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

[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

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

[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

Brad Shuck

Studies by Brad (et al…)

Above the Line vs Below the Line Leadership

What is Psychological Safety?

Leonard Cohen - Hallelujah

Mumford & Sons - Ghosts That We Knew

Woody Guthrie - Tear the Fascists Down

What would you do differently if you could live for 1,000 years? In this episode of Groove Jams, we’re joined by fan-favorite Annie Duke to dive headfirst into the wild possibilities of a much longer life. The conversation kicks off with a controversial babysitting prank that sparked Annie’s lifelong fear of death, leading to a lively debate about how immortality could reshape society. Would 80-year-old presidents be no big deal? Would archaeology become the most boring subject ever? Join us as we unravel ethical dilemmas, debate questionable life choices, and find out if Annie can finally conquer her fear of mortality.

Don’t wait 1,000 years to tune in—hit play now while it’s still relevant!

This week, we continue exploring jobs, careers, and callings with Jen Totsi-Kharas, co-author of Is Your Work Worth It? For a deeper dive into this topic, check out our conversation with Jen’s co-author, Christopher Michaelson, on last week’s episode!

We sit down with Jen to explore the complex nature of work and how it can be defined as a job, career, or calling, with a particular focus on the potential downsides people face when they try and pursue their “callings”. While having a strong calling can boost engagement and life satisfaction, it also has its risks, including over-commitment, burnout, and a disconnection from the practical realities of one’s career.

Discover who has stronger work satisfaction - orchestral musicians or prison guards, and explore how expectations and daily demands shape well-being across professions. Together with Jen, we discuss how calling can change over time and the importance of self-discovery in aligning work with personal values and aspirations. There is value in finding meaningful work, even if it’s not a perfect calling, and Jen helps us explore the need for a balanced approach that considers both passion and practicality in our career choices.

©2024 Behavioral Grooves

[0:00] Intro: Dream job or prison guard?

[4:44] Speed Round with Jen Totsi-Kharas

[10:17] Happiness in “callings” vs. “jobs”

[15:27] The benefits and downsides of callings

[29:46] The difference between callings and jobs

[34:42] The role of callings in different professions

[40:44] The importance of finding meaningful work

[46:37] Grooving session: understanding the nuances of work satisfaction

©2024 Behavioral Grooves

Jennifer Tosti-Kharas

Is Your Work Worth It?: How to Think About Meaningful Work

Zookeepers, Callings, and the Double-edged Sword of Deeply Meaningful Work

Indigo Girls Closer to Fine

Tori Amos Cornflake Girl (Live)

Is Your Job a Calling or a Burden?

This week, we jump into the deep and sometimes challenging question: what role does work play in a meaningful life? Christopher Michaelson, one of the co-authors of Is Your Work Worth It? joins us to explore the philosophical and practical aspects of how we view work—as a job, a career, or a calling—and the impacts each perspective can have on our sense of purpose and fulfillment. While a calling can give us profound motivation, Christopher warns that it can also lead to burnout and even exploitation.

One of the most poignant moments in our conversation reflects on research from 9/11, which reveals that for two-thirds of the victims, work was not a defining element in their life stories. This insight reminds us of the importance of balancing work with other meaningful aspects of life. Christopher also shares insights from his personal family history and invites us to redefine success beyond professional or financial achievements.

Together, we consider how our “90-year-old self” might view the decisions we make about work and purpose today, and how these choices impact our journey toward a balanced life. Join us as we dig into the importance of examining our relationship to work to ensure it truly aligns with our broader life goals and values.

©2024 Behavioral Grooves

[0:00] Intro

[4:11] Speed round

[12:32] Exploring the nature of work

[22:40] Is having “a calling” a bad thing?

[36:24] Redefining success

[48:30] Desert island music

[53:48] Grooving Session: Work-life balance and living in the moment

©2024 Behavioral Grooves

Is Your Work Worth It?: How to Think About Meaningful Work

Christopher Michaelson

9/11 Portraits of Grief Project

Phillip Glass “Prophecies”

Allison Russell “Nightflyer”

Boy Genius “Not Strong Enough

Has Behavioral Grooves turned into a political podcast?

Not really (ok, maybe kinda it has - but for just a few weeks, we promise ). With the 2024 election days away, however, it’s felt nearly unavoidable for many people, including us. Attending the Norms and Behavior Change Conference (NoBeC), titled, Democracy Under Threat, sparked some essential thoughts and insights that we feel compelled to share.

Democracy relies on fragile social norms that are under serious threat right now. From startling statistics about the rise of autocracies worldwide to the surge in misinformation, it’s clear that a renewed commitment to democratic norms is needed now more than ever. So, here’s a crucial question for all of us to consider: Is party loyalty more important than the stability of our democracy?

Join us to rethink democracy—not just as a system but as a collective responsibility – bound together by shared beliefs. Your voice matters, your vote is essential, and together, we can help fortify democracy. If you don’t have a plan for where and when you’re going to vote, put one together. Get a friend to vote with you. You may feel disenfranchised or fatigued or angry or sad…just make sure you vote. And put a happy spin on your voting experience: celebrate the fact that we can vote by baking an election cake (or election pie or even election cookies) to bring to the polls! Democracy is fragile, please treat it with respect.

©2024 Behavioral Grooves

Special Thanks to: Cristina Bicchieri, Kaushik Basu, Diana Mutz, Gretchen Helmke, Horacio Larreguy, Christoph Abels, Ryan Enos, Robert Talisse, Giulia Maimone, Erik Groenendyk, Nikos Nikiforkis, Cesar Nuñez, Karine Nyborg, Jan Voelkel and Ryan Enos for their participation in NoBeC and their fascinating research!

[0:08] Understanding Democracy and Social Norms

[3:07] The Fragility of Democracy

[9:34] Polarization and Media Influence

[17:43] The Role of Political Elites

[19:55] Gratitude and Closing Thoughts

©2024 Behavioral Grooves

Find Your Polling Place

Polarization Series

Center for Social Norms and Behavioral Dynamics

Cristina Bicchieri

Kaushik Basu

Diana Mutz

Gretchen Helmke

Horacio Larreguy

Christoph Abels

Ryan Enos

Robert Talisse

Giulia Maimone

Erik Groenendyk

Nikos Nikiforkis

Cesar Nuñez

Karine Nyborg

Jan Voelkel

A special message from Kurt and Tim, all the way from Philadelphia:

November 5th is fast approaching, and now, more than ever, participating in democracy matters. Casting your vote isn’t just a civic duty—it’s a way to find your groove in American democracy. Tune in to this short episode for practical advice and inspiration to make your vote count, and join in celebrating the great American experiment!

What if you could give the U.S. Constitution a makeover?

Ahead of the 2024 U.S. election, AJ Jacobs joins Kurt and Tim to dive into the lighter side of politics, taking a playful look at what really needs fixing in America’s founding documents (hint: it starts with grammar).

While the spelling of Pennsylvania is no longer up for debate, the trio tackles plenty of other things that could — and maybe should — be changed for the better. What does the 2nd Amendment really mean? Should cabinet members have veto power? Are we missing out on some much-needed retirement parties for Supreme Court justices? Tune in to Groove Jams for a lively conversation and share your thoughts!

After all, it’s a free country!

Want to watch along? Check out the video version on YouTube