Our Best Hope for Global Change | Faisal Naru

In this month’s bonus episode, we investigate the dramatic rise of behavioral science in public policy with Faisal Naru, a global expert on the evolution of behavioral units around the world.

What began in 2010 with just a few pioneering government teams has exploded into a global movement, with over 630 behavioral science units today. Faisal shares how this growth has not only scaled but also diversified, especially in how countries across the Global North and South are applying behavioral insights to address societal issues.

Faisal highlights a key distinction: while many Northern countries started with small-scale implementation tweaks, nations in the Global South are using behavioral science to address large, complex “wicked problems” such as poverty, public health, and national security. This bold application of behavioral insights demonstrates the field’s flexibility and relevance in widely different contexts.

The conversation turns toward the future as Faisal challenges the field to move away from the myth of “silver bullet” solutions and instead offer enduring “golden nuggets” of insight. He advocates for a systems-level approach—where behavioral teams become as central to organizations as finance or communications—delivering consistent, actionable perspectives on human behavior. Curious about the current state of global affairs? Tune in today to discover how behavioral science is impacting people all over the world.

Want to watch this episode? Check it out on our YouTube Channel