Hidden Brain

By: Hidden Brain Shankar Vedantam
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  • 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: The Price of Disconnection

    Relationships 2.0: The Price of Disconnection
    Mar 31 2025

    All of us want to "seen" by the people around us. We want to be recognized as unique individuals. Yet the experience of being seen in this way can be dispiritingly rare. This week, we kick off our "Relationships 2.0" series by talking with researcher Allison Pugh about the psychological benefits of what she calls "connective labor." She explains why this labor is often overlooked, and how to cultivate the superpower of making other people feel seen.

    In this episode, you'll learn:

    *The definition of connective labor, and why this skill is like "engine grease" for our personal and professional relationships.

    *Why connective labor is vital to success in a surprisingly broad array of careers.

    *The gender stereotypes around connective labor, and why these stereotypes overlook the role that men play as connectors.

    *How connective labor affects our mental and physical health.

    *How connective labor by teachers may affect students' ability to learn.

    *How to slow down in interactions with other people and explore the emotional context behind their words.

    If you have a follow-up question for Allison Pugh after listening to this episode, and you’d be willing to share it with the Hidden Brain audience, please record a voice memo on your phone. Once you’ve done so, email it to us at ideas@hiddenbrain.org. Use the subject line “connection.” And thanks for listening!

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    50 mins
  • The Moments that Change Us

    The Moments that Change Us
    Mar 24 2025

    Often in life, we find ourselves wrestling with a decision. But in running these mental calculations, there's something we rarely consider about the future: we might not be the same person when we get there. This week, philosopher L.A. Paul explores how life-altering events reshape who we are.

    Want more of our work on understanding your future self? Give these Hidden Brain episodes a listen:

    https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/you-2-0-how-to-see-yourself-clearly/

    https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/you-2-0-decide-already/

    https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/you-2-0-your-future-is-now/

    https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/the-ventilator/

    And for the latest insights about human behavior, delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for the weekly Hidden Brain newsletter! Each issue brings you the latest research, along with a brain teaser and a moment of joy. You can read and subscribe here: https://news.hiddenbrain.org/
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    51 mins
  • Did I Really Do That?

    Did I Really Do That?
    Mar 17 2025

    Have you ever been falsely accused of something? Many of us think there’s only one way we’d act in such a situation: we’d defend ourselves. We’d do whatever it takes to clear our name — and above all else, we’d never, ever confess to something we didn’t do. But psychologist Saul Kassin says that’s a myth. This week, we bring you a favorite 2022 episode about why we sometimes act against our own self-interest — even when the stakes are at their highest.

    In this week's episode, you'll learn about:

    • Why we often freeze and fail to defend ourselves when someone accuses us of something
    • The various types of false confessions
    • What happens in our minds when we're pressured to confess to something that we didn't actually do
    • How police interrogation tactics are being used in workplaces and other organizations
    • Potential solutions to the problem of false confessions

    For more on the psychological dimensions of criminal justice, check out our episode on the infamous Stanford prison experiment.

    And if you'd like to check out the research of Saul Kassin and others on this topic, visit our web page for this episode.

    Episode image by Tama66, Pixabay.

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    52 mins

Featured Article: Care for Your Body and Mind with the Best Health Podcasts Out There


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Featured Article Care for Your Body and Mind with the Best Health Podcasts Out There

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Profile Image for Laura

so very poignant and applicable

whether you're in a rough patch or not, this is a must- listen for your current and future self

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Profile Image for Jennifer Stockford

Relevant concepts to current events

I enjoy Shankar Vedantam’s voice and his insights. He chooses interesting people to interview. This show is always worthwhile to listen to.

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Profile Image for Luis Marquez

Love this podcast

Every single podcast is full of fun and knowledge, I got hook from the first time that listens to it. Will recommend to anyone.

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Profile Image for Keep It Real

Insightful and useful

Loved this episode! I learned so much that I can apply to everyday conversations with everyone from my life partner to people I just met.

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Profile Image for Angie

Hidden Brain is awesome!

Closure for both parties was essential, however painful. very good story all around. thanks

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Profile Image for Monica R.

Fascinating!!!

This episode about Decoding Emotions will stick with me a long time!! Mind-blowing! I will be including this information in my lectures to professionals and students.

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My God this is Church you a prophet Brother

My why for a resilient marriage is I don't want anyone else raising my Children this podcast allows me to know the cost of raising great kids

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Profile Image for Karen Hajjoubi

The Best Podcast

Absolutely the most informative, interesting, well made, well presented, thoughtful and intriguing podcast I've found. The topics are so relevant and presented in a non-biased, apolitical and clear manner to appeal to everyone. I'm hooked.

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Profile Image for Laura Lee Queen Bee 👸🐝

Very thought provoking episode!

This podcast is great, but this episode was fantastic! Really makes you stop & think about "bad people" vs. "good people".

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Profile Image for bibliomom

Totally makes sense

The analysis, research and experiments at amazing. I would say that I believe in God in the abstract and any other attributes (punitive, kind, mercy,...) take away.

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