Hidden Brain

Hidden Brain
  • 4.7 (54)
  • SOCIAL SCIENCES
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Hidden Brain

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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.

  1. The Conversations that Bring Us Closer

    4 DAYS AGO

    The Conversations that Bring Us Closer

    Last week on the show, we looked at the science of conversation, and how even ordinary chats can involve a delicate dance of coordination. This week, we explore the discussions we all dread: the tough ones. Telling someone they treated us poorly. Demanding a raise. Taking away an elderly relative's car keys. We talk with Alison Wood Brooks about what makes difficult conversations difficult, and a series of psychological techniques to help you navigate them.

    49 min

  2. 14 FEB • HIDDEN BRAIN+ ONLY

    Your Questions Answered: Jessica Tracy on Pride

    From an early age, we're taught that acting high and mighty is in poor taste. Many of us absorb this lesson, and studiously avoid expressions of pride. But as we discussed in a recent conversation with psychologist Jessica Tracy, refraining from self-regard can also mean losing out on the benefits of what she calls authentic pride. This week, Jessica Tracy returns to answer your questions about how to navigate the fine line between authentic pride and hubris. If you missed our earlier discussion with Jessica Tracy, you can find it here: https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/emotions-2-0-the-feeling-that-moves-us-forward/

    30 min
  3. We Need to Talk

    10 FEB

    We Need to Talk

    Just because we’ve been doing something for a long time doesn’t mean we’re doing it right. One part of our lives where this may be particularly true is when we're talking with others. This week, we bring you the first of a two-part look at what makes someone skilled at socializing. Behavioral scientist Alison Wood Brooks explains why conversations are much more complex than most of us realize — and how to engage in a more meaningful back-and-forth with another person.

    51 min
  4. No Hard Feelings

    3 FEB

    No Hard Feelings

    Holding a grudge can feel like a form of justice, a way of punishing those who have wronged us. But psychologist Fred Luskin says that more often than not, grudges don't hurt the targets of our anger. Instead, they only hurt us. This week, we explore the lingering effects of long-standing animosities, and how to let them go.

    1h 6m
  5. Wellness 2.0: The Art of the Unknown

    27 JAN

    Wellness 2.0: The Art of the Unknown

    "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." It's been 45 years since John Lennon sang that line, yet it's an idea that continues to speak to an uncomfortable truth. While we all like to think we have some measure of control over how our lives will unfold, our plans are often upended by unknown events and curveballs we couldn't have predicted. This week, we conclude our Wellness 2.0 series by talking with political scientist Brian Klaas. He studies how we respond to the random events that shape our lives, and how we can turn them to our advantage.

    49 min

  6. 27 JAN • HIDDEN BRAIN+ ONLY

    Wellness 2.0: Engineering Luck

    Sometimes, they say, you make your own luck. But doing so is not always that easy. In the first part of our conversation with political scientist Brian Klaas, we talked about the role of chance in shaping both the world at large and our personal lives. In this companion conversation for Hidden Brain+ subscribers, we explore what happens when we embrace these random and unpredictable forces, and the surprising benefits of doing so.

    26 min
  7. Wellness 2.0: When It's All Too Much

    20 JAN

    Wellness 2.0: When It's All Too Much

    It’s no exaggeration to say that the world in 2025 can be ... a lot. Sometimes it may seem that tuning it all out is our only option. This week on Hidden Brain, we talk with researcher Sarah Jaquette Ray about how we can reclaim our sense of efficacy and purpose in the face of big, systemic problems like climate change. Then, we bring you an audio essay from writer Pico Iyer, who shares his thoughts on how we can regain our footing when life is overwhelming.

    1h 2m

  8. 17 JAN • HIDDEN BRAIN+ ONLY

    Your Questions Answered: Jamil Zaki on Cynicism

    With all the challenges facing humanity, there are very real reasons to feel cynical about the world. But psychologist Jamil Zaki argues there are even more reasons to be hopeful. In this episode, Zaki returns to the show to answer listener questions, such as: How can we fight the negativity bias? How do we navigate relationships with friends and family who are themselves cynical? How can we teach our children to be both pragmatic and hopeful? Also, if you missed our initial conversation with Jamil Zaki, you can find it here: https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/you-2-0-fighting-despair/ If you'd like to hear this episode but you're not yet a member of Hidden Brain+, this is a great time to give our podcast subscription a try. We’re extending our standard seven-day trial period for listeners on Apple Podcasts. Sign up in January and you’ll get 30 free days to try it out. Just go to the Hidden Brain show page in Apple Podcasts and click "try free." Or you can go to apple.co/hiddenbrain and click "try free.”

    28 min
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4.7
out of 5
54 Ratings

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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.

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