Behavioral Grooves Podcast

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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 Jul 15, 2024

Unmasking AI | Ben Manning

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.

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

Links

Ben Manning

Large Language Models as Simulated Economic Agents: What we can learn from Homo Silicus

Ben’s Substack

Behavioral Grooves - Sign up for our newsletter!

Musical Links

Sammy Rae & The Friends “We Made It”

The Brook & The Bluff “Halfway Up”

Monday Jul 08, 2024

To Save or to Spend? Finding Financial Balance | Scott Rick

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.

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

Links

Tightwads and Spendthrifts: Navigating the Money Minefield in Real Relationships

Tightwads vs Spendthrifts Quiz

Scott Rick

Is Joint Banking the Key to a Happy Marriage?

Musical Links

Pearl Jam “Even Flow”

Mitski “Star”

Monday Jul 01, 2024

Inner Power: Secrets to Self-Compassion and Intuition | Emma Seppälä

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.

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

Links

Sarah Glenister, Australasian Change Days

About Emma

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

Behavioral Science in the Workplace: Tips and Strategies | Becky Frayer

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.

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

Links

Dunning-Kruger Effect

Behavioral Fusion

Building Behavioral Science Capabilities in Your Company

Musical Links

Michael Jackson, “Thriller”

Sister Hazel, “Change Your Mind”

Monday Jun 17, 2024

Question Everything: The Power of Critical Thinking | Alex Edmans

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.

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

Links

Alex Edmans ‘May Contain Lies: How Stories, Statistics, and Studies Exploit Our Biases - And What We Can Do About It’

Wason Selection Task

Sports Sentiment and Stock Returns

How Cognitive Biases Influence the Way You Think and Act

Musical Links

Earth, Wind, and Fire “September”

Fleetwood Mac “The Chain”

Monday Jun 10, 2024

The Benefits of Shades of Gray Thinking | Saul Perlmutter & Rob MacCoun

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.

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

Links

Third Millennium Thinking: Creating Sense in a World of Nonsense

Nobel Prize - Saul Perlmutter

Rob MacCoun

Steven Pinker

The Law of Group Polarization

Musical Links

Jazz Classics

John Williams, Star Wars

Monday Jun 03, 2024

Break Free from Insecure Attachments | Dr. Judy Ho

Monday Jun 03, 2024

Have you ever wondered how your childhood experiences influence your adult relationships and behaviors?

This week, Kurt and Tim jump into attachment theory with renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Judy Ho. They explore the different types of secure and insecure attachment, and how our early bonds with primary caregivers shape our developmental years and influence our adult behavior and relationships. Dr. Ho explains how attachment styles can influence our worldview, and how these styles manifest in our self-talk and stress responses. Our past doesn’t define our future, and the discussion highlights the importance of understanding and healing our attachment issues at any age.

And it wouldn’t be Behavioral Grooves without some music! Dr. Ho joins Tim and Kurt (mostly Tim) in a conversation about the therapeutic role music has on emotional regulation and self-care. Music can help replace unhelpful patterns with healthier ones and can help ground us and promote mindfulness.

Mindfulness is key in this week’s Grooving Session, with Kurt and Tim emphasizing the importance of slowing down and being mindful in daily life. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, they wrap up the episode with actionable advice and valuable strategies for personal growth and emotional well-being.

Topics

[5:27] Intro and speed round

[8:19] Attachment theory and its impact on adult behavior

[10:50] Attachment styles and relationships

[15:53] Understanding attachment styles and their impact

[25:07] Self-help techniques to manage emotions

[34:29] The importance of mindfulness

[42:51] Music’s role in self-care

[50:07] Grooving Session: Attachment theory, self-regulation, and mindfulness

Links

The New Rules of Attachment: How to Heal Your Relationships, Reparent Your Inner Child, and Secure Your Life Vision

APA Definition of Attachment Theory

Dr. Judy Ho

Penn State Worry Questionnaire (Free-Abridged)

Mindfulness Meditation

LaFreniere LS, Newman MG. “Exposing Worry's Deceit: Percentage of Untrue Worries in Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treatment,” Behavioral Therapy. 2020 May; 51(3):413-423. doi: 10.1016/j.beth.2019.07.003. Epub 2019 Jul 17. PMID: 32402257; PMCID: PMC7233480. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7233480/

Musical Links

Aretha Franklin “Think”

John Lennon “Stand By Me”

Monday May 27, 2024

Turn Self-Doubt into Success | Martin Gonzalez

Monday May 27, 2024

Have you ever struggled with the pitfalls of imposter syndrome in the workplace? Been wracked with self-doubt when leading your teams?

Join Kurt and Tim as they dive into these topics and many more with Martin Gonzalez, co-author of "The Bonfire Moment." They explore the intricacies of leadership, team dynamics, and overcoming obstacles in startups. Martin shares his expertise on uniting teams to solve problems through a unique workshop process and identifies common traps that founders often encounter.

Listen in as Martin opens up about his journey with self-doubt and imposter syndrome as an immigrant, providing a candid look at the human side of leadership. Kurt, Tim, and Martin cover various topics including leadership styles, organizational structures, the pitfalls of over-functioning teams, and achieving a productive work-life balance. While you might never love everything about your job, it is possible to enjoy most of your job if you manage your expectations and strategize for success.

In startups, people issues need to take center stage, and the trio highlights the need for vulnerability, effective communication, and nurturing relationships within growing companies. If you’re looking for new motivation and a confidence boost at work, don't miss this insightful episode packed with valuable takeaways for anyone involved in the startup world!

Topics

[5:58] Introduction and Speed Round

[10:16] What is a bonfire moment?

[14:02] Why soft skills are more important than soft skills

[17:54] Leadership styles and their impact on success

[22:37] Common start-up traps

[32:10] Startup myths, leadership, and best practices

[41:11] Overcoming blind spots and insecurities in leadership

[46:43] Imposter Syndrome and gender stereotypes

[55:04] Productivity, creativity, and music preferences

[1:01:14] Grooving Session: Leadership, emotional intelligence, and scaling business

Links

“The Bonfire Moment - Bring Your Team Together to Solve the Hardest Problems Startups Face” by Joshua Yellin and Martin Gonzales

About Martin

Culture Amp

How Corporate Leadership and Turnover Affect Startup Success

Musical Links

Eric Clapton “Wonderful Tonight”

Elton John “Your Song”

Mozart “Lacrimosa”

Monday May 20, 2024

Unlearning Silence | Elaine Lin Hering

Monday May 20, 2024

When was the last time you wanted to speak up, but were too afraid to?

This week, embark on a riveting exploration of silence with Kurt, Tim, and special guest Elaine Lin Herring, author of Unlearning Silence. Through rich conversation, they delve into the intricate dynamics of power, societal expectations, and the profound impact of silence in our personal and professional lives. Elaine illuminates the hidden complexities behind our communication patterns, urging listeners to challenge ingrained norms and create inclusive spaces where every voice is heard. From dissecting workplace dynamics to sharing personal anecdotes, the trio navigates the journey of self-awareness and collective empowerment with remarkable depth and clarity.

As the conversation unfolds, we invite you to reflect on your own experiences of silence and consider the transformative potential of embracing diverse communication styles. This conversation offers practical strategies for fostering open dialogue and nurturing psychological safety within teams and organizations. Break free from the confines of silence, and learn how to foster a culture of authenticity, innovation, and belonging. Tune in to this enlightening episode as we journey towards unlearning silence and amplifying voices in a world hungry for change.

Topics

[2:34] Introduction and speed round

[4:29] The pros and cons of silence and speaking up

[9:35] Workplace silence and its impact on employees

[15:37] The negative effects of silencing

[20:08] Communication preferences and their impact on team dynamics

[25:16] Creating open communication environments

[34:48] Unlearning silence and social isolation

[46:55] Music’s impact on life

[49:58] Grooving Session: Speaking up and the culture of accountability

Links

Unlearning Silence - How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Talent, and Live More Fully

Elaine Lin Hering

What Doctors Wish Patients Knew About Social Isolation

Lessons from The Challenger

Harvard Negotiation Project

Musical Links

Miles Davis - So What

Elevation Worship - Praise

Monday May 13, 2024

Ketamine Therapy: A New Frontier in Mental Health | Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo

Monday May 13, 2024

Ketamine therapy has recently been a hot topic in the mental health industry, but what exactly is ketamine therapy? Who is it for, and what are the benefits/risks associated with it?

Dive into the forefront of mental health innovation with Kurt, Tim, and special guest Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo as they unpack the groundbreaking potential of ketamine therapy as a transformative treatment for depression and anxiety. Dr. Lombardo sheds light on the mechanisms behind ketamine therapy's effectiveness, sharing promising research findings and cautionary notes on its administration under careful medical supervision. Dr. Lombardo goes through the nuances of ketamine therapy, and how to use it as part of a comprehensive mental health strategy rather than a quick-fix solution.

As always, the more you know, the better equipped you are to face life’s challenges. Beyond the cutting-edge realm of ketamine therapy, Kurt, Tim, and Dr. Lombardo look at practical coping strategies and evidence-based practices for enhancing mental well-being. From cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to the healing power of nature and gratitude, they share personal stories and insightful perspectives to empower listeners on their mental health journey. With a compassionate approach and a focus on holistic healing, this episode offers actionable insights and thought-provoking dialogue that promise to inspire and inform.

Tune in for an engaging exploration of mental health and resilience that challenges conventional wisdom and fosters hope for a brighter future. Join the conversation and discover new ways to nurture your well-being, one step at a time.

Disclaimer: The discussion of ketamine in this episode of Behavioral Grooves is purely exploratory and should not be interpreted as medical advice or encouragement to use ketamine. Any consideration of ketamine therapy should be approached cautiously and only under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.