If you're a parent or a teacher, you've probably wondered how to balance play and safety for the kids in... more

We've all had those days when all we want is a little treat. Maybe it's a bag of chips, an... more

Anthropologist Tom Pearson was devastated after his daughter Michaela was diagnosed with Down syndrome. When he began to examine that... more

If you've ever taken an economics class, you were probably taught that people are rational. But about 50 years ago,... more

Have you ever sat across from your spouse, colleague or friend and realized that while they may be hearing what... more

Many of us believe we know how we’d choose to die. We have a sense of how we’d respond to... more

A little more than a decade ago, researchers began tracking an alarming trend: a dramatic uptick in anxiety and depression... more

Fear is a normal and healthy response to things that may harm us. But fear can also hold us back... more

Over the past few weeks, we've been exploring the psychology of partisanship, and how to effectively handle disagreements with those... more

We typically divide the country into two distinct groups: Democrats and Republicans. But what if the real political divide in... more

Conflicts are inevitable — both at a global scale and in our personal lives. This week, in the latest in... more

There's a saying that's attributed to the Dalai Lama: in the practice of tolerance, one's enemy is the best teacher.... more

The United States, we’re told, is increasingly a house divided. Conservatives and progressives are so alienated from each other that... more

We rely on our memory to understand the world. But what if our memories aren't true? This week, we talk... more

We spend more and more of our lives staring at screens. Our cellphones, smartwatches and laptops allow us to communicate... more

Most of us feel that our emotions are reactions to those outside of us. Someone cuts us off in traffic,... more

When we're learning, or trying new things, mistakes are inevitable. Some of these mistakes provide us with valuable information, while... more

Humans have wrestled with questions about identity and purpose for millennia. So it’s no surprise that the insights of people... more

When was the last time you set a goal and struggled to reach it? Perhaps you're trying to write a... more

We like to tell kids, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” But from a very early age, we humans... more

Think about the last time you were struck by a gorgeous painting in a museum, or heard a song that... more

Why is it so hard to say 'I'm sorry?' In the final episode of our Healing 2.0 series, we talk... more

In 2019, Justin Harrison's mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer. But by the time she died, he had figured out... more

You've probably heard that people who lose a loved one may go through what are known as the "five stages"... more

We’ve all heard the saying, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” But is there any truth to this idea?... more

We all tell stories about ourselves, often without realizing we’re doing so. How we frame those stories can profoundly shape... more

One of the mysteries of human behavior is that it’s often easier for us to focus on what’s going wrong... more

As we move through our lives, we have to make decisions both big and small. Some are banal: What will... more

We like to think that con artists only prey upon the weak, or gullible. But psychologist Dan Simons says all... more

Perfectionism is everyone’s favorite flaw. It’s easy to assume that our push to be perfect is what leads to academic,... more

It's easy to think that the best teams are collections of highly accomplished or talented individuals, working under a skilled... more

After we make a decision, we often tell ourselves a story about why our choice was the right one to... more

Think about the last time you did something you knew was wrong. How did you explain your actions to yourself?... more

How often do you say something negative to yourself that you'd never utter to someone else? Self-criticism can often feel... more

Sorrows have a way of finding us, no matter how hard we try to avoid them. Joys, on the other... more

It’s understandable that we sometimes dwell on things that upset us. But our negative emotions can keep us from savoring... more

Have you ever set a goal and had a really difficult time sticking to it? Maybe you decide you want... more

There are times in life when the challenges we face feel insurmountable. Authors succumb to writer's block. Athletes and artists... more

Think about how often you hold back honest opinions of someone else because you don’t want to hurt their feelings.... more

No matter who you are, it's guaranteed that at some point in life you'll make a mistake. Many of us... more

This week, we bring you the second part of our conversation on the perils of too much pleasure. Psychiatrist Anna... more

All of us think we know what addiction looks like: it’s the compulsive consumption of drugs, alcohol, or nicotine. But... more

It's not easy to know how we come across to others, especially when we're meeting people for the first time.... more

Aging isn’t just a biological process. Our outlooks and emotions also change as we age, often in ways that boost... more

Think about the last time you resisted watching yet another episode of your favorite TV show, or decided not to... more

Determination, hard work and sacrifice are core ingredients in the story of the American dream. But philosopher Jennifer Morton argues... more

In the second part of our series on the science of meditation, Richard Davidson continues his endeavor to unite seemingly... more

In graduate school, neuroscientist Richard Davidson learned to use scientific tools as a way to examine the brain. At the... more

There are plenty of talented people in the world. So why do only a tiny percentage of us reach the... more

We all have times when we feel like a fraud. In the latest installment of our Success 2.0 series, we... more

Think about the last time you tried to bring up an idea at work, and it was shot down. What... more

Do you love the ideas we explore on Hidden Brain and want more of them? Then please join Hidden Brain+,... more

We all rely on incentives to get people to do things they might otherwise avoid. Parents reward kids for doing... more

American culture celebrates those who persevere in the face of adversity. So how do we know when to walk away... more

We all have moments in our lives when we see someone who could use a helping hand. It could be... more

It happens to the best of us — we blank on someone's name, or forget an important meeting, or bomb... more

It used to be that we tried our best to conceal disadvantages, hardships, and humiliations. But new research explores a... more

Why do some companies become household names, while others flame out? How do certain memes go viral? And why do... more

At every stage of life, there are moments when we need buy-in from other people. Yet most of us make... more

When James and Donovan first met, they knew little about each other, except that Donovan had stolen James' bike. Donovan... more

Stories help us make sense of the world, and can even help us heal from trauma. They also shape our... more

In the second part of our series on implicit bias, we explore the relationship between beliefs and behaviors. We also... more

Would you consider yourself to be prejudiced against people who are different from you? Most of us would say no.... more

As you move through the world, it's inevitable that your way of seeing things won't always align with the people... more

Many of us rush through our lives, chasing goals and just trying to get everything done. But that can blind... more

Sometimes, life can feel like being stuck on a treadmill. No matter how hard you try to feel happier, you... more

Having a sense of purpose can be a buffer against the challenges we all face at various stages of life.... more

It's natural to want to run away from difficult emotions such as grief, anger and fear. But what happens when... more

Many of us believe that hard work and persistence are the key to achieving our goals. But is that true... more

When we want something very badly, it can be hard to see warning signs that might be obvious to other... more

Think back to the last time someone convinced you to do something you didn't want to do, or to spend... more

We all exert pressure on each other in ways small and profound. We recommend movies or books to a friend.... more

If you think about the people in your life, it's likely that they share a lot in common with you.... more

We all have to make certain choices in life, such as where to live and how to earn a living.... more

It's the time of year when many of us make resolutions for the year ahead. We pledge to quit smoking,... more

We often look down on people who complain a lot. Yet when something goes wrong in our own lives, many... more

People in every country and culture mark important milestones, such as births, marriages and deaths, with intricately choreographed scripts. We... more

With the holidays upon us, many of us are hunting for that special something for the special someones in our... more

Everyone wants to be loved and appreciated. In the final episode of our Relationships 2.0 series, we revisit a conversation... more

No one will deny that marriage is hard. In fact, there's evidence it's getting even harder. This week on the... more

When you go to a medical appointment, your doctor may ask you several questions. Do you smoke? Have you been... more

As you're going about your day, you likely interact with family, friends and coworkers. These relationships can help you feel... more

When it comes to conflict, most of us just want to shut it down. But psychological research is increasingly taking... more

Anxiety is an uncomfortable emotion, which is why most of us try to avoid it. But psychologist Tracy Dennis-Tiwary says... more

We all face tough decisions in life, whether we're juggling the demands of work and family or deciding whether to... more

Have you ever been falsely accused of something? Many of us think there’s only one way we’d act in such... more

If you're bilingual or multilingual, you may have noticed that different languages make you stretch in different ways. This week,... more

Many of us feel like there aren't enough hours in the day. We struggle to make time for all the... more

So often, we think we know what other people are thinking. But researchers have found that our attempts at reading... more

We like to think that all humans are born with the same core emotions: anger, fear, joy, sadness and disgust.... more

All of us want to feel safe in our daily lives. Yet when we think about crime, our first response... more

In the United States, we often praise people with strong convictions, and look down on those who express doubt or... more

The pressure. The expectations. The anxiety. If there’s one thing that many of us have in common, it’s the stress... more

Some challenges can feel insurmountable. But psychologist Emily Balcetis says the solutions are often right in front of our eyes.... more

How well do we know ourselves? Maybe the better question to ask is how well can we truly know ourselves?... more

You know that negative voice that goes round and round in your head, keeping you up at night? ... more

We often assume that we see ourselves and the world around us accurately. But psychologist Alia Crum says that our... more

We often assume that we see ourselves and the world around us accurately. But psychologist Alia Crum says that our... more

Have you ever gotten into a heated argument about politics? Maybe you’ve said something you're not proud of during game... more

We've all heard the saying, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." But is there any truth to this idea?... more

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." Those words, penned by Thomas Jefferson 246... more

When Paul Burnham was a teenager, he received what felt like a premonition: he would die at the age of... more

From the time we are schoolchildren, we are ranked and sorted based on how smart we are. But what if... more

The human drive to invent new things has led to pathbreaking achievements in medicine, science and society. But our desire... more

What do the things you buy say about you? Many of us like to think of ourselves as immune to... more

Where do you stand on the income ladder? Do you think of yourself as rich, as poor, or as somewhere... more

What’s the point of money? The answer might seem obvious: we need it to get paid for our work and... more

Have you had a recent surprise expense? You're not alone. More than half of American households report facing an unplanned... more

Money worries are one of the biggest sources of anxiety in the lives of Americans. This week, we kick off... more

Neuroscientist Doug Fields was on a trip to Europe when a pickpocket stole his wallet. Doug, normally mild-mannered, became enraged... more

Have you ever been in a position where you had to choose between someone you care about and a value... more

We all self-censor at times. We keep quiet at dinner with our in-laws, or nod passively in a work meeting.... more

It’s not your imagination: rudeness appears to be on the rise. Witnessing rude behavior — whether it's coming from angry... more

We’ve all heard about the five stages of grief. But what happens when your experience doesn’t follow that model at... more

When disaster strikes — from the explosion of a space shuttle to the spread of a deadly virus — we... more

Does power truly flow from the barrel of a gun? Pop culture and conventional history often teach us that violence... more

Social media sites offer quick and easy ways to share ideas, crack jokes, find old friends. They can make us... more

We've all been in situations where we experience mixed emotions. Maybe you've felt both joy and sadness during a big... more

Do you ever stop to wonder if the way you see the world is how the world really is? ... more

Do you ever struggle to communicate with your mom? Or feel like you and your spouse sometimes speak different languages?... more

Turn on the news, and you'll be bombarded with stories of people who lie, cheat, and kill. Most of our... more

It’s easy to spot bias in other people, especially those with whom we disagree. But it’s not so easy... more

It's not easy to know how we come across to others, especially when we're meeting people for the first time.... more

As we go through life, we’re constantly trying to figure out what other people are thinking and feeling. Psychologist Liane... more

Sanaa is on her train ride home when an angry man begins threatening her. Before he gets too close, a... more

Life is often filled with hardships and tragedies. For thousands of years, philosophers have come up with strategies to help... more

Everyone wants to be loved and appreciated. But psychologist Harry Reis says there’s another ingredient to successful relationships that’s every... more

It's 1979, and Wendy is eight years old, crying alone in an airport. Then she sees a woman in white... more

The rift between police and Black Americans can feel impossible to bridge. But in his work with police departments across... more

All of us make choices all the time, and we may think we're making those choices freely. But psychologist Eric... more

With the new year close at hand, we revisit our 2019 conversation with psychologist Wendy Wood, who shares what researchers... more

Justin is sitting on the side of the freeway, hoping someone will help him fix his busted wheel. Right around... more

Bababa, dadada, ahgaga. Got that? Babies are speaking to us all the time, but most of us have no clue... more

We all have times when we feel like a fraud. Psychologist Kevin Cokley studies the corrosive effects of self-doubt, and... more

It's 1994, and two men corner Leah on a dark street as she's walking home. Then she sees a car,... more

It’s psychologically simpler to see the world in black and white. But reality often comes in shades of gray. This... more

If you’re working from home, you might be reveling in your daily commute to the dining room table. Or you... more

Tony is angry at his English teacher, Mrs. Holman, for making him stay after class. But on the last day... more

Francesca Gino studies rebels — people who practice "positive deviance" and achieve incredible feats of imagination. So how can you... more

Many of us spend our workdays responding to a never-ending stream of emails and texts. We feel stressed out and... more

Today we're sharing another episode of our new podcast, My Unsung Hero. To hear more stories like this, subscribe, and... more

The world of play and the world of work are often seen as opposites. But they may have more in... more

Introducing new ideas is hard. Most of us think the best way to win people over is to push harder.... more

We’ve grown accustomed to viewing climate change as an enemy we must urgently defeat. But is that the right metaphor... more

Today we're sharing another episode of our new podcast, My Unsung Hero. Subscribe, and enjoy! In 2008, while driving to work,... more

In 1978, Judy, Lyn and Donna Ulrich were driving to a volleyball game when their Ford Pinto was hit from... more

Self-criticism is often seen as a virtue. But psychologist Kristin Neff says there’s a better path to self-improvement — self-compassion.... more

My Unsung Hero is here! We're excited to share one of the first episodes of our new podcast. Episode one... more

When we want something very badly, it can be hard to see warning signs that might be obvious to other... more

Many Americans feel an obligation to keep up with political news. But maybe we should be focusing our energies elsewhere.... more

Longtime Hidden Brain listeners know that for years, we've thanked an unsung hero at the end of every episode. Now,... more

How do the groups you identify with shape your sense of self? Do they influence the beer you buy? The... more

Casual sex typically isn't about love. But what if it's not even about lust? Sociologist Lisa Wade studies "hookup culture,"... more

We all think we know what will make us happy: more money. A better job. Love. But psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky... more

We all have regrets. By some estimates, regret is one of the most common emotions we experience in our daily... more

Our memories are easily contaminated. We can be made to believe we rode in a hot air balloon or kissed... more

Marriage is hard — and there are signs it's becoming even harder. In the third episode of our You 2.0... more

In a fit of anger or in the grip of fear, many of us make decisions that we never would... more

Having a sense of purpose can be a buffer against the challenges we all face at various stages of life.... more

As floods, wildfires, and heatwaves hit many parts of the world, signs of climate change seem to be all around... more

The pressure. The expectations. The anxiety. If there's one thing that connects the athletes gathering for the Olympic games with... more

What is it like to be the only woman at the (poker) table? Or a rare man in a supposedly... more

Think about the resolutions you made this year: to quit smoking, eat better, or get more exercise. If you're like... more

Think about the last time you asked someone for something. Maybe you were nervous or worried about what the person... more

In December 1988, two sets of identical twins became test subjects in a study for which they had never volunteered.... more

Why is it so hard to say 'I'm sorry?' In part two of our series on forgiveness and apologies, we... more

Granting forgiveness for the wrongs done to us can be one of the hardest things we face in life. But... more

Coincidences can feel like magic. When we realize that a co-worker shares our birthday or run into a college roommate... more

Have you ever opened your computer with the intention of sending one email — only to spend an hour scrolling... more

What do the things you own say about who you are? Psychologist Bruce Hood studies our relationship with our possessions... more

No matter how hard we work, we won’t always achieve the goals we set for ourselves. When cognitive scientist Maya... more

In the past weeks, headlines around the world have focused on the violent conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. In this... more

Psychologist Daniel Kahneman says there are invisible factors that distort our judgment. He calls these factors “noise.” The consequences can... more

Have you ever felt as if someone else was writing your personal narrative? Controlling what you do, shaping how you... more

At the end of every episode, we take a moment to thank an Unsung Hero: someone who’s not on the... more

Your brain is divided in two: a left hemisphere and a right hemisphere. In this 2019 episode of Hidden Brain,... more

In every episode of Hidden Brain, we thank an Unsung Hero — a colleague, a friend or a family member who... more

Do you ever struggle to communicate with your mom? Or feel like you and your spouse sometimes speak different languages?... more

In every episode of Hidden Brain, we thank an Unsung Hero. Many listeners have written to say they love this... more

Hahaha! The average four-year-old child laughs 300 times a day. By contrast, it takes more than two months for the... more

More than a century ago, millions of people around the world died in a massive influenza pandemic. The so-called "Spanish... more

Podcast hosts are used to being the ones asking the questions. This week, though, we’re going to flip that script,... more

Stories help us make sense of the world, and can even help us to heal from trauma. They also shape... more

We can’t go back and change the past. We can’t erase trauma and hardship. But what if there was a... more

Why is my friend late? How does nuclear fission work? What occurs when I sneeze? We all need to understand... more

For generations, it was difficult, even dangerous, to express a sexual orientation other than heterosexuality in the United States. But... more

Why do some companies become household names, while others flame out? How do certain memes go viral? And why do... more

We get messages all the time from listeners who say Hidden Brain has helped them to think differently about the... more

If you've taken part in a religious service, have you ever stopped to think about how people become believers? Where... more

Being able to see what’s happening around us can help us make smart decisions. But knowledge — especially knowledge of... more