Advertise on podcast: Behavioral Grooves Podcast

Should influence be about getting to “yes”? With Brian Ahearn, we explore a more ethical approach where persuasion is a responsibility, humility drives leadership, and real impact comes from helping others make better decisions. Topics [0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Brian Ahearn [8:10] The Line Between Influence and Manipulation [12:25] Why Intent Matters in Persuasion [16:40] Aligning Influence with Personal Values [21:05] The Role of Humility in Leadership [25:30] Emotional Reactions and Decision-Making [30:15] Influencing Hearts vs Minds [35:40] Small Actions, Identity, and the Consistency Principle [42:41] Desert Island Music [50:31] Grooving Session: Helping People Decide Better ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About Brian Influence People Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Music Links Johnny Cash - The Man Comes Around Frank Sinatra - The Way You Look Tonight  

Marcus Buckingham joins us to challenge the belief that success comes from doing what you’re good at. Using decades of research, he argues that what truly drives performance and fulfillment is something else entirely: love. In this episode, we explore why most workplace strategies miss the mark and how focusing on what gives you energy can reshape the way you think about work, and maybe even life. Topics [0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Marcus Buckingham [11:17] The Science of Excellence [17:53] The Importance of Love in Business [22:04] Experiences → Behaviors → Outcomes [32:03] The Myth of Linear Improvement [40:25] The Five Feelings of Love [1:00:49] Red Threads and Experience Intelligence [1:08:18] The Role of AI in Designing Love [1:11:30] Why You Shouldn’t Go to a Coldplay Concert [1:18:43] Disney’s Approach to Experience Design [1:30:19] Grooving Session: The Power of Love in Work ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About Marcus The Buckingham Institute  Design Love In by Marcus Buckingham Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Musical Links Coldplay - Fix You Coldplay - Violet Hill (Live)

What does it mean to truly “click” with someone—and why does it matter so much at work? With researcher Maya Rossignac-Milon, we explore the science of shared reality and how authentic, off-script interactions lead to stronger relationships, greater meaning, and better performance. This episode reframes connection not as a bonus, but as a core driver of success. Topics [0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Maya Rossignac-Milon [10:11] Defining Shared Reality [14:43] Reality and Work Performance [19:22] How Shared Reality Can Help You Achieve Your Goals [24:28] Research and Collaboration [27:41] The Benefits of Riffing [37:29] Shared Reality and Romantic Partners [42:32] Fighting a Culture of Individualism [50:20] Desert Island Music [54:20] Grooving Session: Finding Alignment and Making Connections ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About Maya Measuring Shared Reality Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Music Links Gunnar Haslam - Kenosha Basic Channel - Phylyps Trak  

Are nudges enough to change behavior at scale? Nick Chater argues they’re not. In this episode, we explore the limits of individual-focused solutions and why lasting change often requires shifting systems, not just choices. Topics [0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Nick Chater [13:00] What Does Nudging Really Do? [18:30] I-Frame vs S-Frame Thinking [25:00] Nudges and Politics [28:09] Limitations in Public [33:39] System vs Individual Responsibilities [42:04] Case Study: Retirement Saving Systems [49:01] Are We Solving the Right Problems? [55:00] Can We Fix Broken Systems? [1:00:06] Green Eggs and Ham - a Solution [1:06:12] Desert Island Music [1:09:20] Grooving Session: Systemic Issues, Evolutionary Tendencies ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About Nick It’s On You by Nick Chater and George Lowenstein  Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Music Links Bach - Mass in B Minor John McLaughlin - Stella by Starlight/My Favourite Things

AI pioneer Sandy Pentland joins us to explore how storytelling and shared wisdom shape human culture, and how artificial intelligence could either strengthen or freeze that process. From the history of AI to the future of democracy, we discuss collective intelligence, distributed decision-making, and how AI tools might actually improve civic dialogue if designed the right way. Topics [0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Sandy Pentland [8:09] Could AI make society less intelligent? [12:21] What “shared wisdom” really means [18:28] Culture, stories, and how societies evolve [23:50] Information overload in the digital age [30:23] Why shared goals (a “North Star”) matter for progress [34:10] The history of AI: booms, winters, and lessons learned [42:46] Can AI improve democracy? [49:13] The danger of algorithmic “rich get richer” systems [54:19] Grooving Session: storytelling, culture, and collective intelligence ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About Sandy Shared Wisdom: Cultural Evolution in the Age of AI by Sandy Pentland Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Musical Links Devo - Whip It Flight of the Conchords - Robots (The Humans Are Dead)

What truly helps people live longer, healthier lives? In this episode, we talk with journalist and author Ken Stern about the science behind longevity and why social connection may matter more than diet or exercise alone. From loneliness being compared to smoking 15 cigarettes a day to cultures that keep older adults engaged through work and community, we explore how purpose, relationships, and social structures shape healthy aging. Topics [0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Ken Stern [6:47] Big Cities vs Rural Living and Life Expectancy [10:22] Are We Overvaluing Diet and Exercise? [16:34] Why Loneliness Is Worse in the U.S. [23:35] The Blue Zones Debate [26:18] How to Build Stronger Social Connections [30:25] Rethinking Retirement and Purpose [40:28] Why Generational Mixing Matters [44:41] Intergenerational Communities and Empathy [53:50] Desert Island Music [58:11] Grooving Session: How to Live Your Best (and Longest) Life ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About Ken The Longevity Project Healthy to 100 by Ken Stern Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Musical Links Bruce Springsteen - Dancing in the Dark U2 - With or Without You

Why do we say yes when we mean no? In this episode, we talk with Sunita Sah about the psychology of compliance and defiance. From Stanley Milgram’s experiments to the hidden force of insinuation anxiety, we explore why compliance is not the same as consent and how to train yourself to act in alignment with your true values. Topics [0:00] Intro and speed round with Sunita Sah [14:57] Stanley Milgram’s Shock Experiments [20:19] Defiance and True Consent [29:18] Insinuation Anxiety and Conflict of Interest [36:44] The Power of the Pause [39:40] Stages of Defiance [44:13] Moral Mavericks and Defiance Practice [50:55] Desert Island Music [56:17] Grooving Session: Conformity vs. Blind Compliance ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links Defy by Sunita Sah About Dr. Sunita Sah Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Music Links The Cure - Pictures of You Depeche Mode - Enjoy the Silence  

Relationships change because people change. In this episode, we explore what it means when someone you love no longer feels like the person you once knew. Using behavioral science, we examine why personality shifts over time, why growth does not always happen in the same direction, and how to decide whether to reconnect, recalibrate, or let go. Topics [0:00] Understanding Relationship Changes [7:07] Relationship Changes Over Time [13:28] Self-Expansion Theory and Michelangelo Phenomenon [22:08] Growth vs. Escape: What’s Really Driving the Change? [29:49] How to Navigate Relationship Changes [34:00] Updating the Story of “Us” [43:01] The Importance of Compassion [46:00] Regret, Loss, and What to Do Next ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links The All-or-Nothing Marriage: How the Best Marriages Work by Eli Finkel Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Music Links Gotye - Somebody That I Used to Know Flora Cash - You’re Somebody Else

What if your mood, focus, and energy aren’t random—but driven by internal clocks you rarely think about? This week, circadian rhythm expert Daniel Forger explains why jet lag hits so hard, why sleep timing may matter more than sleep duration, and what your wearable data actually means. If you’ve ever questioned your “sleep score” or wondered whether you’re a morning person by design, this conversation will change how you understand your body’s timing system. Topics [0:00] Psychologist Off the Clock! [1:55] Intro and Speed Round with Daniel Forger [5:44] Why Crossing Time Zones Messes You Up [10:07] What Are Biological Rhythms? [13:03] Is Your Apple Watch Accurate? [22:44] How Your Biological Rhythms Impact Mood and Performance [27:17] Could Humans Adapt to a 25-Hour Day? [36:31] Circadian Rhythms and Happiness [44:39] The Three Most Important Lessons About Biological Timing [49:32] Bach, Pipe Organs, and Mathematical Patterns [53:41] Grooving Session: The Intersection of Biology and Happiness ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About Daniel Biological Rhythms by Daniel Forger Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Musical Links Best of Bach

In this special Grooving session, we unpack what happens when shared facts collapse and preferred beliefs take their place. Sparked by Kurt's firsthand experience during unrest in Minneapolis, this conversation explores why people reject lived experience, how identity defense and motivated reasoning shut down dialogue, and when it’s rational to stop trying to persuade altogether. Drawing on behavioral science, persuasion research, and real-world encounters, we examine how to choose your battles, why stories succeed where arguments fail, and what it actually takes to find common ground in a belief-first world.

Dating in 2026 feels broken.  The apps promise infinite choice, rom-coms on our screens promise “the one”, and yet frustration, ghosting, and mismatched expectations seem to be more normal than anything actually working out. This week, Tim Ash, author of Primal Dating, joins us as we explore why dating in the modern world feels so unstable and why many of today’s relationship struggles aren’t personal failures, but predictable outcomes of our ancient instincts clashing with modern environments and expectations. Topics [0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Tim Ash [7:52] Behavioral tendencies and evolutionary psychology [18:09] The role of life stages in dating [26:17] The impact of cultural norms on dating [30:51] The economic of dating [35:48] The role of tech in dating [48:33] The importance of empathy in dating [56:58] Music talk with Tim and Tim [1:00:45] Grooving Session: Modern dating for primordial (?) minds ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About Tim Primal Dating by Tim Ash and Dr. Limor Gottlieb Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Music Links Steely Dan - FM Chet Baker - Almost Blue

You think you know what you want in a partner, but behavioral science says attraction doesn’t work that way. Relationship scientist Paul Eastwick breaks down why dating apps and checklists fail, how attraction actually forms, and why real compatibility grows through interaction, timing, and shared history. Topics [0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Paul Eastwick [8:21] Why dating checklists and apps fail us [14:45] The myth of universal attractiveness [21:03] How attraction develops over time [27:29] Is “love at first sight” a lie? [38:13] The ‘best’ way to meet people [47:04] The Stroop effect [54:50] Attraction, identity, and history [1:01:11] Desert island music picks [1:03:55] Grooving session: trust, attraction, and relationships beyond dating ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links Paul Eastwick Love Factually Bonded by Evolution by Paul Eastwick Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Music Links Pink Floyd - Hey You Nobuo Uematsu - One Winged Angel

Why do certain phrases stay with us for life? In this episode, were joined by James Geary, author of The World in a Phrase, to explore how aphorisms shape judgment, decision-making, and meaning. From fortune cookies to philosophy, they unpack why short sayings act as cognitive heuristics, how they guide thinking without giving answers, and why the aphorisms that serve us best often change over time, just as we do. Topics [0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with James Geary [7:30] The Laws of Aphorisms [13:45] Finding Wisdom in Unexpected Places [21:07] Aphorisms as Cognitive Heuristics [29:51] The Role of Aphorisms in Decision-Making [35:00] How Aphorisms Can Match Life Stages [42:30] How We Can Apply Aphorisms to Daily Life [48:06] What Do Aphorisms Mean for Me? [59:00] Grooving Session: The World in a Phrase ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About James The World in a Phrase Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Musical Links Leonard Cohen - Anthem Paul Simon - Everything Put Together Falls Apart  

This Grooving Session feels personal for us. We’re combining our own experiences with behavioral science to explore why civil discourse seems so fragile right now. Over the weekend, tensions rose as ICE activity increased in Minneapolis, and Kurt’s neighborhood was deeply affected. When political tension is high, factors such as fear, proximity to events, and social identity can worsen polarization. It’s easy to forget that we have more in common than we think. We’re here to support you, and we hope this episode gives you practical ways to engage. By slowing down, avoiding online dogpiles, and starting with the question, “What do we agree on?” We can start rebuilding a sense of shared reality. Links Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid Just Neighbors Music Links Bruce Springsteen - Streets of Minneapolis

Why do smart people keep making predictably bad decisions? Behavioral economist Alex Imas joins us to unpack The Winner’s Curse, loss aversion, and the persistent biases that shape markets, policy, and everyday choices. We explore why classic economic models fall short and what behavioral economics reveals about how humans really decide. Topics [0:00] Introduction and speed round with Alex Imas [11:55] The Winner’s Curse and its implications [21:13] Behavioral economics and standard economic matters [28:01] Loss aversion and decision-making [35:04] Behavioral economics in policy and law [41:00] Tom Sawyer economics [47:30] Social media, attention, and exploitation of bias [56:38] The importance of cooperation and social systems [58:40] New music in 2026 [1:07:53] Grooving session: framing, preferences, and happiness ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links The Winner’s Curse by Richard Thaler and Alex Imas About Alex Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Musical Links Fontaines DC - I Love You ALEXSUCKS - The Gutter