Good Inside with Dr. Becky Why Habits Feel Hard with Charles Duhigg
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Jan 6, 2026 
In this discussion, Charles Duhigg, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author known for his insights on habits and communication, shares how parenting reshaped his understanding of habit science. He emphasizes the importance of clarity in creating hope and offers practical strategies like using cues and emotional rewards to nurture effective communication at home. Duhigg also introduces the concept of ‘matching’ different conversational types to minimize conflict and highlights the value of deep, open questions to foster connection with children.
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Habits Are Cue-Routine-Reward Loops
- Habits are three-part loops: cue, routine, reward, driven by the basal ganglia.
- Changing cues or rewards is easier than directly changing routines.
Towel Sticky Note That Built A Habit
- Becky explains teaching her son to pick up towels by having him write a sticky note cue and praising him.
- Charles praises this as a perfect habit loop with an emotional reward.
Use Emotional Rewards, Not Just Money
- Give emotional rewards like praise rather than transactional rewards to make habits stick.
- Name and acknowledge the reward so its salience increases and it lasts longer.
