Behavioral Grooves Podcast

Why do certain phrases stay with us for life? In this episode, were joined by James Geary, author of The World in a Phrase, to explore how aphorisms shape judgment, decision-making, and meaning. From fortune cookies to philosophy, they unpack why short sayings act as cognitive heuristics, how they guide thinking without giving answers, and why the aphorisms that serve us best often change over time, just as we do.

Topics
[0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with James Geary

[7:30] The Laws of Aphorisms

[13:45] Finding Wisdom in Unexpected Places

[21:07] Aphorisms as Cognitive Heuristics

[29:51] The Role of Aphorisms in Decision-Making

[35:00] How Aphorisms Can Match Life Stages

[42:30] How We Can Apply Aphorisms to Daily Life

[48:06] What Do Aphorisms Mean for Me?

[59:00] Grooving Session: The World in a Phrase

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

Links
About James

The World in a Phrase

Join us on Substack!

Join the Behavioral Grooves community

Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube

Support Behavioral Grooves

Musical Links
Leonard Cohen - Anthem

Paul Simon - Everything Put Together Falls Apart

This Grooving Session feels personal for us. We’re combining our own experiences with behavioral science to explore why civil discourse seems so fragile right now. Over the weekend, tensions rose as ICE activity increased in Minneapolis, and Kurt’s neighborhood was deeply affected. When political tension is high, factors such as fear, proximity to events, and social identity can worsen polarization. It’s easy to forget that we have more in common than we think.

We’re here to support you, and we hope this episode gives you practical ways to engage. By slowing down, avoiding online dogpiles, and starting with the question, “What do we agree on?” We can start rebuilding a sense of shared reality.

Links
Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid

Just Neighbors

Music Links
Bruce Springsteen - Streets of Minneapolis

Why do smart people keep making predictably bad decisions? Behavioral economist Alex Imas joins us to unpack The Winner’s Curse, loss aversion, and the persistent biases that shape markets, policy, and everyday choices. We explore why classic economic models fall short and what behavioral economics reveals about how humans really decide.

Topics
[0:00] Introduction and speed round with Alex Imas

[11:55] The Winner’s Curse and its implications

[21:13] Behavioral economics and standard economic matters

[28:01] Loss aversion and decision-making

[35:04] Behavioral economics in policy and law

[41:00] Tom Sawyer economics

[47:30] Social media, attention, and exploitation of bias

[56:38] The importance of cooperation and social systems

[58:40] New music in 2026

[1:07:53] Grooving session: framing, preferences, and happiness

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

Links
The Winner’s Curse by Richard Thaler and Alex Imas

About Alex

Join us on Substack!

Join the Behavioral Grooves community

Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube

Support Behavioral Grooves

Musical Links
Fontaines DC - I Love You

ALEXSUCKS - The Gutter

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

Links
Join us on Substack!

Join the Behavioral Grooves community

Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube

Support Behavioral Grooves

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

Join us on Substack!

Join the Behavioral Grooves community

Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube

Support Behavioral Grooves

Musical Links
Patty Scialfa - Rumble Doll

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