Why We’re Lonely Together | Nick Epley

Why We’re Lonely Together | Nick Epley

Why do we avoid talking to strangers when connection is exactly what we need most? This week, Nick Epley returns to explore the psychology of “under-sociality” and why we consistently underestimate how rewarding social interaction can be. Nick explains why even small moments of openness, from conversations with strangers to deeper honesty with the people around us, can dramatically improve happiness, trust, and belonging. Turns out, the biggest social risk often isn’t reaching out, it’s staying quiet. Topics [0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Nick Epley [10:40] The Paradox of Being Social [19:12] Experiments and Findings [26:20] How Being Social Impacts Your Health [32:27] The Challenges of Being Social - Political Divides [46:00] Introverts, Extroverts, and What Maslow Got Wrong [54:30] Loneliness, Survival, and the Need to Belong [1:02:18] Grief, Adoption, and the Power of Connection [1:12:56] Desert Island Music [1:15:42] Grooving Session: Leadership, Conversation, and Connection ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About Nick [https://share.google/EbQaJqrMK7ciWf4Nw] A Little More Social by Nick Epley [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/671591/a-little-more-social-by-nicholas-epley/] 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 Matt Kearney - Ships in the Night [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCkfTCjF8SM&list=RDBCkfTCjF8SM&start_radio=1] Rufus Wainwright - Across the Universe (Cover) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAe1lVDbLf0&list=RDcAe1lVDbLf0&start_radio=1]

The Biggest Mistake We Make About Others - Behavioral Grooves LIVE

In this 500th episode celebration, we reflect on eight years of behavioral science insights, from habits and decision-making to why we so often misunderstand each other. Joined live by Nick Epley, we run a real-time experiment that reveals the gap between what we expect from conversations and what actually happens, and why asking better questions can transform how we connect. Topics [0:00] Eight Years, 500 Episodes, and Counting! [6:28] Introducing Nick Epley [11:24] Understanding Social Cognition [15:32] Strategies for Improving our Communication [21:36] Live Experiment - Talking to Strangers [37:34] Lessons Learned from 8 Years Podcasting [43:45] The Importance of Social Connections and Compassionate Curiosity [51:00] Coming Soon to Behavioral Grooves ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links 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 Depeche Mode - Never Let Me Down Again [https://youtu.be/snILjFUkk_A?si=rEo1_L6aosQg9GeC] Soundgarden - Black Hole Sun [https://youtu.be/3mbBbFH9fAg?si=YkE0O9efVR_iySyc]

Why Don’t I Feel Loved? | Sonja Lyubomirsky

What if the issue isn’t whether people love you, but whether you actually feel it? In this episode, Sonja Lyubomirsky joins us to explore the gap between being loved and feeling loved, and why that disconnect happens. Drawing from her book How to Feel Loved, we talk about the psychology behind connection, challenge common myths like love languages, and dig into how curiosity, vulnerability, and better conversations can help you build more meaningful relationships. Topics [0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Sonja Lyubomirsky [11:08] Being Loved vs. Feeling Loved [14:14] Why Love Doesn’t Always “Land” [19:42] Deep Conversations vs. Small Talk [23:47] Vulnerability: The Key to Real Connection [32:01] What Are Love Mindsets? [37:24] Psychological Barriers to Feeling Loved [44:53] The #1 Happiness Tip  [50:51] Are Love Languages Real? [53:23] Music, Focus, and Flow [56:21] Grooving Session: Letting Love In ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links Groove vs Grind Survey [https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VMP532X?fbclid=IwY2xjawRYYUdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe-_DZGxTTK2HG5gAv_DJDW9EBsrIAWcObNN2Bu_5EgDNS6W0kF3iMu3ovHdg_aem_PHtD2wi8UeB5mw4e8bQjqQ] About Sonja [https://sonjalyubomirsky.com/] How to Feel Loved by Sonja Lyubomirsky and Harry Reis [https://howtofeelloved.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] Musical Links Tina Turner - What’s Love Got To Do With It [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGpFcHTxjZs] The Lumineers - Stubborn Love [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJWk_KNbDHo&list=RDUJWk_KNbDHo&start_radio=1]

The Silent Killer in Your Workplace | Tom Rieger

Fear at work isn’t obvious, but it is powerful. In this episode, Tom Rieger explains how fear of loss drives silos, misalignment, and inefficiency, and why AI and remote work may be making things worse, instead of better. Topics [0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Tom Rieger [8:43] The Impact of Fear on Organizations [16:26] Behavioral Economics and Organizational Fear [23:39] The Role of AI in Organizational Fear [31:25] The Challenge of Breaking Status Quo [37:50] Advice to Managers and Leaders [39:59] Desert Island Music [43:24] Grooving Session: Breaking Fear Down ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About Tom [https://www.nsiteam.com/team/rieger-t] Breaking the Fear Barrier by Tom Rieger [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Breaking-the-Fear-Barrier/Tom-Rieger/9781595620545] 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 Andrés Segovia - Leyenda by Albeniz [https://youtu.be/lCeebWgjrrU?si=eg7H6R9xhKcsMgZ7] Boston - More Than a Feeling [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4QK8RxCAwo&list=RDt4QK8RxCAwo&start_radio=1]

How to Influence Others (Ethically) | Brian Ahearn

Should influence be about getting to “yes”? With Brian Ahearn, we explore a more ethical approach where persuasion is a responsibility, humility drives leadership, and real impact comes from helping others make better decisions. Topics [0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Brian Ahearn [8:10] The Line Between Influence and Manipulation [12:25] Why Intent Matters in Persuasion [16:40] Aligning Influence with Personal Values [21:05] The Role of Humility in Leadership [25:30] Emotional Reactions and Decision-Making [30:15] Influencing Hearts vs Minds [35:40] Small Actions, Identity, and the Consistency Principle [42:41] Desert Island Music [50:31] Grooving Session: Helping People Decide Better ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About Brian [https://influencepeople.biz/meet-brian/] Influence People [https://influencepeople.biz/] 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 Johnny Cash - The Man Comes Around [https://youtu.be/-QWsZQGY-dM?si=HaVxuFnoM2Kdvrk0] Frank Sinatra - The Way You Look Tonight [https://youtu.be/YFham2Xu6nA?si=6851CyI8BzHEvnQ0]