Stop Small Talk
Start Riffing.
Who Doesn’t Love a Survey?
We would love your help! We’re studying what puts people in the groove at work - and what pulls them into the grind.
We want as many perspectives as possible. If you’ve got 15 minutes, we’d love yours - and if you leave your e-mail in the survey, you will be entered into a give-away for a free copy of Mindwise: Why We Misunderstand What Others Think, Believe, Feel, and Want by Nick Epley.
Fill out the survey by the end of April for your chance to win!
Last Few Weeks of Book Giveaway!
Join the fun! We’re giving away free copies of our favorite behavioral science books from this episode, but the only way to enter is by joining the Behavioral Grooves Facebook community. For just a few weeks more, we’ll be randomly selecting winners from the comments. It’s also where we share extra insights, questions, and behind-the-scenes thinking from the show. Join the group, jump into the conversation, and you could end up with your next great read.
This Week’s Music for Grooving
Check out some of the recommendations from this week’s episode.
Have you ever felt like you really just clicked with someone?
That sense of being on the same wavelength—finishing each other’s sentences, riffing, and building ideas together. There’s something deeply satisfying about sharing a “reality” with another person, and when that happens at work, it can transform not just how we feel, but how we perform.
This week, we’re joined by researcher Maya Rossignac-Milon to unpack the science of shared reality. It’s not just social glue—it’s something tangible, measurable, and closely tied to performance. We explore how shared reality forms, why going “off script” can spark stronger connections, and why authenticity consistently beats forced agreement. From quick hallway conversations to long-term collaborations, these moments of connection build trust, deepen meaning, and shape how effectively we achieve our goals.
We also dive into the role of instrumentality, asking where genuine connection ends and strategic networking begins. In a world that prioritizes both hard work and “who you know,” this conversation challenges us to rethink what really drives success—suggesting that it’s not just productivity, but the quality of the connections we build along the way.
Want to watch this episode? Check it out on our YouTube Channel
Finishing Each Other’s Sandwiches
That satisfying feeling when you meet someone who just gets you isn’t just random, it’s tied to the psychological idea of shared reality. Researchers show that as humans, we’re fundamentally motivated to have our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs validated by others. When we meed someone who sees the world similarly to how we do, it creates a sense of epistemic certainty (“see? I’m right!”) and relational connection at the same time.
The dual validation of feeling right and understood is what makes those interactions feel so instantly rewarding, and why we’re naturally drawn to people who reflect our own perspectives back at us.
Build Community Through Comedy
Can humor bring us together? In this TedTalk, Rashid Abdullah examines the myriad ways that humor and comedy positively affect our brains, and how that leads to the creation of a shared identity and stronger sense of community.
Housekeeping
If you want to know more about today’s guest or this week’s grooving, check out the links below!
And don’t forget to join the conversation with us in our Facebook Groove Community