Behavioral Grooves Podcast

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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

5 days ago

Fact-Checking Love: The Truth About Romance Movies | Eli Finkel and Paul Eastwick

5 days ago

How accurate are rom-coms when it comes to love? Relationship scientists Paul Eastwick & Eli Finkel, co-hosts of Love Factually, put movie romance under a scientific lens, separating fact from fiction and revealing how Hollywood shapes our real-life expectations about love.

Topics

[0:00] Intro & Welcome to Paul Eastwick & Eli Finkel

[2:00] Coffee, Unicycles, and Speed Round Fun

[6:40] Introducing Love Factually: A Relationship Science Podcast

[10:05] Do Movies Teach Us About Love or Just Reflect Culture?

[15:35] The Rom-Com Myths That Hollywood Keeps Selling

[22:50] What Movies Get Surprisingly Right About Relationships

[30:10] The Power of Micro-Cultures in Romantic Relationships

[35:40] Relationship Science & The Challenges of Studying Love

[41:00] Personal Insights & Favorite Movies from Paul & Eli

[47:45] Music Preferences: The Soundtrack to Love & Life

[49:57] Closing Thoughts & Where to Find Love Factually

Links

Listen to Love Factually

Follow Paul Eastwick

Follow Eli Finkel

The All-or-Nothing Marriage by Eli Finkel

Musical Links

Peter Gabriel - In Your Eyes

Pearl Jam - Daughter

Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit

Monday Feb 10, 2025

The Science of a Thriving Relationship | Rachel Glik

Monday Feb 10, 2025

Can love alone sustain a relationship? Probably not. In this pseudo-Valentine’s Day episode, therapist Rachel Glik explores the pillars of a soulful marriage: personal growth, prioritization, and shared purpose. We unpack the “duck effect” of social media’s relationship illusions, the value of embracing friction for deeper connection, and how self-responsibility and communication can turn struggling relationships into thriving ones. Plus, Rachel shares insights from Kabbalah and psychotherapy—because love is in the air, and so is science!

Topics

[0:00] Relationships, Social Media, and the Duck Effect

[6:00] Speed Round with Rachel Gilk

[8:46] Exploring the Four Pillars of a Soulful Marriage

[15:40] Embracing Friction: Why Conflict is a Growth Opportunity

[22:00] The Role of Kabbalah in Relationships

[35:00] Practical Tips for Enhancing Relationships

[40:50] The Love Seat Method

[50:13] Music Preferences

[1:00:00] Grooving Session: Love, Communication, and Personal Growth

Links

Rachel Glik

A Soulful Marriage: Healing Your Relationship with Responsibility, Growth, Priority, and Purpose

Duck Syndrome

Musical Links

Joni Mitchell - Big Yellow Taxi

Maggie Rogers - Fallingwater

Angus & Julia Stone - Big Jet Plane

Monday Feb 03, 2025

Why Is Everyone So Angry? The Science of Outrage | Kurt Gray

Monday Feb 03, 2025

Why do we see some people as victims and others as villains? Kurt Gray joins us to explore moral typecasting, the prey vs. predator mindset, and why harm is at the heart of all moral debates—whether it’s immigration, free speech, or gun rights. We uncover how our evolutionary instincts shape outrage and polarization and discuss practical strategies for bridging moral divides with personal stories instead of statistics.

Topics

[0:00] Moral Typecasting and Its Implications

[6:47] Intro to Kurt Gray and Speed Round

[10:30] Understanding Outrage and Moral Foundations

[18:30] Evolutions of Moral Psychology and Harm

[30:55] Moral Typecasting and Its Impact

[37:30] The Power of Personal Stories

[46:00] Practical Tips for Navigating Moral Discussions

[53:27] Grooving Session: Empathy, Understanding, and Discussing Divides

Links

Kurt Gray

Outrage: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground

Behavioral Grooves YouTube Channel

Join our Groove Community on Facebook!

Musical Links

Daft Punk – Tron Legacy Soundtrack

My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade

Bach - Trumpet Voluntary

Monday Jan 27, 2025

Turn a Negative Trait into Your Greatest Strength | Jenny Wood

Monday Jan 27, 2025

What if personality traits deemed “negative” were actually the key to success? In this captivating conversation, former Google exec and author of Wild Courage, Jenny Wood, challenges us to redefine traits like “weird,” “selfish,” and even “manipulative” into powerful strengths. Discover how “nosiness” can spark meaningful connections, “brutal honesty” can establish essential boundaries, and strategic “window-gazing” can unlock breakthroughs in work and life. With humor, actionable tips, and even a surprising oatmeal cookie recipe, this episode will help you embrace your unique path to success.

Topics

[0:00] Introduction

[2:07] Speed Round with Jenny Wood

[4:34] Jenny’s experience with Wild Courage

[16:52] Challenging Traditional Definitions of Traits

[23:03] Practical Applications of Traits in the Workplace

[39:38] The Importance of Being Brutal

[43:23] Playing to Win

[50:34] Grooving Session: The Role of Language and Cultural Shifts

Links

Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It by Jenny Wood

Jenny Wood

Musical Links

Lin-Manuel Miranda - The Room Where It Happens

Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars

Pink Floyd - The Great Gig in The Sky

Thursday Jan 23, 2025

Groove Jams: Inside the Creation of Rock’s Greatest Albums

Thursday Jan 23, 2025

If you’ve ever wondered what puts the “Groove” in Behavioral Grooves, this episode has the answer!

We’re diving headfirst into the mesmerizing world of music with the legendary John Bargh to tackle the ultimate question: If you could sit in on the recording of any album in history, which one would you choose?

From the legendary sessions at Island Records to the eternal brilliance of Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven, we explore the artistry, spontaneity, and sheer magic behind music’s most iconic moments. Whether you’re a die-hard classic rock fan or just curious about the creative process, this episode will take you straight to the heart of music’s golden age.

We Made a Playlist for You!

Check out all the artists we discussed this week, here

Monday Jan 20, 2025

The Data and Influence Behind Your Digital Footprint | Sandra Matz

Monday Jan 20, 2025

What if every digital interaction you had—every like, purchase, or GPS ping—could be used to create a detailed map of who you are? Sandra Matz, a leading behavioral scientist and data researcher, joins us to explore the fascinating world of behavioral residue, the digital traces we leave behind, and their profound impact on our lives.

This episode is a deep dive into the intersection of psychology, technology, and ethics, offering thought-provoking ideas for anyone interested in the future of data and its role in shaping our behavior and society.

Topics

[0:00] - Introduction to Sandra Matz and the concept of behavioral residue.

[4:46] - Speed Round with Sandra Matz

[10:20] - Algorithms vs. human predictions of behavior.

[28:11] - How marketing firms adopted psychological profiling.

[34:56] - Personalized ads: A 55% increase in purchases.

[40:04] - Using data to improve savings habits and mental health.

[44:52] - The concept of echo chamber swaps to reduce polarization.

[49:30] - What lies ahead: Regulation, data co-ops, and taming the digital storm.

[55:18] - Desert Island Music

[57:59] - Grooving Session: Asking for more control over personal data.

Links

Sandra Matz

Mindmasters: The Data-Driven Science of Predicting and Changing Human Behavior

The Open Data Institute

Check Your Digital Footprint!

Musical Links

Taylor Swift - Fortnight (feat. Post Malone)

Kolektiv Turmstrasse - Sorry I Am Late

Linkin Park - The Emptiness Machine

Monday Jan 13, 2025

Behavioral Science Hacks for Everyday Life | Eva van den Broek and Tim den Heijer

Monday Jan 13, 2025

How can a tiny fly in an airport urinal transform human behavior?

This week, we sit down with Eva van den Broek and Tim den Heijer, authors of The Housefly Effect, to uncover how subtle environmental cues can shape our decisions in powerful and surprising ways.

With Eva’s expertise in behavioral economics and Tim’s background in advertising, they reveal the fascinating impact nudges have on our daily lives. From casino design to placebo crosswalk buttons, the world around us is filled with real-life applications of behavioral science that influence our behavior—even when we know they’re at play.

Join us for practical tips, captivating stories, and thought-provoking insights into how these small interventions can make a big difference in your life. So sit back, relax, and discover the invisible forces of behavioral science all around you.

Topics

[0:00] Intro - Flies in Urinals?

[6:57] Speed Round with Eva and Tim

[10:58] Exploring the House Fly Effect

[22:07] Why Knowing About Nudges Doesn’t Stop Them

[32:20] Regulating Nudges in Online Casinos

[41:36] Personal Applications of Behavioral Science

[50:37] Desert Island Music

[56:17] Grooving Session: The Bigger Picture of Behavioral Science

Links

The Housefly Effect: How Nudge Psychology Steers Your Everyday Behaviour

Illusion of control: Why the world is full of buttons that don’t work

Have You Been Nudged?

Musical Links

David Bowie - Space Oddity

Prince - When Doves Cry

Arooj Aftab - Mehram

Benjamin Britten - Mozart: Symphony No. 25 in G minor, K.183 - 1. Allegro con brio

Monday Jan 06, 2025

Kickstart the New Year and Achieve Your Goals | Ayelet Fishbach

Monday Jan 06, 2025

Happy New Year, Groovers!

The start of a new year often brings fresh goals, ambitious resolutions, and a renewed sense of motivation. But what’s the psychology behind this goal-oriented mindset? In our first episode of the year, we’re joined by Dr. Ayelet Fishbach, a renowned expert in behavioral science, to explore the science of achieving goals and rethink the traditional belief that success is all about willpower.

Whether you’re a leader looking to energize your team, a professional pursuing career aspirations, or someone striving to stay on track with personal resolutions, this episode will inspire you to think differently about motivation. Discover how to align your efforts with purpose, make progress more enjoyable, and build lasting momentum to achieve meaningful goals in the year ahead.

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

Links

Get It Done: Surprising Lessons from the Science of Motivation

Motivation Isn’t About Being Strong, It’s About Being Wise

Understanding the Power of Intrinsic Motivation

NIH: Intrinsic Motivation

Monday Dec 30, 2024

Building Better Conversations | David Robson [Republish]

Monday Dec 30, 2024

Happy Holidays from Behavioral Grooves!

We're taking a week off to get ready for all the new and exciting content we have in store for our listeners coming in 2025. If you'd like to help us make next year's show amazing please help us by filling out the Behavioral Grooves survey here!

In the meantime, please enjoy this republish of one of our favorite episode this year, enjoy!

How can we turn disagreements into opportunities for growth and connection?

In this episode, Kurt and Tim dive into the science of meaningful conversations with David Robson, author of The Laws of Connection. Together, they explore how to deepen our understanding and build stronger connections with the people around us. Disagreements don’t have to signal the end of a conversation. Instead, with compassionate curiosity and a willingness to listen, we can turn them into constructive dialogues that bridge divides.

Topics

[0:00] A message from Tim

[3:05] Welcome back, David!

[5:27] Intro and speed round

[10:05] Misconceptions about connecting with strangers

[16:59] The importance of social connections

[25:43] The art of successful conversation

[31:09] Creating a shared reality

[34:44] Effective communication strategies for disagreements

[38:42] Using personal experience to persuade others

[42:17] Effective feedback delivery

[53:55] Grooving session: Building connections, overcoming fear, and improving relationships

Links

Kwame Christian’s “Compassionate Curiosity” approach

Trotsky’s principle on empathy and statistics

The Laws of Connection

David Robson

Music Links

Judy Collins - Spellbound

Taylor Swift - Fortnight

West Side Story - America

Monday Dec 23, 2024

2024's Best Books to Transform Work, Life, and Thinking

Monday Dec 23, 2024

Want to help us improve Behavioral Grooves? Take our listener survey here!

Looking for your next great read? We’ve got you covered!

It’s time for our annual Best Books episode, where we share the standout reads that inspired and informed us this year. We’ve organized our picks into four categories—Leadership, Work Life, Relationships, and Critical Thinking—to help you find the perfect book for your personal or professional journey.

Whether you’re looking for fresh ideas, practical insights, or even a last-minute gift, this curated list has something for everyone. Join us as we explore the year’s most impactful reads and get ready to turn the page on some life-changing ideas!