Listener Reviews

I can’t wait to get and listen to the latest episode because Shankar always brings a new way of thinking about the current topic. It’s really fun to hear his analysis and that of his guests.Even rerunning programs, brings back the reason I began listening in the first place!

This is about the 2/20/23 episode re: cultivating a sense of purpose. I generally like this podcast. But I’m troubled that the episode talks about how a sense of purpose is associated with, e.g., better health, increased likability, etc. and implies that there is a *causal* relationship between a sense of purpose and such positive things. Actually, at 34:40, it does more than just imply - Shankar actually puts forth that “[i]t can improve your health, your cognitive abilities, your longevity.” What exactly is the evidence? How was it gathered? I’d like to point out that, for example, people who experience a sense of purpose may be more likely to have involved careers that pay well > more $$$ > better healthcare > better health. It seems overreaching to assert that a sense of purpose *causes* (vs is merely correlated with) better health, increased likability, etc.

Shankar asks thoughtful and thought-provoking questions, and has a contagious laugh. He has a way of breaking down complex concepts into understandable and digestible pieces. This is one of my favorite podcasts.

Would like you to interview Paul and Sasha from The podcast Community News with Paul and Sasha to learn how their brains process every day events and turn them into comedy.

I have quoted this podcast more often than any other. I look forward to it every week.

Love this podcast although I could do without the obvious left leaning political biases.

Love it, listen to it and learn lots while working remotely

I have exactly the experience for the experience as Liz went through in 2012. I of course even went to Italy and married the guy for almost 10 months. I’m hearing this episode and can’t believe these happened over and over again.

Love the new section at the end of each episode—our Unsung Heroes. Today’s (01/23/23) heroes helped a car wreck victim as anonymous first responders. It was especially touching.. This section reminds me we are all in this together, right here, right now, wherever we are, and how important it is to be kind to each other. Much needed—thank you, Hidden Brain team!

Breaking down the actual psychology of persuasion is a great way to catch it when you see it and apply it more purposefully. Thank you for this episode.

Shankar is a fantastic interviewer! So smart and always asks the best questions.

i think this is a cool show that really makes me think but i’ll be really gaining a lot from the podcast then get loud yelling ads like high pitched women about ikea and western union bank? i hope you say the ads instead bc it’s really alarming and often. i don’t need to send money orders and i would rather make a table with glue noodles and human hair than go to an ikea. other than that great show

This show is always a pleasure. It gets me to think about things outside of my daily world. I also love his voice and delivery. Overall Hidden Brain is a place I can go to learn and think that I wouldn’t normally experience.

Very informative and provides much food for thought.

There is seriously not a single episode that doesn’t inspire, impact and relate to some area of my life, business and personal. Shankar is referenced regularly by me!

I listen to this every Sunday at 10 am on NPR. It’s how I start my relaxing mindfulness Sunday. It seems like every episode relates to something I’ve been thinking about every time it comes on. Thank you for all of the reflective points you share each week. It’s an amazing show!

Hidden Brain never disappoints- and it is by far the most common podcast I send to friends, family etc. So great.

Amazing music Well done peeps!

Shankar is the best host/interviewer I have ever heard. The show itself is also thought-provoking, always fascinating, and indeed helpful. I am always impressed by the curation of topics and the balance between thought-provoking questions of a philosophical nature and detailed nuanced responses. As I said above, Shankar could teach a master class in interviewing. His questions are so trenchant and display a keen wit and always cut to the heart of the matter while inviting guests to open up about their experiences. Every time I listen I am floored by how well he steers each episode. Bravo!

The way this show is structured is brilliant- stellar production and editing lead to a format that always feels fresh, intriguing, well-informed, and above all, curious. Shankar never acts as if he knows everything, despite his considerable experience and expertise. Instead, he brings an openness and inquisitiveness to each topic that makes him seem more like the rest of us: curious about how our brains work and how we can use that information to use them better. Have enjoyed nearly every episode I've listened to.

Great talk show.

I’ve been listening for 10 years now, amazing to find out everything you didn’t know about why you, and other people, act the way they do.

This podcast always gives you something good to think about!

Whatever the topic, get ready for thought provoking and insightful