Why The Hidden Brain Is My Favorite Podcast for Teenagers (and Adults)
I recommend many resources to the students and families I work with, but if I had to pick just one podcast that benefits teenagers and adults, it would be The Hidden Brain. Hosted by Shankar Vedantam, this podcast unpacks the science behind human behavior in a way that is both deeply engaging and incredibly useful for navigating life, learning, and decision-making.
Why The Hidden Brain?
Teenagers are in a constant state of self-discovery, constantly questioning how they think, why they feel certain ways, and what drives the choices they make. That’s why The Hidden Brain is such a valuable resource—it gives them a framework for understanding themselves and the world around them, backed by psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral economics. Moreover, Vedantam is a brilliant storyteller, effortlessly turning complex ideas into engaging narratives that make you want to keep listening. Even more importantly, his style is especially relevant for neurodiverse teenagers, who are in a transformative stage of life—navigating increasing complexity and learning to apply tools that help them thrive.
What Makes It Great for Teenagers?
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It Makes Psychology and Neuroscience Accessible
Instead of a dry lecture on cognitive biases or motivation, The Hidden Brain brings these concepts to life with real-world stories. For example, whether it’s an episode on why we procrastinate or how small choices shape our future, teenagers walk away with new ways to think about their habits, emotions, and relationships. As a result, they gain valuable insights that help them better understand themselves and the world around them.
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It Encourages Self-Reflection
Adolescence is full of big questions: Who am I? What kind of person do I want to be? Why do I react this way to certain situations? Episodes like “You 2.0: Reframing Your Reality” help teens understand how mindset shapes experience and how they can shift their thinking for the better.
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It Helps with Decision-Making and Motivation
Every teenager struggles with focus, discipline, and decision-making at some point. Whether it’s about studying for the SAT, picking a college, or navigating friendships, The Hidden Brain explores the science of making better choices. A great example is “Decisions, Decisions”, which dives into how we weigh our options and why we sometimes regret our choices.
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It Makes for Great Parent-Teen Conversations
One of the biggest challenges in parenting teenagers is moving beyond yes/no answers and into deeper conversations. Listening to The Hidden Brain together (or separately) gives parents and teens a shared language to discuss everything from social media habits to motivation to the psychology of happiness. Try starting with “Why We Hold On to Things”—it’s a fascinating look at attachment and identity.
Where to Start?
If you or your teen are new to The Hidden Brain, here are a few episodes I recommend:
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“Doomscrolling” – Why we can’t stop checking our phones and what to do about it.
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“How Others See You” – The surprising gap between how we see ourselves and how others perceive us.
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“The Paradox of Praise” – Why some kinds of praise motivate us while others do the opposite.
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“Where Happiness Hides” – A reminder that joy isn’t always where we expect to find it.
