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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If you’re a parent or a teacher, you’ve probably wondered how to balance play and safety for the kids in your care. You don’t want to put children in danger, but you also don’t want to rob them of the joy of exploration. This week, we revisit a favorite conversation with psychologist Peter Gray . We'll talk about why independent play is so important to a child's development, and answer listeners' questions about the role parents, schools, and neighborhoods can play in giving kids more autonomy. ...
The podcast delves into the profound psychological impact of family stories, featuring psychologist Robyn Fivush, who explains how intergenerational narratives build self-esteem and coping skills, especially through collaborative storytelling. It then transitions to a "Your Questions Answered" segment with philosopher Massimo Pigliucci, who clarifies Stoicism's principles—like focusing on what's controllable, living pro-socially, and regulating emotions—and applies them to personal struggles, grief, and global issues in contemporary life.
Hosted by Shankar Vedantam, this Hidden Brain episode features Huggy Rao from Stanford University, who discusses why many ambitious projects, like the Fyre Festival and North Korea's Hotel of Doom, fail due to neglecting operational details or "plumbing." The episode then transitions to a "Your Questions Answered" segment with sociologist Rob Willer, exploring practical strategies for navigating political differences, from understanding opposing viewpoints to the depolarizing effects of personal engagement and the power of clarifying definitions and shared humanity.
Psychologist Marc Berman reveals how nature heals us, from improving mental health conditions to restoring attention. The discussion covers personal anecdotes, scientific theories like Attention Restoration Theory and biophilia, and studies demonstrating nature's cognitive benefits even when not explicitly enjoyed. It also explores practical applications like "naturizing" indoor spaces and designing green routes, highlighting the importance of equitable access to nature.
This episode features psychologist Stuart Ablon, who challenges the common belief that people's challenging behavior stems from a lack of will. Through anecdotes and research, he explains how often it's a deficit in "skill, not will," such as communication, working memory, or emotion regulation. Ablon introduces "collaborative problem solving" as a more effective approach than traditional rewards and punishments, detailing a three-step process of empathy, sharing concerns, and joint solution-finding, leading to lasting change and mutual skill development.
This episode delves into the psychology of breakups, offering insights into common mistakes people make when ending relationships and techniques to cope with the pain and achieve closure. Psychologist Antonio Pascual-Leone shares methods like reflective listing and imaginative dialogues to process grief. The second half features cognitive scientist Phil Fernbach, who explains the "illusion of knowledge" and its impact on personal decisions and societal discourse, providing practical advice on fostering intellectual humility and navigating disagreements.
No one will deny that marriage is hard. In fact, there’s evidence it’s getting even harder. This week on the show, we revisit a favorite episode about the history of marriage and how it has evolved over time. We talk with historian Stephanie Coontz and psychologist Eli Finkel , and explore ways we can improve our love lives — including by asking less of our partners. Then, on Your Questions Answered, psychologist Jonathan Adler answers your questions about the science of storytelling. If you hav...
When things go wrong in our relationships, we often try to change the way our partners behave. But usually, trying to fix a person only makes things worse. Last week, we talked to psychologist James Cordova about why this tendency can be so damaging, and what to do instead. This week, we explore another difficult but effective way to strengthen our relationships. Then, on Your Questions Answered, we bring back researcher Victor Strecher , who studies purpose. Vic spoke with us in June about the ...
This episode explores the complexities of long-term relationships and the pursuit of passions. Psychologist James Cordova discusses shifting from trying to change partners to accepting inherent differences, using analogies like the "porcupine-turtle" and "cactus-fern" conundrums to illustrate common conflicts and the power of compassionate understanding. Later, behavioral scientist Jon Jachimowicz answers listener questions about sustaining passion, avoiding burnout, and navigating career changes, emphasizing that passion is something to be maintained and adapted over time, rather than a fixed state.
Hidden Brain celebrates its 10th anniversary by delving into the concept of professional callings with researcher Jennifer Tosti-Kharas. The episode highlights the profound fulfillment and dedication callings can bring, exemplified by figures like Steve Jobs, Marie Curie, and Oprah Winfrey, while also exposing the often overlooked downsides. These include distorted judgment, vulnerability to exploitation, and the heavy personal and relational costs of single-minded obsession, suggesting that while powerful, a calling isn't the sole path to a meaningful life.
The episode delves into why people resist constructive criticism, offering strategies to overcome defensiveness through self-distancing, values affirmation, and narrative approaches. Neuroscientist Emily Falk shares personal anecdotes and research on how we can better give and receive feedback. In the second segment, psychologist Ciara Greene discusses the science of memory and forgetting, explaining memory as active reconstruction and addressing listener concerns about ADHD, age-related decline, and the impact of technology on our recollections.
Psychologist and neuroscientist Emily Falk explains why our minds frequently work against our conscious goals, delving into the brain's "value system" which prioritizes immediate gratification over long-term benefits, and the "social relevance system" which is influenced by others' actions. The discussion provides practical strategies to align our actions with our aspirations by making desired behaviors immediately rewarding, connecting them to our identity, and leveraging social proof, illustrated through personal anecdotes and research.
Perfectionism is everyone’s favorite flaw. It’s easy to assume that our push to be perfect is what leads to academic, athletic, and professional success. But how do we distinguish between high standards and unrealistic expectations? This week, we bring you a favorite conversation with psychologist Thomas Curran . He says perfectionism has a dark side, and that there are much healthier ways to strive for excellence. Then, we bring you the latest edition of our segment "Your Questions Answered." S...
When tragedy strikes, it’s natural to be devastated. But psychologist George Bonanno finds that many of us recover from life’s blows more quickly than we might expect. This week, we talk with Bonanno about his research and why it has changed how many scientists think about trauma and resilience. Do you have follow-up questions or comments after listening to this episode? If you’d be willing to share your thoughts with the Hidden Brain audience, please record a voice memo on your phone and email ...
Have you ever fallen asleep in school or during a work meeting? Maybe you felt your eyes glaze over as your boss or a teacher droned on and on about a topic that had no relevance to you. What's missing from these classrooms and conference rooms is engagement: A state of being absorbed, alert, and eager to learn. This week, psychologist and neuroscientist Mary Helen Immordino-Yang explores why so many of us feel apathetic at school and at work, and how to cultivate the magic of engagement. Do you...
Aging isn’t just a biological process. Our outlooks and emotions also change as we age, often in ways that boost our well-being. This week, we revisit a favorite conversation with psychologist Laura Carstensen , who helps us unpack the science behind this surprising finding, and shares what all of us can learn from older people. Then, as part of our ongoing series "Your Questions Answered," we revisit our follow-up chat with Laura, who responds to listeners' thoughts and questions and shares mor...
Shankar Vedantam speaks with psychologist and neuroscientist Abigail Marsh about the science of altruism, sparked by her own dramatic rescue experience. They delve into the unique brain characteristics of extraordinary altruists, such as non-directed kidney donors, who exhibit a profound sensitivity to others' distress and a wide circle of caring. The discussion highlights that selfless acts often arise from intuition and humility rather than calculation, and explores how humans, inherently altruistic, can overcome fear to cultivate greater generosity in everyday life.
This episode delves into narrative psychology with Jonathan Adler, revealing how the stories we tell about ourselves profoundly shape our mental health and even biological markers. Learn about 'redemption' and 'contamination' narratives, and how consciously reshaping your life's story can lead to greater well-being and a sense of agency. The episode then shifts to negotiation, as Max Bazerman shares insights on overcoming common biases, leveraging cultural contexts, and adopting effective strategies for more favorable and psychologically beneficial outcomes.
Philosopher Massimo Pigliucci recounts how he found profound guidance in Stoicism during a period of intense personal upheaval, including divorce and family loss. The episode delves into core Stoic concepts like the dichotomy of control, distinguishing what's within our power from what isn't, and the practice of evening meditations for self-improvement. Through historical examples of Marcus Aurelius's reign and Pigliucci's personal anecdotes, it demonstrates how embracing Stoic principles can lead to greater equanimity and a life well-lived, even amidst adversity.
Many of us believe that hard work and persistence are the key to achieving our goals. But is that true when it comes to the pursuit of happiness? This week, we revisit a conversation with psychologist Iris Mauss , who explains why happiness can seem more elusive the harder we chase it, and what we can do instead to build a lasting sense of contentment. Then, we bring you the latest edition of our segment "Your Questions Answered." Behavioral scientist Alison Wood Brooks answers listener question...
The episode explores why the conventional advice to "follow your passion" often leads to disillusionment. Behavioral scientist Jon Jachimowicz shares his personal story and research, revealing that passion is not always magical and easy. Drawing on interviews and case studies, he discusses the challenges of maintaining passion, the cultural views of passion as endurance or suffering, and strategies like reinventing what you do or finding fulfillment in unexpected places to keep your passion alive.
What should you do with your life? There's no one-size-fits-all answer to that question. But there are scientifically-tested methods that can help you to feel more in harmony with yourself and the world. This week, and in a companion conversation for Hidden Brain+, researcher Victor Strecher explores the science of creating a life full of meaning. It's the kickoff to our annual You 2.0 series, which this year will focus on purpose and passion. If you’ve reached the midpoint of the year and you’r...
This episode explores effective persuasion techniques, particularly in overcoming political and interpersonal divides. Sociologist Robb Willer shares how understanding others' perspectives and framing arguments around their values (moral reframing) is more effective than forceful debate. Legal scholar Kenji Yoshino discusses "covering" – hiding parts of ourselves to conform – highlighting its universality and the importance of creating safe spaces for authenticity and allyship.
Despite being wired to seek pleasure and avoid difficulty (the law of least effort), we often find meaning and satisfaction in hard things. Psychologist Michael Inslicht explains this "effort paradox," sharing research showing that effortful tasks, while less pleasurable, are often more meaningful. The episode explores personal anecdotes and studies illustrating how pushing through challenges builds competence, resilience, and a sense of accomplishment, even when the experience is uncomfortable.
Why do we sometimes seek out pain and discomfort? Psychologist Paul Bloom explores the human drive for "benign masochism," looking at everything from electric shocks and spicy food to streaking and scary movies. Discover how shared suffering can create bonds, the role of contrast, and how engaging with unpleasant experiences, even in fiction, might serve an adaptive purpose.
Revenge feels just and necessary, but what is its true cost? Researcher James Kimmel, Jr. proposes that the desire for vengeance operates like an addiction in the brain, offering a brief, destructive pleasure. The episode explores personal stories, like that of Michael Stokes and Kimmel's own experience, and the neuroscience behind revenge cravings. It also examines the non-justice system intervention designed to help individuals process grievances and highlights the global impact of revenge addiction in conflicts and politics.
Explore the spectrum of facial recognition, from super recognizers who never forget a face to those with face blindness (prosopagnosia). Hear from a police super recognizer, a neuroscientist studying the brain's face network, and individuals navigating daily life with these differing abilities. This special episode includes a segment from Revisionist History on how face recognition shapes social interactions.
We often think we understand the world in much greater detail than we actually do, a phenomenon called the “illusion of knowledge.” Cognitive scientist Phil Fernbach explains why this happens, using examples ranging from everyday objects like toilets to complex systems like automated cockpits and financial markets. He also explores how this illusion impacts our views on political issues and offers strategies, like explaining concepts in detail, to bridge the gap between what we know and what we think we know.
This episode explores the science of forgetting, revealing it as a crucial function of memory rather than a flaw. Psychologist Ciara Greene discusses how forgetting helps us process experiences, manage emotional health, and even propagate our genes. The conversation covers topics from traumatic memories to the evolutionary benefits of selective forgetting, offering insights on how to approach our own memories with skepticism and compassion.
Ethan Kross discusses the science of emotion regulation, exploring how emotions can sometimes lead us astray and offering practical strategies for managing them effectively. He delves into techniques like distanced self-talk, expressive writing, and harnessing the senses, and the importance of strategic avoidance. Kross emphasizes that there is no one-size-fits-all solution and highlights the value of using a variety of tools to achieve emotional fitness.
