42courses Podcast

Dave Duarte: The Half-Life of Knowledge in the AI Age 11.05.2026 39min

AI is moving faster than anyone can keep up with, and most people are quietly knackered just trying. In this episode we sit down with old friend and fellow educator Dave Duarte to ask the awkward question: what's actually worth learning when every shiny new tool has the shelf life of a banana? Expect philosophy, paperclip machines, surprisingly creepy smart homes, and a genuinely useful framework for staying authentically human while everything else gets automated.Dave Duarte42courses.com

The Human Side of AI: Agentic AI & The Future of Workflows 05.02.2026 28min

In this episode, Chris and Conor McCarthy explore the move from standard Chatbots to Agentic AI.If you are trying to figure out how to move beyond basic prompts and build systems that actually do the work for you, this conversation is for you. Conor breaks down the confusion between simple workflows and true AI agents, sharing practical examples of how to automate everything from email triage to complex coding tasks.In this episode, we cover:The 3 Levels of AI Interaction: From basic LLMs to "If/Then" workflows, and finally, true Agentic AI.The "Decision" Factor: How to trust AI to make decisions without you watching over its shoulder.Real-World Wins: How to use agents to fix your inbox and optimise marketing ads automatically.The Tech Stack: A look at "Model Context Protocols" (MCPs) and tools like Lindy.ai and Claude Code.Enjoy the show, and to learn more about AI and other subjects that will help you thrive in tomorrow's work, head to 42courses.com

Richard Shotton: Marketing Secrets from "Hacking the Human Mind" 19.01.2026 35min

Why does a vacuum cleaner need a transparent case? Why do Pringles need to crunch loudly to taste fresh? And why are we willing to pay a locksmith more if they take longer to open the door?In this episode, we sit down with the legendary Richard Shotton to discuss his brand new book, Hacking the Human Mind. Unlike his previous bestsellers, Richard flips the script this time, analysing 17 of the world’s most successful brands to reverse-engineer the behavioural science behind their dominance.We discuss:- The "Labour Illusion": Why Dyson proudly advertises their 5,127 failures.- The Curse of Knowledge: Why you are probably communicating poorly with your customers.- Sensory Marketing: How the weight of cutlery changes the taste of food.- The AI Trap: New research on why labelling art as "AI-generated" crashes purchase intent by 61%.Whether you are a marketer, an entrepreneur, or just fascinated by human psychology, this is a masterclass in why we buy what we buy.

Tay Guan Hin - Why AI Can’t Replace Human Flaws 12.01.2026 44min

What do a NASA engineer, a knuckle duster, and a trip to Uzbekistan have in common?We sat down with creative legend Tay Guan Hin to find out. In this episode, recorded fresh from the historic Silk Road, Tay reveals why playing it safe is officially boring.His new book, Collide, argues that the best ideas don’t come from peace and quiet; they come from smashing things together. Tune in to discover how a failed heat pump accidentally became the Super Soaker, why "imperfect" humans are still cooler than AI, and how to turn a little conflict into a lot of magic.

The Human Side of AI: Tools, Fears, and the Future 15.12.2025 48min

Is AI a job-killer, or is it the spark for a new creative renaissance? Join Chris (CEO, 42courses), Dave Duarte (CEO, Treeshake), and Conor McCarthy (AI Consultant & Engineer) for a candid conversation about navigating the choppy seas of the AI revolution.In this episode, we move past the doom-scrolling and focus on practical optimism. We discuss why AI is the "fastest depreciating asset humanity has ever invented," how to stop being a "secret cyborg" at work, and why the rise of synthetic media is actually driving a massive return to real-world community events. Plus, we share the simple "two Post-it note" strategy to build your AI muscle memory and debate the distinct "personalities" of ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.If you’re looking for a safe, optimistic place to make sense of the changing world, this conversation is for you.

The Science of Selling - Matt Sucha 08.12.2025 44min

Why do customers say "no" even when you offer them something for free? And how can simply changing a question double your sales?In this episode, Chris chats with behavioural science expert and Mindworx founder Matt Suchánek. A former actuary turned consumer psychology pro, Matt reveals why the secret to boosting sales isn't about giving people more reasons to buy—it's about giving them fewer reasons to say no.We discuss:🧠 The "Free" Trap: Why a travel insurance giveaway failed (and how psychology fixed it).🍕 The Pizza Experiment: How a simple reframe changed topping orders by 100%.🏄 The SURF Model: A practical framework to decode customer behaviour.🚫 Psychological Reactance: Why pushing too hard kills the sale.🎁 SPECIAL OFFER: Matt is offering signed copies of his new book, The Hidden Yes, plus a special bonus exclusively for our listeners! 👉 Get your copy here: https://www.thehiddenyes.com/42

The Simple Secret to Better Health - Chris Read 30.10.2025 45min

Why are 95% of us deficient in the one nutrient that could slash our risk of disease by nearly 30%?In this episode, we chat with Chris Read, founder of the health company Indi. Chris breaks down his journey from the world of sleep products to becoming obsessed with nutrition, revealing the shocking truths about the food industry, from hidden "nasty emulsifiers" to the problems with traditional multivitamins.Tune in to discover:The simple power of adding just 7 more grams of fiber to your diet.How to feed your "second brain" and why 90% of your happiness starts there.Actionable tips, like the two-kiwi-a-night sleep hack and what to really look for on a food label.The story behind Indi's "indigenous" ingredients and the mission to make health convenient.Visit Indi at https://indisupplements.com/Visit 42courses at https://42courses.com

Mike Sharman: Make It Newsworthy, A Viral Playbook 01.09.2025 46min

How do you turn a funny idea into primetime chatter and global buzz? In this lively episode, Mike Sharman shares the “Holy Trinity of marketing” that still wins today: activation first, scale it digitally, then PR the living daylights out of it. He breaks down how his team spoofed My Octopus Teacher" into the cult hit “My Creepy Teacher,” why curiosity is a superpower, and how to engineer virality rather than wish for it.Find out more about Mike at retroviral.co.zaFind out more about 42courses at 42courses.comWhat you’ll learnThe Holy Trinity that powers modern viral campaigns.How “My Creepy Teacher” went from a Cape Town shoot to a global hit. How to build successful creator partnerships.How to use obsessive curiosity as a career advantage.Why being “worthy of the news” is the bar that keeps work sharp.

Rob Campbell & Paula Bloodworth - How To Think Like An Artist 05.08.2025 46min

Why are brands continually out-played, out-thought and out-innovated by artists with zero marketing knowledge, training or experience? In this delightful conversation with globally renowned strategy legends, Rob Campbell and Paula Bloodworth, we take a look at what you can learn from artists and how it can help you get ahead.Rob's Website: https://robcampbell.coPaula's Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-bloodworth-3899833

Alison Kosik - A No Fluff Guide to Fixing Your Finances 07.07.2025 30min

Why do smart, capable women still freeze up when it comes to money?In this episode of the 42courses podcast, former CNN anchor and author of What’s Up with Women and Money, Alison Kosik, opens up about her own financial journey and why money talk still feels taboo for so many women.From cultural conditioning to salary shame, Alison tackles the myths that keep women financially sidelined. She shares cautionary tales, actionable advice on budgeting and investing, and the one thing every woman needs to do right now to gain control of her finances.It’s equal parts wake-up call and pep talk, and you’ll leave this episode feeling just a little more unstoppable.Read up on Alison's new book here: https://harriman-house.com/authors/alison-kosik/whats-up-with-women-and-money/9781804090534Find out more about 42courses here: https://42courses.com

JoséPablo Dominguez: Design Obsessed 24.03.2025 43min

Chris from 42courses interviews JoséPablo Dominguez from Atla Design. José chats about how Mexican culture shaped his design thinking, the surprising role education played in unlocking his creativity, and his shift from marketing to full-time design. He shares lessons from starting his own agency, why colour is everything in branding, and why design is moving from minimalism to glorious maximalism. There’s also talk of AI tools, and plenty of gold for anyone looking to break into design.Find out more about José's work at https://www.atla.design/ Find out more about 42courses at https://42courses.com

Greg Davies: The Psychology Of Investing 17.03.2025 33min

42courses' Louise Ward interviews Greg Davies from Oxford Risk, an expert in behavioural investing and the brains behind our new upcoming course, Behavioural Investing. They talk about how Greg got into behavioural finance, the mental biases affecting financial choices, and why sustainable investing matters. Greg discuses how important it is for people to recognise their own biases and emotional responses when investing, plus a whole host of practical ways to make smarter financial decisions.Find out more about Greg at https://www.innovatefinance.com/profiles/greg-b-davies-phd/Find out more about 42courses at https://42courses.com

Will Storr: Persuasive Storytelling 03.03.2025 33min

42courses Louise Ward interviews storytelling expert and all-around wonderful chap Will Storr. You'll learn about how to use storytelling in business situations, comms, and for a better life in general too.You'll also hear about the evolving role of storytelling in the age of AI as well as lots of other marvellously helpful insights.Find out more about Will at https://www.thescienceofstorytelling.com/Find out more about 42courses at https://42courses.com

Erik Angner: How Economics Can Save the World 27.01.2025 34min

Economics isn’t just about numbers, graphs, or GDP, it can also be used to create a happier, more equitable world.In this episode, philosopher and economist Erik Angner, author of How Economics Can Save the World, shares how his unique perspective bridges the gap between data and humanity.Erik’s approachable style and deep insights reveal how economics can tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from climate change to our pursuit of happiness. Follow Erik on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikangner/and in Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/erikangner.com

Nigel Taberner: Lessons from a Hostage Negotiator 13.01.2025 31min

What can high-stakes hostage negotiations teach us about leadership, persuasion, and building trust? In this episode, Louise gets to chat with former hostage negotiator and award-winning expert speaker Nigel Taberner. From managing emotions under pressure to building trust in seconds, Nigel provides actionable insights for leaders and professionals navigating today’s complex and unpredictable world. Discover: - The art of active listening and how it shapes better outcomes. - Proven techniques for negotiating as a conversation between real people! - How to apply negotiation principles to leadership and daily interactions. This episode is packed with stories and lessons to inspire you about communication and connection. Enjoy. Find out more about Nigel at https://www.nigeltaberner.com

Dan Ariely's 2024 year in review 23.12.2024 46min

42courses founder Chris Rawlinson talks with Behavioural Science legend Prof. Dan Ariely about his year in review. You'll learn about the power of embracing randomness and luck, the incredible power of citizen committees, the state of humanity and technology and much more. Enjoy the listing. Find out more about Dan at: https://danariely.com Find out more about 42courses at: https://42courses.com

42courses Top Books and Learnings From 2024 16.12.2024 39min

Find out our favourite books and insights from 2024. You'll also learn tips about business success, personal finance, AI, happiness, and as usual, lots of creativity and behavioural science tips too, we even share in our dad joke of the year! Learn more about us at https://42courses.com

Matt Wallaert: Behavioural Change at Scale 09.12.2024 54min

Ever wondered how to design products that truly change behaviour? In this episode, we sit down with Matt Wallaert, applied behavioural scientist, author of Start at the End, and founder of BeSci.io. He’s the brains behind helping global organisations build behavioural science into their DNA. Oh, and he has a quirky twist, he only wears secondhand clothes sourced from an eBay script. Yes, really. 💡 What’s Inside? • Practical insights from Matt’s experience, blending ideas from Nudge by Richard Thaler and Hooked by Nir Eyal. • How behavioural science can revolutionise organisations. • Why defining the desired behaviour outcome is the key to creating meaningful change. • The connection between financial stress, mental health, and education. • Ethical considerations in behaviour change and the role of diversity in spotting biases. Listen in for an inspiring, quirky, and deeply practical conversation that will leave you buzzing with ideas! Find Matt at https://besci.io Find 42courses at https://42courses.com

The Housefly Effect 18.11.2024 42min

This episode of the 42courses podcast is full of actionable tips for applying behavioural insights to your own lives. The lessons come from the new Behavioural Science book "The Housefly Effect." The authors, B.R.A.I.N Creatives founder Tim den Heijer, and Behavioural Insights Nederland, founder Eva van den Broek, are two incredibly charming and smart experts in behavioural science. You'll learn about all things Behavioural Science, including the Dunning-Kruger effect, the role of manipulation in marketing, the importance of experimentation in understanding human behaviour, and much much more. Enjoy. The Housefly Effect Book: https://amzn.to/3OcmBYR B.R.A.I.N Creative: https://braincreatives.nl/wie Behavioural Insights Nederland: https://behaviouralinsights.nl

A Creative Masterclass from Ogilvy Brazil's João & Pedro 05.11.2024 1j 21min

On this episode, we chat with an award-winning Brazilian creative duo, João Soares and Pedro Minari from Ogilvy. We go look at some of their work and go through all the stages from idea to execution. It's a mini creative masterclass full of advice! We also talk about some of the current creative trends, including how AI is impacting the creative process. Enjoy the show! Find out more about Pedro here. Find out more about João here: Find out more about us at https://42courses.com