Interviewed On The Choiceology Podcast
2nd June 2025 - New Experience Number 11.
Back in March, BBC Radio York invited me in for an interview about my challenge of trying fifty-two new things in a year, this lead to an article on the BBC news site, and then to being interviewed on the podcast Choiceology with Katy Milkman.
I’d never been interviewed for a podcast before, so this absolutely counts towards my 52 new things in 2025. Here’s how it all came about, what the experience was like, and why it felt like a step in the right direction.
Being Approached To Be Interviewed On The Choiceology Podcast
I’d only recently updated my LinkedIn profile after several years of abandonment. I’m glad I’d taken the time to do it. Sitting in my messages was a short note;
“Hi Sally, I’m a producer with the podcast Choiceology and interested in learning more about your 52 new things a year challenge.
We’re working on an episode about hedonic editing.”
For a 200 character limit it conveyed a lot and certainly piqued my interest. I’d never heard of Choiceology, or hedonic editing, so I googled them both.
I loved what I discovered, and eagerly sent a reply. After a few more messages back and forth, we set up a zoom call.
The Choiceology Podcast With Katy Milkman
From the very first listen I was hooked. Even if I hadn’t been interviewed I’d be recommending it!
These half hour episodes look at the psychology and economics behind our decisions. It shares true and surprising stories about real choices, connecting them to the latest research in behavioural science. All of it helping listeners to make better judgements.
It’s a podcast that is right up my street as it is learning and development in real life situations. I’ve been devouring previous episodes since I first discovered it!
Host Katy Milkman, is a remarkable woman. A Professor at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and the author of the international bestselling book ‘How To Change‘, to name just two of her achievements.
What Is Hedonic Editing?
So, with an episode about hedonic editing, I brushed up a little on what it means.
It’s all about how we categorise experiences. How we bundle or separate life’s highs and lows, and how that can influence our happiness.
It’s considered that spreading out fun events and activities over time is a positive thing to do, but we might group more unpleasant events together to get them over and done with. A bit like ripping off a plaster.
It’s a way of mentally reframing events to make gains feel bigger, and losses feel smaller.
For example, if you won £100 one week, and then £100 the next week, that’s a happy experience, and some people would argue more positive than winning £200 in one go.
Whereas if you lost £100 one week, and £100 the next, that’s often considered worse than losing £200 in one go. It feels like a downward spiral.
The producer contacted me about my challenge of trying fifty-two new things a year as it fits with the theme of purposefully spreading out joy. It certainly made me look at my antics through another lens.
An Initial Chat - Interviewed On The Choiceology Podcast
A smiling face greeted me on the screen for the initial zoom call. Brittany’s working day was just beginning in Canada, whilst I was getting ready to wrap up at 4pm in the UK. This first chat was to find out more about my challenge and to give me a sense of what they might be looking for from me.
With an ambition of being bolder and braver in talking about Challenge Fifty Two, I really hoped that my story would fit the brief and be suitable. I absolutely adored the fact it was for a behavioural science podcast.
Learning and development is my background, so being able to combine my passion project with actual useful psychology on such a fantastic platform with a highly regarded host gave me goosebumps. It all just felt right.
Preparation
Happy that I fit the bill, producer Brittany sent me a date for the interview call, along with some of the questions she wanted to ask.
There is so much that I can talk about when it comes to trying 52 new things. Having the questions helped me to narrow it down and keep me focused.
I prepped some responses onto cue cards and stuck them to the wall behind my laptop. Yes, I know, I know. I could have written notes on my phone or on a notepad, but I didn’t want the sound of me swiping the screen or rustling papers to be picked up on the microphone.
The Interview
Brittany and I had a really nice conversation. Having listened to so many of the previous episodes, I knew they produced a slick show and completely trusted the process. More like a chat than an interview, it was lovely, relaxed, and like telling a friend a tale.
The preparation paid off and kept any nerves at bay. Having notes definitely helped me to avoid repeating myself and allowed me to cover things in the right time frame.
The whole call was recorded, and if I changed my mind about anything I said as we went along, I could just start again. I could repeat or rephrase anything that I’d stumbled over or wanted to change, as it could all be edited.
The First Listen
There were about 2 months between recording the interview and listening to the show for the first time. I was genuinely really excited to hear how they’d packaged up what I’d said and married it to the research.
Clicking into podcasts, there it was! The yellow cover was familiar as I’d been working my way through the back catalogue of episodes.
Season 15, episode 6 had three illustrated flowers on it. Titled ‘Little Bits of Happiness: With Guests Sally Millington & Ellen Evers’, it was available at last.
Excitement rather than nerves prevailed as I clicked play. I felt I’d been in safe hands throughout the process, and listened to the theme tune with a smile on my face.
Hearing Myself Being Interviewed On The Choiceology Podcast
A steady voice introduced herself. It was me! They had done such a good job. The editing was amazing and I felt they had captured what I had wanted to share brilliantly. Enough time had passed since the recording that I couldn’t remember exactly what I had said, so it was a relief to hear I had been fairly articulate.
Hearing my story coupled with the psychology and research from Ellen Evers, (an Associate Professor of Marketing), was honestly such an incredible feeling that gave me a warm and fuzzy glow inside.
I’ve always known that I have gained so, so much from trying 52 new things a year. Yes, some of the new things I do may be seen as dull and mundane, but I always approach them with a sense of child-like curiosity and enthusiasm. That’s what makes them an everyday adventure and joy to me.
Hearing experts talking about the psychology of spreading out positive experiences made me feel more validation as to why I do what I do.
Take A Listen
I’d love for you to have a listen. Please do check out the other Choiceology episodes too because they’re really insightful and relatable. I can highly recommend them.
You can find the podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Here are some links to the episode too. Happy listening!
Want To Try It Yourself?
- If you’ve got a story to share, why not reach out to podcasts which align to the content and see if they might be interested in having you on.
Cost Of Experience
- Free!
Recommendations
- Your voice is fine.
As a rule of thumb, people generally don’t like the sound of their own voice. I previously hosted a community radio show, and have recorded various training materials, and whilst I’m not saying I particularly like mine, I am used to hearing it. I always remember someone once asking, has anyone ever told you that your voice is terrible? It’s likely no one has ever said it to you either, it’s all in our head.
- Preparation is useful. Knowing what you are going to say can help prevent the ums and ahs. Even if it’s just some bullet points, planning your message is a worthwhile endeavour.
- Slow down and breathe. I know I can talk quickly, and it’s something I always work on when I’m public speaking. Paying attention to this helped me to feel calm and in control.
- Enjoy the process! If you do get to speak on any podcasts, please let me know and I’ll try and give it a listen! Good luck!