Podcast
Influence Anyone
Hosted by Howie Chan, Influence Strategist @ The Behavioring Company · EN
The #1 podcast on applied influence psychology. Each episode, I sit down with the world's leading experts and practitioners to uncover the hidden psychology that helps you influence yourself (mastering your mindset, habits, and decisions) and get buy-in from others (branding, storytelling, negotiating etc.). Together, we turn science into playbooks you can apply to lead, persuade, and create extraordinary success.
Hosted by Howie Chan, this show features top human behavior experts, best-selling authors, influential marketers, and elite performers sharing proven strategies for branding, storytelling, sales, and ultimately, influence.
Whether you're building your value proposition, refining your speaking skills, or learning communication skills for leaders, each episode delivers actionable insights to elevate your brand and career. From storytelling in marketing to career reinvention, discover influencer strategies that help you stand out, connect, and lead with impact.
Perfect for entrepreneurs, executives, and anyone ready to grow their influence and authority.
38episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Psychology of LinkedIn Success: 5 Traits That Turn Invisible Experts into In-Demand Ones
3w ago00:11:11Tap to summarizeMost people think LinkedIn success comes down to knowing the algorithm. Howie Chan disagrees. After being named the number one creator worldwide for branding and positioning on LinkedIn in 2024, he's found that the people who consistently win on the platform aren't the ones with the best tactics, they're the ones who understand human psychology.In this solo episode, Howie breaks down the five psychological beliefs shared by the most successful people on LinkedIn. Drawing on research from Princeton's Oppenheimer and frameworks from Clayton Christensen, he shows why opportunities are created in the mind long before they show up in your inbox.You'll learn why simplicity increases perceived competence, why sameness makes you invisible, and why the real driver of opportunity is being remembered, not being the loudest.Chapters:00:01:26 LinkedIn Is More Than a Social Platform00:04:25 Trait 1: Get Clear on What You Want00:05:26 Trait 2: Clarity Over Cleverness00:06:53 Trait 3: Different Beats Better00:08:42 Trait 4: Opportunities Are Social00:09:24 Trait 5: Own a Specific ProblemCheck out Howie’s episode on how you can be better than 99% of people who use LinkedIn: 99% of people are using LinkedIn WRONG (5 things I’d do if I had to start today) (April 21)What’s Your Influence Style? What do you do when you need someone to do something?This quiz will help you discover your most natural influence style, so you can use that strength more effectively (and know your blind spots.)→ https://www.influencestylequiz.com/Join 800+ leaders who've already uncovered what their style is.—Produced by Ideablossoms
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Emotional Targeting Expert: The Secret Behind Every Sale
4w ago01:01:55Tap to summarizeMost people believe B2B buyers make rational, spreadsheet-driven decisions while consumers buy on impulse. Talia Wolf, founder of GetUplift and bestselling author of Emotional Targeting, says that's backwards.In this episode, Howie Chan sits down with Talia to break down why B2B purchases often carry more emotional weight than B2C ones, and why self-image and social image quietly drive nearly every decision a person makes.Talia shares the exact interview questions she uses to uncover emotions that customers can't articulate themselves and lays out her three-part emotional targeting framework — research, audit, and testing.You'll learn how to identify the hidden emotional triggers behind your customers' decisions, why B2B may be more emotionally driven than B2C, and why data alone rarely wins deals.Chapters:00:01:40 Self-Image vs Social-Image00:07:51 The B2B Emotion Myth00:11:39 What Emotional Marketing Actually Means00:14:40 The Value of Social Listening00:22:46 Questions That Reveal Your Customer’s Hidden Emotions00:30:21 Copying Competitors Won't Save You00:34:45 The 3-Part Emotional Targeting Framework00:46:33 Emotional Targeting in Everyday Life00:51:12 Using Emotional Pull to Build Communities00:54:52 Where Conversion Optimization Is Headed00:58:03 The Problem With Outsourcing Your Brain to AIFrom Talia Wolf:Website (https://taliawolf.com/)GetUpLift (https://getuplift.co/)LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/taliagw)YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/c/TaliaWolf)Book (https://taliawolf.com/book)Mentioned in this episode:Conversation with Matt Sucha (episode 74): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Udgvfulyjb4What’s Your Influence Style Profile? What do you do when you need someone to do something?This quiz will help you discover your most natural influence style, so you can use that strength more effectively (and know your blind spots.)→ https://www.influencestylequiz.com/Join 800+ leaders who've already uncovered what their style is.—Produced by Ideablossoms (https://ideablossoms.com/)
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The 5 Influence Styles: Why Some People Are Impossible to Persuade
Jun 3000:16:07Tap to summarizeWhy can the exact same message change one person's mind instantly, while it does nothing for someone else? In this solo episode, Howie Chan explores the real reason persuasion fails so often, because most people communicate the way they want to be heard, not the way the other person actually processes information.He introduces the five influence styles that shape human behavior, drawn from years of studying behavioral science and working with leaders, founders, and salespeople. He reveals what each style is built on, where it breaks down under pressure, and why stress doesn't create your style; it reveals it.You'll learn how Commanders, Scientists, Storytellers, Connectors, and Sages move people to act, where their biggest blind spots hide, and the one shift that makes influencing anyone dramatically easier.Chapters:00:00:00 People Are Influenced Differently00:02:48 The Commander Influence Style00:03:59 The Scientist Influence Style00:05:36 The Storyteller Influence Style00:07:14 The Connector Influence Style00:09:31 The Sage Influence Style00:12:43 Pressure Reveals Your True StyleCheck out Howie’s episode with Dr. Robert Cialdini: Godfather of Influence: The Persuasion Principle that Resulted in a $700K Gift & The “Bible of Online Marketing” (Episode 50)What’s Your Influence Style? What do you do when you need someone to do something?This quiz will help you discover what is your most natural influence style, so you can use that strength more effectively (and know your blind spots.)→ https://www.influencestylequiz.com/Join 700+ leaders who've already uncovered what their style is.—Produced by Ideablossoms
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Cognitive Neuroscientist: The Only 10% That Matters in Marketing & Sales
Jun 2301:11:20Tap to summarizeYour audience forgets 90% of what you say within 48 hours. Neuroscientist Dr. Carmen Simon says that's not the problem. The problem is that most people have no control over which 10% survives.Howie Chan sits down with Carmen to break down the neuroscience of memory. Carmen reveals how memory actually forms in the brain, why the brain is not getting lazier, and how the most persuasive communicators build messages that survive long after the conversation ends.You'll learn how to clarify and repeat your 10% message, how to prime your audience before your key idea lands, how to trigger memory retrieval through environmental cues, and why complexity, not simplicity, keeps audiences engaged longer.Chapters:00:00:00 Why 90% of Your Message Disappears After 48 Hours00:07:36 How Memory Forms, Consolidates, and Gets Retrieved00:09:49 The Priming Effect: Getting Brains Ready to Remember00:20:36 Cognitive Ease: Understanding Supporting Points00:23:08 Encoding, Consolidation, and Retrieval of Memories00:29:11 How to Capture Attention00:37:09 Faces in Ads Don't Always Help You00:46:08 Carmen's Journey to a Double PhD00:48:59 Having Chemistry with Your Message00:56:59 How Memory Influences Decisions01:00:46 Pivoting Your Brand Without Losing Your Audience01:05:50 Complexity Keeps Audiences EngagedFrom Dr. Carmen Simon:WebsiteLinkedInBooksMentioned in this episode:Apple Intelligence Advert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6RX9kJ01KwStory Selling versus Data Selling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Udgvfulyjb4Nail Your Niche Masterclass→ https://www.howiechan.com/nicheNail Your Niche Without Overthinking and Become the ONLY Choice—Produced by Ideablossoms
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You're Not Broke, You're Behaving Broke: 7 Science-Proven Reasons People Stay Poor (+ Bonus #8 That Changes Everything)
Jun 1600:13:33Tap to summarizeMost people think being poor is just a money problem. It’s not. Being poor can mean less impact, less freedom, less fulfillment, and ideas that never reach the world. In this solo episode, Howie Chan breaks down the seven science-backed reasons people stay stuck, and adds a critical bonus eighth that most people never see coming.Drawing from neuroscience, behavioral economics, and psychology, Howie explains why logic loses to emotion, why stories outperform facts, and why being talented but invisible is one of the most economically dangerous positions you can be in.You'll learn how emotion drives every decision, why the availability heuristic determines who gets opportunities, how present bias quietly compounds into mediocrity, and what it actually takes to break through the invisible ceiling your own identity creates.Chapters:00:00:00 Logic Versus Emotion 00:02:36 Facts Versus Stories 00:03:50 Choosing Short-Term Comfort Over Long-Term Gains 00:05:26 The Fear of Judgement 00:07:21 People Can’t Choose What They Can’t Remember 00:08:38 Your Current Reality Is Not a Fixed Truth 00:10:00 More Information Does Not Mean More Value 00:11:18 Bonus: The Value of Understanding Human BehaviorCheck out Howie’s episode about LinkedIn: 99% of people are using LinkedIn WRONG (5 things I’d do if I had to start today) (Episode 76)What’s Your Influence Style? What do you do when you need someone to do something?This quiz will help you discover what is your most natural influence style, so you can use that strength more effectively (and know your blind spots.)→ https://www.influencestylequiz.com/Join 700+ leaders who've already uncovered what their style is.
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What Fundraisers Know About Human Behavior That Most Leaders Don't | The Science of Generosity
Jun 901:03:02Tap to summarizeBehavioral scientist, fundraising strategist, and author of Neurogiving, Cherian Koshy, joins Howie Chan in this episode where they dive deep into how to influence people to give—and what behavioral science teaches us about generosity, identity, and contribution.Drawing from behavioral science, neuroscience, and decades of fundraising experience, Cherian reveals that generosity is hardwired into human behavior and may be the fastest path to trust, loyalty, and lasting behavior change.Together, they explore why people give, how identity shapes decision-making, and why organizations often fail when they try to convince people to give. You'll learn how nonprofits, businesses, leaders, and entrepreneurs can stop pushing and start creating environments where people naturally want to contribute.Whether you're building a brand, leading a team, raising funds, or simply trying to influence more effectively, this conversation offers a powerful reframe: influence begins when people feel seen in their highest and best form.Episode Breakdown:00:00:00 From State Debate Champion to Influence Expert00:08:24 Humans Are Hardwired for Generosity00:14:50 The Biggest Fundraising Mistake Organizations Make00:23:11 How Generosity Builds Better Businesses and Teams00:29:38 Decision Architecture and the Emotions Surrounding Decision Making00:34:18 Consumer Giving vs. Corporate Giving00:42:18 The Neuroscience Behind the Joy of Giving00:44:45 Donor Retention and Why Most Organizations Get It Wrong00:55:00 Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Language and Ethical Influence01:00:46 Be Generous FirstExperts Shouldn’t Have to Be InvisibleIf you’re an accomplished professional, executive, or expert who knows you have more to say, more to contribute, and wants to become known for your ideas in the AI era…I’m putting together a small executive intensive around influence, positioning, visibility, and authority.You can join the waitlist at: howiechan.com/waitlistWhat’s Your Influence Style? What do you do when you need someone to do something?This quiz will help you discover what is your most natural influence style, so you can use that strength more effectively (and know your blind spots).→ https://www.influencestylequiz.com/Join 700+ leaders who've already uncovered what their style is.Episode Resources:Check out the conversations mentioned in this episode at https://www.howiechan.com/podcast:TEDx Former Executive Producer Reveals: Most Ideas Fall Flat, Make Yours Irresistible with The Red Thread Framework with Tamsen Webster (episode 67) (https://www.howiechan.com/podcast/tamsenwebster)400+ Behavioral Science Theories Decoded: an ABC Guide to Supercharge Your Marketing with Tom Bowden-Green and Luan Wise (episode 66) (https://www.howiechan.com/podcast/tomandluan)Godfather of Influence: The Persuasion Principle that Resulted in a $700,000 Gift & The "Bible of Online Marketing" with Robert Cialdini (episode 50) (https://www.howiechan.com/podcast/robertcialdini)From Our Guest:Website (https://www.cheriankoshy.com/)LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheriankoshy/)Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/cheriangkoshy/)Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/cheriankoshy)Neurogiving by Cherian Koshy (https://neurogivingbook.com/)—Produced by Ideablossoms (https://ideablossoms.com/)
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Buyer Psychology Expert Explains How To Become Unignorable in Today’s AI-Driven World
Jun 201:11:43Tap to summarizeHowie Chan interviews buyer psychology expert and “customer whisperer” Katelyn Bourgoin to unpack the hidden forces behind attention, influence, and why some people become impossible to ignore while others stay invisible.In this episode, Katelyn shares the painful story of shutting down her venture-backed startup, the lessons she learned from studying behavioral economics, and how understanding buyer psychology completely changed the trajectory of her career. They dive deep into the psychology of attention, why “jobs to be done” changed modern marketing, how envy secretly drives human behavior, and the difference between getting attention and earning true influence.You’ll also learn practical strategies for becoming “unignorable” in today’s AI-driven world, including how to build authority, borrow trust, create memorable positioning, and use storytelling ethically to influence people.Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creator, marketer, or leader trying to stand out in a noisy world, this conversation will change how you think about persuasion, branding, and human behavior.Episode Breakdown:00:00:00 Why Katelyn Bourgoin Shut Down Her Startup00:05:19 Rebuilding from Zero00:12:09 The Customer Insight Mistake Founders Keep Making00:16:38 How a Newsletter Accidentally Became a Business00:21:45 “Jobs To Be Done” Explained Simply00:27:11 The “Pratfall Effect” & Why Flaws Build Trust00:29:19 How to Become Unignorable in the Age of AI00:36:25 How to Borrow Trust and Authority Strategically00:39:25 Sharing Your Wins Builds Influence00:41:22 Envy, Mimetic Desire & Hidden Motivations00:47:15 The Science of Attention and Persuasion00:52:11 Fascination, Contrarian Ideas & Standing Out01:02:33 Wallet Opening Words01:06:31 Delivering on Your Promises to Build InfluenceWant to make influencing human behavior your company's superpower? Connect with me at howiechan.com/speaking and let's talk!The Behavioring Blueprint:A FREE, 7-day email course breaking down all the levers to influence human behavior to get people from a current behavior to a desired behavior.→ http://howiechan.com/behavioringFrom Our Guest:Website (https://learnwhywebuy.com/)LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/katebour/)Newsletter (https://learnwhywebuy.com/)Read Katelyn’s blog about killing her startup (https://medium.com/@katelynbourgoin/i-killed-my-startup-and-then-some-crazy-shit-happened-6dfefa184652)Participate in Katelyn's Pre-selling with Pre-suasion email challenge (https://customercamp.co/pwp/)Get the book, Wallet-Opening Words (https://www.walletopeningwords.com/)—Produced by Ideablossoms (https://ideablossoms.com/)
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Story Selling vs. Data Selling: The Story-Insight-Data Framework That Drives Human Behavior
May 2600:08:06Tap to summarizeIn this solo episode, Howie Chan breaks down one of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to influence others: leading with data instead of emotion. He reveals why facts alone rarely change minds and how stories psychologically prime people to care, remember, and take action.Drawing from neuroscience, behavioral psychology, and persuasion research, Howie explains how emotion drives decision-making before logic ever enters the picture. He unpacks the hidden roles stories and data play in the brain and introduces a simple four-part framework to ethically influence decisions more effectively.You’ll learn why storytelling in marketing and communication works so powerfully, how dopamine and emotional memory shape attention, and why data is most persuasive only after emotional engagement has been established.Chapters:00:00:00 Why Stories Outperform Statistics00:02:14 What Storytelling Does to the Brain00:04:39 The 4-Part Framework for Influence00:06:41 The Psychology Behind Emotional AnchoringCheck out my conversation with Matt Sucha: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Evkin9z6Z4wTurn Your Expertise Into Income (Without Becoming a Creator)Influence System Mastery is a 6-week cohort program with a private community designed to help you attract the right clients and opportunities 24/7—using brand and influence science.→ https://www.influencesystemmastery.comNext Summer cohort runs June 5 - July 10, 2026
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Why Most B2B Branding Fails: The 86% Correlation Most Brand Ignore
May 1900:58:32Tap to summarizeBrand strategist and author of Brand Desire, Kevin Perlmutter, joins Howie Chan to reveal why the strongest brands don’t just communicate value. They create emotional connection.Drawing from behavioral science, customer psychology, and years of brand strategy experience, Kevin explains how brands can move beyond corporate jargon and surface-level messaging to uncover the emotional motivations that truly drive human behavior. From “limbic sparks” and subconscious associations to brand messaging and customer experience design, this conversation breaks down how great brands become unforgettable.You’ll learn why emotional insight matters more than demographics, how subconscious associations influence decision-making, and why most B2B brands fail to connect with the people they’re trying to reach. Kevin also shares practical frameworks any business can use to create stronger customer relationships, more resonant messaging, and brand experiences people actually want to return to.Episode Breakdown:00:00:00 The 3 Pillars of Brand Desire00:09:21 “Limbic Sparks” in Brand Strategy00:14:33 The Behavioral Science Discovery That Changed Kevin’s Career00:16:44 The 86% Correlation Most Brands Ignore00:24:36 AI & the Missing Emotional Connection00:28:26 The Biggest Mistake B2B Brands Make00:34:35 Fear-Based Marketing vs. Positive Emotional Connection00:40:49 Brand Expression (Sonic Branding, Visual Identity & Brand Messaging)00:44:27 Identifying Shared Emotional Motivation Between Stakeholders00:46:13 Aligning Customer Experience With Brand Promise00:51:54 The 3 Question Framework Every Business Should AskWant to make influencing human behavior your company's superpower? Connect with me at howiechan.com/speaking and let's talk!What’s Your Influence Style? What do you do when you need someone to do something?This quiz will help you discover what is your most natural influence style, so you can use that strength more effectively (and know your blind spots).→ https://www.influencestylequiz.com/Join 700+ leaders who've already uncovered what their style is.Episode Resources:Check out my episode with David Aaker here — or just go to episode 79.From Our Guest:WebsiteLinkedInYouTubeInstagramBrand Desire by Kevin Perlmutter—Produced by Ideablossoms
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“Brand Your Secret Sauce!” The Father of Branding Reveals The #1 Mistake Businesses Make Again and Again
May 1200:58:00Tap to summarizeHowie Chan interviews marketing icon David Aaker, widely regarded as the father of modern branding, to unpack the true drivers of brand equity — what a brand’s worth.In this episode, brand storytelling takes center stage as Aaker breaks down the myths around branding and reveals what actually influences customer decisions in modern days.From brand relevance to the power of loyalty, Aaker explains why branding goes far beyond awareness and image. He introduces his “Five B’s” framework and shows how brands shape both buying decisions and user experiences.You’ll learn why storytelling in marketing is one of the most effective tools in today’s cluttered and skeptical landscape, how to craft signature stories that captivate audiences, and why most companies are underutilizing their greatest competitive advantage: their “secret sauce.”Chapters:00:00:00 Brand vs Brand Equity00:04:01 The Five B’s of Modern Branding00:09:01 Managing Negative Brand Perception00:16:40 How to Create Powerful Signature Stories00:25:47 Branding Beyond Ads (Events, Sponsorship & Communities)00:30:30 The #1 Mistake Businesses Make with Branding00:33:04 Uniqlo’s Example of Branding Differentiation and Innovation00:52:26 High-Profile Branding Failures00:57:09 Final Advice: “Brand Your Secret Sauce”From David Aaker:WebsiteLinkedInTake a look at David’s books mentioned in this episode:Aaker on Branding: Second EditionCreating Signature StoriesOwning Game-Changing SubcategoriesBrand Portfolio Strategy Check out my conversation with Matt Sucha: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Evkin9z6Z4wWhat’s Your Influence Style? What do you do when you need someone to do something?This quiz will help you discover what is your most natural influence style, so you can use that strength more effectively (and know your blind spots.)→ https://www.influencestylequiz.com/Join 700+ leaders who've already uncovered what their style is.—Produced by Ideablossoms
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