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Artwork for Hidden Brain
Innovation
Creativity
Entrepreneurship
Failures In Business
Coping With Challenges
Human Behavior
Down Syndrome
Business Strategy
Goal Setting
Psychology
Titanic
Listening
Cultural Anthropology
Workplace Interactions
Beauty Bias
Communication
Beauty
Human Potential
Margaret Mead
Eric Erickson

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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Artwork for Hidden Brain

Latest Episodes

Disgust is a strong emotion, one designed by evolution to protect us from danger and diseases. But disgust also spills into other areas of our lives, influencing our morals, our intuitions about right and wrong, even our politics. We talk with psycho... more

Charismatic leaders can inspire devotion and give people a powerful sense of meaning. They can also make us vulnerable. This week, we explore how figures across history have gained followers by offering clarity in moments of uncertainty — and why tha... more

What does it do to a person to feel overlooked? This week, psychologist Gordon Flett examines how the absence of “mattering” can fuel loneliness, depression, and even violence. He outlines how feeling valued serves as a psychological buffer, and how ... more

From the time we're schoolchildren, we're ranked and sorted based on how smart we are. But what if our assumptions about intelligence limit our potential? This week, we revisit a favorite 2022 conversation with cognitive scientist Scott Barry Kaufman... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Molly Worthen
Historian at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Episode: The Secret of Charisma
Gordon Flett
A psychologist at York University in Canada who studies the importance of feeling valued and significant
York University
Episode: Do You Feel Invisible?
Scott Barry Kaufman
Psychologist specializing in intelligence and creativity, author of multiple books including 'Ungifted' and 'Transcend.'
Episode: Why You're Smarter Than You Think
Leslie John
Psychologist at Harvard Business School, studies self-concealment and self-disclosure.
Harvard University
Episode: Keeping Secrets
Sarah Schnitker
Psychologist studying the science of patience at Baylor University
Baylor University
Episode: You 2.0: The Practice of Patience
Adam Alter
Psychologist at New York University, author of Anatomy of a Breakthrough
New York University
Episode: You 2.0: How to Get Out of a Rut
Ranjay Gulati
A behavioral scientist at Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School
Episode: You 2.0: Cultivating Courage
Anna Lembke
A psychiatrist and researcher in behavioral sciences at Stanford University and author of Dopamine Nation, Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence.
Stanford University
Episode: The Paradox of Pleasure
Coltan Scrivner
A researcher at Arizona State University and Aarhus University in Denmark, studying why we consume stories and their effects on our minds
Episode: Murder Mystery

Host

Shankar Vedantam
Host of the podcast, a seasoned science journalist with a focus on human behavior and psychology.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 60.3k ratings
  • Why are the ads so loud

    Love the stories and guests, but what’s up with the volume of the ads?

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Wcijlar
    United States24 days ago
  • interesting..for yuppies

    Used to listen many years ago and loved it. Tried returning recently and.. they still have good topic selections but the discussions feel like linkdin posts and it’s insufferable.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Faggoet
    United Statesa month ago
  • Amazing

    Thank you for all the work you and your team do, shows like this are why podcasts exist

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AMarBlacOrchid
    Canadaa month ago
  • My favorite podcast

    It will be yours too.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    pumpkin320
    United Statesa month ago
  • Never quite satiates

    I’ve given this podcast countless chances over months. Is it well researched? Yes. Interesting subject matter? Yes. Engaging host? Yes. Yet, it never quite feels robust and satiating. It always leaves me feeling like something is missing or that somehow it’s forced. I tried but with all due respect, something is lacking and I can’t quite put my finger on it. I’m afraid I can’t suffer through another episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    mymymydelila
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

There is feedback regarding the podcast's pacing, with some suggesting that discussions can be lengthy before reaching core points.
Listeners appreciate the engaging storytelling and insightful interviews with experts on nuanced psychological concepts.
Several reviews highlight the podcast's ability to make complex subjects relatable and accessible to everyday listeners.
Many find the content deeply thought-provoking, often prompting reflections on personal experiences and relationships.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Secret of Charisma
Q: Molly, what is the history of the term charisma and how did it become secularized?
Weber popularized charisma by describing a type of authority based on the leader's personal qualities rather than institutions or tradition, which allowed charisma to be applied across religion and politics as a form of disruptive leadership.
Do You Feel Invisible?
Q: What happens when we feel we don't matter?
It leads to powerful effects such as social anxiety, depression, and aggression.
You 2.0: The Practice of Patience
Q: How can you tell the difference between growing roots underground and when you're simply watering and nurturing a dead plot of land?
It involves assessing if your actions are yielding unseen results or if you are merely holding onto a lost cause.
You 2.0: Trusting Your Doubt
Q: Can you talk about what happens when we do this, Bobby?
Intuitions are incredibly important to our decision making. When situations are familiar, intuition works well, but in novel circumstances, it can lead us astray, showing the importance of educating our intuition.
You 2.0: Trusting Your Doubt
Q: Bobby, your story of your mistake during the hike illustrates a common quirk of the mind, which is that we hate to sit with uncertainty. Talk about why this might be the case.
When we're in school, we learn that being smart means getting the right answer. Certainty makes us feel really great, but there are also serious downsides to certainty. It can make us really overconfident and get us to ignore competing perspectives, ultimately underestimating risks.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Hidden Brain

What is Hidden Brain about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast offers listeners an insightful exploration into the complexities of human behavior, psychology, and relationships. Each episode engages with professionals from various fields, covering topics such as self-disclosure, the nature of intelligence, and the psychological implications of seeking recognition. With a focus on the nuances of emotion and social connection, it aims to illuminate why we feel certain ways and how we can enhance our understanding of ourselves and others. Unique for its blend of rigorous academic research with relatable narratives, the podcast encourages listeners to reflect on their own experiences and behaviors, fostering personal growth and emotional intelligence.

Listeners can expect a mix of deep dives ... more

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How many listeners does Hidden Brain get?

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What are the audience demographics for Hidden Brain?

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How many subscribers and views does Hidden Brain have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Hidden Brain has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Hidden Brain?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Hidden Brain:

1. This American Life
2. Radiolab
3. TED Radio Hour
4. Freakonomics Radio
5. Fresh Air

How many episodes of Hidden Brain are there?

Hidden Brain launched 11 years ago and published 671 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Hidden Brain?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Hidden Brain?

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What guests have appeared on Hidden Brain?

Recent guests on Hidden Brain include:

1. Molly Worthen
2. Gordon Flett
3. Scott Barry Kaufman
4. Leslie John
5. Sarah Schnitker
6. Adam Alter
7. Ranjay Gulati
8. Anna Lembke

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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