We Walk, They Talk- 01- Most People solve for logic....

Hey guys, this is the first of a weekly post called - We walk, They talk. What's it about, you ask… I spend hours each week listening to audiobooks and podcasts when out walking the dog, so I thought I would share what I've found insightful, interesting, or educational from the past week.

It'll be slightly curated toward marketers, entrepreneurs, and the curious minds out there, but mostly, it's just about sharing ideas worth your time.

This week, I listened to Rory Sutherland on Modern Wisdom (his sixth time on the show—yes, he's that good). He's fast, he's sharp, absolutely hilarious, and honestly, I could listen to him all day. The way he simply breaks down human behaviour and branding is borderline addictive - I immediately listened to the other 5 shows right after this one.

Take a listen and let's chat!

Pick of the Week: Modern Wisdom #904 – Rory Sutherland, The Secret Weapons of Marketing Psychology

Watch the Full Interview Here.

Who is Rory Sutherland?

Vice Chairman of Ogilvy UK, Rory is a master of behavioral economics and consumer psychology. He believes the best marketing solutions aren’t always logical, but they work because they tap into how humans actually think, not how we wish they did. His book, Alchemy: The Dark Art and Curious Science of Creating Magic in Brands, Business, and Life, explores these unconventional insights.

The Podcast's Big Idea:

People don’t buy with logic. They buy with perception. Rory Sutherland breaks down why psychology beats efficiency every time in marketing.

What I found interesting:

• The power of reframing: “Problems aren’t solved by logic alone. Sometimes, the answer is a different question.” (Example: A train that feels faster is better than a train that is faster.)

• Value isn’t about cost, it’s about perception. A free upgrade feels more valuable than a 5% price discount - even if they cost the same.

• Small changes = massive impact. Making a button red instead of green can increase conversions by more than doubling the ad budget.

• Logic vs. psychology: “A hotel bathroom mirror that makes you look good is worth more than an extra star in the rating.”

If you’re an entrepreneur… Your product might not need improvement - it might just need better positioning.

If you’re in marketing… People don’t just buy what’s better - they buy what feels better. Are you optimizing perception as much as performance?

Brady is the founder of Tropoly, a creative agency helping bold brands turn ideas into impact through strategy, design, and storytelling. He is also the author of Blindspots, a book series exploring what most businesses overlook - and how to turn it into an advantage.

Reach him at: brady@tropoly.io.
Connect on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bradydahmer
Explore his work: www.tropoly.io
Get his book: www.blindspotshandbook.com

Tags: #Marketing Psychology, #Brand Perception, #Design That Sells, #Creative Strategy, #Behavioural Marketing, #Branding Insights