Behavioral Grooves Podcast

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 round questions. [5:09] Why asking for advice makes us actually seem smarter. [7:17] Using abstract vs. concrete language. [12:42] How Jonah researched the use of language. [16:49] How can our language affect our relationships. [19:31] Turning actions into identities. [22:47] Priming behavior with language. [25:00] Do the lyrics of songs help explain their success? [28:27] Grooving Session with Tim and Kurt on why words matter. Links About Jonah Magic Words: What to Say to Get Your Way by Jonah Berger Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Music Links Suzanne Vega, DNA - Tom's Diner  RUN DMC - Walk This Way (ft. Aerosmith)

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, hustle culture, and redesigning how we work [16:12 Productivity myths from the Industrial Revolution [20:34] Movement hygiene and the benefits of walking [26:39] The Move, Think, Rest model [30:27] How to embrace ambiguity instead of fighting it [38:27] The importance of scaling rest [44:38] How Natalie finds her groove [48:25] Grooving Session: Reframing productivity and creativity  ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links MTR Challenge Natalie Nixon Move. Think. Rest. By Natalie Nixon, PhD Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Music Links Check out Natalie Nixon's Playlist for: Move Think Rest    

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 wealth beyond money [7:21] The illusion of self-derived beliefs [8:25] Getting out of your own way [11:11] The power of mattering at work [13:21] Rethinking happiness [15:01] Behavioral science in the real world [16:45] Behavioral economics [19:52] Behavioral science in marketing and advertising [20:19] Closing thoughts and community invite  ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links Life in Three Dimensions – Shigehiro Oishi The Soul of Wealth – Daniel Crosby The Knowledge Illusion – Steven Sloman Detach – Bob Rosen The Collective Edge – Colin Fisher The Power of Mattering – Zach Mercurio What We Value – Emily Falk Beyond Happy – Mark Fabian The Doors You Can Open – Rosalind Chow The Housefly Effect – Eva van den Broek & Tim den Heijer The Winner’s Curse – Richard Thaler & Alex Imas Meditations for Mortals – Oliver Burkeman Hacking the Human Mind – Richard Shotton Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Music Links Groovy Listening 2025 Playlist

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 you can design your goals better so that they carry momentum through January and beyond.  ©2025 Behavioral Grooves Topics [0:00] Motivation and Willpower - a New Perspective with Ayelet Fishbach [3:19] The Marshmallow Test and Its Misinterpretation [7:52] Meta Motivation and Its Implications [14:28] The Role of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation [18:17] Problems Around Goal Achievement [32:41] The Important of Aspirational Goals [42:58] Strategies for Overcoming the Problem of "the Middle" [48:33] Key Takeaways ©2025 Behavioral Grooves Links About Ayelet Get It Done: Surprising Lessons from the Science of Motivation Music Links Best of NPR Tiny Desk

Explore the power of holiday rituals and their impact on happiness and connection. Discover how gatherings fulfill our need for belonging and identity. Learn the difference between habits and rituals, and how intentional actions can transform ordinary moments. Find out why some traditions lose their meaning and how to refresh them to keep the joy alive. The hosts share practical tips for adding intention to your celebrations, making each gathering more meaningful. Plus, a thoughtful question to reflect on what truly matters in your rituals.

Vanessa Druskat, a professor specializing in team emotional intelligence and author of The Emotionally Intelligent Team, delves into the power of shared emotional intelligence within teams. She discusses the importance of psychological safety and outlines nine key norms that drive high performance. Leaders can foster collaboration through rituals like story-sharing and learning together. Druskat emphasizes that optimism is crucial for motivation and team dynamics, showing how hope can be a more effective focus than problem-solving in coaching.

Muriel Wilkins, an executive coach and author of Leadership Unblocked, explores the hidden beliefs that limit leadership potential. She discusses how early life experiences shape our internal blockers and emphasizes the importance of curiosity in achieving self-awareness. Muriel argues that leadership growth comes from expanding one’s mindset rather than changing it. She also highlights the value of defining personal success and navigating the inevitable pain of leadership while minimizing unnecessary suffering.

Explore the fun tension between rapid change and the fear of stagnation. Discover how small, everyday shifts can lead to significant transformation over time. The Pygmalion Effect reveals how our expectations can elevate performance. Surrounding yourself with positive influences can broaden your horizons. Delve into the art of goal-setting, balancing past experiences with future aspirations. Learn why the right difficulty level for goals is key to staying motivated, turning failures into steps on the journey toward your ultimate dreams.

Jens Ludwig, a professor at the University of Chicago and director of the Crime Lab, takes us on a riveting journey into the real roots of violence. He debunks the myth of 'bad people' by discussing how ordinary individuals make split-second decisions under pressure. Ludwig emphasizes the impact of the environment, showcasing how pocket parks and visible community presence can drastically cut crime rates. He also explores the importance of metacognition and education as tools for reducing impulsive violence, offering hope and practical solutions for safer neighborhoods.

Explore the fascinating psychology of gratitude and how it enhances well-being, from boosting happiness to improving relationships. Delve into the reasons many struggle to express appreciation, including miscalibrated expectations and the belief that others can intuit our feelings. Discover practical tips like journaling and making gratitude specific to deepen connections. Learn why expressing thanks in person amplifies emotional bonds and consider opening conversations this Thanksgiving by highlighting what you appreciate in others.