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Katy Milkman

@katymilkman.bsky.social
6.1K followers 369 following 239 posts

👩‍🏫 Professor at Wharton 📖 Author of the WSJ Bestseller #HowToChange 🎧 Host of Charles Schwab’s #Choiceology podcast 📰 Author of the Milkman Delivers newsletter @ katymilkman.substack.com 🌎 Website: www.katymilkman.com

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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
What’s in your fall book stack? Very excited to dive into these new books that have recently arrived at my office! Naturally, two of my favorite Wharton authors are on top ❤️💙
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
‼️New Paper Alert‼️What does it take to change behavior? In a fresh Annual Review, Jan Voelkel, @angeladuckworth.bsky.social & I argue it's helpful to consider 3 phases of change: 1️⃣ building motivation 2️⃣ following-through 3️⃣ forming durable habits 👀 Take a Look: tinyurl.com/change-annua...
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Behavior Change for Good Initiative @bcfginitiative.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Interested in working on research w @katymilkman.bsky.social @angeladuckworth.bsky.social to promote #BehaviorChange? Apply to one of our full-time positions, ideal for anyone considering a PhD! June ‘27 start. Research Coordinator: bit.ly/4hqWSuX Research and Comms Coordinator: bit.ly/4cN5YzE
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
What bias holds us back from connecting with other people and experiencing the happiness and relationships we deserve? This fresh episode of #Choiceology featuring psychologist Nicholas Epley explains. Happy listening, and happy connecting! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...
podcasts.apple.com
The Commuter's Paradox: Why We Misjudge Social Connection (With Nick Epley)
Podcast Episode · Choiceology with Katy Milkman · September 7 · 35m
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
My newsletter features a conversation with Angela Duckworth in honor of her book, SITUATED. Did you know self-control is tremendously context dependent? The same person who exhibits extraordinary self-control in some settings is an impulsive mess in others. katymilkman.substack.com/p/is-changin...
katymilkman.substack.com
Is changing your situation the key to self-control?
A conversation with Angela Duckworth about self-control and changing your situation to improve your life (timed to coincide with the release of her terrific new book SITUATED)
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
#Academics: The OID Department at Wharton is hiring an assistant professor w/ a focus on decision processes! Come join me, Angela Duckworth, @jpsimmons.bsky.social, Maurice Schweitzer, Erik Santoro, Duncan Watts & Gal Smitizsky. Apply *ASAP* (we'll start reviewing 10/1): apply.interfolio.com/192153
apply.interfolio.com
Apply - Interfolio {{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Congratulations to my brilliant friend Angela Duckworth on the publication of her fantastic new book, SITUATED: Find the People and Places that Bring Out Your Best! Get your copy and learn how to get situated for success: a.co/d/06sbDqT1
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
We tend to overlook that support from others is a huge propellant of success. I ❤️ this new op-ed from Angela Duckworth articulating the importance of asking for help & building a network of supporters. Being a lone wolf is not the way to the top - find your wolfpack! www.nytimes.com/2026/08/28/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | I Study Successful People. They Have One Habit in Common.
Being a successful self-starter doesn’t mean pulling yourself up by your bootstraps.
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
So glad you enjoyed it!
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
A little news… here’s a preview of the new season of the #Choiceology podcast launching in two weeks 🎉 That’s right… we’ll be back in your feed with fresh episodes before you know it! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...
podcasts.apple.com
Coming Soon: A New Season of Choiceology
Podcast Episode · Choiceology with Katy Milkman · S18 Trailer · 2m
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
There's fascinating science on parasocial relationships, or the one-sided relationships we form with famous people who don't know us. To learn how these asymmetric relationships can bias our judgment & in some cases alter our morality, check out my latest newsletter open.substack.com/pub/katymilk...
open.substack.com
Could following celebrity gossip change your behavior?
A conversation with Princeton psychology Professor Anuj Shah about the behavioral science of our “parasocial relationships” with celebrities and beyond
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
If you’ll be at #AOM2026 in Philly, here are two talks you won’t want to miss! Jose Cervantez & Sophia Pink are both rising 5th year PhD candidates at Wharton who will be on the management job market in the year ahead, and they are incredible. Both will be giving previews of their job talks at AOM.
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Sage @sagepub.com · 15/07/2026
Whose work most influenced you? Professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, @katymilkman.bsky.social answers this question on a special episode of the Social Science Bites podcast. Hear from leading social and behavioral scientists: www.socialsciencespace.com/2026/04/whos...
"It's the book Nudge by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein, and the reason why is that they highlight a way of looking at the world and recognizing that in every environment where we make choices, the environment is shaping those choices."
- Katy Milkman
A headshot photo of Katy Milkman smiling to the right with the Social Science Bites logo underneath.
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Are you familiar with the headwinds-tailwinds asymmetry? Learn about this important bias in decision making and how to make better choices from the extraordinary Cornell psychology Prof. Tom Gilovich. open.substack.com/pub/katymilk...
open.substack.com
What we overlook when pursuing our goals and why it matters
A conversation with Cornell psychology Professor Tom Gilovich about the headwinds we notice and the tailwinds we don’t
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
A few books I’m excited to have on my desk right now… what’s in your stack?
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Congratulations to my brilliant friend Prof. Nick Epley on the publication of his terrific book A LITTLE MORE SOCIAL. This book will help you see the tremendous value of reaching out to have more conversations — on the subway or bus, at the coffee shop or in an uber: a.co/d/07CajkvT
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Learn what research says about why a focus on time over money can boost your happiness: open.substack.com/pub/katymilk...
open.substack.com
Tips for living a happier life
A conversation with UCLA Marketing Professor and happiness expert Cassie Holmes
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
To everyone responding with vitriol: please come! Our goal in choosing speakers was to platform both popular and unpopular figures advocating for scientific reforms to spark productive conversations across divides! If this makes you angry, come engage in dialogue — that’s how we improve.
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
I'm co-organizing a free, 2-day Zoom workshop from the NAS & hope you'll consider attending! 📅 April 23-24: Discuss how we can enhance scientific integrity in the social and behavioral sciences REGISTER: www.nationalacademies.org/projects/DBA... PROGRAM: www.nationalacademies.org/cdn/material...
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
How can you improve your decisions? In this Q&A with Duke Prof. Jack Soll, you’ll find a checklist you can use to boost the quality of important choices. open.substack.com/pub/katymilk...
open.substack.com
A checklist for making better decisions
Duke University Professor Jack Soll explains how you can avoid bias and make better decisions.
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
This is TODAY if you’re in Philly 🎉
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
On 3/16, the Behavior Change for Good Initiative (@bcfginitiative.bsky.social) will co-host superstar @uofchicago.bsky.social Econ Prof. John List at Wharton for a talk called "Field Experiments on Trial: Bringing Causal Evidence to the Courtroom." Join us at 12PM on the 8th floor of Huntsman Hall!
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
I am speaking at the SPSP 2026 Annual Convention. Please check out my panel on science communication if you're attending the event! #SPSP2026
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Part-Time Genius @parttimegenius.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
If there's a habit you've been meaning to break (or make), today's episode is for you. We dive into the science of why habits are so tenacious, and the brilliant @katymilkman.bsky.social shares advice for making real change stick. (Hint: don't just "just do it.") omny.fm/shows/part-t...
omny.fm
What’s the Best Way to Break a Bad Habit? - Part-Time Genius
Why is it so hard to stop oversleeping and eating candy? Why is it equally hard to start going to the gym and preparing healthy snacks? If you’ve been struggling with New Year’s resolutions, you’re no...
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
Most of your favorite stories from Star Wars to Harry Potter follow a 7 step formula called a hero’s journey. What’s fascinating is that Kurt Gray & his collaborators showed recasting your own life story so it fits this formula can improve your resilience! Read on: open.substack.com/pub/katymilk...
open.substack.com
The surprising benefits of asking what you have in common with Luke Skywalker
A conversation with Ohio State psychology Professor Kurt Gray about the power of recasting your life as a “hero’s journey”
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
I’m so excited that REVEALING is out this week! My incredible friend and collaborator HBS Prof. Leslie John wrote this book to help you discover the science behind the underrated power of oversharing. I hope you'll love it as much as I did! Pick up a copy: www.amazon.com/Revealing-Un...)
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
What is naive realism + how could recognizing this bias help improve your relationships? I share a Q&A with @JuliaMinson on naive realism in my latest newsletter. Julia’s soon-to-be-released book, How to Disagree Better, is a must read for 2026: a.co/d/0ayF4p3V! 👉🏻 open.substack.com/pub/katymilk...
open.substack.com
The bias that makes disagreement so hard
A conversation with Harvard Kennedy School Professor Julia Minson on naïve realism, plus New Year’s insights on behavior change
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
It was a treat to kick off our Wharton Decision Processes speaker series with a talk by Duke Prof Rick Larrick about the perils of including your own best guess at a quantity when eliciting an outside estimate. We even managed to snap a photo of Rick on our bench with Ben Franklin. Snow be darned!
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
To learn more than who visited this past fall and the title of their talk (shown below), and to find out who will be joining us to share their latest research when the series kicks off again on Monday, February 2nd, visit: marketing.wharton.upenn.edu/events/decis...
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
What is the best thing about being a behavioral scientist at Wharton? It's hard to pick, but it *might* be attending our extraordinary, star-studded Decision Processes seminar series. Check out the speakers we brought through this fall, each of whom agreed to pose on Penn's iconic Ben Franklin bench
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
Here’s a recording of yesterday’s Q&A on science communication with Emily Oster!
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
Here’s a recording of yesterday’s Q&A on science communication with Emily Oster!
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
Thanks to @pennchibe.bsky.social + @bcfginitiative.bsky.social for organizing this event. And to Emily for dropping so much wisdom. If you weren't one of the many hundreds of people who joined us live but wish you could've been there, never fear: we'll post a recording soon, so keep en eye out!
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
I appreciated Emily's wisdom re what we should all remember when communicating w/ non-scientists 1️⃣ Don't use jargon. It defeats the goal of ensuring your audience feels smart + empowered. 2️⃣ Know the bottom line / the big takeaway you want your audience to remember (and don't communicate it subtly).
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
->The Pitt: Underrated ->Hormone Replacement Therapy: Underrated ->MM Lafleur: Underrated ->X: Overrated ->Morning Sunshine: Overrated
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
It was *such* a treat to co-host Emily Oster (w/ @alison-buttenheim.bsky.social) for a Zoom Q&A today on how to communicate about science with a broad audience. The highlight? Possibly the unexpected game of "Underrated/Overrated" Alison launched at the close. Here are Emily's hot takes...
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
Don’t miss the chance to join me for a Q&A with the incredible Prof. Emily Oster on Zoom next Wed 1/28 at 12PM ET. I’ll be co-hosting a conversation about best practices in science communication. Who better to answer questions on this topic than Emily Oster? Register to join here: bit.ly/4qqmF8l
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
I’m so proud of everything the team at the Behavior Change for Good Initiative accomplished in 2025! Check it out 👀
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
In her book, Maya shares the stories of ordinary but also extraordinary people who've faced unwanted change. And she offers advice on how to find strength in the face of this kind of challenge. Maya's book is full of wisdom, grounded in lived experience, and backed by science. Buy it: a.co/d/3Ivj3zc
a.co
The Other Side of Change: Who We Become When Life Makes Other Plans: Shankar, Maya: 9780593713686: Amazon.com: Books
The Other Side of Change: Who We Become When Life Makes Other Plans [Shankar, Maya] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Other Side of Change: Who We Become When Life Makes Other P...
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
Today, my brilliant friend Maya Shankar's first book - THE OTHER SIDE OF CHANGE - is officially available. This book is powerful and poignant. Sometimes we're forced to cope with a change we never anticipated and would never have chosen. What then?
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
I’m really looking forward to this and hope you’ll consider joining us!
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Behavior Change for Good Initiative @bcfginitiative.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
Mark your calendar: BCFG, @katymilkman.bsky.social and @pennchibe.bsky.social will host a virtual keynote talk with Emily Oster on Wed 1/28 at 12 PM ET. Register here: bit.ly/4qqmF8l.
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Behavior Change for Good Initiative @bcfginitiative.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Kick off the new year with insights on how to reach your goals–featuring Co-Director @katymilkman.bsky.social in a recent @washingtonpost.com article by @gretchenxreynolds.bsky.social: wapo.st/4qHDDiL.
wapo.st
Here’s how to make resolutions stick, according to a behavior change scientist
Researcher Katy Milkman explains science-backed ways to commit to your goals, including a hack called “temptation bundling.”
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
When @melrobbins.bsky.social and I talked about the science of behavior change, I explained the importance of using friction to support your best intentions. That means making it as easy as possible to do things that are good for you and as hard as possible to do things that are bad for you.
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
Ha! Quitting goals are some of the best ones! @annieduke.com can say more…
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 01/01/2026
Ever wondered why people are particularly open to change at New Year's? I did! As I explained to @melrobbins.bsky.social, that wondering led Hengchen Dai, Jason Riis and I to collect data, and we found that every New Year, every Monday, and every birthday all have something in common...
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
When @melrobbins.bsky.social asked me to explain why the people around you matter and how they can shape what you're able to achieve, here's what I said...
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Giving Multiplier @givingmultiplier.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
⌛️ Two days left to double your donation to @give-directly.bsky.social for #PodsFightPoverty! Donate: givedirectly.org/pods
givedirectly.org
Pods Fight Poverty: 2x your impact for 700+ Rwandan families in poverty | GiveDirectly & Giving Multiplier
Join us in sending life-changing cash to 700+ Rwandan families, with your favorite podcasters helping deliver ~$1,100 per family to spend on what they need most. While match funds last, your donation ...
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
When @melrobbins.bsky.social asked me the biggest lie we've all been told about change, here's what I said...
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Katy Milkman @katymilkman.bsky.social · 28/12/2025
Here is a gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/28/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Willpower Doesn’t Work. This Does.
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