In this special Grooving session, we unpack what happens when shared facts collapse and preferred beliefs take their place. Sparked by Kurt's firsthand experience during unrest in Minneapolis, this conversation explores why people reject lived experience, how identity defense and motivated reasoning shut down dialogue, and when it’s rational to stop trying to persuade altogether. Drawing on behavioral science, persuasion research, and real-world encounters, we examine how to choose your battles, why stories succeed where arguments fail, and what it actually takes to find common ground in a belief-first world.

Dating in 2026 feels broken. The apps promise infinite choice, rom-coms on our screens promise “the one”, and yet frustration, ghosting, and mismatched expectations seem to be more normal than anything actually working out. This week, Tim Ash, author of Primal Dating, joins us as we explore why dating in the modern world feels so unstable and why many of today’s relationship struggles aren’t personal failures, but predictable outcomes of our ancient instincts clashing with modern environments and expectations.

[0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Tim Ash

[7:52] Behavioral tendencies and evolutionary psychology

[18:09] The role of life stages in dating

[26:17] The impact of cultural norms on dating

[30:51] The economic of dating

[35:48] The role of tech in dating

[48:33] The importance of empathy in dating

[56:58] Music talk with Tim and Tim

[1:00:45] Grooving Session: Modern dating for primordial (?) minds

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

About Tim

Primal Dating by Tim Ash and Dr. Limor Gottlieb

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Steely Dan - FM

Chet Baker - Almost Blue

Love is in the air this Valentine's Day...or is that science? Today, we're throwing it back to 2021, when we had the privilege of chatting with Logan Ury, Director of Relationship Science at Hinge, about the challenges people face in modern dating. From getting ready for a first date to maintaining a relationship long term, Logan gives us valuable insights and advice on how to overcome common hurdles and make the most out of each stage or the dating life.

So, the question of the day is - are you a maximizer, satisficer, or romanticizer? Tune in to find out.

About Logan

How Not to Die Alone by Logan Ury

Hamilton - Satisfied

Chance the Rapper - Coloring Book

You think you know what you want in a partner, but behavioral science says attraction doesn’t work that way. Relationship scientist Paul Eastwick breaks down why dating apps and checklists fail, how attraction actually forms, and why real compatibility grows through interaction, timing, and shared history.

[0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Paul Eastwick

[8:21] Why dating checklists and apps fail us

[14:45] The myth of universal attractiveness

[21:03] How attraction develops over time

[27:29] Is “love at first sight” a lie?

[38:13] The ‘best’ way to meet people

[47:04] The Stroop effect

[54:50] Attraction, identity, and history

[1:01:11] Desert island music picks

[1:03:55] Grooving session: trust, attraction, and relationships beyond dating

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

Paul Eastwick

Love Factually

Bonded by Evolution by Paul Eastwick

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Pink Floyd - Hey You

Nobuo Uematsu - One Winged Angel

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.

[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

About James

The World in a Phrase

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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.

Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid

Just Neighbors

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.

[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

The Winner’s Curse by Richard Thaler and Alex Imas

About Alex

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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.

[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

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