Hidden Brain

When It's Okay to Lie

<p>Should you tell a harsh truth if it will only cause pain? Or is it sometimes kinder to keep someone in the dark? Psychologist <a href="https://www.chicagobooth.edu/faculty/directory/l/emma-levine" rel="noopener noreferrer">Emma Levine</a> explores …

Mar 30, 2026 · 51m

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Group Think

<p>How do the groups you identify with shape your sense of self? Do they influence the beer you buy? The way you vote? In this favorite episode from 2021, psychologist …

Mar 23, 2026 · 1h 27m

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Rethinking Depression

<p>We tend to see depression as an illness to eliminate, evidence that something has gone wrong in the brain. But what if low mood serves a purpose? Psychologist Jonathan Rottenberg …

Mar 16, 2026 · 53m

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Yuck! The Science of Disgust

<p>Disgust is a strong emotion, one designed by evolution to protect us from danger and diseases. But disgust also spills into other areas of our lives, influencing our morals, our …

Mar 09, 2026 · 1h 37m

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The Secret of Charisma

<p>Charismatic leaders can inspire devotion and give people a powerful sense of meaning. They can also make us vulnerable. This week, we explore how figures across history have gained followers …

Mar 02, 2026 · 1h 34m

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Do You Feel Invisible?

<p>What does it do to a person to feel overlooked? This week, psychologist <a href="https://www.yorku.ca/lamarsh/gord-flett/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Gordon Flett</a> examines how the absence of “mattering” can fuel loneliness, depression, and even …

Feb 23, 2026 · 1h 27m

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Why You're Smarter Than You Think

<p>From the time we're schoolchildren, we're ranked and sorted based on how smart we are. But what if our assumptions about intelligence limit our potential? This week, we revisit a …

Feb 16, 2026 · 1h 34m

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Coming Clean

<p>Last week, we talked with psychologist <a href="https://www.lesliekjohn.com/">Leslie John</a> about the costs of keeping secrets. Today, Leslie returns with a look at the psychological power of self-disclosure. She says the …

Feb 09, 2026 · 1h 37m

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Keeping Secrets

<p>We all carry secrets, from harmless omissions to life-changing truths. But secrecy isn’t neutral: hiding takes mental work and can harm our health and relationships. In this week’s show, and …

Feb 02, 2026 · 50m

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You 2.0: Trusting Your Doubt

<p>We conclude our month-long You 2.0 series with a look at the hidden power of doubt — not as weakness or indecision, but as a tool that helps us make …

Jan 26, 2026 · 1h 37m

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You 2.0: The Practice of Patience

<p>Patience can sometimes feel like a lost art, particularly in a culture that prizes competition and the idea of "failing fast." But psychologist <a href="https://psychologyneuroscience.artsandsciences.baylor.edu/person/sarah-schnitker-phd">Sarah Schnitker</a> says patience is a …

Jan 19, 2026 · 1h 40m

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You 2.0: How to Get Out of a Rut

<p>There are times in life when the challenges we face feel insurmountable. Authors succumb to writer’s block. Athletes and artists hit a plateau. People of a certain age fall into …

Jan 12, 2026 · 1h 38m

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You 2.0: Cultivating Courage

<p>Why do some people act bravely in a crisis, while others flee or freeze up? Today, we bring you the second part of our You 2.0 series on the mental …

Jan 05, 2026 · 51m

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You 2.0: Stop Spiraling!

<p>The start of a new year is a natural moment to set goals for ourselves. But doing so can also be a little daunting. Today, we kick off a series …

Dec 29, 2025 · 1h 33m

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The Reset Button

<p> Many of us rush through our days, weeks, and lives, chasing goals and just trying to get everything done. But that can blind us to a very simple source …

Dec 22, 2025 · 1h 36m

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The Path to Enough

<p>This week, we bring you the second part of our 2023 conversation on the perils of too much pleasure. Psychiatrist <a href="https://med.stanford.edu/profiles/anna-lembke">Anna Lembke</a> explains the neuroscience behind compulsive consumption. She …

Dec 15, 2025 · 1h 31m

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The Paradox of Pleasure

<p>All of us think we know what addiction looks like. It’s the compulsive consumption of drugs, alcohol, or nicotine. But psychiatrist <a href="https://med.stanford.edu/profiles/anna-lembke">Anna Lembke</a> argues that our conception of addiction …

Dec 08, 2025 · 51m

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Murder Mystery

<p>Why 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 …

Dec 01, 2025 · 52m

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Parents: Keep Out!

<p>If 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, …

Nov 24, 2025 · 1h 18m

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The Power of Family Stories

<p>There’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 …

Nov 17, 2025 · 1h 37m

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Why Following Your Dreams Isn't Enough

<p>Entrepreneurs typically have no shortage of passion, heart, and vision. But at Stanford University, <a href="https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/hayagreeva-rao" target="_blank">Huggy Rao</a> says there are other elements that may matter more when it comes …

Nov 10, 2025 · 1h 30m

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