If you loved
Hidden Brain
Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam · Podcast · 2026
You love Hidden Brain because you are fascinated by the hidden psychological mechanisms that dictate how you navigate your daily life.
Books on the same thread
Thinking, Fast and Slow
Daniel Kahneman · Book · 2011
Explores: Cognitive Biases, Heuristics, Rationality.
Just as Hidden Brain dissects cognitive patterns, this book offers the definitive exploration of the two systems driving your intuition and decision-making, providing the foundational science behind your mental shortcuts.
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
Bessel van der Kolk, M.D. · Book · 2015
Explores: Trauma recovery, PTSD, Mind-body connection.
If Hidden Brain helped you understand the interpersonal dynamics of your mind, this work provides a deeper, clinical look at how trauma physically shapes your brain and emotional response.
Think Again
Adam Grant · Book · 2021
Shares a thread with Hidden Brain: self-improvement.
Shankar Vedantam explores human behavior, and this book serves as a perfect companion by challenging you to cultivate the intellectual humility and growth mindset necessary to rethink your existing biases.
Altered Traits
Daniel Goleman, Richard J. Davidson · Book · 2017
Shares a thread with Hidden Brain: Self-Improvement.
Hidden Brain listeners value scientific validation of the mind, and this exploration of meditation provides the same rigorous, research-backed evidence for how you can tangibly alter your own brain structure.
Films on the same thread
Hidden Figures
Film · 2016
Explores: Racial segregation, Women in STEM, Gender equality.
While Hidden Brain explores the science of human behavior, this story highlights the brilliant minds who overcame systemic obstacles, mirroring the podcast's focus on the power and complexity of human potential.
Limitless
Neil Burger · Film · 2011
Shares a thread with Hidden Brain: Self-Improvement.
This film dramatizes the cognitive enhancement themes often discussed on Hidden Brain, forcing you to consider the moral costs and psychological transformation that occur when you unlock your full capacity.
Inside Out
Pete Docter · Film · 2015
Explores: Emotional Growth, Mental Health, Importance of Sadness.
Much like the narrative style of Hidden Brain, this film externalizes complex emotional processes, helping you visualize how your internal mental landscape functions during moments of significant personal change.
Bo Burnham: Inside
Film · 2021
Explores: Mental Health, Isolation, Internet Culture.
Hidden Brain often touches on the existential toll of modern life, and this performance captures that same psychological struggle during isolation, turning personal introspection into a profound exploration of mental health.
Series on the same thread
The Mind, Explained
Ezra Klein · Series · 2019
Shares a thread with Hidden Brain: Human Behavior.
For those who appreciate the educational mission of Hidden Brain, this series provides an equally illuminating, visual breakdown of the cognitive science and neuroscience that govern your everyday experiences.
Brain Games
Series · 2011
Shares 2 threads with Hidden Brain: Cognitive Bias, Human Behavior.
If you enjoy the way Hidden Brain exposes cognitive biases, you will appreciate how this show uses interactive experiments to demonstrate the tricks your brain plays on your perception of reality.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Hidden Brain a science podcast?
Yes, Hidden Brain is a science podcast hosted by veteran journalist Shankar Vedantam. It is routinely rated as the number one science podcast in the United States and focuses on understanding human behavior, creativity, and personal relationships through the lens of psychological and scientific research.
What topics does Hidden Brain explore?
Hidden Brain explores complex questions about why people feel stuck, how to improve individual creativity, and ways to enhance personal relationships. The show investigates the inner workings of the human mind to help listeners better understand themselves and the people around them.
Who is the host of Hidden Brain?
The host of Hidden Brain is Shankar Vedantam. He is a veteran science journalist who leads the program in examining human behavior and the mind, providing listeners with insights into why we act the way we do in various aspects of our lives.
Can Hidden Brain help me understand my relationships?
Yes, Hidden Brain is designed to help you understand your own mind as well as the minds of those around you. By listening to the program, you can gain insights into human behavior that may assist you in improving your relationships and navigating personal challenges.