logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2023
49m 51s

A Secret Source of Connection

Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam
About this episode
We all have moments in our lives when we see someone who could use a helping hand. It could be a friend who recently went through a breakup, an elderly person trying to load groceries into their car, or a stranger on the street who looks a little lost. We tell ourselves we should help, but then something stops us. This week, psychologist Amit Kumar helps us ... Show More
Up next
Oct 5
When Bad Things Happen to Good People
When historian Kate Bowler was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer, she became fascinated by the ways people try to impose order on events they can't control. She joins us to explore what it means to live fully when life offers no satisfying explanation for the tragedies we may face. ... Show More
1h 32m
Sep 28
How to Make a Difference: Part 2
Think about the last time you had a discouraging thought. Maybe you told yourself, "This won't work. I'm not cut out for this." Did you take that thought as fact? Last week, we talked with psychologist Martin Seligman about why some people come to believe that their actions don’t ... Show More
49m 9s
Sep 21
How to Make a Difference: Part 1
Why do some people act on the possibilities before them, while others come to believe that nothing they do will make a difference? Psychologist Martin Seligman describes his groundbreaking research on learned helplessness, and explains how the stories we tell ourselves about setb ... Show More
48m 10s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2025
When Help Isn't Helpful
Ever catch yourself rushing to fix someone's problems, only to realize maybe that's not what they needed? We all want to help those we care about, but sometimes our well-meaning support misses the mark. In this episode, we explore the delicate balance between being there for othe ... Show More
18m 2s
Oct 2025
A Little Happier: A Story from Real Life: Sometimes, We Help Best by Hanging Back
Sometimes, helping can hurt. When people are struggling, our impulse is to try to pull them back on their feet, when what they really need is for someone to sit beside them and ask, "What do you need? What can I do?" Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's websit ... Show More
4m 9s
Oct 2021
The secret to being a great friend
Are you holding yourself back from having genuine connections with the people around you? We’re going to explore this with inspo from mental health advocate Nick Bracks. It might even improve your friendships! Links ‘Move Your Mind’ by Nick Bracks - https://nickbracks.com/moveyou ... Show More
4m 3s
Aug 2023
Learning How to Ask For Help
In this episode, join us as we unravel the intricate web of asking for help. Rhea and Marilyn dive deep into the diverse forms of help people can provide, shedding light on their personal journeys of battling their own internal stigmas surrounding seeking help. We also share rece ... Show More
26m 41s
Sep 2023
Help Someone Better
When someone is struggling, it's hard to know how to be helpful. Whether it's a struggling partner, co-worker or friend, this episode will help you show up in a more supportive, empowering way using a couple of simple steps. Be a good listener, without over supporting or taking o ... Show More
17m 21s
Jun 2024
Find Renewal in Kindness
When life feels overwhelming, practice secret acts of kindness and generosity. Discover how giving can refill your emotional tank and improve your well-being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 
3m 27s
Jul 2023
How to Look for Help
We’ve all had times in our life when we’ve needed help—and we’ve all had times when we’ve received the help we needed. In this episode of The Gathering Room: How to Look for Help, Martha says that appreciating those times when you’ve been helped in the past is the key to getting ... Show More
29m 31s
Jul 2021
Radio Headspace Rewind: You Really Have Everything You Need
When life feels overwhelming, you can feel like the tank is empty. That you have nothing left to give. But if you dig a little deeper, you may find that the act of giving fills you back up. So today, try to find an opportunity to practice kindness and generosity — in secret if yo ... Show More
3m 54s
Mar 2022
The Anatomy of Kindness
In the Anatomy of Kindness Claudia Hammond asks who we are kind to. Professor Nichola Raihani from University College London says there are circles of connections, so family and friends, work colleagues, neighbours continuing out to everyone on the planet. Different people will p ... Show More
28m 7s
Listen to millions of songs and podcasts on Anghami