ScienceSocial SciencesBusinessManagementHealth & FitnessMental Health

Behavioral Grooves Podcast

Kurt Nelson, PhD and Tim Houlihan

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.

Play

Open in

23 episodes
weekly
Avg 1 hr 12 min
English

Support the show

Goes straight to the publisher. podnod takes nothing.

Support This Podcast

Episodes 23

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

#579
Yesterday · 51 min
Bridging the Gap Between Behavioral Science & Policy | BSPA
What happens when behavioral science leaves the classroom and enters the real world? In this special episode, we explore the past and future of the Behavioral Science & Policy Association with founders Sim Sitkin and Craig Fox and incoming leader Crystal Hall. We talk about bridging the gap between research and practice, the growing importance of interdisciplinary behavioral science, and why understanding the human side of AI may be one of the field's biggest opportunities. Topics [0:00] What Is the Behavioral Science & Policy Association? [7:45] BSPA's First Big Breakthroughs [12:12] How BSPA Helped Legitimize Applied Behavioral Science [17:14] What AI Gets Wrong About Behavioral Science [25:06] The Next Frontier for Behavioral Science [32:34] Why Behavioral Science Is at a Critical Moment [42:19] What AI Means for Behavioral Science [46:20] A New Vision for BSPA [49:10] How to Get Involved With BSPA ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links BSPA Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves
#578
Monday · 1 hr 8 min
How to Make Work Fun | Bree Groff
What if work didn’t have to be something we simply “get through” five days a week? This week, we sit down with Bree Groff, author of Today Was Fun, to explore how small changes in the way we interact, communicate, and lead can make work more human and mostly fun, most days. We talk about work-life balance, chronic overwork, psychological safety, AI, and the importance of protecting the relationships, health, creativity, and small moments of joy that make our lives meaningful. Topics [0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Bree Groff [9:45] Treat your brain like a Stradivarius [13:18] Why this isn't a typical business book [19:52] The five-minute check-in [27:41] The benefits of psychological safety and cognitive offloading [30:55] The hidden cost of chronic overwork [36:16] Why “love what you do” is an exhausting goal [43:09] Why work should be mostly fun, most days [49:07] The truth about AI at work [53:45] What happens when we outsource thinking? [54:37] Bree's writing soundtrack [59:45] Grooving Session: Making work fun ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About Bree Today was Fun by Bree Groff Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Musical Links Vulfpeck - Back Pocket Qveen Herby - The Fool
#577
September 7 · 1 hr 5 min
The Behavioral Science of Psychological Safety | Jeremy Pollack
This week, Dr. Jeremy Pollack joins us to explore the neuroscience of conflict, trust, mistakes, uncertainty, and psychological safety. We discuss how these obstacles and miscommunications can affect our work environments, what to do when you notice them, and how to build healthier teams by breaking old conflict patterns before they start. Topics [0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Jeremy Pollack [9:20] Can our brains rewire conflict patterns? [14:21] The neuroscience behind conflict resolution [19:50] How organizational systems can fuel conflict [32:32] Creating psychological safety at work [38:55] Why our brains crave certainty [42:09] How to rewire the nervous system after trauma [49:04] Desert Island Music Picks [50:36] Grooving Session: Self-regulation techniques for leaders ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About Jeremy Wired for Peace by Jeremy Pollack, Ph.D. Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Musical Links Grateful Dead - Friend of the Devil Phish - Sample in a Jar
#576
August 31 · 1 hr 15 min
How to Disagree Better | Julia Minson
Disagreements are inevitable, but they don’t have to become conflicts. Harvard Kennedy School professor Julia Minson joins us to explore why we struggle to see perspectives different from our own and how openness, curiosity, and humility can lead to more productive conversations. We also get practical strategies for navigating difficult conversations, from asking better questions to understanding what we actually know versus what we’re simply assuming. Topics [0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Julia Minson [6:16] Does Feeling Heard Make Us More Receptive? [19:23] Why Context Matters in Conflict [21:13] What Is Naive Realism? [37:37] Why Receptiveness Isn't Weakness [42:00] What Is "Boomer Asking"? [44:39] How to Start a Difficult Conversation [47:23] What Do You Actually Know? [49:30] Asking Better Questions [51:12] Are You Actually Being Curious? [52:30] Using Notes to Have Better Conversations [57:19] Grooving Session: Practical Tips for Better Disagreements ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About Julia How to Disagree Better by Julia Minson Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Music Links Taylor Swift - august Noah Kahan - The Great Divide
#575
August 27 · 1 hr 37 min
The Science Behind Constraints | David Epstein
What if constraints could actually make us more creative? This week, we use behavioral science to explore how limits on our time, resources, and choices can focus our attention, spark creativity, and help us make better decisions. With author David Epstein, we look at how creatives like Bach and Dr. Seuss used constraints to generate new ideas, and how identifying bottlenecks at work can help us focus on the problems that matter most. We’ll also share practical ways to embrace constraints, think differently, and get more done. Topics [0:00] Intro and speed round with David Epstein [15:00] Choice overload and endless options [22:31] How constraints can unlock creativity [29:53] Innovation and limitations [36:14] Great thinkers and the obstacles that met them [43:55] The Green Eggs and Ham Effect [51:10] AI and creativity [59:40] Finding the Bottleneck [1:04:02] Knowing your own constraints [1:11:13] Bach: the maestro of constraint [1:18:43] Grooving Session: Exploring the power of constraints ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About David Epstein Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Music Links Bach - Air on the G String (Orchestral Suite No. 3) London Grammar - Hey Now
#574
August 24 · 1 hr 20 min
The Science of Trust, Identity, and Tension | Claude Steele
What happens when we enter a conversation with someone we assume is different from us? Social psychologist Claude Steele argues that the tension and nerves we feel may have less to do with prejudice than we think. In his new book, Churn, Claude explores how identity threats can affect our performance and relationships, why we fear being misjudged, and how empathy, listening, and understanding can help reduce that tension and foster trust. We discuss why context matters, how our attitudes can follow our behavior, and why “colorblindness” can make it harder to understand another person’s experience. Topics [0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Claude Steele [11:28] Does attitude follow behavior? [15:02] What exactly is “churn”? [20:12] The fear of being stereotyped [30:21] Trust as the antidote to tension [35:31] Can you really be “colorblind?” [47:48] Barack Obama and the cross-identity bridge to understanding [53:40] Why you need to look at circumstances [1:01:58] Desert Island Music [1:07:05] Grooving Session: Why our brains churn ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About Claude Churn: The Tension That Divides Us and How to Overcome It Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Musical Links Miles Davis & Gil Evans - The Duke Stevie Wonder - Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing
#573
August 17 · 1 hr 28 min
How Culture Shapes Human Behavior | Oliver Sweet
How does culture shape the way we think, behave, and interact with one another? In this episode, anthropologist Oliver Sweet explores the hidden social rules that influence human behavior, from communication and cultural norms to social media, artificial intelligence, and changing generational values. We discuss the psychology and anthropology of culture, how "vibe shifts" emerge, whether technology is making us more narcissistic, and what AI could mean for collaboration, empathy, creativity, and human connection. Topics [0:00] Intro & Speed Round with Oliver Sweet [7:54] Can You Be Too Fat for an Imaginary Boat? [13:08] The Hidden Rules That Shape Our Behavior [18:47] How Social Norms Change Over Time [21:14] What Is a "Vibe Shift"? [28:23] AI, Social Media & Culture [32:37] The Return of Subliminal Messaging [36:53] AI and the Rise of Digital Narcissism [46:51] How Technology Changes Risk-Taking [52:17] Can Counterculture Predict the Future? [58:56] What Happens When AI Replaces Human Connection? [1:09:33] Grooving Session: The Reality and Illusions of AI ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About Oliver The Rules That Make Us: How Culture Shapes the Way We Act, Think, Believe, and Buy by Oliver Sweet Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves
#572
August 10 · 1 hr 3 min
Has Social Media Stolen Your Individuality? | Patricia Martin
Who are you when no one is watching? We welcome author Patricia Martin to discuss how social media, algorithms, and AI are reshaping our sense of self. From persona fog and chronic self-doubt to the future of human agency, we explore what it means to build an authentic identity in an increasingly performative digital world. Topics [0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Patricia Martin [9:18] From Research to Me-Search [13:10] Why the Self Has Become a Consumer Product [19:24] Persona Fog, Self-Doubt & Cascading Crossroads [24:13] Healthy Personas vs. Fracturing Online Identities [31:30] The Self as Consumer Commodity [36:07] Construction Not Subtraction [43:33] Desert Island Music [50:32] Grooving Session: To Thine Own Self Be True? Links About Patricia Will the Future Like You? By Patricia Martin Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Music Links Aretha Franklin - Chain of Fools Eminem - The Real Slim Shady
#571
August 3 · 1 hr 22 min
You're Not the Only One Feeling Lonely | Bill von Hippel
Why does modern life leave so many of us feeling disconnected? We explore the surprising evolutionary forces behind loneliness, autonomy, and technology, and share practical ways to build stronger relationships without giving up the conveniences of modern life. Topics [0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Bill von Hippel [11:09] Were hunter-gatherers actually happier? [15:40] Why evolution favors connection over autonomy [22:43] How cities created innovation (and loneliness) [31:16] The cost of choosing autonomy [37:57] Social media, AI, and the future of human connection [47:56] Practical ways to create more community [56:17] Evolutionary mismatches and modern fears [1:02:23] Desert Island Music [1:09:32] Grooving Session: Choose connection ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About Bill The Social Paradox by Bill von Hippel Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Music Links Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run Credence Clearwater Revival - Have You Ever Seen the Rain
#570
July 27 · 1 hr 13 min
The Truth About Crime Prevention | Jennifer Doleac
What actually stops crime? Economist Jennifer Doleac joins us to explore the behavioral science behind safer communities, revealing why certainty of consequences, not harsher punishments, is the key to changing behavior and how evidence can lead to smarter criminal justice policy. Topics [0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Jennifer Doleac [9:15] How an economist found criminal justice [13:56] Why DNA databases reduce crime [16:53] Certainty vs. severity of punishment [21:11] Redemption, incentives, and justice [25:05] Second chances for first-time offenders [30:50] Jobs, criminal records, and Ban the Box [37:57] When good intentions backfire [44:08] Rethinking prisons and parole [50:24] Why evidence struggles to shape policy [57:58] Desert Island Music [1:00:30] Grooving Session - Reforming our criminal justice systems ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About Jennifer The Science of Second Chances Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Musical Links Miley Cyrus - Used to Be Young Zach Bryan - I Remember Everything
#569
July 23 · 34 min
Is AI Making Us Dumber? (Part 2)
AI can make us more efficient, but it can also change how we think, collaborate, and trust one another. As we continue to groove on AI, we dig into the concepts of cognitive surrender, creative convergence, trust erosion, and the new challenges facing managers as the race to adopt AI takes over corporate America. If you want to improve human connection and navigate AI's impact thoughtfully, take a listen to this episode. We have a few ideas that just may help. Topics [0:00] Intro: What is cognitive surrender? [4:15] How to use AI without giving up critical thinking [9:33] Why teams become less innovative [15:25] How AI quietly erodes workplace trust [20:42] Why AI-generated communication feels disingenuous [24:06] The growing strain on frontline managers [30:39] Helping organizations build healthier AI practices Links The Impact of Generative AI on Critical Thinking
#568
July 20 · 1 hr 8 min
Climate Advice You’ve Never Heard | Liz Dunn & Jiaying Zhao
Climate change conversations often focus on sacrifice, but what if the path to a healthier planet also made us happier? We sit down with Leave the Lights On authors Liz Dunn and Jiaying Zhao to explore how behavioral science can help us focus on the environmental choices that matter most, why social influence is more powerful than guilt, and how small, joyful decisions can create lasting change. Topics [0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Liz Dunn & Jiaying "JZ" Zhao [9:03] Why Your Neighbors Influence You More Than Climate Facts [13:09] High Impact Climate Choices That Actually Matter [17:05] Scarcity, Happiness, and Enjoying More by Having Less [24:00] Leave the Lights On: The Carbon Math That Changes Everything [27:05] Why Where You Live Matters More Than You Think [31:17] Remote Work, Happiness, and Carbon Emissions [37:34] Everyday Climate Decisions That Make the Biggest Difference [42:10] Creating Upward Spirals of Joy [44:49] Why Sharing Your Choices Influences Others [47:57] The Environmental Cost of AI [50:58] Desert Island Music Picks [53:42] Grooving Session: Show Don't Tell Leadership ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links Leave the Lights On by Liz Dunn and Jiaying Zhao About Liz About JZ Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Music Links Taylor Swift - Look What You Made Me Do Counting Crows - Round Here Justin Bieber - Daisies Mozart - Symphony No. 40
#567
July 16 · 28 min
The Real Danger of AI (Part 1)
AI is making work faster, but at what cost? It's weakening collaboration, eroding culture, and spawning new problems and costs that most organizations didn't see coming. In Part 1 of our deep-dive into modern AI, we're exploring the behavioral science behind AI adoption, why "work slop" is becoming a growing problem, and how you can use AI to strengthen, rather than damage, your workplace and teams. Topics [0:00] We need to talk about AI [5:19] How AI changes collaboration and mentoring [10:14] Cultural Thinning and Work Slop [15:10] Slop in action [20:20] What happens when AI is implemented poorly [25:14] Mitigating AI's Negative Impacts [26:55] Coming next: Trust, leadership, and cognitive surrender
#566
July 13 · 1 hr 27 min
Why Employees Hate Change | Julia Dhar
Why do so many organizational change initiatives fail? This week, we’re joined by behavioral economist Julia Dhar, co-author of How Change Really Works, to explore the behavioral science behind successful change. From curiosity and anxiety to psychological safety, AI, and the difference between change fatigue and change disappointment, Julia shares practical strategies that help leaders turn good ideas into lasting change. Topics [0:00] Introduction and speed round with Julia Dhar [10:34] The "cockpit" metaphor for leadership [17:28] Why "if you build it, they will come" doesn't work [22:13] Communication, alignment, and executive blind spots [29:08] Curiosity and anxiety during change [32:15] Gathering honest employee feedback [36:47] Leadership's role in successful transformation [38:52] Change fatigue vs. change disappointment [44:47] Why endings matter more than leaders realize [49:14] AI adoption and organizational behavior [53:27] Jazz, orchestras, and the art of change [58:09] Desert island music picks [1:04:14] Grooving Session: Turning anxiety into engagement ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About Julia How Change Really Works by Julia Dhar, Kristy Ellmer, and Philip Jameson Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Musical Links Imagine Dragons - Believer Matthew Wilder - Break My Stride
#565
July 6 · 1 hr 11 min
Throwback Monday: Does Democracy Need a Rebrand? | AJ Jacobs
We’re taking a holiday break this week and revisiting a favorite conversation with AJ Jacobs about his year-long experiment living by 18th-century principles inspired by the U.S. Constitution. From tricorn hats and quill pens to rediscovering “Election Cakes,” AJ explores how early American civic life blended community, ritual, and democracy. We also dig into “epistemic humility” and Benjamin Franklin’s warnings about misinformation, which remain strikingly relevant today. Sit back, pop your headphones in, and enjoy this unique look at the American Experiment. ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Topics [0:00] Election day traditions [4:25] Speed round with AJ Jacobs [9:44] Living Colonially: What I learned [18:56] Epistemic humility and political perspectives [23:52] Constitutional originalism [36:29] How do we frame the constitution? [40:40] Election cakes and celebrating democracy [48:52] Embracing experimentation in everyday life [52:56] Grooving session: open-mindedness, civic duty, and cake recipes ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links Join our Facebook Group! AJ’s Substack The Year of Living Constitutionally More about AJ The History of Election Cakes Musical Links Royal American Medley - Songs of the Revolutionary War Yankee Doodle
#564
July 2 · 1 hr 9 min
The Godfather of Influence: The Lasting Impact of Robert Cialdini, Part 3
In the final episode of our Robert Cialdini series, we explore the extraordinary legacy of one of behavioral science's most influential thinkers. We revisit the seven Principles of Influence through real-world business examples, hear how Cialdini's ideas inspired organizations around the world, and learn why colleagues like Angela Duckworth, Adam Grant, Dan Pink, and Katie Milkman believe his greatest contribution goes far beyond research. Join us as we celebrate the ideas and the person who helped shape modern behavioral science. Topics [0:00] From Utility Bills to Global Impact [9:17] Full Cycle Social Psychology Explained [16:00] Why Business Became a Partner in Behavioral Science [22:47] The Seven Principles in Action [30:20] Behavior Change for Good and Real-World Research [45:49] The Ethical Compass Behind Influence [52:39] Why Influence Still Matters Today [58:02] A Career That Changed Behavioral Science [1:04:08] Daniel Kahneman on Cialdini's Legacy [1:08:04] Closing Thoughts ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves
#562
June 29 · 1 hr 19 min
The Godfather of Influence: What Makes Bob Bob, Part 2
In the second episode of our three-part series, we go back into the time machine to see what shaped Robert Cialdini into one of behavioral science's most influential thinkers. We're exploring the childhood experience, career-defining decisions, undercover research, and surprising moments that led to Influence, pre-suasion, and the principles of unity. Topics [0:00] A breakup letter to social psychology [9:24] What makes Bob Bob? [16:03] Baseball, adaptability, and serendipity [23:40] Falling in love with psychology [27:46] Choosing freedom over prestige [36:44] The littering study that predicted elections [42:03] How Influence became a phenomenon [53:18] The birth of pre-suasion [1:08:18] Unity as the seventh principle [1:15:13] The legacy of Robert Cialdini [1:17:53] Coming up in Episode Three Links Influence by Robert Cialdini Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves
#561
June 25 · 1 hr 13 min
The Godfather of Influence: How Robert Cialdini Changed the World, Part 1
We kick off our three-part series on Robert Cialdini by exploring the research, mentors, and discoveries that shaped one of behavioral science's most influential thinkers. From social proof and energy conservation to the creation of Influence, we trace the path that brought behavioral science from the lab to millions of everyday readers. Topics [0:00] The Utility Bill That Changed Behavior [9:28] Meet Robert Cialdini [12:41] The Famous Door Hanger Study [20:30] Social Proof and Opower's Success [22:16] The Book That Changed Behavioral Science [28:45] The Mentors Behind Cialdini's Thinking [41:30] Three Research Strategies That Defined His Career [56:01] Building the Science of Influence [1:01:01] Writing Influence for the Public [1:10:21] Why Cialdini's Work Still Matters Today ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links Influence by Robert Cialdini Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves
#563
June 22 · 1 hr 9 min
What Immigrants Teach Us About Success | Neri Karra Sillaman
As we celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month, we sit down with Neri Karra Sillaman to explore what immigrant entrepreneurs can teach us about resilience, leadership, and long-term success. We discuss why luck is a skill, how reframing challenges creates opportunity, and the mindset behind companies that stand the test of time Topics [0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Neri Karra Sillaman [6:26] The Secret to Creating Your Own Luck [10:51] How to Reframe Problems Into Opportunities [16:37] Eight Traits of Long-Lasting Entrepreneurs [22:25] The Leadership Trait Most Founders Miss [29:11] What Makes Businesses Last for Decades? [37:17] The Biggest Myth About Immigrant Entrepreneurs [44:57] Why the American Dream Still Matters [46:11] Grooving Session: Why Challenges Create Innovation ©2026 Behavioral Grooves ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About Dr. Neri Karra Sillaman Pioneers: 8 Principles of Business Longevity from Immigrant Entrepreneurs by Neri Karra Sillaman Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Musical Links Bee Gees - How Deep Is Your Love Van Halen - Jump
#560
June 18 · 1 hr 22 min
Throwback Thursday: The Secret Key to Decision-Making | Emily Falk
In keeping with our themes of mattering, meaning, and connection this June, we wanted to reshare a conversation with had with author Emily Falk. In this conversation, we decode what goes on behind the scenes with our decisions - everything from what to eat for breakfast to how to respond to trolls on social media - and how emotional, rational, and social information is integrated by the brain to guide our choices. Emily's book is now available on paperback wherever you get your favorite reads. ©20256 Behavioral Grooves Topics [0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Emily Falk [8:29] Understanding Value Calculations [12:58] Research Methods and fMRI [18:01] Self-Relevance and Social Relevance Systems [28:41] Defensiveness and Social Norms [40:49] The Importance of Being "In Sync" [58:17] The Role or Music in Self/Social Relevance [1:07:45] Grooving Session: Communication, Social Norms, and Behavioral Science at Work ©2025 Behavioral Grooves Links About Emily What We Value by Emily Falk

Showing 1–20 of 23 episodes