Behavioral scientist and bestselling author Jon Levy joins us to explore the science behind trust, connection, and influence.

Jon is known for hosting the now-famous Influencers Dinner, a secret dining experience where strangers cook a meal together before discovering they’re sitting with Olympians, astronauts, Nobel laureates, and cultural leaders. The twist? No one is allowed to share their last name or what they do for work.

In this conversation, Jon shares what hundreds of dinners and thousands of guests have taught him about human behavior, including:

• Why shared effort creates stronger relationships than small talk
• The surprising psychology behind asking people for help
• What makes a team truly intelligent (hint: it’s not IQ)
• Why people should introduce their connections more often, not less
• How vulnerability actually builds trust faster

We also dive into Jon’s new book Team Intelligence, discuss the contagious nature of human behavior, and unpack why connection thrives when people collaborate instead of compete.

If you’ve ever wondered how to create deeper relationships at work, in friendship, or even at a dinner party, this episode is full of surprising insights.

Links to explore:

• Jon Levy's website
• The Influencers Dinner
• Jon Levy's new book: Team Intelligence
• Jon Levy's TED Talk "What Makes us Influential"