Behavioral Grooves Podcast

Richard Shotton joins us to reveal the behavioral science secrets behind 17 iconic brands — from Guinness and Snickers to Apple and Dyson. He explains how psychological biases like concreteness, trigger moments, and the illusion of effort drive real-world success, and why making things easy often beats motivation.

©2025 Behavioral Grooves

[0:00] Intro and speed round with Richard Shotton

[7:52] The single bias every marketer...

This October, we’re celebrating 8 years of Behavioral Grooves! To mark the occasion, we’re digging into our archives and re-sharing some of our most popular and thought-provoking conversations every Thursday for the next two months.

The celebration builds to our Anniversary Event on October 16th in Minneapolis, where fan favorite Nick Epley will lead the audience in a live social experiment and conversation about the science we all...

Employee engagement scores have been stuck for decades—but belonging and wellbeing might be the missing pieces. We talk with Mark Crowley about why emotions drive behavior, how rituals create culture, and why leading with heart is actually the smartest path to performance.

[0:00] Intro and speed round with Mark Crowley

[9:05] Why leaders dismiss engagement scores

[11:28] The power of asking “How do you feel?”

[16:50] Recipro...

This October, we’re celebrating 8 years of Behavioral Grooves! To mark the occasion, we’re digging into our archives and re-sharing some of our most popular and thought-provoking conversations every Thursday for the next two months.

The celebration builds to our Anniversary Event on October 16th in Minneapolis, where fan favorite Nick Epley will lead the audience in a live social experiment and conversation about the science we all...

Cognitive scientist Steve Sloman joins us to discuss The Cost of Conviction, exploring how sacred values shape our decisions and why they often lead to polarization. From zealotry to the social roots of belief, Steve reveals why convictions are more borrowed than built—and what this means for hot-button debates in politics, public health, and business. Most importantly, he shares how reframing conversations can reduce outrage, buil...

This October, we’re celebrating 8 years of Behavioral Grooves! To mark the occasion, we’re digging into our archives and re-sharing some of our most popular and thought-provoking conversations every Thursday for the next two months.

The celebration builds to our Anniversary Event on October 16th in Minneapolis, where fan favorite Nick Epley will lead the audience in a live social experiment and conversation about the science we all...

Psychologist and author Dr. Bob Rosen joins us to discuss his book Detach and how hidden attachments—like perfectionism, control, and success—often masquerade as virtues while quietly holding us back. We explore practical strategies for self-awareness, facing fears, and transforming attachments into aspirations so you can thrive in work and life.

[0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Bob Rosen

[9:28] Western vs Eastern Psycholog...

This October, we’re celebrating 8 years of Behavioral Grooves! To mark the occasion, we’re digging into our archives and re-sharing some of our most popular and thought-provoking conversations every Thursday for the next two months.

The celebration builds to our Anniversary Event on October 16th in Minneapolis, where fan favorite Nick Epley will lead the audience in a live social experiment and conversation about the science we all...

Colin Fisher, author of The Collective Edge, reveals why teams—not lone geniuses—drive innovation, how group identities invisibly shape our behavior, and why structure beats process when it comes to collaboration. With lessons drawn from Harry Potter, jazz improvisation, and decades of research, this episode explores the hidden power of teams and how to unleash it.

©2025 Behavioral Grooves

[0:00] Introduction: Your Invited t...

This October, we’re celebrating 8 years of Behavioral Grooves! To mark the occasion, we’re digging into our archives and re-sharing some of our most popular and thought-provoking conversations every Thursday for the next two months.

The celebration builds to our Anniversary Event on October 16th in Minneapolis, where fan favorite Nick Epley will lead the audience in a live social experiment and conversation about the science we all...

Jay Vidyarthi blends Silicon Valley design expertise with mindfulness practice to show how you can “fight design with design” and create a healthier, more joyful relationship with your tech. Instead of guilt or digital detoxes, he offers strategies for reframing boundaries into rituals, focusing on what’s good about your devices, and making intentional use easy by shaping your environment.

[0:00] Introduction and Speed Round...

When life feels chaotic, how do we stay grounded? In this bonus episode, we reflect on a few years of personal upheaval and explore how temporal uncertainty affects our decision-making and well-being. We share behavioral science tools—like micro-anchors, cognitive reframing, and environmental cues—that can help us stay centered when life refuses to slow down.

[0:00] Intro: What’s Going on with Tim?

[4:29] Impacts of Temporal...

Why do we instinctively form groups, follow leaders, and defend traditions—even when it hurts us? Columbia professor Michael Morris joins us to explore the three tribal instincts—peer, hero, and ancestor—that shape how we cooperate and clash. From case studies at GM and Reddit to the surprising origins of Thanksgiving, we uncover how culture evolves—and how understanding it can make us better leaders, change-makers, and collaborato...

Dr. Daniel Crosby joins us to explore the soul of wealth — and why your bank account isn’t the best measure of a meaningful life. We dig into behavioral finance, how to align spending with your values, and the power of behavioral judo: using your psychological biases to your advantage.

 ©2025 Behavioral Grooves

[0:00] Intro and speed round with Daniel Crosby

[8:00] What does it mean for wealth to have a “soul”?

[17:00] Consu...

When author and leadership facilitator Rosi Greenberg found herself overwhelmed by self-doubt, she did something unexpected: she gave her inner critic a name — Sam — and drew him into a whimsical, deeply personal book that blends creativity, vulnerability, and behavioral insight. In this episode, Rosi shares how visualizing and engaging with that critical voice helped her build emotional resilience and lead with more empathy. Toget...

Psychologist Shige Oishi joins us to explore the three dimensions of a fulfilling life: happiness, meaning, and psychological richness. He shares insights from decades of research into subjective well-being and reveals how personality traits, life experiences, and cultural contexts shape what we consider a “good life.” From challenging the “happiness trap” to embracing life’s rich diversity, this conversation is a roadmap for deepe...

From candy at checkout to calm music and “limit 4” signs, grocery stores are packed with subtle nudges that influence your behavior. In this month's bonus groove, we uncover the psychological tricks behind supermarket design and how to shop more intentionally.

[0:00] Intro: The Psychology of Supermarkets

[3:54] Techniques to Make You Buy

[9:47] Checkout Lane Temptations

[11:34] How Music Influences What You Buy

[13:44] Free ...

Wes Adams and Tamara Miles join the show to share their 3 C’s framework—Community, Contribution, and Challenge—for creating more meaningful workplaces. Backed by large-scale research and packed with practical leadership advice, this episode explores how small moments, like a thank-you or an empowering gesture, can spark a virtuous cycle of engagement and growth.

©2025 Behavioral Grooves

[0:00] Introduction and Speed Round wi...

Global behavior expert Ken Hughes joins us for a fast-paced, funny, and thought-provoking conversation about creativity, brand loyalty, and what it really takes to build emotional connections in a digital world. From painting his toenails to drinking his own urine (seriously), Ken shares lessons from a year of trying something new every day—alongside sharp insights on how companies can break out of routine thinking, embrace vulnera...