Behavioral Grooves Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Why Self-Improvement Is Holding You Back | Oliver Burkeman Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

Oliver Burkeman joins us to explore the power of imperfectionism and why waiting for the “perfect moment” is a trap. We discuss how perfectionism, productivity myths, and self-improvement frameworks can hold us back—and why embracing uncertainty is the key to doing meaningful work. Whether you’re looking to improve daily habits or rethink your approach to time and purpose, this conversation will inspire you to take action despite life’s inevitable messiness.

Topics

[00:00] Introduction & Why We Wait for the Perfect Moment

[4:15] Meet Oliver Burkeman: Author of Meditations for Mortals

[9:40] The Illusion of Control & The Productivity Trap

[15:30] What “Imperfectionism” Really Means

[22:45] Why Life Isn’t a Problem to Be Solved

[30:10] How Small Actions Create Big Meaning

[38:00] The Power of Letting Go & Taking the First Step

[45:50] Oliver’s Music Picks & The Importance of Everyday Moments

[1:00:00] Grooving Session: Final Takeaways & How to Apply This Philosophy Today

Links

Oliver Burkeman

Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts

Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals

Join the Behavioral Grooves community

Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube

Musical Links

The Divine Comedy - To The Rescue

Fountains of Wayne - Someone To Love

Lin Manuel Miranda - Surface Pressure

Groove Jams: What's Your Vice? Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

If you could remove one vice from your life, what would it be? In this month's Groove Jams, Tim and Kurt are joined by friend of the show Brad Shuck to explore the vices that hold us back. From overworking to doomscrolling, the trio unpacks what they struggle with giving up.

Except for Tim, who somehow avoids the question.

From tacos to self-doubt, tune in for an eye-opening look at the fine line between indulgence and discipline.

Lost Touch? How to Rebuild Friendships and Strengthen Your Social Life | Adam Dorsay Feb 24, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Adam Dorsay joins us to explore what it truly means to connect in a digital age. From the four key types of connection—self, others, the world, and something greater—to rekindling friendships and embracing technology for deeper bonds, this episode is packed with insights on building a more fulfilling life. Plus, we (of course) discuss the power of music, social comparison, and why sometimes, all it takes to make someone's day is a simple phone call.

Topics

[0:00] Introduction to Dr. Adam Dorsay
[5:41] Speed Round: Instruments, Languages, and Coffee
[22:36] The Four Types of Connection
[37:12] The Psychology of Savoring and Gratitude
[45:24] Why Are Modern Friendships So Hard?
[1:00:25] - The Driveway Test for Relationships
[1:03:45] - The Power of Music and Live Experiences
[1:12:00] - Key Takeaways on Connection and Joy
[1:30:02] - Closing Thoughts

Links

Learn more about Dr. Adam Dorsay

Super Psyched by Adam Dorsay

Super Psyched Podcast

Join the Behavioral Grooves community

Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube

Musical Links

George Michael - Faith

Sigur Rós - Sæglópur

Mumford & Sons - Lover of the Light

Fact-Checking Love: The Truth About Romance Movies | Eli Finkel and Paul Eastwick Feb 17, 2025

Show notes

How accurate are rom-coms when it comes to love? Relationship scientists Paul Eastwick & Eli Finkel, co-hosts of Love Factually, put movie romance under a scientific lens, separating fact from fiction and revealing how Hollywood shapes our real-life expectations about love.

Topics

[0:00] Intro & Welcome to Paul Eastwick & Eli Finkel

[2:00] Coffee, Unicycles, and Speed Round Fun

[6:40] Introducing Love Factually: A Relationship Science Podcast

[10:05] Do Movies Teach Us About Love or Just Reflect Culture?

[15:35] The Rom-Com Myths That Hollywood Keeps Selling

[22:50] What Movies Get Surprisingly Right About Relationships

[30:10] The Power of Micro-Cultures in Romantic Relationships

[35:40] Relationship Science & The Challenges of Studying Love

[41:00] Personal Insights & Favorite Movies from Paul & Eli

[47:45] Music Preferences: The Soundtrack to Love & Life

[49:57] Closing Thoughts & Where to Find Love Factually

Links

Listen to Love Factually

Follow Paul Eastwick

Follow Eli Finkel

The All-or-Nothing Marriage by Eli Finkel

Musical Links

Peter Gabriel - In Your Eyes

Pearl Jam - Daughter

Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit

The Science of a Thriving Relationship | Rachel Glik Feb 10, 2025

Show notes

Can love alone sustain a relationship? Probably not. In this pseudo-Valentine’s Day episode, therapist Rachel Glik explores the pillars of a soulful marriage: personal growth, prioritization, and shared purpose. We unpack the “duck effect” of social media’s relationship illusions, the value of embracing friction for deeper connection, and how self-responsibility and communication can turn struggling relationships into thriving ones. Plus, Rachel shares insights from Kabbalah and psychotherapy—because love is in the air, and so is science!

Topics

[0:00] Relationships, Social Media, and the Duck Effect

[6:00] Speed Round with Rachel Gilk

[8:46] Exploring the Four Pillars of a Soulful Marriage

[15:40] Embracing Friction: Why Conflict is a Growth Opportunity

[22:00] The Role of Kabbalah in Relationships

[35:00] Practical Tips for Enhancing Relationships

[40:50] The Love Seat Method

[50:13] Music Preferences

[1:00:00] Grooving Session: Love, Communication, and Personal Growth

Links

Rachel Glik

A Soulful Marriage: Healing Your Relationship with Responsibility, Growth, Priority, and Purpose

Duck Syndrome

Musical Links

Joni Mitchell - Big Yellow Taxi

Maggie Rogers - Fallingwater

Angus & Julia Stone - Big Jet Plane

Why Is Everyone So Angry? The Science of Outrage | Kurt Gray Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

Why do we see some people as victims and others as villains? Kurt Gray joins us to explore moral typecasting, the prey vs. predator mindset, and why harm is at the heart of all moral debates—whether it’s immigration, free speech, or gun rights. We uncover how our evolutionary instincts shape outrage and polarization and discuss practical strategies for bridging moral divides with personal stories instead of statistics.

Topics

[0:00] Moral Typecasting and Its Implications

[6:47] Intro to Kurt Gray and Speed Round

[10:30] Understanding Outrage and Moral Foundations

[18:30] Evolutions of Moral Psychology and Harm

[30:55] Moral Typecasting and Its Impact

[37:30] The Power of Personal Stories

[46:00] Practical Tips for Navigating Moral Discussions

[53:27] Grooving Session: Empathy, Understanding, and Discussing Divides

Links

Kurt Gray

Outrage: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground

Behavioral Grooves YouTube Channel

Join our Groove Community on Facebook!

Musical Links

Daft Punk – Tron Legacy Soundtrack

My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade

Bach - Trumpet Voluntary

Turn a Negative Trait into Your Greatest Strength | Jenny Wood Jan 27, 2025

Show notes

What if personality traits deemed “negative” were actually the key to success? In this captivating conversation, former Google exec and author of Wild Courage, Jenny Wood, challenges us to redefine traits like “weird,” “selfish,” and even “manipulative” into powerful strengths. Discover how “nosiness” can spark meaningful connections, “brutal honesty” can establish essential boundaries, and strategic “window-gazing” can unlock breakthroughs in work and life. With humor, actionable tips, and even a surprising oatmeal cookie recipe, this episode will help you embrace your unique path to success.

Topics

[0:00] Introduction

[2:07] Speed Round with Jenny Wood

[4:34] Jenny’s experience with Wild Courage

[16:52] Challenging Traditional Definitions of Traits

[23:03] Practical Applications of Traits in the Workplace

[39:38] The Importance of Being Brutal

[43:23] Playing to Win

[50:34] Grooving Session: The Role of Language and Cultural Shifts

Links

Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It by Jenny Wood

Jenny Wood

Musical Links

Lin-Manuel Miranda - The Room Where It Happens

Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars

Pink Floyd - The Great Gig in The Sky

Groove Jams: Inside the Creation of Rock’s Greatest Albums Jan 23, 2025

Show notes

If you’ve ever wondered what puts the “Groove” in Behavioral Grooves, this episode has the answer!

We’re diving headfirst into the mesmerizing world of music with the legendary John Bargh to tackle the ultimate question: If you could sit in on the recording of any album in history, which one would you choose?

From the legendary sessions at Island Records to the eternal brilliance of Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven, we explore the artistry, spontaneity, and sheer magic behind music’s most iconic moments. Whether you’re a die-hard classic rock fan or just curious about the creative process, this episode will take you straight to the heart of music’s golden age.

We Made a Playlist for You!

Check out all the artists we discussed this week, here

The Data and Influence Behind Your Digital Footprint | Sandra Matz Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

What if every digital interaction you had—every like, purchase, or GPS ping—could be used to create a detailed map of who you are? Sandra Matz, a leading behavioral scientist and data researcher, joins us to explore the fascinating world of behavioral residue, the digital traces we leave behind, and their profound impact on our lives.

This episode is a deep dive into the intersection of psychology, technology, and ethics, offering thought-provoking ideas for anyone interested in the future of data and its role in shaping our behavior and society.

Topics

[0:00] - Introduction to Sandra Matz and the concept of behavioral residue.

[4:46] - Speed Round with Sandra Matz

[10:20] - Algorithms vs. human predictions of behavior.

[28:11] - How marketing firms adopted psychological profiling.

[34:56] - Personalized ads: A 55% increase in purchases.

[40:04] - Using data to improve savings habits and mental health.

[44:52] - The concept of echo chamber swaps to reduce polarization.

[49:30] - What lies ahead: Regulation, data co-ops, and taming the digital storm.

[55:18] - Desert Island Music

[57:59] - Grooving Session: Asking for more control over personal data.

Links

Sandra Matz

Mindmasters: The Data-Driven Science of Predicting and Changing Human Behavior

The Open Data Institute

Check Your Digital Footprint!

Musical Links

Taylor Swift - Fortnight (feat. Post Malone)

Kolektiv Turmstrasse - Sorry I Am Late

Linkin Park - The Emptiness Machine

Behavioral Science Hacks for Everyday Life | Eva van den Broek and Tim den Heijer Jan 13, 2025

Show notes

How can a tiny fly in an airport urinal transform human behavior?

This week, we sit down with Eva van den Broek and Tim den Heijer, authors of The Housefly Effect, to uncover how subtle environmental cues can shape our decisions in powerful and surprising ways.

With Eva’s expertise in behavioral economics and Tim’s background in advertising, they reveal the fascinating impact nudges have on our daily lives. From casino design to placebo crosswalk buttons, the world around us is filled with real-life applications of behavioral science that influence our behavior—even when we know they’re at play.

Join us for practical tips, captivating stories, and thought-provoking insights into how these small interventions can make a big difference in your life. So sit back, relax, and discover the invisible forces of behavioral science all around you.

Topics

[0:00] Intro - Flies in Urinals?

[6:57] Speed Round with Eva and Tim

[10:58] Exploring the House Fly Effect

[22:07] Why Knowing About Nudges Doesn’t Stop Them

[32:20] Regulating Nudges in Online Casinos

[41:36] Personal Applications of Behavioral Science

[50:37] Desert Island Music

[56:17] Grooving Session: The Bigger Picture of Behavioral Science

Links

The Housefly Effect: How Nudge Psychology Steers Your Everyday Behaviour

Illusion of control: Why the world is full of buttons that don’t work