In the second episode of our three-part series, we go back into the time machine to see what shaped Robert Cialdini into one of behavioral science's most influential thinkers.  We're exploring the childhood experience, career-defining decisions, undercover research, and surprising moments that led to Influence, pre-suasion, and the principles of unity. 

[0:00] A breakup letter to social psychology

[9:24] What makes Bob Bob?

[16:03] Baseball, adaptability, and serendipity

[23:40] Falling in love with psychology

[27:46] Choosing freedom over prestige

[36:44] The littering study that predicted elections

[42:03] How Influence became a phenomenon

[53:18] The birth of pre-suasion

[1:08:18] Unity as the seventh principle

[1:15:13] The legacy of Robert Cialdini

[1:17:53] Coming up in Episode Three

Influence by Robert Cialdini

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We kick off our three-part series on Robert Cialdini by exploring the research, mentors, and discoveries that shaped one of behavioral science's most influential thinkers. From social proof and energy conservation to the creation of Influence, we trace the path that brought behavioral science from the lab to millions of everyday readers.

[0:00] The Utility Bill That Changed Behavior

[9:28] Meet Robert Cialdini

[12:41] The Famous Door Hanger Study

[20:30] Social Proof and Opower's Success

[22:16] The Book That Changed Behavioral Science

[28:45] The Mentors Behind Cialdini's Thinking

[41:30] Three Research Strategies That Defined His Career

[56:01] Building the Science of Influence

[1:01:01] Writing Influence for the Public

[1:10:21] Why Cialdini's Work Still Matters Today

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

Influence by Robert Cialdini

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As we celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month, we sit down with Neri Karra Sillaman to explore what immigrant entrepreneurs can teach us about resilience, leadership, and long-term success. We discuss why luck is a skill, how reframing challenges creates opportunity, and the mindset behind companies that stand the test of time

[0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Neri Karra Sillaman

[6:26] The Secret to Creating Your Own Luck

[10:51] How to Reframe Problems Into Opportunities

[16:37] Eight Traits of Long-Lasting Entrepreneurs

[22:25] The Leadership Trait Most Founders Miss

[29:11] What Makes Businesses Last for Decades?

[37:17] The Biggest Myth About Immigrant Entrepreneurs

[44:57] Why the American Dream Still Matters

[46:11] Grooving Session: Why Challenges Create Innovation

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

About Dr. Neri Karra Sillaman

Pioneers: 8 Principles of Business Longevity from Immigrant Entrepreneurs by Neri Karra Sillaman

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Bee Gees - How Deep Is Your Love

Van Halen - Jump

In keeping with our themes of mattering, meaning, and connection this June, we wanted to reshare a conversation with had with author Emily Falk. In this conversation, we decode what goes on behind the scenes with our decisions - everything from what to eat for breakfast to how to respond to trolls on social media - and how emotional, rational, and social information is integrated by the brain to guide our choices. Emily's book is now available on paperback wherever you get your favorite reads. 

©20256 Behavioral Grooves

[0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Emily Falk

[8:29] Understanding Value Calculations

[12:58] Research Methods and fMRI

[18:01] Self-Relevance and Social Relevance Systems

[28:41] Defensiveness and Social Norms

[40:49] The Importance of Being "In Sync"

[58:17] The Role or Music in Self/Social Relevance

[1:07:45] Grooving Session: Communication, Social Norms, and Behavioral Science at Work

©2025 Behavioral Grooves

About Emily

What We Value by Emily Falk

Why do smart organizations become slow, bureaucratic, and resistant to change? Phil Le-Brun and Jana Werner, authors of The Octopus Organization, explore why so many companies fall into the trap of becoming “Tin Man Organizations” and what leaders can do instead. We discuss distributed decision-making, psychological safety, incentives, organizational learning, and why adaptability, not control, is often the key to long-term success.

[0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Jana Werner and Phil Le-Brun

[9:25] What “Bulls!t Bingo” Reveals About Corporate Language

[17:18] Psychology as a Leadership Tool

[25:14] Explaining Octopus Organization

[32:10] Challenges of Tin Man Organizations

[39:13] The Role of Psychology for Transformation

[45:56] Complex vs Complicated Systems

[50:50] Building an “Octopus Soundtrack”

[54:13] Grooving Session: Incentives, Rewards, and Recreating Systems

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

The Octopus Organization by Phil Le-Brun and Jana Werner

About Jana

About Phil

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Octopus Garden - The Beatles

Changes - David Bowie

In our June throwback episode (and in honor of Immigrant Heritage Month), we're revisiting our conversation with Marin Gonzalez about leadership, self-doubt, and the challenges of building a successful team.  Martin shared with us his experience as both an immigrant and an entrepreneur, offering a candid look at how he overcame imposter syndrome, navigated uncertainty, and ultimately helped create organizational cultures where people could thrive.  We loved the vulnerability, insights, and practical lessons Martin brought to our conversation, and we hope it inspires you to solve problems and find greater fulfillment in your professional life. 

[5:58] Introduction and Speed Round

[10:16] What is a bonfire moment?

[14:02] Why soft skills are more important than soft skills

[17:54] Leadership styles and their impact on success

[22:37] Common start-up traps

[32:10] Startup myths, leadership, and best practices

[41:11] Overcoming blind spots and insecurities in leadership

[46:43] Imposter Syndrome and gender stereotypes

[55:04] Productivity, creativity, and music preferences

[1:01:14] Grooving Session: Leadership, emotional intelligence, and scaling business

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

“The Bonfire Moment - Bring Your Team Together to Solve the Hardest Problems Startups Face” by Joshua Yellin and Martin Gonzales

About Martin

Author Rebecca Newberger Goldstein joins us to explore “the mattering instinct,” the deeply human need to feel significant, worthy, and justified in our own eyes. From “mattering projects” and morality to fame, incels, AI, and entropy, this conversation dives into the psychological and philosophical forces shaping how we search for meaning and purpose in our lives.

[0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Rebecca Goldstein

[7:12] What is the “Mattering Instinct”?

[11:57] Why Mattering Creates Conflict

[15:11] Depression, Despair, and Significance

[26:42] The Four “Mattering” Types

[32:34] Fame, Recognition, and Validation

[41:38] Incels, Radicalization, and the Search for Meaning

[46:19] Ethics, Entropy, and Human Flourishing

[51:59] Desert Island Music

[59:17] Grooving Session: Defining Mattering

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

About Rebecca

The Mattering Instinct by Rebecca Newberger Goldstein 

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Johann Sebastian Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No. 3

Leonard Cohen - Dance Me to the End of Love

What if luck has less to do with chance and more to do with understanding the systems around us? We talk with Judd Kessler about the hidden markets shaping opportunities in everything from concert tickets and jobs to relationships and organ transplants. Together, we explore why so many systems feel unfair, how behavioral economics can improve them, and why learning the rules behind these invisible structures may be the key to getting a little luckier in life.

[0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Judd Kessler

[13:18] The Hidden Markets Behind Organ Donation

[18:30] Market Design in Medicine

[29:13] How Incentives Work

[35:30] TSA PreCheck, Scarcity, and Making Better Systems

[40:14] The Ticketmaster Problem

[46:20] The Ticketmaster Solution

[53:34] Hidden Markets in Podcasts and Beyond

[59:18] “The Room Where it Happens” with Lin-Manuel Miranda

[1:05:30] Desert Island Music Picks

[1:08:00] Grooving Session: Creating Luck Wherever You Go

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

About Judd

Lucky by Design by Judd Kessler

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Sabrina Carpenter - Espresso

The Beatles - Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

Why do some spaces energize us while others drain us? This week, Leidy Klotz joins us to explore how our homes, workplaces, and everyday environments shape our behavior, creativity, and well-being. Drawing from his new book, In a Good Place, Leidy explains why humans crave agency, competence, and connection, and how the spaces around us can either support or suppress those needs.

[0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Leidy Klotz

[11:01] The Concept of “Good Place”

[18:26] Psychological Needs and Space

[26:44] Making Purposeful Decisions for Spaces

[34:02] Designing Spaces for Growth and Belonging

[45:09] Creating Groovy Spaces

[50:03] Grooving Session: Practical Tips for Designing Better Spaces

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

About Leidy Klotz

In a Good Place by Leidy Klotz

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Bruce Springsteen - Racing in the Street

Bruce Springsteen - No Surrender

In this throwback episode, we're determined to be happy. Psychologist Shige Oishi joined us to explore the three dimensions of a fulfilling life: happiness, meaning, and psychological richness. He shared insights from decades of research into subjective well-being and revealed 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 deeper self-reflection and greater fulfillment.

[0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Shige Oishi

[10:28] The Happiness Trap

[18:38] Eudaimonic and Hedonic Approaches to Happiness

[27:30] The Correlation Between Psychological Richness and Personality

[35:00] Gratitude and Social Connection

[44:10] What Makes a Happy Society?

[48:00] Desert Island Music

[1:05:25]  Grooving Session: How to Pursue a Fulfilling Life

©2025 Behavioral Grooves

About Shige

Life in Three Dimensions by Shigehiro Oishi

Happiness is Everything, or Is It?

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Charlie Parker - Honeysuckle Rose

Clifford Brown & Max Roach - Joy Spring