logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2015
56m 26s

The Secret History of Thoughts

NPR
About this episode
In "The Secret History of Thoughts," co-hosts Alix Spiegel and Lulu Miller ask the question, "Are my thoughts related to my inner wishes, do they reveal who I really am?" The answer can have profound consequences for your life. Hear the story of a man gripped by violent thoughts, and explore how various psychologists make sense of his experience. Also, meet a man trapped inside his head for 13 years with thoughts as his only companion.

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy
Up next
Jul 2025
"The Network" from NPR's Embedded
New from NPR's Embedded: Hosts Victoria Estrada and Marta Martinez travel across Latin America and within the U.S. to understand how women in Brazil discovered one of the medications that's used for self-managed abortions, the spread of this method across the world, and how this ... Show More
42m 6s
Feb 2025
Alternate Realities from NPR's Embedded
New from NPR's Embedded: Reporter Zach Mack thinks his dad has gone all in on conspiracy theories, while his father thinks that Zach is the one being brainwashed. In 2024, after the latest round of circular arguments, they decided to try something new, an attempt to pull each oth ... Show More
25m 53s
Aug 2024
Tested (Ep 2): Questions of a Physical Nature
We go back almost 100 years, to the beginning of women's inclusion in elite sports. It turns out that men had an odd variety of concerns about women athletes. Some doubted these athletes were even women at all. And their skepticism resulted in the first policies requiring sex tes ... Show More
34m 26s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2020
The Mind vs. Matter: Feats of the Mystics
<p>How much power does the mind wield over physical matter? Could certain human beings, through the force of focused thought alone, walk on fire, lay on nails, and survive being buried alive for days at a time? Listen in to learn more about the fact, fiction and controversy surro ... Show More
1h 1m
Jun 2023
Don't believe everything you overthink
Your thinking is the beginning and end of your suffering. This episode will give you answers to questions you've had your entire life. We can only feel what we think, how is that possible? What is the core of overthinking? This episode will take you on a journey of discovery of t ... Show More
7m 14s
Jan 2022
Mind Reading 2.0: Why did you do that?
<p>As we go through life, we’re constantly trying to figure out what other people are thinking and feeling. Psychologist <a href="https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/mcas/departments/psychology/people/faculty-directory/liane-young.html">Liane Young</a> says this ability to assess o ... Show More
48m 50s
Dec 2024
Ep85 "What is a Thought?"
Brains bear thoughts like a peach tree bears peaches. Even for meditators it's almost impossible to stop the firehose of words and images and ideas. But what in the world is a thought, physically? How can you hear a voice in your head when there's no one speaking in the outside w ... Show More
36m 48s
Feb 2025
Inner Dialogues, Monologues and Stone Cold Silence
Does everyone have an inner monologue? What purpose do they serve? What if you don't have one? Listen in to find out these answers and MORE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
56m 16s
Oct 2019
Why It's So Hard to Stop Intrusive Thoughts—And What Actually Helps
How many times have you tried to suppress an unwanted thought, only to ruminate on it even more? Research shows that the brain reacts to attempts at thought suppression by repeatedly checking for the thought, making it stronger and increasing our distress. Dr. Laurie explains why ... Show More
38m 48s
May 2017
Preview: Sincerely, X
Some of the most important ideas are born from experiences too sensitive, painful or potentially damaging to share publicly. In this original weekly podcast, TED and Audible bring the hidden ideas of anonymous speakers to light. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inf ... Show More
1m 25s
Jul 2023
Sources of thinking
Where does our thinking come from? And what are the generators of our thoughts? An episode that will bring enlightenment to the table and leave you with a greater knowledge of your brain. 
3m 52s
Mar 2020
Introducing: Personology
A psychological examination of historically significant lives. We will peak into the minds of our subject to answer, what made them tick? Uncovering the personal motivations that drove their public acts and how those acts in turn changed all our lives. Learn more about your ad-ch ... Show More
2m 5s
Listen to millions of songs and podcasts on Anghami