Your Behavioral Science Questions (and more!) Answered.
Mar 27, 2025
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Get ready for a fun deep dive as Kurt and Tim answer quirky listener questions! They share hilarious stories about how they met and their journey into behavioral science. Expect myth-busting about motivation and the importance of applying these concepts in everyday life. They wrap up with a lighthearted debate on whether a rhino-sized corgi or a corgi-sized rhino would make a better pet. Tune in for a mix of laughter and learning!
The hosts recount their professional connection and shared passion for behavioral science, which inspired their podcast's creation and evolution.
They emphasize the importance of leadership support in integrating behavioral science in organizations while encouraging grassroots initiatives for broader application.
Deep dives
Origins of a Friendship
The hosts share anecdotes about how they first met, highlighting the professional environment that fostered their connection. They remember their initial collaboration at a former workplace, where they were both engaged in a project related to behavioral science. Their mutual appreciation for each other's expertise is evident, with one being particularly impressed by the other's ability to command a room during client presentations. This foundation built a strong camaraderie that eventually evolved into their partnership in behavioral science.
Inspiration for Behavioral Science Careers
Both hosts discuss their motivations for entering the field of behavioral science, emphasizing their curiosity about human behavior and decision-making. One host traces his interest back to questioning traditional incentives while working, leading to a pivotal study that shaped his understanding of motivation. The other host reflects on how a fascination with consumer behavior in business school cemented his path towards a career focused on understanding why people act the way they do. Their shared passion for these subjects laid the groundwork for their podcast and ongoing discussions.
Unexpected Podcast Journey
The idea for the podcast originated unexpectedly from a conversation about combining their interests into a collaborative project. While initially considering a behavioral science conference or meetups, they stumbled upon the podcast format as a way to reach a wider audience. They recount the challenges of launching and producing the podcast, highlighting how it evolved from simple recordings to a more complex and engaging platform. This serendipitous journey reflects their adaptability and commitment to sharing knowledge about behavioral science.
Challenges in Adopting Behavioral Science
The conversation shifts to the hurdles organizations face in integrating behavioral science into their practices. They note that leadership buy-in is crucial, as senior executives often set the tone for such initiatives within a company. However, they also suggest that individuals can start applying behavioral science concepts in their roles without waiting for top-down approval. This grassroots approach can help embed behavioral principles throughout various operations, ultimately leading to more effective and informed practices within organizations.
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 episode!
Topics
[0:00] New to BG - Ask Us Anything!
[2:03] How Kurt and Tim Met
[4:24] Inspiration to Join Behavioral Science
[8:08] Behavioral Grooves’ Origin Story
[19:28] Behavioral Science Myths and Misconceptions