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Artwork for Behavioral Grooves Podcast

Behavioral Grooves Podcast

Kurt Nelson, PhD and Tim Houlihan
Behavioral Science
Behavioral Economics
Leadership
Psychology
Relationships
Decision Making
Emotional Intelligence
Mental Health
Happiness
Neuroscience
Polarization
Human Behavior
Motivation
Political Polarization
Burnout
Anxiety
Gratitude
Uncertainty
Personality Change
Social Media

Stories, science and secrets from the world’s brightest thought-leaders. Behavioral Grooves is the podcast that satisfies your curiosity of why we do what we do. Explanations of human behavior that will improve your relationships, your wellbeing, and your organization by helping you find your groove.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes500Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BusinessScienceSocial Sciences

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Artwork for Behavioral Grooves Podcast

Latest Episodes

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 b... more

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 conversat... more

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 transplan... more

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 ex... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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You Are Not So Smart
You Are Not So SmartYou Are Not So Smart
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People I (Mostly) Admire
People I (Mostly) AdmireFreakonomics Radio + Stitcher

Recent Guests

Martin Gonzales
Author of The Bonfire Moment; Google's Effective Founders Project lead
Google
Episode: Throwback Thursday: Fighting Imposter Syndrome at Work | Martin Gonzalez
Rebecca Newberger Goldstein
Philosopher and author, discusses mattering instinct and the Mattering Map
Columbia University? (contextual – author of The Mattering Instinct)
Episode: Fame, Incels, and the Need to Matter | Rebecca Goldstein
Judd Kessler
Economist, University of Pennsylvania, author of Lucky By Design
University of Pennsylvania
Episode: The Hidden Rules of Lucky People | Judd Kessler
Leidy Klotz
Author of In a Good Place; researcher exploring how physical spaces shape psychology
Author, In a Good Place; researcher
Episode: How the Spaces Around Us Shape Our Lives | Leidy Klotz
Shige Oishi
Professor and leading researcher on subjective wellbeing
University of Virginia
Episode: Throwback Thursday: The #1 Way to Live a Happy Life | Shige Oishi
Nick Epley
Professor of psychology, University of Chicago
University of Chicago
Episode: Why We’re Lonely Together | Nick Epley
Sonja Lyubomirsky
Renowned happiness researcher and professor at UC Riverside
University of California, Riverside
Episode: Why Don’t I Feel Loved? | Sonja Lyubomirsky
Tom Rieger
Author of Breaking the Fear Barrier; behavioral/organizational expert
Author
Episode: The Silent Killer in Your Workplace | Tom Rieger
Brian Ahearn
Author, Influence People founder, educator on ethical influence
Influence People; Cialdini Institute
Episode: How to Influence Others (Ethically) | Brian Ahearn

Hosts

Curt Nelson
Host of Behavioral Grooves, co-host in many episodes, focused on behavioral science conversations
Tim Houlihan
Co-host known for guiding discussions, keeping conversations engaging and practical
Kurt Nelson
Host in the Behavioral Grooves duo, brings research-centered insights

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 246 ratings
  • A little more social

    Amazing and thought provoking podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KathleenScha
    United States8 months ago
  • Insightful, Entrrtaining

    Kurt and Tim are worth listening to. I learn something important every episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BG 500 Fan
    United States8 months ago
  • Geniuses

    And groovy too!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Brokenapp127889
    United States8 months ago
  • meaningful & Insightful

    A great listen , interesting topics. The interviews have a novel approach with a playful approach to serious research on human behavior

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Move & Flow
    United States9 months ago
  • Engaging and Insightful for Behavioral Science

    The podcast makes behavioral science both rigorous and practical. The episode with Katy Milkman on temptation bundling and fresh-start effects was especially memorable - it gave me clear takeaways I can apply in daily life. Every conversation strikes the perfect balance between research and real-world application. Highly recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Elizabeth_Toth
    Netherlands9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Rigorous yet accessible; talks stay practical and fun.
Listeners appreciate the thoughtful, friendly banter and the breadth of topics across BeSci.
High-quality guests and conversations that spark curiosity.
Great balance of research depth and relatability; recaps help memory.
Consistently valuable, but some episodes can feel lengthy; depth may slow pace for casual listeners.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Hidden Rules of Lucky People | Judd Kessler
Q: Can you give an example where changing the allocation rule improved fairness or efficiency?
Organ donation and organ allocation show how policy design—such as increasing the donor pool or using lottery-like or priority-based rules—can improve overall outcomes without simply rewarding the wealthiest.
Throwback Thursday: Fighting Imposter Syndrome at Work | Martin Gonzalez
Q: In a startup, is it better for co-founders to share power equally?
Not always; equal sharing can signal unresolved contributions and potential friction, whereas alignment and clear role differentiation often lead to stronger performance and investor confidence.
Throwback Thursday: Fighting Imposter Syndrome at Work | Martin Gonzalez
Q: If you could get a superpower for an hour, would you choose flying or reading minds?
Flying is chosen because it aligns with childhood joys and represents a capability that grows with effort, while mind-reading is viewed as less feasible to develop in a short time.
Throwback Thursday: Fighting Imposter Syndrome at Work | Martin Gonzalez
Q: Do you prefer coffee or tea?
Coffee wins easily, reflecting a personal preference that also ties into a broader theme of high-energy, focused work habits that support intense startup work, though the guests emphasize balance and sustainable leadership.
Throwback Thursday: The #1 Way to Live a Happy Life | Shige Oishi
Q: Can you describe the happiness trap and how people can avoid it?
The happiness trap is that people equate happiness with personal success and immediate rewards, leading to anxiety and dissatisfaction; to avoid it, cultivate a flexible mindset, appreciate everyday joys, and balance expectations with openness to new experiences.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Behavioral Grooves Podcast

What is Behavioral Grooves Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show surveys behavioral science through conversations with leading researchers and practitioners, blending theory with practical takeaways for work, relationships, and everyday life. Topics commonly center on motivation, happiness, social connection, leadership, and organizational culture, with guests ranging from happiness researchers to designers of workplace experiences and long-term health thinkers. A standout is its ability to translate complex findings into actionable guidance, while maintaining an approachable, often playful dialogue that appeals to both academics and professionals seeking real-world applications.

Noteworthy is the consistent emphasis on actionable frameworks, embodied by discussions about designing spaces, reduc... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Behavioral Grooves Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Behavioral Grooves Podcast:

1. You Are Not So Smart
2. Worklife with Molly Graham
3. The Next Big Idea
4. People I (Mostly) Admire
5. Choiceology with Katy Milkman

How many episodes of Behavioral Grooves Podcast are there?

Behavioral Grooves Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 500 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Behavioral Grooves Podcast?

Recent guests on Behavioral Grooves Podcast include:

1. Martin Gonzales
2. Rebecca Newberger Goldstein
3. Judd Kessler
4. Leidy Klotz
5. Shige Oishi
6. Nick Epley
7. Sonja Lyubomirsky
8. Tom Rieger

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