Best Behaviour Lab Podcasts (2025)

1
Ep 73 The Secret Link Between Allergies and Dog Behaviour & It’s a Lab Thing 17:48

5d ago17:48

17:48

Is your dog a little itchier than usual this time of year? Or maybe on and off all year round? In this episode, we’re diving into the world of allergies and the subtle ways they might be affecting your dog’s behaviour – even if you’ve never thought of them as an “allergic dog”. From a vet’s perspective, we explore how low-level itchiness can spill …

1
The wonder of sharks surviving for 500 million years 53:50

2d ago53:50

53:50

Sharks have survived 500 million years while mass extinctions have wiped out other species. Now, sharks are under threat.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
How GEICO use the principle of concreteness to make memorable ads 29:04

4d ago29:04

29:04

GEICO have created some of the most effective US advertising in recent years. The GEICO gecko is one of the most popular characters in advertising. But what makes him so memorable? In this episode we discuss Ian Begg’s research into concreteness which showed that people are much better at remembering visualisable things compared to abstract concept…

1
Lab Notes: Why did NASA spend a billion bucks on Lucy? 13:00

6d ago13:00

13:00

Somewhere out past Mars in the early hours of Easter Monday, a space probe called Lucy whizzed by an asteroid named Donaldjohanson. Lucy then sent back images showing Donaldjohanson is about five kilometres wide and shaped like a peanut. It's one of a handful of asteroids on Lucy's 12-year itinerary. So what does the billion-dollar mission hope to …

1
The power of palaeontology 52:38

9d ago52:38

52:38

Palaeontology helps reveal why some animals are in desperate need of help while others thrive.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Interview with Gareth Harvey: former professor of consumer psychology turned behavioral science consultant 48:17

11d ago48:17

48:17

In this episode we talk with Gareth Harvey. Gareth was previously a professor of consumer psychology but now advises companies about how they can apply findings from behavioral science. In this episode he discusses some of his work with retailers showing how they can better frame special offers, use music more effectively and adjust the shopper jou…

1
Ep 72 Fixing That On-Lead, Off-Lead Split Personality & He’s Never Done That Before… 18:32

12d ago18:32

18:32

Does your dog behave one way on lead and a totally different way off lead? This is a super common behaviour, and in this episode, we’ll be diving into why this happens and what you can do about it. We’re getting really practical and giving you clever ways to blur the lines between “on lead” and “off lead” so your dog starts to make the same awesome…

1
Lab Notes: Why sprinting sensation Gout Gout is so fast 12:49

13d ago12:49

12:49

Gout Gout is fast becoming the face of Australian athletics, regularly clocking blisteringly quick times over 100- and 200-metre sprints. And he's only 17. Many think the best is yet to come. So what is it about Gout that makes him such an impressive sprinter at such a young age?By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
New findings show how genetic mutations drive autoimmunity. 54:05

16d ago54:05

54:05

A protein in the immune system, DECTIN-1 - primarily responsible for defending the body against fungal infections, has been found to control the severity of autoimmune diseases such as irritable bowel disease (IBS), type 1 diabetes, eczema, and other chronic disorders.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
How Hendrick's distinctive use of nostalgia explains their marketing success 28:24

18d ago28:24

28:24

In this episode we look at one of the world’s most successful gins: Hendrick’s. We explore three behavioral science principles that explain their growth: distinctiveness, consistency and nostalgia. In particular, we look at the experimental evidence from psychologists such as Von Restorff, Zajonc and Sedikides.…

1
Ep 71 When Walks Go Flat, Dealing with The Pancake Dog & Mitten Games 22:04

19d ago22:04

22:04

Have you ever been on a walk where your dog decides to stop dead in their tracks, refusing to move? They might also lie down and flatten themselves on the ground making it even harder to move them on without dragging them across the pavement (or sidewalk for the Americans). We call this “pancaking”! In this episode, you’ll be introduced to the “pan…

1
Lab Notes: How to decommission a nuclear power plant 13:47

20d ago13:47

13:47

We've been hearing a lot about a certain proposal to get nuclear power up and running in Australia, but little's been said about what happens when plants reach the end of their life. Decommissioning a single nuclear power plant can cost hundreds of millions of dollars and take decades. So what's involved, and why is the process so long and expensiv…

1
A new approach for democracy, tracing ancient dead stars and does the soil have a biome? 54:07

23d ago54:07

54:07

Soils are too often neglected but caring for them brings many benefits for plant nutrition, human health and a boost for the farm economy.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Interview: Melina Palmer, author of What your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You 37:38

25d ago37:38

37:38

In this interview, we catch up with Melina Palmer who has released a new book: The Truth About Pricing. She discusses how brands like Hermes and Costco have applied principles from behavioral science. We cover ideas like scarcity, reciprocity and the importance of in groups.By Consumer Behavior Lab

1
Ep 70 THIS Is Why Your Dog Training Hasn’t Worked & The Christmas of Nightmares 14:28

26d ago14:28

14:28

Why hasn’t the training you’ve done in the past worked for your dog? Is your dog still barking and lunging? Pulling on lead? Jumping at your guests? Stealing your socks? Are they still anxious, over-excited, crazy and a complete handful? The answer is simpler than you think! In this episode, we’ll be breaking down why this happens, how your dog act…

1
Lab Notes: Should we be putting pig parts in people? 13:27

27d ago13:27

13:27

Hearts, kidneys and now livers — over the past couple of years, surgeons have taken all these from gene-edited pigs and put them in people.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Net zero carbon emissions – a review of progress 53:17

1M ago53:17

53:17

Nick Rowley reviews out progress towards net zero carbon emissions, Jared Diamond proposes mining the sea floor, and California’s legacy of Albert Einstein.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
How Zoom proved that behavioral science is just as effective in B2B settings as it is in B2C 34:16

1M ago34:16

34:16

In this episode, we discuss how behavioural biases can be applied by brands in a B2B setting. In particular, we look at how Zoom credibly used social proof in their earliest days and the evidence that suggests this works well in a professional setting. We also cover the principle of make it easy and the evidence of this occurring in B2B. Finally, w…

1
Ep 69 Can Boundaries Actually Solve Your Dog’s Struggles at Home? & Stinky Socks 18:29

1M ago18:29

18:29

If you have dogs zooming around the house, jumping on guests, launching off at every sound or creating chaos with your other dogs, you might be amazed to hear that something as simple as their bed could be your ticket to a calmer home! In this episode, we’re diving into the magic of boundaries – what they are, why they matter and how they can trans…

1
Lab Notes: Why have Saturn's rings 'vanished'? 11:48

1M ago11:48

11:48

As far as planets go, they don't get much more iconic than Saturn. A huge golden ball encircled by gigantic rings. But those distinctive rings — the very things that give Saturn its pizzazz — have seemingly disappeared. So what’s going on, and when will they be back?By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Landscape and islands 54:06

1M ago54:06

54:06

Lord Howe Island may appear an island paradise, but its ecology has been under intense pressure from invasive species such as rats and pigs. Now birds are being found with stomachs full of plastic.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Interview: Charles Spence, author of Gastrophysics, on the science of taste appeal 56:51

1M ago56:51

56:51

In this week's episode, we chat with Charles Spence—Oxford professor, author of Gastrophysics, and the world’s leading expert on how our senses work together to shape flavor. We discuss how brands are leveraging sensory cues to make their products more appealing, and discover practical insights for anyone who wants to understand the power of taste …

1
Ep 68 The Two Biggest Dog Training Mistakes (Part 2 of 2) & A Hat-Trick 19:59

1M ago19:59

19:59

Ever feel like your dog is glued to you 24/7 – following you everywhere (even the toilet!), demanding attention or struggling when you leave? It turns out that this could be due to another dog training mistake we might be making! In Part 2 of our special double feature, we’re breaking down why so many dogs have a hard time settling and staying calm…

1
Lab Notes: The extreme conditions F1 drivers face in a race 13:33

1M ago13:33

13:33

They might be the epitome of cool, but Formula 1 race car drivers can get hot — really hot. An F1 cockpit can heat up to 60 degrees Celsius, and this affects cognition — the last thing you want when you're fanging around a track at 300kph. This year, a new rule was introduced to give F1 drivers a bit of relief from that heat … which is just one of …

1
Your exposome, Kavli awards and more improbable research 52:12

1M ago52:12

52:12

80% of diseases are impacted by environment or lifestyle described as your exposome. Thomas Hartung expects information from studying the exposome will bring benefits on par with those brought by studying the human genome.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Digital Cleanup Day 16:15

2M ago16:15

16:15

An Estonian NGO started the Digital Cleanup Day five years ago, and millions of people have joined since then. Get insights into our digital waste, what it costs in energy, and how we can clean it up. Here a link to the Digital Cleanup Day websites: https://www.digitalcleanupday.org/ Other references: https://medium.com/stanford-magazine/carbon-and…

1
Interview: Nir Eyal, author of Hooked, on how to form lasting habits 49:31

2M ago49:31

49:31

In this episode we talk with Nir Eyal, author of Hooked, and one of the world's leading experts on the topic of habits. His work is of particular interest as his focus is on how brands (rather than individuals) can create habits. Nir walks us through the four elements of his model and gives lots of practical advice on what marketers can do differen…

1
Ep 67 The Two Biggest Dog Training Mistakes (Part 1 of 2) & An Unexpected Encounter 21:00

2M ago21:00

21:00

Could these two really common things we do with our dogs be the very reason they struggle with listening to us, ignoring us or chase? In this episode, Part One of Two, we’re breaking down how a super common piece of advice might be shaping your dog’s choices in a big way. We’ll reveal a simple, secret skill that, once your dog understands it, makes…

1
Lab Notes: 1 in 3 women get this infection. To cure it, treat men 13:05

2M ago13:05

13:05

For women who get bacterial vaginosis or BV, a common condition that can cause a fishy-smelling discharge, many will get it again (and again). Why some people were prone to recurrent BV was a mystery … until now. Australian researchers have shown that BV-related bugs can be sexually transmitted, and treating male partners significantly cuts recurre…

1
A crisis, an opera, and one of the greatest photos in history - The AAAS rides again. 54:06

2M ago54:06

54:06

America’s top research institutions face an uncertain future.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
How using humor helped Aviation gin laugh all the way to the bank 24:30

2M ago24:30

24:30

In this episode we explore the behavioral science principles behind Aviation Gin’s success. In particular we look at why humor is such an effective (but underused) tool for brands. We cover work by Nisbett on the halo effect that shows if a brand improves its standing in one particular metric (like being funny) it will improve even unrelated charac…

1
Ep 66 Gorse Diaries Update: The Greatest Opportunity in Dog Ownership You’ll Ever Have & The Smell 24:26

2M ago24:26

24:26

Is there hope for your reactive dog? There’s more than that – there’s a life-changing opportunity. In this powerful episode, we’re giving you an update on Gorse’s emotional, inspiring journey. Once a dog paralysed by fear after a traumatic dog bite incident, you’ll find out about her remarkable transformation and latest adventure on the beach. If y…

1
Lab Notes: How Ozempic stops food cravings

2M ago

—

A weekly injection that stops that hankering for hot chips and donuts? Many people on Ozempic and similar medications report this phenomenon, saying they no longer have incessant thoughts about sweets and fried food. So how do these drugs, known as GLP-1 agonists, work in the brain to dial down "food noise" and help people lose weight?…

1
Naomi Oreskes The Big Myth and a new theory for the origin of black holes 54:05

2M ago54:05

54:05

Naomi Oreskes talks about Donald Trump and her latest book The Big Myth ahead of her visit to Australia in early March.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Interview: Roger Dooley, author of Brainfluence, on the practical marketing lessons from behavioural science 35:43

2M ago35:43

35:43

In this episode we talk with Roger Dooley author of Brainfluence. In a wide-ranging conversation, we start by covering the importance of focusing on making whatever behaviour you want to encourage as easy as possible. Then we move on to the importance of experimentation and how brands can work out which, of the many behavioural biases that have bee…

1
Ep 65 Is Your Dog’s Behaviour Struggle Actually a Hidden Health Problem? & Seaside Freedom 19:51

2M ago19:51

19:51

Ever wondered why some dogs struggle more no matter how much training they receive? Or why some seem to regress backwards? In this episode, we’re diving into the fascinating connection between health and behaviour. Get ready to get geeky as we discover how hidden pain, allergies or gut issues could be silently contributing to your dog’s reactivity …

1
Lab Notes: Are we on the brink of another pandemic? 13:24

2M ago13:24

13:24

The H5N1 strain of avian influenza is currently ripping through the US, infecting wild animals, livestock and people. One person has died, and around 70 more infections have been confirmed. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has made massive cuts to the nation's leading science and health agencies, and announced plans to withdraw from the World He…

1
Scope for all as some cities leap ahead with green initiatives 53:03

2M ago53:03

53:03

San Antonio Texas has restored the San Antonio River encouraging plants and animals back to the city.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
How Eleven Madison Park applied the peak-end rule to become the best restaurant in the world 30:40

2M ago30:40

30:40

In this episode we look at the rise of Eleven Madison Park to become the most critically acclaimed restaurant in the world. In particular we focus on their legendary customer service and how they used techniques like the peak-end rule to enhance diner’s memory of the visit. The lessons are relevant for all brands - not just those involved with fine…

1
Ep 64 How to Give Your Dog the Best Life Ever! 11:58

2M ago11:58

11:58

Ever wonder what it takes to REALLY make your dog’s life extraordinary? It’s more than just food, shelter and the occasional walk you learned about when you first got your dog. In this episode, we break down the secret formula for happiness and a long life for your dog – going beyond the basics to unlock their full potential. You’ll discover the py…

1
Lab Notes: What history can teach us about ‘city-killer’ asteroids 13:11

2M ago13:11

13:11

An asteroid dubbed 2024 YR4 is causing a stir among the space community and a frenzy in the media. It currently has a 2.3 per cent chance of crashing into Earth three days before Christmas in 2032. But this is not our first asteroid rodeo. Get in touch with us: [email protected] Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Vale Felicia Huppert 54:05

2M ago54:05

54:05

Vale the Professor of Happiness Felicia HuppertBy Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Interview: Sarah Carter, co-author of How Not to Plan, on using behavioural science to improve health and sustainability 1:00:04

2M ago1:00:04

1:00:04

In this episode we sit down with Sarah Carter and discuss how marketers can best use behavioural science. We focus on using behavioural science for good, whether that’s encouraging people to eat veg, take the train or practice safe sex. During a wide-ranging conversation with one of ad land’s brightest luminaries we cover biases from the ostrich ef…

1
Ep 63 To Walk or Not To Walk? Does Exercise Help Reactive Dogs? & The Midnight Walker 17:48

3M ago17:48

17:48

Ever feel like you’re stuck in a vicious cycle of trying to exercise your dog but only seeing their behaviour get worse? In this episode, we’re looking at a tricky behaviour case where an owner was stuck walking their reactive dog five times a day in an attempt to tire them out and was faced with this exact challenge. We’ll explore the common misco…

1
Lab Notes: Varroa is here but honey bees strike back 13:30

3M ago13:30

13:30

Varroa is the parasite responsible for destroying bee colonies all around the world and is regarded as "the greatest biological threat to Australia's honey bee population." The good news is that some honey bees can fight back. And they're being helped by breeders, scientists and artificial insemination on the tiniest scale. Learn more on Lab Notes,…

1
The wonder of Australia’s deserts 54:04

3M ago54:04

54:04

Unlike other deserts, Australian deserts experience occasional high rainfall. It supports a unique ecology.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
How Kraft kept their healthier product secret to avoid the problem of expectation assimilation 29:28

3M ago29:28

29:28

In this episode, we look at the behavioral science secrets behind the success of Kraft Mac and Cheese. We focus on two broad areas. First, how they managed to launch a new version of the product (with all the artificial colourings removed) without damaging sales. That’s an impressive achievement, as often if you stress that a product has become hea…

1
Ep 62 The Two Biggest Obstacles Preventing Dog Behaviour Transformation & A Tom Toilet Training Cringe! 20:01

3M ago20:01

20:01

You’ve probably been there: you’re making progress, but then, suddenly you hit a roadblock and you feel like you’re back to square one. What’s going on? In this episode, we’re tackling the two biggest reasons why people often struggle to transform their dog’s behaviour. We’ll break down how our human brains can trick us into giving up when things g…

1
Lab Notes: Why the Australian sun has a real sting to it 13:33

3M ago13:33

13:33

Australia's summer UV levels are high enough to cause sunburn in as little as 11 minutes. Yet the summer sun in the Northern Hemisphere rarely feels that full on. So why does our sunlight have that extra "bite"? Spoiler: it's not the hole in the ozone layer. Learn more on Lab Notes, the show that brings you the science of new discoveries and curren…

1
Old rocks, old humans, old sharks, and links to today 54:04

3M ago54:04

54:04

Opals, ancient humans and sharks dating back 465 million years. This week we see how today’s world has been shaped from the distant past.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Behaviour Lab Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide