Behavioral Grooves Podcast

Tribal: How the Cultural Instincts That Divide Us Can Help Bring Us Together by Michael Morris

Why Do Culture Wars Happen? | Michael Morris Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

Why do we instinctively form groups, follow leaders, and defend traditions—even when it hurts us? Columbia professor Michael Morris joins us to explore the three tribal instincts—peer, hero, and ancestor—that shape how we cooperate and clash. From case studies at GM and Reddit to the surprising origins of Thanksgiving, we uncover how culture evolves—and how understanding it can make us better leaders, change-makers, and collaborators.

Topics

[0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Michael Morris

[6:19] Understanding the Importance of Tribes

[15:05] Peer Instinct and Early Human Coordination

[21:09] Hero Instinct and Status-Seeking Behavior

[29:50] Bottom-up vs. Top-down Cultural Change

[37:58] Case Studies: GM and Reddit

[52:30] Desert Island Music

[56:49] Grooving Session: Applying Tribal Instincts to Leadership

Links

More About Michael

The Rolling Stones - Sympathy for the Devil

Music Links

Bob Dylan - Like a Rolling Stone

Get Real About Money | Daniel Crosby Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Daniel Crosby joins us to explore the soul of wealth — and why your bank account isn’t the best measure of a meaningful life. We dig into behavioral finance, how to align spending with your values, and the power of behavioral judo: using your psychological biases to your advantage.

Topics

[0:00] Intro and speed round with Daniel Crosby

[8:00] What does it mean for wealth to have a “soul”?

[17:00] Consumerism, comparison, and the myth of liquid happiness

[25:10] What is behavioral finance, really?

[30:20] The four big biases: ego, emotion, attention, conservatism

[37:30] Moral spending and voting with your dollars

[48:00] Good Vibrations, theremins, and musical genius

[52:00] Desert island music

[54:00] Grooving Session: The soul of wealth and behavioral judo

Links

More About Daniel

The Soul of Wealth: 50 Reflections on Money and Meaning

Brian Wilson - God Only Knows

Music Links

Radiohead - Creep

TURNSTILE - SEEIN’ STARS

How to Silence Self-Doubt | Rosi Greenberg Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

When author and leadership facilitator Rosi Greenberg found herself overwhelmed by self-doubt, she did something unexpected: she gave her inner critic a name — Sam — and drew him into a whimsical, deeply personal book that blends creativity, vulnerability, and behavioral insight. In this episode, Rosi shares how visualizing and engaging with that critical voice helped her build emotional resilience and lead with more empathy. Together, we explore how naming your inner critic can reframe fear, unlock creative expression, and reshape how we show up for ourselves and others.

Topics

[0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Rosi Greenberg

[8:22] The birth of Sam

[11:00] From depression to creative healing

[16:50] How self-soubt shows up in leadership

[24:08] Working with leaders on self-doubt

[35:35] Reframing the Inner Critic

[47:00] Letting go of “shoulds”

[50:28] Desert island music

[52:00] Grooving Session: framing, leadership, and self-talk

Links

Everyone Has a Sam by Rosi Greenberg

The Inner Critic on YouTube

About Rosi

Life in Three Dimensions by Shigehiro Oishi

Music Links

This is Me - Ke$ha

The Happiness Secret You’ve Been Missing | Shige Oishi Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

Psychologist Shige Oishi joins us to explore the three dimensions of a fulfilling life: happiness, meaning, and psychological richness. He shares insights from decades of research into subjective well-being and reveals how personality traits, life experiences, and cultural contexts shape what we consider a “good life.” From challenging the “happiness trap” to embracing life’s rich diversity, this conversation is a roadmap for deeper self-reflection and greater fulfillment.

Topics

[0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Shige Oishi

[10:28] The Happiness Trap

[18:38] Eudaimonic and Hedonic Approaches to Happiness

[27:30] The Correlation Between Psychological Richness and Personality

[35:00] Gratitude and Social Connection

[44:10] What Makes a Happy Society?

[48:00] Desert Island Music

[1:05:25] Grooving Session: How to Pursue a Fulfilling Life

Links

About Shige

Happiness is Everything, or Is It?

Charlie Parker - Honeysuckle Rose

Musical Links

Clifford Brown & Max Roach - Joy Spring

How Grocery Stores Trick Your Brain Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

From candy at checkout to calm music and “limit 4” signs, grocery stores are packed with subtle nudges that influence your behavior. In this month's bonus groove, we uncover the psychological tricks behind supermarket design and how to shop more intentionally.

Topics

[0:00] Intro: The Psychology of Supermarkets

[3:54] Techniques to Make You Buy

[9:47] Checkout Lane Temptations

[11:34] How Music Influences What You Buy

[13:44] Free Samples!

[15:01] Final Takeaways and Practical Tips

Links

In-store Music Affects Product Choice

Priceless: The Myth of Fair Value by William Poundstone

Meaningful Work by Wes Adams and Tamara Myles

Science-Backed Tips to Make Work Worthwhile | Wes Adams & Tamara Myles Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

Wes Adams and Tamara Miles join the show to share their 3 C’s framework—Community, Contribution, and Challenge—for creating more meaningful workplaces. Backed by large-scale research and packed with practical leadership advice, this episode explores how small moments, like a thank-you or an empowering gesture, can spark a virtuous cycle of engagement and growth.

Topics

[0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Wes and Tamara

[7:40] The Three C’s Framework

[12:44] How Leaders Can Enhance Meaningful Work

[20:26] The Benefits of Meaningful Work

[34:10] The Three C’s in Practice

[41:42] Everyone Follows the Bride

[46:56] Desert Island Music

[51:42] The Importance of Authentic Leaders

Links

About Wes

About Tamara

VIA Character Strengths

Marisa Monte - Ainda Lembro (Portas Ao Vivo)

Musical Links

Taylor Swift - Delicate

Bob Dylan - Like a Rolling Stone

Guns N’ Roses - Sweet Child O’ Mine

Why Brands That Get Personal Win Big | Ken Hughes Jul 14, 2025

Show notes

Global behavior expert Ken Hughes joins us for a fast-paced, funny, and thought-provoking conversation about creativity, brand loyalty, and what it really takes to build emotional connections in a digital world. From painting his toenails to drinking his own urine (seriously), Ken shares lessons from a year of trying something new every day—alongside sharp insights on how companies can break out of routine thinking, embrace vulnerability, and create customer experiences that truly matter.

Topics

[0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Ken Hughes

[10:44] Efficiency vs. Creativity: Why Getting Lost Matters

[14:54] Creativity in the Workplace

[24:38] Emotional Loyalty and Brand Intimacy

[30:40] Brand Intimacy Examples: United and Virgin Airlines

[39:48] Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

[45:57] Advice for Leaders on Navigating Change

[48:13] Desert Island Music

[51:01] Grooving Session: The Role of Diversity and Creativity at Work

Links

About Ken

Sting - Shape of My Heart

Musical Links

U2 - Vertigo

Why Do We Struggle to Talk About Money? | Abby Davisson Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

Abby Davisson, co-author of Money and Love, joins us to discuss why life’s biggest decisions—from careers to relationships—require both emotional insight and rational thinking. She shares her 5C framework for making confident choices, reveals how love and money are more connected than we think, and offers practical tools to navigate values, identity, and financial conversations—no matter your relationship status.

Topics

[0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Abby Davisson

[7:59] What Factors Influence Relationship Satisfaction

[13:05] The 5C Framework for Decision Making

[22:46] Applying 5C to Different Life Stages

[32:23] Balancing Finanvial Decisions and Relationships

[39:00] Desert Island Music

[45:00] Grooving Session: Identity, Emotion, and Applying 5C to Your Life

Links

More About Abby

Money and Love: An Intelligent Roadmap For Life’s Biggest Decisions by Myra Strober and Abby Davisson