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
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?
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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
Monday Sep 09, 2024
Monday Sep 09, 2024
Get ready for a moo-ving conversation! This week, Kurt and Tim sit down with Gregory Berns, a psychology professor at Emory University, to explore the secret world of cows. Gregory shares his journey from academic to accidental farmer during the COVID-19 pandemic and how a group of miniature cows changed his life.
There’s moo-re to cows than meets the eye, and Gregory reveals how his farming adventure turned into a real-life exploration of cow psychology, unveiling behaviors that challenge common assumptions. In today’s world, there’s often a disconnect between urban dwellers and livestock, and the trio discusses how we can reconnect with farm life and our food sources to become more conscious consumers.
But that’s not all—tune in to hear how Gregory’s innovative “bud box” techniques show how understanding cow psychology can lead to stress-free handling and trust-building on the farm and beyond. Whether you’re a city slicker or a country dweller, this episode will expand your perspective and leave you with a newfound appreciation for the complex inner lives of the animals around us.
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Book a time to talk to Tim about Behavioral Grooves here
Topics
[0:00] A different type of episode!
[2:44] Intro and speed round
[4:49] How does a behavioral scientist start raising cows?
[12:21] Understanding cow personalities
[18:38] Psychology of animal relationships
[27:59] Cow psychology and handling techniques
[36:51] Music and cows
[42:25] Grooving session - understanding our relationship with animals
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Cowpuppy: An Unexpected Friendship and a Scientist's Journey Into the Secret World of Cows
Musical Links
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama
The Band - Don’t Do It
The Beach Boys - Kokomo
Monday Sep 02, 2024
Monday Sep 02, 2024
Do women in the workplace have to choose between being likable and assertive?
This week, Alison Fragale, author of The Likable Badass joins Kurt and Tim to look at the challenges women face in the workplace and how they can overcome. With her powerful concept of the “likable badass”, Alison teaches listeners the art of blending warmth with assertiveness to achieve success without sacrificing authenticity.
Alison unpacks and explores the historical disadvantages women have faced due to gender and stereotypical characteristics that often hinder success. She highlights how women can overcome these traditional obstacles by balancing confidence and kindness, offering practical strategies like positive self-talk, and building an “army of promoters” to elevate their status. Throughout their discussion, Alison emphasizes how small, incremental improvements and effective communication can help women build a strong reputation.
In their grooving session, Kurt and Tim dive deeper into the concept of the likable badass, providing listeners with tangible insights on how small, consistent efforts can significantly impact workplace success and beyond. By focusing on building status rather than seeking power, listeners of all genders can gain valuable insights into self-promotion and confidence in the workplace.
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Topics
[0:00] Empowering women in the workplace
[4:20] Introduction and speed round
[8:21] What is a “likable badass”?
[12:20] Challenges faced by women in the workplace
[16:12] How communication helps build status
[27:14] Why we need to self-promote
[30:12] Dangers of self-deprecation
[39:32] Practical tips for becoming a likable badass
[46:12] Desert Island music
[51:20] Grooving Session: the importance of small, incremental improvements and promoting your own success
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Likable Badass - How Women Get the Success They Deserve
Join the Behavioral Grooves Newsletter!
Musical Links
Zach Brown - I Remember
Bon Jovi - It’s My Life
Monday Aug 26, 2024
Monday Aug 26, 2024
Are generational labels dead weight?
This week—after many technical difficulties and a nearly-forgotten anniversary—Kurt talks with organizational culture expert Jessica Kriegel about generational divides and why they are ultimately pointless and unproductive for both personal and professional growth. Jessica introduces her “culture equation” framework, revealing three critical elements that drive revenue growth and how missing these elements can lead to stagnation.
A key focus of the conversation is the damaging impact of generational stereotypes in the workplace and how ageism, in any form, prevents us from recognizing people’s unique talents. Through compelling examples, Jessica explains how these stereotypes dangerously influence workplace practices—and what we can do to avoid them.
Tim is back from anniversary-dinner bliss for this week’s grooving session, where he and Kurt reflect on the key themes from Kurt’s conversation with Jessica. The duo offers insights on the power of thoughtful communication and how being intentional with our words can shape organizational culture.
Whether you’re a Boomer, Gen Z’er, or anything in between (sorry Gen X and Milennials), this episode has all you need to challenge stereotypes and start bridging those generational gaps.
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Topics
[0:00] Generational stereotypes and corporate culture
[6:20] Speed round with Jessica Kriegel
[9:10] Generational labels: a perspective
[23:25] The “Culture Equation” and it’s impact on success
[28:41] The importance of leadership for shaping culture
[36:52] How to align purpose, strategy, and culture
[42:25] Grooving Session: Bridging generational divides with leadership
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Unfairly Labeled: How Your Workplace Can Benefit From Ditching Generational Stereotypes
How to get people to give a sh*t | Jessica Kriegel | TEDxStGeorgeStudio
Is Generational Prejudice Seeping into Your Workplace?
Musical Links
Atmosphere - “Sunshine"
The Beatles - "Eight Days a Week"
Monday Aug 19, 2024
Monday Aug 19, 2024
This week, we dive into a thought-provoking conversation with Bob McKinnon, host of the Attribution podcast and author of America's Dreaming. Bob unpacks the complex factors that determine success and failure, drawing from his own experiences and broader societal influences. He challenges the "fundamental attribution error," where we often credit personal effort over external factors, and how this bias can distort our perceptions of ourselves and others. Through powerful stories, Bob discusses how systemic barriers and limiting beliefs shape life outcomes, emphasizing the need to recognize the roles of luck, privilege, and social connections in our narratives.
Bob, Kurt and Tim explore the ethics of marketing, the overlooked influence of luck in success, and how reframing our stories can foster empathy. With insights into everything from historical injustices to the power of music and storytelling, Bob offers listeners a fresh perspective on the importance of compassionate curiosity in bridging social divides by creating more inclusive conversations. Tune in to discover how understanding attribution can change the way we see the world—and ourselves.
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Topics
[0:00] Intro
[6:03] Speed round
[9:18] Factors contributing to success/failure
[13:53] Attribution and how it affects perceptions and behaviors
[19:21] Attribution error and its impact on behavior and success
[29:30] Success, privilege, and race in America
[35:00] Land grants, race, and attribution
[46:35] Empathy, storytelling, and judging less to improve relationships
[54:00] Music, identity, and belonging
[1:00:29] Grooving session: Attribution and luck in success
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Links
The Random Factor by Mark Rank
America’s Surprising Views on Inequality
American Dream Score - Bob’s Quiz
America’s Dreaming - Bob McKinnon
Musical Links
Neil Diamond - I am…I said
Tracy Chapman - Fast Car
Luke Combs - Fast Car
Thursday Aug 15, 2024
Thursday Aug 15, 2024
Double the Episodes, Double the Insights! This week, Kurt and Tim are back at it, diving deeper into the world of habits, rituals, and routines. In this special double episode, they take us on a journey through the fascinating neuroscience of habit formation, unpacking how the basal ganglia in our brains can shape our behaviors—for better or worse (cue ominous music…).
The discussion moves beyond the basics, examining how our habitual actions can both enhance and sometimes limit our ability to fully experience life’s spontaneous pleasures. Kurt and Tim explore the delicate balance between the comfort of routine and the thrill of novelty, offering fresh perspectives on how to be more intentional about the habits we cultivate.
But it’s not all theory—this is Behavioral Grooves, after all! The hosts dish out practical strategies for breaking bad habits, like adding friction to disrupt automatic behaviors and swapping out old routines for new, more desirable ones. They also remind us that the road to healthy habits is paved with patience, self-compassion, and a steady focus on personal growth.
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Topics
[0:00] How we form good and bad habits
[5:09] Do habits and routines impact life's novelty?
[11:04] Breaking bad habits and creating new ones
[16:58] Habits, routines, and rituals for personal growth
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves