Hidden Brain is a podcast from NPR that delves into the science of human behavior, exploring the unconscious patterns and influences that shape our decisions, relationships, and emotions. Hosted by Shankar Vedantam, the show blends psychology, neuroscience, and sociology to reveal how our minds work, often highlighting surprising and thought-provoking insights about everyday life. Each episode features storytelling, expert interviews, and research-based analysis to help listeners better understand themselves and others.
The podcast aims to make science accessible and relatable to a broad audience.
The Hidden Brain podcast has a wide range of episodes that explore the hidden patterns and unconscious influences that shape human behavior. Some notable episodes include:
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"Creatures of Habit" – This episode explores how our daily habits shape who we are, highlighting the psychology behind forming new habits and breaking old ones. It delves into why some habits are easy to develop while others are hard to quit, and how habits influence our identity.
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"Research Suggests Generosity Is Hardwired Into Our Brains" – This episode discusses how neuroscience has revealed that generosity may be an inherent trait. It looks at the ways the brain responds to acts of giving and how this is connected to happiness and well-being.
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"Hungry, Hungry Hippocampus: The Psychology of How We Eat" – Focused on the psychology behind eating behaviors, this episode reveals why food is not just fuel but deeply connected to our emotions, habits, and social interactions.
Each episode of Hidden Brain is backed by psychological and scientific insights, making complex human behaviors more understandable.
The Hidden Brain podcast is hosted and authored by Shankar Vedantam, a science journalist and social science correspondent. He is also the creator of the show, and his work focuses on uncovering the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior. Vedantam blends storytelling with scientific research to make psychological and sociological concepts accessible to a wide audience.
