What happens when we enter a conversation with someone we assume is different from us? Social psychologist Claude Steele argues that the tension and nerves we feel may have less to do with prejudice than we think. In his new book, Churn, Claude explores how identity threats can affect our performance and relationships, why we fear being misjudged, and how empathy, listening, and understanding can help reduce that tension and foster trust. We discuss why context matters, how our attitudes can follow our behavior, and why “colorblindness” can make it harder to understand another person’s experience.Topics[[[[[[[[[[©2026 Behavioral GroovesLinksAbout ClaudeChurn: The Tension That Divides Us and How to Overcome ItJoin us on Substack!Join the Behavioral Grooves communitySubscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTubeSupport Behavioral GroovesMusical LinksMiles Davis & Gil Evans - The DukeStevie Wonder - Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing