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535 episodes
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Hidden Brain Hidden Brain
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- Science
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4.6 • 190 Ratings
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Shankar 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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Why You Feel Empty
Have you ever had an unexplainable feeling of emptiness? Life seems perfect - and yet - something is missing. This week, sociologist Corey Keyes helps us understand where feelings of emptiness come from, how to navigate them and why they're more common than we might assume.
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Why Trying Too Hard Can Backfire On You
Thinking is a human superpower. On a daily basis, thinking and planning and effort bring us innumerable benefits. But like all aspects of human behavior, you can sometimes get too much of a good thing. This week, we talk with philosopher Ted Slingerland about techniques to prevent overthinking, and how we can cultivate the under-appreciated skill of letting go.
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Letting Go
When you're cultivating a garden, how much do you direct what happens in the garden — and how much do you just let the garden be? In part two of our conversation with philosopher Ted Slingerland, we talk about the balance between preparation and spontaneity, and explore a thorny question: Is it possible to achieve effortlessness by simply being effortless? Or, paradoxically, is it only possible to get to that state through a lot of effort?
If you haven't yet heard the first part of our conversation with Ted Slingerland, we recommend you start there. It's the episode in this podcast feed called "Why Trying Too Hard Can Backfire On You." Thanks for listening! -
Innovation 2.0: Do Less
The human drive to invent new things has led to pathbreaking achievements in medicine, science and society. But our desire to create can keep us from seeing one of the most powerful paths to progress: subtraction. In a favorite conversation from 2022, engineer Leidy Klotz shares how streamlining and simplifying is sometimes the best path to innovation.
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Innovation 2.0: Behind the Curtain
Have you ever wondered why some companies fail, while others succeed? This week, organizational economist Raffaella Sadun reveals one of the overlooked ways that businesses can grow and help their employees to thrive.
If you've missed any of the episodes in our Innovation 2.0 series, you can find them in this podcast feed, or on our website: https://hiddenbrain.org/ -
Innovation 2.0: Shortcuts and Speed Bumps
Most of us love to brainstorm with colleagues. But so often, our idea-generating sessions don't lead to anything tangible. Teams fill up walls with sticky notes about creative possibilities and suggestions for improvement, but nothing actually gets implemented. Some researchers even have a name for it: "innovation theater." This week, we explore the science of execution. Psychologist Bob Sutton tells us how to move from innovation theater . . . to actual innovation.
Customer Reviews
My favourite podcast ⭐️
Over the last few months, I’ve started listening to Hidden Brain all over again after a small break. Each episode has made me consider how it’s content relates to me and my life. Since then, I’ve bought two books written by guests on the show, re listened to episodes to go over specific parts that made sense to me, and looked at the show transcripts to quote for some of my own notes. So, it’s safe to say, Hidden Brain is a gift. Thank you to Shankar and his brilliant team.
Very interesting podcast
Hidden Brain has been my favourite podcast. I have listened almost all episodes. They are very interesting and very relevant. I don’t miss my morning walks as I don’t want to miss Hidden Brain.
So much to learn
Dear Dr. Vedantam
This is to share my deep gratitude for the wonderful education I get while listening to your podcast.
Great narratives, in depth exploration of the topic, showing what is known and contrasting it with what is yet to be known - make this my #1 podcast. It is the only podcast that I make dedicated time to listen with pen and paper.
Thank you.
Mikka nanri.
Regards
Ramesh
PS: I am puzzled why there are no sponsors for it. How are you funding this endeavour?
RD