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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

55:39

Finding Common Ground

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2026/01/29

This Grooving Session feels personal for us. We’re combining our own experiences with behavioral science to explore why civil discourse seems so fragile right now. Over the weekend, tensions rose as ICE activity increased in Minneapolis, and Kurt’s neighborhood was deeply affected. When political tension is high, factors such as fear, proximity to events, and social identity can worsen polarization. It’s easy to forget that we have more in common than we think.We’re here to support you, and we hope

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85:46

Why Rational People Make Irrational Choices | Alex Imas

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2026/01/26

Why do smart people keep making predictably bad decisions? Behavioral economist Alex Imas joins us to unpack The Winner’s Curse, loss aversion, and the persistent biases that shape markets, policy, and everyday choices. We explore why classic economic models fall short and what behavioral economics reveals about how humans really decide.Topics [0:00] Introduction and speed round with Alex Imas [11:55] The Winner’s Curse and its implications [21:13] Behavioral economics and standard economic

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12:38

January Blues? How to Rest, Reflect, and Restart

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2026/01/22

January often feels like a letdown instead of a fresh start. In this episode, we explain the behavioral science behind the January slump, why motivation drops after the holidays, and how reflection, recovery, and smaller milestones can help individuals and teams regain energy and momentum. Topics [0:00] Are you feeling that January Slump? [3:34] Reflecting and recharging [4:56] What leaders can do [8:00] Milestones for motivation [11:42] Final thoughts and next steps ©2026 Behavioral

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80:18

Why We Get Bored | Erin Westgate

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2026/01/19

Boredom feels unpleasant, but that may be the point. Psychologist Dr. Erin Westgate joins us to explain why boredom is a signal rather than a flaw, how meaning and attention shape it, and what it can teach us about work, burnout, and living a psychologically rich life.Topics [0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Erin Westgate [8:05] Do we think for pleasure? [13:11] Why men would rather shock themselves than be bored [15:50] The MAC model [25:23] Is boredom useful? [29:07] Enjoyable vs. interesting

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46:48

Throwback Thursday: The Surprising Power of One Word...

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2026/01/15

It’s Throwback Thursday at Behavioral Grooves, and we’re revisiting one of our favorite conversations with bestselling author Jonah Berger on the surprising power of words. Tiny shifts in language can shape behavior, influence relationships, and even change how others see us. Jonah reveals the “magic words” that captivate, motivate, and persuade, and shares practical tips for turning actions into identities, priming behavior with language, and making every word count. Topics [3:27] Welcome and speed

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69:31

The Productivity Myth That’s Burning You Out |...

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2026/01/12

What if the key to better work isn’t doing more, but moving more, resting better, and thinking differently? Dr. Natalie Nixon joins us to unpack her Move, Think, Rest framework and explain why creativity thrives when we step away from hustle culture. From walking meetings and daydreaming to embracing ambiguity and redesigning how we work, this episode offers a powerful reframe for anyone feeling burned out or stuck.Topics [0:00] Introduction and speed round with Natalie Nixon [10:20] Burnout,

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21:47

Best Behavioral Science Books of 2025 (According to us)

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2026/01/05

In this annual “best of the best” episode, we revisit the behavioral science books that most influenced our thinking this year. Rather than ranking titles, we explore what made each book impactful; from happiness and psychological richness to leadership, teams, and behavioral economics, and why these ideas continue to challenge how we think, work, and live. Topics [0:00] Can we really rank “best” books? [2:08] Book Giveaway - How to join [3:34] Psychological richness and happiness [5:50] Redefining

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53:28

Why Is It So Hard to Stick to Our Resolutions? |...

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/12/29

Happy New Year, Groovers! This week, we're taking some time-off and sharing an oldie but a goodie - our conversation with Ayelet Fishbach. The start of a new year often brings fresh motivation...and then we burnout. But why? In this recast, we are joined by Dr. Ayelet Fishbach to explore why willpower-driven resolutions fail and how behavioral science offers a smarter way to set goals that last. Through an examination of her research, we unpack meta-motivation, the problem with "the middle" and how

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23:54

Why We Gather: The Psychology of Holiday Rituals

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/12/22

Why do holiday rituals matter so much to our happiness and sense of connection? In this pre-Christmas special, we unwrap (ho ho ho…) the behavioral science behind gatherings and traditions—from Thanksgiving dinners to baking cookies and watching favorite holiday movies. Learn how rituals differ from habits, why they help reduce anxiety, and how small, intentional moments can strengthen belonging, refresh traditions that feel stale, and make the holiday season feel more meaningful and

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69:55

The Secret Ingredient of High-Performing Teams |...

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/12/15

Individual emotional intelligence matters — but teams thrive when EI is built together, not carried by a few well-developed individuals. In this episode, Vanessa Druskat explains why high-performing groups rely on shared norms that create psychological safety, trust, and collaboration. We talk through her research-backed framework for turning work groups into emotionally intelligent teams, how leaders can shape better environments, and why optimism is a surprisingly powerful tool for motivation and

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68:49

Why Great Leaders Still Get Stuck | Muriel Wilkins

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/12/08

Executive coach and author Muriel Wilkins joins us to unpack the invisible beliefs that quietly shape how we lead. We explore why curiosity is the starting point for self-awareness, the common internal blockers she sees in leaders, and why leadership growth is less about changing who you are and more about expanding your mindset. Muriel breaks down how hidden scripts formed early in life can limit our impact later on, and how shifting our beliefs can help us move from stress and suffering to

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32:53

How Expectations Shape Who We Become

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/12/04

In this special episode inspired by questions from our Facebook Community, we explore why big change feels intimidating even though most transformation happens quietly in our daily lives. Kurt and Tim dig into the micro-shifts we overlook, the powerful role expectations play in shaping our confidence and identity, and why surrounding yourself with people who expand your sense of possibility truly matters. They also revisit classic and modern goal-setting research — from Kurt Lewin’s “levels of

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94:12

Why Split-Second Thinking Fuels Violence | Jens Ludwig

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/12/01

Is violence caused by “bad people,” too many guns, or something deeper? In this episode, University of Chicago researcher Jens Ludwig reveals why most violent acts stem not from evil intent but from ordinary people in unforgiving situations. We explore how behavior, context, metacognition, and split-second decision-making shape violent outcomes — and why small, scalable interventions like pocket parks, foot traffic, and reflective thinking can dramatically reduce harm. If you care about safer

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9:44

The Science of Being Thankful

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/11/27

Why does gratitude feel so easy to feel yet so hard to say? In this Thanksgiving grooving session, we unpack the psychology behind our awkwardness around expressing appreciation—from miscaliberated assumptions to the belief that people can “just tell” how grateful we are. Drawing on research from Nick Epley and others, we explore how gratitude rewires the brain, boosts well-being, and strengthens relationships, and we share simple, science-backed nudges to help you connect more deeply with the

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67:50

The Leadership Wake-Up Call | Margaret Andrews

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/11/24

Harvard instructor Margaret Andrews joins us to explore why effective leadership starts with self-awareness. We discuss blind spots, emotional intelligence, team norms, and the internal work leaders must do to better understand their impact. Margaret offers practical tools for developing people and navigating organizational context, showing how self-understanding reshapes culture, communication, and long-term leadership success.Topics [0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Margaret Andrews [7:10]

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72:37

Why the Gender Revolution Stopped | Corinne Low

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/11/17

What if the gender revolution never finished? Economist Corinne Low joins us to unpack why women have transformed the workforce while men’s roles at home have barely changed. Drawing on insights from her book Having It All, Corinne reveals why so many families are stretched thin, caught between data, social pressure, and outdated norms. Together, we explore what it means to “have it almost,” and how smarter boundaries, parental leave, and fairer divisions of labor could finally help us reach true

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81:20

Is the American Dream Dead? | Mark Matson

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/11/10

Financial advisor and author Mark Matson joins Behavioral Grooves to explore what the American Dream means today—and whether it’s truly attainable for everyone. We dig into his view that fulfillment comes from mindset, not money, and examine how behavioral biases can sabotage our financial decisions. But as we discuss the tension between personal responsibility and systemic headwinds, we also ask: can discipline and optimism alone really guarantee success?Topics [0:00] A quick word with Kurt and

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60:25

The Trick That Shapes Every Choice You Make | Mikael...

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/11/03

How does framing influence the way we think, feel, and act? Sociologist and author Mikael Klintman joins us to explore how framing shapes nearly every part of life — from art and politics to health and everyday conversations. We discuss how subtle shifts in language and context can change our perceptions, why framing itself is neutral but powerful, and how expanding or contracting our frames can unite or divide us. Tune in for practical insights on recognizing framing in action and using it to see

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18:39

Freaky Friday: Grooving on Scary Biases

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/10/31

Happy Halloween from Behavioral Grooves! In the spirit (OoooOoo) of the holiday, we're resharing one of our old episodes exploring the spooky side of biases - why we have them, and how we can overcome them. Tune in while you're painting your face for that halloween party, or maybe play it on the speakers outside to really scare the kids with some cold hard science. No tricks, just treats — and by treats, we mean thoughtful behavioral science stories told without ads or sponsors. Help Behavioral

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21:03

The Science of Superstition: Why Our Brains Believe...

Behavioral Grooves Podcast ·

2025/10/27

This Halloween, we dive into the spooky science of superstition—why we knock on wood, wear lucky socks, and believe in things that defy logic. From the psychology of control and uncertainty to research on how superstition both stresses and strengthens us, we mix science, humor, and a dash of Stevie Wonder to show why “superstition ain’t the way.”Topics [0:00] Happy Halloween from Behavioral Grooves! [2:08] Common superstitions and their rationality [6:40] Psychological and cultural aspects of

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535 results

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