Neuroscientist: “Attention spans are NOT shorter” (7 tactics that get anyone’s attention)
The goldfish attention span myth has been repeated in TED Talks, boardrooms, and marketing decks for years, but it never actually existed. In this solo episode, Howie Chan traces the myth back to its source, then asks a better question: if attention span isn't shrinking, what decides where the brain looks?
Howie breaks down why psychologists rarely study attention the way we imagine it, and unpacks the deeper mechanism behind why some ideas get noticed while others disappear into the noise. He walks through the seven signals the brain has evolved to prioritize, from relevance and novelty to identity and consequence, and shows how each one shapes whether a presentation, a pitch, or a single sentence earns someone's focus.
You'll learn why the goldfish statistic never had real evidence behind it, how the illusory truth effect shapes what we believe, why simplicity outperforms impressive vocabulary, and how identity-based language holds attention longer than instructions ever will.
Chapters:
00:00:00 Debunking the Goldfish Attention Span Myth
00:03:24 One of the Most Important Questions in Influence and Leadership
00:05:38 What Attention Actually Is
00:08:00 The Seven Signals the Brain Notices
00:19:05 Bringing the Seven Signals Together
00:20:12 The Responsibility That Comes With Attention
What’s Your Influence Style Profile? What do you do when you need someone to do something?
This quiz will help you discover your most natural influence style, so you can use that strength more effectively (and know your blind spots.)
→ https://www.influencestylequiz.com/
Join 1,025+ leaders who've already uncovered what their style is.
The Influence Anyone Podcast
The #1 podcast on applied influence psychology. Each episode, Howie Chan, a veteran brand and behavior strategist sits down with world experts and practitioners to uncover the hidden psychology that helps you influence yourself (mastering your mindset, habits, and decisions) and get buy-in from others (your team, clients, and audiences.) Together, we turn science into playbooks you can apply to lead, persuade, and create extraordinary success.
New episodes weekly. Subscribe and start influencing with intention.
