#155 | Ethical Marketing That Actually Works: How to Build Trust Without Manipulation

Contagious Culture · Feb 12, 2026 · 59m

In a world where marketing is often built on pressure, fear, and “gotcha” tactics, this episode is a reset.

I’m joined by Chelsea Burns, The Marketing Psychologist™ and Brand Ethicist, for a conversation about ethical marketing that actually works. Not the fluffy kind. The kind that builds real trust, creates long-term customers, and protects your reputation while still driving growth.

We break down how manipulation shows up in modern marketing (even when people don’t mean harm), why “high-converting” isn’t always healthy, and what it looks like to build a brand people choose because they…