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Artwork for Hidden Brain
Psychology
Mental Health
Creativity
Innovation
Interpersonal Relationships
Memory
Social Media
Entrepreneurship
Resilience
Grief
Relationships
Human Behavior
Depression
Behavioral Science
Social Connections
Anxiety
Goal Setting
Covid-19 Pandemic
Connective Labor
Disconnection

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes679Founded11 years ago
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Social SciencesSciencePerforming ArtsArts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Hidden Brain

Latest Episodes

What’s the difference between being loved and feeling loved? Psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky joins us to discuss the distinction, and how we can create a stronger feeling of closeness in our relationships. Then, in our latest installment of Your Quest... more

Does power truly flow from the barrel of a gun? Pop culture and conventional history often teach us that violence is the most effective way to produce change. But is that common assumption actually true? Political scientist Erica Chenoweth, who has s... more

We like to think that good financial decisions come down to discipline and basic math. But the psychology of money turns out to be deeply complicated. Researcher John Dinsmore explains the hidden mental biases that shape how we think about spending, ... more

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

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.

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Recent Guests

Erica Chenoweth
Political scientist, Harvard University
Harvard University
Episode: How to Change the World
John Dinsmore
Professor studying financial decision making at Wright State University
Wright State University
Episode: The Debt Trap
Emma Levine
Psychologist, University of Chicago Booth School of Business
University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Episode: When It's Okay to Lie
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
Huggy Rao
Professor at Stanford, discusses organizational dynamics
Stanford 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?

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 60.6k 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 Statesa month 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
    Chinaa month 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
    Australiaa month 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
    Chinaa month 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 States2 months 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.

How to Change the World
Q: What is the key empirical finding about the relative effectiveness of nonviolent movements vs. violent movements?
Nonviolent campaigns were found to be twice as likely to succeed as violent campaigns, and their success rate increased over time, though violence was not uniformly ineffective; about half of the cases studied succeeded and about a quarter of armed campaigns did.
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.

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 679 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.

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What guests have appeared on Hidden Brain?

Recent guests on Hidden Brain include:

1. Erica Chenoweth
2. John Dinsmore
3. Emma Levine
4. Jay Van Bavel
5. John Rottenberg
6. David Pizarro
7. Huggy Rao
8. Molly Worthen

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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