Sell Me Lies

The SuperMarket Maze: How Grocery Stores Trick You

Ever walked into a grocery store for eggs and left with candles, snacks, and a loaf of sourdough you did not plan to buy? That’s not random. In this episode of Sell Me Lies, we’re pulling back the curtain on the supermarket maze. We break down how store layouts are built to increase exposure, why stores use scent and bakeries to shift your mood and appetite, and how loyalty programs quietly turn your shopping habits into data. We aren’t here to tell you to throw out your Trader Joe’s tote bag. We’re here to show you how the machine works, so you can form your own opinions. In this episode: * The Decompression Zone: Why the First Few Seconds Inside the Store Matter * The Bakery Trick: How Scent Can Shape Behavior and Spending * The Loyalty Lie: What Grocery Stores Really Get When You Scan for Discounts

The Infinite Scroll: How Netflix Hijacks Your Brain

Ever sat down to watch Netflix just to find yourself still scrolling for a show an hour later? It’s not your indecision. It’s a feature. In the premiere episode of Sell Me Lies, we’re pulling back the curtain on the "Netflix Effect." We dive into the tightly engineered world of Personalized Artwork (and why your Stranger Things thumbnail art looks different than mine), the psychological trick of Row Repetition, and how Autoplay is designed to bypass your "logic brain" entirely. We aren't here to tell you to delete the app; we’re here to show you how the machine works, so you can make your own opinions. In this episode: * The "Mere Exposure Effect": Why Some Shows Follow You Everywhere * The 5% Impression Rule: How Netflix Tests Your Subconscious * Decision Removal: Why Silence is the Algorithm’s Biggest Enemy

Official Trailer

Sell Me Lies is a podcast about how social media algorithms harvest our data to influence what we see and buy. From hidden sponsorships to targeted ads to fake-casual influencer content, each episode breaks down how these things sway us to think, act, and eventually (buy) the lies they're selling. If you want to learn how to spot these tactics, so you can make more informed choices on your social media, start here. New episodes every Saturday.