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
  • How to Harness Your Feelings

    How to Harness Your Feelings
    May 5 2025

    Do you feel like you control your emotions, or do your emotions control you? What scientists call "emotion regulation" turns out to be one of the most important life skills we can possess. It's essential in dealing with setbacks, in balancing risks and rewards, and in maintaining successful relationships. This week, psychologist Ethan Kross explores the growing and fascinating science of managing our emotions. He explains why our feelings so often go astray, and shares insights into how to reel them back in.

    In this episode, you'll learn:

    *How to coach yourself through emotionally intense moments.

    *Why certain types of personal writing can help with your thorniest problems or challenges.

    *How to use music and your physical senses to regulate your mood.

    *How to use the technique of "selective avoidance" to shortcut emotional spirals and "what if" thinking.

    Hidden Brain is about to go on tour! Join Shankar in a city near you as we explore lessons we've learned in Hidden Brain's first decade. For more info and to purchase tickets, go to https://hiddenbrain.org/tour/.

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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Relationships 2.0: Keeping Love Alive

    Relationships 2.0: Keeping Love Alive
    Apr 28 2025

    There's no magic potion that can make someone adore you. But there are things you can do to promote a deep and enduring connection — and even feelings of passion — between yourself and your partner. In the final chapter of our Relationships 2.0 series, psychologist Arthur Aron shares some techniques for falling and staying in love.

    In today's conversation, we explore:

    *The assumption that love fades over time.

    *The effects of daily routine on romantic relationships.

    *What our choice in a romantic partners says about us

    *How successful long-term couples keep love alive

    If you love Hidden Brain, please join us for our upcoming live tour! Shankar will be visiting cities across the U.S., and our listeners have the first crack at purchasing tickets. You can get yours at https://hiddenbrain.org/tour/. Use the pre-sale code BRAIN. We hope to see you there!

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    50 mins
  • Relationships 2.0: Why Did You Do That? + Your Questions Answered: Fred Luskin on Grudges

    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
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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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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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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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