Behavioral Grooves Podcast

This Halloween, we dive into the spooky science of superstition—why we knock on wood, wear lucky socks, and believe in things that defy logic. From the psychology of control and uncertainty to research on how superstition both stresses and strengthens us, we mix science, humor, and a dash of Stevie Wonder to show why “superstition ain’t the way.” Topics [0:00] Happy Halloween from Behavioral Grooves! [2:08] Common superstitions and their rationality [6:40] Psychological and cultural aspects of superstitions [9:13] Superstitions: The positives and negatives [14:36] The hidden wisdom of Stevie Wonder [16:14] Why we should be curious about our rituals ©2025 Behavioral Grooves Links Believing in Magic: The Psychology of Superstition [https://www.amazon.com/Believing-Magic-Superstition-Stuart-Vyse/dp/0195078829] Delacroix, Eva & Valérie Guillard. (2008). Understanding, defining and measuring the trait of superstition.  [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/41221415_Understanding_defining_and_measuring_the_trait_of_superstition] Join us on Substack! [https://bgpodcast.substack.com/] Join the Behavioral Grooves community [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1025501742354651] Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@behavioralgrooves] Music Links Stevie Wonder - Superstition  [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftdZ363R9kQ&list=RDftdZ363R9kQ&start_radio=1] Nightmare Before Christmas - This Is Halloween [https://youtu.be/ZVuToMilP0A?si=LH_V7WCvkeZAxh1u]

Psychologist and author Dr. Wolfgang Linden joins us to explore why so much of our stress comes not from events themselves, but from our attempts to control them. Drawing on 40+ years of research and clinical experience, he breaks down the “illusion of control” and argues that we only truly have power over two things: how we respond and where we direct our energy. We dive into his emotion–thought–behavior framework, the dangers of suppressing emotions, and how small shifts in attention and behavior can interrupt toxic cycles. From relationships to health to life goals, Wolfgang shows how letting go can actually give us more peace, more agency, and a clearer path forward—sometimes even by knowing when to quit. Topics [0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Dr. Wolfgang Linden [6:08] Emotions: friend or foe? [13:38] Behavior change and depression [17:51] When to persist vs. when to quit [26:23] Stress, values, and life priorities [31:39] Saying yes to opportunities [36:05] What to do when stuck in a rut [43:37] Desert Island music [48:36] Grooving session: attention, focus, and letting go ©2025 Behavioral Grooves Links About Dr. Wolfgang Linden [https://psych.ubc.ca/profile/wolfgang-linden/] The Illusion of Control: A Practical Guide to Avoid Futile Struggles by Wolfgang Linden [https://www.amazon.com/Illusion-Control-Practical-Futile-Struggles/dp/1538183641] Join us on Substack! [https://bgpodcast.substack.com/] Join the Behavioral Grooves community [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1025501742354651] Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@behavioralgrooves] Musical Links Jethro Tull - Locomotive Breath [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyyQ2XRPOnI&start_radio=1] Franz Schubert - Symphony No. 8 (Unfinished) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tisvEpblig]

This October, we’re celebrating 8 years of Behavioral Grooves! To mark the occasion, we’re digging into our archives and re-sharing some of our most popular and thought-provoking conversations every Thursday for the next two months. The celebration builds to our Anniversary Event on October 16th in Minneapolis, where fan favorite Nick Epley will lead the audience in a live social experiment and conversation about the science we all love. 🎉 Space is limited—grab your tickets now through the link in the show notes and join us for an unforgettable night of behavioral science, connection, and fun! And for our final throwback... Annie Duke returns to discuss her book How to Decide: Simple Tools for Making Better Choices, a practical guide that helps readers apply decision-making strategies in everyday life. Annie walks us through concepts like the Archer’s Mindset, Free Rolls, and the surprising benefits of negative thinking, all designed to improve goal-setting and outcomes. Blending behavioral science with her signature clarity—and even a few musical shoutouts to Jack White—Annie offers listeners concrete tools to make smarter decisions and, ultimately, happier lives. Links Behavioral Grooves LIVE in Minneapolis! [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/500-grooves-and-counting-special-live-podcast-event-tickets-1607457762439?aff=oddtdtcreator] How to Decide by Annie Duke [https://www.amazon.com/How-Decide-Simple-Making-Choices/dp/0593418484/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.crRgiT8MB5WQpQuZmEcbgvnTHDgLy2wZvRs0PUIDpe-jiWtXr_n2eZEccjiFIKodAmfYfzu19vwY_uWVgQhPE-AP6F8yfJGh-XGjBQPyg7g.3ajvrnGuEpcw8cI-x-8prcHhthLQZBopYYyoYWkM74o&qid=1756911868&sr=8-1] Music Links Jack White - Archbishop Harold Holmes [https://youtu.be/ru5afNNSPeU?si=AQKvIffT4HiOjQvB]

We explore the hidden forces of status and anointment with Professor Toby Stuart, author of Anointed: How Status Shapes Our Lives. Status influences careers, relationships, and how we perceive art, yet as AI blurs traditional markers of merit, society is increasingly relying on shortcuts like pedigree and recognition. We examine the risks, opportunities, and compounding effects of status, revealing how small advantages snowball into lifelong impacts and challenging listeners to rethink how status shapes their world. ©2025 Behavioral Grooves Topics [0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Toby Stuart [8:43] Status-based Bias [13:49] Status in Art, Music, and Science [26:34] The Power of Anointment and Status Transfer [39:39] Status Hierarchies, Networks, and Social Groups [43:23] The Cosmic Lottery [48:06] The Future of Status in an AI World [58:47] What is the Matthew Effect? [1:01:50] Grooving Session - What Does Status Really Mean? ©2025 Behavioral Grooves Links Behavioral Grooves Live in Minneapolis! [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/500-grooves-and-counting-special-live-podcast-event-tickets-1607457762439?aff=oddtdtcreator] More About Toby [https://tobystuart.com/] Anointed by Toby Stuart [https://www.amazon.com/Anointed-Extraordinary-Effects-Social-Winner-Take-Most/dp/166800187X] Join us on Substack! [https://bgpodcast.substack.com/] Join the Behavioral Grooves community [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1025501742354651] Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@behavioralgrooves] Music Links Duke Ellington - Take the “A” Train [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2G1fKYFgVU&start_radio=1] Mozart - Eine Kleine Nachtmusik [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oy2zDJPIgwc&list=RDoy2zDJPIgwc&start_radio=1]

This October, we’re celebrating 8 years of Behavioral Grooves! To mark the occasion, we’re digging into our archives and re-sharing some of our most popular and thought-provoking conversations every Thursday for the next two months. The celebration builds to our Anniversary Event on October 16th in Minneapolis, where fan favorite Nick Epley will lead the audience in a live social experiment and conversation about the science we all love. Space is limited—grab your tickets now through the link in the show notes and join us for an unforgettable night of behavioral science, connection, and fun! And now - our throwback of the week! Bob McKinnon—host of the Attribution podcast and author of America’s Dreaming—joins us to unpack the stories we tell about success and failure. Bob challenges the “fundamental attribution error,” showing how luck, privilege, and social connections shape life outcomes far more than we often admit. Together, we explore the ethics of marketing, the hidden role of systemic barriers, and how reframing our narratives can foster empathy and bridge divides. With storytelling, history, and even music woven in, this conversation reveals how compassionate curiosity can help us see both ourselves and others more clearly. Links Behavioral Grooves LIVE in Minneapolis! [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/500-grooves-and-counting-special-live-podcast-event-tickets-1607457762439?aff=oddtdtcreator] America's Dreaming by Bob McKinnon [https://www.amazon.com/Americas-Dreaming-Bob-McKinnon/dp/0593658795/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2FROGJFIRO1C6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.B3_IHKmbqdR4VMytJvCIevAE2uQz6WrXJM5cHS6fCera4pfejSfjlUEFOfk9Ifm5U2mDb8KYGJ9FM9kT4YNR9bhctajp8O4RUVGaXSbXrLsyASRrVWuE50V67ANhIt8E2xJ6VA-tlZ1tclPpmO3Bwfb6yygnzk3FOz7KlKWm_9yFpVydhDamDsA_YT2B9nm5oUIWKCIdH2S-ggHLsMnBbm-pJgkBXOHn8NvN-X-LYKk.AMik2zNePYO6AJ3H2K7auXLRFqifWfJ4JdVzjpoNyJY&dib_tag=se&keywords=bob+mckinnon&qid=1756912040&sprefix=bob+mck%2Caps%2C361&sr=8-1] Music Links Neil Diamond - I am…I said [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TYesac3Hmw] Tracy Chapman - Fast Car [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIOAlaACuv4]