Stop Chasing Unicorns: Growth Psychology That Actually Works | Ep. 54 w/ Colin Hodge (DOWN) — Outrageous Startup Growth
The startup world is basically a myth factory…and founders inhale it like oxygen. Colin Hodge is here to punch a few of those myths in the face...with real receipts from building DOWN (formerly Bang With Friends) and spending years in the trenches of consumer psychology.
This one has a strong “listen twice” feel because it’s not hype. It’s mechanisms.
The 3 founder myths killing companies (and nervous systems)
- You have to chase unicorn status, or you failed
- Growth comes from hacks, not understanding humans
- Anything labeled “casual” can’t be meaningful (spoiler: it can)
The “viral moments” we unpack (aka the parts you’ll quote to your founder friends)
- Punching the unicorn myth: there’s another path to success that doesn’t require billionaire cosplay
- Consumer psychology > hacks: stop chasing channels, start understanding how people choose
- Good friction (IKEA effect): the right steps can increase commitment and retention with good friction
- One move you can run this week: use framing effects to shape decisions inside paywalls, onboarding, and pricing
- Is Anything Real?: authenticity becomes a durable edge when the internet gets noisier and faker
Guest links
- Order "Outrageous Startup Growth: Uncovering the Secrets of User Psychology to Scale Your Success", out today!
- Colin Hodge (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/ckbhodge/
- DOWN Dating & Social Apps: https://www.downapp.com/
- Email: c@downapp.com
For leaders in transition...
⚡ Transition Leadership Foundation Call (20 min):
If you’re building a company right now and your brain feels like 27 tabs are open, send this to the one founder friend who needs the reminder: you don’t have to chase unicorns to be successful.
Creators and Guests
Host
Adam W. Barney
Adam W. Barney helps transitioning leaders navigate career and leadership inflection points with clarity and momentum. Author of Make Your Own Glass Half Full and creator of EnergyOS. Based in Boston, fueled by family and music.
