Hidden Brain Hidden Brain

There 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.

The writer Morgan Housel once noticed that pessimists always seem like honest people. Optimists, on the other hand, feel as if they’re trying to sell us something. Why is this, and is there a way to resist the pull toward negativity? Today, we kick off our new podcast subscription, Hidden Brain+. We talk with Morgan about pushing back against our tendency to emphasize the negative and overlook the positive.

Do you know someone who might like Hidden Brain+? Please let them know they can try it for free here in Apple Podcasts, or by going to apple.co/hiddenbrain. And thanks for subscribing — your support helps us to make even more Hidden Brain episodes for you.

We recently talked with psychologist Bob Cialdini, who has identified seven techniques that we regularly use to persuade other people to do something. Today on Hidden Brain+, Bob comes back to the show to answer listeners’ follow-up questions. We ask Bob how to use persuasion techniques to get our kids to do what we want. And we ponder how to use these strategies to get ourselves to do something we’re avoiding.

Hidden Brain+ is where you'll find even more of the ideas and insights that we feature on the show. If you know someone who might enjoy Hidden Brain+, let them know they can try it for free here in this podcast feed, or by going to apple.co/hiddenbrain.

We 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.

Think 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.

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