Hidden Brain
539 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 38.8K ratingsShankar Vedantam uses science and storytelling to reveal the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, shape our choices and direct our relationships.
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Episodes
How Others See You
July 03, 2023 19:00 - 50 minutes - 46.7 MBIt's not easy to know how we come across to others, especially when we're meeting people for the first time. Psychologist Erica Boothby says many of us underestimate how much other people actually like us. This week, we revisit one of our most popular episodes to look at how certain social illusions give us a distorted picture of ourselves. Do you like the ideas and insights we feature on Hidden Brain? Then please consider supporting our work by joining our new podcast subscription, Hidden ...
The Best Years of Your Life
June 26, 2023 18:30 - 50 minutes - 46.6 MBAging isn’t just a biological process. Our outlook and emotions also change as we age, often in ways that boost our well-being. Psychologist Laura Carstensen unpacks the science behind this surprising finding, and shares what all of us can learn from older people. Have you ever been torn about whether to pursue a passion project? In the latest episode of Hidden Brain+, novelist and physician Abraham Verghese tells us about the person who helped him navigate this dilemma in his own life. Try...
When to Eat the Marshmallow
June 19, 2023 15:35 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MBThink about the last time you resisted watching yet another episode of your favorite TV show, or decided not to have a second piece of cake at a friend's birthday party. In many societies, self-discipline is seen as an invaluable trait. But we often overlook what makes it possible to hold back in those moments of temptation. This week, psychologist Celeste Kidd offers a new way to think about self-control. Then, we talk with researcher Jacqueline Rifkin about how to find the right balance be...
Between Two Worlds
June 12, 2023 21:35 - 46 minutes - 43 MBDetermination, hard work and sacrifice are core ingredients in the story of the American dream. But philosopher Jennifer Morton argues there is another, more painful requirement to getting ahead: a willingness to leave family and friends behind. This week, we revisit a favorite 2020 conversation about the ethical costs of upward mobility. Make sure to listen to our episodes about the science of meditation, Seeking Serenity: Part 1 and Seeking Serenity: Part 2. And if you like Hidden Brain a...
Seeking Serenity: Part 2
June 08, 2023 20:00 - 49 minutes - 45.8 MBIn the second part of our series on the science of meditation, Richard Davidson continues his endeavor to unite seemingly opposite ways of understanding the mind. Plus, he shares the latest research on mindfulness, and the unexpected ways it can benefit us. Missed the first episode in our series on meditation? You can find it here: Seeking Serenity: Part 1. And if you like Hidden Brain and want more of it, please join our new podcast subscription, Hidden Brain+!
Seeking Serenity: Part 1
June 05, 2023 19:00 - 49 minutes - 45 MBIn graduate school, neuroscientist Richard Davidson learned to use scientific tools as a way to examine the brain. At the same time, he also started studying under master meditators — who deeply contemplated their internal and external lives. This week, two ways of understanding the mind. Make sure to listen to our Success 2.0 episodes: Taking the Leap, Getting What You Want, and Getting to the Top and Staying There. And if you like Hidden Brain and want more of it, please join our new podc...
Success 2.0: Getting to the Top and Staying There
May 29, 2023 16:00 - 51 minutes - 47.3 MBThere are plenty of talented people in the world. So why do only a tiny percentage of us reach the highest peaks of achievement? This week, we conclude our "Success 2.0" series by talking with researcher Justin Berg about whether there's a secret recipe for finding — and sustaining — success. Make sure to listen to the rest of our Success 2.0 episodes: Taking the Leap, Getting What You Want, The Obstacles You Don't See, and The Psychology of Self Doubt. And if you like Hidden Brain and wa...
Success 2.0: The Psychology of Self-Doubt
May 22, 2023 19:00 - 49 minutes - 45.6 MBWe all have times when we feel like a fraud. In the latest installment of our Success 2.0 series, we revisit a favorite 2021 conversation with psychologist Kevin Cokley. We'll explore the corrosive effects of self-doubt, and how we can turn that negative voice in our heads into an ally. Be sure to check out the rest of our "Success 2.0" series, including last week's episode about how to remove the obstacles that can impede our success. And don't miss the trailer for Hidden Brain+, our new...
Success 2.0: The Obstacles You Don't See
May 15, 2023 19:00 - 48 minutes - 44.2 MBThink about the last time you tried to bring up an idea at work, and it was shot down. What did you do? Most of us think the best way to win people over is to push harder. But organizational psychologist Loran Nordgren says a more effective approach is to focus on the invisible obstacles to new ideas. In this episode of our Success 2.0 series, we revisit a favorite 2021 interview about overcoming the obstacles that hold back innovation. We all rely on incentives to get people to do things...
Introducing Hidden Brain+
May 14, 2023 13:00 - 2 minutes - 2.01 MBDo 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
Success 2.0: Getting What You Want
May 08, 2023 19:00 - 50 minutes - 46.6 MBWe all rely on incentives to get people to do things they might otherwise avoid. Parents reward kids for doing their homework. Companies offer bonuses to their high-performing employees. Charities send gifts to their donors. In the second episode in our "Success 2.0" series, economist Uri Gneezy shares how incentives can help us to achieve our goals, if we know how to avoid their pitfalls. American culture celebrates those who persevere in the face of adversity. But how do we know when to ...
Success 2.0: Taking the Leap
May 01, 2023 20:20 - 49 minutes - 44.9 MBAmerican culture celebrates those who persevere in the face of adversity. So how do we know when to walk away from something that's not working? Today, we kick off our new "Success 2.0" series with economist John List. He says in every domain of our lives, it's important to know when to pivot to something new. Have you ever thought about helping a family member or friend in need, but then held back for some reason? You're hardly alone. If you want to understand why we sometimes hesitate ...
A Secret Source of Connection
April 24, 2023 19:00 - 49 minutes - 45.7 MBWe all have moments in our lives when we see someone who could use a helping hand. It could be a friend who recently went through a breakup, an elderly person trying to load groceries into their car, or a stranger on the street who looks a little lost. We tell ourselves we should help, but then something stops us. This week, psychologist Amit Kumar helps us understand what keeps us from taking a moment to be kind, and how to overcome these barriers to create stronger, happier connections. ...
Remember More, Forget Less
April 17, 2023 19:00 - 49 minutes - 45.7 MBIt 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. Today on the show, 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. It used to be that we tried our best to conceal disadvantages. But new research sheds a light on the strange phenomenon of people who pretend to be worse off than they really are. Check out our re...
Crying Wolf
April 10, 2023 20:45 - 50 minutes - 46.2 MBIt used to be that we tried our best to conceal disadvantages, hardships, and humiliations. But new research explores a curious shift: some people are flaunting limitations that don't exist. This week, we talk to psychologists Karl Aquino and Jillian Jordan about the strange phenomenon of wanting to seem worse off than we really are. Think back to the last time you tried to win an argument. What could you have done to bolster your case? Check out our recent episode "Less is More" for helpfu...
The Snowball Effect
April 06, 2023 19:00 - 48 minutes - 44.9 MBWhy do some companies become household names, while others flame out? How do certain memes go viral? And why do some social movements take off and spread, while others fizzle? Today on the show, we revisit a favorite 2021 conversation with sociologist Damon Centola, who studies social contagion and how it can be harnessed to build a better world. Think back to the last time you tried to win an argument. What could you have done to bolster your case? Our recent episode "Less is More" has hel...
Less is More
April 03, 2023 19:20 - 48 minutes - 44.1 MBAt every stage of life, there are moments when we need buy-in from other people. Yet most of us make a fundamental error when we try to persuade others to see things our way. This week, we talk with Niro Sivanathan of the London Business School about how to make a convincing argument. Then, we learn about what happens to our brains and bodies when we're the recipients of information. Bryan McLaughlin of Texas Tech University shares why it's so hard, but so important, to unplug from the news....
How To Make Amends
March 27, 2023 19:00 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MBWhen James and Donovan first met, they knew little about each other, except that Donovan had stolen James' bike. Donovan got caught, and spent a month in jail. It was a story with a happy ending, as far as James was concerned. But then he found out, nearly a decade later, what happened to Donovan after his conviction. This week on the show, we look at the unexpected aftermath of a crime, and what happens when adversaries meet in conversation instead of a courtroom. Have you ever wondered wh...
Made of Honor
March 20, 2023 21:00 - 47 minutes - 43.5 MBStories help us make sense of the world, and can even help us heal from trauma. They also shape our cultural narratives, for better and for worse. This week, we revisit a favorite 2021 conversation with psychologist Ryan Brown, who explores the phenomenon of “honor culture” and how it dictates our beliefs and behaviors. Did you catch our two-part series on implicit bias? You can find part one part one here and part two here. And if you'd like to make a financial contribution to support our ...
Revealing Your Unconscious: Part 2
March 14, 2023 19:00 - 52 minutes - 47.9 MBIn the second part of our series on implicit bias, we explore the relationship between beliefs and behaviors. We also talk with psychologist Mahzarin Banaji about whether research on implicit bias tells us more about groups than it does about individuals. To learn more: Project Implicit Outsmarting Implicit Bias How do your beliefs about the world shape your reality, and your well-being? Be sure to listen to our recent episode about primal world beliefs for insights on that question. And...
Revealing Your Unconscious: Part 1
March 13, 2023 19:00 - 54 minutes - 49.9 MBWould you consider yourself to be prejudiced against people who are different from you? Most of us would say no. But in the late 1990s, researchers created a test to measure biases that may be hidden from our conscious minds. Millions of people have taken it since, and not everyone likes what they've discovered. This week, we launch a two-part look at implicit bias with psychologist Mahzarin Banaji. We ask how is it that we can hold negative stereotypes — without being aware of them. To lea...
How Your Beliefs Shape Reality
March 06, 2023 22:00 - 49 minutes - 45.2 MBAs you move through the world, it's inevitable that your way of seeing things won't always align with the people around you. Maybe you disagree with the way your neighbor raises her kids, or find your brother's politics to be troubling. But you may not realize how much your core beliefs shape your perception of the world. This week, we talk with psychologist Jer Clifton about how our beliefs shape our reality — and how we can use this knowledge to live happier and more harmonious lives. If ...
Happiness 2.0: The Reset Button
February 27, 2023 20:00 - 55 minutes - 50.8 MBMany of us rush through our lives, chasing goals and just trying to get everything done. But that can blind us to a very simple source of joy that's all around us. This week, in the final installment of our Happiness 2.0 series, psychologist Dacher Keltner describes what happens when we stop to savor the beauty in nature, art, or simply the moral courage of those around us. Check out our previous episodes on happiness, including our conversations about chasing contentment and finding your ...
Happiness 2.0: Surprising Sources of Joy
February 23, 2023 19:45 - 45 minutes - 41.7 MBSometimes, life can feel like being stuck on a treadmill. No matter how hard you try to feel happier, you end up back where you started. What’s going on here? Today in our Happiness 2.0 series, we revisit a favorite episode from 2020. Researcher Elizabeth Dunn helps us map out the unexpected ways we can find joy and happiness in our everyday lives. Check out our previous episodes on happiness, including our conversations about chasing contentment and finding your purpose. If you like our ...
Happiness 2.0: Cultivating Your Purpose
February 20, 2023 21:40 - 50 minutes - 46.1 MBHaving a sense of purpose can be a buffer against the challenges we all face at various stages of life. Purpose can also boost our health and longevity. In this favorite episode from 2021, Cornell University psychologist Anthony Burrow explains why purpose isn’t something to be found — it’s something we can develop from within. Did you catch the kick-off episode to our Happiness 2.0 series? We talk with psychologist Iris Mauss about how to stop chasing happiness and build a lasting sense of...
Happiness 2.0: The Only Way Out Is Through
February 13, 2023 20:00 - 48 minutes - 44.2 MBIt's natural to want to run away from difficult emotions such as grief, anger and fear. But what happens when these feelings catch up with us? This week, in the second installment of our Happiness 2.0 series, psychologist Todd Kashdan looks at the relationship between distress and happiness, and how to keep difficult emotions from sabotaging our wellbeing. Did you catch the first episode in our series on happiness? You can find last week's conversation on how to build a lasting sense of c...
Happiness 2.0: The Path to Contentment
February 06, 2023 20:00 - 54 minutes - 50 MBMany of us believe that hard work and persistence are the key to achieving our goals. But is that true when it comes to the pursuit of happiness? This week, we kick off a month-long series we're calling Happiness 2.0. We talk with psychologist Iris Mauss, who explains why happiness can seem more elusive the harder we chase it, and what we can do instead to build a lasting sense of contentment. Did you catch our two-part series on the science of influence? You can find part 1 here. And if ...
When You Need It To Be True
January 30, 2023 21:00 - 49 minutes - 45 MBWhen we want something very badly, it can be hard to see warning signs that might be obvious to other people. This week, we revisit a favorite episode from 2021, bringing you two stories about how easy it can be to believe in a false reality — even when the facts don’t back us up. If you missed it, make sure to listen to last week's episode on how to turn a "no" into a "yes." And if you enjoy the show and would like to help us make more episodes of Hidden Brain, please consider supporting ...
Persuasion: Part 2
January 23, 2023 20:00 - 50 minutes - 46.1 MBThink back to the last time someone convinced you to do something you didn't want to do, or to spend money you didn't want to spend. What techniques did that person use to persuade you? This week, we continue our look at the science of influence with psychologist Robert Cialdini, and explore how these techniques can be used for both good and evil. Did you listen to the first part of our episodes on influence? Don't miss last week's episode on how to turn a "no" into a "yes." And if you enj...
Persuasion: Part 1
January 16, 2023 21:45 - 48 minutes - 44.5 MBWe all exert pressure on each other in ways small and profound. We recommend movies or books to a friend. We convince a colleague to take a different tactic at work. We lobby a neighbor to vote for our favored political candidate. This week, we launch the first of a two-part mini-series on the science of influence, and talk with psychologist Robert Cialdini about how we can all improve our techniques for persuading others. Trying to make a big decision or fulfill a personal goal in the ye...
Who's In Your Inner Circle?
January 09, 2023 20:00 - 53 minutes - 49 MBIf you think about the people in your life, it's likely that they share a lot in common with you. Maybe they like the same kinds of food, or enjoy the same hobbies. But, if you dig a little deeper, you may find that they share much more: they might make the same amount of money as you, or share the same race. This week, we talk with economists Luigi Pistaferri and Matthew Jackson about why we often surround ourselves with people who are just like us — and how we can transform our lives by pu...
Who Do You Want To Be?
January 02, 2023 20:00 - 51 minutes - 47.6 MBWe all have to make certain choices in life, such as where to live and how to earn a living. Parents and peers influence our major life choices. But they can also steer us in directions that leave us deeply unsatisfied. Psychologist Ken Sheldon studies the science of figuring out what you want. He says there are things we can do to make sure our choices align with our deepest values. Did you catch last week's episode about how to develop healthy habits? You can find it here. And if you'd ...
You, But Better
December 26, 2022 20:00 - 49 minutes - 45.3 MBIt's the time of year when many of us make resolutions for the year ahead. We pledge to quit smoking, eat better, or get more exercise. Then a few weeks go by, and we abandon our best-laid plans. That’s because change is hard. This week, we revisit a favorite 2021 conversation with behavioral scientist Katy Milkman, who shares how we can structure our lives to do what we know is good for us. Did you catch last week's episode about why we complain — and how we can complain more effectively? ...
How to Complain Productively
December 19, 2022 20:00 - 52 minutes - 47.7 MBWe often look down on people who complain a lot. Yet when something goes wrong in our own lives, many of us go straight to griping, grumbling and kvetching. This week. we talk with psychologist Robin Kowalski about how we can complain more effectively. We'll also hear from psychologist Mike Baer, who offers ways we can give better feedback to a friend or colleague who comes to us with complaints. Did you catch our recent episode about the power of rituals? You can find it here. And if yo...
An Ancient Solution to Modern Problems
December 12, 2022 20:00 - 51 minutes - 47.3 MBPeople in every country and culture mark important milestones, such as births, marriages and deaths, with intricately choreographed scripts. We even appeal to supernatural forces to give our favorite sports teams an extra advantage. This week on the show, anthropologist Dimitris Xygalatas explains the psychological power behind the sacred and secular rituals that structure our lives. Did you catch our recent episode about the secret to good gift giving? You can find it here . And if you...
The Secret to Gift Giving
December 05, 2022 20:00 - 48 minutes - 44.8 MBWith the holidays upon us, many of us are hunting for that special something for the special someones in our lives. It's how we show we care about them. So why is it so hard to find the right gift? This week, we talk with researcher Jeff Galak about why the presents we give for holidays and birthdays often miss their mark, and how to become a better gift giver. If you missed any of the episodes in our recent Relationships 2.0 series, you can find them all in this podcast feed, or on ou...
Relationships 2.0: What Makes Relationships Thrive
November 28, 2022 20:10 - 48 minutes - 44 MBEveryone wants to be loved and appreciated. In the final episode of our Relationships 2.0 series, we revisit a conversation with psychologist Harry Reis, who says there’s another ingredient to successful relationships that’s every bit as important as love. If you missed any of the episodes in our Relationships 2.0 series, you can find them all in this podcast feed, or on our website. And if you enjoyed this series, please consider supporting our work.
Relationships 2.0: When Did Marriage Become So Hard?
November 21, 2022 21:20 - 52 minutes - 48 MBNo one will deny that marriage is hard. In fact, there's evidence it's getting even harder. This week on the show, we revisit a favorite episode from 2018 about the history of marriage and how it has evolved over time. We'll talk with historian Stephanie Coontz and psychologist Eli Finkel, and explore ways we can improve our love lives — including by asking less of our partners. For more of our Relationships 2.0 series, be sure to check out last week's episode, "An Antidote to Loneliness."...
Relationships 2.0: An Antidote to Loneliness
November 14, 2022 20:45 - 49 minutes - 45.7 MBWhen you go to a medical appointment, your doctor may ask you several questions. Do you smoke? Have you been getting exercise? Are you sleeping? But rarely do they ask: are you lonely? U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy believes we are suffering from an epidemic of loneliness. This week, we revisit our 2020 conversation with Murthy about the importance of human connection to our physical and mental health, and how we can all strengthen our social ties. A note that this week's episode include...
Relationships 2.0: The Power of Tiny Interactions
November 07, 2022 22:10 - 49 minutes - 45.5 MBAs you're going about your day, you likely interact with family, friends and coworkers. These relationships can help you feel cared for and connected. But what if there's a whole category of people in your life whose impact is overlooked? In the second episode of our "Relationships 2.0" series, psychologist Gillian Sandstrom reveals some simple ways to make your life a little more joyful and maybe even a little less lonely. Did you catch the first episode in this series, about how to engag...
Relationships 2.0: How To Keep Conflict From Spiraling
October 31, 2022 19:00 - 53 minutes - 49.5 MBWhen it comes to conflict, most of us just want to shut it down. But psychological research is increasingly taking a different approach to discord, with profound implications for disputes big and small. This week, we kick off our Relationships 2.0 series by asking: what if we stop trying to eliminate conflict and instead ask, how can we do conflict better? Did you catch our recent episode about how to make anxiety work for you? You can find it here. And if you like our work, please consi...
A Better Way to Worry
October 24, 2022 19:30 - 52 minutes - 48.2 MBAnxiety is an uncomfortable emotion, which is why most of us try to avoid it. But psychologist Tracy Dennis-Tiwary says our anxiety is also trying to tell us something. This week, we explore how we can interpret those messages and manage the intense discomfort these feelings can generate. Did you catch our recent episode about how to break free from either-or thinking? You can find it here. And if you like our work, please consider a financial contribution to help us make many more epis...
Thriving in the Face of Contradiction
October 17, 2022 20:20 - 53 minutes - 49.2 MBWe all face tough decisions in life, whether we're juggling the demands of work and family or deciding whether to take a new job. These situations often feel like either/or choices. But psychologist Wendy Smith says this binary way of confronting dilemmas contains a trap. She offers a different way to think about difficult choices, one that opens up unexpected possibilities. Did you catch our recent episode about why we sometimes confess to things we didn't do? You can find it here. An...
Did I Really Do That?
October 10, 2022 20:40 - 52 minutes - 47.7 MBHave you ever been falsely accused of something? Many of us think there’s only one way we’d act in such a situation: we’d defend ourselves. We’d do whatever it takes to clear our name — and above all else, we’d never, ever confess to something we didn’t do. But psychologist Saul Kassin says that’s a myth. This week, why we sometimes act against our own self-interest — even when the stakes are at their highest. Did you catch our recent episode about how we can make better use of our time? Yo...
Watch Your Mouth
October 03, 2022 22:10 - 49 minutes - 45.6 MBIf you're bilingual or multilingual, you may have noticed that different languages make you stretch in different ways. This week, we revisit a favorite 2018 conversation with cognitive scientist Lera Boroditsky. She studies how the structure of the languages we speak can change the way we see the world. Then, a 2017 conversation with linguist and author John McWhorter, who shares how languages evolve, and why we're sometimes resistant to those changes. If you like today's show, be sure to c...
Taking Control of Your Time
September 26, 2022 20:00 - 48 minutes - 44.9 MBMany 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? This week, 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. Did you catch last week's episode about how...
How to Really Know Another Person
September 19, 2022 19:00 - 55 minutes - 50.5 MBSo often, we think we know what other people are thinking. But researchers have found that our attempts at reading other people go wrong more often than we realize. This week, we talk with psychologist Tessa West about what we can all do to read people more accurately. If you like today's show, be sure to check out last week's conversation about emotions, and how they're shaped by where we live. And if you'd like to support our work, you can do so at support.hiddenbrain.org.
Decoding Emotions
September 12, 2022 19:15 - 52 minutes - 48 MBWe like to think that all humans are born with the same core emotions: anger, fear, joy, sadness and disgust. But what if that's not true? This week, psychologist Batja Mesquita offers a different model of emotions — one that can help us to better understand our own feelings and those of the people around us. If you like this show, be sure to check out our other work, including our recent episode on how technology and psychology can be used to radically transform our approach to crime. An...
Making The World A Safer Place
September 05, 2022 18:00 - 49 minutes - 44.9 MBAll of us want to feel safe in our daily lives. Yet when we think about crime, our first response is often a blanket approach: find the bad guys, and punish them. But what if there were another way? This week on the show, researchers Sara Heller and Chris Blattman explore how technology and psychology can be used to radically transform our approach to crime. Don't forget to check out the episodes in this year's You 2.0 series, including last week's conversation with Adam Grant about how to...
Making the World a Safer Place
September 05, 2022 18:00 - 49 minutes - 45 MBAll of us want to feel safe in our daily lives. Yet when we think about crime, our first response is often a blanket approach: find the bad guys, and punish them. But what if there were another way? This week on the show, researchers Sara Heller and Chris Blattman explore how technology and psychology can be used to radically transform our approach to crime. Don't forget to check out the episodes in this year's You 2.0 series, including last week's conversation with Adam Grant about how to...