Behavioral Grooves Podcast

How can a tiny fly in an airport urinal transform human behavior? This week, we sit down with Eva van den Broek and Tim den Heijer, authors of The Housefly Effect, to uncover how subtle environmental cues can shape our decisions in powerful and surprising ways. With Eva’s expertise in behavioral economics and Tim’s background in advertising, they reveal the fascinating impact nudges have on our daily lives. From casino design to placebo crosswalk buttons, the world around us is filled with real-life applications of behavioral science that influence our behavior—even when we know they’re at play. Join us for practical tips, captivating stories, and thought-provoking insights into how these small interventions can make a big difference in your life. So sit back, relax, and discover the invisible forces of behavioral science all around you. ©2025 Behavioral Grooves Topics [0:00] Intro - Flies in Urinals? [6:57] Speed Round with Eva and Tim [10:58] Exploring the House Fly Effect [22:07] Why Knowing About Nudges Doesn’t Stop Them [32:20] Regulating Nudges in Online Casinos [41:36] Personal Applications of Behavioral Science [50:37] Desert Island Music [56:17] Grooving Session: The Bigger Picture of Behavioral Science ©2025 Behavioral Grooves Links The Housefly Effect: How Nudge Psychology Steers Your Everyday Behaviour Illusion of control: Why the world is full of buttons that don’t work Have You Been Nudged? Musical Links David Bowie - Space Oddity  Prince - When Doves Cry Arooj Aftab - Mehram  Benjamin Britten - Mozart: Symphony No. 25 in G minor, K.183 - 1. Allegro con brio  

Happy New Year, Groovers! The start of a new year often brings fresh goals, ambitious resolutions, and a renewed sense of motivation. But what’s the psychology behind this goal-oriented mindset? In our first episode of the year, we’re joined by Dr. Ayelet Fishbach, a renowned expert in behavioral science, to explore the science of achieving goals and rethink the traditional belief that success is all about willpower. Whether you’re a leader looking to energize your team, a professional pursuing career aspirations, or someone striving to stay on track with personal resolutions, this episode will inspire you to think differently about motivation. Discover how to align your efforts with purpose, make progress more enjoyable, and build lasting momentum to achieve meaningful goals in the year ahead. ©2025 Behavioral Grooves Topics [0:00] Motivation and Willpower - a New Perspective with Ayelet Fishbach [3:19] The Marshmallow Test and Its Misinterpretation [7:52] Meta Motivation and Its Implications [14:28] The Role of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation [18:17] Problems Around Goal Achievement [32:41] The Important of Aspirational Goals [42:58] Strategies for Overcoming the Problem of "the Middle" [48:33] Key Takeaways Links Get It Done: Surprising Lessons from the Science of Motivation Motivation Isn’t About Being Strong, It’s About Being Wise Understanding the Power of Intrinsic Motivation NIH: Intrinsic Motivation

Happy Holidays from Behavioral Grooves! We're taking a week off to get ready for all the new and exciting content we have in store for our listeners coming in 2025. If you'd like to help us make next year's show amazing please help us by filling out the Behavioral Grooves survey here! In the meantime, please enjoy this republish of one of our favorite episode this year, enjoy! How can we turn disagreements into opportunities for growth and connection? In this episode, Kurt and Tim dive into the science of meaningful conversations with David Robson, author of The Laws of Connection. Together, they explore how to deepen our understanding and build stronger connections with the people around us. Disagreements don’t have to signal the end of a conversation. Instead, with compassionate curiosity and a willingness to listen, we can turn them into constructive dialogues that bridge divides. © 2024 Behavioral Grooves Topics  [0:00] A message from Tim [3:05] Welcome back, David! [5:27] Intro and speed round [10:05] Misconceptions about connecting with strangers [16:59] The importance of social connections [25:43] The art of successful conversation [31:09] Creating a shared reality [34:44] Effective communication strategies for disagreements [38:42] Using personal experience to persuade others [42:17] Effective feedback delivery [53:55] Grooving session: Building connections, overcoming fear, and improving relationships © 2024 Behavioral Grooves Links Kwame Christian’s “Compassionate Curiosity” approach Trotsky’s principle on empathy and statistics The Laws of Connection David Robson Music Links Judy Collins - Spellbound Taylor Swift - Fortnight West Side Story - America

Want to help us improve Behavioral Grooves? Take our listener survey here! Looking for your next great read? We’ve got you covered! It’s time for our annual Best Books episode, where we share the standout reads that inspired and informed us this year. We’ve organized our picks into four categories—Leadership, Work Life, Relationships, and Critical Thinking—to help you find the perfect book for your personal or professional journey. Whether you’re looking for fresh ideas, practical insights, or even a last-minute gift, this curated list has something for everyone. Join us as we explore the year’s most impactful reads and get ready to turn the page on some life-changing ideas! ©2024 Behavioral Grooves Topics [0:00] Welcome back to Best Books! [2:37] Best Books for Leadership [11:56] Best Books for Work Life [19:23] Best Books for Relationships [30:05] Best Books for Critical Thinking [43:18] Wrap up - Happy Holidays from Behavioral Grooves! ©2024 Behavioral Grooves Links Both and Thinking by Wendy Smith and Marianne Lewis The Friction Project by Huggy Rao and Robert Sutton Likable Badass by Alison Green Is Your Work Worth It? by Christopher Michaelson and Jennifer Tosti-Kharas Burnout Immunity by Kandi Wiens The Ritual Effect by Mike Norton Tightwads and Spendthrifts by Scott Rick The Laws of Connection by David Robson 12 Questions for Love by Topaz Adizes May Contain Lies by Alex Edmonds You Only Die Once by Jody Wellman Third Millennium Thinking by Saul Perlmutter, Robert M. Coon, and John Campbell A Year of Living Constitutionally by AJ Jacobs Musical Links Kurt's Song of the Year: Ren - Money Ties Tim's Song of the Year: Lake Street Dive - Nick of Time