Behavioral Grooves Podcast

The Habit Blueprint: Breaking Bad (Habits)

15 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 th...

The Habit Blueprint: How Routines and Rituals Shape Our Lives

12 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wonder why some habits stick effortlessly while others feel impossible to maintain? In this episode, Kurt and Tim explore the powerful forces of ...

Delighting in Death | Jodi Wellman

05 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

“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 ...

Building Better Conversations | David Robson

29 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How can we turn disagreements into opportunities for growth and connection? In this episode, Kurt and Tim dive into the science of meaningful conversa...

Willpower Myths Busted: How to Truly Reach Your Goals [Republish]

22 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Unmasking AI | Ben Manning

15 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 cu...

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

08 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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, auth...

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

01 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 "So...

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

24 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on Behavioral Grooves, things get personal – or at least professionally personal – as Kurt and Tim are joined by Becky Frayer, founder a...

Question Everything: The Power of Critical Thinking | Alex Edmans

17 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 questi...

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

10 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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-...

Break Free from Insecure Attachments | Dr. Judy Ho

03 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered how your childhood experiences influence your adult relationships and behaviors? This week, Kurt and Tim jump into attachment t...

Turn Self-Doubt into Success | Martin Gonzalez

27 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 T...

Unlearning Silence | Elaine Lin Hering

20 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 spec...

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

13 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 be...

The Surprising Benefits of Talking to Strangers | Nick Epley [Republish]

06 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Originally published as Why Talking To Strangers Is Actually Good For Your Wellbeing | Nick Epley Embark on a journey of rediscovery as we revisit an ...

Ask the Right Question, Get the Best Answer | Jeff Wetzler

29 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Could asking the right questions transform your conversations? That’s the question of the week for Kurt and Tim, as they delve into the power of inq...

Break Autopilot with Intentional Living | Norman Farb and Zindel Segal

22 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ever find yourself coasting on autopilot a bit too often in your daily routine? Seeking ways to be more present and truly connect with your habits to ...

The Secret Power of Rituals | Michael Norton

15 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What separates a ritual from a habit? Join Kurt and Tim this week as they delve into the intriguing world of rituals and habits with special guest Mik...

The Science of Influence: Nudges in Action | Silvia Saccardo

08 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dive deep into the realm of behavioral science with Kurt and Tim this week as they explore the scalability of behavioral nudges and interventions thro...

Unlock Workplace Happiness | Gonzalo Camiña Ceballos

01 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Curious about how prioritizing happiness can transform leadership and workplace dynamics? Well, look no further than this week’s discussion with Gon...

Tuned In or Tuned Out? | Nuala Walsh

25 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

So many voices, who do we listen to? The loudest, most senior or most popular voice? Our lives are rife with pivotal moments yet it’s harder to get ...

The Burnout Breakthrough | Kandi Wiens

17 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

March always feels like one of those months where you hit a slump. Work is back in full force, there are no holidays in sight, and life can start to f...

Turning Anxiety into Assurance | Dr. Julia DiGangi

10 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We’re back to our regularly scheduled program this week and full of energy - or should we say Energy Rising? Join Kurt and Tim as they embark on a c...

Grooving on: Starting a Movement

06 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In their final wrap-up, Kurt and Tim reflect on their recent series "They Thought We Were Ridiculous" and the insightful conversations they shared wit...

Grooving on: Side Projects

04 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join Kurt and Tim as they exhale a collective sigh of relief and take a moment to reflect on the completion of their monumental project, "They Thought...

...Ridiculous Ep. 5: The Future

26 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Exploring the future of Behavioral Economics, we talked to three young researchers who are pushing the field further. A new generation of researchers ...

...Ridiculous Ep. 4: Behavioral Economics Goes Mainstream

26 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Eventually, Behavioral Economics emerged as an influential perspective. It’s become mainstream in Economics, and it’s helped inform programs and p...

...Ridiculous Ep. 3: Children of Unlikely Parents

26 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

 Behavioral Economics was using psychology to understand economics, but what did economists and psychologists think about their unexpected marriage? ...

...Ridiculous Ep. 2: Importing Psychology

26 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The notion of merging psychology with economics initially faced staunch skepticism, with errors perceived as random rather than systematic. However, e...

...Ridiculous Ep. 1: Beyond Anomalies

26 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For decades, neoclassical economists clung to the belief that humans are rational decision-makers, but a daring group of social scientists dared to qu...

Make Great Decisions | Elspeth Kirkman

19 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Feeling indecisive? Ever wondered what it takes to master the art of decision-making? Join us on a thrilling journey with Elspeth Kirkman, the brillia...

Trailer: They Thought We Were Ridiculous

15 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Anticipation mounts as the countdown begins! Prepare to immerse yourself in the riveting saga of They Thought We Were Ridiculous, set to premiere and ...

Unlocking Intimacy: The Power of Questions | Topaz Adizes

12 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Could a simple question be the key to unlocking deeper, more meaningful relationships? Join Kurt and Tim on a special Valentine's Day episode of their...

The Key to Boosting Retirement Savings | John Beshears

05 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wonder how to boost your retirement savings? Could the subtle art of behavioral economics hold the answer? Join Tim in this solo-sode as he explo...

Decoding Behavior Change | Bri Williams [Republish]

29 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's time for a throwback episode! Dive into the land down under of behavioral sciences with Bri Williams, a trailblazer in applying behavioral princi...

Mapping Out Our Minds | Linnea Gandhi

22 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Set sail into the uncharted waters of behavioral science with Kurt and Tim on a captivating journey led by PhD candidate Linnea Gandhi. Together, they...

Adapt, Recover, Grow: Mastering Resilience | Dr. Jonathan DePierro

15 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What is resilience, and how can we cultivate it in our lives? In this episode, delve into the fascinating world of resilience with an exclusive interv...

Cracking the Communication Code | Ben Guttmann

08 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Kurt and Tim kick off the new year with communications expert Ben Guttmann in an episode on simplifying messages. Ben's seemingly simple lessons pack ...

Groove Through 2023: A Year in Review with Kurt and Tim

01 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Happy New Year from Kurt and Tim! As we reflect on the past year, join us in revisiting some of the most impactful and insightful conversations from B...

Grooving with Knowledge: Kurt and Tim’s Best Behavioral Science Books of 2023

26 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing their pursuit of knowledge, Kurt and Tim explore the impactful books that have shaped their perspectives in 2023. In this episode, they unw...

Balancing Work Friction and Fatigue | Huggy Rao

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you or someone you know fallen victim to the detrimental effects of Jargon Monoxide? If so, there might be compensation waiting for you. Joining ...

The Eight Superpowers of Confidence | Lisa Sun

11 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Step into a captivating conversation as Tim and Kurt engage with Lisa Sun, the author of Gravitas. Lisa introduces the intriguing concept that each of...

Rethinking Behavioral Science | Adam Mastroianni

04 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

While Tim finds himself confined to a plane, Kurt engages in a captivating one-on-one session with researcher Adam Mastroianni. Together, they delve i...

Navigating Societal Rifts | Michèle Lamont

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tensions around the dinner table? Trouble finding common ground with friends and family? Renowned sociologist Michèle Lamont joins Tim and Kurt to un...

Evolving Minds: A Conversation on Attention Spans | Gloria Mark PhD

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ever feel your attention… drifting? Want to get better at being present? Join Kurt and Tim as they delve into the world of shrinking attention spans...

The Power of Brevity | Todd Rogers

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Does everybody skim? Todd Rogers, co-author of “Writing for Busy Readers” joins Kurt and Tim to discuss just that. In this insightful episode, Tod...

Unlocking the Power of Effective Communication | Matt Abrahams

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Communication is a vital skill we all use, but do we truly understand its profound impact on our lives? Join Kurt and Tim as they engage in a captivat...

Why Sleep Is Vital for Academic Success | David Creswell PhD

30 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We all know we need a good night’s sleep but sleep researcher, David Creswell PhD has studied how our performance is actually affected by sleep. He ...

Bridging Behavioral Science Concepts and Applications | Connor Joyce

23 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Connect behavioral science theory and research to practical applications. Connor Joyce founded the Applied Behavioral Science Association and he share...

The 5 Healthy Brain Habits Of A Neuroscientist | Dr Daniel Almeida [Republish]

16 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What life habits keep our brain healthy? How does our mind respond to trauma? And why does the way we talk about suicide and mental health make such a...

Reading the Air: Using Self-Awareness to Make the Workplace Work for You | Michelle King

09 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Why is work so difficult for so many of us? Why are we not connected to the organization in ways to help us advance our careers and garner the best as...

Grooving on Knowing Thyself: Why Figuring Out Who I Am is Easier Than You Thought.

02 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

“Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Are you tired of that ditty? We are. How are you supposed to know what you love if ...

Why You Never Feel Good Enough As A Perfectionist | Thomas Curran

25 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Conscientiousness, perseverance and meticulousness are all words associated with perfectionism. But perfectionism comes from a deeper sense of inadequ...

Overcome Chronic Busyness With A Growth Mindset | Eduardo Briceño

18 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Doing, doing, doing. We can get stuck in a perpetual state of busyness to get things done. But being in a chronic “performance zone” can lead to s...

Volunteering for Well-Being: How Team Rubicon Helps Volunteers and Communities | David Burke and Patti Norberg

11 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Volunteering improves psychological well-being. Team Rubicon has researched this positive effect, not just on the communities it serves, but also on t...

Our Quest to Feel Significant And How It Affects Our Behavior | Arie Kruglanski PhD

04 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We all want to feel significant. This drive for significance ultimately fuels our cognition, emotions, and actions. Distinguished psychologist Arie Kr...

How Best to Create a Culture of Learning | Sarah Nicholl

27 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast will give you the tools and techniques to foster a learning culture in your organization. Whether you work at a junior level or are an ex...

Imperfectly Perfect: The Science of Human Decision Making | Lionel Page

21 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Humans have limited information processing abilities and cannot possibly evaluate all possible options when making a decision. However, describing peo...

Want To Make Tomorrow Better? Get To Know Your Future Self Today | Hal Hershfield

14 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How can we make better choices today to benefit our future selves? Hal Hershfield outlines strategies like visualizing your future self, writing lette...

Money, Success and the Cult of Never Enough | Manisha Thakor

07 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The "cult of never enough" encourages the belief that more money, possessions and achievements will make us happy. But Manisha Thakor has learnt throu...

All The Ways Into Behavioral Science (And No, You Don’t Need a PhD) | Merle Van Den Akker

31 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The world of applied behavioral science has never been better. So how do you get your foot in the door to have a career in the field? You may be surpr...

Confidence, Certainty and Control: The Map to Success | Peter Atwater

24 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What exactly is confidence? Peter Atwater describes it as the feelings of certainty and control that we have about our future self. He explains The Co...

The Psychology of Scams: Why We Fall for Fraud and How to Protect Yourself | Daniel Simons & Christopher Chabris

17 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Splashy headlines, sensational findings and world-first results grab our attention but they also leave us vulnerable to deception. Constantly being sk...

People Want Answers: How to Communicate in a Crisis with Christopher Reddy

10 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Between disinformation and misinformation, it’s difficult to know what and who to trust, especially during a crisis. When disaster does strike, it i...

The Value of an Open Mind and How To Overcome Knowingness | Jonathan Malesic

02 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When we pretend to know something that we don’t or start a comment with “everyone knows that...”, we create an atmosphere where answers become i...

Feeling Stuck? Steps To Get Out Of Your Rut And How Music Helps | Adam Alter

26 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We all get stuck. In relationships, in jobs or in creative endeavors. It’s a universal experience, yet most people feel incredibly lonely when they’...

Are You A People Pleaser? Learn To Say No More with Vanessa Patrick PhD

19 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Saying yes to tasks that we want to say no to is a common problem. But how do we decide which requests to turn down? Dr Vanessa Patrick PhD strategica...

What Do You Think? How To Improve Your Perspective And Your Life | Woo-Kyoung Ahn PhD

12 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Understanding how we think can change our thinking. From confirmation biases, to uncertainty, to overconfidence, we are all blessed with the same thin...

How We’re Missing The Point With The Gender Pay Gap | Alex Imas PhD

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you compare executive pay of men and women in C suite jobs, you will often not find a discrepancy in their wages. You will also be completely missi...

Want People To Comply With Rules? Start With Trust | Christian Hunt

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Want people to comply with rules at work? Stop assuming that they are going to break the rules. The vast majority of people want to do the right thing...

Grooving on Goals: The Magic of Goals [Republish: Episode 27]

25 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Goals are as common and as misunderstood as mobile phones. We think we know how to use them, but we don’t get it right every time. And if we were as...

Groove Track | Why It Takes More Than Willpower To Reach Your Goals

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Between setting your goals and reaching your goals, there is a void that we assume willpower can fill. But to achieve success, it takes more than will...

Why Random Rewards Feel So Much Better Than Earned Ones with Richard Shotton

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Earning your 10th cup of coffee for free isn’t nearly as satisfying as being randomly awarded a free coffee from your barista. These uncertain rewar...

Want Marketing That’s Effective? Use a Behavioral Science Perspective | Nancy Harhut

01 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Interested in a secret, underused marketing trick?  Use rhyme in your design! You may easily recall examples like “Bounty: the quicker picker upper...

Can Psychology Tell Us What Makes A Good Life? With Paul Bloom, Part 2

24 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is a happy life one that is abundant with pleasure? Or one without pain? Or one that overcomes struggle? The quest for a good life may go beyond the s...

Psychology: Should Freud Still Be On The Syllabus? Paul Bloom, Part 1

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ask someone to name a famous psychologist and there’s a good chance they’ll say Sigmund Freud. Describing a person as “anal” or rebuking someo...

What Do You Really Want? Understand The Desires We All Share | Charlotte Fox Weber

10 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With curiosity we can figure out what we actually want. Sometimes what we desire makes us feel uncomfortable, and as a therapist, our guest Charlotte ...

How One Small Word Can Transform Our Motivation, Success And Relationships | Jonah Berger

03 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Words matter. Unbelievably, tiny changes to language can have a big effect on behavior. Hear bestselling author, Jonah Berger reveal the magic words t...

A Guide To The Ambitious Future of Behavioral Science with Michael Hallsworth PhD

27 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What lies ahead for applied behavioral science? How can we learn from the massive growth in the field over the last 15 years? Our guest, Michael Halls...

Surprising Ways To End Poverty and Solve Climate Change with Erik Angner PhD

20 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What if there was a way to end poverty and solve climate change, that might actually work. Shouldn’t we try it? Our guest Erik Angner thinks economi...

Why You Don‘t Need to be Powerful to be Influential | Vanessa Bohns [Republish]

13 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

To be influential you do not require power, but wielding your influence is powerful. Vanessa Bohns, social psychologist and professor of organizationa...

You Work. You Parent. But Can You Also Thrive? | Yael Schonbrun PhD

06 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Working and parenting often feel like being pulled in two different directions. But what if we could reframe our thinking and actually appreciate that...

The Tools You Need To Embrace Uncertainty | Nathan Furr and Susannah Harmon Furr

27 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We all face uncertainty at some point in our lives. But do we embrace it or resist it? Our thoughts about uncertainty and ambiguity shape the actions ...

How To Frame Incentives To Drive The Desired Behavior | James Castello

20 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you want to incentivize an outcome, don’t just focus on the final reward, hone in on the behavior that will drive the result. Whether we’re mot...

The Myth of the “Relationship Spark” with Logan Ury, featuring guest appearance by Christina Gravert, PhD [Republish]

13 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

First impressions matter but when it comes to dating, don't get blown away by the myth of the "relationship spark". Some people can instead be charact...

Why Resilience Is More Than Just Bouncing Back | Gabriella Rosen Kellerman MD

06 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There are actually 5 drivers of resilience; optimism, self compassion, cognitive agility, self efficacy and emotional regulation. We dive deep into ea...

Why Human Connection Is The Key To Effective Branding | Matt Johnson

30 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

“Brands really matter, when and only when they matter to consumers. And this is fundamentally a question of human connection.” ~ Matt Johnson To...

Why The Best Choice Can Sometimes Be An Imperfect Choice | Michelle Segar PhD

23 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Context heavily influences our behavior (regular listeners of the show know our “context matters” mantra well!). Sometimes, because of what life t...

Top 2 Tips on How to Read a Book Quickly

16 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ever need to read a book in a hurry? How can you absorb the most relevant content in a short period of time? Join Kurt and Tim as they talk to their f...

How Behavioral Science Can Tackle Misinformation And Obesity | Evelyn Gosnell

09 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Small changes can have big effects. Standing on a different set of scales can affect our weight loss journey and adding friction to the share button o...

The 3 Steps To Getting Your Groove Back In The New Year

02 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Finding your groove - ever wondered what that actually means? And why is this podcast really called Behavioral Grooves?! Kurt and Tim explain what it ...

Make It Scale: How To Drive Behavior Change Initiatives | Neela Saldanha PhD

26 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Scaling behavioral science initiatives from a small research study to a large population is a topic we have enjoyed delving into this year with John A...

The Best Behavioral Science Books Of 2022 (According to Kurt and Tim!)

19 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

One of the ways we find our groove is through knowledge – sometimes new ideas, sometimes repeated ideas that are presented in new ways. Sometimes, i...

How the Right Journal Can Help You Reach Your Goals in 2023

15 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Want to start a journaling habit but worried you won't stay motivated? Having the right journal, that is designed using behavioral insights to keep yo...

How Game Theory Can Be Used To Explain Human Behavior | Erez Yoeli

12 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We know human behavior isn’t rational. But this episode illustrates behavior using a surprising concept - game theory. This eye opening conversation...

Do One Small Thing Every Day That Scares You | Scott Simon

05 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Exercising your courage muscle every day and pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone, can have remarkable effect on your mindset and really infl...

Want To Join A Secret Club? With Michael F. Schein

28 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you were sent an exclusive invite to a secret society, would you accept? If you knew only a few people in the world had been approached to join, wo...

How To Redesign Social Media Better So That It’s Actually Sociable

21 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The web was intended to be a way of creating genuine connections with others, but we’re all sadly familiar with the detrimental ways it can be used ...

Groove Track | Tale of Two Markets: Do We Help People Only For Money Or Candy?

17 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Would you help change a stranger’s tire? How about if they offered you $20? Or, what if instead of money, they offered you some candy?  We often...