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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Why does one bad experience have the power to overshadow an otherwise good day? Psychologist Alison Ledgerwood explores the negativity bias, the deeply human tendency to hold on to what went wrong and overlook what went right. She explains why our minds are drawn to losses and threats, and what it takes to rebalance our attention. Then, on Your Questions Answered, psychologist David Pizarro returns to respond to your comments about the surprising role of disgust in shaping our lives. In our comp...
We all have moments in our lives when we see someone who could use a helping hand. It could be a friend who recently went through a breakup, or an older person trying to load groceries into their car. We tell ourselves we should help, but then something stops us. This week, psychologist Amit Kumar helps us understand what keeps us from taking a moment to be kind, and how to overcome these barriers to create stronger, happier connections. Then, on Your Questions Answered, psychologist Gordon Flet...
Political scientist Eric Oliver challenges the notion of a single, coherent self, revealing how we are a multitude of conflicting internal processes shaped by biology, ego, and social roles. Psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman then critiques standardized IQ tests, explaining their historical misuse and advocating for an educational system that values diverse forms of intelligence, adaptability, and individual potential over rigid labels and arbitrary cutoffs. The episode encourages listeners to cultivate self-awareness and self-anchoring, recognizing that both identity and intelligence are dynamic, evolving processes.
Psychologist Ap Dijksterhuis reveals that creativity isn't a mysterious external force, but a product of our unconscious minds, often surfacing when we're relaxed or distracted. The episode details scientific and anecdotal evidence, from Kekulé's benzene dream to J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter idea, illustrating how the brain processes information in the background. It also distinguishes between conscious and unconscious problem-solving, highlights the power of intrinsic motivation, and offers ways to foster an environment conducive to insightful breakthroughs in modern life.
How does the culture in which you live shape the life that you lead? We all know that culture affects the languages we speak and the foods we eat. But anthropologist Joseph Henrich says the impact of culture goes even further, reaching into our bodies and our minds. He takes us on a journey through time to show how human cultures create a "collective brain," and how that shared knowledge profoundly shapes who we are and how we live. Hidden Brain is headed back on the road this summer, for the la...
Some people are good at putting themselves in another person's shoes. Others may struggle to relate. But psychologist Jamil Zaki argues that empathy isn't a fixed trait. This week, we revisit a favorite episode about how to exercise our empathy muscles. Then, Leslie John answers listener questions about the benefits of opening up to others, in our latest installment of Your Questions Answered. Hidden Brain is now on YouTube! Check out our channel and subscribe so you don't miss any of our videos...
In 2009, an old man died in a California nursing home. His obituary included not just his given name, but a long list of the pseudonyms he’d been known to use. In this classic 2019 episode, we trace the life of Riley Shepard, a hillbilly musician, writer, small-time con man and, perhaps, a genius. Then, on Your Questions Answered, psychologist Leslie John returns to answer your questions about when to share a secret, and when to keep it to yourself. You can find an online version of Riley Shepar...
Last week, we looked at the hidden beliefs that can leave us feeling stuck in life. This week, in the second part of our conversation with behavioral scientist Dave Evans , we talk about radical acceptance. Dave shares why accepting reality as it is can be so difficult — and why it's an essential first step in building a meaningful life. Then, in the latest installment of Your Questions Answered, psychologist Sarah Schnitker returns to answer listeners' questions about patience. When something t...
We tell ourselves that meaning comes from impact, passion, or finding the “one right path.” But these beliefs can leave us feeling stuck — even when our lives look perfectly fine on paper. Behavioral scientist Dave Evans describes a new approach, borrowed from design thinking, to help us build lives that feel more alive, flexible, and real. What makes brave people different from the rest of us? It isn't a lack of fear — instead, it's a trait that might surprise you. Learn more in this video on o...
This episode explores the crucial difference between being loved and feeling loved, with psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky discussing how our strategies for seeking love are often counterproductive. It then features psychologist Greg Walton addressing listener questions on negative thought spirals, offering insights on fixed mindsets, processing trauma, and practical strategies like setting proximal goals and cultivating a growth mindset. The discussion emphasizes genuine connection over performance and the power of social support in personal growth.
Political scientist Erica Chenoweth reveals how nonviolent movements are twice as likely to succeed as violent ones, debunking the common assumption that power flows from the barrel of a gun. She explores case studies like Serbia and Sudan, highlighting key factors for nonviolent success, including mass participation and tactical innovation. The episode then shifts to discuss the science of courage with Ranjay Gulati, who answers listener questions on cultivating bravery, differentiating acute from enduring courage, and understanding the line between bravery and recklessness.
We like to think that good financial decisions come down to discipline and basic math. But the psychology of money turns out to be deeply complicated. Researcher John Dinsmore explains the hidden mental biases that shape how we think about spending, borrowing, and the future. We explore how these forces can steer us toward costly mistakes — and how to guard against them. Then, on Your Questions Answered, researcher Bobby Parmar returns to consider the upsides of embracing uncertainty. We're exci...
Should you tell a harsh truth if it will only cause pain? Or is it sometimes kinder to keep someone in the dark? Psychologist Emma Levine explores the unwritten rules that guide when people feel it’s acceptable to lie — and what those choices reveal about trust, harm, and our deepest moral values. In our companion Hidden Brain+ episode, we explore ways to bridge the gap between the many lies we condone in practice, and the lying we claim to hate. If you're a subscriber, that episode is called “T...
How do the groups you identify with shape your sense of self? Do they influence the beer you buy? The way you vote? In this favorite episode from 2021, psychologist Jay Van Bavel explains how our group loyalties affect us more than we realize, and can even shape our basic senses of sight, taste and smell. Then, look out! There's a g-g-g-ghost! Psychologist Coltan Scrivner answers listener questions about the surprising benefits of scary entertainment. We're excited to share that Hidden Brain is ...
Psychologist Jonathan Rottenberg, drawing from his own severe depression, challenges the prevailing view that low mood is merely a defect. He proposes that depression can be an evolutionary "stop" mechanism, guiding us to reconsider our paths and adapt. The discussion covers how modern factors like social media and unrealistic societal expectations can exacerbate this natural response, while also highlighting potential "silver linings" like increased empathy and self-awareness that can emerge from the experience.
Disgust is a strong emotion, one designed by evolution to protect us from danger and diseases. But disgust also spills into other areas of our lives, influencing our morals, our intuitions about right and wrong, even our politics. We talk with psychologist David Pizarro about how disgust is used to persuade and divide us, and why it remains such a potent force in public life today. Then, in our latest installment of “Your Questions Answered,” Huggy Rao returns to respond to listeners’ thoughts a...
Charismatic leaders can inspire devotion and give people a powerful sense of meaning. They can also make us vulnerable. This week, we explore how figures across history have gained followers by offering clarity in moments of uncertainty — and why that clarity can come at a cost. Historian Molly Worthen explains how to recognize the spell of charisma, and why questioning it is essential to a healthy society. Then, on Your Questions Answered, Antonio Pascual-Leone returns to respond to listeners' ...
Psychologist Gordon Flett delves into the critical human need to matter, examining how feeling overlooked can fuel loneliness, depression, violence, and social anxiety, citing examples from individual trauma to mass shootings. The second half features psychologist Marc Berman and listener stories, highlighting nature's powerful ability to improve attention, mood, and resilience, especially in times of stress and grief, fostering a deeper connection to oneself and the world. The episode also discusses practical ways to cultivate mattering and integrate nature into daily life.
This episode revisits a conversation with cognitive scientist Scott Barry Kaufman, who advocates for a broader understanding of intelligence beyond IQ tests, sharing his challenging personal history of being mislabeled and underestimated. He delves into how passion, creativity, and implicit learning reveal true potential often overlooked by traditional metrics. The latter half features psychologist James Cordova answering listener questions on fostering deeper connections in romantic relationships, emphasizing acceptance of perpetual issues, empathetic communication, and the complex dynamics of "eating the blame" for lasting intimacy.
Last week, we talked with psychologist Leslie John about the costs of keeping secrets. Today, Leslie returns with a look at the psychological power of self-disclosure. She says the moments of oversharing that we often consider "TMI" can actually strengthen our relationships. Then, in the second half of the show, listeners share their thoughts and questions about the expectations we put on modern marriages. Psychologist Eli Finkel returns for the latest installment of our series "Your Questions A...
We all carry secrets, from harmless omissions to life-changing truths. But secrecy isn’t neutral: hiding takes mental work and can harm our health and relationships. In this week’s show, and in our episode next week, psychologist Leslie John explores the costs of concealment — and how opening up can give us more mental space and deepen our connections. After you listen to today's episode, check out our Hidden Brain+ conversation called "When to Hide the Truth." In that episode, we talk with Lesl...
We conclude our month-long You 2.0 series with a look at the hidden power of doubt — not as weakness or indecision, but as a tool that helps us make better choices and navigate an uncertain world. Researcher Bobby Parmar explores how doubt can sharpen judgment, and makes a case for why the ability to sit with uncertainty may be one of the most important skills of all. Then, in our latest installment of "Your Questions Answered," Emily Falk answers listeners' questions about defensiveness, and of...
Patience can sometimes feel like a lost art, particularly in a culture that prizes competition and the idea of "failing fast." But psychologist Sarah Schnitker says patience is a vital skill for success in both our personal and professional lives. We talk with Sarah about the difference between patience and passivity, and how to train ourselves to be more patient. Then, in our latest installment of "Your Questions Answered," Jennifer Tosti-Kharas responds to listeners' questions about how to fin...
Psychologists Adam Alter and George Bonanno delve into the science of "stuckness" and resilience. Alter explains why we lose motivation mid-project, battle perfectionism, and how re-framing goals and taking action can lead to breakthroughs. Bonanno then discusses varied human reactions to trauma, challenging traditional grief models and highlighting the complexities of chronic stress, childhood adversity, and the importance of compassionate support in healing.
This episode delves into the nature of courage with behavioral scientist Ranjay Gulati, arguing that bravery is not innate but a cultivable choice. Through compelling stories like a teacher's controversial actions during an earthquake, a mother's defiance against a gunman, and a whistleblower's stand against a tech giant, Gulati reveals how narratives, support systems, and a sense of self-efficacy empower individuals. The discussion highlights practical approaches to transform uncertainty into manageable risk and overcome fear, demonstrating how personal and collective efforts can lead to bold action.
This episode explores how our minds can trap us in negative thought spirals and offers strategies to break free, featuring psychologist Greg Walton. It also delves into the minds of extremely kind and generous people with neuroscientist Abigail Marsh, discussing the psychology of altruism, social discounting, and how our experiences and beliefs shape our willingness to help others.
Many of us rush through our days, weeks, and lives, chasing goals and just trying to get everything done. But that can blind us to a very simple source of joy that’s all around us. This week, we revisit a favorite conversation with psychologist Dacher Keltner , who describes what happens when we stop to savor nature, art, or simply the moral courage of those around us. Then, in our segment "Your Questions Answered," Mary Helen Immordino-Yang returns to answer listeners' questions about learning ...
In this episode, psychiatrist Anna Lembke delves into the "plenty paradox," explaining how our pursuit of pleasure can lead to a chronic dopamine deficit and increased anxiety. She shares personal experiences with addiction and effective strategies, including "dopamine fasting" and self-binding techniques, to reset our brains' pleasure-pain balance. The discussion also covers the role of community, truth-telling, and addressing societal factors in combating addiction.
This episode explores psychiatrist Anna Lembke's radical idea that addiction extends beyond traditional substances to common behaviors, driven by an overload of pleasure in the modern world. Using case studies and a personal story, she explains the brain's pleasure-pain balance and how constant dopamine hits lead to a deficit state, causing anxiety and depression. The discussion highlights four key factors – quantity, access, potency, and novelty – that "drugify" everyday activities, altering our brains and making us more vulnerable to compulsive overconsumption and unhappiness.
Why are so many of us drawn to horror, gore, and true crime? Why do we crane our necks to see the scene of a crash on the highway? Psychologist Coltan Scrivner says that our natural morbid curiosity serves a purpose. We talk with Coltan about our fascination with tales of murder and mayhem, and what this tendency reveals about our minds. In this episode, you'll learn: *Why there's often a surge of interest in scary entertainment after a violent or tragic incident in the real world. *The potentia...
