Is nostalgia an emotion that's bitter, or sweet? Why are we so often pulled into memories of the past? This week on Hidden Brain, we talk about what prompts us to feel nostalgic, and the harms and benefits of this emotion. Plus, how Donald Trump employed nostalgia to win the 2016 presidential campaign.
Yesterday
What Art Does For Your Brain
Think about the last time a piece of music stopped you in your tracks, or a novel kept you up late at night. Why do these experiences feel so powerful? Psychobiologist Daisy Fancourt says engagement with the arts can help to regulate our emotions, build resilience, and support lo ... Show More
49m 18s
Aug 17
How to Be A Better Partner
When we look at the people we love, how clearly do we really see them? This week, we talk with psychologist Edward Lemay about how our fears, desires, and insecurities can shape our perceptions of our partners — sometimes creating the very reality we expect. He explains how we ca ... Show More
1h 26m
Aug 10
How Feelings Make Us Smarter
Some people are remarkably good at reading the emotional temperature of a situation. They can pick up on what others are feeling, manage their own emotions, and respond skillfully. What's their secret? This week, we explore the science of emotional intelligence with psychologist ... Show More
48m 7s
Jul 2023
The Iceberg of Nostalgia (Summer Archive)
Aw, nostalgia. Traversing merrily down memory lane is such a delight, until it isn't. Sure it's fun to see old pictures of what you wore 30 years ago is now making a come back but the short "just a glance" can quickly turn to a "how great things used to be." But today, I ask a mo ... Show More
14m 45s
Dec 2024
The Psychology of Nostalgia
In the first of two special holiday episodes, Claudia Hammond and an expert panel of psychologists look back, nostalgically. At this festive time of year, you might be thinking wistfully about Christmas past – perhaps you’ll be rewatching old films, arguing over a game of Monopol ... Show More
29m 45s
Dec 2021
Nostalgia and Reminiscing
Do you find yourself spending a lot of time thinking about the past? Thinking about friends you used to have, memories you treasure, or moments you wish you could go back to? In this episode, we talk about why reminiscing can be a bad thing, what we miss about the past, and how t ... Show More
35m 45s