Hidden Brain
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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Recent Episodes
The Paradox of Pleasure
Dec 08, 2025All of us think we know what addiction looks like. It’s the compulsive consumption of drugs, alcohol, or nicotine. But psychiatrist Anna Lembke argues that our conception of addiction is far too narro...
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In this Hidden Brain episode, Stanford psychiatrist Anna Lemke explores how addiction extends far beyond illegal drugs to encompass everyday behaviors in our modern world. Through patient stories and her own experience with romance novels, she reveals how our ancient brain chemistry—designed for scarcity—struggles in today's world of abundance, leading to widespread depression, anxiety, and compulsive overconsumption.
- The Surprising Face of Addiction in Silicon Valley
- Anna's Personal Addiction to Romance Novels
Murder Mystery
Dec 01, 2025Why 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 s...
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Hidden Brain explores the paradox of why humans are drawn to horror, violence, and disturbing content despite claiming to value kindness and goodness. Psychologist Colton Scrivner explains how our fascination with scary stories stems from evolutionary 'morbid curiosity'—an adaptive trait that helps us learn about threats safely. Research reveals that horror fans are actually more empathetic and psychologically resilient, contradicting common stereotypes about people who consume dark media.
- The Paradox of Horror Consumption
- Childhood Memories and Violence in Entertainment
Parents: Keep Out!
Nov 24, 2025If you’re a parent or a teacher, you’ve probably wondered how to balance play and safety for the kids in your care. You don’t want to put children in danger, but you also don’t want to rob them of the...
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Boston College psychologist Peter Gray examines how excessive adult supervision has transformed childhood, arguing that children's declining mental health correlates with reduced opportunities for independent, unstructured play. Drawing on anthropological research and real-world examples, Gray demonstrates that children naturally learn essential life skills through self-directed play and exploration, challenging the modern parenting paradigm that equates constant supervision with good care.
- The Fiction vs. Reality of Children Without Adults
- How Adults Are Taking Over Children's Play
The Power of Family Stories
Nov 17, 2025There’s a tradition around many Thanksgiving dinner tables that’s as consistent as pumpkin pie: the family stories that get told year after year. Sometimes these stories are funny; sometimes they make...
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This episode explores the profound impact of family stories on psychological well-being and identity formation. Psychologist Robin Fyvush shares her research on how the stories families tell—and the collaborative way they tell them—can shape children's resilience, self-esteem, and ability to navigate life's challenges. The episode then shifts to philosopher Massimo Pigliucci discussing Stoic philosophy and its modern applications, including how to handle emotions, relationships, and global crises.
- The Power of Family Stories and Personal Memory
- Research on Family Storytelling Patterns
Why Following Your Dreams Isn't Enough
Nov 10, 2025Entrepreneurs 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...
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This Hidden Brain episode explores why great ideas often fail, examining the concept of 'poetry before plumbing' - how our focus on vision and passion can overshadow the essential operational details needed for success. Stanford professor Huggy Rao discusses failed ventures like the Fyre Festival and North Korea's Hotel of Doom, then provides strategies for balancing inspiration with execution. The episode concludes with sociologist Rob Willer addressing listener questions about bridging political divides and engaging constructively across disagreements.
- The Fyre Festival Disaster: Vision Without Execution
- North Korea's Hotel of Doom: The Edifice Complex
How Nature Heals Us
Nov 03, 2025We'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 suc...
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Psychologist Mark Berman from the University of Chicago explores how spending time in nature profoundly affects our mental clarity, attention span, and emotional well-being. The episode examines scientific evidence showing that nature exposure can improve cognitive function, reduce stress, and even help with conditions like depression, ADHD, and PTSD—often working independently of whether we consciously enjoy the experience. Berman discusses how we can harness these benefits both outdoors and by 'naturizing' our indoor spaces with plants, curved architecture, and natural sounds.
- Jackson Pollock's Transformation Through Nature
- Surf Therapy for Military Veterans