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
2 days ago
2 days ago
Has Behavioral Grooves turned into a political podcast?
Not really (ok, maybe kinda it has - but for just a few weeks, we promise ). With the 2024 election days away, however, it’s felt nearly unavoidable for many people, including us. Attending the Norms and Behavior Change Conference (NoBeC), titled, Democracy Under Threat, sparked some essential thoughts and insights that we feel compelled to share.
Democracy relies on fragile social norms that are under serious threat right now. From startling statistics about the rise of autocracies worldwide to the surge in misinformation, it’s clear that a renewed commitment to democratic norms is needed now more than ever. So, here’s a crucial question for all of us to consider: Is party loyalty more important than the stability of our democracy?
Join us to rethink democracy—not just as a system but as a collective responsibility – bound together by shared beliefs. Your voice matters, your vote is essential, and together, we can help fortify democracy. If you don’t have a plan for where and when you’re going to vote, put one together. Get a friend to vote with you. You may feel disenfranchised or fatigued or angry or sad…just make sure you vote. And put a happy spin on your voting experience: celebrate the fact that we can vote by baking an election cake (or election pie or even election cookies) to bring to the polls! Democracy is fragile, please treat it with respect.
©2024 Behavioral Grooves
Special Thanks to: Cristina Bicchieri, Kaushik Basu, Diana Mutz, Gretchen Helmke, Horacio Larreguy, Christoph Abels, Ryan Enos, Robert Talisse, Giulia Maimone, Erik Groenendyk, Nikos Nikiforkis, Cesar Nuñez, Karine Nyborg, Jan Voelkel and Ryan Enos for their participation in NoBeC and their fascinating research!
Topics
[0:08] Understanding Democracy and Social Norms
[3:07] The Fragility of Democracy
[9:34] Polarization and Media Influence
[17:43] The Role of Political Elites
[19:55] Gratitude and Closing Thoughts
©2024 Behavioral Grooves
Links
5 days ago
5 days ago
A special message from Kurt and Tim, all the way from Philadelphia:
November 5th is fast approaching, and now, more than ever, participating in democracy matters. Casting your vote isn’t just a civic duty—it’s a way to find your groove in American democracy. Tune in to this short episode for practical advice and inspiration to make your vote count, and join in celebrating the great American experiment!
6 days ago
6 days ago
What if you could give the U.S. Constitution a makeover?
Ahead of the 2024 U.S. election, AJ Jacobs joins Kurt and Tim to dive into the lighter side of politics, taking a playful look at what really needs fixing in America’s founding documents (hint: it starts with grammar).
While the spelling of Pennsylvania is no longer up for debate, the trio tackles plenty of other things that could — and maybe should — be changed for the better. What does the 2nd Amendment really mean? Should cabinet members have veto power? Are we missing out on some much-needed retirement parties for Supreme Court justices? Tune in to Groove Jams for a lively conversation and share your thoughts!
After all, it’s a free country!
Want to watch along? Check out the video version on YouTube
Monday Oct 28, 2024
Monday Oct 28, 2024
Ahead of the 2024 US Election, Kurt and Tim sit down with bestselling author and serial experimenter AJ Jacobs to discuss his latest project, The Year of Living Constitutionally. AJ spent a year living life according to the principles of the U.S. Constitution, adopting 18th-century customs along the way. From wearing tricorn hats and writing with quill pens to exploring the deeper philosophical underpinnings of democracy, AJ brings history to life while reflecting on the balance between rights and responsibilities, a concept that feels more urgent than ever today.
AJ also shares his mission to revive one of America’s sweetest (and largely forgotten) traditions—Election Cakes! In the 1700s, Election Day was a festival of civic pride, complete with parades, music, and community-baked cakes shared at the polls. In true AJ fashion, he’s on a quest to bring this tradition back, reminding us that democracy can be both a serious and joyful act.
Throughout the episode, AJ, Kurt, and Tim dive into the importance of ‘epistemic humility’ - aka, the acknowledgment that we don’t have all the answers and must remain open to learning. From Benjamin Franklin’s introspection to modern-day challenges of misinformation, AJ challenges listeners to approach life and democracy with curiosity, gratitude, and a willingness to improve both ourselves and our society. So grab a slice of election cake (or pie!) and join us for this thought-provoking, timely conversation on what it means to live constitutionally.
Need help finding a voting location near you? Check here!
©2024 Behavioral Grooves
Topics
[0:00] Election day traditions
[4:25] Speed round with AJ Jacobs
[9:44] Living Colonially: What I learned
[18:56] Epistemic humility and political perspectives
[23:52] Constitutional originalism
[36:29] How do we frame the constitution?
[40:40] Election cakes and celebrating democracy
[48:52] Embracing experimentation in everyday life
[52:56] Grooving session: open-mindedness, civic duty, and cake recipes
©2024 Behavioral Grooves
Links
The Year of Living Constitutionally
Musical Links
Monday Oct 21, 2024
Monday Oct 21, 2024
Why do we avoid the very thing that could bring us more joy—connecting with others?
In this episode, behavioral scientist and human interaction expert Nick Epley returns to the podcast to help Kurt and Tim explore the paradox of social connection. Despite living in a time often described as a loneliness epidemic, many of us still choose to limit our social interactions and shy away from new experiences. While we’re hardwired to thrive on positive connections, anxiety and inaccurate assumptions often hold us back. Nick sheds light on why we consistently underestimate how enjoyable social interactions will be—and how this leads to missed opportunities for meaningful connection.
Drawing from his research at Chicago’s Mindworks facility, where people from all walks of life participate in behavioral experiments, Nick shares fascinating insights into our social nature. His team’s real-world studies have uncovered how our expectations and assumptions can prevent us from fully engaging in new social experiences.
Tune in to learn how our beliefs can shape our social lives and how curiosity and openness can transform any interaction into something rewarding. Nick offers practical advice on how behavioral science can help us lead more connected, fulfilling lives. And hey, next time you’re getting your morning coffee, say hi to the barista—you never know where that small interaction might lead!
©2024 Behavioral Grooves
Topics
[0:00] Intro: Connecting with strangers
[9:50] Nick Epley and Mindworks research facility
[23:16] Experiments at Mindworks
[30:55] Insights from social interaction experiments
[39:34] The role of expectations in social interactions
[47:01] How to create positive interactions
[51:18] Grooving session: Curiosity, compassion, and engaging with strangers
©2024 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Thursday Oct 17, 2024
Thursday Oct 17, 2024
Ever wondered what it would be like to snag a backstage pass to history’s biggest moments? In Groove Jams' maiden voyage, Kurt, Tim, and special guest Christian Hunt take on the ultimate bucket list item: time travel. Prepare for a wild ride that’s part history lesson, part “what could possibly go wrong?”
Tune in for a rollercoaster of laughs, deep thoughts, and ethical dilemmas as we explore the slippery slope of time-hopping. What are the risks and rewards? Could curiosity lead to chaos? And most importantly, could we save the Beatles from Yoko Ono?
Monday Oct 14, 2024
Monday Oct 14, 2024
Co-hosts, meet co-creation! This week, Kurt and Tim are joined by special guests Aransas Savas and Dave Norton, hosts of the Experience Strategy Podcast. Together, they take on one of the biggest challenges companies face: truly understanding what their customers want and need.
Data can be valuable, but how useful is it if you don’t fully grasp the “what” or “why” behind those numbers? Aransas and Dave explain why co-creating with customers is a more effective approach than relying solely on data or assumptions. They dive into how blending behavioral science with experience strategy can create lasting value for both customers and companies, while also breaking through common barriers like internal fears, egos, and dreaded groupthink (shudder).
Listen in to discover how experience strategy complements behavior change and why clinging to past successes can lead to blind spots in a rapidly evolving market.
Ready to take your customer experience strategy to the next level? Tune in and join the conversation—because the future of your business depends on truly understanding your customers. And share your thoughts with Kurt and Tim in our new Facebook Group!
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Book a time to talk to Tim about Behavioral Grooves here
Topics
[0:00] Introduction: Customer needs and preferences
[3:14] Housekeeping: BG Updates!
[5:29] Speed Round
[9:35] Customer trends and the importance of outside perspectives
[20:51] Challenges in engaging customers and the role of behavior change
[26:42] Common pitfalls to avoid
[30:30] Grooving session: customer engagement, listening, and considering needs
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Links
The Experience Strategy Podcast
Friday Oct 11, 2024
Friday Oct 11, 2024
And now, the moment we’ve all been waiting for (even if you didn’t know you were waiting)...
Introducing Groove Jams! Tim and Kurt are launching an exciting new video-first mini-series where they dive into wild hypothetical scenarios and tackle thought-provoking questions about human behavior—and so much more. With help from some fan-favorite guests, each episode kicks off with an intriguing question that pushes the limits of imagination and reveals fresh perspectives on the world. Get ready for laughs, “aha” moments, and maybe even a few WTFs, every few weeks starting this October!
Monday Oct 07, 2024
Monday Oct 07, 2024
Now…back to work!
We’re back to the weekly grind this week on Behavioral Grooves and exploring a topic Kurt and Tim know like the back of their hands - Behavioral Science in the workplace. Joined by Scott Young, a seasoned behavioral science practitioner with years of experience in the private sector, they dive into how we can improve work environments by tweaking work policies rather than replacing them entirely.
Scott shares insights from his work and a recent paper he authored for the Behavioral Science Policy Association about the real-world challenges behavioral science practitioners face when working with large corporations. From defining behavior change to navigating organization resistance, the trio explore the challenges of their work and offer practical solutions to overcome these barriers.
Throughout the conversation, Scott walks listeners through a multi-step process for workplace success, focusing on defining goals, understanding content, ideating interventions, and rigorously testing solutions. Tune in for a roadmap for business leaders on how to leverage these concepts effectively by aligning them with existing challenges and integrating them into everyday operations.
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Topics
[0:00] Intro and Behavioral Grooves announcements!
[7:39] Speed round with Scott Young
[11:41] Behavioral science in the real world
[15:10] Potential of behavioral science in business
[21:41] Challenges to applying behavioral science in the real world
[31:02] How to frame behavioral science to business leaders
[36:50] Solutions and looking to the future
[41:59] Desert Island music
[46:18] Grooving Session: Integrating behavioral science into organizations
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Bridging the Divide - Scott's Paper
Musical Links
Dire Straits - Sultans of Swing
Counting Crows - Hanginaround
Saturday Oct 05, 2024
Saturday Oct 05, 2024
So…is there hope? Kurt and Tim think so!
In this wrap-up of our polarization series, Kurt and Tim reflect on how much the political landscape has changed since they started recording last December. With the presidential campaign in full swing and November’s election approaching, it’s more important than ever to critically evaluate the news and information we consume.
In this quick, engaging episode, they revisit the most impactful ideas from their conversations with researchers. From “nut-picking”—focusing on extreme examples of the opposing side—to the challenge of living in a fragmented reality, Kurt and Tim discuss how we can push back against the media’s efforts to keep us divided. Instead, they urge us to focus on bridging divides and coming together for the sake of democracy.
Polarization is powerful, but it’s not unbreakable. So, stay informed, talk to each other, and most importantly—register to vote!
Links
Ep. 434 – What’s Really Driving Political Polarization? The Science Explained
Ep. 435 - Are We Acting Differently Because of Politics? Here’s What the Research Shows
Ep. 436 - A Less Polarized Future: Real Solutions to Heal Our Divided World