Economist and philosopher Mark Fabian joins the show to explore how we can move beyond the pursuit of happiness toward a deeper, values-driven life. Drawing from behavioral science, philosophy, and his new book Beyond Happiness, Mark challenges the idea of happiness as an end goal and introduces the concept of “generalized flow.” From escaping the hedonic treadmill to cultivating self-awareness and community, this episode is a guide to rethinking what it means to live well.

©2025 Behavioral Grooves

[0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Mark Fabian

[8:56] Concept of Well-Being and Happiness

[15:45] How to Live a Valuable Life

[25:19] How to Discover Your Core Self

[32:54] Self-Actualization and Community

[42:42] The Role of Flow and Zest in a Good Life

[51:05] Desert Island Music

[56:18] Grooving Session: Zest, Identity, and Reframing Happiness

©2025 Behavioral Grooves

More about Mark

Beyond Happiness by Mark Fabian

Mihaly Csikzentmihalyi’s research on Flow

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The Weeknd - House of Balloons

Yuzo Koshiro - Streets of Rage

Hamilton - Wait For It

What if we stopped trying to win or avoid conflict—and instead built the resilience to grow through it? In this episode, neurologist Joel Salinas and conflict resolution expert Bob Bordone offer a powerful reframe on disagreement, showing how neuroscience and self-awareness can help us break old patterns and build stronger relationships.

[0:00] BG Special Announcement!

[1:15] Intro and Speed Round with Joel and Bob

[6:29] What is Conflict Resilience?

[10:41] The Neuroscience Behind Conflict

[18:35] Understanding Our Reflexive Conflict Responses

[25:03] Practical Applications and Examples

[32:15] Neuroplasticity and Changing How We Handle Disagreement

[42:15] Building a Culture of Conflict Resilience at Work

[49:45] Dolly Parton: A Model for Growth?

[53:15] Desert Island Music Picks

[55:15] Grooving Session: Conflict Resilience at Work and Beyond

©2025 Behavioral Grooves

Conflict Resilience: Negotiating Disagreement Without Giving Up or Giving In

More About Joel Salinas

More About Bob Bordone

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Lady Gaga - Abracadabra

Billie Eilish - Birds of a Feather

Philip Glass - Prophecies

Kelly Clarkson - Because of You

In this special republish episode science journalist David McRaney joins us to explore the surprising science behind belief, persuasion, and why minds change. We discuss tribal truth, perceptual differences (remember the dress?), and why Step Zero—examining why you want to change someone’s mind—is essential for meaningful dialogue.

[4:18] Welcome and speed round questions.

[11:18] How minds change vs. how to change minds.

[14:35] How is elaboration different from learning?

[27:27] Mini Grooving Session on the difference between beliefs, opinions and attitudes.

[34:09] Why do you want to change someone’s mind?

[41:03] The moment David realized he should question why, not just how to change minds.

[52:55] Mini Grooving Session on why to change minds.

[57:27] Why some see the dress as gold & white and some see it as blue & black.

[1:18:28] Mini Grooving Session on the dress and the crocs.

[1:22:15] Truth is tribal.

[1:35:33] Mini Grooving Session on having a social safety net.

[1:40:38] What was the catalyst for David becoming interested in conspiracy theories?

[1:46:19] How to get people off the conspiratorial loop?

[1:51:23] What musical artists would David take to a desert island?

©2025 Behavioral Grooves

How Minds Change: The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion by David McRaney

More on David McRaney

You Are Not So Smart Podcast

Wallisch, Pascal & Karlovich, Michael. (2019). Disagreeing about Crocs and socks: Creating profoundly ambiguous color displays

The dress

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Radiohead - No Surprises

Colin Stetson - Spindrift