Hidden Brain helps curious people understand the world – and themselves. Using science and storytelling, Hidden Brain reveals the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, the biases that shape our choices, and the triggers that direct the course of our relationships.
Our audience takes uncommon pleasure in the world of ideas. How do children come to love spicy foods? Why do religions exist? What's the best way to get people to be honest on their taxes? Hidden Brain explores questions like these that lie at the very heart of a complex and changing society.
Hosted by NPR social science correspondent Shankar Vedantam, Hidden Brain links research from psychology and neurobiology with findings from economics, anthropology, and sociology, among other fields. The goal of Hidden Brain isn't merely to entertain, but to give you insights to apply at work, at home and throughout your life.
Find a list of the latest episodes of Hidden Brain below. Learn more about the show here.
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Eileen was overwhelmed after her husband’s traumatic brain injury. But there were still chores to be done, like raking the leaves around their home. As she worked in the yard, crying, she felt a tap on her shoulder. The post Eileen Freiberg-Dale’s Story appeared first on Hidden Brain Media.
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We all tell stories about ourselves, often without realizing we’re doing so. How we frame those stories can profoundly shape our lives. In the kickoff episode to our monthlong series on healing, psychologist Jonathan Adler shares how to tell our stories in ways that enhance our wellbeing. The post You 2.0: Change Your Story, Change Your Life appeared first on Hidden Brain Media.
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After spilling her lunch on the way to work, Kim received an unexpected gift from a stranger. The experience not only helped her through that day, but gave her a sense of belonging and community. The post Kim Perlak’s Story appeared first on Hidden Brain Media.
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What does it mean to be stoic? Many of us assume it means you have a stiff upper lip, or that you suppress your emotions. That’s what Massimo Pigliucci thought — until he started to peruse a book called Meditations. It was written nearly two thousand years ago by the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. But Massimo, now a […] The post You 2.0: The Wisdom of Stoicism appeared first on Hidden Brain Media.
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After Alek's father died in the hospital, a nurse shared his grief. The post Alek Hermon’s Story appeared first on Hidden Brain Media.
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This week, we revisit a conversation with psychologist Iris Mauss, who explains why happiness can seem more elusive the harder we chase it. Then, we bring you the latest edition of our segment "Your Questions Answered." Behavioral scientist Alison Wood Brooks answers listener questions on how to be a better conversationalist. The post You 2.0: The Path to Contentment appeared first on Hidden Brain Media.
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A favorite from 2022: After a mortifying fall in physics class, Julie remembers the unexpected gift she received from a fellow student. The post Julie Ort’s Story appeared first on Hidden Brain Media.
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Behavioral scientist Jon Jachimowicz looks at how to keep our passions alive, and how to channel old passions into new pursuits. The post You 2.0: The Passion Pill appeared first on Hidden Brain Media.
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A few days after her sister passed away, a stranger on the subway asked Maureen how she was doing. The conversation that followed is one that she will forever cherish. The post Maureen Futtner’s Story appeared first on Hidden Brain Media.
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What should you do with your life? This week, researcher Victor Strecher explores the science of creating a life full of meaning. The post You 2.0: What Is Your Life For? appeared first on Hidden Brain Media.