Hidden Brain

In 2019, Justin Harrison's mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer. But by the time she died, he had figured out how to keep a part of her alive...forever. This week, the strange and provocative story of a man who believes that grief is not inevitable — that we can, in a way, cheat death.If you missed the earlier installments of our Healing 2.0 series, you can find them in this podcast feed, or on our website: Life After Loss, What We Gain from Pain, and Change Your Story, Change Your Life.  

You've probably heard that people who lose a loved one may go through what are known as the "five stages" of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. But many people find that their grief doesn't follow this model at all. In the latest installment of our Healing 2.0 series, we revisit our 2022 conversation with resilience researcher Lucy Hone. Lucy shares the techniques she learned to cope after a devastating loss in her own life. If you missed the earlier installments of our Healing 2.0 series, you can find them in this podcast feed, or on our website:  Healing 2.0: Change Your Story, Change Your Life and Healing 2.0: What We Gain from Pain. 

We’ve all heard the saying, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” But is there any truth to this idea? This week, we explore the concept of post-traumatic growth with psychologist Eranda Jayawickreme. He finds that pain can have benefits — but not necessarily the ones we expect.Enjoy this episode? Make sure to check out last week's kick-off to our Healing 2.0 series, where we explore how the stories we tell about ourselves shape our lives in profound ways.  

We all tell stories about ourselves, often without realizing we’re doing so. How we frame those stories can profoundly shape our lives. In the kickoff episode to our month-long series on healing, psychologist Jonathan Adler shares how to tell our stories in ways that enhance our wellbeing.Do you know someone who would enjoy Hidden Brain? Please tell them about this episode. And thanks for listening!  

One of the mysteries of human behavior is that it’s often easier for us to focus on what’s going wrong than on what’s going right in our lives. Why is that? Psychologist Thomas Gilovich studies the barriers that prevent us from feeling gratitude, and how we can overcome them.Do you know someone who would enjoy Hidden Brain? Please tell them about this episode. And thanks for listening!  

Richard Thaler, a Nobel Prize-winning behavioral economist from the University of Chicago, discusses the nuances of decision-making that often defy traditional economic models. He shares personal stories that reveal how social norms influence our choices, such as the endowment effect, where ownership alters our perception of value. Thaler also delves into the fascinating dynamics of the NFL draft, showcasing behavioral insights in player evaluation. His work sheds light on the psychological factors that drive everyday economic decisions.

We like to think that con artists only prey upon the weak, or gullible. But psychologist Dan Simons says all of us can fall victim to scams, because the best scammers know how to take advantage of our biases and blindspots. Did you miss last week's episode about perfectionism? You can find it here. And thanks for listening!  

In this engaging discussion, psychologist Thomas Curran, known for his research on perfectionism, unveils the darker side of our quest for flawlessness. He shares insights on how societal pressures and social media distort our self-image and relationships. Curran emphasizes the emotional toll of perfectionism, revealing its correlation with mental health issues. He encourages a shift toward authenticity, highlighting the need for personal fulfillment over external validation. Discover how to navigate the complexities of striving for excellence without succumbing to its burdens.

It's easy to think that the best teams are collections of highly accomplished or talented individuals, working under a skilled leader. But that's no guarantee of success. Psychologist Anita Woolley says the best teams are far more than the sum of their parts, and they share certain basic characteristics. Do you know someone who would enjoy Hidden Brain? Please tell them about this episode. And thanks for listening!  

Elliot Aronson, a prominent psychologist noted for his work on cognitive dissonance, dives into the fascinating realm of self-justification. He reveals how we create stories to defend our decisions, sometimes leading us astray, but suggests these rationalizations can also serve a positive purpose. The discussion uncovers the moral dilemmas we face and how cognitive dissonance can be a dual-edged sword—harmful yet potentially beneficial in achieving our goals. Aronson shares insights on leveraging this psychological tool for personal growth and social change.