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PODCAST

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.

science social sciences

All Episodes

20:11

Why Do Superstitions Feel So Good?

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/06/26

Are you like Kurt, stuck wearing a pair of 'lucky socks' every time your team plays, no matter what the outcome of the game turns out to be? In this month's bonus, we explore why we hold onto superstitions, like lucky socks, even when we know they don't work. From BF Skinner's pigeons to social identity theory, we unpack the behavioral science behind our game-day rituals, however irrational, and discuss the sense of agency, control, and belonging that they create. Topics [0:00] Intro: Kurt's Lucky

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01:00:39

Your Product Design Is Biased—Here’s How to Fix It |...

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/06/23

UX leader Alexis Mook joins us to talk about breaking bias in product design, defending the role of behavioral research inside corporate structures, and making the leap from academia to tech. From wrongful convictions to third-party testing, this conversation reveals why saying “no” might be a researcher’s greatest superpower. Topics [0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Alexis Mook [7:50] Alexis’s Role and Journey at IBM [20:58] Challenges and Biases in UX Research [22:03] Impact of Research on Product

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01:12:29

The Five Words That Change Lives | Zach Mercurio

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/06/17

Zach Mercurio joins us to discuss the power of mattering—why it's a foundational human need and how it can be cultivated through small but meaningful interactions. From leadership strategies to personal stories, we explore how feeling seen, heard, and valued changes everything.Topics [0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Zach Mercurio [3:31] Why Mattering Matters [11:29] Purpose, Meaning, and Mattering: What’s the Difference? [16:21] Mattering as a Survival Instinct [26:14] “If It Wasn’t For

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01:03:43

Can You Change Your Personality? | Olga Khazan

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/06/09

What if your personality isn’t fixed? Olga Khazan shares how she deliberately set out to become more extroverted, agreeable, and emotionally stable—using improv, mindfulness, and science-backed strategies. Based on her book Me, But Better, this conversation explores how real change happens, and why connecting with others may be the key to becoming who you want to be.Topics [0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Olga Khazan [5:59] Experiment: Can I Change My Personality? [9:59] Results: What Changed,

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01:00:34

Lessons on Life From Hospice Patients | Jordan Grumet

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/06/02

Hospice doctor, podcaster, and author Jordan Grumet joins us to explore why the traditional idea of “finding your purpose” might actually be making us miserable. Drawing from his work with patients at the end of life, Jordan challenges the pressure to chase big, lofty goals—or what he calls “big P” Purpose—and instead invites us to embrace “little p” purposes: the simple, joyful activities that ground us and connect us to others. From childhood passions to quiet regrets, Jordan shares practical ways

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16:26

How to Get Unstuck: Behavioral Science Strategies

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/05/29

In this monthly bonus episode, we tap into insights from our Facebook community to explore what keeps us feeling stuck in our habits and goals. With help from behavioral science, we unpack the hidden forces behind inertia, fear, and comfort zones — and share practical strategies to break free. If you're ready to stop spinning your wheels and get back in your groove, this one’s for you.Topics [0:00] Behavioral Boot Camp! [2:15] Insights from Groove Questions [6:34] Self-Confidence [10:03] Risk

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01:22:48

The Top Reason You Make Bad Decisions - And How to...

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/05/26

How do our brains choose what’s important to us? Emily Falk, neuroscientist and author of What We Value, joins us to 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. ©2025 Behavioral Grooves Topics [0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Emily Falk [8:29] Understanding Value Calculations [12:58] Research

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01:07:07

Our Best Hope for Global Change | Faisal Naru

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/05/19

Faisal Naru traces the explosive growth of behavioral science in policy from 2010 to today, highlighting how Global South nations are using it to address complex problems like poverty and public health. He makes the case for embedding behavioral science teams into organizations long-term—moving from quick “silver bullet” fixes to enduring “golden nuggets” of insight.Topics [0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Faisal Naru [6:42] Behavioral Science Policy Units and Global Trends [15:23] Global

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01:08:40

6 Ways Questions Can Transform Your Life | Elizabeth...

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/05/12

What if the key to growth isn’t finding better answers, but asking better questions? In this episode, Elizabeth Weingarten shares insights from her book How to Fall in Love with Questions, exploring how embracing uncertainty can lead to greater self-awareness, resilience, and connection. Blending personal stories, behavioral science, and wisdom from poet Rilke, she introduces the idea of a “questions practice” — a mindset shift that helps us navigate life’s toughest moments with curiosity and

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01:19:18

The #1 Reason You Aren’t Happy - Yet. | Mark Fabian

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/05/05

Economist and philosopher Mark Fabian joins the show to explore how we can move beyond the pursuit of happiness toward a deeper, values-driven life. Drawing from behavioral science, philosophy, and his new book Beyond Happy, Mark challenges the idea of happiness as an end goal and introduces the concept of “generalized flow.” From escaping the hedonic treadmill to cultivating self-awareness and community, this episode is a guide to rethinking what it means to live well.©2025 Behavioral

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01:15:58

4 Powerful Ways to Make Conflict Less Stressful | Dr....

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/04/28

What if we stopped trying to win or avoid conflict—and instead built the resilience to grow through it? In this episode, neurologist Joel Salinas and conflict resolution expert Bob Bordone offer a powerful reframe on disagreement, showing how neuroscience and self-awareness can help us break old patterns and build stronger relationships.Topics [0:00] BG Special Announcement! [1:15] Intro and Speed Round with Joel and Bob [6:29] What is Conflict Resilience? [10:41] The Neuroscience Behind

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01:56:51

The Most Effective Way to Change People's Minds |...

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/04/24

In this special republish episode science journalist David McRaney joins us to explore the surprising science behind belief, persuasion, and why minds change. We discuss tribal truth, perceptual differences (remember the dress?), and why Step Zero—examining why you want to change someone’s mind—is essential for meaningful dialogue. Topics [4:18] Welcome and speed round questions. [11:18] How minds change vs. how to change minds. [14:35] How is elaboration different from learning? [27:27] Mini

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01:02:23

Want to Close the Gender Gap? Start Here | Kweilin...

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/04/21

Kweilin Ellingrud, McKinsey’s Global Chief of Diversity and Inclusion, joins us to discuss The Broken Rung—the missed first promotion that derails many women's careers before they even begin. She shares how to build “experience capital,” why soft skills matter more than we think, and how the right first moves can lead to long-term equity and empowerment. With practical advice for women and leaders alike, this episode is a call to action to fix the ladder from the bottom up. Topics [0:00] Intro and

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01:03:21

Are You Being 'Reasonable' -- Or Just Privileged? |...

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/04/14

Dr. Rosalind Chow joins us to explore how status, power, and perspective shape what we view as “reasonable”—and why marginalized voices are often held to a different standard. From stalled DEI efforts to the illusion of objectivity among dominant groups, Rosalind challenges us to rethink who gets to define what counts as change.Topics [0:00] Intro and Speed Round [6:26] The difference between sponsorship and mentorship [10:13] Why corporate relationships are important [16:05] Why DEI efforts often

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01:19:52

Reclaim Your Brain and Escape Digital Chaos | Richard...

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/04/07

Neuroscientist Richard Cytowic takes us on a journey through the world of synesthesia and how it reveals the fascinating ways our brains interpret reality. But that’s just the beginning. We dive into the challenges of our Stone Age brains in the digital age, busting the multitasking myth, exploring the cognitive costs of social media, and discovering why silence and imagination are more crucial than ever. Tune in to reclaim your focus and rethink your relationship with technology. ©2025 Behavioral

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01:59:31

How to Spark Creativity in Work & Life | Matt Arnold...

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/03/31

Creativity isn’t reserved for the select few—it’s in all of us. This episode explores the science behind innovation with experts Matt Arnold and Adam Hansen, uncovering why we doubt our creative abilities and how to overcome the cognitive barriers that stifle new ideas. From breaking free of negativity bias to embedding innovation into workplace culture, this conversation is packed with insights to help you unlock your full creative potential.©2025 Behavioral Grooves Topics [0:00] Introduction -

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50:52

Mailbag: Ask Us Anything!

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/03/27

It’s about time we put Kurt and Tim in the hot seat! This week, we’re turning the tables and making them answer your questions. Pulling from our recent listener survey, they sit down with their producer to tackle everything from the making of Behavioral Grooves to insights on behavioral science—and, of course, the all-important question of what they’d do with a hippo-sized corgi. Tune in for a fun, behind-the-scenes bonus episode!Check out our YouTube for a video version of this

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01:12:59

The Existential Playbook: How to Make Sense of Your...

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/03/24

Dr. Steve Heine, cultural psychologist and author of Start Making Sense, joins us to explore the psychology of meaning. We discuss the four essential connections that shape a fulfilling life, why existential anxiety is on the rise, and how nostalgic reflection and storytelling help us make sense of our experiences. Plus, we dive into his “meaning audit” tool—a practical way to strengthen purpose and connection. Topics [0:00] Intro - Did Kurt take a psychology class? [5:24] Speed Round with Dr. Steve

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01:03:29

Work Isn’t Fair—Here’s How to Fix It | Iris Bohnet

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/03/17

Can we design workplaces to be truly fair? Behavioral economist Iris Bohnet joins us to explore how implicit biases, stereotypes, and in-group preferences shape decision-making in the workplace—and what we can do about it. From the impact of blind auditions to the power of small structural changes, we dive into science-backed strategies for fostering more equitable organizations.Topics [0:00] Episode Intro - Can We Make Work Fair? [5:58] Speed Round with Iris Bohnet [7:29] The Hidden Impact of

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01:21:55

The 10 Conversations You Need to Master at Work |...

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/03/10

Managing up isn’t about sucking up—it’s about taking control of your career. This week, executive coach and author Melody Wilding joins us to break down the ten essential workplace conversations that help you set boundaries, advocate for yourself, and navigate office dynamics with confidence. From understanding communication styles to negotiating your worth, Melody shares practical scripts and psychological insights that can help you work smarter—not just harder. ©2025 Behavioral

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548 results

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