Author Rebecca Newberger Goldstein joins us to explore “the mattering instinct,” the deeply human need to feel significant, worthy, and justified in our own eyes. From “mattering projects” and morality to fame, incels, AI, and entropy, this conversation dives into the psychological and philosophical forces shaping how we search for meaning and purpose in our lives.

[0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Rebecca Goldstein

[7:12] What is the “Mattering Instinct”?

[11:57] Why Mattering Creates Conflict

[15:11] Depression, Despair, and Significance

[26:42] The Four “Mattering” Types

[32:34] Fame, Recognition, and Validation

[41:38] Incels, Radicalization, and the Search for Meaning

[46:19] Ethics, Entropy, and Human Flourishing

[51:59] Desert Island Music

[59:17] Grooving Session: Defining Mattering

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

About Rebecca

The Mattering Instinct by Rebecca Newberger Goldstein

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Johann Sebastian Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No. 3

Leonard Cohen - Dance Me to the End of Love

What if luck has less to do with chance and more to do with understanding the systems around us? We talk with Judd Kessler about the hidden markets shaping opportunities in everything from concert tickets and jobs to relationships and organ transplants. Together, we explore why so many systems feel unfair, how behavioral economics can improve them, and why learning the rules behind these invisible structures may be the key to getting a little luckier in life.

[0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Judd Kessler

[13:18] The Hidden Markets Behind Organ Donation

[18:30] Market Design in Medicine

[29:13] How Incentives Work

[35:30] TSA PreCheck, Scarcity, and Making Better Systems

[40:14] The Ticketmaster Problem

[46:20] The Ticketmaster Solution

[53:34] Hidden Markets in Podcasts and Beyond

[59:18] “The Room Where it Happens” with Lin-Manuel Miranda

[1:05:30] Desert Island Music Picks

[1:08:00] Grooving Session: Creating Luck Wherever You Go

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

About Judd

Lucky by Design by Judd Kessler

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Sabrina Carpenter - Espresso

The Beatles - Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

Why do some spaces energize us while others drain us? This week, Leidy Klotz joins us to explore how our homes, workplaces, and everyday environments shape our behavior, creativity, and well-being. Drawing from his new book, In a Good Place, Leidy explains why humans crave agency, competence, and connection, and how the spaces around us can either support or suppress those needs.

[0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Leidy Klotz

[11:01] The Concept of “Good Place”

[18:26] Psychological Needs and Space

[26:44] Making Purposeful Decisions for Spaces

[34:02] Designing Spaces for Growth and Belonging

[45:09] Creating Groovy Spaces

[50:03] Grooving Session: Practical Tips for Designing Better Spaces

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

About Leidy Klotz

In a Good Place by Leidy Klotz

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Bruce Springsteen - Racing in the Street

Bruce Springsteen - No Surrender