Dr. Robert Cialdini on The IJK Podcast

In this episode of The IJK Podcast, host Imad-Jack Karam sits down with Dr. Robert Cialdini, the world-renowned psychologist and bestselling author of Influence and Pre-Suasion.

Dr. Cialdini’s pioneering research on the psychology of persuasion has shaped how businesses, leaders, and everyday people understand why we say yes. His seven principles of influence — reciprocity, commitment & consistency, social proof, liking, authority, scarcity, and unity — have become essential tools in marketing, communication, and behavioral science.

Together, we explore how these timeless principles hold up in a world transformed by technology, AI, and constant digital noise.

The conversation covers:

• How the Seven Principles of Influence remain relevant in 2025
• The art of Pre-Suasion — creating the right mindset before your message is delivered
• Applying influence ethically in business, leadership, and communication
• How AI and large language models (LLMs) are reshaping persuasion and decision-making
• What the future of influence might look like as human and machine interactions evolve

From understanding why people trust online ratings (or raters, as Cialdini cleverly reframes them) to navigating influence in an age of algorithms and automation, this episode offers a masterclass in human behavior for the digital era.

If you’ve ever wondered why people say yes — and how influence can be used ethically to inspire action rather than manipulate, this conversation is for you.
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​Dr. William Lane Craig on the IJK Podcast

Is morality possible without God? Or does the very idea of objective right and wrong require a divine lawgiver?

In this episode of The IJK Podcast, Imad Jack Karam sits down with renowned philosopher and theologian Dr. William Lane Craig to explore one of life’s most profound questions: Does morality require God?

Together, they unpack what morality truly means and why Dr. Craig argues that objective moral values and duties are grounded in God’s very nature. The discussion revisits the classic Euthyphro dilemma—is something good because God commands it, or does God command it because it’s good?—and examines how Dr. Craig reconciles this ancient challenge through a nuanced moral framework rooted in divine goodness.

The conversation also explores the morality of atheists and non-believers, the idea of moral progress (from slavery to universal human rights), and whether such progress makes sense without a transcendent moral reference point.

Listeners will also hear a survey of competing moral theories, including:

• Moral Platonism (Wielenberg)
• Evolutionary Ethics (Ruse)
• Utilitarianism / Consequentialism (Bentham, Harris)
• Kantian Ethics
• Social Contract Theories (Hobbes, Locke)
• Constructivism (Korsgaard)
• Moral Intuitionism (Moore)

The episode delves into questions of moral duty, accountability, and meaning, while also touching on Dr. Craig’s personal reflections on faith, philosophy, and his current projects.

Whether you’re a theist, atheist, or somewhere in between, this thought-provoking conversation bridges philosophy, theology, and ethics — inviting us to consider not only where morality comes from, but why it matters for all of us.

About Dr. William Lane Craig

Dr. Craig is Emeritus Research Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology and one of the world’s most influential philosophers of religion. 
With a career spanning decades, he has authored and edited more than thirty books and published over a hundred scholarly articles in philosophy and theology. His works include The Kalam Cosmological Argument, Reasonable Faith, and God Over All.
Beyond his writings, Dr. Craig is perhaps best known for his public debates with leading intellectuals and atheists, including Christopher Hitchens and Sam Harris— His debates and conversations have shaped global discussions on faith, philosophy and science.
In 2016, he was recognized by “The Best Schools” as one of the fifty most influential living philosophers.

🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts
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📩 Subscribe to The IJK Podcast on YouTube for more deep conversations on ideas that shape how we think, live and believe.