
Stories, science and secrets from the world’s brightest thought-leaders. Behavioral Grooves is the podcast that satisfies your curiosity of why we do what we do. Explanations of human behavior that will improve your relationships, your wellbeing, and your organization by helping you find your groove.
Stories, science and secrets from the world’s brightest thought-leaders. Behavioral Grooves is the podcast that satisfies your curiosity of why we do what we do. Explanations of human behavior that will improve your relationships, your wellbeing, and your organization by helping you find your groove.
Episodes

11 hours ago
11 hours ago
In this 500th episode celebration, we reflect on eight years of behavioral science insights, from habits and decision-making to why we so often misunderstand each other. Joined live by Nick Epley, we run a real-time experiment that reveals the gap between what we expect from conversations and what actually happens, and why asking better questions can transform how we connect.
Topics
[0:00] Eight Years, 500 Episodes, and Counting!
[6:28] Introducing Nick Epley
[11:24] Understanding Social Cognition
[15:32] Strategies for Improving our Communication
[21:36] Live Experiment - Talking to Strangers
[37:34] Lessons Learned from 8 Years Podcasting
[43:45] The Importance of Social Connections and Compassionate Curiosity
[51:00] Coming Soon to Behavioral Grooves
©2026 Behavioral Grooves
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Depeche Mode - Never Let Me Down Again

Monday May 04, 2026
Why Don’t I Feel Loved? | Sonja Lyubomirsky
Monday May 04, 2026
Monday May 04, 2026
What if the issue isn’t whether people love you, but whether you actually feel it? In this episode, Sonja Lyubomirsky joins us to explore the gap between being loved and feeling loved, and why that disconnect happens. Drawing from her book How to Feel Loved, we talk about the psychology behind connection, challenge common myths like love languages, and dig into how curiosity, vulnerability, and better conversations can help you build more meaningful relationships.
Topics
[0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Sonja Lyubomirsky
[11:08] Being Loved vs. Feeling Loved
[14:14] Why Love Doesn’t Always “Land”
[19:42] Deep Conversations vs. Small Talk
[23:47] Vulnerability: The Key to Real Connection
[32:01] What Are Love Mindsets?
[37:24] Psychological Barriers to Feeling Loved
[44:53] The #1 Happiness Tip
[50:51] Are Love Languages Real?
[53:23] Music, Focus, and Flow
[56:21] Grooving Session: Letting Love In
©2026 Behavioral Grooves
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How to Feel Loved by Sonja Lyubomirsky and Harry Reis
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Monday Apr 27, 2026
The Silent Killer in Your Workplace | Tom Rieger
Monday Apr 27, 2026
Monday Apr 27, 2026
Fear at work isn’t obvious, but it is powerful. In this episode, Tom Rieger explains how fear of loss drives silos, misalignment, and inefficiency, and why AI and remote work may be making things worse, instead of better.
Topics
[0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Tom Rieger
[8:43] The Impact of Fear on Organizations
[16:26] Behavioral Economics and Organizational Fear
[23:39] The Role of AI in Organizational Fear
[31:25] The Challenge of Breaking Status Quo
[37:50] Advice to Managers and Leaders
[39:59] Desert Island Music
[43:24] Grooving Session: Breaking Fear Down
©2026 Behavioral Grooves
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Breaking the Fear Barrier by Tom Rieger
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Monday Apr 20, 2026
How to Influence Others (Ethically) | Brian Ahearn
Monday Apr 20, 2026
Monday Apr 20, 2026
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
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Johnny Cash - The Man Comes Around
Frank Sinatra - The Way You Look Tonight

Thursday Apr 16, 2026
Throwback Thursday: The Life-Changing Importance of Questions | Elizabeth Weingarten
Thursday Apr 16, 2026
Thursday Apr 16, 2026
What if the key to growth isn’t finding better answers, but asking better questions? In our April throwback episode, we revisit our conversation with Elizabeth Weingarten on her book How to Fall in Love with Questions, where we explore how embracing uncertainty can lead to greater self-awareness, resilience, and connection. Through practice and mindset shifts, Elizabeth tells us all the ways questions can lead to clarity and confidence.
Elizabeth's book is available on paperback starting 4/15/26. If you're interested in learning more, grab your copy today!
©2026 Behavioral Grooves
Topics
[0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Elizabeth Weingarten
[11:04] The Power of Loving Questions
[15:50] The Biological Need for Certainty
[21:48] The Role of Patience in Asking Questions
[39:18] Questions and the Role of Behavioral Science
[47:57] Desert Island Music
[50:38] Grooving Session: The Value of Sitting With Questions
©2025 Behavioral Grooves
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How to Fall in Love with Questions
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Monday Apr 13, 2026
How to Design Work That People Love | Marcus Buckingham
Monday Apr 13, 2026
Monday Apr 13, 2026
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
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Design Love In by Marcus Buckingham
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Monday Apr 06, 2026
Why Some People Just Click (and Others Don’t) | Maya Rossignac-Milon
Monday Apr 06, 2026
Monday Apr 06, 2026
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
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Monday Mar 30, 2026
Are We Solving the Wrong Problems? | Nick Chater
Monday Mar 30, 2026
Monday Mar 30, 2026
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
It’s On You by Nick Chater and George Lowenstein
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Monday Mar 23, 2026
Can AI Strengthen Democracy? | Sandy Pentland
Monday Mar 23, 2026
Monday Mar 23, 2026
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
Shared Wisdom: Cultural Evolution in the Age of AI by Sandy Pentland
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Monday Mar 16, 2026
The Real Secret to Living Longer | Ken Stern
Monday Mar 16, 2026
Monday Mar 16, 2026
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
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