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. Topics [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 Links About Rebecca The Mattering Instinct by Rebecca Newberger Goldstein  Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Musical Links 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. Topics [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 Links About Judd Lucky by Design by Judd Kessler Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Musical Links 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. Topics [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 Links About Leidy Klotz In a Good Place by Leidy Klotz Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Musical Links 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. Topics [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 Links About Shige Life in Three Dimensions by Shigehiro Oishi Happiness is Everything, or Is It? Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Musical Links Charlie Parker - Honeysuckle Rose Clifford Brown & Max Roach - Joy Spring

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. Topics [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 Links About Nick A Little More Social by Nick Epley Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Musical Links 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. Topics [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 Links Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Musical Links 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. Topics [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 Links Groove vs Grind Survey About Sonja How to Feel Loved by Sonja Lyubomirsky and Harry Reis Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Musical Links 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. Topics [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 Links About Tom Breaking the Fear Barrier by Tom Rieger Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Music Links 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. Topics [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 Links About Brian Influence People Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Music Links 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 Topics [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 Links More About Elizabeth Better Life Lab How to Fall in Love with Questions Torch Leadership Join the Behavioral Grooves community Music Links Steely Dan - Do It Again Chapell Roan - Pink Pony Club