Behavioral Grooves Podcast

It’s Throwback Thursday at Behavioral Grooves, and we’re revisiting one of our favorite conversations with bestselling author Jonah Berger on the surprising power of words. Tiny shifts in language can shape behavior, influence relationships, and even change how others see us. Jonah reveals the “magic words” that captivate, motivate, and persuade, and shares practical tips for turning actions into identities, priming behavior with language, and making every word count. Topics [3:27] Welcome and speed round questions. [5:09] Why asking for advice makes us actually seem smarter. [7:17] Using abstract vs. concrete language. [12:42] How Jonah researched the use of language. [16:49] How can our language affect our relationships. [19:31] Turning actions into identities. [22:47] Priming behavior with language. [25:00] Do the lyrics of songs help explain their success? [28:27] Grooving Session with Tim and Kurt on why words matter. Links About Jonah Magic Words: What to Say to Get Your Way by Jonah Berger Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Music Links Suzanne Vega, DNA - Tom's Diner  RUN DMC - Walk This Way (ft. Aerosmith)

What if the key to better work isn’t doing more, but moving more, resting better, and thinking differently? Dr. Natalie Nixon joins us to unpack her Move, Think, Rest framework and explain why creativity thrives when we step away from hustle culture. From walking meetings and daydreaming to embracing ambiguity and redesigning how we work, this episode offers a powerful reframe for anyone feeling burned out or stuck. Topics [0:00] Introduction and speed round with Natalie Nixon [10:20] Burnout, hustle culture, and redesigning how we work [16:12 Productivity myths from the Industrial Revolution [20:34] Movement hygiene and the benefits of walking [26:39] The Move, Think, Rest model [30:27] How to embrace ambiguity instead of fighting it [38:27] The importance of scaling rest [44:38] How Natalie finds her groove [48:25] Grooving Session: Reframing productivity and creativity  ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links MTR Challenge Natalie Nixon Move. Think. Rest. By Natalie Nixon, PhD Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Music Links Check out Natalie Nixon's Playlist for: Move Think Rest    

In this annual “best of the best” episode, we revisit the behavioral science books that most influenced our thinking this year. Rather than ranking titles, we explore what made each book impactful; from happiness and psychological richness to leadership, teams, and behavioral economics, and why these ideas continue to challenge how we think, work, and live. Topics [0:00] Can we really rank “best” books? [2:08] Book Giveaway - How to join [3:34] Psychological richness and happiness [5:50] Redefining wealth beyond money [7:21] The illusion of self-derived beliefs [8:25] Getting out of your own way [11:11] The power of mattering at work [13:21] Rethinking happiness [15:01] Behavioral science in the real world [16:45] Behavioral economics [19:52] Behavioral science in marketing and advertising [20:19] Closing thoughts and community invite  ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links Life in Three Dimensions – Shigehiro Oishi The Soul of Wealth – Daniel Crosby The Knowledge Illusion – Steven Sloman Detach – Bob Rosen The Collective Edge – Colin Fisher The Power of Mattering – Zach Mercurio What We Value – Emily Falk Beyond Happy – Mark Fabian The Doors You Can Open – Rosalind Chow The Housefly Effect – Eva van den Broek & Tim den Heijer The Winner’s Curse – Richard Thaler & Alex Imas Meditations for Mortals – Oliver Burkeman Hacking the Human Mind – Richard Shotton Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Music Links Groovy Listening 2025 Playlist

Happy New Year, Groovers! This week, we're taking some time-off and sharing an oldie but a goodie - our conversation with Ayelet Fishbach.  The start of a new year often brings fresh motivation...and then we burnout. But why? In this recast, we are joined by Dr. Ayelet Fishbach to explore why willpower-driven resolutions fail and how behavioral science offers a smarter way to set goals that last. Through an examination of her research, we unpack meta-motivation, the problem with "the middle" and how you can design your goals better so that they carry momentum through January and beyond.  ©2025 Behavioral Grooves Topics [0:00] Motivation and Willpower - a New Perspective with Ayelet Fishbach [3:19] The Marshmallow Test and Its Misinterpretation [7:52] Meta Motivation and Its Implications [14:28] The Role of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation [18:17] Problems Around Goal Achievement [32:41] The Important of Aspirational Goals [42:58] Strategies for Overcoming the Problem of "the Middle" [48:33] Key Takeaways ©2025 Behavioral Grooves Links About Ayelet Get It Done: Surprising Lessons from the Science of Motivation Music Links Best of NPR Tiny Desk

Why do holiday rituals matter so much to our happiness and sense of connection? In this pre-Christmas special, we unwrap (ho ho ho…) the behavioral science behind gatherings and traditions—from Thanksgiving dinners to baking cookies and watching favorite holiday movies. Learn how rituals differ from habits, why they help reduce anxiety, and how small, intentional moments can strengthen belonging, refresh traditions that feel stale, and make the holiday season feel more meaningful and enjoyable. Topics [0:00] Understanding the Importance of Gatherings and Rituals [5:19] The Role of Multiple Groups in Identity [8:06] Defining Rituals [14:13] Maintaining the Meaning of Rituals [19:00] Practical Ways to Add Intention to the Holidays [22:15[ A Question for Your Next Gathering ©2025 Behavioral Grooves Links Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Musical Links Nat King Cole - The Christmas Song Tim Minchin - White Wine in the Sun  

Individual emotional intelligence matters — but teams thrive when EI is built together, not carried by a few well-developed individuals. In this episode, Vanessa Druskat explains why high-performing groups rely on shared norms that create psychological safety, trust, and collaboration. We talk through her research-backed framework for turning work groups into emotionally intelligent teams, how leaders can shape better environments, and why optimism is a surprisingly powerful tool for motivation and change. Topics [0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Vanessa Druskat [7:08] What is Team Emotional Intelligence? [13:02] Leader Behavior vs Team Norms [18:24] The Discovery of “the Nine Norms” [26:34] Engaging Stakeholders Beyond the Team [33:19] Belonging Needs and Conformity [42:01] Optimism As a Leadership Tool [47:21] Coaching for Hope vs Problems [50:42] Desert Island Music [54:14] Grooving Session: A+ Teams vs A+ Individuals ©2025 Behavioral Grooves Links About Vanessa The Emotionally Intelligent Team Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Musical Links Van Morrison - Days Like This John Prine - In Spite of Ourselves  

Executive coach and author Muriel Wilkins joins us to unpack the invisible beliefs that quietly shape how we lead. We explore why curiosity is the starting point for self-awareness, the common internal blockers she sees in leaders, and why leadership growth is less about changing who you are and more about expanding your mindset. Muriel breaks down how hidden scripts formed early in life can limit our impact later on, and how shifting our beliefs can help us move from stress and suffering to clarity, range, and ease at work. Topics [0:00] Introduction and speed round with Muriel Wilkins [9:33] Are limiting beliefs protective? [15:40] Where limiting beliefs come from [20:00] Why we’re not taught self-reflection [27:04] The problem with glorifying stress [33:44] Changing vs expanding your mindset [39:23] Redefining success [44:47] How Muriel Wilkins finds her groove [54:50] Grooving Session: Curiosity, self-awareness, and expanding your mindset ©2025 Behavioral Grooves Links About Muriel Leadership Unblocked by Muriel Wilkins Café Bustelo Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Musical Links Vivaldi - Four Seasons

In this special episode inspired by questions from our Facebook Community, we explore why big change feels intimidating even though most transformation happens quietly in our daily lives. Kurt and Tim dig into the micro-shifts we overlook, the powerful role expectations play in shaping our confidence and identity, and why surrounding yourself with people who expand your sense of possibility truly matters. They also revisit classic and modern goal-setting research — from Kurt Lewin’s “levels of aspiration” to today’s best evidence — to show how balancing past performance with future dreams helps you find the motivating sweet spot that keeps you moving forward. A Note From Our Team: This show exists because of the community around it — the questions you ask, the curiosity you bring, and the support you’ve given us. If you’d like to help us keep producing independent, ad-free behavioral science content, we’d be grateful for your support on Substack. Your contribution sets the expectation that this work matters — and helps us keep delivering it. Support us here. Topics [0:00] Change and Its Implications [4:00] The Impact of Incremental Change on Personal Growth [8:41] The Pygmalion Effect [16:14] Goal Setting: Past Performance vs Future Dreams [25:39] Incremental Goals vs. Aspirational Goals [29:11] Our Facebook Community: Coffee or Tea? ©2025 Behavioral Grooves Links Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves

Is violence caused by “bad people,” too many guns, or something deeper? In this episode, University of Chicago researcher Jens Ludwig reveals why most violent acts stem not from evil intent but from ordinary people in unforgiving situations. We explore how behavior, context, metacognition, and split-second decision-making shape violent outcomes — and why small, scalable interventions like pocket parks, foot traffic, and reflective thinking can dramatically reduce harm. If you care about safer communities, more innovative policymaking, or just want to understand human behavior better, our conversation with Jens will forever reshape how you view violence. Topics [0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Jens Ludwig [10:18] Bad People vs Bad Situations [15:55] The 10-Minute Window [22:50] Dog Attacks and Tunnel Vision [31:15] Eyes on the Street and Environment Shaping Behavior [38:50] How Pocket Parks Reduce Crime [47:27] In-Group/Out-Group Psychology and Neighborhood Conflict [52:20] Metacognition, Education, and Preventing Violence [1:00:57] Poker, Tilt, and Decision-Making Under Stress [1:06:51] Desert Island Music Picks [1:11:21] Grooving Session: Interventions and a Solution to Violent Crime ©2025 Behavioral Grooves Links About Jens Unforgiving Places: The Unexpected Origins of American Gun Violence Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Musical Links Chappell Roan - Red Wine Supernova AC/DC - Hell’s Bells

Why does gratitude feel so easy to feel yet so hard to say? In this Thanksgiving grooving session, we unpack the psychology behind our awkwardness around expressing appreciation—from miscaliberated assumptions to the belief that people can “just tell” how grateful we are. Drawing on research from Nick Epley and others, we explore how gratitude rewires the brain, boosts well-being, and strengthens relationships, and we share simple, science-backed nudges to help you connect more deeply with the people you love this holiday season. A Note From Our Team: This Thanksgiving, support the science you love. Behavioral Grooves is independent, ad-free, and listener-powered. If our episodes bring you insight or inspiration, consider subscribing or becoming a member—it makes a huge difference.  ©2025 Behavioral Grooves Topics [0:00] What is Gratitude? [1:51] Barriers to Expressing Gratitude [3:44] Nudges for Practicing Gratitude [6:54] The Power of In-Person Gratitude [8:30] Closing Thoughts: Happy Thanksgiving! ©2025 Behavioral Grooves Links Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral GroovesSupport Behavioral Grooves Musical Links Arlo Guthrie - Alice's Restaurant Vintage Thanksgiving Playlist  

Harvard instructor Margaret Andrews joins us to explore why effective leadership starts with self-awareness. We discuss blind spots, emotional intelligence, team norms, and the internal work leaders must do to better understand their impact. Margaret offers practical tools for developing people and navigating organizational context, showing how self-understanding reshapes culture, communication, and long-term leadership success. Topics [0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Margaret Andrews [7:10] What Managers Get Wrong [16:59] Challenges of Leading Others [21:42] Emotional Intelligence and Leadership [27:20] The “Best Boss” Exercise [35:54] Leading for the Long Term [39:56] Advice for New Managers [44:19] Desert Island Music [49:38] Grooving Session: Self-Awareness, Biases, and Leadership Takeaways ©2025 Behavioral Grooves Links About Margaret Manage Yourself to Lead Others by Margaret C. Andrews Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Music Links Rod Stewart - Have You Ever Seen the Rain? Nina Simone - Feeling Good

What if the gender revolution never finished? Economist Corinne Low joins us to unpack why women have transformed the workforce while men’s roles at home have barely changed. Drawing on insights from her book Having It All, Corinne reveals why so many families are stretched thin, caught between data, social pressure, and outdated norms. Together, we explore what it means to “have it almost,” and how smarter boundaries, parental leave, and fairer divisions of labor could finally help us reach true balance at home and at work.  ©2025 Behavioral Grooves Topics [0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Corinne Low [8:30] Gender Roles in Parenting [18:58] Behavioral and Social Norms in Parenting [27:32] Economic Models and Marriage [38:29] Paternity Leave and Gender Roles [44:18] Structural Changes and Workforce Adaptations [52:49] Desert Island Music [55:26] Grooving Session: Finding Balance at Home and at Work ©2025 Behavioral Grooves Links About Corinne Having It All: What Data Tells Us About Women’s Lives and Getting the Most Out of Yours by Corinne Low, PhD Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Music Links Pearl Jam - Even Flow The Beatles - Now and Then

Financial advisor and author Mark Matson joins Behavioral Grooves to explore what the American Dream means today—and whether it’s truly attainable for everyone. We dig into his view that fulfillment comes from mindset, not money, and examine how behavioral biases can sabotage our financial decisions. But as we discuss the tension between personal responsibility and systemic headwinds, we also ask: can discipline and optimism alone really guarantee success? Topics [0:00] A quick word with Kurt and Tim - Struggling with the American Dream [5:08] Speed Round with Mark Matson [9:20] Cognitive Biases in Investing [16:00] Victimhood vs Agency [23:58] Why Investors Are Their Own Worst Enemy [27:12] Behavioral Economics and Bad Decisions [38:45] The Three Rules for Smarter Investing [44:58] Defining “Enough” [51:13] How to Find Purpose and Find Your Groove [58:50] Desert Island Music Picks [1:01:12] Grooving Session: Nuance, Privilege, and Perspective ©2025 Behavioral Grooves Help Behavioral Grooves stay independent and science-focused by becoming a paid subscriber or making a one-time donation. Support our work Links About Mark Experiencing the American Dream: How to Invest Your Time, Energy, and Money to Create an Extraordinary Life by Mark Matson Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Musical Links Billy Joel - We Didn’t Start the Fire Morgan Wallen - I Got Better

How does framing influence the way we think, feel, and act? Sociologist and author Mikael Klintman joins us to explore how framing shapes nearly every part of life — from art and politics to health and everyday conversations. We discuss how subtle shifts in language and context can change our perceptions, why framing itself is neutral but powerful, and how expanding or contracting our frames can unite or divide us. Tune in for practical insights on recognizing framing in action and using it to see the world differently. Topics [0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Mikael Klintman [6:29] Framing: A Double-Edged Sword? [13:02] The Art of Social Influence [17:07] Rough and Smooth Framing [22:54] Frame Expansion and Contraction [30:12] Behavioral Economics and Framing [36:25] Framing in Everyday Life [41:23] Music and Framing [48:04] Grooving Session: Using Framing to Reframe Your Own Mindset ©2025 Behavioral Grooves Help Behavioral Grooves stay independent and science-focused by becoming a paid subscriber or making a one-time donation. Support our work Links About Mikael Framing: The Social Art of Influence by Mikael Klintman Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Musical Links U2 - I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For Randy Crawford - Rio de Janeiro Blue

Happy Halloween from Behavioral Grooves! In the spirit (OoooOoo) of the holiday, we're resharing one of our old episodes exploring the spooky side of biases - why we have them, and how we can overcome them. Tune in while you're painting your face for that halloween party, or maybe play it on the speakers outside to really scare the kids with some cold hard science.  No tricks, just treats — and by treats, we mean thoughtful behavioral science stories told without ads or sponsors.  Help Behavioral Grooves stay independent and science-focused by becoming a paid subscriber or making a one-time donation. Support our work

This Halloween, we dive into the spooky science of superstition—why we knock on wood, wear lucky socks, and believe in things that defy logic. From the psychology of control and uncertainty to research on how superstition both stresses and strengthens us, we mix science, humor, and a dash of Stevie Wonder to show why “superstition ain’t the way.” Topics [0:00] Happy Halloween from Behavioral Grooves! [2:08] Common superstitions and their rationality [6:40] Psychological and cultural aspects of superstitions [9:13] Superstitions: The positives and negatives [14:36] The hidden wisdom of Stevie Wonder [16:14] Why we should be curious about our rituals ©2025 Behavioral Grooves Links Believing in Magic: The Psychology of Superstition Delacroix, Eva & Valérie Guillard. (2008). Understanding, defining and measuring the trait of superstition.  Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Music Links Stevie Wonder - Superstition  Nightmare Before Christmas - This Is Halloween

Psychologist and author Dr. Wolfgang Linden joins us to explore why so much of our stress comes not from events themselves, but from our attempts to control them. Drawing on 40+ years of research and clinical experience, he breaks down the “illusion of control” and argues that we only truly have power over two things: how we respond and where we direct our energy. We dive into his emotion–thought–behavior framework, the dangers of suppressing emotions, and how small shifts in attention and behavior can interrupt toxic cycles. From relationships to health to life goals, Wolfgang shows how letting go can actually give us more peace, more agency, and a clearer path forward—sometimes even by knowing when to quit. Topics [0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Dr. Wolfgang Linden [6:08] Emotions: friend or foe? [13:38] Behavior change and depression [17:51] When to persist vs. when to quit [26:23] Stress, values, and life priorities [31:39] Saying yes to opportunities [36:05] What to do when stuck in a rut [43:37] Desert Island music [48:36] Grooving session: attention, focus, and letting go ©2025 Behavioral Grooves Links About Dr. Wolfgang Linden The Illusion of Control: A Practical Guide to Avoid Futile Struggles by Wolfgang Linden Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Musical Links Jethro Tull - Locomotive Breath Franz Schubert - Symphony No. 8 (Unfinished)

This October, we’re celebrating 8 years of Behavioral Grooves! To mark the occasion, we’re digging into our archives and re-sharing some of our most popular and thought-provoking conversations every Thursday for the next two months. The celebration builds to our Anniversary Event on October 16th in Minneapolis, where fan favorite Nick Epley will lead the audience in a live social experiment and conversation about the science we all love. 🎉 Space is limited—grab your tickets now through the link in the show notes and join us for an unforgettable night of behavioral science, connection, and fun! And for our final throwback... Annie Duke returns to discuss her book How to Decide: Simple Tools for Making Better Choices, a practical guide that helps readers apply decision-making strategies in everyday life. Annie walks us through concepts like the Archer’s Mindset, Free Rolls, and the surprising benefits of negative thinking, all designed to improve goal-setting and outcomes. Blending behavioral science with her signature clarity—and even a few musical shoutouts to Jack White—Annie offers listeners concrete tools to make smarter decisions and, ultimately, happier lives. Links Behavioral Grooves LIVE in Minneapolis! How to Decide by Annie Duke Music Links Jack White - Archbishop Harold Holmes

We explore the hidden forces of status and anointment with Professor Toby Stuart, author of Anointed: How Status Shapes Our Lives. Status influences careers, relationships, and how we perceive art, yet as AI blurs traditional markers of merit, society is increasingly relying on shortcuts like pedigree and recognition. We examine the risks, opportunities, and compounding effects of status, revealing how small advantages snowball into lifelong impacts and challenging listeners to rethink how status shapes their world. ©2025 Behavioral Grooves Topics [0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Toby Stuart [8:43] Status-based Bias [13:49] Status in Art, Music, and Science [26:34] The Power of Anointment and Status Transfer [39:39] Status Hierarchies, Networks, and Social Groups [43:23] The Cosmic Lottery [48:06] The Future of Status in an AI World [58:47] What is the Matthew Effect? [1:01:50] Grooving Session - What Does Status Really Mean? ©2025 Behavioral Grooves Links Behavioral Grooves Live in Minneapolis! More About Toby Anointed by Toby Stuart Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Music Links Duke Ellington - Take the “A” Train Mozart - Eine Kleine Nachtmusik  

This October, we’re celebrating 8 years of Behavioral Grooves! To mark the occasion, we’re digging into our archives and re-sharing some of our most popular and thought-provoking conversations every Thursday for the next two months. The celebration builds to our Anniversary Event on October 16th in Minneapolis, where fan favorite Nick Epley will lead the audience in a live social experiment and conversation about the science we all love. Space is limited—grab your tickets now through the link in the show notes and join us for an unforgettable night of behavioral science, connection, and fun! And now - our throwback of the week! Bob McKinnon—host of the Attribution podcast and author of America’s Dreaming—joins us to unpack the stories we tell about success and failure. Bob challenges the “fundamental attribution error,” showing how luck, privilege, and social connections shape life outcomes far more than we often admit. Together, we explore the ethics of marketing, the hidden role of systemic barriers, and how reframing our narratives can foster empathy and bridge divides. With storytelling, history, and even music woven in, this conversation reveals how compassionate curiosity can help us see both ourselves and others more clearly. Links Behavioral Grooves LIVE in Minneapolis! America's Dreaming by Bob McKinnon Music Links Neil Diamond - I am…I said Tracy Chapman - Fast Car