Ethical Persuasion in Education with Patrick van der Burght (Cialdini Institute)
Mark Taylor talks with Patrick van der Burght — business partner of Dr. Robert Cialdini and founder member of the Cialdini Institute — about the science of ethical persuasion and what it means for teachers, parents, and school leaders.
Patrick explains why 90-95% of our decisions are made by the brain’s fast, automatic “System 1” rather than deliberate reasoning, why human attention spans have now dropped below that of a goldfish, and how Cialdini’s seven universal principles of persuasion (reciprocity, liking, unity, social proof, authority, consistency, and scarcity) can help educators build trust, motivate students, and lead more effectively — without ever resorting to manipulation.
Along the way: a study that took student success rates from 14% to 86%, why asking for “advice” beats asking for “feedback,” and why public commitment is a far stronger motivator than private commitment.
Guest: Patrick van der Burght, co-author of How to Hear Yes More Often (2024) and host of Ethical Persuasion Unlocked.
Chapters:
- 00:03 – Introduction to Patrick Van der Burght
- 05:08 – The Science of Decision Making
- 11:24 – Understanding Decision-Making: System One vs System Two
- 16:40 – The Impact of Attention Span on Decision Making
- 26:52 – The Importance of Early Persuasion Skills
- 31:19 – The Power of Compliments and Relationships
- 41:14 – Principles of Influence and Authority
- 48:59 – The Impact of Appearance on Perception
- 56:12 – The Importance of Feedback, Inspiration, Resilience, and Empowerment
https://ethicalpersuasion.com.au/
https://ethicalpersuasion.com.au/free-influence-persuasion/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ethicalpersuasion
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-van-der-burght/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ethicalpersuasion/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethical_persuasion/
Twitter: https://x.com/yesmoreoften
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ethicalpersuasion
Book: https://yesmoreoften.com/
Profile: https://patrickvanderburght.com
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Show Sponsors –
National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)
Their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape
From idea to live show – hands-on sessions to help you launch, grow, and streamline your brand.
From Career Days to Career Systems: Dr. Sophia Morgan on Fixing Career Education
Dr. Sophia Nicole Morgan is an educator, author, and entrepreneur whose work focuses on career literacy, academic advising, and helping students make intentional decisions about their futures. Her career spans Jamaica, the United States, and China.
She is the founder of Explore Career Academy, a platform dedicated to helping schools integrate career exploration and college planning into everyday learning.
Dr. Morgan is the author of several career development resources, including The High Schooler’s Guide to College and Career Planning and Reflections: A College and Career Journal for Middle Schoolers. Her work equips students with the tools to reflect on their strengths, explore career possibilities, and plan meaningful academic pathways.
Originally from Williamsfield, Westmoreland, Jamaica, Dr. Morgan is passionate about helping schools ensure that every student graduates with clarity, purpose, and direction.
Takeaways:
- Dr. Sophia Morgan emphasizes the importance of career literacy in education, equipping students for their future.
- Explore Career Academy aims to provide tailored resources to ensure every student has a post-secondary plan.
- The podcast discusses the need for continuous career support for students beyond one-off career days.
- Dr. Morgan shares her journey from Jamaica to China, highlighting cultural differences and commonalities.
- The importance of involving parents, teachers, and administrators in supporting students’ career paths is underscored.
- Career literacy should start early, integrating career awareness into learning from kindergarten through grade 12.
Chapters:
- 00:02 – Introducing Dr. Sophia Morgan
- 00:31 – Navigating Cultural Transitions and Career Guidance
- 20:25 – The Importance of Career Literacy in Early Education
- 22:19 – Exploring Career Awareness in Education
- 31:39 – Exploring Career Literacy and Global Opportunities
https://www.explorecareeracademy.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/dr-sophia-morgan-1a784671
🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire, get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources.
https://www.educationonfire.com
🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunities
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#EducationOnFire
Show Sponsors –
National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)
Their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape
From idea to live show – hands-on sessions to help you launch, grow, and streamline your brand.
Wyzly Founder Adam Adler: Turning Screen Time Battles Into Learning Wins
Adam Adler is a Charleston-based founder and investor focused on building technology that creates healthier, more sustainable systems — for families, communities, and the next generation.
The idea for Wyzly didn’t come from a pitch deck or a boardroom. It came from Adam’s daughter, Isla. At seven years old, Isla proposed a simple idea that every parent instantly understands: what if kids could earn screen time by learning first?
That moment sparked the creation of Wyzly — a learn-to-earn screen time platform designed to eliminate daily screen battles without punishment or restriction.
Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in private equity, data-driven businesses, and systems design, Adam built Wyzly from the ground up. The platform uses AI to generate curriculum-aligned learning challenges tailored to each child’s age, grade, and school district.
Key Takeaways
- It’s the only app with this level of iOS integration. Two years working with Apple let Wyzly act as a true gatekeeper for all apps — unlocking them only after kids answer curriculum-aligned questions.
- The AI adapts to each child. Questions adjust in difficulty based on performance and are tailored to age, grade, and school district.
- It interrupts “doom scrolling,” not just screen time. Built-in breaks prompt learning moments during long stretches of passive use — his daughter’s idea.
- Built with real experts, not guesswork. The team includes 14 in-house staff, teachers, a school principal, and a licensed child mental health counselor.
- His daughter helped design it firsthand. She tested features, flagged confusing questions, and shaped the UX from a kid’s point of view.
- Currently U.S./iOS only, K–6. Android and more grades/countries are planned for next year.
Chapters:
- 00:13 – The Inspiration Behind Wyzly
- 02:50 – The Birth of Wisely: A New Approach to Screen Time
- 09:27 – Introducing the App and Its Unique Approach to Screen Time Management
- 17:33 – The Importance of Sports in Education and Life
- 22:26 – Navigating Technology and Parenting
- 29:11 – Empowering Children: A New Approach to Parenting
https://www.wyzly.app
https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamadler-charleston
🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire, get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources.
https://www.educationonfire.com
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https://creativeamplifiers.live/
https://creativeamplifiers.substack.com/
Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)
Their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape
Transforming Dyslexia: Practical Strategies for Educators and Parents
Dyslexia, which affects an estimated 15 to 20% of learners, often leads to the frustrating advice of waiting and seeing from educational professionals. Russell Van Brocklen, a dyslexia researcher and advocate, challenges this complacency by presenting actionable solutions for parents and educators. His innovative approach, grounded in structured literacy methods, aims to transform the educational experience for dyslexic students, evidenced by his program that has successfully elevated students from middle school writing levels to college readiness in a remarkably short time. Multi-sensory routines surpass conventional worksheets, enabling observable progress before the next report card arrives.
Takeaways:
- Dyslexia affects a significant portion of learners, often leading to delayed intervention and support.
- Russell Van Brocklen utilizes structured literacy methods to effectively assist dyslexic students.
- His innovative program has demonstrated remarkable improvements in writing skills for dyslexic teens in a short time.
- Understanding the neurological differences in dyslexia is crucial for effective teaching and learning strategies.
- A focus on multisensory routines can yield better results than traditional methods like worksheets.
- Engaging students in topics they are passionate about greatly enhances their learning outcomes.
Chapters:
- 00:07 – Introduction to Dyslexia and Its Challenges
- 07:57 – The Journey of Overcoming Dyslexia
- 23:31 – The Case of Casey: A Unique Learning Journey
- 28:01 – Understanding Dyslexia and Effective Learning Strategies
- 45:53 – Navigating the Future: Education and AI
https://dyslexiaclasses.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-van-brocklen-2007ab87/
https://www.instagram.com/dyslexiaclassesus/
https://www.facebook.com/dyslexiaclasses/
https://twitter.com/dyslexiaclasses
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_cqwfxn9FqFx1Idl0YbeHg
🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire, get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources.
https://www.educationonfire.com
🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunities
https://www.educationonfire.com/support
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https://creativeamplifiers.live/
https://creativeamplifiers.substack.com/
Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)
Their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape
From Underprivileged to Acclaimed: The Chess Journey of Modesto Students
Kevin Cripe was a teacher in Modesto City Schools for 27 years and during that time created an award winning after school chess program for students who came from socio-economically challenged backgrounds. He took students to 200+ tournaments and 14 national chess championships and watched as students used chess to become first generation college graduates. After retiring he moved to Central America, continued to teach chess and wrote a “Child Moral Development Trilogy” .
Takeaways:
- Kevin Cripe dedicated 27 years to teaching and created an award-winning chess program for underprivileged students, demonstrating a profound commitment to educational equity.
- Through chess, Kevin facilitated the participation of his students in over 200 tournaments, resulting in numerous students becoming first-generation college graduates.
- After retiring, Kevin continued his passion for teaching chess in Central America and authored a trilogy focused on moral development for children.
- Kevin emphasizes the importance of celebrating every student’s progress, not just those who achieve the highest scores, fostering a culture of encouragement and resilience.
- Kevin’s approach to education revolves around providing emotional support and understanding that effort is as important as the results, helping students to feel valued beyond academic performance.
- We highlight the transformative power of exposure and opportunities, illustrating how students can aspire to greater futures when given the right support and encouragement.
Chapters:
- 00:03 – Kevin Cripe: Transforming Lives Through Chess
- 01:30 – The Journey Begins: Inspiring Change Through Education
- 21:04 – The Impact of Parental Support on Student Success
- 29:20 – The Journey of Learning and Growth
- 36:23 – The Impact of Caring in Education
https://kevincripemotivationalspeaker.com/
🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire, get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources and be part of our season finale with Ger.
https://www.educationonfire.com
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https://creativeamplifiers.substack.com/
Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)
Their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape