Behavioral Grooves Podcast

Throwback Thursday: Evolution's Secret Playbook | Sam Tatam

In memory of our friend, Sam Tatam. Sam was a pioneer in his field, and he joined us for a discussion full of creativity, resolve, and a love of behavioral science. He will be missed. Innovation does not always come from inventing something entirely new. Often, the natural world has already solved the problem. In this throwback conversation, we explore the concept of biomimicry with behavioral scientist Sam Tatam, author of Evolutionary Ideas: Unlocking Ancient Innovation to Solve Tomorrow’s Challenges. We discuss how looking to nature can inspire creative solutions in behavioral science and beyond, from the principles of biomimicry to frameworks like the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) and the Goal Gradient theory. Along the way, we also wander into lighter territory, chatting about the musical artist Sam once traveled to Italy with and the cultural differences between pubs in London and Sydney. Topics [4:59] Welcome and speed round questions. [13:23] What is biomimicry? [18:20] TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving) and evolutionary thinking. [25:32] How language can be a liberator for innovation. [29:28] Categorizing biases into patterns. [34:58] What is the Goal Gradient Theory and why isn’t it applied more often? [9:14] Five psychological contradictions. [47:26] What music would Sam take to a desert island? [51:03] Grooving Session: Evolutionary Ideas.

Are You Too Agreeable? | Dr. Sunita Sah

Why do we say yes when we mean no? In this episode, we talk with Sunita Sah about the psychology of compliance and defiance. From Stanley Milgram’s experiments to the hidden force of insinuation anxiety, we explore why compliance is not the same as consent and how to train yourself to act in alignment with your true values. Topics [0:00] Intro and speed round with Sunita Sah [14:57] Stanley Milgram’s Shock Experiments [20:19] Defiance and True Consent [29:18] Insinuation Anxiety and Conflict of Interest [36:44] The Power of the Pause [39:40] Stages of Defiance [44:13] Moral Mavericks and Defiance Practice [50:55] Desert Island Music [56:17] Grooving Session: Conformity vs. Blind Compliance ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links Defy by Sunita Sah [https://www.amazon.com/Defy-Power-World-That-Demands/dp/0593793714] About Dr. Sunita Sah [https://www.sunitasah.com/] 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] Support Behavioral Grooves [https://bgpodcast.substack.com/subscribe?utm_source=menu&simple=true&next=https%3A%2F%2Fbgpodcast.substack.com%2F] Music Links The Cure - Pictures of You [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rel8ZWkNNlM&list=OLAK5uy_mVJSLXrczjRedcJsaknnU_PWPPVai3PI8] Depeche Mode - Enjoy the Silence [https://youtu.be/aGSKrC7dGcY?si=HC50PnPkukV7XpBa]

What Happened to the Person I Knew? Why Relationships Change

Relationships change because people change. In this episode, we explore what it means when someone you love no longer feels like the person you once knew. Using behavioral science, we examine why personality shifts over time, why growth does not always happen in the same direction, and how to decide whether to reconnect, recalibrate, or let go. Topics [0:00] Understanding Relationship Changes [7:07] Relationship Changes Over Time [13:28] Self-Expansion Theory and Michelangelo Phenomenon [22:08] Growth vs. Escape: What’s Really Driving the Change? [29:49] How to Navigate Relationship Changes [34:00] Updating the Story of “Us” [43:01] The Importance of Compassion [46:00] Regret, Loss, and What to Do Next ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links The All-or-Nothing Marriage: How the Best Marriages Work by Eli Finkel [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+all+or+nothing+marriage&adgrpid=193215038144&hvadid=792692491149&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9198663&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=12213305964904810940--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=12213305964904810940&hvtargid=kwd-347514543273&hydadcr=22488_13695291_2448397&mcid=1ebf41ec934236c9aeeb649fa01e2f5c&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_84ddest88u_e] 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] Support Behavioral Grooves [https://bgpodcast.substack.com/subscribe?utm_source=menu&simple=true&next=https%3A%2F%2Fbgpodcast.substack.com%2F] Music Links Gotye - Somebody That I Used to Know [https://youtu.be/8UVNT4wvIGY?si=xzr80C-xmqBCPkpr] Flora Cash - You’re Somebody Else [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVdPh2cBTN0]

Why Does Jet Lag Hit so Hard? | Daniel Forger

What if your mood, focus, and energy aren’t random—but driven by internal clocks you rarely think about? This week, circadian rhythm expert Daniel Forger explains why jet lag hits so hard, why sleep timing may matter more than sleep duration, and what your wearable data actually means. If you’ve ever questioned your “sleep score” or wondered whether you’re a morning person by design, this conversation will change how you understand your body’s timing system. Topics [0:00] Psychologist Off the Clock! [1:55] Intro and Speed Round with Daniel Forger [5:44] Why Crossing Time Zones Messes You Up [10:07] What Are Biological Rhythms? [13:03] Is Your Apple Watch Accurate? [22:44] How Your Biological Rhythms Impact Mood and Performance [27:17] Could Humans Adapt to a 25-Hour Day? [36:31] Circadian Rhythms and Happiness [44:39] The Three Most Important Lessons About Biological Timing [49:32] Bach, Pipe Organs, and Mathematical Patterns [53:41] Grooving Session: The Intersection of Biology and Happiness ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About Daniel [https://lsa.umich.edu/math/people/faculty/forger.html] Biological Rhythms by Daniel Forger [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=biological+rhythms+daniel+forger&adgrpid=184738191245&hvadid=792860624767&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9198663&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=8244701438762724418--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=8244701438762724418&hvtargid=kwd-2453257576308&hydadcr=14896_13744986_2453268&mcid=85405b82365232d38e2617261cdc6754&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_2xnpga6lft_e] 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] Support Behavioral Grooves [https://bgpodcast.substack.com/subscribe?utm_source=menu&simple=true&next=https%3A%2F%2Fbgpodcast.substack.com%2F] Musical Links Best of Bach [https://youtu.be/6JQm5aSjX6g?si=ZSi3cPlwM0-VWpCx]

Finding Common Ground: When Persuasion Fails and Belief Takes Over

In this special Grooving session, we unpack what happens when shared facts collapse and preferred beliefs take their place. Sparked by Kurt's firsthand experience during unrest in Minneapolis, this conversation explores why people reject lived experience, how identity defense and motivated reasoning shut down dialogue, and when it’s rational to stop trying to persuade altogether. Drawing on behavioral science, persuasion research, and real-world encounters, we examine how to choose your battles, why stories succeed where arguments fail, and what it actually takes to find common ground in a belief-first world.