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Podcast Episode · Hidden Brain · 09/22/2025 · 53m

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Hidden Brain @hiddenbrain.bsky.social · 12d

Very few of us wake up genuinely excited to go to the office. And maybe that’s okay. Researcher Jennifer Tosti-Kharas says there are many ways of making meaning – and even finding a calling – in the work we do. apple.co/4pNjsQM

Passion vs. Paycheck

Tanya Eby's Story - Hidden Brain Media

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Hidden Brain @hiddenbrain.bsky.social · 13d

This week on My Unsung Hero: In the sixth grade, Tanya Eby's world was unraveling. One day, overcome with grief, she cried in class — and her teacher, Mrs. Welch, wrapped Tanya in a hug. www.hiddenbrain.org/unsunghero/t...

When she was in the sixth grade, Tanya's world was unraveling. One day, overcome with grief, she cried in class — and her teacher, Mrs. Welch, wrapped Tanya in a hug.

www.hiddenbrain.org

Hidden Brain @hiddenbrain.bsky.social · 14d

What do you want to be when you grow up?

From a young age, many of us absorb the idea that we all have one true calling. A purpose that revolves around what we do for a living. Researcher Jennifer Tosti-Kharas offers another way to think about it.

open.spotify.com/episode/5m0Q...

Passion vs. Paycheck

open.spotify.com

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Hidden Brain @hiddenbrain.bsky.social · 20d

The Hidden Brain tour continues! Our next stop will be in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, October 11th! Join us for captivating stories, deep conversations, and key insights from Hidden Brain’s first decade — all hosted by Shankar Vedantam.

www.etix.com/ticket/p/839...

It's Not My Fault! - Hidden Brain Media

Hidden Brain @hiddenbrain.bsky.social · 22d

Ever noticed how people instinctively defend themselves when receiving feedback? Maybe you’ve caught yourself doing it, too. This week, we continue our conversation with neuroscientist Emily Falk to explore why we tend to push back against suggestions.
www.hiddenbrain.org/podcast/its-...

It's not easy for most of us to receive negative feedback. We'll explore what causes so many of us to resist constructive criticism, and how we can get better at giving and receiving such feedback.

www.hiddenbrain.org

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Hidden Brain @hiddenbrain.bsky.social · 26d

The Hidden Brain tour continues! Our next stop will be in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, October 11th. Join us for captivating stories, deep conversations, and key insights from Hidden Brain’s first decade — all hosted by Shankar Vedantam.

www.etix.com/ticket/p/839...

www.etix.com

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Hidden Brain @hiddenbrain.bsky.social · 27d

This week on My Unsung Hero: When Juli Cobb’s car ran out of gas in the middle of the road, three men from a nearby homeless encampment rushed over to push her car to safety. hiddenbrain.org/unsunghero/j...

Juli Cobb's Story - Hidden Brain Media

When Juli's car ran out of gas in the middle of the road, three men from a nearby homeless encampment rushed over to push her car to safety.

Winning the Battle Against Yourself

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Hidden Brain @hiddenbrain.bsky.social · 28d

You want to get up earlier. You really do. It would make your morning so much smoother. But that alarm goes off and, against all reason, you do it — you hit the snooze button.

This week, why our minds conspire against our best interests, and how we can regain some control.

apple.co/3IaGL62

Podcast Episode · Hidden Brain · 09/08/2025 · 53m

Podcast Episode · Hidden Brain · 09/01/2025 · 1h 38m

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Hidden Brain @hiddenbrain.bsky.social · Sep 3

We’re surrounded by images of perfection: in movies, on billboards, and (ugh) on social media. This week: the consequences of chasing perfection, and how to be content without it. apple.co/4m1377Q

Escaping Perfectionism

Escaping Perfectionism - Hidden Brain Media

Hidden Brain @hiddenbrain.bsky.social · Sep 2

It’s easy to assume that our push to be perfect is what leads to success. This week, we revisit an episode with Thomas Curran, who says perfectionism has a dark side. Then, Allison Pugh returns to the show to respond to questions about connective labor. hiddenbrain.org/podcast/esca...

Perfectionism is everyone’s favorite flaw. It’s easy to assume that our push to be perfect is what leads to academic, athletic and professional success. But psychologist Thomas Curran says perfectioni...

Hidden Brain on Tour! - Hidden Brain Media

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Hidden Brain @hiddenbrain.bsky.social · Sep 1

There’s still time to see Hidden Brain live! Join Shankar at one of the upcoming stops on our live tour. He’ll be sharing key insights from Hidden Brain’s first decade. More info and tickets at hiddenbrain.org/tour/

Are there parts of our minds that are hidden from us? This question launched the Hidden Brain podcast ten years ago. Since then, the program has helped millions of listeners accomplish their goals, im...

Patrick Furlong's Story - Hidden Brain Media

Hidden Brain @hiddenbrain.bsky.social · Aug 28

This week on My Unsung Hero: After his dad left, Patrick Furlong’s guidance counselor taught him to tie a tie — and showed him he wasn’t alone. Years later, he passed that lesson on to his own son. hiddenbrain.org/unsunghero/p...

After his dad left, Patrick’s guidance counselor taught him to tie a tie — and showed him he wasn’t alone. Years later, he passed that lesson on to his own son.

Podcast Episode · Hidden Brain · 08/25/2025 · 50m

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Hidden Brain @hiddenbrain.bsky.social · Aug 27

We all have ideas about how people are supposed to react when tragedy strikes.

But psychologist George Bonanno has found that there's a gap between how we *think* people respond to tragedy and how they actually respond. This week, we look at the surprising science of resilience:

apple.co/4fWnfXa

The Trauma Script

The Best Years of Your Life

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Hidden Brain @hiddenbrain.bsky.social · Aug 12

In the 1980s, the scientific consensus on growing old was grim. But more recent research shows, increasingly, that older people are happier than younger people. Why is that? In this week’s episode, we talk to psychologist Laura Carstensen on the upsides to getting older. apple.co/4mIvPv7

Podcast Episode · Hidden Brain · 08/11/2025 · 1h 20m

Hidden Brain | Toronto 2025 | Official - Buy Tickets

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Hidden Brain @hiddenbrain.bsky.social · Aug 6

The Hidden Brain tour continues! Our next stop will be in Mesa, Arizona on August 23rd! Join us for captivating stories, deep conversations, and key insights from Hidden Brain’s first decade—all hosted by Shankar Vedantam. bit.ly/47cwikw

Performing Live Tickets

Links 2024

bit.ly

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Hidden Brain @hiddenbrain.bsky.social · Aug 5

It's almost time for our live show in Toronto on Wednesday, August 6th! Shankar will take a look back at seven key insights from Hidden Brain’s first ten years. Get your tickets now:

admitone.com/events/hidde...

Hidden Brain: "The Brainstormer" Experience Includes:- One (1) Premium Reserved Ticket- One (1) Pre-Event "Behind the Mic" Q&A Experience with Shankar- One (1) Individual Meet ...

admitone.com

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Hidden Brain @hiddenbrain.bsky.social · Jul 22

“Come on, who wants to live a life like a Stoic? I mean, aren't these the kind of people that go around with a stiff upper lip and suppressing emotions?”

We continue our You 2.0 series with a look at Stoicism and how it can help us reframe life’s challenges.

hiddenbrain.org/podcast/you-...

You 2.0: The Wisdom of Stoicism - Hidden Brain Media

What does it mean to be stoic? Many of us assume it means you have a stiff upper lip, or that you suppress your emotions. That’s what Massimo Pigliucci thought — until he started to peruse a book call...

You 2.0: The Path to Contentment - Hidden Brain Media

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Hidden Brain @hiddenbrain.bsky.social · Jul 16

“The more we strive toward the goal of happiness, the more we undermine our ability to actually get there.”

This week, we continue our You 2.0 series with a favorite episode about the paradox of happiness.

hiddenbrain.org/podcast/happ...

This week, we revisit a conversation with psychologist Iris Mauss, who explains why happiness can seem more elusive the harder we chase it. Then, we bring you the latest edition of our segment "Your Q...

You 2.0: The Passion Pill - Hidden Brain Media

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Hidden Brain @hiddenbrain.bsky.social · Jul 8

Follow your passion. March to your own drummer. Land your dream job.

We hear this kind of advice all the time. But what happens when the dream job doesn't bring us the satisfaction we imagine? This week, how to keep our passions alive.

hiddenbrain.org/podcast/you-...

Behavioral scientist Jon Jachimowicz looks at how to keep our passions alive, and how to channel old passions into new pursuits.

Karen de Boer's Story - Hidden Brain Media

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Hidden Brain @hiddenbrain.bsky.social · Jul 1

It’s been said that “he who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.”

This week, we explore this idea in the kickoff episode to our annual You 2.0 series. We look at the science of purpose — how and why it impacts our lives in so many different ways. open.spotify.com/episode/335N...

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Hidden Brain @hiddenbrain.bsky.social · Jun 27

This week on My Unsung Hero: As a college freshman, Karen de Boer was sometimes inconsiderate to her hallmate, Pam. So when Karen missed the bus to her choir performance, she was surprised — and moved — when Pam came to her rescue. hiddenbrain.org/unsunghero/k...

As a college freshman, Karen was sometimes inconsiderate to her hallmate, Pam. So when Karen missed the bus to her choir performance, an hour away, she was surprised — and moved — when Pam came to her...

Win Hearts, Then Minds + Your Questions Answered on Identity and

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Hidden Brain @hiddenbrain.bsky.social · Jun 26

We live in a world that feels more divided than ever. This week, we revisit an episode with sociologist Robb Willer and discuss how to bridge even the greatest divides. apple.co/44iuOlJ

Podcast Episode · Hidden Brain · 06/23/2025 · 1h 26m