Hidden Brain

Hidden Brain is a fascinating podcast hosted by science journalist Shankar Vedantam that explores the unconscious patterns and cognitive biases that drive human behavior. Originally an NPR program and now independently produced, the show uses rigorous social science research to illuminate why people think, feel, and act the way they do — often without being aware of the forces shaping their decisions. Each episode draws on psychology, neuroscience, behavioral economics, and sociology to explore topics ranging from how we form first impressions to how social media affects our relationships and why we struggle to change habits we know are harmful. Shankar's calm, thoughtful interviewing style creates space for guests to explain complex research in accessible terms, and his talent for finding the human stories within academic studies makes every episode feel personally relevant. The show regularly features researchers whose work has never been covered in popular media, giving listeners access to cutting-edge findings about the hidden forces that shape their lives. Hidden Brain has built one of the largest and most engaged audiences in podcasting, proving that there is enormous appetite for content that helps people understand themselves and the world around them.