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Innovation
Entrepreneurship
Creativity
Human Behavior
Failures In Business
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Psychology
Down Syndrome
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Business Strategy
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Beauty Bias
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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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes674Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Social SciencesArtsPerforming ArtsScience

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Artwork for Hidden Brain

Latest Episodes

Should you tell a harsh truth if it will only cause pain? Or is it sometimes kinder to keep someone in the dark? Psychologist Emma Levine explores the unwritten rules that guide when people feel it’s acceptable to lie — and what those choices reveal ... more

How do the groups you identify with shape your sense of self? Do they influence the beer you buy? The way you vote? In this favorite episode from 2021, psychologist Jay Van Bavel explains how our group loyalties affect us more than we realize, and ca... more

We tend to see depression as an illness to eliminate, evidence that something has gone wrong in the brain. But what if low mood serves a purpose? Psychologist Jonathan Rottenberg examines the evolutionary roots of depression and reflects on his own p... more

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

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

Jay Van Bavel
Psychologist
New York University
Episode: Group Think
John Rottenberg
Psychologist at Cornell University, author of The Depths
Cornell University
Episode: Rethinking Depression
David Pizarro
Psychologist at Cornell University researching disgust and ethics
Cornell University
Episode: Yuck! The Science of Disgust
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 and researcher at Harvard University
Harvard University
Episode: Coming Clean
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

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 60.4k ratings
  • I’m grateful for a break from the news.

    HB always gives me something new to think about. I love Shankar’s voice and storytelling style.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mahatma Yentl
    United States12 days ago
  • 加油继续更我爱

    虽然我是小学生听不大懂,但是就是很好听,一天一集,练听力,准备打算考PET,没事听多了就听得懂了。(所有人听都很合适,超级推荐啊)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    白羊.齐咩咩.极道者
    China17 days ago
  • Cancelled cause of music

    Save me the dramatic pauses and sad elevator music. I find the tone to be a bit patronising.. I just couldn’t stand it. Too bad.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    csue.ben
    Australia17 days ago
  • Great

    Overall, the show is great ! I learned a lot from it and most of the guest are very sincere.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    julie618
    China25 days ago
  • Great content; too long

    Hidden Brain used to be one of my very favorite podcasts, with Shankar Vedantam’s excellent questions guiding guests through intricate story-telling paths to reveal great truths.

    Unfortunately recently each episode seems to now be two, unrelated episodes smashed into one, making each one ridiculously long, and disjointed. Yes, it’s clear that the second half is a returning guest from a previous episode, but the fact that it’s attached to another, completely different episode is just confusing... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    StacyBS
    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 subscribers and views does Hidden Brain have?

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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 674 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?

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What guests have appeared on Hidden Brain?

Recent guests on Hidden Brain include:

1. Jay Van Bavel
2. John Rottenberg
3. David Pizarro
4. Molly Worthen
5. Gordon Flett
6. Scott Barry Kaufman
7. Leslie John
8. Sarah Schnitker

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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