The Behavioral Design Podcast

Productivity in the Age of AI with Oliver Burkeman

In this episode of the Behavioral Design Podcast, hosts Aline and Samuel are joined by Oliver Burkeman, journalist and bestselling author of Four Thousand Weeks, to explore what it means to live and work meaningfully in an era of accelerating AI.

Together, they examine how AI tools are reshaping our relationship with time, focus, and control—from email-writing assistants to algorithmic scheduling and optimization. Oliver shares his thoughts on how these technologies, while promising to save us time, often pull us deeper into compulsive productivity loops and distract us from the deeper questions: What are we optimizing for? And what does it mean to spend our time well?

The conversation covers:

• The seduction of infinite optionality and why AI might make it worse

• Whether AI-generated outputs dull our creative instincts or free them

• Why doing fewer things might become even more important in the AI era

• The psychological cost of outsourcing decisions to machines

• How behavioral science can help people reclaim agency and meaning in a world of hyper-efficiency

This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the tension between automation and intention—especially those wondering how to stay human in the loop.

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AI Co-Therapists with Alison Cerezo
In this episode of the Behavioral Design Podcast, hosts Aline and Samuel talk with Dr. Alison Cerezo, a clinical psychologist, professor, and Senior Vice President of Research at Mpathic, a company developing AI tools that support therapists in delivering more empathetic and precise care.

They explore the growing role of AI in mental health, from real-time feedback during therapy sessions to tools that help clinicians detect risk, stay aligned with best practices, and reduce bias. Alison describes how Mpathic works as a co-therapist—supporting rather than replacing the human element of therapy.

The conversation also digs into larger questions:

• Can AI feel more empathetic than humans?
• How do we avoid over-reliance on machines for emotional support?
• And what does it really mean to design AI that complements rather than competes with people?

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of therapy, empathy, and AI—and what it looks like to build systems that enhance human care, not undermine it.

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Empathic Machines with Michael Inzlicht
In this episode of the Behavioral Design Podcast, hosts Aline and Samuel are joined by Michael Inzlicht, professor of psychology at the University of Toronto and co-host of the podcast Two Psychologists Four Beers. Together, they explore the surprisingly effortful nature of empathy—and what happens when artificial intelligence starts doing it better than we do.

Michael shares insights from his research into empathic AI, including findings that people often rate AI-generated empathy as more thoughtful, emotionally satisfying, and effortful than human responses—yet still prefer to receive empathy from a human. They unpack the paradox behind this preference, what it tells us about trust and connection, and whether relying on AI for emotional support could deskill us over time.

This conversation is essential listening for anyone interested in the intersection of psychology, emotion, and emerging AI tools—especially as machines get better at sounding like they care.

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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.

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LINKS:

• Peter's LinkedIn Profile
• MIT FutureTech Lab: futuretech.mit.edu
• AI Risk Repository

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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:

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:

• Eric Hekler:

TIMESTAMPS:
02:01 Introduction and Correction
05:21 The Efficiency Trap of AI
08:02 Human-AI Collaboration
11:04 Conversation with Eric Hekler
14:12 Just-in-Time Adaptive Interventions
15:19 System Identification Experiment
28:27 Control Systems vs. Machine Learning
39:44 Challenges with Classical Machine Learning
43:16 Translating Research to Real-World Applications
49:49 Community-Based Research and Context Matters
59:46 Quickfire Round: To AI or Not to AI
01:08:27 Final Thoughts on AI and Human Evolution

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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 conversation covers the concept of reinforcement learning in AI and how it mirrors human conditioning
• The gender dynamics embedded in AI design, and the ethical implications of AI companions.
• The discussion also examines real-life cases of people forming deep emotional bonds with AI chatbots

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:

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:

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:

• Will AI agents become trusted coworkers?
• Can AI revolutionize science?
• And how should we navigate the hype surrounding artificial general intelligence (AGI)?

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:

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:

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:

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:

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
02:00 Meet Hassan Aleem: Neuroscientist and Behavioral Practitioner
02:37 Exploring AI in Behavioral Science
03:42 The Role of AI in User Research
10:21 Chatbots and Behavioral Design
18:50 AI in Literature Reviews and Research
34:59 Can AI Understand Beauty?
40:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

LINKS:

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

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:

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:

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

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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!

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LINKS:

Carey Morewedge:

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.

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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:

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:

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.

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!

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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!

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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.

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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

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!

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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 "toothbrush", following up on our conversation with Heather Cole-Lewis from last week.

Tune in to learn more about how we would re-design a toothbrush, and what we can learn from this as behavioral designers.

*This episode was scheduled for Wednesday, but was delayed due to technical difficulties. Thank you for your patience!

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In the latest episode of the Behavioral Design Podcast, we are thrilled to have Heather Cole-Lewis, a renowned Behavioral Epidemiologist and Health Equity Clinical Scientist at Google. Heather is best known for her groundbreaking Big E, little e framework in the realm of digital health interventions.

Join us as we dive into an engaging discussion with Heather about the intricacies of engagement in digital health interventions, including a deep dive into her Big E, little e model. Heather shares her unique insights on redesigning a product we all use on a daily basis, demonstrating a targeted approach that considers factors such as a person's background, goals, and specific context.

We also explore the challenges of addressing health disparities and the importance of a more equitable approach to intervention development. Finally, Heather enlightens us on the significance of making a strong business case for behavioral science. This episode promises to be a captivating listen for anyone interested in digital health, behavioral science, and creating equitable solutions.

Relevant links

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.

In this episode, we have a fascinating conversation with Sanjay Srivastava, widely regarded as one of the world's leading personality experts. We explore various aspects of personality, from the famous Harry Potter house sorting to the intriguing curly fry problem. We delve into the impact of friction on user experience and outcomes, intentional and unintentional, and the potential of interventions based on personality traits.

We also examine the stability of personality as a construct and discuss the design and use of corporate personality tests. As you'll notice, we shift our perspectives throughout the conversation, and the discussion takes unexpected turns. We are sure this should make for an engaging listen for anyone interested in the science of personality.

Relevant links

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.

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

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

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

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

In this episode, we speak with Ingrid Melvær Paulin about all things digital health behavior, Gamification, and the right behavior change metrics.

Ingrid is Director of Behavioral Insights at UnitedHealth Group. She applied behavioral science across vast areas of digital health behavior change, including previously being Director of Behavioral Insights at Rally Health and holding Senior Behavioral Researcher roles at the Center for Advanced Hindsight and Irrational Labs. She's also an amazing skier.

We had a fun conversation with Ingrid about everything digital health behavior and beyond, including the importance of focusing on the right behaviors, ways Gamification can backfire, her famous spreadsheet of BS companies around the world, and much more. Enjoy!

Relevant links about Ingrid

In this episode, we speak with Eric J. Johnson about all things choice architecture and choice engines.

Eric is professor at Columbia Business School at Columbia University and Director of the Center for Decision Sciences. His recently published book The Elements of Choice is a fascinating exploration of decision-making research revealing how choices are designed—and why it’s so important to understand their inner workings.

We had a fun conversation with Eric about everything choice architecture and beyond, including how to provide the right amount of options, the attributes of a good choice engine, and that there's no neutral choice architecture – the environment is always influencing our decisions one way or another. We also ask Eric to redesign popular digital products, including Tinder, Netflix, and Amazon. 

Relevant links

In this episode, we speak with the fantastic research duo Gabrielle Adams and Leidy Klotz about their work on the science of less: subtraction.

Their research on the science of problem-solving has identified this fascinating bias against subtraction. In other words, when we solve problems, we tend to favor adding things over subtracting things, even when subtraction offers a better solution. We have a massive subtraction blindspot.

We had a great discussion, exploring all aspects of subtraction, from their research to tips for how teams and individuals can overcome it and why "jeggings" are severely underrated. Enjoy!

Related links:

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:

In this episode, we speak with none other than Dan Ariely.

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.

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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!

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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! 

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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.

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