Behavioral Grooves Podcast

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

Influence People

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Music Links
Johnny Cash - The Man Comes Around

Frank Sinatra - The Way You Look Tonight

What if the key to growth isn’t finding better answers, but asking better questions? In our April throwback episode, we revisit our conversation with Elizabeth Weingarten on her book How to Fall in Love with Questions, where we explore how embracing uncertainty can lead to greater self-awareness, resilience, and connection. Through practice and mindset shifts, Elizabeth tells us all the ways questions can lead to clarity and confidence.

Elizabeth's book is available on paperback starting 4/15/26. If you're interested in learning more, grab your copy today!

 ©2026 Behavioral Grooves

Topics
[0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Elizabeth Weingarten

[11:04] The Power of Loving Questions

[15:50] The Biological Need for Certainty

[21:48] The Role of Patience in Asking Questions

[39:18] Questions and the Role of Behavioral Science

[47:57] Desert Island Music

[50:38] Grooving Session: The Value of Sitting With Questions

©2025 Behavioral Grooves

Links
More About Elizabeth

Better Life Lab

How to Fall in Love with Questions

Torch Leadership

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Music Links
Steely Dan - Do It Again

Chapell Roan - Pink Pony Club

Marcus Buckingham joins us to challenge the belief that success comes from doing what you’re good at. Using decades of research, he argues that what truly drives performance and fulfillment is something else entirely: love. In this episode, we explore why most workplace strategies miss the mark and how focusing on what gives you energy can reshape the way you think about work, and maybe even life.

Topics
[0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Marcus Buckingham

[11:17] The Science of Excellence

[17:53] The Importance of Love in Business

[22:04] Experiences → Behaviors → Outcomes

[32:03] The Myth of Linear Improvement

[40:25] The Five Feelings of Love

[1:00:49] Red Threads and Experience Intelligence

[1:08:18] The Role of AI in Designing Love

[1:11:30] Why You Shouldn’t Go to a Coldplay Concert

[1:18:43] Disney’s Approach to Experience Design

[1:30:19] Grooving Session: The Power of Love in Work

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

Links
About Marcus

The Buckingham Institute 

Design Love In by Marcus Buckingham

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Musical Links
Coldplay - Fix You

Coldplay - Violet Hill (Live)

What does it mean to truly “click” with someone—and why does it matter so much at work? With researcher Maya Rossignac-Milon, we explore the science of shared reality and how authentic, off-script interactions lead to stronger relationships, greater meaning, and better performance. This episode reframes connection not as a bonus, but as a core driver of success.

Topics
[0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Maya Rossignac-Milon

[10:11] Defining Shared Reality

[14:43] Reality and Work Performance

[19:22] How Shared Reality Can Help You Achieve Your Goals

[24:28] Research and Collaboration

[27:41] The Benefits of Riffing

[37:29] Shared Reality and Romantic Partners

[42:32] Fighting a Culture of Individualism

[50:20] Desert Island Music

[54:20] Grooving Session: Finding Alignment and Making Connections

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

Links
About Maya

Measuring Shared Reality

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Music Links
Gunnar Haslam - Kenosha

Basic Channel - Phylyps Trak

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

It’s On You by Nick Chater and George Lowenstein 

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Music Links
Bach - Mass in B Minor

John McLaughlin - Stella by Starlight/My Favourite Things