Behavioral Grooves Podcast

Have you ever felt stuck between two seemingly opposite choices or found yourself seeing the world in absolutes? This week, we’re joined by Dr. Wendy Smith, author of Both/And Thinking, to uncover how embracing paradoxes can help us tackle life’s toughest problems. Wendy shares how shifting from an “either/or” to a “both/and” mindset can unlock better decision-making, foster creativity, and provide solutions to today’s complex challenges—from personal dilemmas to organizational leadership. In our Grooving Session, we dive deeper into the concept of “both/and” thinking and explore its applications in leadership, personal decision-making, and workplace dynamics. We examine the evolutionary roots of black-and-white thinking and discuss why embracing nuance is more important than ever in our interconnected world. Whether you’re navigating hybrid work policies, parenting challenges, or major life decisions, this perspective offers a fresh lens to solve problems both big and small. The easiest choice you’ll make today? Saying yes to this episode! Join us for an insightful conversation with Wendy and find out why even ice cream dilemmas are worth a second thought. ©2024 Behavioral Grooves Topics [0:00] Introduction - Ice Cream Dilemmas and Both/And Thinking [6:14] Speed round with Wendy Smith [14:22] Understanding Paradoxes and Both/And Thinking [23:19] Practical Applications of Both/And Thinking [33:25] Challenges and Emotional Complexity [40:12] Using Both/And Thinking in Leadership and Personal Life [45:58] Desert Island Music [47:42] Grooving Session: How to Embrace Both/And Thinking in Your Everyday Life ©2024 Behavioral Grooves Links Both/And Thinking: Embracing Creative Tensions to Solve Your Toughest Problems Wendy Smith, PhD Thinking, Fast and Slow - Daniel Kahneman What is Both/And Thinking? Musical Links The Clash - Should I Stay or Should I Go  Wicked - Defying Gravity

How can the science of persuasion reshape your workplace? This week, we sit down with Steve Martin to discuss the principles behind his latest book, Influence at Work, and unpack the “influence equation”—a powerful framework that blends evidence, economics, and emotion to drive ethical and effective persuasion. Steve shares actionable strategies for crafting influence, highlighting how small tweaks in incentives and timing can lead to surprising and meaningful behavioral shifts. We also dive into why behavioral insights shouldn’t be confined to a single department. Steve argues for embedding these principles across an organization, emphasizing how doing so can elevate decision-making, foster collaboration, and drive positive outcomes at every level. Whether you're leading a team, managing a project, or navigating workplace dynamics, this conversation is packed with actionable wisdom to help you integrate behavioral science into your day-to-day decisions and harness the power of influence for good. Tune in to learn how understanding and applying these insights can transform not just your organization, but your role within it. ©2024 Behavioral Grooves Topics [0:00] Intro: The Power of Influence in Behavioral Science [3:51] Speed Round with Steve Martin [10:56] The Influence Equation and its Applications [17:12] Everyday Applications of Behavioral Science [35:41] The Role of Emotion and Timing in Influence [42:35] Desert Island Music [46:21] Grooving Session: Influence, the Importance of Incentives, and the Future of Behavioral Science ©2024 Behavioral Grooves Links Influence At Work: Capture attention, connect with others, convince people to act About Steve Martin Global Association of Applied Behavioral Scientists Influence by Robert Cialdini Musical Links ELO - Mr. Blue Sky  New Order - Blue Monday  The Beatles - Come Together 

Between job uncertainty, political tension, holiday anxiety, and the general state of the world, stress and emotional exhaustion are at an all-time high. In this special ‘emergency episode’ ahead of the holidays, we break down why humans often unintentionally create stress through perception—and how our brain’s negativity bias amplifies it. As you prep your holiday meal, tune in for science-backed strategies to reduce stress, from naming emotions and reframing self-talk to cultivating gratitude. We’ll also explore the power of healthy habits like sleep, exercise, and digital detoxes, plus how social connections—whether with loved ones or strangers—can help build resilience. Later in the episode, producer Caroline shares her inspiring journey fostering rescue dogs and how it strengthened her sense of purpose and self-efficacy during tough times. Join us for this timely discussion, and connect with the Groove Community on Facebook to share your own stress-busting tips. Wishing you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving! ©2024 Behavioral Grooves Topics [0:00] Emotional exhaustion and stressors [5:25] Coping with stress and emotional awaredness [15:27] Gratitude and journaling practices [26:08] Healthy habits and reducing stress [34:58] Social connection and purpose [39:51] Volunteering and personal growth [45:12] Conclusion: Managing stress and finding community  ©2024 Behavioral Grooves Links Daily Shift Journal Join our Groove Community! “A Life Worth Breathing” by Max Strom Follow Caroline’s Foster Journeys!

What makes a workplace truly thrive? This week, Brad Shuck returns to share how practicing gratitude as an intentional discipline can transform employee engagement and appreciation. We dive into Brad’s three key factors driving workplace culture and productivity, exploring real-world examples illustrating how companies can breathe new life into struggling cultures. Brad challenges the traditional approach to workplace morale—hint: pizza parties won’t cut it. He emphasizes that culture isn’t a top-down directive; it grows from the ground up. While managers and team leaders may not control the entire organizational culture, their influence at the team level is powerful. They play a vital role in fostering belonging and purpose for employees. If you’re ready to spark a workplace revolution—one where employees feel safe to speak up, innovation thrives, and gratitude becomes second nature—tune in to hear Brad’s firsthand strategies for transforming your company culture today. ©2024 Behavioral Grooves Topics [0:00] Intro - Gratitude in corporate culture [5:35] Speed Round with Brad Shuck [10:54] The role of gratitude in organizational success [14:42] What role do leaders play in shaping culture? [22:31] The challenges of cultivating gratitude in a fast-paced work culture [37:18] Desert Island Music [41:02] Grooving Session: Work, gratitude, and psychological safety ©2024 Behavioral Grooves Links Brad Shuck Studies by Brad (et al…) Above the Line vs Below the Line Leadership What is Psychological Safety? Musical Links Leonard Cohen - Hallelujah  Mumford & Sons - Ghosts That We Knew  Woody Guthrie - Tear the Fascists Down