Hidden Brain

Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam

Why do I feel stuck? How can I become more creative? What can I do to improve my relationships? If you’ve ever asked yourself these questions, you’re not alone. On Hidden Brain, we help you understand your own mind — and the minds of the people around you. (We're routinely rated the #1 science podcast in the United States.) Hosted by veteran science journalist Shankar Vedantam. read less

Our Editor's Take

NPR's Hidden Brain is a fascinating deep dive into psychology, its proofs and practice, and how you can use its findings to understand human behavior, study the mind, and change yourself and the world around you. After all, knowledge is power, and Hidden Brain will show you how to translate an education in psychology into powerful habits and insights.

What you won’t hear: a dull, dry reading of doctorate-level research papers. Instead, Hidden Brain offers an accessible introduction to psych, with host Shankar Vedantam coupling science and storytelling to explain the psychological drivers behind biases and behaviors that affect our everyday choices and society at large. This science podcast is a must listen for its consequential insights into our species. If you are a curious thinker, a go-getter, or simply a student of life, Hidden Brain will offer up interesting observations alongside actionable advice. First time listener? Start with fan-favorite episodes like "In The Heat of the Moment," "When Did Marriage Become So Hard," and "Where Happiness Hides."

Vedantam gives discreet examples into the way people think using practices developed in social science and evolutionary psychology. Fascinating episodes like "GroupThink" break down how social ties impact our own lives and the course of our relationships. "Both Things Can Be True" highlights how the world is not as binary as it may seem; in fact, most things exist in a gray area. In "Work 2.0: The One-Room Commute," Vedantam unveils research into the significance of work and how the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly changed many of our perceptions around it. Other episodes explore topics such as memory and forgetting, the role of pressure and expectations, and regret and punishment.

Hidden Brain brings you weekly insights that might play a pivotal role in how you make choices and navigate life. With a host that excels at breaking down complex psychological studies and representing their findings in relatable, real-world examples, this is educational podcasting with pop-sci flair. Profoundly impactful and tangible, this podcast falls into the category of a "must try''—just listen for yourself.

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Introducing Hidden Brain+

Introducing Hidden Brain+

Do you love the ideas we explore on Hidden Brain and want more of them? Then please join Hidden Brain+, our new podcast subscription. You’ll find new episodes not available anywhere else, plus the chance to have your questions answered by the researchers we feature on the show. Find Hidden Brain+ exclusively on the Apple Podcasts app beginning May 25. Thanks, and see you there! -Shankar

Episodes

Emotions 2.0: The Benefits of Mixed Emotions

Emotions 2.0: The Benefits of Mixed Emotions

Sometimes we feel just one single feeling with overwhelming force. We're joyously happy. We're crushingly sad. But sometimes it's more complicated than that: We feel happy and sad at the same time. This week, we revisit a favorite 2022 episode with psychologist Naomi Rothman, who shares her research on the mixed emotion of ambivalence. She explores how being of two minds changes the way we think, and how it changes the way others see us. Did you catch the first two episodes in our Emotions 2.0 series? You can find them in this podcast feed, or on our website, hiddenbrain.org. Thanks for listening!

Emotions 2.0: The Feeling that Moves Us Forward

Emotions 2.0: The Feeling that Moves Us Forward

For centuries, philosophers and theologians have warned about the dangers of pride and hubris. It’s an emotion that can make us arrogant, egotistical, and reckless. But psychologist Jessica Tracy suggests this caution is too broad. She argues that when we see pride only as a negative emotion, we miss out on all the powerful ways it can also be a driver of creativity, altruism, and accomplishment. Did you catch last week's conversation about collective emotions? It's the episode in this feed called "Emotions 2.0: When I Feel What You Feel."

Emotions 2.0: When I Feel What You Feel

Emotions 2.0: When I Feel What You Feel

This week, we kick off our new series, Emotions 2.0, with a special double episode about the emotions we experience with other people. We often think that emotions like happiness or sadness live inside our individual minds. But if you’ve ever gone to a music concert in a big stadium or attended a political rally with like-minded voters, you know that emotions can move through crowds in powerful ways. We begin with psychologist Amit Goldenberg, who studies how emotions spread and ratchet up in intensity as more people experience them. Then, we bring you a favorite 2022 conversation with anthropologist Dimitris Xygalatas, who takes us inside the world of fire walking to explore the emotional power of rituals. If you love Hidden Brain, you can help support our work by becoming a member of Hidden Brain+! Your subscription includes bonus episodes you won't hear anywhere else, plus you'll be helping us to continue bringing you ideas and insights for years to come. You can sign up via Apple Podcasts or our Patreon page. Thanks for your support!

How to Win People Over

How to Win People Over

We humans are a social species, and so it's not surprising that we care a lot about what other people think of us. It's also not surprising that many of us stumble when we try to manage others' views of us. This week, organizational psychologist Alison Fragale explains why that is, and offers better ways to win friends and influence people. Enjoy today's episode? Be sure to check out some of these other Hidden Brain conversations: How Others See YouYou 2.0: How to See Yourself ClearlyInnovation 2.0: The Influence You Have

What's Hidden in Your Words

What's Hidden in Your Words

I. Me. My. You. He. She. They. It. To. Of. For. These are all words we use without a second thought. But psychologist James Pennebaker says if we pay close attention to the patterns in speech and writing, we can understand profound things about others, and even ourselves.For more on the relationship between language and our minds, check out this classic Hidden Brain episode: https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/watch-your-mouth/

Sitting With Uncertainty

Sitting With Uncertainty

It can sometimes be exciting when we don't know what's coming next. Other times, the unknown can be deeply troubling. This week, we talk with researcher Dannagal Goldthwaite Young about how we respond to uncertainty, and why this psychological trait plays a surprisingly large role in shaping our behavior, perspectives — even our political beliefs. If you'd like to learn more about the intersection between psychology and our political views, check out these other Hidden Brain episodes: Moral CombatUS 2.0: Not at the Dinner TableUS 2.0: What We Have in Common

Rewrite Your Money Story

Rewrite Your Money Story

Money worries are one of the biggest sources of anxiety in our lives. Psychologist Brad Klontz says these worries are shaped by more than the number in our bank accounts — they’re often driven by our unconscious beliefs. This week, we bring you a favorite 2022 conversation with Klontz, who says it’s possible to identify and change what he calls our “money scripts.”For more of our work, please consider joining our podcast subscription, Hidden Brain+. It's our home for conversations and ideas you won't hear anywhere else. Plus, you'll be providing vital support for the work that we do. If you listen on Apple Podcasts, you can find us at apple.co/hiddenbrain. If you use other podcast platforms or devices, you can sign up at support.hiddenbrain.org. Thanks for your support!

You 2.0: Fighting Despair

You 2.0: Fighting Despair

Every morning, you wake up and face the world. What does it look like to you? Do you see a paradise of endless opportunities, where people are friendly and helpful? Or a world filled with injustice, where people cannot be trusted? In the final installment of this year's You 2.0 series, we talk with psychologist Jamil Zaki about how we become disillusioned and distrustful of the world, and how to balance realism with hope.Did you miss any of the other episodes in the You 2.0 series? Make sure to give them a listen here or on our website: You 2.0: The Gift of Other PeopleYou 2.0: Taking Control of Your Time You 2.0: How To Say NoYou 2.0: Remember More, Forget LessAnd if you like today's conversation with Jamil Zaki, be sure to check out our earlier conversation with him, "The Empathy Gym."

You 2.0: Remember More, Forget Less

You 2.0: Remember More, Forget Less

It happens to the best of us — we blank on someone's name, or forget an important meeting, or bomb a test we thought we'd ace. In this week's installment of our You 2.0 series, we talk to cognitive scientist Daniel Willingham about the mysteries of memory: how it works, why it fails us, and how to build memories that stick. For more of our You 2.0 series, listen to our episode on how to say no.

You 2.0: How To Say No

You 2.0: How To Say No

Saying no to someone who asks for something is often easier said than done. Maybe it's a boss who wants you to take on a new assignment. Or your kid's teacher, seeking volunteers for a field trip. Or a friend who asks you to lend her money. How should we respond to these demands on our time, energy, and resources? This week, psychologist Vanessa Patrick explores why it's so hard to say no, and how we can set boundaries that will make it easier to do so. If you haven't yet caught the first two episodes in this year's You 2.0 series, you can find them in this podcast feed, or on our website: You 2.0: The Gift of Other PeopleYou 2.0: Taking Control of Your Time Thanks for listening!

You 2.0: Taking Control of Your Time

You 2.0: Taking Control of Your Time

Many of us feel like there aren't enough hours in the day. We struggle to make time for all the competing demands at work and at home, and inevitably feel like we're letting someone down. But what if there were a way to reclaim our time and, as a result, get more joy out of our lives? In the second episode of this year's You 2.0 series, psychologist Cassie Mogilner Holmes explains how we've fallen victim to the illusion of time scarcity, and what we can do to spend our time more wisely. If you enjoy today's episode, check out last week's kick-off to our series, "You 2.0: The Gift of Other People."

You 2.0: The Gift of Other People

You 2.0: The Gift of Other People

Are you someone who strikes up a conversation with the person next to you on the train? Or do you keep your eyes fixed on your phone? Do you offer gratitude to friends and family? Or do you assume that they already know how you feel? This week, in the kickoff to our annual You 2.0 series, we talk with psychologist Nicholas Epley about our interactions with other people, and how we can make them more rewarding.If you enjoy today's episode, check out these classic Hidden Brain episodes: A Secret Source of ConnectionHow Others See You Relationships 2.0: An Antidote to Loneliness

You're Not the Boss of Me!

You're Not the Boss of Me!

Whether in your personal life or at work, you've probably experienced what it’s like to have people reject your requests. To be told that what you want is unfair, or heavy-handed. And you've likely been in the opposite position as well — pushing back against requests that step on your freedom. This week, we talk to psychologist Benjamin Rosenberg about how we respond to infringements on our sense of autonomy, and how we can avoid sparking this resistance in our interactions with other people. If you know someone who would like today's episode, please share it with them! And if you enjoy our show, please consider trying a free seven-day trial of our podcast subscription, Hidden Brain+. If you use an iPhone, you can sign up at apple.co/hiddenbrain. If you use an Android device, you can find Hidden Brain+ at support.hiddenbrain.org. Thanks for listening!

The Cure for Self-Importance

The Cure for Self-Importance

When we meet new people, we’re often drawn to those with a commanding presence or a dazzling personality. But it turns out that a very different trait — humility — is important in the long term. This week, in the first of a two-part discussion, we talk with psychologist Daryl Van Tongeren about different kinds of humility, and how this overlooked quality can play a powerful role in workplace dynamics and romantic relationships. If you like today's episode, be sure to check out part two of our conversation, exclusively for Hidden Brain+ listeners. We talk with Daryl Van Tongeren about existential humility — being open to the idea we might be wrong about life's biggest unknowns. It's the episode called "Asking the Big Questions." To listen to Hidden Brain+ with a free seven-day trial, go to apple.co/hiddenbrain or support.hiddenbrain.org.

Where Truth Lies

Where Truth Lies

When we think about misinformation, we often focus on blatant errors or deliberate attempts to deceive us. But in recent years, social scientists have found that misinformation comes in many flavors — many of which are far more subtle than obvious falsehoods. These forms of misinformation prey on our mental blindspots, and take advantage of our passions and loyalties. This week, economist Alex Edmans explores the many insidious forms of misinformation, and how we can all get better at separating fact from fiction.For more of our work, please consider joining our podcast subscription. Hidden Brain+ is where you’ll find exclusive interviews and deeper dives into the ideas we explore on the show. You can try Hidden Brain+ with a free seven-day trial at apple.co/hiddenbrain. Or if you’re an Android user, sign up at support.hiddenbrain.org.

How To Be Alone

How To Be Alone

We're always told to reach for that next ring, work that third job, go to that boisterous party after a long day at work. You only live once ... right? But psychologist Netta Weinstein says that when we constantly engage in achievement and distraction, we lose something essential about ourselves. This week, she makes a case for solitude, and examines what happens when we seek a quieter, more reflective interior life.If you like today's episode, check out our two-part series on mindfulness:Seeking Serenity: Part 1Seeking Serenity: Part 2

Changing Our Mental Maps

Changing Our Mental Maps

As we move through the world, it's easy to imagine we're processing everything that happens around us and then deciding how to respond. But psychologist and neuroscientist Norman Farb says our brains actually navigate the world by coming up with mental maps. These maps act like an autopilot system, allowing us to navigate our lives more efficiently. But sometimes, they can lead us astray, leaving us stuck on a path of negativity and unhappiness. This week, we talk with Norman Farb about how we can update our internal maps and see the world more clearly. If you like this episode, be sure to check out part two of our chat with Norman Farb for Hidden Brain+. That episode is called "Making Sense." You can try Hidden Brain+ for free with a seven-day trial by going to support.hiddenbrain.org or apple.co/hiddenbrain.

Out of the Rabbit Hole

Out of the Rabbit Hole

Cognitive scientist Nafees Hamid studies the minds of people drawn to radical or fringe ideas. This week, he takes us on a deep dive into the motivations of people on the brink of extremism — and those who have already been radicalized. We examine what prompts people to turn to violence, and how to pull them back from the seductive appeal of extremist ideas.Interested in learning more about the themes and ideas we discussed today? Check out these classic Hidden Brain episodes:Romeo and Juliet in KigaliMoral CombatOur podcast subscription, Hidden Brain+, is now available across devices and podcast platforms. You can join on either Apple Podcasts or via our Patreon page. Thanks for your support of the show — we truly appreciate it!

Befriending Your Inner Voice

Befriending Your Inner Voice

You know that negative voice that goes round and round in your head, keeping you up at night? When that negative inner voice gets switched on, it’s hard to think about anything else. Psychologist Ethan Kross has a name for it: chatter. In this favorite conversation from 2022, we talk with Ethan about how to keep our negative emotions from morphing into chatter. Our podcast subscription, Hidden Brain+, is now available across devices and podcast platforms. You can join on either Apple Podcasts or via our Patreon page. Thanks for your support of the show — we truly appreciate it!

Making the World Sparkle Again

Making the World Sparkle Again

Across every domain of our lives, our minds have a tendency to get accustomed to things. In fact, the brain seems evolutionarily designed to focus on the new and unexpected, on novel threats and opportunities. In our daily lives, this means we take wonderful things for granted. We cease to appreciate amazing people, or the good fortune of being healthy. This week, neuroscientist Tali Sharot explains why we get used to things — and how to see with fresh eyes.Our podcast subscription, Hidden Brain+, is now available across platforms and devices. You can sign up for a free seven-day trial at support.hiddenbrain.org or apple.co/hiddenbrain. Your subscription provides key support to help us build you many more episodes of Hidden Brain. We’re truly grateful.