PERSUASION: April 2025 podcast playlist

This podcast playlist explores the power of persuasion, showcasing real-life stories of individuals who remarkably changed others’ beliefs, behaviors, and perspectives. Each episode dives into the science behind these transformations, with experts in psychology and neuroscience explaining the cognitive biases and emotional triggers that drive change. From shifting political views to changing habits, this playlist offers valuable insights into the psychology of persuasion and how we can use it to foster positive change.

This playlist was curated by Jules, a member of our Chicago Chapter.

Podcast Playlist on PERSUASION

Get the full playlist on your podcast player of choice using these platforms:

 
Cautionary Tales: “Cautionary Conversation: The Conspiracy Theorist Who Changed His Mind” (10/1/2022, 41 min)
Charlie Veitch was confident that 9/11 was an inside job. The attack on the World Trade Center wasn’t the work of Al-Qaeda but an elaborate conspiracy. He became a darling of so-called “9/11 truthers” – until he visited Ground Zero to meet architects, engineers, and the relatives of the dead. The trip changed his mind… there was no conspiracy. David McRaney (host of You Are Not So Smart and author of How Minds Change) joins Tim Harford to discuss what happened to Charlie Veitch, what it tells us about those who hold strong beliefs even in the face of damning contrary evidence, and why persuasion isn’t always the correct answer.
Hidden Brain: “Romeo & Juliet in Rwanda” (7/1/2020, 49 min)
How do you change someone’s behavior? Most of us would point to education or persuasion. But what if the answer lies elsewhere? This week, a revisit of a 2018 story about human nature and behavior change — a story that will take us on a journey from Budapest to the hills of Rwanda.
The Big Story: “How to actually change someone’s mind” (10/1/2023, 25 min)
It feels like we’re more stubborn than ever before. We are more likely to dig in our heels, refuse to listen to facts, and generally hold tight to our positions no matter what. But is that true, or is that just a function of the new ways of communication that we’re still learning to use? Regardless, if we can’t figure out how to find solutions together, we may need more time to figure it out. So the next time you’re inclined to blow up at someone for believing in something dumb or refusing to listen to reason, ask yourself if there’s a better way to convince them.
A Slight Change of Plans: “A Black Musician Takes on the KKK” (7/1/2023, 36 min)
A conversation with the Black jazz musician Daryl Davis. During a performance, a member of the KKK approached him at a bar, and his life took an unexpected turn. He ended up inspiring hundreds of people to leave white supremacist groups.
Bonus podcast episodes:

• Hidden Brain: “Radically Normal” (3/1/2021, 50 min)
  For generations, it was difficult, even dangerous, to express a sexual orientation other than heterosexuality in the United States. But in recent years, much has changed. This week, a revisit of a 2019 episode about one of the most striking transformations of public attitude ever recorded. The episode also considers whether the strategies used by the LGBTQ community hold lessons for other groups seeking change.
• Short Wave: “How To Have Hard Conversations” (11/1/2024, 15 min)
  Many people are gearing up for holiday conversations with loved ones who may disagree with them — on everything from politics to religion and lifestyle choices. As the conversations unfold, these divisions are visible in our brains, too. These conversations can get personal and come to a halt fast. This episode gets into research in neuroscience and psychology, showing that as much as we disagree, there are ways to bridge these divides – and people actively use these strategies in their daily lives.

Conversation Starter Questions:

1. Have you ever radically changed your opinion on something?
2. Have you ever changed someone else’s mind?
3. Which persuasion tactic was most surprising to you?
4. Do you have your own story about a shocking mind shift?
5. What are the downsides of persuasion and their motivation?