Mind the Gap: Closing the Intention-Action Divide in Sustainable Business with Scott Young

Mind the Gap

In this insightful episode of Mind the Gap, hosts Phil White and Heidi Schoeneck explore the critical disconnect between what companies say about sustainability and what they actually do. Behavioral economics expert Scott Young joins to unpack the science behind the intention-action gap and shares practical frameworks for closing it. Discover why even the most well-intentioned sustainability goals often fail, how small behavioral nudges can drive massive change at scale, and why making sustainable choices easier—not just more desirable—is the key to meaningful transformation. Perfect for business leaders, sustainability professionals, and anyone interested in behavioral science's role in building a more sustainable future.

Chapters

1. Introduction to Mind the Gap and Scott Young (00:00:00)

2. Scott's background in behavioral science and consumer insights (00:02:59)

3. Understanding the intention-action gap in sustainability (00:04:30)

4. Why caring doesn't lead to behavior change (00:05:05)

5. Behavior as the lead: How small actions change self-perception (00:06:30)

6. Small changes, big impacts: The power of scale (00:07:25)

7. Triggers and rewards: Creating immediate feedback loops (00:08:31)

8. The business decision conundrum in sustainability (00:09:25)

9. The ethical responsibility of retailers in consumer behavior (00:10:55)

10. Finding win-win opportunities in business models (00:12:34)

11. The speed challenge: Fast fashion and environmental tradeoffs (00:14:08)

12. The EAST framework: Easy, Attractive, Social, Timely (00:16:10)

13. Real-world applications of behavioral science principles (00:19:51)

14. Left digit bias: How pricing psychology affects behavior (00:21:02)

15. Applying the EAST framework to everyday influence (00:23:15)

16. Closing thoughts on bridging the intention-action gap (00:24:16)