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.
Hidden Brain explores how people construct meaning and impose order on tragedy, using historian Kate Bowler's personal experience with Stage IV cancer as the central lens. Bowler, who has studied the prosperity gospel and its promise that faith brings material success, found herself confronting the inverse: a…
Worth it if you're interested in how people construct meaning during crisis, appreciate narrative-driven psychology, or want to understand the prosperity gospel's appeal and dangers.
This is part two of a conversation with psychologist Martin Seligman about agency and learned helplessness—the belief that our actions don't matter. The episode builds on a previous discussion about why some people develop the conviction that they can't influence outcomes in their lives. Seligman explains mechanisms…
Worth it if you struggle with learned helplessness or want to understand the psychology of agency, and you're comfortable with interview-based learning without extensive examples.
Hidden Brain's 'How to Make a Difference: Part 1' explores the psychological roots of why some people take action to create change while others become paralyzed by a sense of futility. The episode centers on psychologist Martin Seligman's landmark research on learned helplessness—the phenomenon where repeated exposure…
Worth it if you're interested in the psychology of motivation and agency, or want to understand why some people persist through setbacks while others give up.
Hidden Brain revisits a conversation with linguist Deborah Tannen about why conversations fail and how conversational styles create unintended conflict. The episode focuses on the mismatch between how different people communicate—using examples like parent-child and spousal interactions—and offers practical strategies…
Worth it if you struggle with communication in close relationships and haven't heard Tannen's work before, or if you're curious about the psychology of deception.
Hidden Brain explores the psychology of life-changing moments with psychologist Anthony Klotz, who studies sudden "jolts"—unexpected insights that shake people out of their routines and prompt intentional life decisions. The episode examines how these moments of clarity can catalyze meaningful change. Returning guest…
Worth it if you're interested in the psychology of life transitions, creative breakthroughs, or considering a career change and want research-backed perspective on recognizing the right moment.
