Hidden Brain

Hidden Brain
  • 4.6 (40K)
  • 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. No Hard Feelings

    1 DAY AGO

    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
  2. Wellness 2.0: The Art of the Unknown

    JAN 27

    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

  3. JAN 27 • 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
  4. Wellness 2.0: When It's All Too Much

    JAN 20

    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

  5. JAN 17 • 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
  6. Wellness 2.0: Who Do You Want To Be?

    JAN 13

    Wellness 2.0: Who Do You Want To Be?

    We 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. This week: a favorite conversation with psychologist Ken Sheldon about 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.

    47 min
  7. Wellness 2.0: Rising to the Occasion

    JAN 6

    Wellness 2.0: Rising to the Occasion

    From time to time, all of us are called upon to do hard or even seemingly impossible things. Do we rise to the occasion, or do we fall short? Today on the show, we examine the psychology of pushing through a crisis. We talk with psychologist Adam Galinsky about great leaders, and what they can teach us about being steadfast in the face of challenges.

    51 min

  8. JAN 6 • HIDDEN BRAIN+ ONLY

    Wellness 2.0: The Power of Perspective

    People who can keep their heads and lead others through a crisis often possess a mix of competence and warmth. But there’s another trait that’s often overlooked when it comes to managing crises. In this companion Hidden Brain+ episode with Adam Galinsky, we look at one of the other superpowers that many great leaders possess.

    34 min
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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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