logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2017
48m 13s

Never Go To Vegas

Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam
About this episode
All social classes have unspoken rules. From A-list celebrities to teachers, doctors, lawyers, and journalists — there are social norms that govern our decisions, whether we realize it or not. This week on Hidden Brain, the invisible qualities that all celebrities have in common, and how our interest in them builds because of cues we get from one another. La ... Show More
Up next
Jul 27
You Are Not Ordinary
Stories about unlikely heroes have captivated people for thousands of years. This week, social scientist Ben Rogers explores why the "hero's journey" resonates so deeply, and how the stories we tell about our own lives can shape our sense of purpose. He explains why seeing oursel ... Show More
1h 35m
Jul 20
How to Combat Pain
Pain feels like a simple message from the body. If your elbow hurts, there must be something wrong with your elbow. If your back is painfully stiff, you need some work done on your back. But psychologist Rachel Zoffness says our minds play a much larger role in our experience of ... Show More
50m 24s
Jul 13
Changing Our Mental Maps
As we move through the world, it's easy to imagine we're processing everything that happens around us and then deciding how to respond. But psychologist and neuroscientist Norman Farb says our brains actually navigate the world by coming up with mental maps. These maps act like a ... Show More
1h 34m
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2016
The New Norm
You probably don't even notice them, but social norms determine so much of your behavior - how you dress, talk, eat and even what you allow yourself to feel. These norms are so entrenched we never imagine they can shift. But Alix Spiegel and new co-host, Hanna Rosin, examine two ... Show More
58m 37s
Apr 2026
Trailer
What if the way you’ve been living…isn’t the only way? I’m Sara Jane Ho and on Hot Water (formerly known as Mind Your Manners) I unpack the traditions, beliefs, and practices that continue to shape Chinese life — and what they mean for you. From Chinese medicine and feng shui to ... Show More
1m 5s
Oct 2020
Fashion & VIP Parties
Fashion & VIP parties - Laurie Taylor explores the hidden stories behind the glamour and wealth. He's joined by Giulia Mensitieri, Social Anthropologist and Ethnologist Research Fellow at the Université Paris Nanterre, and author of a study which investigates the fashion industry ... Show More
28m 40s
Mar 2018
#119 — Hidden Motives
Sam Harris speaks with Robin Hanson about our hidden motives in everyday life. They discuss selfishness, hypocrisy, norms and meta-norms, cheating, deception, self-deception, education, the evolutionary logic of conversation, social status, signaling and counter-signaling, common ... Show More
59m 23s
Sep 2018
351. Here’s Why You’re Not an Elite Athlete
<p>There are a lot of factors that go into greatness, many of which are not obvious. A variety of Olympic and professional athletes tell us how they made it and what they sacrificed to get there. And if you can identify the sport most likely to get a kid into a top college — well ... Show More
1h 7m
Oct 2021
Keep your standards golden: When it comes to entertaining no one ever gets a medal for good behavior
Have you ever wondered who's behind celebrities' glamorous and over-the-top parties? Look no further, Colin Cowie joins Heather on today's episode and dishes out all the details on party planning-- the do's, don't, and the faux pas. Having built an empire out of planning parties ... Show More
54m 32s
Dec 2020
Dance Etiquette
What are the spoken and unspoken rules of a dance studio? The moms talk what to do when you hate the costumes, when you think other moms are being cliquey, and when it's appropriate to bring out the sangria. Plus a scandalous mom fail and a sneaky fan question.This episode is spo ... Show More
55m 13s