PLAY PODCASTS
Why Do Culture Wars Happen? | Michael Morris
Episode 493

Why Do Culture Wars Happen? | Michael Morris

Behavioral Grooves Podcast

August 18, 20251h 20m

Audio is streamed directly from the publisher (mcdn.podbean.com) as published in their RSS feed. Play Podcasts does not host this file. Rights-holders can request removal through the copyright & takedown page.

Show Notes

Why do we instinctively form groups, follow leaders, and defend traditions—even when it hurts us? Columbia professor Michael Morris joins us to explore the three tribal instincts—peer, hero, and ancestor—that shape how we cooperate and clash. From case studies at GM and Reddit to the surprising origins of Thanksgiving, we uncover how culture evolves—and how understanding it can make us better leaders, change-makers, and collaborators.

 ©2025 Behavioral Grooves

Topics

[0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Michael Morris

[6:19] Understanding the Importance of Tribes

[15:05] Peer Instinct and Early Human Coordination

[21:09] Hero Instinct and Status-Seeking Behavior

[29:50] Bottom-up vs. Top-down Cultural Change

[37:58] Case Studies: GM and Reddit

[52:30] Desert Island Music

[56:49] Grooving Session: Applying Tribal Instincts to Leadership

©2025 Behavioral Grooves

Links

More About Michael

Tribal: How the Cultural Instincts That Divide Us Can Help Bring Us Together by Michael Morris

Join us on Substack!

Join the Behavioral Grooves community

Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube

Music Links

The Rolling Stones - Sympathy for the Devil

Bob Dylan - Like a Rolling Stone