketing

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The Science of Predicting and Changing Human Behavior – Episode 562 (M02)

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It’s time to unveil our second (of twelve) books we’re featuring in 2025. That’s right. In case you’re late to the party, Read to Lead has moved from a weekly show to a monthly show. That means only a dozen books will get the spotlight this year.

The next book in our line-up is Mindmasters: The Data-Driven Science of Predicting and Changing Human Behavior by Sandra Matz. What’s it all about? Let’s dive in.

There are more pieces of digital data than there are stars in the universe, says Sandra. This data helps us monitor our planet, decipher our genetic code, and take a deep dive into our psychology.

As algorithms become increasingly adept at accessing the human mind, they also become more and more powerful at controlling it, enticing us to buy a certain product or vote for a certain political candidate. Some of us say this technological trend is no big deal. Others consider it one of the greatest threats to humanity. But what if the truth is more nuanced and mind-bending than that?

In Mindmasters, Sandra, a Columbia Business School professor, reveals in fascinating detail how big data offers insights into the most intimate aspects of our psyches and how these insights empower an external influence over the choices we make. This can be creepy, manipulative, and downright harmful, with scandals like that of British consulting firm Cambridge Analytica being merely the tip of the iceberg.

Yet big data also holds enormous potential to help us live healthier, happier lives—for example, by improving our mental health, encouraging better financial decisions, or enabling us to break out of our echo chambers.

With passion and clear-eyed precision, Sandra shows us how to manage psychological targeting and redesign the data game.

Mindmasters is a riveting look at what our digital footprints reveal about us, how they’re being used—for good and for ill—and how we can gain power over the data that defines us.

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Sandra and her new book.

Join in on our chat below

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558: The 8 Step Blueprint To Building A Profitable Personal Brand Business with Mike Kim (E)

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I first met Mike Kim at the first-ever Podcast Movement conference in 2014, and I liked him immediately. Unassuming, humble, but incredibly smart and well-spoken. My kinda guy.

Mike Kim

But that ain’t the half of it, as they say.

Mike is someone I have so much respect for. Everything he does, he does with absolute class. He’s an amazing teacher and a fantastic and confident public speaker.

And I love the fact that after meeting him nearly 8 years ago at that “little” conference, he’s finally coming out with a book (just one month before me), making it possible for me to have him on Read to Lead.

Mike’s new book, releasing next week, is called You Are the Brand: The 8-Step Blueprint to Showcase Your Unique Expertise and Build a Highly Profitable, Personally Fulfilling Business.

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Mike and his work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

Join in on our chat below

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550: This Is Strategy with Seth Godin

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Today, we’re tackling a topic that’s often shrouded in mystery and perceived as exclusive to the corporate elite or military strategists: strategy. But as my guest argues, strategy is for everyone who desires to create positive change in the world.

Seth Godin’s latest book, This Is Strategy, is a thought-provoking manifesto that breaks down this seemingly complex subject into digestible concepts, revealing the power of time, games, empathy, and systems in shaping our world.

Through insightful answers and compelling examples, Seth encourages us to think differently about how we approach our work, our relationships, and the changes we seek to make.

Unfamiliar with Seth Godin? Where have you been?

He’s a renowned author, entrepreneur, and speaker, widely recognized for his insights on marketing, leadership, and the way ideas spread. He’s written over 20 bestselling books, including “This Is Marketing,” “Linchpin”, and “Purple Cow,” and his blog is a daily source of wisdom for millions worldwide.

Seth has a unique ability to cut through the noise and offer practical advice that empowers individuals and organizations to make a meaningful impact.

So, get ready to explore the fascinating world of strategy with Seth Godin.

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Seth and his work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

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549: Unlocking Creativity: The Science of Brainstorming and Generating New Ideas

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In this episode of Read to Lead, I dive deep into the fascinating world of creativity and innovation.

Challenging common myths about creativity being an innate gift reserved for a select few, this episode empowers listeners with scientific insights and practical strategies to unlock their creative potential.

For more on this topic, and for a summary of the episode, simply scroll down. To listen, just click the play button below.

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528: The Only Business Metric That Matters is Ideaflow with Jeremy Utley (an Encore Presentation of Episode 446)

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My guest today asserts that we all want great ideas, but few of us actually understand how great ideas are born. Innovation, he says, is not an event, a workshop, a sprint, or a hackathon.

It’s a result of mastering ideaflow, a practice that elevates everything else you do.

His name is Jeremy Utley, and he is the coauthor, along with Perry Klebahn of IDEAFLOW: The Only Business Metric That Matters.

They advocate a simple core principle: ideas matter. Instead of focusing on output, innovators focus on input. Instead of obsessing over quality, innovators generate quantity.

They argue that every problem is an idea problem at its core, and changing the way you think about any problem will unleash success. Innovation is a volume game, and the quantity of ideas drives quality.

Intrigued? Click the play button below to learn more Jeremy and his book.

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