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
Thursday Feb 27, 2025
Thursday Feb 27, 2025
If you could remove one vice from your life, what would it be? In this month's Groove Jams, Tim and Kurt are joined by friend of the show Brad Shuck to explore the vices that hold us back. From overworking to doomscrolling, the trio unpacks what they struggle with giving up.
Except for Tim, who somehow avoids the question.
From tacos to self-doubt, tune in for an eye-opening look at the fine line between indulgence and discipline.
©2025 Behavioral Grooves
Monday Feb 24, 2025
Monday Feb 24, 2025
Dr. Adam Dorsay joins us to explore what it truly means to connect in a digital age. From the four key types of connection—self, others, the world, and something greater—to rekindling friendships and embracing technology for deeper bonds, this episode is packed with insights on building a more fulfilling life. Plus, we (of course) discuss the power of music, social comparison, and why sometimes, all it takes to make someone's day is a simple phone call.
©2025 Behavioral Grooves
Topics
[0:00] Introduction to Dr. Adam Dorsay
[5:41] Speed Round: Instruments, Languages, and Coffee
[22:36] The Four Types of Connection
[37:12] The Psychology of Savoring and Gratitude
[45:24] Why Are Modern Friendships So Hard?
[1:00:25] - The Driveway Test for Relationships
[1:03:45] - The Power of Music and Live Experiences
[1:12:00] - Key Takeaways on Connection and Joy
[1:30:02] - Closing Thoughts
©2025 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Learn more about Dr. Adam Dorsay
Join the Behavioral Grooves community
Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube
Musical Links
Monday Feb 17, 2025
Monday Feb 17, 2025
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
©2025 Behavioral Grooves
Links
The All-or-Nothing Marriage by Eli Finkel
Musical Links
Monday Feb 10, 2025
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!
©2025 Behavioral Grooves
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
©2025 Behavioral Grooves
Links
A Soulful Marriage: Healing Your Relationship with Responsibility, Growth, Priority, and Purpose
Musical Links
Monday Feb 03, 2025
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
©2025 Behavioral Grooves
Links
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
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.
©2025 Behavioral Grooves
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
©2025 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It by 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
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.
©2025 Behavioral Grooves
We Made a Playlist for You!
Check out all the artists we discussed this week, here
Monday Jan 20, 2025
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.
©2025 Behavioral Grooves
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.
©2025 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Mindmasters: The Data-Driven Science of Predicting and Changing Human Behavior
Musical Links
Taylor Swift - Fortnight (feat. Post Malone)
Kolektiv Turmstrasse - Sorry I Am Late
Linkin Park - The Emptiness Machine
Monday Jan 13, 2025
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.
©2025 Behavioral Grooves
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
©2025 Behavioral Grooves
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
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
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.
©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
Links
Get It Done: Surprising Lessons from the Science of Motivation
Motivation Isn’t About Being Strong, It’s About Being Wise