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. Wellness 2.0: When It's All Too Much

    1 DAY AGO

    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

  2. 5 DAYS AGO • 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
  3. 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
  4. 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

  5. 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
  6. Wellness 2.0: Be Yourself

    12/30/2024

    Wellness 2.0: Be Yourself

    We’re often drawn to people who appear to be true to themselves. Yet showing our authentic selves to the world can be terrifying. This week, we kick off 2025 with a new series, “Wellness 2.0.” We’ll go beyond New Year’s resolutions to take a deep look at how we can approach our lives with a sense of meaning and purpose. Today on the show, we begin our series with researcher Erica Bailey, who studies authenticity and what it means to truly be ourselves.

    51 min

  7. 12/30/2024 • HIDDEN BRAIN+ ONLY

    Wellness 2.0: The "Us" in Authenticity

    There are many times in life when we struggle to be authentic. Our true selves may rub people the wrong way. Or we may come off as phony, even when we feel like we’re being authentic. In this companion episode with researcher Erica Bailey, we explore how our desires for authenticity often clash with the complexities of communicating and being understood by other people.  Is there someone in your life who would love Hidden Brain+? Please let them know that they’ll receive an extended 30-day trial if they sign up for Hidden Brain+ on Apple podcasts in the month of January. They can do so by going to apple.co/hiddenbrain and clicking the "try free" button.

    44 min
  8. How to Be More Creative

    12/23/2024

    How to Be More Creative

    It's happened to all of us: We're in the shower, or on a walk, and boom — a big idea or a brilliant solution appears out of nowhere. These sorts of insights often seem to arise without explanation. But researchers increasingly find there is a science to cultivating creativity. This week, social psychologist Sheena Iyengar shares research and case studies of innovation, and discusses what these examples tell us about the alchemy of creative breakthroughs.

    52 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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