Beyond Doomscrolling
Hidden Brain
Our Brands, Our Selves
All of us are surrounded by brands. Designer brands. Bargain-shopper brands. Brands for seemingly every demographic slice among us. But have...
The Secret Life of Secrets
It’s human nature to hide parts of ourselves that produce shame or anxiety. We tend to skip over details that could change how others...
The Double Standard
It's easy to spot bias in other people, especially those with whom we disagree. But it’s not so easy to recognize our own biases. ...
A Creature of Habit
At the beginning of the year, many of us make resolutions for the months to come. We resolve to work out more, to procrastinate less, or to...
Waiting Games
For so many people across the globe, 2020 has been a year of waiting and uncertainty. Waiting to see friends and family in far-flung...
Minimizing Pain, Maximizing Joy
Life is filled with hardships and tragedies — a fact that 2020 has made all too clear for people across the globe. For thousands of years,...
Screaming into a Void
Turn on the news or look at Twitter, and it's likely you'll be bombarded by outrage. Many people have come to believe that the only way to...
A Conspiracy of Silence
We all self-censor at times. We keep quiet at dinner with our in-laws, or nod passively in a work meeting. But what happens when we take...
Where Gratitude Gets You
Many of us struggle with self-control. And we assume willpower is the key to achieving our goals. But there's a simple and often...
When You Start to Miss Tony from Accounting
If you're one of the 40 percent of Americans now working from home, you might be reveling in your daily commute to the dining room table. Or...
Between Two Worlds
Determination, hard work and sacrifice are core ingredients in the story of the American dream. But philosopher Jennifer Morton argues there...
From Pedestals to Guillotines
As election season comes to a close, we explore our contradictory relationship with winners and losers. We tend to idolize the powerful, but...
Not at the Dinner Table
We typically divide the country into two distinct groups: Democrats and Republicans. But what if the real political divide in our country...
Moral Combat
Most of us have a clear sense of right and wrong. But what happens when we view politics through a moral lens? This week, we talk with...
There’s no question that 2020 has been a tough year. We're grappling with a global pandemic. A deep recession. Fresh reminders of racial...
The Logic of Rage
Neuroscientist Doug Fields was on a trip to Europe when a pickpocket stole his wallet. Doug, normally mild-mannered, became enraged — and...
An Update from Shankar
It’s been five years since we launched this podcast. Today, we want to take a moment to thank the many people who’ve helped us over the...
Laughter: The Best Medicine
If you listen closely to giggles, guffaws, and polite chuckles, you can discern a huge amount of information about people and their...
The Halo Effect
Judy, Lyn and Donna Ulrich were driving to a volleyball game when their Ford Pinto was hit from behind by a Chevy van. The Pinto caught...
Why Nobody Feels Rich
If you've ever flown in economy class on a plane, you probably had to walk through the first class cabin to get to your seat. Maybe you...
The Fee-for-Service Monster
The United States spends trillions of dollars on healthcare every year, but our outcomes are worse than those of other countries that spend...
You 2.0: Empathy Gym
Some people are good at putting themselves in another person's shoes. Others may struggle to relate. But psychologist Jamil Zaki argues that...
You 2.0: WOOP, WOOP!
American culture is all about positive affirmations. Dream big! Shoot for the stars! But do positive fantasies actually help us achieve our...
You 2.0: Loss And Renewal
Maya Shankar was well on her way to a career as a violinist when an injury closed that door. This week, as part of our annual You 2.0 series...
You 2.0: The Mind's Eye
Some challenges feel insurmountable. But psychologist Emily Balcetis says the solutions are often right in front of our eyes. This week, as...
Our Brands, Our Selves
Hidden Brain
The Secret Life of Secrets
Hidden Brain
The Double Standard
Hidden Brain
