Handling Difficult People, Healing Breakups, and the Science of Talking to Strangers | Shankar Vedantam

About this episode

<p dir="ltr">Practical strategies for navigating difficult relationships and building new connections.</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">Shankar Vedantam is host of the <a href= "https://www.hiddenbrain.org/">Hidden Brain</a> podcast and radio show, where he explores the hidden patterns that drive human behavior. He is the author of the books, <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Brain-Unconscious-Presidents-Control/dp/0385525222"> The Hidden Brain: How Our Unconscious Minds Elect Presidents, Wage Wars, Control Markets and Save Our Lives</a>, and <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Invisible-City-Power-Paradox-Self-Deceiving-ebook/dp/B07ZTTD4TG/ref=books_amazonstores_desktop_mfs_aufs_ap_sc_dsk_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=1loRS&content-id=amzn1.sym.46812076-4af0-47c5-a75e-57676168d49d&pf_rd_p=46812076-4af0-47c5-a75e-57676168d49d&pf_rd_r=141-9976842-2413604&pd_rd_wg=SU74V&pd_rd_r=ce723ea3-63d7-4e7d-99bc-b2ff685138bf"> Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self- Deceiving Brain</a>.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">In this episode we talk about:</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How to stop trying to change your partner</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Useful tools for overcoming conflict</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">The challenging practice of "eating the blame" </li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">The concept of "useful delusions"</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How to manage a breakup (of any kind)</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">The real secret to finding closure</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">The value of micro interactions with strangers</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">And more</li> </ul> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Related Episodes:</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/354-the-surprising-upsides-of-self-deception/id1565881742?i=1000524998013"> The Surprising Upsides of Self-Deception</a></p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">Get the 10% with Dan Harris app <a href= "https://app.danharris.com/membership">here</a></p> <p dir="ltr">Sign up for Dan's free newsletter <a href= "http://www.danharris.com/">here</a></p> <p dir="ltr">Follow Dan on social: <a href= "https://bit.ly/3tGigG5">Instagram</a>, <a href= "https://bit.ly/3FOA84J">TikTok</a></p> <p dir="ltr">Subscribe to our <a href= "https://bit.ly/3FybRzD">YouTube Channel</a></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Additional Resources: </p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href= "https://www.ted.com/speakers/shankar_vedantam">Shankar's TED Talks</a></li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href= "https://www.eventticketscenter.com/hidden-brain-live-shankar-vedantam-new-york-tickets/1285708/e?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22874585407&gclid=Cj0KCQiA7rDMBhCjARIsAGDBuEDTE-sN8zgc6DY7U7BBM-6__6egHtdCqTnyDcz7RYy86TUFVDTmNFcaAh3xEALw_wcB"> Hidden Brain Live Tour</a></li> </ul> <p><strong><br /> <br /></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Join Dan and Emmy Award-winning journalist Allison Gilbert at 92NY on May 17th for a live conversation about how mindfulness can deepen connection and combat loneliness, available in person and via streaming. <a href= "https://www.92ny.org/event/dan-harris-with-allison-gilbert">Register here.</a></p> <p dir="ltr">Join Dan, Sebene Selassie and Jeff Warren for Meditation Party, a 3-day immersive retreat at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, October 16–18, 2026. <a href= "https://www.eomega.org/workshops/meditation-party#9851">Register here.</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong id= "docs-internal-guid-d10bc78c-7fff-95f0-3490-0631be023d3c"><br /> To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit <a href= "https://advertising.libsyn.com/10HappierwithDanHarris">https://advertising.libsyn.com/10HappierwithDanHarris</a></strong></p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p> </p>