Ever wonder why some brands stick with you while others are instantly forgettable? Or how a simple social media stunt can suddenly have everyone talking?

In this episode, One of One Brands founder Arnava Asen reveals the sophisticated psychological tactics that drive your purchasing decisions—often without you even realizing it. From that spontaneous shoe purchase where you later discover everyone else bought the same pair, to why you're drawn to brands that make you work a little harder, Arnava unpacks the "living brand" revolution transforming how companies connect with consumers. He explains why the era of hyper-convenience may be ending, with Gen Z actively seeking friction and authenticity over algorithmic recommendations.

Ready to Decode Your Own Consumer Mind?

Tune in to discover how the brands you love are actually influencing your choices—and why understanding these hidden mechanisms might just make you a smarter, more intentional consumer.

Interview Highlights:

• The Nike epiphany: How a simple billboard with no product—just the words "Yesterday you said tomorrow"—sparked Arnava's 20-year career and demonstrates the power of soft-selling over traditional advertising
• Living brands vs. formulaic brands: Why successful modern brands act like real people with evolving personalities, opinions, and the ability to surprise consumers, rather than following rigid brand guidelines
• The friction revolution: 70% of Gen Z now trust brands that make them work harder, from secondhand shopping to printing photos, signaling a backlash against algorithmic convenience culture
• Consumer behavior patterns: How brand strategists use data and evolutionary psychology to predict purchasing decisions, often understanding consumer motivations better than consumers understand themselves
• The pendulum effect: Why brands that feel irrelevant today have the biggest opportunities, and how cultural shifts always swing back in unexpected directions
• Creative disruption examples: From Liquid Death's provocative marketing to Bjorn Corn's roller disco strategy, how brands break through noise by doing the unexpected
• The embedded approach: Why traditional "brand bible" handoffs are dead, and how successful agencies now work alongside companies as fractional marketing teams for months
• Strategic foresight: How brand builders plan multi-campaign narratives that consumers never see coming, creating deeper engagement over time

Connect with Arnava:

• LinkedIn

Connect with Matt:

• LinkedIn
• Curious Customer Website

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