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. Did I Really Do That?

    6D AGO

    Did I Really Do That?

    Have 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, we bring you a favorite 2022 episode about why we sometimes act against our own self-interest — even when the stakes are at their highest.

    52 min

  2. MAR 13 • HIDDEN BRAIN+ ONLY

    Shankar Shares a Favorite Poem

    In times of stress, poetry can serve as a soothing balm. When we read a beautiful poem, our minds slow down for a moment, and all the worries and tasks on our to-do lists briefly fall away. Today, we bring you a conversation from the Poetry for All podcast, which recently invited Shankar to share a favorite poem with hosts Joanne Diaz and Abram Van Engen. Shankar talks about what poetry means to him, and why his chosen work by W.H. Auden contains both a great truth and a "great untruth." Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter! In every issue, we'll bring you new research on human behavior, along with a brain teaser and a moment of joy. You can sign up at news.hiddenbrain.org.

    41 min
  3. When To Pivot

    MAR 10

    When To Pivot

    When should you stay the course in life, and when should you shift with changing tides? This week, we bring you case studies from the world of business to explore the science of inflection points — changes that dramatically transform the course of events. Researcher Rita McGrath explains why we fail to see impending moments of upheaval, and what we can do to be more adept at spotting them.

    50 min
  4. Dropping the Mask

    MAR 3

    Dropping the Mask

    Have you ever downplayed some aspect of your identity? Maybe you don’t hide it, but you don’t bring it up with certain people, either. It turns out that these subtle disguises can have powerful effects on how we view ourselves. This week, we talk with legal scholar Kenji Yoshino about what happens when we soften or edit our true selves.

    1h 9m
  5. Marching To Your Own Drummer

    FEB 24

    Marching To Your Own Drummer

    What would you have done? It's one of the most enduring questions in psychology. We all like to think that in a moment of crisis, we'd rise to the occasion and show courage. And yet many of us have had experiences where we followed orders and did what we were told to do. This week, we talk with psychologist Sunita Sah about the reasons why many of us silence ourselves and follow orders, and how we can align our words and actions with our values.

    48 min

  6. FEB 24 • HIDDEN BRAIN+ ONLY

    Defeating Fear

    One of the more complex challenges in defying authority is figuring out when defiance is an act of courage and virtue, and when it is not. In this companion conversation with Sunita Sah, we look at two examples of people defying authority. We'll consider what these stories tell us about our moral convictions: how they can sometimes fortify us during a crisis, and sometimes lead us astray.

    25 min
  7. The Conversations that Bring Us Closer

    FEB 17

    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

  8. FEB 14 • 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
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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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