Behavioral Grooves Podcast

How accurate are rom-coms when it comes to love? Relationship scientists Paul Eastwick & Eli Finkel, co-hosts of Love Factually, put movie romance under a scientific lens, separating fact from fiction and revealing how Hollywood shapes our real-life expectations about love.

[0:00] Intro & Welcome to Paul Eastwick & Eli Finkel

[2:00] Coffee, Unicycles, and Speed Round Fun

[6:40] Introducing Love Factually: A Relationship Science Podcast

[10:05] Do Movies Teach Us About Love or Just Reflect Culture?

[15:35] The Rom-Com Myths That Hollywood Keeps Selling

[22:50] What Movies Get Surprisingly Right About Relationships

[30:10] The Power of Micro-Cultures in Romantic Relationships

[35:40] Relationship Science & The Challenges of Studying Love

[41:00] Personal Insights & Favorite Movies from Paul & Eli

[47:45] Music Preferences: The Soundtrack to Love & Life

[49:57] Closing Thoughts & Where to Find Love Factually

©2025 Behavioral Grooves

Listen to Love Factually

Follow Paul Eastwick

Follow Eli Finkel 

The All-or-Nothing Marriage by Eli Finkel

Peter Gabriel - In Your Eyes 

Pearl Jam - Daughter 

Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit 

Can love alone sustain a relationship? Probably not. In this pseudo-Valentine’s Day episode, therapist Rachel Glik explores the pillars of a soulful marriage: personal growth, prioritization, and shared purpose. We unpack the “duck effect” of social media’s relationship illusions, the value of embracing friction for deeper connection, and how self-responsibility and communication can turn struggling relationships into thriving ones. Plus, Rachel shares insights from Kabbalah and psychotherapy—because love is in the air, and so is science!

©2025 Behavioral Grooves

[0:00] Relationships, Social Media, and the Duck Effect

[6:00] Speed Round with Rachel Gilk

[8:46] Exploring the Four Pillars of a Soulful Marriage

[15:40] Embracing Friction: Why Conflict is a Growth Opportunity

[22:00] The Role of Kabbalah in Relationships

[35:00] Practical Tips for Enhancing Relationships

[40:50] The Love Seat Method 

[50:13] Music Preferences

[1:00:00] Grooving Session: Love, Communication, and Personal Growth

©2025 Behavioral Grooves

Rachel Glik

A Soulful Marriage: Healing Your Relationship with Responsibility, Growth, Priority, and Purpose

Duck Syndrome

Joni Mitchell - Big Yellow Taxi 

Maggie Rogers - Fallingwater 

Angus & Julia Stone - Big Jet Plane

Why do we see some people as victims and others as villains? Kurt Gray joins us to explore moral typecasting, the prey vs. predator mindset, and why harm is at the heart of all moral debates—whether it’s immigration, free speech, or gun rights. We uncover how our evolutionary instincts shape outrage and polarization and discuss practical strategies for bridging moral divides with personal stories instead of statistics.

[0:00] Moral Typecasting and Its Implications

[6:47] Intro to Kurt Gray and Speed Round

[10:30] Understanding Outrage and Moral Foundations

[18:30] Evolutions of Moral Psychology and Harm

[30:55] Moral Typecasting and Its Impact

[37:30] The Power of Personal Stories

[46:00] Practical Tips for Navigating Moral Discussions

[53:27] Grooving Session: Empathy, Understanding, and Discussing Divides

©2025 Behavioral Grooves

Kurt Gray

Outrage: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground

Behavioral Grooves YouTube Channel

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Daft Punk – Tron Legacy Soundtrack 

My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade 

Bach - Trumpet Voluntary

What if personality traits deemed “negative” were actually the key to success? In this captivating conversation, former Google exec and author of Wild Courage, Jenny Wood, challenges us to redefine traits like “weird,” “selfish,” and even “manipulative” into powerful strengths. Discover how “nosiness” can spark meaningful connections, “brutal honesty” can establish essential boundaries, and strategic “window-gazing” can unlock breakthroughs in work and life. With humor, actionable tips, and even a surprising oatmeal cookie recipe, this episode will help you embrace your unique path to success.

©2025 Behavioral Grooves

[0:00] Introduction

[2:07] Speed Round with Jenny Wood

[4:34] Jenny’s experience with Wild Courage

[16:52] Challenging Traditional Definitions of Traits

[23:03] Practical Applications of Traits in the Workplace

[39:38] The Importance of Being Brutal

[43:23] Playing to Win

[50:34] Grooving Session: The Role of Language and Cultural Shifts

©2025 Behavioral Grooves

Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It by Jenny Wood

Jenny Wood

Lin-Manuel Miranda - The Room Where It Happens 

Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars 

Pink Floyd - The Great Gig in The Sky

If you’ve ever wondered what puts the “Groove” in Behavioral Grooves, this episode has the answer!

We’re diving headfirst into the mesmerizing world of music with the legendary John Bargh to tackle the ultimate question: If you could sit in on the recording of any album in history, which one would you choose?

From the legendary sessions at Island Records to the eternal brilliance of Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven, we explore the artistry, spontaneity, and sheer magic behind music’s most iconic moments. Whether you’re a die-hard classic rock fan or just curious about the creative process, this episode will take you straight to the heart of music’s golden age.

©2025 Behavioral Grooves

We Made a Playlist for You!

Check out all the artists we discussed this week, here

What if every digital interaction you had—every like, purchase, or GPS ping—could be used to create a detailed map of who you are? Sandra Matz, a leading behavioral scientist and data researcher, joins us to explore the fascinating world of behavioral residue, the digital traces we leave behind, and their profound impact on our lives. 

This episode is a deep dive into the intersection of psychology, technology, and ethics, offering thought-provoking ideas for anyone interested in the future of data and its role in shaping our behavior and society.

©2025 Behavioral Grooves

[0:00] - Introduction to Sandra Matz and the concept of behavioral residue.

[4:46] - Speed Round with Sandra Matz

[10:20] - Algorithms vs. human predictions of behavior.

[28:11] - How marketing firms adopted psychological profiling.

[34:56] - Personalized ads: A 55% increase in purchases.

[40:04] - Using data to improve savings habits and mental health.

[44:52] - The concept of echo chamber swaps to reduce polarization.

[49:30] - What lies ahead: Regulation, data co-ops, and taming the digital storm.

[55:18] - Desert Island Music

[57:59] - Grooving Session: Asking for more control over personal data.

©2025 Behavioral Grooves

Sandra Matz

Mindmasters: The Data-Driven Science of Predicting and Changing Human Behavior

The Open Data Institute

Check Your Digital Footprint!

Taylor Swift - Fortnight (feat. Post Malone) 

Kolektiv Turmstrasse - Sorry I Am Late 

Linkin Park - The Emptiness Machine

How can a tiny fly in an airport urinal transform human behavior?

This week, we sit down with Eva van den Broek and Tim den Heijer, authors of The Housefly Effect, to uncover how subtle environmental cues can shape our decisions in powerful and surprising ways.

With Eva’s expertise in behavioral economics and Tim’s background in advertising, they reveal the fascinating impact nudges have on our daily lives. From casino design to placebo crosswalk buttons, the world around us is filled with real-life applications of behavioral science that influence our behavior—even when we know they’re at play.

Join us for practical tips, captivating stories, and thought-provoking insights into how these small interventions can make a big difference in your life. So sit back, relax, and discover the invisible forces of behavioral science all around you.

©2025 Behavioral Grooves

[0:00] Intro - Flies in Urinals?

[6:57] Speed Round with Eva and Tim

[10:58] Exploring the House Fly Effect

[22:07] Why Knowing About Nudges Doesn’t Stop Them

[32:20] Regulating Nudges in Online Casinos

[41:36] Personal Applications of Behavioral Science

[50:37] Desert Island Music

[56:17] Grooving Session: The Bigger Picture of Behavioral Science

©2025 Behavioral Grooves

The Housefly Effect: How Nudge Psychology Steers Your Everyday Behaviour

Illusion of control: Why the world is full of buttons that don’t work

Have You Been Nudged?

David Bowie - Space Oddity 

Prince - When Doves Cry

Arooj Aftab - Mehram 

Benjamin Britten - Mozart: Symphony No. 25 in G minor, K.183 - 1. Allegro con brio

Happy New Year, Groovers!

The start of a new year often brings fresh goals, ambitious resolutions, and a renewed sense of motivation. But what’s the psychology behind this goal-oriented mindset? In our first episode of the year, we’re joined by Dr. Ayelet Fishbach, a renowned expert in behavioral science, to explore the science of achieving goals and rethink the traditional belief that success is all about willpower.

Whether you’re a leader looking to energize your team, a professional pursuing career aspirations, or someone striving to stay on track with personal resolutions, this episode will inspire you to think differently about motivation. Discover how to align your efforts with purpose, make progress more enjoyable, and build lasting momentum to achieve meaningful goals in the year ahead.

©2025 Behavioral Grooves

[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

Get It Done: Surprising Lessons from the Science of Motivation

Motivation Isn’t About Being Strong, It’s About Being Wise

Understanding the Power of Intrinsic Motivation

NIH: Intrinsic Motivation

Happy Holidays from Behavioral Grooves!

We're taking a week off to get ready for all the new and exciting content we have in store for our listeners coming in 2025. If you'd like to help us make next year's show amazing please help us by filling out the Behavioral Grooves survey here!

In the meantime, please enjoy this republish of one of our favorite episode this year, enjoy!

How can we turn disagreements into opportunities for growth and connection?

In this episode, Kurt and Tim dive into the science of meaningful conversations with David Robson, author of The Laws of Connection. Together, they explore how to deepen our understanding and build stronger connections with the people around us. Disagreements don’t have to signal the end of a conversation. Instead, with compassionate curiosity and a willingness to listen, we can turn them into constructive dialogues that bridge divides.

© 2024 Behavioral Grooves

[0:00] A message from Tim

[3:05] Welcome back, David!

[5:27] Intro and speed round

[10:05] Misconceptions about connecting with strangers

[16:59] The importance of social connections

[25:43] The art of successful conversation

[31:09] Creating a shared reality

[34:44] Effective communication strategies for disagreements

[38:42] Using personal experience to persuade others

[42:17] Effective feedback delivery

[53:55] Grooving session: Building connections, overcoming fear, and improving relationships

© 2024 Behavioral Grooves

Kwame Christian’s “Compassionate Curiosity” approach

Trotsky’s principle on empathy and statistics

The Laws of Connection

David Robson

Judy Collins - Spellbound

Taylor Swift - Fortnight

West Side Story - America

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Looking for your next great read? We’ve got you covered!

It’s time for our annual Best Books episode, where we share the standout reads that inspired and informed us this year. We’ve organized our picks into four categories—Leadership, Work Life, Relationships, and Critical Thinking—to help you find the perfect book for your personal or professional journey.

Whether you’re looking for fresh ideas, practical insights, or even a last-minute gift, this curated list has something for everyone. Join us as we explore the year’s most impactful reads and get ready to turn the page on some life-changing ideas!

©2024 Behavioral Grooves

[0:00] Welcome back to Best Books!

[2:37] Best Books for Leadership

[11:56] Best Books for Work Life

[19:23] Best Books for Relationships

[30:05] Best Books for Critical Thinking

[43:18] Wrap up - Happy Holidays from Behavioral Grooves!

©2024 Behavioral Grooves

Both and Thinking by Wendy Smith and Marianne Lewis

The Friction Project by Huggy Rao and Robert Sutton

Likable Badass by Alison Green

Is Your Work Worth It? by Christopher Michaelson and Jennifer Tosti-Kharas

Burnout Immunity by Kandi Wiens

The Ritual Effect by Mike Norton

Tightwads and Spendthrifts by Scott Rick

The Laws of Connection by David Robson

12 Questions for Love by Topaz Adizes

May Contain Lies by Alex Edmonds

You Only Die Once by Jody Wellman

Third Millennium Thinking by Saul Perlmutter, Robert M. Coon, and John Campbell

A Year of Living Constitutionally by AJ Jacobs

Kurt's Song of the Year: Ren - Money Ties

Tim's Song of the Year: Lake Street Dive - Nick of Time