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
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
Wednesday Oct 02, 2024
Wednesday Oct 02, 2024
In the final episode of the polarization series, Kurt and Tim delve into "affective polarization," where emotional distrust, rather than ideological differences, has deepened the divide between political parties. Drawing on insights from the recent MIT conference, they explore how these negative feelings have escalated over time. Stanford postdoc Jan Voelkl shares eye-opening research showing a marked decline in positive feelings across party lines over the past few decades.
But there's hope on the horizon! Kurt and Tim explore proven interventions aimed at reducing polarization by fostering cooperation and shared identities. Through game-based approaches and collaborative strategies, they demonstrate that cross-party cooperation is not only possible but achievable. Featured researcher Josh Green explains how his game-based method helps bridge the partisan divide, offering an optimistic outlook for improving political discourse.
The duo also speaks with Kati Kish Bar-On, a postdoc at MIT, who provides a philosophical perspective on polarization and how we engage with one another, while Yph Lelkes offers historical context and a dose of optimism for the future based on the 2022 election results.
The series concludes with a compassionate, forward-thinking conversation, offering practical strategies to critically assess polarized messaging and steps toward healing the growing political divide.
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Topics
[0:00] Introduction: A final look at polarization
[4:07] Hope for American democracy - Jan Voelkl
[12:23] Game-based interventions - Josh Greene
[20:28] Polarization: a philosophical perspective - Kati Kish Bar-On
[28:28] History and hope: Yph Lelkes
[31:54] Grooving session - America, democracy, and critical thinking
[41:30] BONUS TRACK: Young scientists look at polarization - Miles and Isaac Rand
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Monday Sep 30, 2024
Monday Sep 30, 2024
Why do we so easily form ‘us vs. them’ mentalities, and how does it impact our society?
In the second part of this series, Kurt and Tim dive into the psychological roots of polarization, starting with the famous Robbers Cave Experiment. They explore how easily group identities and loyalties form, even among strangers, and how this translates into in-group loyalty and out-group hostility.
The discussion expands to cover the role geography plays in shaping political views, as explained by researchers like Ryan Enos from Harvard. There’s also a compelling conversation with Ryan about whether polarization is truly worsening or if we’re just more aware of it due to better data.
Kurt and Tim then turn to economists who have studied how our political identities drive us to make decisions that sometimes go against our own interests. Kwabena Donkor from Stanford and Andrea Robbett from Middlebury College tee up studies to disentangle our preferences from our beliefs and they use clever, money-based studies to do so.
Eugen Dimant, from the University of Pennsylvania, examines the societal impact of polarization, from trust and cooperation to the functioning of democratic institutions. The conversation underscores the complexity of polarization and the diverse approaches needed to fully understand and address its consequences. Tune in for deeper insights into the forces shaping our divided world.
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Topics
[0:00] Robbers Cave Experiment
[2:42] MIT’s PolarizationSeries
[3:48] Geography and Polarization: Ryan Enos
[14:46] Beliefs and Preferences: Kwabena Donkor
[23:07] The Comorbidities of Polarization: Eugen Dimant
[34:44] Affective Polarization: Andrea Robett
[39:15] Grooving Session: Understanding the gap between what we say and what we do
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Links
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Monday Sep 23, 2024
Monday Sep 23, 2024
Are we more divided than ever? How can people see past their differences and come together for the greater good?
In this three-part series, Kurt and Tim explore the psychology behind the rise of political polarization in the United States. Tracing its roots back to the late 60s and 70s, they examine how the advent of cable news has played a pivotal role in shaping today’s divisive landscape.
With insights from researchers around the globe, this episode highlights key findings from interviews conducted at MIT’s Polarization and Politicization conference. Experts from around the world discuss the critical role of perception and how digital platforms can either foster constructive dialogue or deepen the divide between opposing sides.
Polarization is complex—it’s a persistent and growing trend we can no longer ignore. If you’re curious about understanding not only the nature of polarization but also how to combat it, this episode offers a hopeful perspective on promoting cooperation and a shared sense of reality.
Tune in next week for Parts 2 and 3 of this thought-provoking series!
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Topics
[0:00] History of Polarization
[2:25] MIT’s Polarization Conference
[6:00] Understanding Polarization: Sandy Pentland
[15:39] Misinformation: David Rand
[27:45] Meta-perceptions and propaganda: Mina Cikara
[36:10] Why do we lack a shared reality? Yph Lelkes
[40:32] The danger of political elites: Josh Greene
[46:28] Grooving Session: How do we create respectful dialogues?
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Sandy Pentland’s Media Lab
David Rand - Debunk Bot
Mina Cikara - The Gravity of Groups
Yph Lelkes - Polarization Research Lab
Josh Greene - Josh and the Cooperation Game
Want More Behavioral Grooves?
Join our Facebook Group!
Follow us on Instagram: @behavioralgrooves
Monday Sep 16, 2024
Monday Sep 16, 2024
Do you struggle with maintaining healthy eating habits?
Are you, like Kurt, stashing Oreos in the basement to avoid temptation? Believe it or not, making small changes to your environment can be more effective for managing your health than relying on willpower alone.
This week, Kurt and Tim are joined by nutrition expert Monica Reinagel—an opera singer turned nutritionist and podcaster. Monica shares her unique insights on weight management and what really matters when starting your personal health journey.
Context is everything when it comes to health decisions. In this episode, they dive into how simple tweaks to your environment, both public and private, can have a big impact on your overall well-being. Tune in for practical tips, expert advice, and the encouragement you need to start making healthier choices that work for you.
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Book a time to talk to Tim about Behavioral Grooves here.
Topics
[0:00] Oreo habits and environmental adjustments
[9:22] Introduction and speed round
[13:50] Are New Year’s Resolutions bad?
[20:08] Eating, emotions, and environment
[24:32] From opera singer to nutritionist - finding your passions
[31:35] How we can look at nutrition through behavioral science
[38:30] Tracking nutrition with the Nutrition GPA App
[45:00] Desert island music
[51:32] Grooving Session: influencing behavior by changing your environment
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Behavioral Grooves Facebook Group!
Musical Links
Bach - Spirits of Meditation - Suite #5 Aria
Mozart - Symphony No. 40 in G minor