The Behavioral Design Podcast (Samuel Salzer and Aline Holzwarth)
Explore every episode of The Behavioral Design Podcast
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06 Mar 2025 | When to AI, and When Not to AI with Eric Hekler | 01:06:51 | |
When to AI, and When Not to AI with Eric Hekler "People are different. Context matters. Things change." In this episode of the Behavioral Design Podcast, Aline is joined by Eric Hekler, professor at UC San Diego, to explore the nuances of AI in behavioral science and health interventions. Eric’s mantra—emphasizing the importance of individual differences, context, and change—serves as a foundation for the conversation as they discuss when AI enhances behavioral interventions and when human judgment is indispensable. The discussion explores just-in-time adaptive interventions (JITAI), the efficiency trap of AI, and the jagged frontier of AI adoption—where machine learning excels and where it falls short. Eric shares his expertise on control systems engineering, human-AI collaboration, and the real-world challenges of scaling adaptive health interventions. The episode also explores teachable moments, the importance of domain knowledge, and the need for AI to support rather than replace human decision-making. The conversation wraps up with a quickfire round, where Eric debates AI’s role in health coaching, mental health interventions, and optimizing human routines. LINKS:
TIMESTAMPS: -- Interesting in collaborating with Nuance? If you’d like to become one of our special projects, email us at hello@nuancebehavior.com or book a call directly on our website: nuancebehavior.com. Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀. Members get access to extensive content databases, calls with field leaders, exclusive offers and discounts, and so much more. Every Monday our Habit Weekly newsletter shares the best articles, videos, podcasts, and exclusive premium content from the world of behavioral science and business. Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro | |||
| 20 Nov 2024 | Chatbots, Synthetic Users and AI for User Research with Hassan Aleem | 00:41:24 | |
AI Chatbots and Synthetic Users with Hassan Aleem In this special episode of the Behavioral Design Podcast, host Samuel kicks off a new mini-series featuring expert practitioners from the Nuance Behavior team. This week’s guest is Hassan Aleem, a respected behavioral practitioner with a Ph.D. in neuroscience and extensive experience in industries like fintech, health wearables, and public health. Together, Samuel and Hassan explore the fascinating intersection of AI and behavioral science. They discuss AI’s impact on user research, the opportunities and challenges of AI-powered chatbots, the role of synthetic users in behavioral research, and the potential of AI to streamline literature reviews. The conversation culminates in a thought-provoking discussion: can AI truly understand and design for beauty? This episode is packed with insights on how AI can enhance behavioral science practice while emphasizing the irreplaceable value of human expertise. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction to the Behavioral Design Podcast LINKS: -- Interesting in collaborating with Nuance? If you’d like to become one of our special projects, email us at hello@nuancebehavior.com or book a call directly on our website: nuancebehavior.com. Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀. Members get access to extensive content databases, calls with field leaders, exclusive offers and discounts, and so much more. Every Monday our Habit Weekly newsletter shares the best articles, videos, podcasts, and exclusive premium content from the world of behavioral science and business. Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro | |||
| 16 Jun 2021 | Real-World Behavioral Economics with Kelly Peters | 00:36:36 | |
Kelly Peters is the CEO and Co-founder of BEworks, and one of the leading voices in the world of Applied Behavioral Economics. Kelly has done some fantastic work in the field and she's a firm believer that when applied properly, scientific thinking has the power to transform society. In this episode, Kelly shares her journey into behavioral economics, how BEworks approach their client work, challenges related to COVID-19, and much more. Hope you enjoy the episode! Links and resources:
Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀 The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizzaro. *This episode was recorded in Q1 of 2021 | |||
| 30 Oct 2024 | The Dark Side of AI – Halloween Special | 01:00:08 | |
In this spine-chilling Halloween special of the Behavioral Design Podcast, co-hosts Aline Holzwarth and Samuel Salzer take listeners on a journey into the eerie intersection of AI and behavioral science. They explore the potential ethical and social consequences of AI, from our urge to anthropomorphize machines to the creeping influence of human biases in AI engineering. The episode kicks off with the hosts sharing their favorite Halloween costumes and family traditions before delving into the broader theme of Frankenstein as an apt metaphor for AI. They discuss the human inclination to attribute human qualities to non-human entities and the ethical implications of creating machines that mirror humanity. The conversation deepens with reflections on biases in AI development, risks of ‘playing God,’ and the tension between technological progress and human oversight. In a thrilling twist, the hosts read a co-authored sci-fi story written with ChatGPT, illustrating the potential dark consequences of unchecked AI advancement. The episode wraps up with Halloween-themed wishes, encouraging listeners to ponder the boundaries between human and machine as they celebrate the holiday. Timestamps: 03:38 – Frankenstein: Revisiting the original story 09:09 – Frankenstein’s Modern AI Metaphor: Parallels to today’s technology 18:06 – Reflections on AI and Anthropomorphism: The urge to humanize machines 36:31 – Exploring Human Biases in AI Development: How biases shape AI 42:06 – Trust in AI: Human vs. algorithmic decision-making 46:45 – The Personalization of AI Systems: Pros and cons of tailored experiences 49:10 – The Ethics of Playing God with AI: Examining the risks 55:56 – Concluding Thoughts and Halloween Wishes: Reflecting on AI’s duality -- Interesting in collaborating with Nuance? If you’d like to become one of our special projects, email us at hello@nuancebehavior.com or book a call directly on our website: nuancebehavior.com. Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀. Members get access to extensive content databases, calls with field leaders, exclusive offers and discounts, and so much more. Every Monday our Habit Weekly newsletter shares the best articles, videos, podcasts, and exclusive premium content from the world of behavioral science and business. Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro | |||
| 16 Oct 2024 | AI and Behavioral Science – What You Need to Know | 01:18:26 | |
In the latest episode of the Behavioral Design Podcast, we are excited to launch Season 4 with an in-depth exploration of how behavioral science and AI converge, setting the stage for an engaging and thought-provoking season. This episode tackles big questions around AI’s growing influence, offering insights into both its promise and its challenges, especially as they relate to human behavior and decision-making. Join co-hosts Aline Holzwarth and Samuel Salzer as they introduce key themes for the season, including the profound implications of AI on behavioral science and society at large. The episode opens with breaking news from the AI world, such as the significance of neural networks, which serve as the foundation of modern AI systems. The hosts explain how neural networks work and contrast them with the extraordinary complexity of the human brain. The episode covers essential concepts for behavioral scientists, including large language models (LLMs), the backbone of generative AI, as well as prompt engineering and AI agents. These tools are transforming fields from healthcare to customer service, and the hosts break down their real-world applications, highlighting how they are used to enhance decision-making, automate workflows, and drive personalized interventions. Samuel and Aline debunk several common myths about AI, such as whether generative AI truly enhances creativity or if more complex models are always better. They also explore algorithmic bias versus human bias, discussing how AI can both amplify and address societal inequities depending on how it is designed and implemented. In “To AI or Not to AI”, this season’s quickfire round, the hosts weigh in on whether they’d trust AI for tasks like driving their kids to daycare or offering relationship advice, sparking a thought-provoking discussion on AI’s role in everyday life. This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the evolving relationship between behavioral science and AI, offering both high-level insights and detailed explorations of the real-world implications of these technologies. -- TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Introduction to the Behavioral Design Podcast 02:36 Breaking News 04:30 Understanding Neural Networks 09:38 The Beauty and Complexity of the Human Brain 17:37 Season Preview 21:53 Meet Your Hosts 29:00 Nuanced Behavior 30:43 AI 101 for Behavioral Scientists 44:14 Debunking AI Myths 01:02:15 To AI or Not to AI: Quickfire Round 01:14:45 Final Thoughts LINKS:
-- Interesting in collaborating with Nuance? If you’d like to become one of our special projects, email us at hello@nuancebehavior.com or book a call directly on our website: nuancebehavior.com. Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀. Members get access to extensive content databases, calls with field leaders, exclusive offers and discounts, and so much more. Every Monday our Habit Weekly newsletter shares the best articles, videos, podcasts, and exclusive premium content from the world of behavioral science and business. Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro | |||
| 14 Jun 2021 | A Slight Change of Plans with Maya Shankar | 00:28:27 | |
Maya Shankar is the Senior Director of Behavioral Economics at Google and previously served as a Senior Advisor in the Obama White House, where she founded and served as Chair of the White House's Behavioral Science Team. For good measure, she also served as the first Behavioral Science Advisor to the United Nations. Most recently, Maya launched "A Slight Change of Plans," a fantastic new podcast with Pushkin Industries. In this episode, Maya shares her journey into behavioral science and highlights along the way, including the importance of her mentors, reminiscing about her time leading the White House's Behavioral Science Team, and whether it's harder to change minds or change behaviors. Links and resources:
Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀 The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizzaro. | |||
| 15 Mar 2023 | Product Deep Dive: Co-living Spaces | 00:18:23 | |
Welcome to The Behavioral Design Podcast's newest series, Product Deep Dives! 🎉 In this series, we take a closer look at products discussed in past episodes of the show. In this episode, we are discussing the product of "co-living spaces" having been discussed with our guest, Laurie Santos, on an earlier episode. Aline and Samuel take a deeper look at the behavioral science of co-living spaces and share their own thoughts and experiences of shared living. Tune in to learn more about how co-living spaces are designed to foster positive behavior, and how the concept can be applied to other spaces too. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic and ideas for future episodes! Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀 The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro. | |||
| 16 Sep 2021 | The Power of Us with Jay Van Bavel | 00:42:18 | |
In this episode, we speak with Jay Van Bavel about all things identity. Jay is Professor at NYU and Director of the Social Identity & Morality Lab. His book "The Power of Us," co-authored with Dominic Packer, was just released on September 7th. It's a fascinating read that looks into how we can understand and harness our shared identities for personal and collective success. In this episode, we have a fun conversation with Jay about everything identity, including why we contain multitudes and how the social needs of belonging, uniqueness and status impact our identity. We also discuss how identity can be a double-edged sword, both able to spark unity and (sometimes) create division, and why bumper stickers are overrated. Relevant links Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀 and by giving us a review on Apple Podcast. Thanks! The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizzaro. | |||
| 08 Nov 2023 | The No Club with Linda Babcock | 00:56:54 | |
In this episode, we speak with Linda Babcock, Professor of Economics and former dean at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). She’s also the founder and faculty director of the Program for Research and Outreach on Gender Equity in Society (PROGRESS), also at CMU. Linda has a new book, The No Club: Putting a Stop to Women's Dead-End Work. During our conversation, we speak with Linda about why and what leads women to take on more "non-promotable tasks", how the work environment influences this and why the expectation is there in the first place. Happy listening! -- Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀 The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro. Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com | |||
| 29 Nov 2023 | Human-Centered Behavioral Design with Aarthi Rao | 00:56:56 | |
Aarthi Rao leads behavioral insights at Cityblock Health, as their Vice President of Behavioral Insights and Strategic Engagement Innovation. Aarthi also founded the Design and Innovation Lab at CVS Health. Aarthi has successfully merged human-centered practices, such as design thinking, with behavioral science at Cityblock. She is a strong advocate for merging qualitative and quantitative methods to better design patient experiences. Today we spoke to Aarthi about how to reach hard-to-reach communities, designing the perfect pill bottle that fits into a patient’s healthcare ecosystem, and so much more. Enjoy! -- Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀. Members get access to extensive content databases, calls with field leaders, exclusive offers and discounts, and so much more. Every Monday our Habit Weekly newsletter shares the best articles, videos, podcasts, and exclusive premium content from the world of behavioral science and business. Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro | |||
| 23 Oct 2024 | Recommender Systems with Carey Morewedge | 00:59:11 | |
In this episode of the Behavioral Design Podcast, we delve into the world of AI recommender systems with special guest Carey Morewedge, a leading expert in behavioral science and AI. The discussion covers the fundamental mechanics behind AI recommendation systems, including content-based filtering, collaborative filtering, and hybrid models. Carey explains how platforms like Netflix, Twitter, and TikTok use implicit data to make predictions about user preferences, and how these systems often prioritize short-term engagement over long-term satisfaction. The episode also touches on ethical concerns, such as the gap between revealed and normative preferences, and the risks of relying too much on algorithms without considering the full context of human behavior. Join co-hosts Aline Holzwarth and Samuel Salzer as they together with Carey explore the delicate balance between human preferences and algorithmic influence. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of AI-driven recommendations! -- LINKS: Carey Morewedge: Understanding AI Recommender Systems:
-- TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 The 'Do But Not Recommend' Game 07:53 The Complexity of Recommender Systems 08:58 Types of Recommender Systems 12:08 Introducing Carey Morewedge 14:13 Understanding Decision Making in AI 17:00 Challenges in AI Recommendations 32:13 Long-Term Impact on User Behavior 33:00 Understanding User Preferences 35:03 Challenges with A/B Testing 40:06 Algorithm Aversion 46:51 Quickfire Round: To AI or Not to AI 52:55 The Future of AI and Human Relationships -- Interesting in collaborating with Nuance? If you’d like to become one of our special projects, email us at hello@nuancebehavior.com or book a call directly on our website: nuancebehavior.com. Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀. Members get access to extensive content databases, calls with field leaders, exclusive offers and discounts, and so much more. Every Monday our Habit Weekly newsletter shares the best articles, videos, podcasts, and exclusive premium content from the world of behavioral science and business. Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro | |||
| 03 Aug 2021 | The Family Firm with Emily Oster | 00:46:16 | |
We're back with Season 2 - yay! We start the new season with a bang as our first guest is none other than Emily Oster. 🎉 Besides being Aline's favorite person to follow, Emily is an economics professor at Brown University and a thought-leader on data-driven parenting. She has written several best-selling books on pregnancy and parenting, all centered around a specific goal: creating a world of more relaxed pregnant women and parents. In this episode, we have a fun conversation with Emily about her latest book, The Family Firm (out today!). We learn about her fantastic 4 Fs framework, discuss salience of risk and how that impacts decision-making, learn what science communication often gets wrong, AND why Summersalt swimwear is underrated. Relevant links
Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀 and by giving us a review on Apple Podcast. Thanks! The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizzaro. | |||
| 20 Mar 2025 | Enter the AI Lab | 00:48:25 | |
Enter the AI Lab: Insights from LinkedIn Polls and AI Literature Reviews In this episode of the Behavioral Design Podcast, hosts Samuel Salzer and Aline Holzwarth explore how AI is shaping behavioral design processes—from discovery to testing. They revisit insights from past LinkedIn polls, analyzing audience perspectives on which phases of behavioral design are best suited for AI augmentation and where human expertise remains crucial. The discussion then shifts to AI-driven literature reviews, comparing the effectiveness of various AI tools for synthesizing research. Samuel and Aline assess the strengths and weaknesses of different platforms, diving into key performance metrics like quality, speed, and cost, and debating the risks of over-reliance on AI-generated research without human oversight. The episode also introduces Nuance’s AI Lab, highlighting upcoming projects focused on AI-driven behavioral science innovations. The conversation concludes with a Behavioral Redesign series case study on Peloton, offering a fresh take on how AI and behavioral insights can reshape product experiences. If you're interested in the intersection of AI, behavioral science, and research methodologies, this episode is packed with insights on where AI is excelling—and where caution is needed. LINKS:
TIMESTAMPS: -- Interesting in collaborating with Nuance? If you’d like to become one of our special projects, email us at hello@nuancebehavior.com or book a call directly on our website: nuancebehavior.com. Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀. Members get access to extensive content databases, calls with field leaders, exclusive offers and discounts, and so much more. Every Monday our Habit Weekly newsletter shares the best articles, videos, podcasts, and exclusive premium content from the world of behavioral science and business. Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro | |||
| 10 Mar 2021 | Building Habits with Wendy Wood | 00:49:39 | |
This episode is special. It features a conversation with the world-renowned habit researcher, Wendy Wood. Wendy has devoted the last 30 years to researching how habits work and recently published the fantastic book Good Habits, Bad Habits. The episode is packed with insights, and we cover all things habits, from the difference between habits vs. routines to the impact of reward and context on habit formation. If you're curious to understand habits better, this episode is for you! Links:
Key points:
Timestamps: 01:33: Interview starts 02:00: Wendy details her background and how she got started researching habits 03:55: Differentiating habits and behavior 06:50: Distinguishing between routines and habits 08:10: The automaticity of bias associations compared to the automaticity of habits 10:50: Can one-off trainings really be used to create new habits 13:16: Changing day-to-day environments and systems to change habits 16:28: Sam tells an anecdote about the influence of context on habits 18:30: The temporal dynamic of habit activation 20:42: Recurring contextual associations with a habit 21:27: Internal states as context cues for habits 23:52: Incentivising habits with rewards 26:54: Case study: encouraging use of an office’s stairs over an elevator 29:40: Best way to incentivise new habits 33:57: How is frequency related to establishing a new habit 35:30: The generalisation of habits 37:10: Overrated vs Underrated
44:47: What bad habit has been Wendy’s greatest nemesis in her personal life 47:36: Concluding remarks Timestamps & shownotes compiled by Keith Broni 🏆 The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizzaro. | |||
| 07 Apr 2021 | Mindful Behavioral Science with Clare Purvis | 00:47:01 | |
This episode features an insightful conversation with Dr. Clare Purvis, Director of Behavioral Science at Headspace. Clare is a clinical psychologist with extensive experience working in health technology, translating clinical evidence into commercially viable, engaging, and innovative digital products. We cover several interesting topics, including how Clare transitioned from academia to the start-up world, how we can building systems of behavior change in organizations, what makes a good onboarding, and how to design for mindfulness. Enjoy! Links:
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| 29 Sep 2021 | Conspiracy Theories with Dan Ariely | 00:55:56 | |
In this episode, we speak with none other than Dan Ariely. We assume most of our listeners are already familiar with Dan's work, and we cover plenty of ground in this fun and enlightening episode. You can expect to learn about why Dan began receiving death threats from COVID deniers, strategies for overcoming vaccination hesitancy, the promise of psychedelics for treating mental health, and lessons from Dan's personal journey. We also talk about couscous! Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀 and by giving us a review on Apple Podcast. Thanks! The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizzaro. | |||
| 13 Oct 2021 | No Hard Feelings with Liz Fosslien | 00:49:42 | |
In this episode, we speak with Liz Fosslien about how to make work better using nudges (and feelings!). Liz is the co-author and illustrator of the Wall Street Journal best-selling book No Hard Feelings and she's an expert on how to make work better. As the Head of Content at Humu, she uses behavioral science to help leaders and their teams make meaningful improvements. She's also a master illustrator and we'd be surprised if you haven't seen her "sprinkles of insights" across your social media feeds. We have a wonderful discussion, exploring how to make work life better, managing #WFH, why we might benefit from being less passionate about work and how the nudge engine at Humu helps people work together better. Related links:
Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀 and by giving us a review on Apple Podcast. Thanks! The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizzaro. | |||
| 18 Jun 2021 | Blindsight & Neuroscience of Marketing with Matt Johnson and Prince Ghuman | 00:48:03 | |
Matt Johnson is a professor, researcher, and writer specializing in the application of neuroscience and psychology to the business world and Prince Ghuman is an experienced marketer with great experience of applying neuroscience to marketing and business strategy. Together they've written the book Blindsight: The (Mostly) Hidden Ways Marketing Reshapes Our Brain. In this episode, we have a fun conversation with Matt and Prince about what the heck "Blindsight" is and what it has to do with decision-making, we dive into the ethics around using behavioral science for good (and for less obviously good “marketing” purposes) and how we can solve the thorny problem of tech addiction. Links and resources:
Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀 The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizzaro. *This episode was recorded in Q1 of 2021 | |||
| 13 Nov 2024 | Personalized AI with Amy Bucher | 00:57:08 | |
Using AI to Change Human Behavior In this episode of the Behavioral Design Podcast, hosts Aline Holzwarth and Samuel Salzer explore the fascinating intersection of AI and behavioral science with Amy Bucher, Chief Behavior Officer at Lirio. Together, they dive into the challenges and opportunities of integrating AI with behavioral science for health interventions, focusing on the critical need to design AI tools with human behavior in mind. Key topics include the role of reinforcement learning and precision nudging in behavior change, the importance of grounded behavioral insights to cut through AI hype, and Amy’s experiences with personalized health interventions. Amy also sheds light on the effectiveness of digital tools in behavior change and shares her vision for the future of AI in behavioral health. Tune in for an insightful discussion on how behavioral science can shape the next generation of AI-driven health interventions! LINKS: Amy Bucher Further Reading on AI and Behavioral Science:
TIMESTAMPS: 00:30 Behavioral Science and AI: A Crucial Intersection 07:44 Introducing Amy Bucher 10:43 Scoping Review on AI in Behavior Change 16:05 Challenges and Misconceptions in AI 22:07 Reinforcement Learning and AI Agents 28:40 Designing Interventions with AI and Behavioral Science 31:32 Operationalizing Behavior Change Techniques 35:25 Challenges in Measuring Engagement 42:43 The Role of Behavioral Science in AI 46:53 Quickfire Round: To AI or Not to AI 49:25 Controversial Opinions on AI 53:52 Closing Thoughts and Acknowledgements -- Interesting in collaborating with Nuance? If you’d like to become one of our special projects, email us at hello@nuancebehavior.com or book a call directly on our website: nuancebehavior.com. Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀. Members get access to extensive content databases, calls with field leaders, exclusive offers and discounts, and so much more. Every Monday our Habit Weekly newsletter shares the best articles, videos, podcasts, and exclusive premium content from the world of behavioral science and business. Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro | |||
| 22 Feb 2023 | We're Back! Behavioral Science & AI + Season 3 Preview 🎉 | 00:41:28 | |
We're finally back! 🎉 In this season 3 preview episode, we sit down and nerd out about all things Behavioral Science and AI, the state of the field and what we look forward to in the upcoming season. Thanks to you, our listeners, for patiently waiting for us to return and for supporting this podcast! We really appreciate it 😊🙏 Relevant links AI tools discussed Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀 The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizzaro. Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com | |||
| 03 May 2023 | Product Deep Dive: Conferences 🎤 | 00:34:19 | |
Welcome to the latest Product Deep Dive! 🎤 In this fun bonus series of the Behavioral Design Podcast, we take a closer look at products discussed in past episodes of the show. In this episode, we are discussing the product "Conferences", following up on our conversation with Dave Pizarro from last week. Tune in to learn more about how we would re-design conferences, what they have in common with weddings, and what we can learn from this as behavioral designers. Happy listening! – We'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic and ideas for future episodes! Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀 The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro. | |||
| 10 May 2023 | Getting Psych'd with Paul Bloom | 00:51:37 | |
In this episode we are delighted to welcome Paul Bloom, a distinguished developmental psychologist and Professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto. Paul has authored seven books, including Aginst Empathy and his most recent, Psych: The Story of the Human Mind. He is one of the leading thinkers in psychology and has dedicated his career to exploring how people, both children and adults, make sense of the world through language, morality, pleasure, pain, and religion. Join us as we engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Paul about the different subfields of psychology and what they can bring to the real world, from neuroscience to developmental psychology, cognitive, social, and clinical. This discussion evolves into a stimulating debate on the extent to which academia can truly contribute to industry. For our product deep-dive, we challenge Paul to consider how concepts and methods from behavioral science could be used to improve the Bible, and delve into his perspective on the age-old question of nature versus nurture in shaping our lives. This episode should be a fascinating listen for anyone interested in the human mind, behavioral science, and the intersection between academia and industry. Relevant links
Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀 The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro. Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com | |||
| 16 Apr 2025 | State of AI Risk with Peter Slattery | 01:09:57 | |
Understanding AI Risks with Peter Slattery In this episode of the Behavioral Design Podcast, hosts Aline and Samuel are joined by Peter Slattery, behavioral scientist and lead researcher at MIT’s FutureTech lab, where he spearheads the groundbreaking AI Risk Repository project. Together, they dive into the complex and often overlooked risks of artificial intelligence—ranging from misinformation and malicious use to systemic failures and existential threats. Peter shares the intellectual and emotional journey behind categorizing over 1,000 documented AI risks, how his team built a risk taxonomy from 17,000+ sources, and why shared understanding and behavioral science are critical for navigating the future of AI. This one is a must-listen for anyone curious about AI safety, behavioral science, and the future of technology that’s moving faster than most of us can track. -- LINKS:
-- Interesting in collaborating with Nuance? If you’d like to become one of our special projects, email us at hello@nuancebehavior.com or book a call directly on our website: nuancebehavior.com. Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀. Members get access to extensive content databases, calls with field leaders, exclusive offers and discounts, and so much more. Every Monday our Habit Weekly newsletter shares the best articles, videos, podcasts, and exclusive premium content from the world of behavioral science and business. Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro | |||
| 04 Nov 2024 | Misinformation Machines with Gordon Pennycook – Part 1 | 00:53:26 | |
The Role of Misinformation and AI in the US Election with Gordon Pennycook In this episode of the Behavioral Design Podcast, hosts Aline and Samuel explore the complex world of misinformation in the context of the U.S. elections with special guest Gordon Pennycook, a psychology professor at Cornell University. The episode covers the effects of misinformation on democratic participation, and how behavioral science sheds light on reasoning errors that drive belief in falsehoods. Gordon shares insights from his groundbreaking research on misinformation, exploring how falsehoods gain traction and the role AI can play in both spreading and mitigating misinformation. The conversation also tackles the evolution of misinformation, including the impact of social media and disinformation campaigns that blur the line between truth and fiction. Tune in to hear why certain falsehoods spread faster than truths, the psychological appeal of conspiracy theories, and how humor can amplify the reach of misinformation in surprising ways. LINKS: Gordon Pennycook: Further Reading on Misinformation:
TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Introduction 03:14 Behavioral Science and Misinformation 05:28 Introducing Gordon Pennycook 10:02 The Evolution of Misinformation 12:46 AI’s Role in Misinformation 14:51 Impact of Misinformation on Elections 21:43 COVID-19 and Vaccine Misinformation 26:32 Technological Advancements in Misinformation 33:50 Conspiracy Theories 35:39 Misinformation and Social Media 42:35 The Role of Humor in Misinformation 48:08 Quickfire Round: To AI or Not to AI -- Interesting in collaborating with Nuance? If you’d like to become one of our special projects, email us at hello@nuancebehavior.com or book a call directly on our website: nuancebehavior.com. Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀. Members get access to extensive content databases, calls with field leaders, exclusive offers and discounts, and so much more. Every Monday our Habit Weekly newsletter shares the best articles, videos, podcasts, and exclusive premium content from the world of behavioral science and business. Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro | |||
| 29 Mar 2023 | Product Deep Dive: Personality Tests | 00:25:54 | |
Welcome to the latest Product Deep Dive! 🤿 In this new series of the Behavioral Design Podcast, we take a closer look at products discussed in past episodes of the show. In this episode, we are discussing the product of "personality tests", following up on our enlightening conversation with Sanjay Srivastava. Aline and Samuel explore their own experience with these tests, their practical applications, and the insights we can gain from them. Tune in to learn more about the role personality tests play in understanding ourselves and others, and how we should think about them as behavioral designers. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic and ideas for future episodes! Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀 The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro. | |||
| 08 Mar 2023 | Happiness Design with Laurie Santos | 00:50:00 | |
In this episode, we speak with Laurie Santos, Professor at Yale. In addition to her research on primate decision-making, Laurie is an expert on the science of well-being. Her teachings on the psychology of the good life are some of the most popular of all time at Yale and on Coursera. She also has a free curriculum for high schools, and she even has her own podcast. We chatted with Laurie about shared living spaces and the importance of being social (even when we don’t feel like being social!). We also compare happiness with psychological richness, and the pros and cons of self-monitoring. And as a special bonus, you get to hear Laurie’s expert rendition of a primate’s pant-hoot. Relevant links
Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀 The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro. Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com | |||
| 06 Feb 2025 | AI and Behavioral Science in Public Policy with Laura de Molière | 01:11:09 | |
AI and Behavioral Science in Public Policy with Laura de Moliere In this episode of the Behavioral Design Podcast, host Samuel Salzer is joined by Laura de Moliere, a behavioral scientist with deep expertise in applying behavioral insights to public policy. As the former head of behavioral science at the UK Cabinet Office, Laura has worked at the intersection of behavioral science and policymaking during some of the most high-stakes moments in recent history, including Brexit and COVID-19. Samuel and Laura explore the evolving role of AI in behavioral science, reflecting on how AI can enhance decision-making, improve policymaking, and surface unintended consequences. Laura shares her AI “aha moment”—when she realized the potential of large language models to support policymakers in making more behaviorally informed decisions. The discussion also covers the promises and perils of AI in behavioral science, the potential of synthetic users to test interventions, and the growing challenge of balancing AI’s capabilities with human biases and policymaking needs. The episode wraps up with a playful quickfire round, where Laura debates the use of AI in everything from tax optimization to gamified urinals. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of AI, behavioral science, and public policy, offering a nuanced and thought-provoking perspective on the future of AI in decision-making. LINKS: • Laura de Moliere: • INCASE Framework on Unintended Consequences TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 A Surprise Gift 05:38 Reflections on 2025 09:28 AI and Behavioral Science 19:29 Introducing Laura de Moliere 21:30 Start of Laura interview 33:08 Applying Behavioral Science to AI and Government 35:16 Behavioral Science and AI: Use Cases and Impacts 36:32 Understanding and Interacting with AI Models 47:43 Synthetic Users and Their Potential 01:01:08 Quickfire Round: To AI or Not to AI 01:06:35 Controversial Opinions on AI -- Interesting in collaborating with Nuance? If you’d like to become one of our special projects, email us at hello@nuancebehavior.com or book a call directly on our website: nuancebehavior.com. Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀. Members get access to extensive content databases, calls with field leaders, exclusive offers and discounts, and so much more. Every Monday our Habit Weekly newsletter shares the best articles, videos, podcasts, and exclusive premium content from the world of behavioral science and business. Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro | |||
| 02 Jun 2021 | The Science of Love & Dating with Logan Ury | 00:45:16 | |
Logan Ury is a behavioral scientist-turned dating coach and Hinge’s Director of Relationship Science. She recently published How to Not Die Alone – a fantastic book on the surprising science that will help you find love. We speak about all things behavioral science and modern love, including how Hinge designs the app to be deleted and common cognitive biases in dating. We also talk about how Logan became the lead of Google’s behavioral science and was later able to build a successful career combining her passion for behavioral science and relationship science. Hope you love it! Links and resources:
Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀 The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizzaro. | |||
| 06 Dec 2023 | Product Deep Dive: Pill Bottles 💊 | 00:52:42 | |
Welcome to the latest Product Deep Dive! 💊 In this bonus series of the Behavioral Design Podcast, we take a closer look at the seemingly simple, yet tremendously important, pill bottle. Previous guest, Aarthi Rao, took her stab at designing the best pill bottle, so we decided to deep dive into all things behavioral design in the pill bottle world, ourselves! Easy, attractive, social, personalized...tune in to learn more, this one was a lot of fun! Thank you to all of our listeners for supporting our podcast. Tune in next week for our Season 3 finale! Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀. Members get access to extensive content databases, calls with field leaders, exclusive offers and discounts, and so much more. Every Monday our Habit Weekly newsletter shares the best articles, videos, podcasts, and exclusive premium content from the world of behavioral science and business. Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro | |||
| 29 Sep 2020 | Designing for Behavior Change with Stephen Wendel | 01:09:40 | |
Welcome to the Behavioral Design podcast by Habit Weekly, hosted by Samuel Salzer.This first episode is a conversation with Stephen Wendel. Steve is one of the most experienced applied behavioral practitioners in the world. He's head of behavioral...
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| 27 Oct 2020 | Applying Behavioral Science in Practice with Torben Emmerling | 00:56:50 | |
Welcome to the Behavioral Design podcast by Habit Weekly, hosted by Samuel Salzer.This episode is a conversation with Torben Emmerling. Torben is the Founder and Managing Partner of the behavioral consultancy firm Affective Advisory and acts as...
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| 06 Nov 2020 | Behavioral Insights with Elspeth Kirkman & Michael Hallsworth | 00:38:42 | |
This episode of the Behavioral Design podcast is a conversation with Elspeth Kirkman and Michael Hallsworth. These are truly two heavy hitters when it comes to putting behavioral science to practice.Elspeth founded BIT's North American office before...
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| 18 Nov 2020 | Self-Applied Behavioral Science with David Perrott | 00:57:57 | |
This episode is a conversation with David Perrott focused on the fascinating world of self-applied behavioral science. This means what we can do with the tools and insights of behavioral science to better our own lives.David is the perfect person to...
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| 16 Dec 2020 | Changing Behavior at Scale with Josh Wright | 00:55:11 | |
Welcome to another episode of the Behavioral Design Podcast by Habit Weekly. This episode is a treat and an early Christmas gift since it's a conversation with truly a leader in the field - Josh Wright.Josh is the Executive Director at ideas42, which...
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| 29 Dec 2020 | Crafting the Perfect Incentive Program with Kurt Nelson & Tim Houlihan | 00:56:08 | |
This episode is a fun two for one as it's a conversation with me and the wonderful duo, Kurt Nelson and Tim Houlihan.You're likely to recognize their voices as they host the popular Behavioral Grooves podcast where they explore the “why we do what we...
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| 31 Dec 2020 | Exploring Behavioral Data Science with Ganna Pogrebna | 01:03:22 | |
What the heck is Behavioral Data Science? That is what I asked myself earlier this year as I got introduced to the wonderful work by today's guest of the podcast - Ganna Pogrebna.Ganna has an extremely impressive resume. She is a decision theorist and a...
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| 31 Dec 2020 | The Science of Rituals with Nick Hobson | 00:55:06 | |
We all have our different rituals and that's what we'll explore in today's episode with the wonderful Nick Hobson.Nick has not only long studied the rituals of our everyday lives, but he also runs a successful consultancy helping organizations to better...
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| 13 Jan 2021 | Changing Digital Health Behavior with Aline Holzwarth | 01:12:16 | |
This episode features an interview with Aline Holzwarth the new co-host for this podcast 🎉Aline is an applied behavioral scientist, specializing in digital health research and scientifically informed product design. She's also the head of Behavioral...
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| 27 Jan 2021 | Behavioral Science Fiction with Samuel Salzer | 00:59:50 | |
This episode features an interview with Behavioral Strategist, Author, and perhaps most importantly, co-host of this podcast – Samuel Salzer 🎉Aline puts Sam in the hot seat. The episode covers everything from behavioral science fiction, to why IKEA is...
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| 10 Feb 2021 | Psychology of Engagement with Amy Bucher | 00:48:36 | |
This episode features a fantastic conversation with is Amy Bucher, VP of Behavior Change Design at Mad*Pow and author of Engaged: Designing for Behavior Change. The book offers a wonderful exploration of how we can incorporate behavioral design into our...
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| 24 Feb 2021 | Behavioral Finance with Dan Egan | 00:34:42 | |
This episode features a fun conversation with the wonderful Dan Egan. Dan is the Director of Behavior Science and Investing at the innovative fin-tech company Betterment and is truly an authority on all things behavioral finance.We cover several...
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| 26 Feb 2021 | Behavioral Design 2021 - State of the Field | 00:52:20 | |
The Behavioral Design 2021 state of the field report is out 🎉 The report provides a combination of perspectives and opinions from 20+ leaders in the field on the state of behavioral design and where we're headed. Listen in on this special episode where...
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| 25 May 2023 | Behavioral Public Policy with Nick Chater | 00:50:55 | |
In this episode, we're thrilled to host Nick Chater, an esteemed Professor of Behavioural Science at Warwick Business School. Nick is a leading figure in his field, focusing his research on the cognitive and social foundations of rationality. He is the co-founder and Director of the research consultancy Decision Technology Ltd, and has written engaging books like "The Language Game: How Improvisation Created Language and Changed the World" and "The Mind is Flat: The Remarkable Shallowness of the Improvising Brain". Join us as we delve into a captivating conversation with Nick on the application of behavioral science to public policy. We discuss the fascinating interplay between various branches of behavioral science and their implications in real-world policy decisions, bridging the gap between theory and practice. For our product deep-dive, we navigate the intriguing world of autonomous vehicles, examining their design and impact through the lens of behavioral science. In addition, we explore Nick's provocative paper co-authored with George Loewenstein on I frames vs. S frames. -- Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀 The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro. Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com | |||
| 22 Dec 2021 | 2021 in Review – Season 2 Finale! ✨ | 01:03:43 | |
We've reached the end of season 2 - yay! 🎉 In this finale, we sit down and nerd out about all things behavioral as an intervention to help Aline overcome her recent existential crisis. We explore what we have learned about human behavior in 2021, whether being happy is important, ethical challenges in the field, how we can create a bigger impact, and, our course, we complete a final round of overrated vs. underrated. Thanks to you, our listeners for supporting us this year! We really appreciate it 😊🙏 Relevant links Effective Altruism Research mentioned:
Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀 The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizzaro. | |||
| 02 Nov 2023 | Healthy Gamification with Mitesh Patel | 00:45:25 | |
In this episode, we speak with Mitesh Patel, a leading expert on the use of nudges, gamification, and wearables to improve health. Mitesh founded and led the Penn Medicine Nudge Unit and is currently the Chief Clinical Transformation Officer at Ascension. During our converstation, Mitesh discusses examples of behavioral design in the wild and how they can be used to encourage people to engage in healthy behaviors. Together we explore the topic of gamification and its potential use in encouraging exercise and discuss the application of behavioral science in healthcare. The episode includes a product deep dive into gyms and how they can be optimized using behavioral design principles. We hope you enjoy this episode! -- Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀 The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro. Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com | |||
| 12 Jul 2021 | Season 1 Finale! | 00:38:53 | |
We've reached the end of season 1 - yay! 🎉 In this finale, we sit down and nerd out about all things behavioral as Aline is welcomed back from her baby cave. We explore the growing landscape of behavioral associations, the recent attempts to incentivize vaccine uptake, we languish on languishing, talk faulty risk perceptions, and, our course, complete a final round of overrated vs. underrated. Relevant links Recently launched behavioral associations and groups (and their abbreviations):
Vaccination uptake
Flourishing & languishing
Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀 The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizzaro. | |||
| 08 Jan 2025 | Psychological Targeting & AI with Sandra Matz | 01:16:16 | |
Exploring Psychological Targeting and the Power of AI with Sandra Matz In this episode of the Behavioral Design Podcast, hosts Aline and Samuel sit down with Sandra Matz, leading expert on psychological targeting and Associate Professor of Business at Columbia Business School. As a computational social scientist, Sandra uses Big Data analytics and experimental methods to study human behavior, uncovering how psychological traits influence business outcomes like financial well-being, consumer satisfaction, and team performance. The conversation covers how digital footprints from social media, GPS data, and more are leveraged to create psychological profiles, shaping everything from advertisements to decision-making. Sandra provides unique insights into the controversial Cambridge Analytica case and discusses the democratization of personalized content generation through tools like ChatGPT. Whether you're curious about personality psychology, the ethics of data privacy, or the evolving role of AI, this episode is a must-listen. LINKS:
TIMESTAMPS:
02:03 – Personality Tests -- Interesting in collaborating with Nuance? If you’d like to become one of our special projects, email us at hello@nuancebehavior.com or book a call directly on our website: nuancebehavior.com. Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀. Members get access to extensive content databases, calls with field leaders, exclusive offers and discounts, and so much more. Every Monday our Habit Weekly newsletter shares the best articles, videos, podcasts, and exclusive premium content from the world of behavioral science and business. Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro | |||
| 08 Dec 2021 | Existential Questions with Lindsay Juarez | 00:45:35 | |
In this episode, we speak with Irrational Labs' Lindsay Juarez about big questions in behavioral science, how to reduce misinformation on TikTok, and the importance of communities. Lindsay is Director at Irrational Labs, working on understanding and improving people's ability to take the daily behaviors that lead to happier, healthier, and wealthier lives. She was previously Senior Behavioral Researcher roles at the Center for Advanced Hindsight and has long experience helping companies use data and behavioral science insights to create and test more effective products and processes to drive behavior change. We had a fun conversation with Lindsay about everything existential in behavioral science, including the real impact of our field and how necessary are experiments, really? She also shares insights from a recent project aimed at reducing misinformation on TikTok. Enjoy! Relevant links about Lindsay
Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀 and by giving us a review on Apple Podcast. Thanks! The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizzaro. | |||
| 20 Feb 2025 | Sci-Fi and AI: Exploring Annie Bot with Sierra Greer | 01:06:39 | |
Sci-Fi and AI: Exploring Annie Bot with Sierra Greer In this episode of the Behavioral Design Podcast, hosts Aline and Samuel dive into the ethical, emotional, and societal complexities of AI companionship with special guest Sierra Greer, author of Annie Bot. This thought-provoking novel explores AI-human relationships, autonomy, and the blurred line between artificial intelligence and the human experience. Sierra shares her inspiration for Annie Bot and how sci-fi can serve as a lens to explore real-world ethical dilemmas in AI development.
The episode rounds out with a lively quickfire round, where Sierra debates whether AI should replace lost loved ones, act as conversational assistants for introverts, or intervene in human arguments. This is a must-listen for fans of sci-fi, behavioral science, and those fascinated by the future of AI companionship and emotional intelligence. LINKS: TIMESTAMPS: 01:43 AI Companions: A Controversial Opinion 05:48 Exploring Sci-Fi and AI in Literature 07:42 Introducing Sierra Greer and Her Book 09:12 Reinforcement Learning Explained 15:47 Diving into the World of Annie Bot 23:17 Power Dynamics and Human-Robot Relationships 32:31 Humanity and Artificial Intelligence 41:31 Autonomy vs. Agreeableness in Relationships 43:20 Reinforcement Learning in AI and Humans 46:13 Ethics and Gaslighting in AI 48:57 Gender Dynamics in AI Design 57:18 AI Companions and Human Relationships 01:06:45 Quickfire Round: To AI or Not to AI 01:12:39 Final Thoughts and Controversial Opinions -- Interesting in collaborating with Nuance? If you’d like to become one of our special projects, email us at hello@nuancebehavior.com or book a call directly on our website: nuancebehavior.com. Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀. Members get access to extensive content databases, calls with field leaders, exclusive offers and discounts, and so much more. Every Monday our Habit Weekly newsletter shares the best articles, videos, podcasts, and exclusive premium content from the world of behavioral science and business. Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro | |||
| 26 Apr 2023 | Controversial Opinions with Dave Pizarro | 00:58:52 | |
In this episode of the Behavioral Design Podcast, we are delighted to speak with Dave Pizarro, esteemed professor at Cornell and Chief Science Officer at BE Works. Dave's extensive experience offers a unique perspective on the applications of behavioral science in both academic and industry settings.
Join us as we engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Dave about his research on moral views and how they shape judgments and behavior. We delve into the power and intricacies of reinforcement, the challenges of conducting research and translating findings in an industry context, and Dave's most controversial opinion in behavioral science.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the intersection of behavioral science in academia and the real world, and the potential for collaboration between the two spheres.
Relevant links
Dave’s website
Dave’s Twitter
Dave’s podcast
Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀
The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro (yes, same guy!).
Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com
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| 15 Nov 2023 | Product Deep Dive: Calendar 🗓️ | 00:48:29 | |
Welcome to the latest Product Deep Dive! 🗓️ In this bonus series of the Behavioral Design Podcast, we take a closer look at the all-so-famous, yet simple, calendar. Previous guests, Laurie Santos, Linda Babcock & Ashley Whillans all spoke to us about time, so we decided it was "time" (get it) to discuss it in more detail! Tune in to learn more about our love/hate relationship with the calendar, the pros and cons between more or less calendar, and so much more! Who knew calendars were so much fun? -- Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀 The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro. Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com | |||
| 06 Nov 2024 | Misinformation Machines with Gordon Pennycook – Part 2 | 01:03:02 | |
Debunkbot and Other Tools Against Misinformation In this follow-up episode of the Behavioral Design Podcast, hosts Aline Holzwarth and Samuel Salzer welcome back Gordon Pennycook, psychology professor at Cornell University, to continue their deep dive into the battle against misinformation. Building on their previous conversation around misinformation’s impact on democratic participation and the role of AI in spreading and combating falsehoods, this episode focuses on actionable strategies and interventions to combat misinformation effectively. Gordon discusses evidence-based approaches, including nudges, accuracy prompts, and psychological inoculation (or prebunking) techniques, that empower individuals to better evaluate the information they encounter. The conversation highlights recent advancements in using AI to debunk conspiracy theories and examines how AI-generated evidence can influence belief systems. They also tackle the role of social media platforms in moderating content, the ethical balance between free speech and misinformation, and practical steps that can make platforms safer without stifling expression. This episode provides valuable insights for anyone interested in understanding how to counter misinformation through behavioral science and AI. LINKS: Gordon Pennycook: Further Reading on Misinformation:
TIMESTAMPS: 01:27 Intro and Early Voting -- Interesting in collaborating with Nuance? If you’d like to become one of our special projects, email us at hello@nuancebehavior.com or book a call directly on our website: nuancebehavior.com. Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀. Members get access to extensive content databases, calls with field leaders, exclusive offers and discounts, and so much more. Every Monday our Habit Weekly newsletter shares the best articles, videos, podcasts, and exclusive premium content from the world of behavioral science and business. Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro | |||
| 05 Dec 2024 | Behavior Change Algorithms with Susan Murphy | 01:06:05 | |
Real-Time Behavior Change Algorithms with Susan Murphy In this thought-provoking episode of the Behavioral Design Podcast, hosts Aline and Samuel explore the cutting edge of AI in behavioral science with Professor Susan Murphy, a world-renowned expert in statistics and behavioral research. The conversation dives into Susan's groundbreaking work on micro-randomized trials and just-in-time adaptive interventions (JITAI) to create personalized, real-time behavior change algorithms. Together, they explore the role of reinforcement learning in adapting interventions over time, tackling ethical challenges, and sustaining user engagement in a rapidly evolving world. This episode also includes a fun "To AI or Not to AI" quickfire round and Susan’s reflections on the "frontier" nature of behavioral science today, making this a must-listen for anyone passionate about technology, psychology, and innovation. LINKS: TIMESTAMPS 01:00 – AI Voice Assistants in Everyday Life 07:22 – Introduction to Susan Murphy 08:06 – Micro-Randomized Trials Explained 11:08 – Just-in-Time Adaptive Interventions (JITAI) 27:19 – Reinforcement Learning and Behavioral Science 35:15 – Adaptive Algorithms for Personalized Support 40:30 – Micro-Randomization and Personalized Interventions 45:19 – Maintaining Engagement in Digital Interventions 49:51 – The Frontier Nature of Behavioral Science 51:39 – Quickfire Round: To AI or Not to AI 57:13 – Ethical Considerations in AI and Behavioral Science -- Interesting in collaborating with Nuance? If you’d like to become one of our special projects, email us at hello@nuancebehavior.com or book a call directly on our website: nuancebehavior.com. Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀. Members get access to extensive content databases, calls with field leaders, exclusive offers and discounts, and so much more. Every Monday our Habit Weekly newsletter shares the best articles, videos, podcasts, and exclusive premium content from the world of behavioral science and business. Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro | |||
| 24 Mar 2021 | The Behavioral Science of Policy and Organizations with Nina Mažar | 00:43:19 | |
This episode features an insightful conversation with the fantastic Nina Mažar. Nina has been part of founding BEworks, BEAR (Behavioral Economics in Action at Rotman center), and the World Banks' behavioral science team. She is currently professor of marketing and co-director of the Susilo Institute for Ethics in the Global Economy at Boston University. We cover several interesting topics, including how Nina got started in the field, three pieces of advice for starting a behavioral science unit, nudging for diversity and honesty, plus what to get next time you're ordering Balkan food. Enjoy! Links:
Timestamps 00:23: Episode overview 01:41: Interview begins 02:02: Nina details her background in behavioral science 04:29: How Nina’s work in both industry and academia shaped her view on behavioral science research 08:49: Nina discusses setting up the World Bank’s behavioral science unit 11:59: Nina’s advice on setting up a behavioral science team in an organisation
17:01: Reflecting on studies on dishonesty and nudging people via signature at the top 22:04: Why is the “bad apple” narrative so persistent? 24:16: How can behavioral science help counter discrimination and racism? 28:22: Countering gender bias in news reporting in Sweden via transparency 32:42: Underrated vs Overrated
39:02: How Nina applies behavioral science in her own life 41:03: Concluding remarks ––––– Timestamps & shownotes compiled by Keith Broni 🏆 The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizzaro. ––––– | |||
| 21 Apr 2021 | Lessons About the Brain with Lisa Feldman Barrett | 00:54:26 | |
This episode features a profound conversation with world-renowned neuroscientist and psychologist Lisa Feldman Barrett. Lisa is among the top 1% of most-cited scientists in the world, with over 240 peer-reviewed scientific papers contributing to her revolutionary research in psychology and neuroscience. Outside of the lab, she's a best-selling author and her popular TED talk has more than 6 million views. TLDR: Lisa is a rockstar 🤘. We cover several interesting topics, including why your brain is not for thinking, how prediction becomes reality, why most people are wrong in how they think about emotions, the best type of chocolate (spoiler: dark), and much more. Enjoy! Links and resources:
Books referenced:
Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀 The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizzaro. | |||
| 11 Dec 2024 | Behavior Change Score with Roos van Duijnhoven | 00:31:35 | |
Behavior Change Score with Roos van Duijnhoven In this special episode of the Behavioral Design Podcast, host Samuel continues the mini-series featuring expert practitioners from the Nuance Behavior team. This week’s guest is Roos van Duijnhoven, a behavioral scientist with a deep passion for designing human-centered digital solutions that drive meaningful behavior change. Samuel and Roos explore a wide range of topics, including the Behavior Change Score Framework, strategies for improving onboarding and retention in digital health products, and the importance of focusing on real-world behavior (‘big E’ engagement) versus in-app behavior (‘little e’ engagement). They also dive into insights from Nuance Behavior’s ‘Behavior Change Score Report,’ which evaluates fitness apps and provides actionable lessons for designing more effective digital interventions. This episode offers a treasure trove of insights for anyone interested in applying behavioral science to digital product design and health interventions! LINKS:
TIMESTAMPS 00:36 Meet Roos van Duijnhoven 01:06 Recap of Susan Murhpy episode 07:31 Insights from the Behavior Change Score Report 20:14 Big E vs. Little e Engagement: Real-World vs. In-App Behavior 26:31 Controversial Opinions: Electric Bicycles 29:32 Conclusion and Farewell -- Interesting in collaborating with Nuance? If you’d like to become one of our special projects, email us at hello@nuancebehavior.com or book a call directly on our website: nuancebehavior.com. Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀. Members get access to extensive content databases, calls with field leaders, exclusive offers and discounts, and so much more. Every Monday our Habit Weekly newsletter shares the best articles, videos, podcasts, and exclusive premium content from the world of behavioral science and business. Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro | |||
| 18 Aug 2021 | How to Change with Katy Milkman | 00:53:20 | |
In this episode, we're speaking with behavioral science superstar Katy Milkman ⭐️ Katy has one of the most impressive resumes in the field – She's a professor at UPenn, Co-founder of the Behavior Change for Good Initiative with Angela Duckworth, Host of Choiceology podcast (much more refined than ours), and Author of a new book: How to Change: The Science of Getting From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be. Some of our favorite research from Katy includes Fresh Start Effect, Temptation Bundling, Implementation Intentions, and most recently, she's pioneered the mega-study (what works to promote exercise, vaccination) In this episode, we have a fun conversation with Katy about her book, including discussing personalization, temptation bundling, and what type of interventions are most effective. We also talk about her recent study on regret lotteries in Philly + much more! Relevant links
Katy's Research Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀 and by giving us a review on Apple Podcast. Thanks! The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizzaro. | |||
| 31 May 2023 | Product Deep Dive: Autonomous Vehicles 🚗 | 00:39:22 | |
Welcome to the latest Product Deep Dive! 🚗 In this fun bonus series of the Behavioral Design Podcast, we take a closer look at products discussed in past episodes of the show. In this episode, we are discussing the product "Autonomous Vehicles", following up on our conversation with Nick Chater from last week. Tune in to learn more about how we would re-design Autonomous Vehicles, our own behavioral considerations, and what we can learn from this as behavioral designers. Happy listening! – PS. The If books could kill podcast episode on nudging can be found here. – We'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic and ideas for future episodes! Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀 The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro. | |||
| 21 Nov 2023 | Designing for Diabetes with Steph Habif | 00:44:39 | |
Steph Habif is known for a range of health behavior research and strategy, and for leading behavioral science at Tandem Diabetes. Today we chat with Steph about what she’s doing at Tandem to design for diabetic patients, working at the intersection of behavioral science and human-computer interaction. We also went over what Steph called behavioral science's branding problem. Do you know someone who would enjoy Behavioral Design? Please tell them about us! Thanks for listening! -- Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀. Members get access to extensive content databases, calls with field leaders, exclusive offers and discounts, and so much more. Every Monday our Habit Weekly newsletter shares the best articles, videos, podcasts, and exclusive premium content from the world of behavioral science and business. Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro | |||
| 19 May 2021 | Brainy Business with Melina Palmer | 00:44:21 | |
Interested in learning more about how Behavioral Economics can be used in practice? Great, this episode is for you! It features a fun conversation with Melina Palmer, one of the leading experts in applied Behavioral Economics. Melina is the founder and CEO of the Brainy Business, teaches Applied BE at Texas A&M University and recently published her first book, What Your Customer Wants and Can’t Tell You. We speak about her journey and how she built her Brainy Business podcast and community, how she supports her clients to ask better questions, important principles regarding pricing, and we talk cookies! Enjoy! 🍪 Links and resources:
Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀 The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizzaro. | |||
| 22 Jan 2025 | Predicting 2025 and Beyond with Jared Peterson | 01:34:38 | |
Predictions for 2025: AI, AGI, and the Future of Behavioral Science with Jared Peterson In this episode of the Behavioral Design Podcast, host Samuel is joined by Jared Peterson, a behavioral scientist and expert in decision science at Nuance Behavior. Together, they explore some of the most pressing questions and exciting developments at the intersection of AI, behavioral science, and the future of human-centered design. The conversation highlights key advancements from 2024, including the rise of multimodal AI, breakthroughs in AI agents, and the transformative use of AI in scientific research. Samuel and Jared share bold predictions for 2025, tackling questions like:
The discussion is packed with hot takes, nuanced perspectives, and thoughtful reflections, including Jared’s controversial prediction about the future of AI in predicting research replicability. This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the rapidly evolving AI landscape and its implications for behavioral science, creativity, and society at large. For questions or comments - email samuel@nuancebehavior..com LINKS: TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Meet Jared Peterson: Behavioral Scientist and AI Expert 01:01 – Reflections on 2024: Key Breakthroughs and Predictions 03:36 – The Multimodal Evolution of AI 10:06 – AI Surpassing Human Benchmarks 21:25 – The Rise of AI Agents and Synthetic Content 35:18 – Musical Turing Test: AI vs. Eurovision 43:26 –Predictions for 2025: AI Coworkers and Beyond 44:06 – AI Coworkers: The Future of Work? 51:11 – AI in Science: Revolutionizing Research 01:05:56 – The Hype and Reality of AGI 01:10:42 – Adoption Challenges and Future Predictions 01:25:40 – Final Thoughts and Controversial Predictions -- Interesting in collaborating with Nuance? If you’d like to become one of our special projects, email us at hello@nuancebehavior.com or book a call directly on our website: nuancebehavior.com. Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀. Members get access to extensive content databases, calls with field leaders, exclusive offers and discounts, and so much more. Every Monday our Habit Weekly newsletter shares the best articles, videos, podcasts, and exclusive premium content from the world of behavioral science and business. Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro | |||
| 01 Sep 2021 | Being Time Smart with Ashley Whillans | 00:51:59 | |
In this episode, we speak with Ashley Whillans on time and how to spend it well ⏰. Ashley is a Professor at Harvard and author of Time Smart: How to Reclaim Your Time and Live a Happier Life. She's got a Ph.D. in Social Psychology and is an expert on time and how to spend it well. Her research investigates whether and how intangible incentives, such as experiential and time-saving rewards, affect employee motivation and well-being. She also works with organizations to help employees overcome time stress and thrive in their lives in and outside of the workplace. In this episode, we have a fun conversation with Ashley about her book, including discussing her research on people's perception of time and decision making, how to design better products and services based on these insights, and how to best decline an invitation (you're welcome). We hope you enjoy the episode! Relevant links Missed Habit Day? No worries, here's link to the full event recording. Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀 and by giving us a review on Apple Podcast. Thanks! The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizzaro. | |||
| 14 Dec 2023 | 2023 in Review – Season 3 Finale 🌟 | 00:51:40 | |
We've reached the end of Season 3! 🎉 In this finale, we give you the inside scoop on topics behavioral design from 2023. From our favorite resources to AI to films, we explore all things behavioral design, so you too are in the inside scoop! All resources are linked below. Enjoy! From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for supporting us throughout the year! We appreciate you! 🙏 🙌 Gratitude:
Favorite Resources:
Top 10 films:
-- Support the podcast by joining Habit Weekly Pro 🚀. Members get access to extensive content databases, calls with field leaders, exclusive offers and discounts, and so much more. Every Monday our Habit Weekly newsletter shares the best articles, videos, podcasts, and exclusive premium content from the world of behavioral science and business. Get in touch via podcast@habitweekly.com The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizarro | |||