# Catching fire: What goes viral and why? With Jonah Berger, PhD

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/speaking-of-psychology-169410/catching-fire-what-goes-viral-and-why-with-jonah-berger-phd
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/speaking-of-psychology-169410/catching-fire-what-goes-viral-and-why-with-jonah-berger-phd.md
Podcast: [Speaking of Psychology](https://stenobird.com/podcast/speaking-of-psychology-169410)
Published: 2026-02-25T08:30:00+00:00
Episode link: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/AMERICANPSYCHOLOGICALASSOCIATION6608344822.mp3?updated=1772227871
Audio file: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/AMERICANPSYCHOLOGICALASSOCIATION6608344822.mp3?updated=1772227871
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Duration seconds: 2493

## Resource

Why do some ideas, products, news stories and trends spread like wildfire, while others disappear? Jonah Berger, PhD, discusses the science of what catches on; the psychological forces that drive word of mouth, including social currency and high-arousal emotions like awe and anger; whether online and offline sharing differ; and what his research can tell us about the spread of misinformation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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