It's not real!
It’s Not Real is the podcast that takes a scalpel to the stories we tell ourselves. Hosted by Dr Paul Harrison, consumer psychologist, academic, and media commentator, each episode unpacks the real evidence behind why we do what we do, how the world actually works, and the myths we cling to in order to make life a little easier. From marketing spin to social norms, from economic fictions to psychological blind spots, It’s Not Real cuts through the noise with sharp analysis, candid conversations, and a healthy dose of skepticism. Because sometimes, the things we believe… just aren’t real.
It's not real!
31: You Are Not In Control (Talking Shop Reboot)
In this fifth episode of our special six-part reboot of Talking Shop, the 2015 ABC podcast I co-hosted with Kirsten Drysdale, we explore the subtle, often invisible ways our environment shapes what we buy, without us even realising it. From lighting and music to the colour of a salesperson’s shirt and the firmness of the chair you’re sitting on, retail spaces are designed to influence your decisions at a deeply psychological level. As part of It’s Not Real, this episode dives straight into the science of sensory marketing and automatic behaviour, showing just how little conscious control we actually have in the shopping aisle. Whether it’s classical music nudging you toward a more expensive wine or a whispery voice convincing you to switch internet providers, we explore what happens when marketers get under your skin... and into your wallet.