This podcast is like free therapy. I’m not exaggerating when I say it was one of the reasons I kept my sanity when my life was falling apart. I’ve learned so much about being human, why we do what we do, and how to do better. I repeat episodes all the time, and feel like I get new perspectives each time. I’m always recommending this series. Make sure to subscribe and support Hidden Brain, it’s worth it. Thank you so much to Shankar and your team for making such an interesting and entertaining show.

Shankar Vedantam hosts a truly unique and insightful series; I love it! Unfortunately, the commercials are off-putting, especially the ones read by Shankar himself; they sully his credibility. CAVEAT EMPTOR: I paid for a subscription with the expectation that the commercials would stop, but they did not. Sadly, you pay to hear commercials. Other podcasts nix commercials with a subscription, why not Hidden Brain? And what’s the deal with the low brow AI art? Really?

i’ve always loved the show, started listening long ago on NPR. I think I understand the general reason why NPR is now nothing but ads and why the show is close behind, but I already paid money to get the Apple subscription that includes podcast. I’m not sure why I have to pay even more money to listen to this particular show or any of the other others. There’s a reason cable TV essentially went out of business….

Now it seems geared toward men who are already successful becoming more “fulfilled.” Doesn’t really resonate with me and makes me feel small.

The guests Shankar invites and the questions he asks, make this podcast one of the best out there. Regardless the topic, I always learn so much about myself and just we humans in general. This podcast is a quiet, calm, refuge from all the noise and misinformation flying about in the media today. Thank you Hidden Brain!

This show takes what feels mundane and explains things in a way where you can digest and apply positive changes to your life. It’s my absolute favorite show to listen to with my significant other. It has helped me improve my personal relationships with others AND with myself.

I love Hidden Brain, especially the most recent episode on living your purpose. Thank you for your fantastic journalism, research, and interview skills — you have had such an impact on the way I see myself and the world. I share my favorites with everyone I know. Grateful for all you do to bring forward such valuable insights!

Been listening to Hidden Brain since the early days and I’m very dissapointed by their decision to use AI instead of hiring hard working artists. Do better.

This show used to feel more actionable, back when it was still an official NPR podcast. The ads are sort of annoying and I’m surprised to see AI art on the covers recently. I didn’t believe it until I saw one of the illustrations had 6 fingers on all the hands. Disappointing.

I used to enjoy listening to this podcast as the subject matter is varied and often covered in satisfying depth. However, for many months now, the amount of advertising and commercials for selling subscriptions has become overbearing and untenable. I'm not kidding when I say that about about 1/3 of the listening time is spent having to wade through sponsorship ads and references to supporting the channel via various subscriptions. I do not be grudge the need to make money but I do begrudge putting profit over listeners.

Unfollowing for AI cover art on your episodes. Disappointed.

I listen to podcasts to fall asleep & this one happened to be playing as I awoke this morning. I was intrigued & decided to listen from the beginning while having my morning coffee. Wow , so timely & I wanted so much to hear the companion podcast . Looking forward to hearing such encouraging words of wisdom !

Hearing this dad's fantastic story, as a nurse, I have many questions. If indeed this transpired as told in this episode, what happened to this girl was legitimately a miracle. Without any evidence other than Dad's story, I worry that this will give hope where there is none to other parents. Transplanting a heart into a child that had earlier been declared brain dead? Huh?

Update: You’ve outdone yourself with this latest episode on What Does Your Life Mean in the You 2.0 series. I was in tears and in deep thought about what my life purpose really is. One of the best episodes I’ve ever heard. I’ve shared it with everyone I know. Simply incredible. Good work Hidden Brain. I am a podcast junkie and listen to many podcasts weekly. Hidden Brain is definitely my favorite podcast by far. I’ve gone back and listened to every episode and am excited when I see a new episode pop up on my feed. The podcast is well produced, thoughtful, and thought-provoking. Well done.

I’ve been enjoying this podcast for many years and I highly recommend it. Shankar Vendantam’s affable demeanor and curiosity of each subject make this podcast all the more enjoyable. In depth, brilliant and insightful research and production quality is what you will find plus, Shankar has one of the most delightful laughs on air.

Good show but the ads and pauses are so awkward. Sometimes there is such a gap that I think I’ve paused myself by accident.

I hate all of your advertisements. You are selling your soul for money. If you don’t care about us as listeners, only yourself.

The ads are honestly unbearable. They’re not just at the start or end, they’re sprinkled all over the episode, popping up right when you’re trying to focus. It completely kills the flow and makes it hard to stay engaged. What’s frustrating is that the show has potential. The topics are genuinely interesting and thought-provoking, but when every few minutes you’re pulled out of the experience with a jarring promo, it starts feeling less like a podcast and more like a commercial. I get that shows need to make money, but there’s a better way to do it. This format just ends up making the content feel hollow.

You will learn about overcoming human (your) shortcomings in the most pleasant way.

Listen to most shows and it will boil down too hating conservatives and especially hating Trump, who ironically is not conservative. I understand this is NPR related and thus, nothing but left-wingers run the show,

I can’t decide between wiretap and hidden brain. Love this show.

I’ve listened to Hidden Brain a few times in the past and always love the interviews. Recently, I’ve been binging through many of the episode series. Not only are the interviewees’ knowledgeable and informative; but also, I’m drawn to Shankar’s melodic and grounding voice that resonates through and carries us through each interview. love the topics- love Shankar’s interview style!

I LOVE this short segment showing people with compassion making a difference

This is one my all time favorite podcasts! I learn so much from Shankar and his guests!

I preferred less frequent longer podcasts typical of the radio show.

This is so amazing to listen to in the morning instead of scrolling on my phone. Very informative and thought provoking. i feel like listening has caused me to reflect more and become more aware and had helped with my personal life and relationships with people:)

Way to screw over those who are too poor to pay. Hidden brain alright

Hidden Brain is in my toolbox for coping with emotional stress.

Lot of exposition, lot of commercials, lot of distracting podcasty instrumentals that do not add anything

Long time subscriber to the show considering unsubscribing because just heard an ad for Amazon created and read by Shankar himself. So tired of science being in the pockets of billionaires. There are a million reasons to boycott Amazon. Very disappointed.

I’ve been a long-time listener and generally appreciate the thoughtful approach Hidden Brain brings to complex topics. However, I was deeply disappointed by the way Malcolm X was portrayed in a recent episode…as someone who promoted violence. This is a dangerous oversimplification of his philosophy and legacy. Malcolm X did not advocate violence as a solution; he advocated self-defense in the face of brutality and systemic neglect. To reduce his message to "violent rhetoric" without context reinforces harmful stereotypes about Black resistance and continues a long tradition of distorting the legacies of Black leaders who demand justice in uncompromising terms. Hidden Brain can and should do better, especially when handling the stories of figures whose words and intentions have long been misrepresented by mainstream narratives. Context matters. And when that context is missing, it doesn't just misinform, it perpetuates harm. I hope the show takes this feedback seriously and revisits the nuance and depth that Malcolm X deserves.

Great show and sub. I would like to add a theme to the thread of this episode. I think we may have excluded a group of people who don’t feel the pressure to comply or just go along. I can only speak for myself but I have always responded very negatively to any pressure to comply in both insignificant and very significant situations. I believe there are many people like that. Great show, thank you!

Some of the episode I have sent to my children, they act counseling sessions

Every episode teaches something new. A must listen!

Every topic discussed in this podcast is utterly fascinating. I listen to this podcast while I’m working and driving. Shankar is a great host. I love love the way he navigates each episode.

We got o ec r

I love it 😻 it's my favorite podcast, I can never sleep without playing it, I really recommend it ★★★★★

Love this content. Every show brings me knowledge that informs how I can improve myself and better understand others.

Listened to many episodes, but the 3/3 episode about “hiding your true self” was so tiresome. Covering is a good thing when it comes to your sexual orientation. Keep it to yourself…

I've listened to Hidden Brain ever since it was just a brief segment on NPR - I loved the fact that it made science accessible to everyone Unfortunately in the years since then it has increasingly veered towards soft-focus self-improvement with the host just asking softball Qs of guests as prompts, not actually engaging in any kind of intellectual discussion Aldo, please stop this practice of addressing the guest by their name EVERY SINGLE TIME you speak to them!! It's not necessary makes the host sound like a Dale Carnegie superfan ! Not sure how much longer I'll listen to this - I used to listen to new episodes ASAP but now it feels like a chore to get through one

For anyone interested in better understanding humans. Good for work, personal relationships, yourself, society as whole, doesn’t matter. I have gained tons of insight and information that I have put to use in my own life. I’ve listened to many pods over the years but this is one I consistently return to. The episodes are thoughtfully put together and always give the listener so much to think about. I highly recommend this podcast for anyone curious about why we do the things we do.

Hi Shankar! While I am a Christian, and draw different conclusions from much of your podcasts than you are probably expecting me to, I love your podcast and have been listening since 2019! Your dedication, time, energy, and heart shine through and it keeps me coming back!! I would love to challenge you to interview a pro lifer (preferably Christian). Abortion is the greatest human rights issue facing us today and I would love for more people to hear it from a pro life perspective. Thanks for your consideration!! Over 1 million human beings are murdered in America alone each year before they are given a right to life. It is devastating and many many MANY people feel this way. I would love for our perspectives to be heard. Thanks again :)

This is a favorite podcast of mine. I check it out every week for new insights and ideas. Sometimes it starts out basic but always ends with something new. Thanks Shankar and your team for a wonderful weekly treat!

Likening the use of reasonable accommodations or modifications by disabled person to lying about one’s name and intentions in order to perpetrate and in the course of committing a series of domestic and international serious felonies is not only a gross disservice to disabled (and nondisabled) people everywhere; it is frank disinformation and bigotry. This is true whether or not the HB team or its guest care to self reflect and admit their offensive error. We were going to subscribe but no longer can do so in good conscience, the manifest prejudice and/or harmful carelessness is that consequential to our lives. All the more so now, with other purveyors of disinformation who also are aggressively ableist persons being put in positions of considerable power. Sad and hurtful.

Maybe it can find its way again.

Thought provoking. Question what you know. Enjoy. The chosen guests and conversations are food for growth. Keep up the good work, Team!

Shankar takes the listener on a deeply introspective journey, expertly navigating our thought and behavior patterns. Topics are broad but the focus is on self improvement in a gentle and enlightening way. It is really beautifully done and feels kind. This podcast has improved my life.

I love the content of the podcast but I really dislike the AI images. They make me uncomfortable and I’ve been avoiding the pod because of them.

THANK YOU! I love all the shows but this one on our need to improve conversation and communication skills really hits home as I’m a facilitator and science communicator. I’ve thought how the US culture needs communication skills to be taught in K-12 education. At each grade level. Our developmental skills improve as we age, therefore so should our understanding of how to communicate well. Again, thank you!

I read all the books recommended here and man; I’m living my best life! Thank you Shankar for sharing your wisdom. YOU ARE MY 🐐