Ethan Kross, a psychologist at the University of Michigan and author of "Chatter," dives into the intriguing world of self-talk. He examines how negative inner voices can spiral into harmful chatter and the psychological effects this has on our lives. Kross shares strategies to transform this inner dialogue into a supportive tool, using personal stories and scientific insights. From navigating self-doubt to mastering emotional responses, he reveals the complexities of our inner voices and how we can harness them for personal growth.

Tali Sharot, a neuroscientist known for her work on how our brains adapt to routine, shares fascinating insights into habituation. She explains why we often take joy for granted and how our perceptions shift over time. The discussion delves into vacation happiness, revealing that joy peaks after 43 hours of leisure. Sharot emphasizes the importance of variety and novelty in life to combat complacency and rediscover meaning. Her studies also highlight the dangers of desensitization, urging us to break free from emotional patterns to reclaim our appreciation for the world.

Ara Norenzayan, a psychologist focused on the brain's relationship with belief systems, discusses how faith shapes human cognition. He delves into the psychological roots of religious beliefs, exploring how our understanding of the divine enhances emotional connections. The conversation touches on the paradox of happiness in wealthier societies and the role of religion in promoting well-being. Norenzayan emphasizes that both religious and non-religious individuals can find meaningful connections that enrich their lives.

Corey Keyes, a sociologist specializing in emotions and social well-being, explores the often misunderstood feeling of emptiness that affects many. He shares insights into why people may feel unfulfilled despite apparent success and the struggles of new parents navigating societal expectations. Keyes highlights the state of 'languishing,' where individuals grapple with emotional discontent. He emphasizes the power of social connections and pursuing genuine fulfillment over superficial happiness as crucial in combating feelings of emptiness.

In this conversation with philosopher Ted Slingerland, he explores the dangers of overthinking and the benefits of letting go. He discusses how excessive striving can backfire, offering insights into the balance between intuition and analysis. Ted humorously shares dating blunders, tying them to the importance of authenticity in connections. The discussion highlights the concept of 'wu-wei' or effortless action in achieving a state of flow, revealing how relaxing into experiences often leads to better outcomes in life, creativity, and relationships.

The human drive to invent new things has led to pathbreaking achievements in medicine, science and society. But our desire to create can keep us from seeing one of the most powerful paths to progress: subtraction. In a favorite conversation from 2022, engineer Leidy Klotz shares how streamlining and simplifying is sometimes the best path to innovation. Today's episode concludes our Innovation 2.0 series. If you've enjoyed these episodes, please tell a friend about them! They can find all of the stories in this series in this podcast feed, or at https://hiddenbrain.org/. Thanks for listening! 

Most of us love to brainstorm with colleagues. But so often, our idea-generating sessions don't lead to anything tangible. Teams fill up walls with sticky notes about creative possibilities and suggestions for improvement, but nothing actually gets implemented. Some researchers even have a name for it: "innovation theater." This week, we explore the science of execution. Psychologist Bob Sutton tells us how to move from innovation theater . . . to actual innovation.You can find all the episodes in our Innovation 2.0 series in this podcast feed, or on our website, hiddenbrain.org. 

In this conversation with Vanessa Bohns, a Cornell University psychologist specializing in social influence, listeners explore the concept of egocentric bias. She reveals how people often overlook the power they hold when making requests. Bohns discusses the dynamics of social pressure, offering insights on how it skews our perception of influence. The episode sheds light on how understanding these biases can enhance personal connections and improve our ability to ask for what we need, reinforcing the importance of recognizing our own persuasive potential.

Mary Murphy, a researcher focused on cultures of genius, discusses how societal perceptions of talent can stifle individual and organizational growth. She highlights the Stark contrast between fixed and growth mindsets, addressing the impact on student engagement and workplace dynamics. Murphy critiques the pressure of competitive ranking systems and explores the benefits of fostering a growth-oriented culture. She shares insights on creating environments that encourage effort and collaboration, essential for unlocking potential and thriving.

Why is it so hard to guess where we're meant to be? To predict where we'll end up? Nearly all of us have had the experience of traveling down one road, only to realize it's not the road for us. At the University of Virginia, Saras Sarasvathy uses the lens of entrepreneurship to study how we plan and prepare for the future. We kick off our new "Innovation 2.0" series by talking with Saras about how we pursue goals and make decisions.Do you know someone who might benefit from our conversation with Saras about expert entrepreneurs? Please share it with them if so! And be sure to check out our other conversations about how to get out of ruts and figure out a path forward: Who Do You Want to Be?You 2.0 : How to Break Out of a Rut