Rephonic
Artwork for Hidden Brain
Creativity
Entrepreneurship
Innovation
Failures In Business
Coping With Challenges
Human Behavior
Down Syndrome
Business Strategy
Goal Setting
Psychology
Listening
Titanic
Cultural Anthropology
Workplace Interactions
Beauty Bias
Communication
Beauty
Human Potential
Disability Rights
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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes652Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Social SciencesSciencePerforming ArtsArts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Hidden Brain

Latest Episodes

Why are so many of us drawn to horror, gore, and true crime? Why do we crane our necks to see the scene of a crash on the highway? Psychologist Coltan Scrivner says that our natural morbid curiosity serves a purpose. We talk with Coltan about our fas... more

Entrepreneurs typically have no shortage of passion, heart, and vision. But at Stanford University, Huggy Rao says there are other elements that may matter more when it comes to whether their projects succeed or fail. This week, we'll examine how thi... more

We've known intuitively for centuries that spending time in nature can give us a boost. But it’s only recently that scientists have begun to identify exactly what it is about the outdoors that has such a powerful effect on our mood and our minds. Thi... more

It can be frustrating when people do things we don't want them to do. A friend cancels plans at the last minute. A child refuses to get dressed for school. Before long, our resentment builds, and we're tempted to issue more rules, reminders, and cons... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Radiolab
RadiolabWNYC Studios
This American Life
This American LifeThis American Life
Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics RadioFreakonomics Radio + Stitcher

Recent Guests

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
Huggy Rao
Professor at Stanford University specializing in entrepreneurship and innovation.
Stanford University
Episode: Why Following Your Dreams Isn't Enough
Marc Berman
Psychologist and author of Nature and the Mind
University of Chicago
Episode: How Nature Heals Us
James Cordova
Psychologist at Clark University and author of The Mindful Path to Intimacy, Cultivating a Deeper Connection with Your Partner
Clark University
Episode: Love 2.0: How to Fix Your Marriage, Part 2
Jennifer Tosti-Kharas
An academic studying the nature and meaning of work.
Babson College
Episode: Passion vs. Paycheck
Emily Falk
Psychologist and neuroscientist at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
Episode: Winning the Battle Against Yourself
Thomas Curran
Psychologist at the London School of Economics and author of The Perfection Trap, Embracing the Power of Good Enough
London School of Economics
Episode: Escaping Perfectionism
Mary Helen Immordino-Yang
Psychologist and neuroscientist at the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
Episode: How Our Brains Learn
Abigail Marsh
Psychologist and neuroscientist at Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Episode: Radical Kindness

Host

Shankar Vedantam
Host of Hidden Brain; veteran science journalist who explores the complexities of human behavior and psychology.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 59.8k ratings
  • This podcast helps us understand how we humans work--and often fail to work. More importantly, it helps us to understand how we can function better. Most episodes are aimed at individuals, like you and me. Some, however, seemed aimed more to a corporate culture, focusing on how to get people to perform better. I don't like the latter as much, but I learn a lot from all episodes.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    David Valentine
    5 days ago
  • Good but very slow getting to the point

    I love the content of these episodes but they unfold at a glacial pace. It's like they're breaking things down for 10 year olds. As a reasonably intelligent adult, it just feels to me like it takes FOREVER to get to the substance of the episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    AKA Queen Mab
    United States6 days ago
  • Supremely annoying

    Title says it all… try making a podcast out of that, Shank.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    el garee~
    United States7 days ago
  • Useful

    Something in every episode. I’m always looking at the titles of each episode and thinking? Will this be interesting and what’s amazing is it seems like every episode has something meaningful and useful

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RJM64!
    United States8 days ago
  • Hidden Brain

    I look forward to this show every week. The topics are varied and I get something out of each one. Thank you very much.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Reformed Luddite
    United States19 days ago

Listeners Say

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

Many listeners note that the insights shared have had a significant impact on their personal lives, often helping them to navigate challenges effectively.
The blend of scientific research with personal narratives is frequently praised, with episodes being described as both informative and calming.
There are complaints about the show's commercialization and the frequency of advertisements, which some believe detracts from the overall experience.
Listeners appreciate the engaging content and the depth of insights, often referring to it as 'a must-listen' for those interested in understanding human behavior.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Murder Mystery
Q: Why do people return to horror films after societal traumas?
In the aftermath of scary incidents, such as violent acts or pandemics, people often gravitate towards thrilling stories as a way to process their anxieties and fears.
Murder Mystery
Q: How does morbid curiosity play a role in our entertainment choices?
Morbid curiosity is an interest in potential threats, and it drives people towards violent or dangerous entertainment as a means of understanding and coping with real-world fears.
Love 2.0: How to Fix Your Marriage, Part 1
Q: What are the benefits of shifting to an acceptance-based approach in relationships?
It improves the emotional climate of the relationship and enhances couples' ability to collaborate and communicate effectively.
Love 2.0: How to Fix Your Marriage, Part 1
Q: How can couples effectively address their differences?
Couples should aim to understand each other's perspectives and find compassionate ways to accept their differences rather than trying to make each other change.
Winning the Battle Against Yourself
Q: How can we regain control over our decision making?
By understanding the operation of the value system and framing our choices in ways that align with our long-term goals, we can make this process easier.

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?

The content explored covers the intersection of psychology, behavior change, and personal growth, aiming to provide listeners with insights into their own minds and relationships. Key topics include emotional well-being, decision-making, perfectionism, trauma, altruism, and the search for life's meaning, often featuring expert guests who provide research-based insights into these subjects. The unique aspect of the conversations is the blend of scientific exploration with personal stories, making complex psychological theories accessible and relatable to a broad audience. This approach encourages listeners to engage deeply with the material, reflecting on their own experiences and how they can apply these insights to improve their lives.

Th... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Hidden Brain?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Hidden Brain. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Hidden Brain and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Hidden Brain get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Hidden Brain, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Hidden Brain?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Hidden Brain, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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

How many episodes of Hidden Brain are there?

Hidden Brain launched 10 years ago and published 652 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?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Hidden Brain from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Hidden Brain?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Hidden Brain. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Hidden Brain?

Recent guests on Hidden Brain include:

1. Coltan Scrivner
2. Huggy Rao
3. Marc Berman
4. James Cordova
5. Jennifer Tosti-Kharas
6. Emily Falk
7. Thomas Curran
8. Mary Helen Immordino-Yang

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days