Catching fire: What goes viral and why? With Jonah Berger, PhD

Catching fire: What goes viral and why? With Jonah Berger, PhD

February 25, 2026 · 42 min · Episode 368

About this episode

Jonah Berger, PhD, explores the psychological factors that influence why certain ideas and trends go viral while others fade away.

Why do some ideas, products, news stories and trends spread like wildfire, while others disappear? Jonah Berger, PhD, discusses the science of what catches on; the psychological forces that drive word of mouth, including social currency and high-arousal emotions like awe and anger; whether online and offline sharing differ; and what his research can tell us about the spread of misinformation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Guests: Jonah Berger, PhD, Jonah Berger

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Organizations: American Psychological Association

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