In this third episode from Talking Shop, the ABC podcast I hosted with Kirsten Drysdale in 2015, we dive into the complexities of ethical consumption; why it’s so hard to define, and even harder to practise. We explore the contradictions that come with trying to be an ethical shopper, from fair trade coffee that travels thousands of kilometres to get to us, to organic produce wrapped in layers of plastic. Why do we feel guilty about some purchases but not others? How do we rationalise our choices when our values are in conflict? And do those ‘ethical’ labels on products really mean anything?

As we break down the psychology behind consumer decision-making, we uncover the trade-offs we make to ease our conscience and the mental shortcuts, like confirmation bias, that help us justify what we buy. Just like on It’s Not Real, this episode questions the idea that we are rational consumers and explores how businesses, culture, and even our own psychology make ethical shopping more complicated than it seems.

This is the second of six Talking Shop episodes from 2015, where Kirsten Drysdale and I explored the evidence behind marketing. Just like on It’s Not Real, we uncover how subtle influences shape what we think is real, especially when it comes to consumer behaviour.

Does it pain you to use cash? Would you accept a higher interest rate if an attractive salesperson offered it? And can your credit card really help you lose weight?

In this episode we examine the psychology of spending, exploring why paying with cash hurts more than tapping a card, how payment methods influence our shopping habits, and why credit makes us more impulsive. From the origins of the first credit card to the hidden costs of convenience, we unpack the research behind why we spend the way we do—and what it means for our wallets, waistlines, and well-being.

Listen in and find out why sometimes, the best financial advice might be to leave your cards at home.

In this first of six special episodes, we revisit Talking Shop, the 2015 ABC podcast I hosted with Kirsten Drysdale. The themes we explored — how businesses shape our choices, the psychology behind persuasion, and the tricks of the trade — connect directly to what It’s Not Real is all about. In this episode, we explore whether money can buy happiness and why it depends on how you spend it.

We start with ‘shopper’s high,’ looking at how dopamine, often mistaken for a pleasure chemical, actually facilitates the anticipation and reward system that drives our behaviour. But because the buzz is short-lived, material purchases rarely provide lasting happiness.

That’s where affective forecasting comes in—the way we misjudge how future events, like winning a game or making a big purchase, will impact our happiness. More often than not, we get it wrong, which is why retail therapy can leave us feeling flat.

So how can we spend money in ways that actually make us happier? The research points to one clear answer: buy experiences, not things. Experiences create lasting memories, evolve over time, and often involve other people, making them far more valuable than physical objects.

But there’s a catch. A 2014 study suggests that for some people—so-called ‘material buyers’—neither experiences nor material goods bring long-term happiness. I put this theory to the test with my own experience: a fancy winter coat that still brings me joy every time I wear it. Paul explains why—its infrequent use, emotional attachment, and social reinforcement all play a role.

Ultimately, happiness isn’t just about what you buy—it’s about how and why you buy it.