Hidden Brain

How to Be More Creative

<p>It's happened to all of us: We're in the shower, or on a walk, and boom — a big idea or a brilliant solution appears out of nowhere. These sorts of insights often seem to arise without explanation. But researchers increasingly find there is a science to cultivating creativity. This week, social psychologist <a href="https://business.columbia.edu/faculty/people/sheena-iyengar">Sheena Iyengar</a> shares research and case studies of innovation, and discusses what these examples tell us about the alchemy of creative breakthroughs. </p><p><i>Looking for a last-minute holiday gift for a fellow fan of Hidden Brain? Consider giving them a </i><a href="https://patreon.com/hiddenbrain/gift"><i>gift subscription to Hidden Brain+</i></a><i>! </i></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

What Your Online Self Reveals About You

<p>Every day, we leave small traces of ourselves online. And we might not realize what these traces say about us. This week, computational social scientist <a href="https://business.columbia.edu/faculty/people/sandra-matz" target="_blank">Sandra Matz</a> explores how understanding what we <i>actually</i> do online –  not just what we <i>think</i> we do – can help us improve our lives. </p><p><i>Looking for a last-minute holiday gift for a fellow Hidden Brain fan? You can now </i><a href="https://www.patreon.com/hiddenbrain/gift"><i>give a gift subscription</i></a><i> to Hidden Brain+!  </i></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

The Secret to Gift-Giving

<p>With the holidays fast approaching, many of us are hunting for that special something for the special someones in our lives. It’s how we show we care about them. So why is it so hard to find the right gift? This week, we revisit a favorite 2022 conversation with researcher <a href="https://scholars.cmu.edu/2187-jeffrey-galak">Jeff Galak</a>. We'll discuss why the presents we give for holidays and birthdays often miss their mark, and how to become a better gift-giver. </p><p><i>Looking for a holiday gift for a fellow Hidden Brain fan? You can now </i><a href="https://www.patreon.com/hiddenbrain/gift"><i>give a gift subscription to Hidden Brain+</i></a><i>! Or if material gifts are more your style, go to </i><a href="https://www.podswag.com/collections/hidden-brain"><i>shop.hiddenbrain.org</i></a><i> to find Hidden Brain t-shirts, mugs, stickers and more.</i></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

How Monsters are Made

<p>What makes ordinary people do evil things? It was a question that long fascinated the psychologist Philip Zimbardo, who died in October. Zimbardo was best known for the controversial Stanford prison experiment, in which he created a simulated prison in the basement of a university building and recruited volunteers to act as prisoners and guards. This week, we explore how Zimbardo came to create one of psychology's most notorious experiments – and inadvertently became the poster child for the human weaknesses he was trying to study.  </p><p><i>We're bringing Hidden Brain to the stage in San Francisco and Seattle in February 2025! Join our host Shankar Vedantam as he shares seven key insights from his first decade hosting the show. </i><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/tour/"><i>Click here for more info and tickets</i></a><i>. </i></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

The Power of Family Stories

<p>There's a tradition around many Thanksgiving dinner tables that's as consistent as stuffing and pumpkin pie: the family stories that get told year after year. Sometimes these stories are funny; sometimes they make us roll our eyes. No matter how we feel about these tales, we rarely pause to consider how they shape who we are and how we view the world. This week, we talk to psychologist <a href="https://www.robynfivush.com/">Robyn Fivush</a> about the profound impact that family stories can have on our lives.  </p><p><i>If you enjoyed today's conversation, here are more Hidden Brain episodes you might like:</i></p><p><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/healing-2-0-change-your-story-change-your-life/"><i>Healing 2.0: Change Your Story, Change Your Life</i></a><i> </i></p><p><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/the-story-of-your-life/"><i>The Story of Your Life</i></a></p><p><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/rewinding-rewriting/"><i>Rewinding & Rewriting</i></a></p><p><i>Thanks for listening! </i></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

Emotions 2.0: The Logic of Rage

<p>Neuroscientist <a href="https://nacs.umd.edu/facultyprofile/fields/douglas">Doug Fields</a> was on a trip to Europe when a pickpocket stole his wallet. Doug, normally mild-mannered, became enraged — and his fury turned him into a stranger to himself. This week, we revisit a favorite 2020 episode about the secret logic of irrational anger.</p><p><i>This is the final episode in our Emotions 2.0 series. If you missed any of the episodes in the series, you can find them here in this podcast feed, or at </i><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/"><i>hiddenbrain.org</i></a><i>. And if there's someone in your life who you think would enjoy this series, please tell them about it. Thanks for listening! </i></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

Emotions 2.0: What&apos;s Better than Being Happy?

<p>Many of us go to great lengths to be happy. But is our singular focus on feeling good actually making us miserable? This week, psychologist <a href="https://www.esade.edu/faculty/jordi.quoidbach">Jordi Quoidbach</a> explores what happens when we try to live in an emotional monoculture, and makes a case for letting it all in — the ups ... and the downs.</p><p><i>Be sure to check out the other episodes in our Emotions 2.0 series. And for more of our work on the topic of happiness, here are some other episodes you might enjoy: </i></p><p><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/where-happiness-hides/"><i>You 2.0: Where Happiness Hides</i></a></p><p><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/happiness-2-0-the-path-to-contentment/"><i>Happiness 2.0: The Path to Contentment</i></a></p><p><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/happiness-2-0-the-reset-button/"><i>Happiness 2.0: The Reset Button </i></a></p><p> </p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

Emotions 2.0: The Benefits of Mixed Emotions

<p>Sometimes we feel just one single feeling with overwhelming force. We're joyously happy. We're crushingly sad. But sometimes it's more complicated than that: We feel happy <i>and </i>sad at the same time. This week, we revisit a favorite 2022 episode with psychologist <a href="https://business.lehigh.edu/directory/naomi-b-rothman" target="_blank">Naomi Rothman</a>, who shares her research on the mixed emotion of ambivalence. She explores how being of two minds changes the way we think, and how it changes the way others see us. </p><p><i>Did you catch the first two episodes in our Emotions 2.0 series? You can find them in this podcast feed, or on our website, </i><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/"><i>hiddenbrain.org</i></a><i>. Thanks for listening! </i></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

Emotions 2.0: The Feeling that Moves Us Forward

<p>For centuries, philosophers and theologians have warned about the dangers of pride and hubris. It’s an emotion that can make us arrogant, egotistical, and reckless. But psychologist <a href="https://ubc-emotionlab.ca/people/dr-jessica-tracy/">Jessica Tracy</a> suggests this caution is too broad. She argues that when we see pride only as a negative emotion, we miss out on all the powerful ways it can also be a driver of creativity, altruism, and accomplishment. </p><p><i>Did you catch last week's conversation about collective emotions? It's the episode in this feed called "Emotions 2.0: When I Feel What You Feel."  </i></p><p> </p><p><br /> </p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

Emotions 2.0: When I Feel What You Feel

<p>This week, we kick off our new series, Emotions 2.0, with a special double episode about the emotions we experience with other people. We often think that emotions like happiness or sadness live inside our individual minds. But if you’ve ever gone to a music concert in a big stadium or attended a political rally with like-minded voters, you know that emotions can move through crowds in powerful ways. We begin with psychologist <a href="https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/profile.aspx?facId=1194484">Amit Goldenberg</a>, who studies how emotions spread and ratchet up in intensity as more people experience them. Then, we bring you a favorite 2022 conversation with anthropologist <a href="https://anthropology.uconn.edu/person/dimitris-xygalatas/">Dimitris Xygalatas</a>, who takes us inside the world of fire walking to explore the emotional power of rituals. </p><p><i>If you love Hidden Brain, you can help support our work by becoming a member of Hidden Brain+! Your subscription includes bonus episodes you won't hear anywhere else, plus you'll be helping us to continue bringing you ideas and insights for years to come. You can sign up via </i><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-brain/id1028908750?at=1010l3ab3&ct=hiddenbrain_podcasts&itsct=hiddenbrain_podcasts&itscg=30200S&ls=1"><i>Apple Podcasts</i></a><i> or our </i><a href="https://www.patreon.com/c/HiddenBrain"><i>Patreon page</i></a><i>. Thanks for your support! </i></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

How to Win People Over

<p>We humans are a social species, and so it's not surprising that we care a lot about what other people think of us. It's also not surprising that many of us stumble when we try to manage others' views of us. This week, organizational psychologist <a href="https://www.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/faculty/directory/alison-fragale/">Alison Fragale</a> explains why that is, and offers better ways to win friends and influence people. </p><p><i>Enjoy today's episode? Be sure to check out some of these other Hidden Brain conversations: </i></p><p><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/mind-reading-how-others-see-you/"><i>How Others See You</i></a></p><p><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/you-2-0-how-to-see-yourself-clearly/"><i>You 2.0: How to See Yourself Clearly</i></a></p><p><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/the-influence-you-have/"><i>Innovation 2.0: The Influence You Have</i></a><i> </i></p><p> </p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

What&apos;s Hidden in Your Words

<p>I. Me. My. You. He. She. They. It. To. Of. For. These are all words we use without a second thought. But psychologist <a href="https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/psychology/faculty/pennebak">James Pennebaker</a> says if we pay close attention to the patterns in speech and writing, we can understand profound things about others, and even ourselves.</p><p><i>For more on the relationship between language and our minds, check out this classic Hidden Brain episode: https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/watch-your-mouth/</i></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

Sitting With Uncertainty

<p>It can sometimes be exciting when we don't know what's coming next. Other times, the unknown can be deeply troubling. This week, we talk with researcher <a href="https://www.udel.edu/faculty-staff/experts/dannagal-young/">Dannagal Goldthwaite Young</a> about how we respond to uncertainty, and why this psychological trait plays a surprisingly large role in shaping our behavior, perspectives — even our political beliefs. </p><p><i>If you'd like to learn more about the intersection between psychology and our political views, check out these other Hidden Brain episodes: </i></p><p><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/moral-combat/"><i>Moral Combat</i></a></p><p><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/not-at-the-dinner-table/"><i>US 2.0: Not at the Dinner Table</i></a></p><p><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/us-2-0-what-we-have-in-common/"><i>US 2.0: What We Have in Common </i></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

Rewrite Your Money Story

<p>Money worries are one of the biggest sources of anxiety in our lives. Psychologist <a href="https://www.creighton.edu/campus-directory/klontz-bradley">Brad Klontz</a> says these worries are shaped by more than the number in our bank accounts — they’re often driven by our unconscious beliefs. This week, we bring you a favorite 2022 conversation with Klontz, who says it’s possible to identify and change what he calls our “money scripts.”</p><p><i>For more of our work, please consider joining our podcast subscription, Hidden Brain+. It's our home for conversations and ideas you won't hear anywhere else. Plus, you'll be providing vital support for the work that we do. If you listen on Apple Podcasts, you can find us at </i><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-brain/id1028908750?at=1010l3ab3&ct=hiddenbrain_podcasts&itsct=hiddenbrain_podcasts&itscg=30200S&ls=1"><i>apple.co/hiddenbrain</i></a><i>. If you use other podcast platforms or devices, you can sign up at </i><a href="https://www.patreon.com/HiddenBrain"><i>support.hiddenbrain.org</i></a><i>. Thanks for your support! </i></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

You 2.0: Fighting Despair

<p>Every morning, you wake up and face the world. What does it look like to you? Do you see a paradise of endless opportunities, where people are friendly and helpful? Or a world filled with injustice, where people cannot be trusted? In the final installment of this year's You 2.0 series, we talk with psychologist <a href="https://psychology.stanford.edu/people/jamil-zaki" target="_blank">Jamil Zaki</a> about how we become disillusioned and distrustful of the world, and how to balance realism with hope.</p><p>Did you miss any of the other episodes in the You 2.0 series? Make sure to give them a listen here or on our website: </p><ul><li><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/you-2-0-the-gift-of-other-people/" target="_blank">You 2.0: The Gift of Other People</a></li><li><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/taking-control-of-your-time/">You 2.0: Taking Control of Your Time </a></li><li><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/you-2-0-how-to-say-no/">You 2.0: How To Say No</a></li><li><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/remember-more-forget-less/">You 2.0: Remember More, Forget Less</a></li></ul><p>And if you like today's conversation with Jamil Zaki, be sure to check out our earlier conversation with him, "<a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/you-2-0-the-empathy-gym/">The Empathy Gym</a>."<br /> </p><p><br /> </p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

You 2.0: Remember More, Forget Less

<p>It happens to the best of us — we blank on someone's name, or forget an important meeting, or bomb a test we thought we'd ace. In this week's installment of our You 2.0 series, we talk to cognitive scientist <a href="https://psychology.as.virginia.edu/people/daniel-willingham">Daniel Willingham</a> about the mysteries of memory: how it works, why it fails us, and how to build memories that stick. </p><p><i>For more of our You 2.0 series, listen to our episode on </i><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/you-2-0-how-to-say-no/"><i>how to say no</i></a><i>.</i></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

You 2.0: How To Say No

<p>Saying no to someone who asks for something is often easier said than done. Maybe it's a boss who wants you to take on a new assignment. Or your kid's teacher, seeking volunteers for a field trip. Or a friend who asks you to lend her money. How should we respond to these demands on our time, energy, and resources? This week, psychologist <a href="https://www.bauer.uh.edu/vpatrick/">Vanessa Patrick</a> explores why it's so hard to say no, and how we can set boundaries that will make it easier to do so. </p><p><i>If you haven't yet caught the first two episodes in this year's You 2.0 series, you can find them in this podcast feed, or on our website: </i></p><p><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/you-2-0-the-gift-of-other-people/"><i>You 2.0: The Gift of Other People</i></a></p><p><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/taking-control-of-your-time/"><i>You 2.0: Taking Control of Your Time </i></a></p><p><i>Thanks for listening! </i></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

You 2.0: Taking Control of Your Time

<p>Many of us feel like there aren't enough hours in the day. We struggle to make time for all the competing demands at work and at home, and inevitably feel like we're letting someone down. But what if there were a way to reclaim our time and, as a result, get more joy out of our lives?  In the second episode of this year's You 2.0 series, psychologist <a href="https://www.anderson.ucla.edu/faculty-and-research/marketing/faculty/mogilner-holmes">Cassie Mogilner Holmes</a> explains how we've fallen victim to the illusion of time scarcity, and what we can do to spend our time more wisely. </p><p><i>If you enjoy today's episode, check out last week's kick-off to our series, "You 2.0: The Gift of Other People."</i></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

You 2.0: The Gift of Other People

<p>Are you someone who strikes up a conversation with the person next to you on the train? Or do you keep your eyes fixed on your phone? Do you offer gratitude to friends and family? Or do you assume that they already know how you feel? This week, in the kickoff to our annual You 2.0 series, we talk with psychologist <a href="https://www.chicagobooth.edu/faculty/directory/e/nicholas-epley" target="_blank">Nicholas Epley</a> about our interactions with other people, and how we can make them more rewarding.</p><p><i>If you enjoy today's episode, check out these classic Hidden Brain episodes: </i></p><p><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/a-secret-source-of-connection/"><i>A Secret Source of Connection</i></a></p><p><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/mind-reading-how-others-see-you/"><i>How Others See You </i></a></p><p><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/relationships-2-0-an-antidote-to-loneliness/"><i>Relationships 2.0: An Antidote to Loneliness</i></a></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

You&apos;re Not the Boss of Me!

<p>Whether in your personal life or at work, you've probably experienced what it’s like to have people reject your requests. To be told that what you want is unfair, or heavy-handed. And you've likely been in the opposite position as well — pushing back against requests that step on your freedom. This week, we talk to psychologist <a href="https://www.dominican.edu/directory-people/benjamin-d-rosenberg">Benjamin Rosenberg</a> about how we respond to infringements on our sense of autonomy, and how we can avoid sparking this resistance in our interactions with other people. </p><p><i>If you know someone who would like today's episode, please share it with them! And if you enjoy our show, please consider trying a free seven-day trial of our podcast subscription, Hidden Brain+. If you use an iPhone, you can sign up at </i><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-brain/id1028908750?ign-itscg=30200S&ign-itsct=hiddenbrain_podcasts"><i>apple.co/hiddenbrain</i></a><i>. If you use an Android device, you can find Hidden Brain+ at </i><a href="https://www.patreon.com/HiddenBrain"><i>support.hiddenbrain.org</i></a><i>. Thanks for listening! </i></p><p> </p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

The Cure for Self-Importance

<p>When we meet new people, we’re often drawn to those with a commanding presence or a dazzling personality. But it turns out that a very different trait — humility — is important in the long term. This week, in the first of a two-part discussion, we talk with psychologist <a href="https://hope.edu/directory/people/van-tongeren-daryl/index.html">Daryl Van Tongeren</a> about different kinds of humility, and how this overlooked quality can play a powerful role in workplace dynamics and romantic relationships. </p><p><i>If you like today's episode, be sure to check out part two of our conversation, exclusively for Hidden Brain+ listeners. We talk with Daryl Van Tongeren about existential humility — being open to the idea we might be wrong about life's biggest unknowns. It's the episode called "Asking the Big Questions." To listen to Hidden Brain+ with a free seven-day trial, go to </i><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-brain/id1028908750?ign-itscg=30200S&ign-itsct=hiddenbrain_podcasts"><i>apple.co/hiddenbrain</i></a><i> or </i><a href="https://www.patreon.com/HiddenBrain"><i>support.hiddenbrain.org</i></a><i>. </i></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

Where Truth Lies

<p>When we think about misinformation, we often focus on blatant errors or deliberate attempts to deceive us. But in recent years, social scientists have found that misinformation comes in many flavors — many of which are far more subtle than obvious falsehoods. These forms of misinformation prey on our mental blindspots, and take advantage of our passions and loyalties. This week, economist <a href="https://www.london.edu/faculty-and-research/faculty-profiles/e/edmans-a" target="_blank">Alex Edmans</a> explores the many insidious forms of misinformation, and how we can all get better at separating fact from fiction.</p><p><i>For more of our work, please consider joining our podcast subscription. Hidden Brain+ is where you’ll find exclusive interviews and deeper dives into the ideas we explore on the show. You can try Hidden Brain+ with a free seven-day trial at </i><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-brain/id1028908750?ign-itscg=30200S&ign-itsct=hiddenbrain_podcasts"><i>apple.co/hiddenbrain</i></a><i>. Or if you’re an Android user, sign up at </i><a href="https://www.patreon.com/HiddenBrain"><i>support.hiddenbrain.org</i></a><i>.</i></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

How To Be Alone

<p>We're always told to reach for that next ring, work that third job, go to that boisterous party after a long day at work. You only live once ... right? But psychologist <a href="https://www.reading.ac.uk/pcls/staff/netta-weinstein">Netta Weinstein</a> says that when we constantly engage in achievement and distraction, we lose something essential about ourselves. This week, she makes a case for solitude, and examines what happens when we seek a quieter, more reflective interior life.</p><p><i>If you like today's episode, check out our two-part series on mindfulness:</i></p><p><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/seeking-serenity-part-1/"><i>Seeking Serenity: Part 1</i></a></p><p><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/seeking-serenity-part-2/"><i>Seeking Serenity: Part 2</i></a></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

Changing Our Mental Maps

<p>As we move through the world, it's easy to imagine we're processing everything that happens around us and then deciding how to respond. But psychologist and neuroscientist <a href="https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/psychology/people/norman-farb">Norman Farb</a> says our brains actually navigate the world by coming up with mental maps. These maps act like an autopilot system, allowing us to navigate our lives more efficiently. But sometimes, they can lead us astray, leaving us stuck on a path of negativity and unhappiness. This week, we talk with Norman Farb about how we can update our internal maps and see the world more clearly. </p><p><i>If you like this episode, be sure to check out part two of our chat with Norman Farb for Hidden Brain+. That episode is called "Making Sense." You can try Hidden Brain+ for free with a seven-day trial by going to </i><a href="https://www.patreon.com/HiddenBrain"><i>support.hiddenbrain.org</i></a><i> or </i><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-brain/id1028908750?mt=2&ls=1&itscg=30200S&itsct=hiddenbrain_podcasts&ct=hiddenbrain_podcasts&at=1010l3ab3"><i>apple.co/hiddenbrain</i></a><i>. </i></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

Out of the Rabbit Hole

<p>Cognitive scientist <a href="https://icsr.info/?team=dr-nafees-hamid">Nafees Hamid</a> studies the minds of people drawn to radical or fringe ideas. This week, he takes us on a deep dive into the motivations of people on the brink of extremism — and those who have already been radicalized. We examine what prompts people to turn to violence, and how to pull them back from the seductive appeal of extremist ideas.</p><p><i>Interested in learning more about the themes and ideas we discussed today? Check out these classic Hidden Brain episodes:</i></p><p><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/romeo-juliet-in-rwanda/"><i>Romeo and Juliet in Kigali</i></a></p><p><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/moral-combat/"><i>Moral Combat</i></a></p><p><i>Our podcast subscription, Hidden Brain+, is now available across devices and podcast platforms. You can join on either </i><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-brain/id1028908750"><i>Apple Podcasts </i></a><i>or via our </i><a href="https://www.patreon.com/HiddenBrain"><i>Patreon page</i></a><i>. Thanks for your support of the show — we truly appreciate it! </i></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

Befriending Your Inner Voice

<p>You know that negative voice that goes round and round in your head, keeping you up at night? When that negative inner voice gets switched on, it’s hard to think about anything else. Psychologist <a href="https://lsa.umich.edu/psych/people/faculty/ekross.html">Ethan Kross</a> has a name for it: chatter. In this favorite conversation from 2022,  we talk with Ethan about how to keep our negative emotions from morphing into chatter. </p><p><i>Our podcast subscription, Hidden Brain+, is now available across devices and podcast platforms. You can join on either </i><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-brain/id1028908750"><i>Apple Podcasts </i></a><i>or via our </i><a href="https://www.patreon.com/HiddenBrain"><i>Patreon page</i></a><i>. Thanks for your support of the show — we truly appreciate it! </i></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

Making the World Sparkle Again

<p>Across every domain of our lives, our minds have a tendency to get accustomed to things. In fact, the brain seems evolutionarily designed to focus on the new and unexpected, on novel threats and opportunities. In our daily lives, this means we take wonderful things for granted. We cease to appreciate amazing people, or the good fortune of being healthy. This week, neuroscientist <a href="https://affectivebrain.com/?page_id=161">Tali Sharot</a> explains why we get used to things — and how to see with fresh eyes.</p><p><i>Our podcast subscription, Hidden Brain+, is now available across platforms and devices. You can sign up for a free seven-day trial at </i><a href="https://www.patreon.com/HiddenBrain"><i>support.hiddenbrain.org</i></a><i> or </i><a href="https://www.patreon.com/HiddenBrain"><i>apple.co/hiddenbrain</i></a><i>. Your subscription provides key support to help us build you many more episodes of Hidden Brain. We’re truly grateful. </i></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

Our God-Shaped Brains

<p>Some think of religious faith as just that: a leap of faith. But psychologists are increasingly filling in the gaps in our understanding of how beliefs shape — and are shaped by — the human mind. This week, psychologist <a href="https://psych.ubc.ca/profile/ara-norenzayan/">Ara Norenzayan</a> explores features in the brain that are tied to our capacity for faith. And he shows how all of us, both religious and non-religious people, can use this knowledge to find more meaning in our lives.</p><p><i>For more of our reporting on religion and the mind, be sure to check out our episode "</i><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/creating-god/"><i>Creating God</i></a><i>."</i><br /> </p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

Why You Feel Empty

<p>Have you ever had an unexplainable feeling of emptiness? Life seems perfect - and yet - something is missing. This week, sociologist <a href="https://hip.emory.edu/faculty/bios/keyes_corey.html" target="_blank">Corey Keyes</a> helps us understand where feelings of emptiness come from, how to navigate them and why they're more common than we might assume.</p><p><i>If you missed it, make sure to listen to last week's episode on </i><a href="https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/why-trying-too-hard-can-backfire-on-you/" target="_blank"><i>Why Trying Too Hard Can Backfire On You</i></a><i>. Thanks for listening!</i></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

Why Trying Too Hard Can Backfire On You

<p>Thinking is a human superpower. On a daily basis, thinking and planning and effort bring us innumerable benefits. But like all aspects of human behavior, you can sometimes get too much of a good thing. This week, we talk with philosopher <a href="https://philosophy.ubc.ca/profile/edward-slingerland-iii/">Ted Slingerland</a> about techniques to prevent overthinking, and how we can cultivate the under-appreciated skill of letting go. </p><p><i>To hear more of our conversation with Ted Slingerland, be sure to check out our Hidden Brain+ episode with him, available now. You can join Hidden Brain+ via </i><a href="https://www.patreon.com/HiddenBrain"><i>Patreon</i></a><i> or </i><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-brain/id1028908750?ign-itscg=30200S&ign-itsct=hiddenbrain_podcasts"><i>Apple Podcasts</i></a><i>. Thanks for listening! </i></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>