Contagious: Why Things Catch On

Contagious: Why Things Catch On

Author: Airwave Literature April 19, 2020 Duration: 6:50:47
by Jonah Berger—New York Times bestseller and named Best Marketing Book of 2014 by the American Marketing AssociationWhat makes things popular? Why do people talk about certain products and ideas more than others? Why are some stories and rumors more infectious? And what makes online content go viral?If you said advertising, think again. People don't listen to advertisements, they listen to their peers. But why do people talk about certain products and ideas more than others? Why are some stories and rumors more infectious? And what makes online content go viral?Wharton marketing professor Jonah Berger has spent the last decade answering these questions. He's studied why New York Times articles make the paper's own Most E-mailed List, why products get word of mouth, and how social influence shapes everything from the cars we buy to the clothes we wear to the names we give our children. In this book, Berger reveals the secret science behind word-of-mouth and social transmission. Discover how six basic principles drive all sorts of things to become contagious, from consumer products and policy initiatives to workplace rumors and YouTube videos.Contagious combines groundbreaking research with powerful stories. Learn how a luxury steakhouse found popularity through the lowly cheese-steak, why anti-drug commercials might have actually increased drug use, and why more than 200 million consumers shared a video about one of the seemingly most boring products there is: a blender. If you've wondered why certain stories get shared, e-mails get forwarded, or videos go viral, Contagious explains why, and shows how to leverage these concepts to craft contagious content. This book provides a set of specific, actionable techniques for helping information spread - for designing messages, advertisements, and information that people will share. Whether you're a manager at a big company, a small business owner trying to boost awareness, a politician running for office, or a health official trying to get the word out, Contagious will show you how to make your product or idea catch on.

Warren Buffett’s idea that reading is the ultimate level playing field is where this conversation begins. The Bookshelf: Business & Self-Improvement, from Airwave Literature, isn’t about quick tips or hype. Instead, it’s a quiet, thoughtful space dedicated to the books that shape how we think about work, leadership, and personal growth. Each episode takes a single title-whether a timeless classic or a contemporary analysis-and unpacks its core ideas, not just summarizing but exploring how its lessons apply to real decisions and challenges. You’ll hear the host reflect on key passages, connect themes across different authors, and consider the practical implications of what’s on the page. The tone is more like a guided reading session than a lecture, designed for anyone who believes that deep understanding comes from engaging seriously with good writing. This podcast operates on the belief that the right book, properly considered, can change a mindset or a method. It’s for listeners who want to move beyond the headlines and dig into the substance that fuels lasting improvement, making your reading time more focused and impactful. Tune in to fill your own shelf with ideas that matter.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Bookshelf: Business & Self-Improvement
Podcast Episodes
How to Stop Worrying and Start Living [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:12:17
by Dale Carnegie—The book 'How to stop worrying & start living' suggest many ways to conquer worry and lead a wonderful life.The book mentions fundamental facts to know about worry and magic formula for solving worry-som…
The Invisible Gorilla: And Other Ways Our Intuitions Deceive Us [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:22:00
by Christopher Chabris, Daniel Simons—Reading this book will make you less sure of yourself—and that’s a good thing. In The Invisible Gorilla, Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons, creators of one of psychology’s most f…
Alchemy: The Surprising Power of Ideas That Don't Make Sense [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:38:32
by Rory Sutherland—‘A breakthrough book. Wonderfully applicable to everything in life, and funny as hell.’ Nassim Nicholas TalebTo be brilliant, you have to be irrationalWhy is Red Bull so popular – even though everyone…
The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:18:36
by Jonathan Haidt—In his widely praised book, award-winning psychologist Jonathan Haidt examines the world’s philosophical wisdom through the lens of psychological science, showing how a deeper understanding of enduring…
The Industries of the Future [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:48:07
by Alec J. Ross—This book answers the question: 'What's next?' The Internet had a world-changing impact on businesses and the global community over the twenty years from 1994 to 2014. In the next ten years, change will h…
Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:24:22
by Liz Wiseman—Are you a genius or a genius maker?We've all had experience with two dramatically different types of leaders. The first type drain intelligence, energy, and capability from the ones around them and always…
The Elephant in the Brain: Hidden Motives in Everyday Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:26:01
by Kevin Simler—Human beings are primates, and primates are political animals. Our brains, therefore, are designed not just to hunt and gather, but also to help us get ahead socially, often via deception and self-decepti…