Hidden Brain

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 talk with psychologist Peter Gray [https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/morrissey/departments/psychology-neuroscience/people/affiliated-and-emeritus/peter-gray.html] about how this balance has changed — for parents and children alike — and what we can do about it. For more of our reporting on children and parents, check out these classic Hidden Brain episodes: Kinder-Gardening [https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/kinder-gardening/] Bringing Up Baby  [https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/bringing-up-baby/]

We've all had those days when all we want is a little treat. Maybe it's a bag of chips, an ice cream sundae or a glass of wine. But sometimes, these desires become all-consuming. This week on the show, psychiatrist Judson Brewer [https://www.brown.edu/public-health/mindfulness/people/judson-brewer-md-phd] helps us understand the science of cravings, and how we should respond to them.  If you liked today's conversation, be sure to check out other Hidden Brain episodes about ways to regain a feeling of control over your life: Creatures of Habit [https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/creatures-of-habit/] and Taking Control of Your Time [https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/taking-control-of-your-time/].

Anthropologist Tom Pearson [https://www.uwstout.edu/directory/pearsont] was devastated after his daughter Michaela was diagnosed with Down syndrome. When he began to examine that emotional response, he found himself wrestling with questions that have roiled his field for decades. Early anthropologists would often compare people of different backgrounds and abilities, asking questions like: How is one group different from another? Which one is stronger or smarter? And how do we understand people who don’t fit our expectations? This week, we talk with Pearson about his family’s story, and the evolution of our thinking on disability and difference. If you liked today's show, be sure to check out these classic Hidden Brain episodes: "Emma, Carrie, Vivian" [https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/emma-carrie-vivian/] "Why You're Smarter than You Think" [https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/why-youre-smarter-than-you-think/]

If you've ever taken an economics class, you were probably taught that people are rational. But about 50 years ago, the psychologists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky began to chip away at this basic assumption. In doing so, they transformed our understanding of human behavior. This week, we remember Kahneman, who recently died at the age of 90, by revisiting our 2018 and 2021 conversations with him.  If you enjoyed this look at the work of Daniel Kahneman, you might also enjoy our conversations about behavioral economics with Kahneman's friend and collaborator Richard Thaler:  Misbehaving with Richard Thaler  [https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/misbehaving-with-richard-thaler/] Follow the Anomalies  [https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/follow-the-anomalies/]

Have you ever sat across from your spouse, colleague or friend and realized that while they may be hearing what you're saying, they aren't actually listening? Poor listening can lead to arguments, hurt feelings, and fractured relationships. But the good news is that active, thoughtful listening can profoundly benefit both people in the conversation. This week on the show, psychologist Guy Itzchakov [https://guyitzchakov.haifa.ac.il/] helps us understand where interactions go awry, and how to become a more attentive listener.  For more of our work on how to better connect with the people in your life, check out these episodes:  Why Conversations Go Wrong [https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/why-conversations-go-wrong/] with Deborah Tannen A Secret Source of Connection [https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/a-secret-source-of-connection/] with Amit Kumar Relationships 2.0: What Makes Relationships Thrive [https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/what-makes-relationships-thrive/] with Harry Reis Relationships 2.0: How to Keep Conflict from Spiraling [https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/relationships-2-0-how-to-keep-conflict-from-spiraling/] with Julia Minson