The Science of Being Thankful
Happy Thanksgiving from Behavioral Grooves!
It’s time once again to sit around the Thanksgiving table and serve yourself a big heaping pile of…gratitude? Gratitude comes up every year, but why do so many of us suddenly find ourselves at a loss for words? In this special holiday grooving session, we dig into the psychology behind why we feel grateful but struggle to say it. From miscaliberated assumptions to good old-fashioned awkwardness, we chronically underestimate how much others actually want to hear that they matter.
Drawing on research from Nick Epley and others, we explore how gratitude boosts well-being, rewires our attention, and strengthens relationships. So this Thanksgiving, go ahead and multitask your mashed-potato mashing while learning why our brains assume people can “just tell” how appreciative we are, why we’re less likely to thank the people closest to us, and how a fast-paced world makes slowing down to connect more important than ever.
Before dinner is even served, you’ll walk away with simple, science-backed nudges to make gratitude easier and more meaningful to share. So take a breath, tune in, and get ready to tell someone you love exactly why they matter to you.
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Topics
- What is Gratitude?
- Barriers to Expressing Gratitude
- Nudges for Practicing Gratitude
- The Power of In-Person Gratitude
- Closing Thoughts: Happy Thanksgiving!
AIRDATE: November 27, 2025 EPISODE 510
Featured Guest
Kurt Nelson PhD and Tim Houlihan
Featured Artists
Arlo Guthrie - Alice's Restaurant