logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2024
51m 51s

The Cure for Self-Importance

Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam
About this episode

When we meet new people, we’re often drawn to those with a commanding presence or a dazzling personality. But it turns out that a very different trait — humility — is important in the long term. This week, in the first of a two-part discussion, we talk with psychologist Daryl Van Tongeren about different kinds of humility, and how this overlooked quality can play a powerful role in workplace dynamics and romantic relationships. 

If you like today's episode, be sure to check out part two of our conversation, exclusively for Hidden Brain+ listeners. We talk with Daryl Van Tongeren about existential humility — being open to the idea we might be wrong about life's biggest unknowns. It's the episode called "Asking the Big Questions." To listen to Hidden Brain+ with a free seven-day trial, go to apple.co/hiddenbrain or support.hiddenbrain.org

Up next
Yesterday
The Trauma Script
When tragedy strikes, it’s natural to be devastated. But psychologist George Bonanno finds that many of us recover from life’s blows more quickly than we might expect. This week, we talk with Bonanno about his research and why it has changed how many scientists think about trauma ... Show More
50m 13s
Aug 18
How Our Brains Learn
Have you ever fallen asleep in school or during a work meeting? Maybe you felt your eyes glaze over as your boss or a teacher droned on and on about a topic that had no relevance to you. What's missing from these classrooms and conference rooms is engagement: A state of being abs ... Show More
1h 22m
Aug 11
The Best Years of Your Life
Aging isn’t just a biological process. Our outlooks and emotions also change as we age, often in ways that boost our well-being. This week, we revisit a favorite conversation with psychologist Laura Carstensen, who helps us unpack the science behind this surprising finding, and s ... Show More
1h 19m
Recommended Episodes
Jul 4
The Moth Podcast: Joy and Pain
A few days ago, we aired an episode of the Moth Radio Hour called “Human + Nature” - where we shared some stories about humans, nature, and human nature. But, for this podcast, we’re taking a different look at that topic, as we explore the dark side of two of life’s most natural ... Show More
17m 7s
Nov 2023
140. Arash Javanbakht | Afriad
The World’s #1 Personal Development Book Podcast! In today’s episode we have the pleasure to interview Dr. Arash Javanbakht author of Afraid Arash, is an Anxiety and Trauma Psychiatrist, Neuroscientist, Public Scholar, Keynote speaker, author, and fear expert. We had such an incr ... Show More
49m 54s
Jun 23
(Matt Monday): The Brutal TRUTH About Relationships You Need to Hear
I have something really cool to share today, This is a conversation I had with Jay Shetty for his On Purpose podcast, where we talked about the modern dating dilemma of endless options and the fear of settling. We discussed the danger of always looking for “someone better” as a d ... Show More
21m 17s
May 2024
How To Love Yourself as an ESTP - 536
On this episode of the Personality Hacker podcast, Joel and Antonia dive into how ESTPs can use personality know-how to embrace and love who they are. The conversation also touches on what the other 15 personality types can learn from ESTPs about self-love.   https://personalityh ... Show More
1h 28m
Jun 2024
8. The science behind love + the big fat So Cultured quiz
It’s our last episode of season 2!! We cannot believe it.Today we are going to be talking about LOVE… No, it is not valentines day but Yaz has some interesting stories about her love life and she delves into what’s going on in the science behind this crazy emotion.Dating and love ... Show More
1h 2m
Jun 14
The Power of Good Conversation, with Jefferson Fisher (Part One)
‘Embracing the knowledge in The Next Conversation will vastly improve your life.’ – Andrew Huberman, creator of the Huberman Lab Podcast ‘ The Next Conversation gives you the tools to change your life, one conversation at a time.’ – Mel Robbins, bestselling author and host of the ... Show More
38m 19s
Jan 2024
How To Love Yourself as an ESFP - 521
On this episode of the Personality Hacker podcast, Joel and Antonia dive into how ESFPs can use personality know-how to embrace and love who they are. The conversation also touches on what the other 15 personality types can learn from ESFPs about self-love.   https://personalityh ... Show More
59m 57s
Mar 2024
How To Love Yourself as an ISTP - 0529
On this episode of the Personality Hacker podcast, Joel and Antonia dive into how ISTPs can use personality know-how to embrace and love who they are. The conversation also touches on what the other 15 personality types can learn from ISTPs about self-love.   https://personalityh ... Show More
1h 25m
Oct 2023
Three Skills for Staying Calm, Sane, and Open in a Chaotic World | Krista interviewed by Dan Harris for Ten Percent Happier
From Krista: I loved being interviewed by Dan Harris as much as I've ever enjoyed being on the other side of the microphone (as the saying goes). He drew things out of me I didn't know I had to say. And I'm so impressed with him as a human being, and what he's created with Ten Pe ... Show More
1h 5m
Feb 2024
How To Love Yourself as an ISFP - 0524
On this episode of the Personality Hacker podcast, Joel and Antonia dive into how ISFPs can use personality know-how to embrace and love who they are. The conversation also touches on what the other 15 personality types can learn from ISFPs about self-love.   https://personalityh ... Show More
1h 8m