Behavioral Grooves Podcast

January often feels like a letdown instead of a fresh start. In this episode, we explain the behavioral science behind the January slump, why motivation drops after the holidays, and how reflection, recovery, and smaller milestones can help individuals and teams regain energy and momentum.

Topics
[0:00] Are you feeling that January Slump?

[3:34] Reflecting and recharging

[4:56] What leaders can do

[8:00] Milestones for motivation

[11:42] Final thoughts and next steps

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

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Boredom feels unpleasant, but that may be the point. Psychologist Dr. Erin Westgate joins us to explain why boredom is a signal rather than a flaw, how meaning and attention shape it, and what it can teach us about work, burnout, and living a psychologically rich life.

Topics
[0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Erin Westgate

[8:05] Do we think for pleasure?

[13:11] Why men would rather shock themselves than be bored

[15:50] The MAC model

[25:23] Is boredom useful?

[29:07] Enjoyable vs. interesting experiences

[31:51] Can a boring life still be a good life?

[39:58] Boredom and burnout at work 

[49:39] Is boredom good or bad?

[52:38] Designing better environments for bored people

[58:31] Desert island music

[1:02:17] Grooving Session: Boredom and meaning in life

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

Links
About Erin

A Psychologically Rich Life: Beyond Happiness and Meaning

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Musical Links
Patty Scialfa - Rumble Doll

Beethoven - Symphony No.7 in A major op.92 - II, Allegretto

It’s Throwback Thursday at Behavioral Grooves, and we’re revisiting one of our favorite conversations with bestselling author Jonah Berger on the surprising power of words. Tiny shifts in language can shape behavior, influence relationships, and even change how others see us. Jonah reveals the “magic words” that captivate, motivate, and persuade, and shares practical tips for turning actions into identities, priming behavior with language, and making every word count.

Topics
[3:27] Welcome and speed round questions.

[5:09] Why asking for advice makes us actually seem smarter.

[7:17] Using abstract vs. concrete language.

[12:42] How Jonah researched the use of language.

[16:49] How can our language affect our relationships.

[19:31] Turning actions into identities.

[22:47] Priming behavior with language.

[25:00] Do the lyrics of songs help explain their success?

[28:27] Grooving Session with Tim and Kurt on why words matter.

Links
About Jonah

Magic Words: What to Say to Get Your Way by Jonah Berger

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Music Links
Suzanne Vega, DNA - Tom's Diner 

RUN DMC - Walk This Way (ft. Aerosmith)

What if the key to better work isn’t doing more, but moving more, resting better, and thinking differently? Dr. Natalie Nixon joins us to unpack her Move, Think, Rest framework and explain why creativity thrives when we step away from hustle culture. From walking meetings and daydreaming to embracing ambiguity and redesigning how we work, this episode offers a powerful reframe for anyone feeling burned out or stuck.

Topics
[0:00] Introduction and speed round with Natalie Nixon

[10:20] Burnout, hustle culture, and redesigning how we work

[16:12 Productivity myths from the Industrial Revolution

[20:34] Movement hygiene and the benefits of walking

[26:39] The Move, Think, Rest model

[30:27] How to embrace ambiguity instead of fighting it

[38:27] The importance of scaling rest

[44:38] How Natalie finds her groove

[48:25] Grooving Session: Reframing productivity and creativity 

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

Links
MTR Challenge

Natalie Nixon

Move. Think. Rest. By Natalie Nixon, PhD

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Music Links
Check out Natalie Nixon's Playlist for:

Move

Think

Rest

In this annual “best of the best” episode, we revisit the behavioral science books that most influenced our thinking this year. Rather than ranking titles, we explore what made each book impactful; from happiness and psychological richness to leadership, teams, and behavioral economics, and why these ideas continue to challenge how we think, work, and live.

Topics
[0:00] Can we really rank “best” books?

[2:08] Book Giveaway - How to join

[3:34] Psychological richness and happiness

[5:50] Redefining wealth beyond money

[7:21] The illusion of self-derived beliefs

[8:25] Getting out of your own way

[11:11] The power of mattering at work

[13:21] Rethinking happiness

[15:01] Behavioral science in the real world

[16:45] Behavioral economics

[19:52] Behavioral science in marketing and advertising

[20:19] Closing thoughts and community invite 

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

Links
Life in Three Dimensions – Shigehiro Oishi

The Soul of Wealth – Daniel Crosby

The Knowledge Illusion – Steven Sloman

Detach – Bob Rosen

The Collective Edge – Colin Fisher

The Power of Mattering – Zach Mercurio

What We Value – Emily Falk

Beyond Happy – Mark Fabian

The Doors You Can Open – Rosalind Chow

The Housefly Effect – Eva van den Broek & Tim den Heijer

The Winner’s Curse – Richard Thaler & Alex Imas

Meditations for Mortals – Oliver Burkeman

Hacking the Human Mind – Richard Shotton

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Music Links
Groovy Listening 2025 Playlist