Hidden Brain

Radical Acceptance

Last week, we looked at the hidden beliefs that can leave us feeling stuck in life. This week, in the second part of our conversation with behavioral scientist Dave Evans [https://lifedesignlab.stanford.edu/team], we talk about radical acceptance. 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. Then, in the latest installment of Your Questions Answered, psychologist Sarah Schnitker [https://psychologyneuroscience.artsandsciences.baylor.edu/person/sarah-schnitker-phd] returns to answer listeners' questions about patience.  When something terrible happens in your life, are you destined to fall apart? In our latest YouTube video, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZj73Fu939s] we explore decades of research about how humans respond to grief, loss, and tragedy. Check it out, and subscribe so you don't miss any of our videos! Episode illustration by Getty Images for Unsplash+ [https://unsplash.com/illustrations/happy-narcissist-girl-looking-at-herself-at-mirror-admiring-her-beautiful-reflection-vector-illustration-for-self-love-proud-admiration-narcissism-concept-05OQp4YNUKg] 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.

Designing a Life that Matters

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. Behavioral scientist Dave Evans [https://lifedesignlab.stanford.edu/team] describes a new approach, borrowed from design thinking, to help us build lives that feel more alive, flexible, and real.  What makes brave people different from the rest of us? It isn't a lack of fear — instead, it's a trait that might surprise you. Learn more in this video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJX2H54MPXY&t=2s] on our new YouTube channel.  Episode illustration by Getty Images for Unsplash+ [https://unsplash.com/illustrations/woman-in-front-of-open-doors-and-signs-of-the-way-flat-vector-illustration-business-woman-choosing-the-best-route-choices-and-decision-alternative-ways-of-career-KcLC_NEcP1o]. 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 Loved?

What’s the difference between being loved and feeling loved? Psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky [https://profiles.ucr.edu/app/home/profile/sonja] joins us to discuss the distinction, and how we can create a stronger feeling of closeness in our relationships. Then, in our latest installment of Your Questions Answered, psychologist Greg Walton [https://psychology.stanford.edu/people/greg-walton] returns to answer listeners’ questions about negative thought spirals. As individuals and as a society, we often overlook a strategy that can help us to improve our lives. We discuss this tool [https://youtu.be/3wiMC4zsq8o] in a new video on Hidden Brain's YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@HiddenBrain]. Please check it out, and let us know what you think! Episode illustration by Getty Images for Unsplash+ [https://unsplash.com/illustrations/couple-of-indian-woman-and-black-man-in-side-view-in-front-of-heart-design-relationship-love-and-romance-theme-vector-illustration-SU1KahlGal8] 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 to Change the World

Does power truly flow from the barrel of a gun? Pop culture and conventional history often teach us that violence is the most effective way to produce change. But is that common assumption actually true? Political scientist Erica Chenoweth [https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty/erica-chenoweth], who has studied more than 100 years of revolutions and insurrections, says the answer is counterintuitive. Then, Ranjay Gulati [https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/profile.aspx?facId=77265] answers listener questions on how to cultivate courage. Hidden Brain is now on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenbrain]! Check out our first three videos, which explore how to cope in high-pressure situations [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJX2H54MPXY&t=37s], the secret behind artistic masterpieces [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFY96JwLHTQ&t=306s], and an unexpected driver of bravery in our everyday lives [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJX2H54MPXY&t=38s].  Illustration by Kuliation for Unsplash+ [https://unsplash.com/illustrations/a-group-of-people-holding-up-their-fists-TVUHW7WGDK0]. 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 Debt Trap

We like to think that good financial decisions come down to discipline and basic math. But the psychology of money turns out to be deeply complicated. Researcher John Dinsmore [https://people.wright.edu/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. Then, on Your Questions Answered, researcher Bobby Parmar [https://www.darden.virginia.edu/faculty-research/directory/bidhan-l-parmar] returns to consider the upsides of embracing uncertainty. We're excited to share that Hidden Brain is coming to YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenbrain]! Check out our trailer and subscribe so you don't miss our first three episodes, coming April 10.  Episode art by Andania Humaira for Unsplash+ [https://unsplash.com/illustrations/a-man-carrying-a-large-piece-of-paper-over-his-head-8U7iK4m93yw] 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.