Behavioral Grooves Podcast

Nick Epley, social cognition researcher and University of Chicago professor and author of MindWise, explores why we misread others. He walks through live experiments that compare expectations with real conversations. He highlights why asking people directly and opening up often leads to deeper, more positive connections.

Sonja Lyubomirsky, happiness researcher and UC Riverside professor, explores why people can be loved yet not feel it. She unpacks why love sometimes doesn’t land, the power of vulnerability and deep conversations, practical love mindsets like curiosity and sharing, and simple practices to make connection more felt.

Tom Rieger, organizational consultant and author of Breaking the Fear Barrier, explores how fear of loss quietly fuels silos, mistrust, and wasted work. He links behavioral economics and biases to everyday workplace barriers. He also discusses how AI and remote work can amplify hidden tensions and offers practical ways leaders can surface and remove those barriers.

Brian Ahearn, author and Cialdini-trained influence practitioner, shares an ethical take on persuasion rooted in humility and responsibility. He explores the line between influence and manipulation, aligning influence with values, shaping identity through small actions, and influencing hearts as well as minds.

Elizabeth Weingarten, author blending journalism, behavioral science, and philosophy, discusses why learning to love questions changes how we relate to uncertainty and ourselves. She explores the brain’s craving for certainty, a fruit-based framework for question types, and how patience and practice turn questions into a compass for clarity and connection.

Marcus Buckingham, author and researcher on strengths and employee experience, argues that love—not just skill—fuels flourishing at work. He explores why five-star experiences change behavior, the five feelings that create love, how to find your energizing "red threads," and how leaders can design end-to-end experiences that spark lasting engagement.

Maya Rossignac-Milon, a researcher of shared reality and interpersonal connection, explores why people sometimes instantly click. She discusses defining shared reality, how off-script authenticity and riffing build alignment, and why these moments matter for meaning and performance at work. Practical examples include riffs, callbacks, and when authenticity succeeds or fails.

Are nudges enough to change behavior at scale? Nick Chater argues they’re not. In this episode, we explore the limits of individual-focused solutions and why lasting change often requires shifting systems, not just choices. Topics [0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Nick Chater [13:00] What Does Nudging Really Do? [18:30] I-Frame vs S-Frame Thinking [25:00] Nudges and Politics [28:09] Limitations in Public [33:39] System vs Individual Responsibilities [42:04] Case Study: Retirement Saving Systems [49:01] Are We Solving the Right Problems? [55:00] Can We Fix Broken Systems? [1:00:06] Green Eggs and Ham - a Solution [1:06:12] Desert Island Music [1:09:20] Grooving Session: Systemic Issues, Evolutionary Tendencies ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About Nick It’s On You by Nick Chater and George Lowenstein  Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Music Links Bach - Mass in B Minor John McLaughlin - Stella by Starlight/My Favourite Things

Sandy Pentland, AI and social-science researcher at MIT and author of Shared Wisdom, explores how storytelling and shared wisdom shape culture. He discusses whether AI could freeze or strengthen cultural evolution. Topics include collective intelligence, distributed decision-making, information overload, AI history, bias in training data, and tools for improving civic dialogue and deliberation.

Ken Stern, journalist and author on longevity, argues social connection and purpose shape healthy aging more than diet alone. He talks about loneliness’ health toll, cultural models that keep older adults engaged, rethinking retirement, and practical ways to build everyday ties.