Bad Decisions

A special something for the original Bad Decisions fans

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +1000

Sure, it's been almost three years since our last episode so you'd be forgiven for thinking we retired, fell out, were replaced by AI or just completely got over Behavioural Science - but you'd be wrong on all counts! Instead, we (OK fine, mainly Dan) has been busy cooking up something brand new and we want the OG Bad Decision listeners to be the first to benefit. Curious? Sit yourself down, block out the next three and a half minutes, hit play and all will be revealed.... Big love!

Mini episode 25: Why do good companies stay with bad software?

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 05:00:00 +1000

Liam from Albert Park wants to know why bad software is wearing us down

Mini episode 24: Why do we love celebs with dad bods?

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 05:00:00 +1000

Emma from Canberra wants to know why we dread the shred and go jelly for the belly

Mini episode 23: Why do I keep paying for insurance that I never use?

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 05:00:00 +1000

Francis from Carlton wants to know why she feels so unsure about staying insured.

Mini epsiode 22: Why did my pay rise buzz wear off so quickly?

Sun, 09 Oct 2022 05:00:00 +1000

Jenny from Sandringham wants to why her pay rise has left her feeling flat

Mini epsiode 21: Why have I stopped (compulsively) checking my investments?

Sat, 17 Sep 2022 05:00:00 +1000

Jonathan from Lightsview wants to know why he's suddently less invested in investing

Mini episode 20: Why don’t waiters just write down my order?

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 05:00:00 +1000

Katrina from East Gardens wants to know why waiters love to wait to complete your order

Mini episode 19 - Why is it 11:11 every time I look at my watch?

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 09:27:38 +1000

Ross from Holland Park wants to know if his watch is broken or if it's a sign from above

Mini episode 18 - Why does everyone think they’re a great driver?

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 05:00:00 +1000

Marcie from Docklands wants to know why we we're all racing laps like Ricciardo

Mini episode 17 - Why do smart people believe dumb horoscopes?

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 05:00:00 +1000

Millie from Coogee wants to know why we can't help but look into the crystal ball.

Mini episode 16 - Why do groups of adults argue over who gets to pay the bill?

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 05:00:00 +1000

Gerard from Cremorne wants to know why the gloves have to come off when the cheque arrives?

Mini episode 15 - Why do these things always happen to me?

Wed, 25 May 2022 05:00:00 +1000

Elliot from Preston wants to know why he's always such a disaster

Mini episode 14 - Why does everyone remember Kodak as a failure?

Sat, 07 May 2022 05:00:00 +1000

Nicole from Chatswood wants to know why the Kodak moment was one worth forgetting?

Mini episode 13 - Why did I buy so many pairs of sweatpants?

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 09:30:34 +1000

Holly from Brighton wants to know why counting her sweats has got her sweating

Mini episode 12 - Why do I keep paying for a gym membership I never use?

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 04:45:00 +1000

Richard from Annandale wants to know why his wallet's getting a bigger work out than his gym membership

Mini episode 11 - Why do people stay in jobs they hate?

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 05:00:00 +1000

Amanda from Paddington wants to know why it’s so hard for ‘her friend’ to quit her joyless job.

Mini episode 10 - Why aren’t we shopped out by Boxing Day?

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 16:15:09 +1000

Lauren from Prahran wants to know why people still shop after Christmas drops.

Mini episode 9 - Why do people pay so much for diamonds?

Fri, 19 Nov 2021 04:00:00 +1000

In this episode of Bad Decisions, Jeremy from Kooyong wants to know why people are willing to cough up big for carats.

Mini episode 8 - Why is there a $140 option at my local car wash?

Fri, 05 Nov 2021 04:00:00 +1000

Dustin in Fairfield wants to know why people splash out more than $100 for suds and water.

Mini episode 7 - Why do people pay $7 for toast at a cafe?

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 04:00:00 +1000

Lydia in Claremont wants to know why cafes can charge big bucks for a little bread

Mini episode 6 - Why won’t anyone pay me what my car is actually worth?

Fri, 08 Oct 2021 04:00:00 +1000

Sophia in Glenelg wants to know why nobody seems willing to 'pay the cost to be the boss' of her "really awesome little Mazda".

Mini episode 5 - Why do i get so many notifications about the status of my parcel?

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 05:00:00 +1000

Marcel in Camberwell wants to know why DHL insists on telling him every intricate detail about his new tennis racquet's cross continental journey.

Mini episode 4 - Why do I keep ordering the same burrito?

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 05:00:00 +1000

Adam from Bondi wants to know why he cant say no to that bur-ri-to

Mini Episode 3 - Why do cans of Coke, diet Coke and Coke Zero all suddenly look the same?

Wed, 25 Aug 2021 06:00:00 +1000

Bianca from Prahran wants to know what's behind Coca Cola's gigantic packaging u-turn.

Mini Episode 2 - Why do people queue up outside full restaurants?

Fri, 13 Aug 2021 14:42:17 +1000

A very hungry Laurence from Elizabeth Bay wants to know why more people don't just cross the street.

Mini Episode 1 - Why do we keep the boxes from expensive shoes and handbags?

Mon, 26 Jul 2021 05:00:00 +1000

Carli from Melbourne gets us rolling with a listener question that's way too close to home.

An update from the Bad Decisions team

Mon, 26 Jul 2021 04:00:00 +1000

We've got some big news from Dan and Dr Mel (OK fine, mainly just Dr Mel). What's happening? When? Why? How? Then what? Great questions. Invest the seven minutes (or three and a half at double speed) and all will be revealed.

Authority bias: Why nine in ten dentists recommend this episode

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 06:00:00 +1000

Doesn't it seem strange that from the moment we're born, we're taught that following instructions is the right thing to do? In this episode, Mel and Dan discuss the authority bias, and why carrying around a clipboard could be the best thing you ever do.

The Scarcity Bias: why you always want what you can’t have

Sat, 20 Feb 2021 05:00:00 +1000

Given the choice between two items, why do our brains try to convince us to choose the rarer one? In this episode, Mel and Dan explore the Scarcity Bias, and why people line up for days to buy sneakers.

Commitment Bias: Why you should shout it out loud

Thu, 24 Dec 2020 13:27:06 +1000

Ever stuck to your guns even though you knew deep down you were wrong? In this episode, Mel and Dan unpack the Commitment Bias and how to make sure your New Years Resolution actually sticks this time.

A special announcement from Bad Decisions

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 05:00:00 +1000

Dan shares some big news on the launch of the first ever Built on Behaviour Bootcamp.

Dunning-Kruger Effect: Why you might know just enough to be dangerous

Sat, 31 Oct 2020 04:00:00 +1000

Ever notice how novices tend to be highly opinionated, while those with more experience are a little less sure? In this episode, Mel and Dan unpack the Dunning-Kruger Effect, and why your social media feed is often so infuriating.

Pratfall Effect: Why you can afford to make a mistake

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 06:00:00 +1000

People and brands often go to great efforts to manage the impressions others form of them, but what if we stopped trying to be perfect, and instead owned our flaws? In this episode, Mel and Dan explore the Pratfall effect, and why tripping up the stairs on your way to a presentation could be a winning strategy.

Reciprocity Bias: Why you should always buy the first coffee

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 06:00:00 +1000

It might not always feel like it, but we’re wired with an inherent desire to cooperate and collaborate with others. That means when someone does us a favour, we can’t help but want to settle the score. In this episode, Mel and Dan consider how this social and emotional drive can direct people to pay for things they didn’t even know they wanted.

Ostrich effect: Why you really should just go to the doctor

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 06:00:00 +1000

If information can help us make good decisions, why would we sometimes actively avoid it? In this episode, Mel and Dan discuss the ostrich effect, and how brands can overcome the tendency we have to bury our heads in the sand.

Zero Risk Bias: Why there’s so much value in nothing

Fri, 08 May 2020 06:00:00 +1000

Turns out that one of the most ‘sure things’ in life, is people’s likelihood of picking a ‘sure thing’. In this episode, Mel and Dan look at how we make choices around risk, and why our desire to avoid uncertainty can sometimes end up costing much more.

Barnum Effect: Why smart people believe ridiculous things

Fri, 03 Jan 2020 05:00:00 +1000

Do you generally feel like you’ve got your life together, but sometimes wonder what the hell you’re doing? In this episode, Mel and Dan explore the Barnum effect and why 'clairvoyant' could still be a promising career choice

Halo Effect: Why judging a book by its cover is pretty much unavoidable

Thu, 24 Oct 2019 05:00:00 +1000

Why is it that the baddies in cartoons are always so ugly? And why do we assume that handsome people are also going to be charismatic? In this episode, Mel and Dan look at why neat hair and a firm handshake are more important than we could ever imagine.

Mere Exposure Effect: Why turning up is half the battle

Wed, 11 Sep 2019 09:25:21 +1000

What is it that makes retro fashion take off, and is the Eurovision completely rigged? In this episode, Mel and Dan explore what happens when we see, hear or experience the same thing over and over again.

Status Quo Bias: Why old, stubborn people kind of have a point

Mon, 29 Jul 2019 06:00:00 +1000

Everybody loves change, right? Hell no! And it’s not entirely our fault. In this episode, Mel and Dan explore why we'll often go to huge lengths just to make sure everything stays exactly the same.

Projection Bias: Why shopping whilst hungry is a terrible idea

Mon, 17 Jun 2019 06:00:00 +1000

We all know that empathy is in short supply, but we often don’t realise how hard it is to be empathetic towards our future selves. In this episode, Mel and Dan look at what happens when we try to make decisions for tomorrow based on how we feel today.

Effort Bias: Why you should let them see you sweat

Mon, 22 Apr 2019 06:00:00 +1000

Why do we teach kids that it's all about the effort, when as adults, we're far more concerned about the outcomes. In this episode, Mel and Dan look at why 'quicker and easier' could be the exact opposite of what we really want.

Spotlight effect: Why nobody else notices the ketchup stain on your shorts

Fri, 01 Mar 2019 05:00:00 +1000

Ever wondered why making the smallest faux pas can ruin your entire day? In this episode, Mel and Dan discuss the spotlight effect, and how it influences our perception of how much attention people are actually paying towards us (and our ads).

Zeigarnik effect: Why you want to know what happens in this episode

Wed, 19 Dec 2018 06:54:07 +1000

What happens when memories or tasks are unfinished, and why is it that they seem to stick in our heads? In this episode, Mel and Dan explore the Zeigarnik effect and how we can use it to create stronger memories, stop procrastinating, and keep customers thinking about us long after our ads have run.

Focusing illusion: Why we don’t really need a pay-rise

Wed, 21 Nov 2018 05:00:00 +1000

If you won the lottery, would you be happier? Although the answer may seem obvious, our perceptions of what’s important to us don’t always match the reality. In this episode, Mel and Dan consider how we can use the magic of the focusing illusion to capture consumers’ attention.

Ben Franklin effect: Why we should all be asking for way more favours

Tue, 02 Oct 2018 17:31:26 +1000

Social convention suggests that if you want to make a new friend, you should do something nice for them. But according to Ben Franklin, we’ve been doing it all wrong. In this episode, Mel and Dan explore how we can use non conventional techniques to gain our customers’ trust and loyalty forever more.

Framing effect: Why we like our milk fat-free and our luxury cars full price

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 06:00:00 +1000

Would you enjoy your beef more if it was 75% lean or 25% fat? That’s weird. In this episode, Mel and Dan explore the framing effect - and how what we’re presented with is far less important than how it’s packaged.

Hot Hand Fallacy: Why we love seeing hot streaks

Wed, 23 May 2018 08:00:44 +1000

You’ve just made your last three shots, won your last three hands or closed your last three deals. What do you think will happen next? In this episode, Mel and Dan explore the fallacy - and reality - of ‘catching fire’ in games, business and life.

Planning Fallacy: Why the best laid plans always go awry

Wed, 09 May 2018 06:00:00 +1000

Do you find that things always take longer than you thought? Are you always running late? What if we told you it was all because you’re an irrational optimist? Chances are, you wouldn’t change a thing. In this episode, Mel and Dan consider the planning fallacy, and how our optimistic view of the world makes us underestimate how long things will take, and how much they'll cost.

Mental Accounting: Why we’ll probably die broke

Wed, 25 Apr 2018 06:00:00 +1000

A hundred dollars is a hundred dollars is a hundred dollars, right? Well, no. Not according to our brains. In this episode, Mel and Dan explore how mental accounting influences the way we spend and save, and how brands can use this knowledge to make bank.

Peak-End Rule: Why we all love a lolly bag

Wed, 11 Apr 2018 07:53:36 +1000

We’d like to think it’s all about the journey, but our brain prefers to remember the outcome. In this episode, Mel and Dan discuss the peak-end rule, and how neglecting to pay attention to the end could be costing you dearly.

Sunk Cost: Why we behave so badly at the buffet

Wed, 28 Mar 2018 06:00:00 +1000

Everybody makes bad decisions, but how do we make amends? Turns out our instincts often guide us to follow bad decisions with worse decisions. In this episode, Mel and Dan explore the sunk cost fallacy, and how knowing when to cut your losses can be the smartest decision of all.

Default Bias: Why Australians take their organs to the grave

Wed, 14 Mar 2018 07:26:25 +1000

With thousands of decisions to make every day, wouldn’t it just be way easier if some of them were made for us? In this episode, Mel and Dan unpack how the default bias influences everything from binge-watching to voter turnout, and explain how marketers can become the Kleenex of their category.

Licensing Effect: Why we order Diet Coke with our large Big Mac meals

Wed, 27 Dec 2017 05:55:19 +1000

Ever gone shopping for someone else and decided you deserved a gift too? In this episode, Mel and Dan explore the dark side of altruism, and how the decisions we make are often guided by a desire to balance out our emotional states.

Temporal Discounting: Why we want $10 today, not $15 tomorrow

Wed, 13 Dec 2017 07:20:34 +1000

Despite our best intentions, selecting options that provide sensible, long term benefits over impulsive, short term ones, seems pretty much impossible. In this episode, Mel and Dan explore how our desire for instant gratification can be used to market products for today, as well as products for tomorrow.

Anchoring: Why we spend too much on BBQs

Wed, 29 Nov 2017 07:16:42 +1000

When we’re trying to determine the value of something, we tend to place far too much reliance on the first piece of information we stumble across. In this episode, Mel and Dan look at ways that pricing strategies influence our judgement, and how game shows make us feel like losers when we’re actually winning.

Confirmation Bias: Why black Jeeps are everywhere

Wed, 15 Nov 2017 07:07:15 +1000

Turns out we really love being right. So much so that our brains systematically ignore things that don’t fit with what we already believe to be true. In this episode Mel and Dan look at how marketers can make the most of what customers already believe.

Social Proof: Why we knowingly make stupid choices with our friends

Wed, 01 Nov 2017 07:17:36 +1000

If all of our friends jumped off a cliff, chances are we would too. Same goes if that cliff is a new restaurant, movie or fashion label. In this episode, Mel and Dan look at how our innate desire for social connection can be a marketer’s best friend.

Endowment Effect: Why we always sit in the same damn seat

Wed, 18 Oct 2017 06:27:14 +1000

Cars, homes, pens, mugs - it doesn’t matter what it is - if it’s ours, chances are we'll think it's more valuable than it really is. In this episode, Mel and Dan look at why we're always going to be disappointed when we sell something second hand, and how marketers can make their products irrationally valuable in the eyes of consumers.

Choice Paradox: Why it’s so hard to choose a hamburger

Wed, 04 Oct 2017 07:59:13 +1000

We all want more choices, right? Well, no. Not according to the data anyway. In this episode Mel and Dan look at how choice can adversely affect our ability to make decisions, as well as what good marketers can do to tip things in their favour.

Availability Bias: Why we massively overestimate our chances of success

Sun, 17 Sep 2017 17:08:26 +1000

Of all the mental tasks we suck at performing, estimating the likelihood of something really good or really bad happening is right up there. In this episode, Mel and Dan unpack the ingredients that lead to our terrible mental calculations, and discuss how we can reconfigure them to create more compelling ads

Intro to Bad Decisions

Sun, 17 Sep 2017 17:06:39 +1000

Welcome to Bad Decisions, the podcast that helps marketers understand why we choose what we choose, why we think what we think, and how to exploit this stuff for fun and commercial gain.

Each episode, Dr Melissa Weinberg (performance psychologist) and Dan Monheit (ad guy) will explore a different heuristic (behavioural quirk) that causes us to make poor decisions. In doing so, they’ll draw from the worlds of research, behavioural sciences, and cold, hard advertising.