#256 Nir Eyal - The Psychology Behind the World’s Best Products

12/18/24 • 56 min

Watch This NEXT: https://youtu.be/dkixSG4hVRI
Why do some products fail while others get you hooked for life?
It’s not just the technology or the marketing.
It’s the habits they create:
- Why do we check our phones 150+ times a day?
- How do businesses like TikTok and Duolingo dominate user attention?
- What makes us keep coming back?

These are the principles that build world-changing products.

Nir Eyal, author, lecturer, and investor known for his bestselling book, Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products’, breaks it all down for us in the episode of Kickoff Sessions

Nir has influenced how tech giants design their most engaging platforms and shared his insights into the psychology of habits, retention, and persuasion.

In this episode, we dive into:
- The GEM framework for sustainable businesses
- The science behind the ‘Hook Model’
- How to ethically create habit-forming products
- The future of AI and mass customization
Ready to create a product that people love and build habits that make your life better?
Smash that like button and stay tuned for next week's episode!
Connect with Nir Eyal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nireyal/
My Socials:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/darrenlee.ks
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-lee1
(00:00) Preview and Intro
(01:26) The GEM Framework
(03:32) Why Retention Beats Growth Long-Term
(05:31) The Problem with Online Education
(07:11) The Hook Model Explained
(10:47) The Future of AI and Personalized Experiences
(13:15) Manipulation vs. Persuasion
(17:16) Developing Emotional Connection with Customers
(20:49) Creating Value-Driven Products
(26:06) Problems with Unsustainable Models
(30:47) Nir Eyal’s Retention Strategies
(34:12) The Role of Frequency in Building Habits
(37:05) How To Create User Engagement
(40:37) The Importance of Variability in Rewards
(49:32) Traction vs. Distraction: How to Stay Focused

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These are the principles that build world-changing products.

Nir Eyal, author, lecturer, and investor known for his bestselling book, Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products’, breaks it all down for us in the episode of Kickoff Sessions

Nir has influenced how tech giants design their most engaging platforms and shared his insights into the psychology of habits, retention, and persuasion.

Support the show

Previous Episode

#255 Logan Forsyth - How the Top 1% of Creators Make Their Money

Watch This NEXT: https://youtu.be/dkixSG4hVRI
Content made your favourite creator your favourite.
It wasn’t the flashy editing or the funky sounds.
It’s the message they deliver:

Alex Hormozi
Iman Gadzhi
Dan Koe

This has developed a cult-like following. Coupled with a crazy amount of reps. The volume + quality makes them a category of one.
I spoke with Logan Forsyth to break down how top creators generate millions of dollars and views. Logan is behind a lot of your favourite creators. Scaling up thousands of posts a month generating billions of views.
Our second podcast is a deep-dive into:

Psychology of content
Opportunity for 2025
Undeniable offers
Content systems
Branding

If you want to build a content business that works for you in 2025, this podcast is for you.
Connect with Logan Forsyth
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loganforsyth
My Socials:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/darrenlee.ks
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-lee1
(00:00) Preview and Intro
(00:35) Why Every Creator Needs an Offer
(03:09) Entertainment vs. Educational Content
(08:54) Patreon for Monetisation
(11:11) Content Creation for Business Owners
(15:18) Niche Content Targeting
(18:36) Organic Reach vs. Paid Ads
(20:13) The Evolution of Short-Form Content
(27:22) How Algorithms Level the Playing Field
(29:27) Evolving Content to Match Audience Maturity
(33:30) The Balance Between Polarization and Brand Risk
(39:40) Building Systems for Content Success
(43:12) Logan Forsyth’s Monetization Strategies
(46:18) Why Free Content Works
(52:06) Tools and Systems for Engagement Tracking
(54:19) Founding Media Scaling
(59:45) Balancing Quality and Creativity in Content
(01:03:14) Adding Personality to Your Content
(01:06:51) Aligning Values with Business Practices]
(01:08:36) The Role of Storytelling in Short-Form Content
(01:11:49) The Future of Media Scaling

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Next Episode

#257 Dr John Demartini - No BS Advice to Get Rich Like the 1% in 2025

Watch This NEXT: https://youtu.be/dkixSG4hVRI
Why do some entrepreneurs break through barriers while others stay stuck?
It’s not just strategy or resources.
It’s the mindset and habits they master:

Why do most entrepreneurs struggle to scale their businesses?
How do you overcome the biggest hurdles to success?
What’s the secret to building a business aligned with your true values?

These are the principles that fuel entrepreneurs.
Dr. John Demartini, renowned human behavior specialist and best-selling author, shares his insights into overcoming entrepreneurial challenges and creating a life of fulfillment and success.
John has transformed the lives of countless entrepreneurs, helping them uncover their biggest roadblocks and unlock their full potential.
In this episode, we explore:

The key questions that define success
How to align your business with your highest values
The power of delegation to scale without burnout
How to reframe stress and turn obstacles into opportunities

Ready to break through your limits and build a business you love?
Hit that subscribe button and stay tuned for more transformational insights in next week’s episode!
Connect with Dr. John Demartini: https://drdemartini.com/
My Socials:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/darrenlee.ks
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-lee1
(00:00) Introduction
(00:59) The Biggest Mistake Young Entrepreneurs Make
(02:36) Why Testing the Market is Crucial
(04:16) How to Turn Passion Into Profit
(07:35) The Value of Quality Questions Create Clarity and Success
(09:11) Creative Resourcefulness in Building a Business
(12:30) Mastering Time and Priorities for Entrepreneurs
(16:31) The Cost of Not Delegating
(23:26) Understanding Stress
(25:39) Why Authenticity Matters
(30:10) Why Delegation is Crucial for Scaling
(32:22) How Resistance Guides You Back to Priorities
(35:32) Engagement and Culture: Lessons from IBM
(40:35) Dr. John Demartini’s Decision-Making
(45:19) Overcoming Self-Sabotage and Staying Authentic
(52:05) Hiring Strategies
(56:57) Handling Feedback in Business
(59:12) Self-Governance: The Key to Stability and Growth
(01:01:04) Unlocking Clarity as An Entrepreneur

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Kickoff Sessions - #256 Nir Eyal - The Psychology Behind the World’s Best Products

Transcript

Nir Eyal00:00:00.080

People equate growth with success . That's a mirage , because you can always buy growth . You have to bring people back , you have to create a customer habit . The ROI on retaining a user is much , much higher than how much you have to spend on acquiring a new user . The opposite of distraction is not focus . The opposite of distraction is traction . Of course it is right Traction