Behavioral Grooves Podcast

Are We Solving the Wrong Problems? | Nick Chater

Are nudges enough to change behavior at scale? Nick Chater argues they’re not. In this episode, we explore the limits of individual-focused solutions and why lasting change often requires shifting systems, not just choices. Topics [0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Nick Chater [13:00] What Does Nudging Really Do? [18:30] I-Frame vs S-Frame Thinking [25:00] Nudges and Politics [28:09] Limitations in Public [33:39] System vs Individual Responsibilities [42:04] Case Study: Retirement Saving Systems [49:01] Are We Solving the Right Problems? [55:00] Can We Fix Broken Systems? [1:00:06] Green Eggs and Ham - a Solution [1:06:12] Desert Island Music [1:09:20] Grooving Session: Systemic Issues, Evolutionary Tendencies ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About Nick [https://www.wbs.ac.uk/about/person/nick-chater/] It’s On You by Nick Chater and George Lowenstein  [https://www.amazon.com/Its-You-Corporations-Behavioral-Scientists/dp/1541700112] 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 Bach - Mass in B Minor [https://youtu.be/3FLbiDrn8IE?si=S4ekhGzLnmDPa_ZI] John McLaughlin - Stella by Starlight/My Favourite Things [https://youtu.be/uHbLq694PoU?si=H7xhhZrtAF3bhzVV]

Can AI Strengthen Democracy? | Sandy Pentland

AI pioneer Sandy Pentland joins us to explore how storytelling and shared wisdom shape human culture, and how artificial intelligence could either strengthen or freeze that process. From the history of AI to the future of democracy, we discuss collective intelligence, distributed decision-making, and how AI tools might actually improve civic dialogue if designed the right way. Topics [0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Sandy Pentland [8:09] Could AI make society less intelligent? [12:21] What “shared wisdom” really means [18:28] Culture, stories, and how societies evolve [23:50] Information overload in the digital age [30:23] Why shared goals (a “North Star”) matter for progress [34:10] The history of AI: booms, winters, and lessons learned [42:46] Can AI improve democracy? [49:13] The danger of algorithmic “rich get richer” systems [54:19] Grooving Session: storytelling, culture, and collective intelligence ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About Sandy [https://www.media.mit.edu/people/sandy/overview/] Shared Wisdom: Cultural Evolution in the Age of AI by Sandy Pentland [https://www.amazon.com/Shared-Wisdom-Cultural-Evolution-Age/dp/0262050994/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=185244558446&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.DEhnFzBbBQOkO1Nl_JtoEmL3bs5Dn6a0yn2-7so0XBA.Cu6c22IztR5PzbI2GQU1Uu1E74i9sBuKhlWqsov37wM&dib_tag=se&hvadid=779655688776&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9198663&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=3004835132584025565--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=3004835132584025565&hvtargid=kwd-2450549140226&hydadcr=22562_13730694_8388&keywords=shared+wisdom+pentland&mcid=a4f57d2b14b73f2d82fe86fc5e85d25f&qid=1773414675&sr=8-1] 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 Devo - Whip It [https://youtu.be/j_QLzthSkfM?si=praqHPlXuu-4U0nK] Flight of the Conchords - Robots (The Humans Are Dead) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BcFHvEpP7A&list=RD0BcFHvEpP7A&start_radio=1]

The Real Secret to Living Longer | Ken Stern

What truly helps people live longer, healthier lives? In this episode, we talk with journalist and author Ken Stern about the science behind longevity and why social connection may matter more than diet or exercise alone. From loneliness being compared to smoking 15 cigarettes a day to cultures that keep older adults engaged through work and community, we explore how purpose, relationships, and social structures shape healthy aging. Topics [0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Ken Stern [6:47] Big Cities vs Rural Living and Life Expectancy [10:22] Are We Overvaluing Diet and Exercise? [16:34] Why Loneliness Is Worse in the U.S. [23:35] The Blue Zones Debate [26:18] How to Build Stronger Social Connections [30:25] Rethinking Retirement and Purpose [40:28] Why Generational Mixing Matters [44:41] Intergenerational Communities and Empathy [53:50] Desert Island Music [58:11] Grooving Session: How to Live Your Best (and Longest) Life ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About Ken [https://www.longevity-project.com/about-us] The Longevity Project [https://www.longevity-project.com/] Healthy to 100 by Ken Stern [https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/ken-stern/healthy-to-100/9781541705012/?lens=publicaffairs] 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 Bruce Springsteen - Dancing in the Dark [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=129kuDCQtHs&start_radio=1] U2 - With or Without You [https://youtu.be/ujNeHIo7oTE?si=BSsk8Gld2VeZC3Pz]

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]