Behavioral Grooves Podcast

Why do we avoid talking to strangers when connection is exactly what we need most? This week, Nick Epley returns to explore the psychology of “under-sociality” and why we consistently underestimate how rewarding social interaction can be. Nick explains why even small moments of openness, from conversations with strangers to deeper honesty with the people around us, can dramatically improve happiness, trust, and belonging. Turns out, the biggest social risk often isn’t reaching out, it’s staying quiet.

[0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Nick Epley

[10:40] The Paradox of Being Social

[19:12] Experiments and Findings

[26:20] How Being Social Impacts Your Health

[32:27] The Challenges of Being Social - Political Divides

[46:00] Introverts, Extroverts, and What Maslow Got Wrong

[54:30] Loneliness, Survival, and the Need to Belong

[1:02:18] Grief, Adoption, and the Power of Connection

[1:12:56] Desert Island Music

[1:15:42] Grooving Session: Leadership, Conversation, and Connection

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

About Nick

A Little More Social by Nick Epley

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Matt Kearney - Ships in the Night

Rufus Wainwright - Across the Universe (Cover)

In this 500th episode celebration, we reflect on eight years of behavioral science insights, from habits and decision-making to why we so often misunderstand each other. Joined live by Nick Epley, we run a real-time experiment that reveals the gap between what we expect from conversations and what actually happens, and why asking better questions can transform how we connect.

[0:00] Eight Years, 500 Episodes, and Counting!

[6:28] Introducing Nick Epley

[11:24] Understanding Social Cognition

[15:32] Strategies for Improving our Communication

[21:36] Live Experiment - Talking to Strangers

[37:34] Lessons Learned from 8 Years Podcasting

[43:45] The Importance of Social Connections and Compassionate Curiosity

[51:00] Coming Soon to Behavioral Grooves

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

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Depeche Mode - Never Let Me Down Again

Soundgarden - Black Hole Sun

What if the issue isn’t whether people love you, but whether you actually feel it? In this episode, Sonja Lyubomirsky joins us to explore the gap between being loved and feeling loved, and why that disconnect happens. Drawing from her book How to Feel Loved, we talk about the psychology behind connection, challenge common myths like love languages, and dig into how curiosity, vulnerability, and better conversations can help you build more meaningful relationships.

[0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Sonja Lyubomirsky

[11:08] Being Loved vs. Feeling Loved

[14:14] Why Love Doesn’t Always “Land”

[19:42] Deep Conversations vs. Small Talk

[23:47] Vulnerability: The Key to Real Connection

[32:01] What Are Love Mindsets?

[37:24] Psychological Barriers to Feeling Loved

[44:53] The #1 Happiness Tip 

[50:51] Are Love Languages Real?

[53:23] Music, Focus, and Flow

[56:21] Grooving Session: Letting Love In

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

Groove vs Grind Survey

About Sonja

How to Feel Loved by Sonja Lyubomirsky and Harry Reis

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Tina Turner - What’s Love Got To Do With It

The Lumineers - Stubborn Love

Fear at work isn’t obvious, but it is powerful. In this episode, Tom Rieger explains how fear of loss drives silos, misalignment, and inefficiency, and why AI and remote work may be making things worse, instead of better.

[0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Tom Rieger

[8:43] The Impact of Fear on Organizations

[16:26] Behavioral Economics and Organizational Fear

[23:39] The Role of AI in Organizational Fear

[31:25] The Challenge of Breaking Status Quo

[37:50] Advice to Managers and Leaders

[39:59] Desert Island Music

[43:24] Grooving Session: Breaking Fear Down

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

About Tom

Breaking the Fear Barrier by Tom Rieger

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Andrés Segovia - Leyenda by Albeniz

Boston - More Than a Feeling

Should influence be about getting to “yes”? With Brian Ahearn, we explore a more ethical approach where persuasion is a responsibility, humility drives leadership, and real impact comes from helping others make better decisions.

[0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Brian Ahearn

[8:10] The Line Between Influence and Manipulation

[12:25] Why Intent Matters in Persuasion

[16:40] Aligning Influence with Personal Values

[21:05] The Role of Humility in Leadership

[25:30] Emotional Reactions and Decision-Making

[30:15] Influencing Hearts vs Minds

[35:40] Small Actions, Identity, and the Consistency Principle

[42:41] Desert Island Music

[50:31] Grooving Session: Helping People Decide Better

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

About Brian

Influence People

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Johnny Cash - The Man Comes Around

Frank Sinatra - The Way You Look Tonight

What if the key to growth isn’t finding better answers, but asking better questions? In our April throwback episode, we revisit our conversation with Elizabeth Weingarten on her book How to Fall in Love with Questions, where we explore how embracing uncertainty can lead to greater self-awareness, resilience, and connection. Through practice and mindset shifts, Elizabeth tells us all the ways questions can lead to clarity and confidence.

Elizabeth's book is available on paperback starting 4/15/26. If you're interested in learning more, grab your copy today!

 ©2026 Behavioral Grooves

[0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Elizabeth Weingarten

[11:04] The Power of Loving Questions

[15:50] The Biological Need for Certainty

[21:48] The Role of Patience in Asking Questions

[39:18] Questions and the Role of Behavioral Science

[47:57] Desert Island Music

[50:38] Grooving Session: The Value of Sitting With Questions

©2025 Behavioral Grooves

More About Elizabeth

Better Life Lab

How to Fall in Love with Questions

Torch Leadership

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Steely Dan - Do It Again

Chapell Roan - Pink Pony Club

Marcus Buckingham joins us to challenge the belief that success comes from doing what you’re good at. Using decades of research, he argues that what truly drives performance and fulfillment is something else entirely: love. In this episode, we explore why most workplace strategies miss the mark and how focusing on what gives you energy can reshape the way you think about work, and maybe even life.

[0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Marcus Buckingham

[11:17] The Science of Excellence

[17:53] The Importance of Love in Business

[22:04] Experiences → Behaviors → Outcomes

[32:03] The Myth of Linear Improvement

[40:25] The Five Feelings of Love

[1:00:49] Red Threads and Experience Intelligence

[1:08:18] The Role of AI in Designing Love

[1:11:30] Why You Shouldn’t Go to a Coldplay Concert

[1:18:43] Disney’s Approach to Experience Design

[1:30:19] Grooving Session: The Power of Love in Work

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

About Marcus

The Buckingham Institute 

Design Love In by Marcus Buckingham

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Coldplay - Fix You

Coldplay - Violet Hill (Live)

What does it mean to truly “click” with someone—and why does it matter so much at work? With researcher Maya Rossignac-Milon, we explore the science of shared reality and how authentic, off-script interactions lead to stronger relationships, greater meaning, and better performance. This episode reframes connection not as a bonus, but as a core driver of success.

[0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Maya Rossignac-Milon

[10:11] Defining Shared Reality

[14:43] Reality and Work Performance

[19:22] How Shared Reality Can Help You Achieve Your Goals

[24:28] Research and Collaboration

[27:41] The Benefits of Riffing

[37:29] Shared Reality and Romantic Partners

[42:32] Fighting a Culture of Individualism

[50:20] Desert Island Music

[54:20] Grooving Session: Finding Alignment and Making Connections

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

About Maya

Measuring Shared Reality

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Gunnar Haslam - Kenosha

Basic Channel - Phylyps Trak

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.

[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

About Nick

It’s On You by Nick Chater and George Lowenstein 

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Bach - Mass in B Minor

John McLaughlin - Stella by Starlight/My Favourite Things

AI pioneer Sandy Pentland joins us to explore how storytelling and shared wisdom shape human culture, and how artificial intelligence could either strengthen or freeze that process. From the history of AI to the future of democracy, we discuss collective intelligence, distributed decision-making, and how AI tools might actually improve civic dialogue if designed the right way.

[0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Sandy Pentland

[8:09] Could AI make society less intelligent?

[12:21] What “shared wisdom” really means

[18:28] Culture, stories, and how societies evolve

[23:50] Information overload in the digital age

[30:23] Why shared goals (a “North Star”) matter for progress

[34:10] The history of AI: booms, winters, and lessons learned

[42:46] Can AI improve democracy?

[49:13] The danger of algorithmic “rich get richer” systems

[54:19] Grooving Session: storytelling, culture, and collective intelligence

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

About Sandy

Shared Wisdom: Cultural Evolution in the Age of AI by Sandy Pentland

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Devo - Whip It

Flight of the Conchords - Robots (The Humans Are Dead)