Eric Barker
Eric Barker is an American author and blogger who explores success, productivity, happiness, and relationships through behavioral science. He is best known for the long-running blog Barking Up the Wrong Tree and the book of the same name, which brought research-driven self-improvement ideas to a broad mainstream audience.
Biography & Author's Journey
Eric Barker came to authorship by way of an indirect education and career path. He studied philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania, earned an MFA from UCLA’s film program, and later completed an MBA at Boston College. Before he was known for synthesizing social science, he spent about a decade in Hollywood, writing or developing projects for Walt Disney Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox, Revolution Studios, and Stan Lee-related work. That unconventional route became the seed of his later writing: after exposure to research on negotiation and human behavior at Boston College, he began questioning the standard rules people repeat about success and looking instead to academic studies and expert insight. ((https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/carroll-school/news/2017/eric-barker.html?utm_source=openai))
Quotes
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Popular Books
Plays Well with Others
Eric Barker
A science-backed guide to building better relationships, from friendships to romance, with surprising insights and practical advice.
Barking up the Wrong Tree
Eric Barker
Challenging conventional wisdom, this book reveals surprising truths about success and offers unconventional strategies to achieve your goals.
Plays Well with Others
Eric Barker
A science-backed guide to building better relationships, from friendships to romance, with surprising insights and practical advice.
Barking up the Wrong Tree
Eric Barker
Challenging conventional wisdom, this book reveals surprising truths about success and offers unconventional strategies to achieve your goals.
Discover more
Master behavioral economics
Behavioral economics has revolutionized how we understand human decision-making, revealing that people consistently make predictable errors in judgment that traditional economics cannot explain. This learning plan is essential for professionals in business, policy, marketing, product design, and leadership roles who want to understand what truly drives human behavior and how to design systems that lead to better outcomes. Whether you're optimizing user experiences, crafting policies, developing marketing strategies, or simply seeking to make better decisions yourself, mastering these principles provides a powerful competitive advantage.
The Psychology of Growth
This plan is essential for entrepreneurs and marketers who want to move beyond surface-level tactics and master the science of persuasion. It provides a deep dive into how the human brain makes decisions, making it perfect for anyone looking to increase conversion rates through psychological insight.
The Behavioral Science of Reading People
This plan is essential for professionals in leadership, negotiations, or law enforcement who need to look beyond surface-level interactions. It provides a scientific framework for interpreting human behavior and uncovering the truth in high-stakes environments.
The Neuroscience of Manifestation
This plan bridges the gap between self-help and science, offering a biological perspective on achieving goals. It is ideal for high-performers and skeptics alike who want to leverage brain science to increase their personal agency and effectiveness.
The Human Behavior Blueprint
This blueprint is essential for anyone looking to navigate complex social landscapes with precision and psychological insight. It is particularly valuable for leaders, negotiators, and individuals seeking to master both interpersonal influence and personal habit formation.
Master Mind, Habits & Behavioral Science
This plan bridges the gap between neurological theory and practical application for anyone seeking total self-mastery. It is ideal for professionals, leaders, and individuals looking to optimize their performance by understanding the science of how they think and act.
The Science of Self-Sabotage
This plan is essential for high-achievers and chronic caretakers who feel stuck in repetitive patterns of failure or burnout. It offers a deep dive into the neurobiology of behavior, making it ideal for anyone looking to reclaim control over their choices and mental well-being.
The Hidden Laws of Human Behavior
This plan is essential for anyone seeking to bridge the gap between subconscious impulses and intentional action. It is ideal for leaders, educators, and individuals looking to master self-regulation and influence through a scientific lens.
Community Voices
"Eric Barker distills what we know about how to make our most important relationships flourish"
— Daniel H. Pink
"Smart, yet funny, Barker frequently draws from scientifically backed studies"
— Library Journal
"Eric Barker’s wit and explanatory powers shine through every page"
— David Epstein
"Eric Barker explodes many myths we have about success"
— AudioFile
"Barker’s wide-eyed curiosity and intellectual openness make him an ideal tour guide"
— Publishers Weekly
"Barker’s irreverence is so consistently on-target"
— Robert B. Cialdini
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
