Episodes

Unlock the Power of Persuasion: Discover "The Elephant Persuasion Principle" Podcast! Ever wondered how to influence people effortlessly, build unbreakable trust, and close deals like a pro? Imagine having a memory as sharp as an elephant's—never forgetting a name, a face, or a crucial detail that seals the connection. Recall like an elephant and watch your relationships soar! Elephants aren't just massive; they're memory masters! With brains weighing a whopping 5 kg (11 lbs - they excel at rec...

Do You Know When It’s Time to Shut Up? Time To Seal The Deal? Ever wonder why your presentation isn’t closing deals, even when you’re pouring your heart into explaining every feature of your product or service? The truth might sting: you’re probably talking too much. Take Your Persuasion IQ The Trap of Talking Too Much When you’re trying to persuade someone—whether it’s a client, a colleague, or even a friend—it’s tempting to lay out every perk and plus. After all, shouldn’t highlighting all th...

This episode delves into the significance of mood and emotional intelligence in persuasion. Kurt emphasizes the importance of creating a positive environment and shares various techniques to boost one's own mood and that of others, such as using genuine compliments, humor, and physical movement. With Hot Coffee, We See a Warm Heart, Yale Researchers Find Through anecdotes and scientific studies, Kurt illustrates how a positive mood can enhance receptiveness, creativity, and trust, ultimately in...

In this episode, Kurt discusses the concept of elicitation, also known as the art of subtly extracting information without the other person realizing it. This technique is valuable in fields such as sales, negotiation, and leadership, as it helps gather crucial information to address people's needs effectively. Why Emotional Intelligence Is Important in Leadership – Daniel Goleman Key topics include the importance of emotional intelligence (EQ), which involves understanding and managing both yo...

In this episode Kurt discusses strategies for effective and seamless sales closing. He emphasizes the importance of creating a resistant-free environment by focusing on the needs and pains of prospects rather than prioritizing the sales agenda. Kurt introduces the concept of "greasing the squeaky wheels," which entails listening more, personalizing presentations, avoiding pushy sales tactics, and building trust. He provides practical advice, including offering options, providing guarantees, and ...

In this episode Kurt discusses the significant impact that personal energy has on influencing and motivating others. He explores how positive or negative energy can affect interactions, whether in one-on-one situations or within a group setting. Emotional expressions shape how help is received in the workplace He also shares insights on fostering a positive environment, using examples from personal experiences and research. He provides practical advice on maintaining high energy levels, the imp...

In this episode Kurt explores the evolving landscape of persuasion, sales, and influence. Kurt discusses contemporary trends, crucial sales statistics, and key tactics to adapt to these changes effectively. Topics include the importance of personalizing interactions, the impact of social selling, and the necessity of persistence in sales follow-ups. Impostor Syndrome - Can You Really Fake Your Way to Success 149 Eye-Opening Sales Statistics to Consider in 2025 The episode also addresses imposte...

In this episode Kurt addresses how to effectively promote oneself without coming across as bragging. Mortensen explores the fine line between building credibility and being perceived as boastful, especially in professional settings like networking events. He provides insights on the importance of having others vouch for you to build credibility, incorporating personal success stories subtly, and focusing on genuine, value-based self-promotion. Signs of Pathological Lying and How to Handle Addit...

This episode focuses on the concept that up to 95% of persuasion involves subconscious triggers, while most persuaders focus only on the 5% of logical reasoning. Kurt emphasizes the importance of understanding and leveraging these subconscious signals to maximize influence. He discusses various examples and strategies, such as the impact of scent on real estate sales, the role of the amygdala in emotional processing, and how different subconscious triggers can affect decision-making. Conscious ...

In this episode In this episode Kurt delves into the nuanced strategies of persuasion and negotiation, exploring when to seek a "yes," a "no," or even a strategic "yo." He discusses the psychology behind these responses and the importance of asking questions to influence outcomes effectively. 3 Cognitive Shortcuts Exploited by Marketers Kurt also shares personal anecdotes, including a family trip experience, and reviews scholarly articles on cognitive shortcuts exploited by marketers. The episo...

This episode discusses how to transform fear into excitement to enhance personal and professional influence. He explores the common fears related to public speaking and decision-making, providing techniques to reframe fear as excitement, such as focusing on the message, visualizing success, and using deep breathing. What Is Performance Anxiety? 10 Ways To Overcome Your Fear Of Being Judged The episode also features a Persuasion Blunder story illustrating the importance of managing customer perc...

In this all-new episode Kurt discusses the psychological appeal and effectiveness of clickbait. He explains how curiosity, FOMO, and emotional triggers drive people to click on intriguing headlines. Kurt also shares tips on using these principles ethically in persuasion, sales, and presentations to engage and influence audiences. The Benefits of Overconfidence Have Been Exaggerated The episode covers similarity theory, the importance of building connections, and concludes with an analysis of ov...

This episode delves into the psychology of first impressions, focusing on the halo and horn effects. The halo effect is when one positive trait of a person influences our perception of their other qualities, while the horn effect is when one negative trait does the same negatively. Kurt discusses how these cognitive biases impact persuasion and influence, offers practical tips for maximizing positive first impressions, and shares real-life examples and academic studies. He also answers a listen...

This episode explores the importance of being authentic and genuine to build trust. Kurt discusses the historical origins of the word "sincere" and its significance in modern persuasion. He highlights the necessity of adapting persuasion strategies to individual preferences and cultural differences, emphasizing the shift from the golden rule to the platinum rule. Can Laughter Make Our Lives Better? Researchers Say Yes The episode also covers the negative impact of poor customer service, the ben...

In this episode Kurt explores effective methods for influencing and persuading stubborn individuals. He delves into the Boomerang effect, the importance of patience, and techniques like foot-in-the-door to gradually change minds. Sleepless and selfish: Lack of sleep makes us less generous The episode also touches on the significance of sleep on social behavior and the impact of presenting evidence and finding common ground in contentious discussions. Kurt also concludes with practical advice on...

In this episode, the focus is on subconscious triggers and how symbols, images, and gestures can influence feelings and behaviors. Kurt discusses how different gestures and symbols can have varied meanings across cultures, like the thumbs up or the okay sign, and their potential impacts. The episode also explores a case study involving Delta Airlines’ strategy to offer compensation following an incident, analyzing whether it was good PR or a legal move. Additionally, a scholarly article on acts...

In this episode Kurt Mortensen delves into the world of color psychology and its impact on emotions and persuasion. He explores how different colors can trigger subconscious feelings and influence behaviors, both positively and negatively. The discussion includes practical examples such as how color affects appetite, the perception of products, and even the success of sports teams. Color Psychology: How Color Affects Your Emotions And Why Kurt also touches on common cognitive biases like the Ho...

This episode discusses the power of music and sound in persuasion and influencing emotions. Kurt explores how different types of music can trigger specific emotional responses and affect behaviors, such as enhancing shopping experiences, reducing stress, and increasing productivity. 5 Ways to Make Sweet Music for Your Business The Monkey Business Illusion Through anecdotes and research findings, he explains that music can be a strategic tool in sales, customer service, and personal interactions...

In this episode, Mortensen discusses strategies to handle hecklers, critics, and disruptive individuals in various settings, from business meetings to public speaking engagements. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining composure, using humor, and understanding the motivations of hecklers to effectively manage disruptions. Being a selfish jerk doesn’t get you ahead, research finds Mortensen also shares research findings on the negative long-term impact of disagreeable behaviors in professio...

This episode discusses strategies for building charisma and confidence, particularly in the context of persuasion and public speaking. Kurt provides tips on body language, vocal variety, and mental preparation. He also emphasizes the importance of self-efficacy, using Albert Bandura’s research to outline methods for boosting confidence. Additional topics include cause marketing, the significance of appearance, and the difference between confidence and arrogance. Self‐Efficacy - Albert Bandura U...

This episode delves into the concept of the "fake no" and knee-jerk reactions. Mortensen explores how subconscious triggers can lead to unwarranted objections and resistance from prospects. He uses various anecdotes, including a wedding reception at a funeral home and a study on desk organization, to illustrate how perceptions and subconscious triggers play a role in influencing decisions. Mortensen also addresses how salespeople can sometimes create their own resistance through their expectatio...

This episode explores the Law of Dissonance, a key strategy in persuasion that helps individuals convince themselves. Kurt introduces the concept by explaining cognitive dissonance, a psychological conflict between beliefs and actions that causes discomfort and leads individuals to change their attitudes or behaviors. Immortality in the afterlife as cognitive default He shares personal anecdotes and studies demonstrating this phenomenon, such as people hesitating to sign a contract selling thei...

In this episode Kurt discusses the impact of humor on persuasion, motivation, and influence. He explains how humor can build rapport, capture attention, and create positive emotional connections. Kurt also talks about the benefits of using humor in the workplace, including increased creativity, job satisfaction, and team performance. He shares tips on how to effectively incorporate humor into sales and presentations, and addresses the importance of being relevant and appropriate to avoid offendi...

In this episode, Kurt Mortensen delves into the intricacies of motivation, brain function, and making buying decisions. Key topics include goal setting, minimizing risk, maximizing reward, and effective follow-up strategies in marketing and sales. The episode also covers the latest in psychological science on self-awareness and behavior change. Understanding Trust Issues: What They Are and How to Overcome Them Offer of the week