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Social Norms Chat
Social Norms Chat is a podcast for practitioners, funders, and changemakers eager to explore how social norms shape behaviors—and how they can be shifted to drive meaningful change. Hosted by Cäcilia Riederer from TransformNorms and featuring Sohail Agha, senior advisor at Global Health Visions, this podcast unpacks key concepts like aspiration vs. behavior, gender norms, and the power of reference groups.
Through thematic deep dives on topics like mental health, violence, and gender dynamics, we blend research, case studies, and expert insights to uncover what works (and what doesn’t) in fostering deep normative change. With special guests and real-world examples, we provide actionable strategies for those working in policy, advocacy, and community development.
Social Norms Chat
Episode 5: Five Myths About Norms and Behavior Change
What are the most common misconceptions about how social norms and behaviors interact—and how can they mislead even well-intentioned change-makers?
In Episode 5 of Social Norms Chat, Cäcilia Riederer and Dr. Sohail Agha bust five big myths that often show up in the world of social and behavior change. From the myth of a one-way relationship between norms and behaviors to the oversimplification of how change happens, this episode is a reality check for anyone working to shift harmful norms or design effective interventions.
Whether you're designing a program, evaluating outcomes, or trying to make sense of social change in your own community, these five takeaways are essential tools for thinking clearly—and acting effectively.
📖 Use alongside the Transforming Social Norms Toolkit
Post we mentioned:
Involving Fathers in Children's Nutrition
Got feedback or ideas? Email us at caecilia@betterpolitics.foundation
Website: transformnorms.com
LinkedIn: TransformNorms
Executive producer and host: Cäcilia Riederer
Special guest: Dr. Sohail Agha
Producer and writer: Dora Ehrlich
Editor: Tabusum Akter