The Irrational Mind | With Kristen Berman

What a parenting expert (and toddlers) can teach PMs about product engagement | Julie King

Julie King is a renowned parenting expert, author, and workshop leader who has dedicated her career to helping parents communicate more effectively with their children. She is the co-author of two bestselling books: "How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen” and "How to Talk When Kids Won't Listen”.Julie joined this episode to discuss:The trick to get kids to leave the park (and your users to retain)The secret framing solution for showing kids (and users) their progressThe way to ask someone to do something that is foolproofHow to set boundaries and still acknowledge feelings (employee management 101)The psychology behind getting your kids to go to bed (or users to engage)This episode reveals why the same psychological principles that work with stubborn toddlers can transform your product strategy and team dynamics.Whether you're designing user flows, managing stakeholder relationships, or creating engagement strategies, Julie's communication framework offers valuable techniques for influencing behavior without creating resistance—critical skills for anyone building a successful product.Enjoy this episode? Rate it and leave a review. It really helps others find the podcast. Learn more about Kristen and Irrational Labs ⁠here⁠.

What growth teams can learn from an expert dog trainer | Mac Namara, Dog Trainer

Mac Namara is an expert dog trainer who specializes in positive reinforcement techniques. She runs Puppy Prep, a company designed to help new dog owners set their puppies up for success from day one through science-based training methods. In our conversation, we explore:Why the speed of reinforcement (every 6 seconds!) is critical for behavior changeHow to train in short, focused bursts rather than lengthy sessionsThe importance of environment design over willpower or personality traitsHow to properly transition from consistent to variable reward schedulesWhy focusing on what TO do works better than punishing unwanted behaviorsThe problem with saying "no" without showing the alternativeHow these principles directly translate to product design and user onboardingLessons from dog training that apply to workplace feedback and managementThis episode offers practical insights on designing for behavior change through the science of positive reinforcement. A must-listen for product teams looking to create more engaging experiences and anyone interested in the psychology of meaningful habit formation!Enjoy this episode? Rate it and leave a review. It really helps others find the podcast.Learn more about Kristen and Irrational Labs ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

What Noom can teach product teams about behavior change and retention | Christine May (Behavioral Scientist & Advisor, Ex-Noom)

Christine May helped spearhead behavioral science at Noom, shaping it into an engine for user segmentation and accountability. As their former Head of Behavioral Science, she championed Noom’s “big picture” motivation model—tying everyday habits to goals—and played a role in scaling one-on-one coaching into a digital system for millions. Now, Christine helps consumer tech startups build habit-forming experiences rooted in evidence-based psychology.In our conversation, we explore:The book club principle: How to embed accountability in features customers actually wantWhy 90% of users reject direct accountability features (and how to solve this)How Noom's lengthy sign-up flow acts as a commitment filterThe counterintuitive confidence level that predicts user successWhat makes fixed-length plans more effective than endless subscriptionsHow to design rewards around behaviors instead of outcomesThe unexpected way social desirability drives product engagementThis episode is packed with practical insights on designing for sustainable behavior change, creating effective accountability systems that users actually want, and the surprising psychology behind what motivates people to stick with challenging goals.Enjoy this episode? Rate it and leave a review. It really helps others find the podcast.Learn more about Kristen and Irrational Labs ⁠here⁠.

What an orchestra conductor can teach managers about building world-class teams | Marin Alsop (Conductor)

Marin Alsop is a world-renowned conductor and the first woman to lead major orchestras internationally. The subject of the Emmy-nominated documentary "The Conductor” and formerly Music Director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, she’s Chief Conductor of the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Ravinia Festival, and Principal Guest Conductor of the Philharmonia Orchestra and the Philadelphia Orchestra. She has recorded 200+ titles and is the only conductor to receive a MacArthur Fellowship.In this episode, we explore:How giving people max autonomy drives performance How to balance elite talent with team cohesionTheories on talent selection to build top teamsThe "no shortcuts" practice philosophy This episode is great for anyone building teams. It offers powerful insights on creating excellence at scale, balancing autonomy with accountability, and fostering self-motivation. Enjoy this episode? Rate it and leave a review. It really helps others find the podcast.Learn more about Kristen and Irrational Labs ⁠here⁠.

What a world-renowned magician can teach product and growth teams | David Gerard (Magician & Mentalist)

David Gerard is one of Silicon Valley's most sought-after magicians and mentalists, performing over 90 shows annually for Fortune 500 companies and tech industry leaders. Before pursuing magic full-time, David spent 12 years in tech, starting at Google where he worked on flagship products including YouTube, AdWords, and Google Play, before leading growth and marketing initiatives at Discord and Aalto. Now, David combines his expertise in product growth with his mastery of psychological principles from magic, consulting with series A and B startups while maintaining a rigorous performance schedule that includes over 60 shows at Hollywood's prestigious Magic Castle. His unique background bridging tech and magic makes him a distinctive voice on user psychology, attention, and engagement.In our conversation, we unpack: A magician's secret for creating engaging experiences How magic shows achieve retention (and what products can learn from it) The misdirection technique that can transform user experiences What magicians know about building trust that most companies miss The surprising way performers make experiences feel personalized at scaleFrom Google to the stage, David Gerard has mastered both tech product growth and performance magic. In this episode, he reveals the psychological principles behind great magic shows and how product teams can apply them to create experiences users can't look away from. A must-listen for growth, product and design leaders looking to add a touch of magic to their user experience.Enjoy this episode? Rate it and leave a review. It really helps others find the podcast.Learn more about Kristen and Irrational Labs⁠here⁠.