In 2009, an old man died in a California nursing home. His obituary included not just his given name, but a long list of the pseudonyms he’d been known to use. In this week’s episode, which we originally released in 2019, we trace the life of Riley Shepard, a hillbilly musician, writer, small-time con man and, perhaps, a genius.
Then, psychologist Leslie John answers listener questions about secrets.
In March of 2020, behavioral scientist Dave Evans received some terrible news: his wife had terminal cancer. This week, Dave shares why accepting reality as it is can be so difficult — and why it’s an essential first step in building a meaningful life.
We tell ourselves that meaning comes from impact, passion, or finding the one right path. But these beliefs can leave us feeling stuck — even when our lives look perfectly fine on paper. In the first episode of a two-part series, behavioral scientist Dave Evans describes a new approach to help us build lives that feel more alive, flexible, and real.
Love can feel powerful at first. Then, like so many good things, it fades into the background.
This week, psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky explores the distinction between being loved and *feeling* loved. Then, psychologist Greg Walton answers listener questions about downward spirals.
Our tour stops in Philly, New York, and Portland, ME are now in the rearview mirror, but we have so many good memories to take home with us! Big thanks to everyone who came out. And thanks also to @atlassian@use_loom for sponsoring the Perceptions Tour, and for sharing our commitment to clear communication. Record it. Share it. Keep work moving with Loom. It’s a team changer. #ad
Does power truly flow from the barrel of a gun? Political scientist Erica Chenoweth, who has studied more than 100 years of revolutions and insurrections, says the answer is counterintuitive. This week, the surprising truth about what actually produces radical change.
We are so delighted to share that Hidden Brain is now on YouTube! Whether you’re new to our show or a longtime fan, we’re here to help you understand your own mind — and those of the people around you. Subscribe to our channel and take a peek at our first three videos, live now: /@HiddenBrain
We like to think that good financial decisions come down to discipline and basic math. But the psychology of money is far more complicated. Researcher John Dinsmore explains the hidden mental biases that shape how we think about spending, borrowing, and the future. We explore how these forces can steer us toward costly mistakes — and how to guard against them.
Should you tell a harsh truth if it will only cause pain? Or is it sometimes kinder to keep someone in the dark?
This week, psychologist Emma Levine explores the unwritten rules that guide when people feel it’s acceptable to lie — and what those choices reveal about trust, harm, and our deepest moral values.
How do the groups you identify with shape your sense of self? Do they influence the beer you buy? The way you vote? This week, we revisit our conversation with psychologist Jay Van Bavel @jayvanbavel We discuss how our group loyalties affect us, and can even shape our basic senses of sight, taste and smell.
We can’t wait to see you, New York! If you don’t have tickets to our live show at Town Hall, don’t delay – join Shankar and other Hidden Brain fans for an evening of science and storytelling:
/event/0300635CCCC30F08
Our next stops on Hidden Brain’s live tour are fast approaching! Join Shankar at one of our upcoming shows in Philadelphia or New York – more info and tickets at /tour/
