In this annual “best of the best” episode, we revisit the behavioral science books that most influenced our thinking this year. Rather than ranking titles, we explore what made each book impactful; from happiness and psychological richness to leadership, teams, and behavioral economics, and why these ideas continue to challenge how we think, work, and live.
Topics
[0:00] Can we really rank “best” books?
[2:08] Book Giveaway - How to join
[3:34] Psychological richness and happiness
[5:50] Redefining wealth beyond money
[7:21] The illusion of self-derived beliefs
[8:25] Getting out of your own way
[11:11] The power of mattering at work
[13:21] Rethinking happiness
[15:01] Behavioral science in the real world
[16:45] Behavioral economics
[19:52] Behavioral science in marketing and advertising
[20:19] Closing thoughts and community invite
©2026 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Life in Three Dimensions – Shigehiro Oishi
The Soul of Wealth – Daniel Crosby
The Knowledge Illusion – Steven Sloman
Detach – Bob Rosen
The Collective Edge – Colin Fisher
The Power of Mattering – Zach Mercurio
What We Value – Emily Falk
Beyond Happy – Mark Fabian
The Doors You Can Open – Rosalind Chow
The Housefly Effect – Eva van den Broek & Tim den Heijer
The Winner’s Curse – Richard Thaler & Alex Imas
Meditations for Mortals – Oliver Burkeman
Hacking the Human Mind – Richard Shotton
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Music Links
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