Hidden Brain

Rethinking Depression

We tend to see depression as an illness to eliminate, evidence that something has gone wrong in the brain. But what if low mood serves a purpose? Psychologist Jonathan Rottenberg examines the evolutionary roots of depression and reflects on his own painful experience with suicidal despair. He explores how depression can narrow our focus, and sometimes open the door to change. A note that this story includes a discussion of suicide. If you or someone you love is struggling with thoughts of suicide, there are people who can help. If you're inside the U.S., call or text 988, or visit the 988 Helpline online [https://988helpline.org/]. If you’re outside the U.S., you can search for resources in your country on this site. [https://www.iasp.info/suicidalthoughts/] Episode illustration by Runend Art for Unsplash [https://unsplash.com/illustrations/sadness-and-depression-are-symbolized-by-a-cloud-xl4p2YarMvI] 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.

Yuck! The Science of Disgust

Disgust is a strong emotion, one designed by evolution to protect us from danger and diseases. But disgust also spills into other areas of our lives, influencing our morals, our intuitions about right and wrong, even our politics. We talk with psychologist David Pizarro [https://psychology.cornell.edu/david-pizarro] about how disgust is used to persuade and divide us, and why it remains such a potent force in public life today. Then, in our latest installment of “Your Questions Answered,” Huggy Rao returns to respond to listeners’ thoughts and questions about why big ideas fail. There's still time to join Shankar at one of our upcoming stops on Hidden Brain's live tour! Join us in Philadelphia on March 21 [https://www.ensembleartsphilly.org/tickets-and-events/ensemble-arts-philly-presents/hidden-brain-perceptions-tour] or New York City on March 25. [https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0300635CCCC30F08] And stay tuned for more tour dates to be announced soon!  Illustration by Alvaro Montoro [https://unsplash.com/@alvaromontoro?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText] for Unsplash [https://unsplash.com/illustrations/a-stinky-trash-can-with-trash-on-the-ground-T71XeLbvLzY?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 Secret of Charisma

Charismatic leaders can inspire devotion and give people a powerful sense of meaning. They can also make us vulnerable. This week, we explore how figures across history have gained followers by offering clarity in moments of uncertainty — and why that clarity can come at a cost. Historian Molly Worthen [https://history.unc.edu/person/molly-worthen/] explains how to recognize the spell of charisma, and why questioning it is essential to a healthy society. Then, on Your Questions Answered, Antonio Pascual-Leone [https://www.uwindsor.ca/people/apl/314/bio-contact] returns to respond to listeners' thoughts and questions about moving on after a breakup. Do you have personal stories about being drawn in by a charismatic leader? A question about how we can be swept up in the spell of a mesmerizing person? If you’d be willing to share your question or story with the Hidden Brain audience, please record a voice memo on your phone. Then, email the file to us at feedback@hiddenbrain.org. Use the subject line “charisma.” Thanks!  Our next stops on Hidden Brain's live tour are coming up in just a few weeks! Join Shankar in Philadelphia on March 21 or in New York City on March 25. More info and tickets are at hiddenbrain.org/tour. [https://www.hiddenbrain.org/tour/] Episode illustration by Imhaf Maulana for Unsplash+ [https://unsplash.com/illustrations/a-man-standing-at-a-podium-with-his-hands-up-49kRD5iSino] 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.

Do You Feel Invisible?

What does it do to a person to feel overlooked? This week, psychologist Gordon Flett [https://www.yorku.ca/lamarsh/gord-flett/] examines how the absence of “mattering” can fuel loneliness, depression, and even violence. He outlines how feeling valued serves as a psychological buffer, and how simple gestures can rebuild a sense of meaning in ourselves and others. Then, in the second half of the show, listeners share their thoughts on finding healing in nature. Psychologist Marc Berman [https://psychology.uchicago.edu/directory/marc-g-berman] returns for the latest installment of our series "Your Questions Answered."  Today's episode touches on topics related to loneliness, depression, and suicide. If you or someone you love is struggling, there are people who can help. If you're in the U.S., call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 [https://988lifeline.org/]. If you're outside the U.S., this site [https://blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/] can help you find mental health resources in your country. Our next stops on Hidden Brain’s live tour are just weeks away! Join Shankar for an evening of science and storytelling in Philadelphia on March 21 [https://www.ensembleartsphilly.org/tickets-and-events/ensemble-arts-philly-presents/hidden-brain-perceptions-tour] or New York City on March 25 [https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0300635CCCC30F08]. He’ll be sharing seven key psychological insights from his first decade hosting the show. And stayed tuned for more tour stops to be announced later this spring! Episode illustration by Martino Pietropoli for Unsplash+ [https://unsplash.com/illustrations/a-man-standing-next-to-a-shadow-of-a-person-uTLDz6nj_ss]. 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 You're Smarter Than You Think

From the time we're schoolchildren, we're ranked and sorted based on how smart we are. But what if our assumptions about intelligence limit our potential? This week, we revisit a favorite 2022 conversation with cognitive scientist Scott Barry Kaufman [https://scottbarrykaufman.com/bio/], who proposes a more expansive notion of what it means to be "smart." Then, in the latest installment of Your Questions Answered, psychologist James Cordova [https://www.clarku.edu/faculty/profiles/james-cordova/] answers listener questions on accepting our romantic partners as they are. Our next stops on Hidden Brain’s live tour are just weeks away! Join Shankar for an evening of science and storytelling in Philadelphia on March 21 [https://www.ensembleartsphilly.org/tickets-and-events/ensemble-arts-philly-presents/hidden-brain-perceptions-tour] or New York City on March 25 [https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0300635CCCC30F08]. He’ll be sharing seven key psychological insights from his first decade hosting the show. And stayed tuned for more tour stops to be announced later this spring! If you missed our original series with James Cordova, listen to How to Fix Your Marriage, Part 1 [https://www.hiddenbrain.org/podcast/love-2-0-how-to-fix-your-marriage-part-1/] and How to Fix Your Marriage, Part 2 [https://www.hiddenbrain.org/podcast/love-2-0-how-to-fix-your-marriage-part-2/].  Episode illustration by ghariza mahavira for Unsplash+ [https://unsplash.com/@ghariza_/illustrations] 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.