Hidden Brain

By: Hidden Brain Shankar Vedantam
  • Summary

  • 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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Episodes
  • Relationships 2.0: Why Did You Do That? + Your Questions Answered: Fred Luskin on Grudges
    Apr 21 2025

    As we go through life, we’re constantly trying to figure out what other people are thinking and feeling. Psychologist Liane Young says this ability to assess other people’s thoughts ​is an extraordinary feat of cognition. This week, in a favorite episode from our archives, we explore this mental superpower — and how it can lead us astray.

    In our conversation with Liane Young, we explore:

    *The uniquely human ability to think about the minds of other people, which scientists refer to as "theory of mind."

    *How and when young children develop this ability to intuit what's happening in other people's minds.

    *Why our understanding of other people's minds affects our moral judgments — and how those judgments can be disabled.

    *How misreading another person's intentions can affect our lives in both small and significant ways.

    Then, in the second part of this week's show, we welcome back researcher Fred Luskin, who responds to listeners' questions about grudges. If you missed the original conversation with Fred Luskin, listen to our episode No Hard Feelings.

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    1 hr and 26 mins
  • Relationships 2.0: The Power of Tiny Interactions + Your Questions Answered: Erica Bailey on Authenticity
    Apr 14 2025

    As you go about your day, you likely interact with family, friends and coworkers. These relationships can help you feel cared for and connected. But what if there’s a whole category of people in your life whose impact is overlooked? Today, in a favorite episode from our archives, psychologist Gillian Sandstrom reveals some simple ways to make your life a little more joyful and maybe even a little less lonely. Then, we talk with researcher Erica Bailey, who responds to listeners' questions about authenticity and how to reveal our true selves to the people around us.

    In this episode you'll learn:

    • The sociological concept of "weak" and "strong" ties, and the important roles they play in our lives.
    • How "weak ties" contribute to our happiness.
    • How to talk to strangers — including how to start, maintain, and end a conversation.
    • How to decrease feelings of loneliness and increase feelings of connectivity in your daily life.

    If you enjoyed today's conversation with Gillian Sandstrom, be sure to check out these other Hidden Brain episodes:

    You 2.0: The Gift of Other People

    How Others See You

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    1 hr and 25 mins
  • Relationships 2.0: Become a Better Negotiator
    Apr 7 2025

    When we head into a negotiation — whether we're asking for a raise or trying to get our spouse to do the dishes — our focus is usually on getting the other person to agree to our preferred outcome. What we don't focus on are our own biases and blind spots. Behavioral scientist Max Bazerman studies the theory and practice of negotiation, and he says that paying attention to these biases can help us to craft better deals.

    Do you have a follow-up question after listening to this episode? If you'd be comfortable sharing your question with the Hidden Brain audience, please record a voice memo on your phone. Email it to us at ideas@hiddenbrain.org. Use the subject line “negotiation.” Thanks!

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    53 mins

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Great podcast

One of the best podcast out there about humans behaviour. The guests are normally great authors.

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Long time listener

I've been listening to episodes for years and love it, it's profoundly impactful and thoughtful

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