Behavioral Grooves Podcast

Imagine Dragons - Believer

Musical Links

Matthew Wilder - Break My Stride

Throwback Monday: Does Democracy Need a Rebrand? | AJ Jacobs Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

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.

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

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

The Godfather of Influence: The Lasting Impact of Robert Cialdini, Part 3 Jul 02, 2026

Show notes

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

Links

Influence by Robert Cialdini

The Godfather of Influence: What Makes Bob Bob, Part 2 Jun 29, 2026

Show notes

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

The Godfather of Influence: How Robert Cialdini Changed the World, Part 1 Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

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

Links

About Dr. Neri Karra Sillaman

What Immigrants Teach Us About Success | Neri Karra Sillaman Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

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

Links

Pioneers: 8 Principles of Business Longevity from Immigrant Entrepreneurs by Neri Karra Sillaman

Bee Gees - How Deep Is Your Love

Musical Links

Van Halen - Jump

Throwback Thursday: The Secret Key to Decision-Making | Emily Falk Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

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.

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

Links

About Emily

What We Value by Emily Falk

The Common Trap Companies Fall For | Phil Le-Brun & Jana Werner Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

Why do smart organizations become slow, bureaucratic, and resistant to change? Phil Le-Brun and Jana Werner, authors of The Octopus Organization, explore why so many companies fall into the trap of becoming “Tin Man Organizations” and what leaders can do instead. We discuss distributed decision-making, psychological safety, incentives, organizational learning, and why adaptability, not control, is often the key to long-term success.

Topics

[0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Jana Werner and Phil Le-Brun

[9:25] What “Bulls!t Bingo” Reveals About Corporate Language

[17:18] Psychology as a Leadership Tool

[25:14] Explaining Octopus Organization

[32:10] Challenges of Tin Man Organizations

[39:13] The Role of Psychology for Transformation

[45:56] Complex vs Complicated Systems

[50:50] Building an “Octopus Soundtrack”

[54:13] Grooving Session: Incentives, Rewards, and Recreating Systems

Links

The Octopus Organization by Phil Le-Brun and Jana Werner

About Jana

About Phil