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 Aug 12, 2024
Monday Aug 12, 2024
Ever wonder why some habits stick effortlessly while others feel impossible to maintain?
In this episode, Kurt and Tim explore the powerful forces of habits, routines, and rituals that shape our daily lives. They dig into what habits are, how they form, and why they're so hard to change. From understanding the role of cues and rewards to distinguishing between habits and routines, Kurt and Tim break down the science and strategies behind these everyday behaviors. They also discuss the importance of starting small, aligning habits with your values, and the often overlooked difference between habits and rituals.
Whether you're looking to kick an old habit or start a new one, this episode offers practical advice and thought-provoking insights. And stay tuned for part two, where they’ll tackle the tricky topic of ending unwanted habits!
Topics
[0:00] Welcome to a solo-sode with Kurt and Tim!
[4:17] Habits and routines: The nuance
[10:45] What differentiates a habit from a routine?
[17:19] Habits, routines, and rituals
[24:36] How to create motivation and achieve goals
[31:32] Creating new habits
[35:07] The key to consistency, grace, and personal growth
Links
Charles Duhigg - The Power of Habit
Wendy Wood - Good Habits, Bad Habits
Brain/Shift Journal: Habits and Goals
Monday Aug 05, 2024
Monday Aug 05, 2024
“Here is a small fact: You are going to die.” – Markus Zusak, The Book Thief
This week, Kurt and Tim confront death. Well - they confront death and Jodi Wellman, author of “You Only Die Once” in a lively discussion on how we can use mortality as a motivator for living life to the fullest. Wellman bring an irreverent humor to the conversation, as well as inspiring insights on how we can prioritize joy and find meaning in our daily lives.
The trio dives into the heart of Wellman’s philosophy and explores the idea that life is about more than ticking off a to-do lists or sticking to routings. With a mix of anecdotes and insights, they explore how we can shake things up and be more intentional with our time. After all, we only have so many Mondays left to live!
In their grooving session, Kurt opens up about how a brush with death can remind us of life’s preciousness. As they wrap up, they emphasize how the power of gratitude and the importance of connecting with loved ones can help us do more than just breathe - but actually live. Whether it’s finding joy in the everyday or reaching out to someone you’ve lost touch with, the episode is a reminder that living fully means being present, purposeful and - at times - a little irreverent.
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Topics
[0:00] How often do you think about death?
[4:33] Introduction and speed round
[10:11] The importance of intentional living
[15:13] Identifying goals and prioritizing personal desires
[22:58] Breaking free from autopilot
[28:17] Near-death experiences
[38:00] Vitality, meaning, and well-being
[43:53] Finding meaning and purpose through self-reflections
[56:20] Confronting death and prioritizing life
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Why Some People Love Sad Music
You Only Die Once: How to Make It to the End with No Regrets
Musical Links
Jason Isbell “If We Were Vampires”
Dave Matthews Band “Satellite”
The Cure “Friday I’m in Love”
Monday Jul 29, 2024
Monday Jul 29, 2024
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.
While facts alone may not sway emotions, personal stories can be far more persuasive than statistics. By integrating personal connections into our interactions, we can enhance both personal and professional relationships. Approaching conversations with honesty, precision, and a focus on growth not only improves our communication but also enriches our connections, potentially transforming every aspect of our lives.
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Topics
[1:10] Welcome back, David!
[3:32] Intro and speed round
[8:10] Misconceptions about connecting with strangers
[15:04] The importance of social connections
[23:48] The art of successful conversation
[29:14] Creating a shared reality
[32:49] Effective communication strategies for disagreements
[36:47] Using personal experience to persuade others
[40:22] Effective feedback delivery
[52:00] Grooving session: Building connections, overcoming fear, and improving relationships
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Kwame Christian’s “Compassionate Curiosity” approach
Trotsky’s principle on empathy and statistics
Musical Links
Monday Jul 22, 2024
Monday Jul 22, 2024
Mythbusters or Behavioral Grooves? This week, we step back in time with Kurt and Tim (2023) to tackle the common belief that willpower alone is enough to achieve your goals. They delve into the critical roles that environment and routines play in goal attainment. Through engaging real-life examples, they demonstrate how small adjustments in your physical and social surroundings can simplify desired behaviors and reduce the need for sheer willpower.
Routines are essential for success, providing the structure needed to support your goals. Tim and Kurt offer practical strategies for minimizing friction and sustaining motivation. By establishing effective routines, you can make goal-oriented behaviors more automatic and less reliant on willpower.
In this republished episode, listeners get to join Kurt and Tim as they groove on the topic, offering actionable advice and insights on creating an environment and routine that support your goals. Tune in to learn how to set yourself up for success with these expert tips.
Topics
[1:25] Willpower is a muscle
[4:12] Making your environment work for you
[7:39] Clutter is distracting
[11:36] Routines and habits
[16:06] Routines that help us achieve our goals
Links
McMains & Kastner (2011), “Interactions of top-down and bottom-up mechanisms in human visual cortex”
Wendy Wood, “Good Habits, Bad Habits: The Science of Making Positive Changes That Stick”
Katy Milkman, “How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be”
Monday Jul 15, 2024
Monday Jul 15, 2024
Is AI about to take over the world, or is it simply…misunderstood?
Tim takes on a solo-sode with guest Ben Manning, a PhD candidate at MIT who is currently writing a thesis on the fascinating world of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. They explore the intricacies of AI, defining key terms, and discussing the hierarchy within AI, machine learning, and large language models. From spell check to ChatGPT, the world of AI is diverse and ever-expanding, and Ben explains the potential of AI to assist fields like behavioral science and beyond.
From healthcare to finance, AI has the potential to benefit various fields, but it’s not without it’s limitations. There’s a certain way we can all embrace this technology and understand where and how is the best place to use it.
Kurt jumps back into the game in this week’s grooving session, where he and Tim reflect on the conversation, highlighting key takeaways and discussing their own perspectives on AI. They emphasize the importance of embracing AI for its potential, and not being scared of the “unknown” it presents.
All hail our robot overlords!
Kidding, but tune in this week for a great conversation on a modern invention, and how it applies to our everyday lives.
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Topics
[0:00] Quick announcements for Behavioral Grooves!
[6:35] Intro and speed round
[10:27] AI, psychology, and behavioral science
[16:46] Using machine learning in psychology experiments
[21:34] Using AI to study behavior: Benefits and limitations
[28:33] AI in machine learning and desert island music
[30:57] Grooving session: The future of AI - we're nervous but excited
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Large Language Models as Simulated Economic Agents: What we can learn from Homo Silicus
Behavioral Grooves - Sign up for our newsletter!
Musical Links
Monday Jul 08, 2024
Monday Jul 08, 2024
Budget hotel or 5-star experience? Pack a lunch or grab it to-go? Save your money or spend it? Are you a tightwad or a spendthrift?
Scott Rick, author of "Tightwads and Spendthrifts," joins Kurt and Tim on this week’s episode to discuss all things related to personal finance and our relationship with money. Scott explains the distinctions between tightwads and spendthrifts, detailing how these traits influence your financial habits and impact your life and relationships. Through his expertise, Scott offers listeners a unique window into understanding their spending habits and finding the right balance between saving and spending.
The episode also addresses the challenges couples face when they have different financial personalities. Scott and Kurt suggest strategies for maintaining harmony, highlighting the significance of financial compatibility and its effect on overall happiness in a relationship. If you thought gift-giving was just a love language, think again! Scott emphasizes the importance of thoughtful gift-giving and understanding the recipient's preferences, shedding light on how spendthrifts and tightwads approach gifts differently and the significance of effort and sacrifice in making gifts meaningful.
Tune in for this insightful conversation with Scott Rick, packed with valuable insights to help you navigate your financial journey. Whether you’re a spendthrift, tightwad, or somewhere in between, this episode offers a wealth (pun intended) of knowledge to enhance your understanding of personal finance and relationships.
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Topics
[4:46] Introduction and speed round
[7:00] Money Management and spending habits
[13:00] Tightwads, spendthrifts, and finding balance
[17:47] How budgeting helps both groups
[22:08] Avoiding financial friction in marriage
[33:43] The financial importance of gift-giving
[37:32] Financial transparency and accountability in relationships
[44:19] Desert Island music
[46:22] Grooving Session - relationships, finance, and finding balance
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Tightwads and Spendthrifts: Navigating the Money Minefield in Real Relationships
Tightwads vs Spendthrifts Quiz
Is Joint Banking the Key to a Happy Marriage?
Musical Links
Monday Jul 01, 2024
Monday Jul 01, 2024
Take a deep breath. Step outside. Smell the coffee. Tune in to Behavioral Grooves.
This week, Kurt and Tim sit down with Emma Seppälä, author of "Sovereign," to discuss the importance of understanding and embracing our emotions, practicing self-compassion, and relying on intuition in our decision-making process. In this empowering conversation, Emma emphasizes the transformative power of self-compassion and self-love in our daily lives.
Do you have trouble accepting praise from others? Is your tendency toward self-criticism too automatic? Sometimes, we need to step outside ourselves and reconnect with the world around us to practice gratitude, change our perspective, and erase negative self-talk to improve our mental well-being.
If you’re seeking more agency in life or starting a journey of personal growth, tune in to learn about the impact of self-compassion on relationships and happiness and the importance of intuition in decision-making, creativity, and problem-solving. Join us as we explore these themes and more, offering actionable steps to reclaim your freedom, energy, and power in today’s hectic world.
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Topics
[3:30] Thanks to our listeners!
[6:37] Intro and speed round
[11:05] Self-awareness and personal growth
[19:02] Why does society focus on criticism more than praise?
[26:29] Intuition and its role in decision-making
[35:07] Meditation and mindfulness for emotional intelligence
[40:00] Gratitude and mental health
[47:02] Desert Island music
[49:05] Grooving Session: Positivity, praise, and work-life balance
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Sarah Glenister, Australasian Change Days
Sovereign: Reclaim Your Freedom, Energy, and Power in a Time of Distraction, Uncertainty, and Chaos
Musical Links
Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, Ancient Chant for Healing & Peace
Indian Flute Music, Compilation
Monday Jun 24, 2024
Monday Jun 24, 2024
This week on Behavioral Grooves, things get personal – or at least professionally personal – as Kurt and Tim are joined by Becky Frayer, founder and CEO of Behavioral Fusion. Becky shares valuable tips and strategies for overcoming challenges in large organizations and explores the practical applications of behavioral science in the business world.
Throughout their discussion, Kurt, Tim, and Becky emphasize the importance of applying behavioral science practices in the workplace. They explain how storytelling and reassurance can be powerful tools for navigating corporate environments. Through personal anecdotes and real-world examples, the trio reveals how to overcome common work obstacles and integrate healthy behavioral science practices into your company’s everyday routine.
Whether you're a skeptic or an embracer of behavioral science, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice on using behavioral science principles to drive business growth and improve decision-making. Tune in to hear about the fascinating journey of applying behavioral science in corporate America and gain new perspectives on consumer behavior and organizational dynamics.
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Topics
[2:42] Intro and speed round
[6:42] Consumer behavior and decision-making in the pharmaceutical industry
[13:30] Using behavioral science to understand consumer behavior
[17:56] Applying behavioral science in business
[27:51] Challenges and insights: applying behavioral science at work
[33:22] The importance of understanding human behavior
[37:54] Desert island music
[40:59] Grooving Session: Using behavioral science insights to drive business success
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Building Behavioral Science Capabilities in Your Company
Musical Links
Monday Jun 17, 2024
Monday Jun 17, 2024
How often do you question the 'facts' you encounter in everyday life?
This week, Alex Edmans, author of May Contain Lies, joins Kurt and Tim to question the world around us. They explore the significance of critical thinking and cognitive diversity, highlighting the value of diverse perspectives and evidence-based reasoning. They discuss the differences between facts and statements, the dangers of misleading inferences from evidence, and the impact of perception on communication.
Creating an environment where individuals can express their viewpoints freely is crucial. This includes fostering a culture where a devil’s advocate can provide critical feedback and considering alternative explanations to avoid confirmation bias in our everyday lives.
For a bit of fun (and for Tim too!), Alex explains his research on how music preferences can predict stock market trends and the challenge of separating emotional effects from fundamental factors. During their Grooving Session, Kurt and Tim encourage listeners to apply a scientific mindset when evaluating information and to promote cognitive diversity within their workspaces. Tune in to enhance your critical thinking skills, appreciate the nuances in decision-making, and learn how to foster a culture of scientific inquiry in your workplace and beyond.
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Topics
[5:07] Intro and speed round
[9:30] The importance of critical thinking and avoiding confirmation bias
[16:37] Misinformation and how it’s presented
[27:56] How to evaluate scientific claims by checking sources
[33:08] The importance of cognitive diversity
[42:07] Using music to predict stock market trends
[49:26] Grooving Session: Overcoming biases to make informed decisions
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Sports Sentiment and Stock Returns
How Cognitive Biases Influence the Way You Think and Act
Musical Links
Monday Jun 10, 2024
Monday Jun 10, 2024
How do we make sense in a world that often seems nonsensical? In this week’s episode, Kurt and Tim team up with Saul Perlmutter and Rob MacCoun, co-authors of Third Millennium Thinking, to try and answer these unanswerable questions for listeners. Together, they bring the scientific method from theory to practice as they explore key aspects of scientific inquiry, probabilistic thinking, and the significance of embracing uncertainty in problem-solving.
Saul and Rob help bring scientific practice into reality and cover various topics from the role of experimentation in identifying cause-and-effect relationships, the importance of assigning probabilities in decision-making, and the virtues of persistence and optimism in tackling challenges.
In today’s increasingly polarized climate, it’s important to understand the value of seeking diverse perspectives to avoid mental traps and the power of collective cognition in decision-making. From probabilistic thinking to scientific optimism this conversation showcases how applying the scientific method can enhance not only our individual way of thinking but our interactions with the world.
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Topics
[4:08] Intro and speed round
[7:48] Scientific method and experimentation in various fields
[16:54] Using probability to make informed decisions
[21:34] Dangers of polarization and the importance of making quick estimates
[28:08] Using mathematical estimates to solve problems
[32:55] Scientific optimism in the face of challenges
[43:05] Collective cognition and the importance of acknowledging uncertainty
[50:35] Grooving Session: Using the scientific method to improve thinking
© 2024 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Third Millennium Thinking: Creating Sense in a World of Nonsense
Musical Links
John Williams, Star Wars