Hidden Brain Podcast By Hidden Brain Shankar Vedantam cover art

Hidden Brain

Hidden Brain

By: Hidden Brain Shankar Vedantam
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Why do I feel stuck? How can I become more creative? What can I do to improve my relationships? If you’ve ever asked yourself these questions, you’re not alone. On Hidden Brain, we help you understand your own mind — and the minds of the people around you. (We're routinely rated the #1 science podcast in the United States.) Hosted by veteran science journalist Shankar Vedantam.All Rights Reserved Art Entertainment & Performing Arts Science Social Sciences
Episodes
  • The Price of Revenge
    Jun 2 2025

    Revenge often feels sweet, but what price do we pay for seeking it out? Researcher James Kimmel, Jr. proposes a radical theory: our desire for vengeance operates like an addiction in the brain. This week, how “revenge addiction” plays out in our everyday lives — and on a global scale.

    Hidden Brain is about to go on tour! Join us as Shankar shares seven key insights he's learned from the show over the past decade. To see if we're coming to your city, and to purchase tickets, go to hiddenbrain.org/tour.

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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Do I Know You? (A Hidden Brain-Revisionist History special on facial recognition)
    May 26 2025

    Have you ever encountered someone who clearly knows you, but you have no idea who they are? This week, we feature a classic Hidden Brain episode about people on opposite ends of the facial recognition spectrum. Then, in the second part of the show, we bring you another perspective on facial recognition from the Revisionist History podcast. Host Malcolm Gladwell struggles with identifying faces, while producer Lucie Sullivan is exceptional at it.

    Hidden Brain is about to kickoff a nationwide tour! Join Shankar as he shares seven key insights from the first decade of the show. To find out if we're coming to a city near you, and purchase tickets, go to https://hiddenbrain.org/tour/

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    56 mins
  • How Much Do We Really Know?
    May 19 2025

    You probably know someone who thinks they know more about something than they really do. But you could never be described that way . . . could you? This week, cognitive scientist Phil Fernbach explains the "illusion of knowledge" — the fact that we think we understand the world in much greater detail than we actually do. He'll explore why this happens, and how to close the gap between what we know and what we think we know.

    Hidden Brain is about to go on tour! Join Shankar in a city near you as he shares key insights from the first decade of the show. For more info and tickets, go to https://hiddenbrain.org/tour/

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    55 mins
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whether you're in a rough patch or not, this is a must- listen for your current and future self

so very poignant and applicable

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I enjoy Shankar Vedantam’s voice and his insights. He chooses interesting people to interview. This show is always worthwhile to listen to.

Relevant concepts to current events

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Every single podcast is full of fun and knowledge, I got hook from the first time that listens to it. Will recommend to anyone.

Love this podcast

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Loved this episode! I learned so much that I can apply to everyday conversations with everyone from my life partner to people I just met.

Insightful and useful

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Closure for both parties was essential, however painful. very good story all around. thanks

Hidden Brain is awesome!

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This episode about Decoding Emotions will stick with me a long time!! Mind-blowing! I will be including this information in my lectures to professionals and students.

Fascinating!!!

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My why for a resilient marriage is I don't want anyone else raising my Children this podcast allows me to know the cost of raising great kids

My God this is Church you a prophet Brother

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Absolutely the most informative, interesting, well made, well presented, thoughtful and intriguing podcast I've found. The topics are so relevant and presented in a non-biased, apolitical and clear manner to appeal to everyone. I'm hooked.

The Best Podcast

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This podcast is great, but this episode was fantastic! Really makes you stop & think about "bad people" vs. "good people".

Very thought provoking episode!

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The analysis, research and experiments at amazing. I would say that I believe in God in the abstract and any other attributes (punitive, kind, mercy,...) take away.

Totally makes sense

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