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.
Human psychology and societal structures are not universal constants but products of centuries of cultural evolution. Anthropologist Joseph Henrich explains how historical shifts, such as the Catholic Church’s early prohibitions on cousin marriage and polygyny, dismantled large kinship clans in favor of monogamous nucl...
Empathy functions as a muscle that requires deliberate practice to strengthen, yet modern environments and digital anonymity frequently erode our capacity for connection. While tribalism and defensive dehumanization often limit our ability to care for outsiders, immersive experiences like narrative fiction and virtual ...
Secrets exert a profound influence on human behavior, oscillating between destructive burdens and tools for building intimacy. The life of Riley Shepard, a musician and conman, illustrates how obsession can drive individuals to create monumental, albeit misunderstood, works while simultaneously fracturing personal rela...
Radical acceptance and patience serve as foundational pillars for designing a meaningful life, enabling individuals to navigate adversity with clarity and purpose. Rather than resisting reality or fixating on future outcomes, radical acceptance involves acknowledging current circumstances—whether a terminal diagnosis o...
The pursuit of a meaningful life often leads to frustration because individuals rely on misguided beliefs regarding fulfillment and impact. Dave Evans, a Stanford lecturer and co-author of How to Live a Meaningful Life, argues that these concepts are often treated as finish lines that, once crossed, fail to provide the...
Human longing for love often leads to ineffective, counterproductive strategies, such as testing partners, performing for approval, or hiding vulnerabilities. Psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky explains that the discrepancy between being loved and feeling loved stems from a failure to perceive or internalize affection. Ins...
Mass movements for political change frequently rely on the assumption that violence is the most effective tool for success, yet historical data reveals a different reality. Political scientist Erica Chenoweth demonstrates that nonviolent resistance campaigns are twice as likely to achieve their goals as violent insurre...
The podcast explores the psychology of debt, examining how cognitive biases and marketing tactics contribute to financial struggles. John Dinsmore, a financial decision-making expert, discusses how optimism bias can lead to overspending and under-saving, using the example of David and Jackie Siegel's extravagant lifest...
The podcast explores the complexities surrounding honesty and deception, questioning the conventional wisdom that truth-telling is always virtuous. Emma Levine, a psychologist from the University of Chicago, provides insights into when lying might be morally acceptable, such as protecting someone vulnerable or avoiding...
Group identities exert a powerful influence on individuals, shaping perceptions, preferences, and behaviors. Psychologist Jay Van Bavel explores how these identities form, how they unite and divide, and how they can be harnessed for positive change. The discussion covers examples such as Nelson Mandela's use of sports ...
The podcast explores the evolutionary origins of depression, challenging the prevailing "defect model" that views it as a malfunction in brain chemistry or cognition. Psychologist John Rottenberg argues that depression, like low mood, serves as a "stop mechanism," prompting individuals to reconsider their path when fac...
The podcast explores the psychology of disgust, examining its influence on personal relationships, values, and political manipulation. David Pizarro, a psychologist at Cornell University, discusses how disgust, initially evolved to protect us from pathogens, now shapes our perceptions and behaviors in unexpected ways. ...
This podcast explores the psychological forces behind charismatic leadership, examining how these figures awaken something within their followers. It traces the history of charisma from its religious origins to its modern secular usage, distinguishing it from mere charm or likability. The discussion highlights that cha...
The podcast explores the profound human need to feel significant and the psychological consequences of feeling invisible or unimportant. Psychologist Gordon Flett discusses the concept of "mattering," defining it as feeling cared about and appreciated for who you are, not just for what you do. Flett connects the lack o...
The podcast explores the complexities of intelligence and challenges traditional IQ testing. It features Scott Barry Kaufman, a psychologist who recounts his personal experiences with learning disabilities and low IQ scores, which led him to question conventional methods of assessing potential. Kaufman argues that IQ t...
The podcast explores the psychological power of self-disclosure, arguing that sharing vulnerabilities can foster trust and strengthen relationships. Psychologist Leslie John shares her research, including a study with Google executives, revealing that leaders who disclose weaknesses are often trusted more by employees ...
The episode explores the psychological costs and benefits of self-concealment and self-disclosure, questioning when it's better to share or hide personal information. Psychologist Leslie John shares research highlighting the surprising prevalence and impact of hidden information, including medical scenarios where patie...
The podcast explores the power of doubt and uncertainty as tools for better decision-making and stronger relationships. Bobby Parmar, a business school professor, recounts a backpacking trip where his eagerness to avoid uncertainty led the group astray, highlighting how discomfort with doubt can hinder effective leader...
The podcast explores the complexities of patience, examining when persistence is beneficial and when impatience is necessary. Psychologist Sarah Schnitker provides insights, using examples like RG3's rushed return from injury and Howard Dean's infamous "scream" to illustrate the pitfalls of impatience. The discussion c...
The podcast explores the phenomenon of feeling "stuck" when pursuing long-term goals and strategies for getting "unstuck." Adam Alter, a psychologist at NYU, discusses the "goal gradient effect," where motivation dips in the middle of projects due to a lack of visible landmarks. He suggests breaking down large goals in...
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