Episode 025 — Overcoming Resistance Using Brain Glue with James I. Bond

If you’ve ever had a great idea, a strong offer, or a meaningful message—yet still felt people tune out, hesitate, or say “I’ll think about it,” this episode is for you. In Episode 25 of Overcoming Anything, host Anne Vryonides sits down with James I. Bond, one of America’s leading behavioral management specialists and the award-winning author of Brain Glue, to unpack why logic rarely closes the deal—and what actually moves people to action.

James shares the real turning point that changed his career: losing a major anti-drug campaign to the iconic “This is your brain on drugs” ad—and realizing that emotion drives decisions far more than facts. From there, he built a “passion box” of emotionally powerful ads, stories, and phrases—and ultimately uncovered 14 brain triggers that make ideas stick, spark engagement, and reduce resistance in communication, marketing, leadership, and even parenting.

Key Takeaways

• Emotion drives decisions: even the best logic can lose if it doesn’t trigger the emotional brain
• Brain Glue triggers (like metaphors, alliteration, and surprise phrasing) make ideas memorable, repeatable, and shareable
• The fastest way to increase engagement is to stop talking at people—and start talking with them using simple reflexive questions

Timestamps

• 00:00 — Welcome + why “resistance” isn’t about your offer—it’s about the brain
• 02:10 — James’s go-to technique: simple reflexive questions (“isn’t it…?” “don’t you agree?”)
• 05:15 — The pivotal moment: losing to “This is your brain on drugs” and realizing emotion wins
• 08:40 — The “Passion Box” experiment that led to Brain Glue
• 12:10 — John Gray’s breakthrough: Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus and the power of metaphor
• 16:00 — The 14 brain triggers: what they are and why they work
• 18:30 — Metaphor in action: Manscaped’s “Lawnmower” (and why it spreads)
• 22:30 — Naming that sells: Squatty Potty and the power of a sticky, shareable phrase
• 27:00 — Using Brain Glue beyond business: communication, conflict, and relationships
• 30:40 — Parenting example: “Only fools don’t follow rules” + the toilet-water metaphor
• 33:30 — Alliteration that sticks: Coca-Cola, TikTok, and why names matter
• 36:10 — TV titles and repetition: I Love Lucy, Mission Impossible, Star Trek, The Untouchables
• 39:10 — The “vomit” line: brain-trigger words that instantly grab attention
• 42:40 — Recommended reading + why James renamed the book to Brain Glue
• 45:20 — Where to find James + how to learn more

Connect with James Bond

• Brain Glue by James Bond, https://a.co/d/iubwBc1
• Website: https://yesbrainglue.com/

·       http://BrainGluePressKit.com/

Recommended Resources

• Work by Gerald Zaltman and Daniel Kahneman on emotion-driven decision-making

If this episode helped you, share it with a leader, creator, entrepreneur, or parent who needs their message to stick. I’ll see you next time on Overcoming Anything.

❤️ Anne

Disclaimer

The content of this episode is for informational and inspirational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional therapy, diagnosis, legal, or medical care.

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