Hidden Brain
Hidden Brain, Shankar VedantamWhy 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.
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 709 | Founded | 11 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Social SciencesArtsPerforming ArtsScience | |||
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Latest Episodes
Have you ever had a flash of insight that hit you when you least expected it? How did it change your life? Psychologist Anthony Klotz studies the "jolts" that shake us out of our routines, and how these moments can help us make more intentional decis... more
From childhood, we're taught that honesty is the best policy. Yet in everyday life, we hedge, soften our words, and leave things unsaid. This week, we talk with psychologist Steven Pinker about why indirect speech is such a fundamental part of human ... more
Think about the last time a piece of music stopped you in your tracks, or a novel kept you up late at night. Why do these experiences feel so powerful? Psychobiologist Daisy Fancourt says engagement with the arts can help to regulate our emotions, bu... more
When we look at the people we love, how clearly do we really see them? This week, we talk with psychologist Edward Lemay about how our fears, desires, and insecurities can shape our perceptions of our partners — sometimes creating the very reality we... more
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Reviews
- Be honest about reruns!
I really enjoy this podcast, but I’m so annoyed about realizing 10 minutes in that it’s a rerun and not labeled as such in the notes! Always shows a current published date. I’ve removed it from my feed with regret. Just be honest please so I can come back!
Apple Podcasts4BostonUberDeb
United States11 days ago - Way too many ads for subscribers
I absolutely love the show but the subscriber edition has about as many ads as a non subscribed podcast does as standard. In the beginning I thought I’d just loaded the non-a subscriber version, but nope. Way too many, and they’re often loud and obnoxious - way out of sync with the tone and experience of the podcast itself.
Apple Podcasts3mleighcrowe
Australia12 days ago - promoting TikTok is unacceptable
I have listened to and learned from Shankar for many years and have respected and appreciated this show. Until today. TikTok is a scourge and everyone knows it and I refuse to sell our children down the river for $0.25 but it seems this show is willing to.
Apple Podcasts2sjobeckUnited States24 days ago - 😡🤬
Horrible
Too many guests
Apple Podcasts1Pls non k g
Canada25 days ago - A favorite pod cast but do not agree with this show
The pod cost on emotional intelligence was disappointing bc what you are labeling is more of a personality issue and truly has very little to do with intelligence. The world has witnessed the socially skilled get into positions of power and authority with very low IQ’s whom were definitely not qualified for the position, but yet, due to their charisma and charm, they are able to win people over and get into very powerful positions. So perhaps we re-name the test and call it what it is… ‘the how ... more
Apple Podcasts5ShankgirlUnited Statesa month ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Spotify | #161 | United States/Top Podcasts |
Spotify | #4 | United States/Science |
Spotify | #139 | United States/Trending |
Apple Podcasts | #120 | United States/Top Podcasts |
Apple Podcasts | #2 | United States/Science |
Apple Podcasts | #2 | United States/Science/Social Sciences |
Talking Points
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Audience Metrics
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hidden Brain
What is Hidden Brain about and what kind of topics does it cover?
This show explores how the mind works, blending psychology, neuroscience, and real-life storytelling to explain motivation, behavior, and relationships. Across episodes, topics span meaning-making through narrative frameworks, the biology and psychology of pain, how we form mental maps, spirituality's role in well-being, creativity, empathy, and self-knowledge. Guests are often researchers or practitioners who translate complex science into practical guidance for everyday life, leadership, education, and personal growth. The format tends to combine rigorous ideas with human-centered storytelling, making abstract concepts tangible and applicable for curious listeners who want to understand themselves and others better.
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?
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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. TED Radio Hour
2. This American Life
3. Radiolab
4. Freakonomics Radio
5. Fresh Air
How many episodes of Hidden Brain are there?
Hidden Brain launched 11 years ago and published 709 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.
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What guests have appeared on Hidden Brain?
Recent guests on Hidden Brain include:
1. Steven Pinker
2. Daisy Fancourt
3. Edward LeMay
4. Sonja Lyubomirsky
5. Peter Salovey
6. Ben Rogers
7. Rachel Zoffness
8. Norman Farb
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.