Listener Reviews

Shankar covers a diverse range of topics, always brings in insightful experts in their field, and the conversations are enlightening. Shankar and his team consistently deliver excellent content!

HB always gives me something new to think about. I love Shankar’s voice and storytelling style.

Hidden Brain used to be one of my very favorite podcasts, with Shankar Vedantam’s excellent questions guiding guests through intricate story-telling paths to reveal great truths. Unfortunately recently each episode seems to now be two, unrelated episodes smashed into one, making each one ridiculously long, and disjointed. Yes, it’s clear that the second half is a returning guest from a previous episode, but the fact that it’s attached to another, completely different episode is just confusing and frustrating. Each still a great show, but the current format of the episodes is long and frustrating, knocking my rating down from 5 stars to 4!

I am hoping this podcast goes on for at least another 80 years!

At first, I didn’t feel like I got that much but the more I listen to episodes the more I learned and am mind blown

Love the stories and guests, but what’s up with the volume of the ads?

It will be yours too.

Love Shankar!

Best series of podcasts whether you’re looking for ways to improve yourself, your community, or your organization; whether you’re a leader looking to build a more positive and effective team, or a member looking to use your interactions with others to create a more supportive environment in spite of less effective seniors; Hidden Brain will generate ideas through Shankar’s effective storytelling and discussion with some of the most respected innovators and experts in their fields. I can’t stress enough how much this podcast has helped in my personal relationships, my work as a military officer, and my hope for our future in turbulent times.

I love this podcast! I listen to it when I’m walking. Nearly every episode gives me something to think about. I support the show with a small monthly payment and it’s worth every penny. Thanks, Shankar and team!

I’ve been listening for years! Highly recommend it

Not many podcasts come across as fully researched and honest as this one. Shankar is an outstanding host who poses questions that drum up additional curiosity in a topic not for attention or to dupe his guests but because he is a truly interested in getting closer to the truth. Keep it up in 2026 please!

Thoughtful conversation, great listening.

Always great to listen to - always informative and thought-provoking.

Never posted a review for a podcast before, but I was compelled to after finishing the series with Dr. Lembke on addiction. Very informative and thought provoking. Just being aware of the concepts presented are enough to make you think more about your behavior and how your brain really is doing work that your conscious mind can’t readily grasp. This show is always interesting, but this series went beyond interesting into what I feel is required listening. Huge thanks to the entire team behind Hidden Brain.

Loved the last episode on addiction. Would be really curious about a similar conversation exploring ultra endurance sports and that pain/reward pathway. Can it be as nefarious as an addiction? Or does it have salvaging qualities?

Hi! This podcast is great for all ages 11 and up. it’s got a lot of great information but could be boring for younger users. Overall great show look forward to every episode!ps. This is future me and here is Jimmy 🤠/|\🐕‍🦺 / \🧳Jimmy loves to travel and he wants to go around to every podcast so don’t just keep him here! Bring him to all your pods!!!

Hidden Brain is always interesting and often very enlightening.

Something in every episode. I’m always looking at the titles of each episode and thinking? Will this be interesting and what’s amazing is it seems like every episode has something meaningful and useful

I look forward to this show every week. The topics are varied and I get something out of each one. Thank you very much.

Shankar has such a calming voice and intellect that has changed my life. The subjects he broaches and the people he interviews has helped myself and others with their emotional intelligence giving us the words to voice our emotions and neurological developments throughout our lives. I feel like I am a better person for myself, those I lead, and others around me. Thank you!

Please Shankar, we need Finding the Poetry in the Plumbing added to gen pop. I’m a broke college student and this may be the podcast that changes my life. I’m not a subscriber but a very long time listener. Please, may we have that podcast? It was so good on my ride home over the radio no wonder why it is reserved for premium members! Thanks Shankar!

Well presented, inspiring stories and research. Helps gain perspective from various people on the show.

I love the thought provoking themes that seem to be able to capture all of us in one aspect or another. It spans across all types of beliefs and gets to the heart of us all, our complicated brains, and our humanity. Thank you for your work.