This is yet another great episode! I am almost through a DBT course and one of the many skills learned in the course emphasizes the spiritual aspect of mental health.

I have loved HB for a long time but I agree with many other reviewers. You need to stop using AI art. It is incongruous with the ethos of the show and makes me question it entirely.

Hidden Brain is an intellectual collective whose work stands out as one of the most thoughtful, public-facing conversations of our time. It creates the type of discourse that can lead to positive changes on an existential level. I think it has the potential to catalyze the type of change that alters the current trajectory of the greater human experience.

Shankar and team, thank you for making this podcast possible! For many years I've been listening to the show's guests and Shankar's thoughtful questions through his conversations with experts in many fields of study. I have learned more than I can tell and look forward to every new episode that gets released. I recommend the Hidden Brain podcast to everyone I meet and I look forward to learning more about myself and others through each episode. I can't thank you enough!!

Love the podcast, Shankar’s guests are so personable in addition to being expert. His questions are measured, logical and sometimes humorous. Shankar’s tone is perfect and sincere. Big fan! Suggest the subject of aging as a figure topic.

I like the show but I’ve unfollowed it because of the ads it runs. Especially the ads for TikTok.

Back at the beginning I almost deleted the pod because that guy, Daniel Pink, had a manner that made the show too gimmicky. But suddenly he left and it changed - got deeper, more thoughtful. Now I can't wait to hear the next episode. This has become a really important podcast - educationally and culturally - that I recommend to all my friends. I think it might save lives and marriages and other relationships. It’s so educational and goodhearted. And that “My Unsung Hero” is just the best.

Thank you Editing Team, Shankar, Writers, Researchers, etc! I really enjoy how the shows were edited. The music, breaks, to the point, the buildup - so clean and easy. Of course it helps that Shankar has a soothing voice. BTW, this is my first ever review for a podcast.

I'm always impressed by the comprehensive knowledge presented in these podcast episodes. I very much appreciate the background work to bring us these succinct presentations. Thank you.

I love listening to Shankar voice and the way he asks the questions. It makes me feel that he’s a very open understanding person. Listening to the podcast has helped me be more understanding of other’s. I would hope in the future that I could be as understanding.

Each episode has such an incredible, diverse way of helping you understand yourself - and I’ve learned about so many interesting guests along the way! 10/10 recommend.

Interesting material, but this guy’s voice is horrendous and hard to listen to. He has the worst accent I have ever heard! Find a new narrator please!!

I’ve been a Hidden Brain subscriber for years. Best decision I ever made. Most enlightening and informative podcast on the planet! Each one is well researched. And the experts that Shankar finds makes it even better.

The material ranges from brilliant to meh, but serious issues with audio splicing. Can the audio engineer give the episodes a listen before airing?

Shankar covers a diverse range of topics, always brings in insightful experts in their field, and the conversations are enlightening. Shankar and his team consistently deliver excellent content!

You’re really going to make an episode about depression that tells you you’re probably depressed because you’re life is going downhill, but don’t worry you’re better off for it and if you want to hear how to get better give us some money to get behind the paywall? Thanks so much for the help guys, really appreciated that.

HB always gives me something new to think about. I love Shankar’s voice and storytelling style.

Hidden Brain used to be one of my very favorite podcasts, with Shankar Vedantam’s excellent questions guiding guests through intricate story-telling paths to reveal great truths. Unfortunately recently each episode seems to now be two, unrelated episodes smashed into one, making each one ridiculously long, and disjointed. Yes, it’s clear that the second half is a returning guest from a previous episode, but the fact that it’s attached to another, completely different episode is just confusing and frustrating. Each still a great show, but the current format of the episodes is long and frustrating, knocking my rating down from 5 stars to 4!

I am hoping this podcast goes on for at least another 80 years!

At first, I didn’t feel like I got that much but the more I listen to episodes the more I learned and am mind blown

Love the stories and guests, but what’s up with the volume of the ads?

Used to listen many years ago and loved it. Tried returning recently and.. they still have good topic selections but the discussions feel like linkdin posts and it’s insufferable.

It will be yours too.

I’ve given this podcast countless chances over months. Is it well researched? Yes. Interesting subject matter? Yes. Engaging host? Yes. Yet, it never quite feels robust and satiating. It always leaves me feeling like something is missing or that somehow it’s forced. I tried but with all due respect, something is lacking and I can’t quite put my finger on it. I’m afraid I can’t suffer through another episode.

I regret paying for a subscription that I thought was ad-free for all episodes. It only applies to a handful of them. No happy with this and wish I could get my money back. Don’t get the subscription.

Love Shankar!

Best series of podcasts whether you’re looking for ways to improve yourself, your community, or your organization; whether you’re a leader looking to build a more positive and effective team, or a member looking to use your interactions with others to create a more supportive environment in spite of less effective seniors; Hidden Brain will generate ideas through Shankar’s effective storytelling and discussion with some of the most respected innovators and experts in their fields. I can’t stress enough how much this podcast has helped in my personal relationships, my work as a military officer, and my hope for our future in turbulent times.

Interesting content, but who has the time to listen to a single 1.5+ hr podcast??

I love this podcast! I listen to it when I’m walking. Nearly every episode gives me something to think about. I support the show with a small monthly payment and it’s worth every penny. Thanks, Shankar and team!

im sorry but i’ve been listening to this since it began , I love it. Because it actually talked about science and with actual evidence and examples now they just say “ the science of “ and literally start chatting , it really hurts , i honestly hate it now.

I’ve been listening for years! Highly recommend it

Not many podcasts come across as fully researched and honest as this one. Shankar is an outstanding host who poses questions that drum up additional curiosity in a topic not for attention or to dupe his guests but because he is a truly interested in getting closer to the truth. Keep it up in 2026 please!

Thoughtful conversation, great listening.

Always great to listen to - always informative and thought-provoking.

Never posted a review for a podcast before, but I was compelled to after finishing the series with Dr. Lembke on addiction. Very informative and thought provoking. Just being aware of the concepts presented are enough to make you think more about your behavior and how your brain really is doing work that your conscious mind can’t readily grasp. This show is always interesting, but this series went beyond interesting into what I feel is required listening. Huge thanks to the entire team behind Hidden Brain.

So irresponsible. Don’t be a sellout

Loved the last episode on addiction. Would be really curious about a similar conversation exploring ultra endurance sports and that pain/reward pathway. Can it be as nefarious as an addiction? Or does it have salvaging qualities?

Hi! This podcast is great for all ages 11 and up. it’s got a lot of great information but could be boring for younger users. Overall great show look forward to every episode! ps. This is future me and here is Jimmy 🤠 /|\ 🐕‍🦺 / \🧳 Jimmy loves to travel and he wants to go around to every podcast so don’t just keep him here! Bring him to all your pods!!!

Hidden Brain is always interesting and often very enlightening.

I love the content of these episodes but they unfold at a glacial pace. It's like they're breaking things down for 10 year olds. As a reasonably intelligent adult, it just feels to me like it takes FOREVER to get to the substance of the episode.

Title says it all… try making a podcast out of that, Shank.

Something in every episode. I’m always looking at the titles of each episode and thinking? Will this be interesting and what’s amazing is it seems like every episode has something meaningful and useful

I look forward to this show every week. The topics are varied and I get something out of each one. Thank you very much.

Shankar has such a calming voice and intellect that has changed my life. The subjects he broaches and the people he interviews has helped myself and others with their emotional intelligence giving us the words to voice our emotions and neurological developments throughout our lives. I feel like I am a better person for myself, those I lead, and others around me. Thank you!

Please Shankar, we need Finding the Poetry in the Plumbing added to gen pop. I’m a broke college student and this may be the podcast that changes my life. I’m not a subscriber but a very long time listener. Please, may we have that podcast? It was so good on my ride home over the radio no wonder why it is reserved for premium members! Thanks Shankar!

Well presented, inspiring stories and research. Helps gain perspective from various people on the show.

There are interruptions every 5 minutes. Too much and destroys the flow.

It would be great if you separated Your Questions Answered, and all other extra stuff from the primary podcast

I used to love this podcast but we don’t need another podcast on relationships love and marriage and getting ahead in business. Noooooo!

Lots of black and white thinking in the Stoicism episode, no nuance considered at all really. Example: the speaker implies that if you are upset about something that happens to you, you are “behaving like a child throwing a tantrum”, and that an adult is supposed to be composed and think critically when terrible things happen. I think most people would disagree with this; you’re allowed to be sad if your dog gets hit by a car, if your SO leaves you.. thinking critically can come later. Both serve a purpose, and one process surely does not work for everyone, having no emotional expressions almost certainly will not work for most people. TLDR, overly simplistic, black and white thinking.