Hidden Brain

Parents: Keep Out!

If you’re a parent or a teacher, you’ve probably wondered how to balance play and safety for the kids in your care. You don’t want to put children in danger, but you also don’t want to rob them of the joy of exploration. This week, we revisit a favorite conversation with psychologist Peter Gray [https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/morrissey/departments/psychology-neuroscience/people/affiliated-and-emeritus/peter-gray.html]. We'll talk about why independent play is so important to a child's development, and answer listeners' questions about the role parents, schools, and neighborhoods can play in giving kids more autonomy.  In this episode, you'll learn:  *The skills that children develop when they play without parental involvement.  *Why American culture has shifted away from independence for children in recent decades.  *The role of independent play in helping children to learn key lessons and thrive developmentally.  *The simple question that parents can ask their kids to create space for more unstructured play.  *How to know what's age-appropriate when it comes to independent play. *How to foster independent play in your neighborhood or community.  *What schools can do to encourage unstructured opportunities for kids.  Episode photo by Aisiri Iyengar [https://unsplash.com/@aisiriiyengar?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText] on Unsplash [https://unsplash.com/photos/a-couple-of-people-that-are-on-a-slide-4EiiadAHoc8?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Power of Family Stories

There’s a tradition around many Thanksgiving dinner tables that’s as consistent as pumpkin pie: the family stories that get told year after year. Sometimes these stories are funny; sometimes they make us roll our eyes. No matter how we feel about them, we rarely pause to consider how these stories shape who we are and how we view the world. This week, we revisit a favorite 2024 conversation about family storytelling with psychologist Robyn Fivush [https://www.robynfivush.com/]. Then, in a new installment of "Your Questions Answered," Massimo Pigliucci [https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/profiles/massimo-pigliucci?srsltid=AfmBOoreO8DgKhZN3FES6A3y5jZ7O4uX03hmHmnCi_GcF6RjkK2VoRE9] answers listener questions about Stoicism, and why this ancient philosophy continues to resonate today. The Los Angeles stop [https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0900629799E03824] on our live tour is almost here! Join Shankar November 22 as he shares seven key psychological insights from the show's first decade. And we're excited to share new dates for 2026. We'll be in Philadelphia on March 21 and New York City on March 25. More info and tickets here: https://www.hiddenbrain.org/tour/ [https://www.hiddenbrain.org/tour/] Episode illustration by Anna Kutukova [https://unsplash.com/@pffpics] for Unsplash+  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why Following Your Dreams Isn't Enough

Entrepreneurs typically have no shortage of passion, heart, and vision. But at Stanford University, Huggy Rao [https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/hayagreeva-rao] says there are other elements that may matter more when it comes to whether their projects succeed or fail. This week, we'll examine how this problem shapes not just individual lives, but organizations and businesses, and even public policy. Then, in the latest installment of "Your Questions Answered,"  sociologist Robb Willer [https://sociology.stanford.edu/people/robb-willer] answers listener questions about how to navigate political differences with the people in your life.  The Los Angeles stop [https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0900629799E03824] on our live tour is almost here! Join Shankar November 22 as he shares seven key psychological insights from the show's first decade. And we're excited to share new dates for 2026. We'll be in Philadelphia on March 21 and New York City on March 25. More info and tickets here: https://www.hiddenbrain.org/tour/ [https://www.hiddenbrain.org/tour/] Episode art courtesy of Graphicook Studio for Unsplash.com.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How Nature Heals Us

We've known intuitively for centuries that spending time in nature can give us a boost. But it’s only recently that scientists have begun to identify exactly what it is about the outdoors that has such a powerful effect on our mood and our minds. This week, psychologist Marc Berman [https://voices.uchicago.edu/bermanlab/berman/] explores how spending time in nature can actually undo some of the harmful effects of our modern lives. Do you have follow-up questions, comments, or stories about nature's effect on the mind after listening to this episode? If you'd be comfortable sharing your thoughts with the Hidden Brain audience, please record a voice memo on your phone and email it to us at ideas@hiddenbrain.org [ideas@hiddenbrain.org]. Use the subject line nature. Thanks!   Illustration by Swati B on Unsplash+ [https://unsplash.com/illustrations/a-man-with-a-backpack-walking-through-a-jungle-vM1Z7fG0LVo] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Reframing the Battle of Wills

It can be frustrating when people do things we don't want them to do. A friend cancels plans at the last minute. A child refuses to get dressed for school. Before long, our resentment builds, and we're tempted to issue more rules, reminders, and consequences. But the techniques we use to get people to alter their behavior are often strikingly ineffective. This week, psychologist Stuart Ablon [https://researchers.mgh.harvard.edu/profile/3132546/J.-Stuart-Ablon] explains why these methods fail, and offers better ways to help the people we care about make lasting change.. If you love Hidden Brain, join us for an upcoming live show! We'll be in Los Angeles on November 22, and more dates in 2026 are coming soon. For tickets and more info, go to hiddenbrain.tour [https://www.hiddenbrain.org/tour/].   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.