In this fourth episode of our special six-part reboot of Talking Shop, the 2015 ABC podcast I co-hosted with Kirsten Drysdale, we explore the irresistible pull of luxury goods. From Belgian chocolate and French champagne to understated but wildly expensive trench coats, we ask: what makes these items feel so desirable, and why do some of us proudly show them off? Originally part of a series that unpacked the evidence behind why we buy what we buy, this episode looks at the psychology of status symbols, ‘peacocking,’ and whether a well-crafted fake can satisfy just as much as the real thing. This is also a repeat of Episode 12.

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.