Logo
    Search

    Podcast Summary

    • The surprising truth about the dangers of keeping secretsKeeping secrets can have a lasting impact on our well-being and how others perceive us, emphasizing the importance of being true to ourselves and embracing our authentic identity.

      Secrets, even seemingly small ones, can become burdensome over time. As small children, we discover that our thoughts are private and we can hide things from others. However, keeping secrets can have significant impacts on our overall well-being. In the story, Lauren grapples with a secret about the timing of her religious conversion. She initially hides the fact that she converted after meeting her boyfriend, fearing that others will assume she did it for him. This secret weighs on her and affects how she is perceived by others. The story highlights the importance of being authentic and true to ourselves, as well as the potential consequences of hiding parts of our identity or personal narrative.

    • She thought one small lie would make life easier...Maintaining a lie, even a small one, can lead to stress, guilt, and damage trust in relationships. Honesty is crucial for well-being.

      Maintaining a lie, even a trivial one, can be mentally and emotionally exhausting. Lauren's initial intention to make things easier by telling a small lie about her relationship timeline slowly spiraled out of control as she had to constantly remember and manage different versions of the story. She started feeling the burden of deceiving people, especially those she considered friends. The fear of being caught and the anxiety about what others would think took a toll on her well-being. This story serves as a reminder that honesty is crucial in relationships, as lies, no matter how small, can lead to stress, guilt, and potential damage to trust and connections with others.

    • Discover the surprising consequences of keeping secrets from others!Secrets can negatively impact mental well-being and relationships. Opening up and seeking support can lead to a more fulfilling and authentic life.

      Secrets can have a profound impact on our well-being, even when we're not actively trying to hide them. Many of us imagine secrets as moments of trying to dodge questions and avoid revealing information, but in reality, most of the harm comes from the constant mental space secrets take up in our minds. Holding onto a secret can leave us feeling isolated and disconnected from those who matter to us. It can prevent us from fully accepting and embracing our true selves and our experiences. So, it's essential to recognize the weight that secrets carry and consider how they may be affecting our mental health. Opening up, being honest, and seeking support can bring us closer to living a more authentic and fulfilled life.

    • The shocking psychological costs of keeping secrets revealed!Keeping secrets can harm our well-being by burdening us internally and denying us the opportunity for emotional support and help.

      Keeping secrets can have significant psychological costs. It's not about hiding the secret from others, but rather the internal burden and isolation that comes with it. When we keep a secret, we deny ourselves the opportunity to share something that truly matters to us and seek help or emotional support. This can lead to rumination and worry about the potential consequences of the secret being revealed. It's not necessarily the content of the secret that harms our well-being, but rather the constant mental weight of keeping it hidden. This is why secret keeping is so common, as we all tend to hold similar types of secrets.

    • Discover the surprising impact of keeping secrets on our lives!Opening up and sharing our secrets with others can alleviate anxiety, improve well-being, and foster understanding. Secrets play a significant role in politics, influencing people's voting behavior.

      Secrets can be a burden and have a negative impact on our perception of ourselves. Many people have secrets, ranging from romantic discontent to addictions and even ambitions. Keeping secrets triggers mind games, where we worry about what others will think if they find out about our hidden truths. This can lead to anxiety and a loss of authenticity. However, research shows that opening up and sharing our secrets with those close to us can often make things better. It's important to have conversations about our secrets and realize that people are generally understanding. By breaking the cycle of secrecy, we can alleviate the internal struggles and improve our overall well-being. Additionally, the study conducted after the 2016 presidential election revealed that some individuals voted differently from what they publicly claimed, highlighting the role of secrecy in politics as well.

    • The Surprising Effects of Keeping Secrets You Never KnewKeeping secrets can impact mental well-being depending on the intention and nature of the secret. It's crucial to examine the reasons behind keeping a secret and evaluate its potential consequences.

      Keeping secrets can have both positive and negative consequences. Secrets that are kept to avoid arguments or maintain harmony in relationships may not be harmful. However, secrets that stem from a concern for reputation or fear of judgment can lead to feelings of inauthenticity and mind wandering. Secrets tied to shame, where individuals feel that something is wrong with them, are more likely to occupy their thoughts. It is important to consider the intention and impact of a secret before deciding to keep it hidden. While some secrets may be temporary and easily dismissed, others can have a lasting effect on one's mental well-being.

    • The Surprising Effects of Keeping Secrets on Our Mental HealthSecrecy can weigh us down, leading to isolation and inauthenticity. While sharing secrets anonymously helps temporarily, true relief comes from talking openly with someone who can offer support.

      Secrecy can have harmful consequences on our well-being. When people keep secrets, they often feel ashamed and helpless, constantly burdened by the weight of their secret. This prevents them from seeking the help they need and leads to feelings of isolation and inauthenticity. Rather than viewing secrets as a shield protecting us, it's more accurate to see them as a cork that blocks us from sharing and seeking support. However, simply getting the secret off our chest is not enough. The true relief comes from having a conversation about it and seeking help from others. Revealing secrets anonymously online may provide some temporary relief, but it's not as beneficial as opening up to someone directly.

    • The Surprising Benefits of Sharing Secrets with StrangersSharing secrets not only deepens connections but can also foster intimacy and create a sense of trust, while blurring boundaries between personal and professional lives during the pandemic.

      Sharing secrets, whether personal or work-related, can have profound effects on our relationships and well-being. The act of opening up and confiding in someone can create a bond of trust and deepen connections, even with strangers. We often underestimate the power of sharing our vulnerabilities and sensitive information, assuming that others will perceive us differently. However, sharing secrets can actually jumpstart relationships and foster intimacy or status, depending on the context. Keeping secrets in the workplace can be isolating, but being entrusted with sensitive information also brings a sense of importance. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the dynamics of secret-keeping, blurring the boundaries between personal and professional lives for those working from home.

    • Why spending more time with your partner during COVID may lead to hidden secretsSpending more time together during the pandemic doesn't necessarily eliminate secrets within families, as the feelings of loneliness and shame associated with secrets can still persist.

      Spending more time with our partners during the pandemic may not necessarily lead to fewer secrets within families. While in-person interactions have reduced, conversations on platforms like Zoom often focus on business rather than personal matters. This may create an opportunity for individuals to keep secrets from people they no longer see face-to-face. However, the difficulty in concealing secrets is not solely determined by the amount of time spent together. It is more about the feelings of loneliness, shame, or inauthenticity associated with the secret. Interestingly, being around a partner for extended periods may actually remind individuals of their secrets, potentially making it harder to keep them hidden. So, while COVID may have changed the dynamics of family interactions, it doesn't necessarily eliminate secrets within them.

    • Man's Burning Man Secret Reveals Surprising Hidden ConsequencesKeeping secrets can create a sense of disconnection and hinder authentic connections with others, emphasizing the need to balance privacy and openness.

      Keeping a secret can often feel burdensome and lead to a sense of disconnection. Michael Slepian's experience of trying to hide his participation in Burning Man demonstrates how secrets can consume our thoughts and affect our interactions with others. It also illustrates that giving short responses and distancing ourselves socially can be a way of preserving secrecy, but it may also hinder genuine connections with others. Slepian's realization that life might be easier without the secret highlights the potential drawbacks of hiding important aspects of ourselves. Ultimately, it is important to consider the impact of secrecy on our well-being and relationships, and find a balance between privacy and openness.

    • The shocking truth about keeping secrets - it's time to open up!Keeping secrets can lead to irrational fears; sharing them can bring relief and lessen feelings of isolation.

      Keeping secrets can create unnecessary fear and isolation. We often imagine the worst-case scenario when we don't share our secrets with others, causing our fears to become distorted and exaggerated. However, when we start opening up and talking about our secrets, we realize that the reality is far less troublesome than we imagined. Sharing our secrets not only relieves us of the burden but also helps us realize that other people may not be as interested in our lives as we think. The fear of judgment often stems from the act of keeping a secret itself, rather than the content of the secret. By sharing our secrets, we break free from isolation and find solace in the support and understanding of others.

    Recent Episodes from Hidden Brain

    How To Be Alone

    How To Be Alone

    We're always told to reach for that next ring, work that third job, go to that boisterous party after a long day at work. You only live once ... right? But psychologist Netta Weinstein says that when we constantly engage in achievement and distraction, we lose something essential about ourselves. This week, she makes a case for solitude, and examines what happens when we seek a quieter, more reflective interior life.

    If you like today's episode, check out our two-part series on mindfulness:

    Seeking Serenity: Part 1

    Seeking Serenity: Part 2

    Hidden Brain
    enJuly 22, 2024

    Changing Our Mental Maps

    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 an autopilot system, allowing us to navigate our lives more efficiently. But sometimes, they can lead us astray, leaving us stuck on a path of negativity and unhappiness. This week, we talk with Norman Farb about how we can update our internal maps and see the world more clearly. 

    If you like this episode, be sure to check out part two of our chat with Norman Farb for Hidden Brain+. That episode is called "Making Sense." You can try Hidden Brain+ for free with a seven-day trial by going to support.hiddenbrain.org or apple.co/hiddenbrain

    Hidden Brain
    enJuly 15, 2024

    Out of the Rabbit Hole

    Out of the Rabbit Hole

    Cognitive scientist Nafees Hamid studies the minds of people drawn to radical or fringe ideas. This week, he takes us on a deep dive into the motivations of people on the brink of extremism — and those who have already been radicalized. We examine what prompts people to turn to violence, and how to pull them back from the seductive appeal of extremist ideas.

    Interested in learning more about the themes and ideas we discussed today? Check out these classic Hidden Brain episodes:

    Romeo and Juliet in Kigali

    Moral Combat

    Our podcast subscription, Hidden Brain+, is now available across devices and podcast platforms. You can join on either Apple Podcasts or via our Patreon page. Thanks for your support of the show — we truly appreciate it! 

    Hidden Brain
    enJuly 08, 2024

    Befriending Your Inner Voice

    Befriending Your Inner Voice

    You know that negative voice that goes round and round in your head, keeping you up at night? When that negative inner voice gets switched on, it’s hard to think about anything else. Psychologist Ethan Kross has a name for it: chatter. In this favorite conversation from 2022,  we talk with Ethan about how to keep our negative emotions from morphing into chatter. 

    Our podcast subscription, Hidden Brain+, is now available across devices and podcast platforms. You can join on either Apple Podcasts or via our Patreon page. Thanks for your support of the show — we truly appreciate it! 

    Hidden Brain
    enJuly 01, 2024

    Making the World Sparkle Again

    Making the World Sparkle Again

    Across every domain of our lives, our minds have a tendency to get accustomed to things. In fact, the brain seems evolutionarily designed to focus on the new and unexpected, on novel threats and opportunities. In our daily lives, this means we take wonderful things for granted. We cease to appreciate amazing people, or the good fortune of being healthy. This week, neuroscientist Tali Sharot explains why we get used to things — and how to see with fresh eyes.

    Our podcast subscription, Hidden Brain+, is now available across platforms and devices. You can sign up for a free seven-day trial at support.hiddenbrain.org or apple.co/hiddenbrain. Your subscription provides key support to help us build you many more episodes of Hidden Brain. We’re truly grateful. 

    Hidden Brain
    enJune 24, 2024

    Our God-Shaped Brains

    Our God-Shaped Brains

    Some think of religious faith as just that: a leap of faith. But psychologists are increasingly filling in the gaps in our understanding of how beliefs shape — and are shaped by — the human mind. This week, psychologist Ara Norenzayan explores features in the brain that are tied to our capacity for faith. And he shows how all of us, both religious and non-religious people, can use this knowledge to find more meaning in our lives.

    For more of our reporting on religion and the mind, be sure to check out our episode "Creating God."
     

    Hidden Brain
    enJune 17, 2024

    Why You Feel Empty

    Why You Feel Empty

    Have you ever had an unexplainable feeling of emptiness? Life seems perfect - and yet - something is missing. This week, sociologist Corey Keyes helps us understand where feelings of emptiness come from, how to navigate them and why they're more common than we might assume.

    If you missed it, make sure to listen to last week's episode on Why Trying Too Hard Can Backfire On You. Thanks for listening!

    Hidden Brain
    enJune 10, 2024

    Why Trying Too Hard Can Backfire On You

    Why Trying Too Hard Can Backfire On You

    Thinking is a human superpower. On a daily basis, thinking and planning and effort bring us innumerable benefits. But like all aspects of human behavior, you can sometimes get too much of a good thing. This week, we talk with philosopher Ted Slingerland about techniques to prevent overthinking, and how we can cultivate the under-appreciated skill of letting go. 

    To hear more of our conversation with Ted Slingerland, be sure to check out our Hidden Brain+ episode with him, available now. You can join Hidden Brain+ via Patreon or Apple Podcasts. Thanks for listening! 

    Hidden Brain
    enJune 03, 2024

    Innovation 2.0: Do Less

    Innovation 2.0: Do Less

    The human drive to invent new things has led to pathbreaking achievements in medicine, science and society. But our desire to create can keep us from seeing one of the most powerful paths to progress: subtraction. In a favorite conversation from 2022, engineer Leidy Klotz shares how streamlining and simplifying is sometimes the best path to innovation. 

    Today's episode concludes our Innovation 2.0 series. If you've enjoyed these episodes, please tell a friend about them! They can find all of the stories in this series in this podcast feed, or at https://hiddenbrain.org/. Thanks for listening! 

    Hidden Brain
    enMay 27, 2024

    Innovation 2.0: Shortcuts and Speed Bumps

    Innovation 2.0: Shortcuts and Speed Bumps

    Most of us love to brainstorm with colleagues. But so often, our idea-generating sessions don't lead to anything tangible. Teams fill up walls with sticky notes about creative possibilities and suggestions for improvement, but nothing actually gets implemented. Some researchers even have a name for it: "innovation theater." This week, we explore the science of execution. Psychologist Bob Sutton tells us how to move from innovation theater . . . to actual innovation.

    You can find all the episodes in our Innovation 2.0 series in this podcast feed, or on our website, hiddenbrain.org

    Hidden Brain
    enMay 20, 2024

    Related Episodes

    Carly Flumer Takes No Prisoners

    Carly Flumer Takes No Prisoners

    Today I talk to Carly Flumer, two-time thyroid cancer survivor, Director of Medical Engagement at MMG, and Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer torch bearer. Carly was diagnosed with stage I, metastatic papillary thyroid cancer in January 2017 at the age of 27. She went through treatment, got her masters degree in health communication, and has been blowing up the twitterverse and blogosphere with her story and advice on how to manage a cancer diagnosis. 

    For information on us, visit https://OffScrip.com and follow @MatthewZachary, @VaxOnPod, and @OffScripHealth on Twitter. 


    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Autobots: Transform Diabetes and Roll Out

    Autobots: Transform Diabetes and Roll Out

    Today I talk to health marketing and digital health strategist Amy West. Amy is the Head of US Digital Transformation and Innovation at Novo Nordisk, a pharmaceutical company that specializes in diabetes medications and devices. At Novo Nordisk, Amy makes sure patient experiences drive medical innovation. Amy was listed as one of the Medical Marketing & Media Top 40 Healthcare Transformers in 2018. And she’s still the head of her class! Amy talks about innovation, empathy, and creative problem solving for chronic illness.

    And for information on us, visit https://OffScrip.com and follow @MatthewZachary, @VaxOnPod, and @OffScripHealth on Twitter.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    It's Not a Tumor: The Multitalented Grace Wethor

    It's Not a Tumor: The Multitalented Grace Wethor

    Today on the show, I welcome an extraordinary young woman —> Grace Wethor is a living unicorn of talent and intelligence. Guitarist. Pianist, Trapeze Artist, Figure Skater, Model, Author, TED Speaker — and 6-year survivor of an inoperable brain stem glioma that she was diagnosed with at 13 years old in 2015. Grace is the author of "You're So Lucky" and a new docu-series called "You're So Lucky: The Next Chapter." She joins me to talk about what it's like to have your whole life interrupted at such a young age, and we compare notes against her experiences in the 2010s vs. my eerily similar experiences in the 1990s. Spoiler Alert: We've come pretty far, but we've got a ways to go. Enjoy the show.

    For more information, visit https://OffScripMedia.com and follow @MZOutofPatients, @MatthewZachary, @VaxOnPod, and @OffScripMedia on Twitter.


    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    The Nonprofit, Pro Wrestling, Coffee Shop, Rare Cancer Bro Show

    The Nonprofit, Pro Wrestling, Coffee Shop, Rare Cancer Bro Show

    What do you get when you cross a professional wrestler, small business coffee company executive, nonprofit consultant, and rare cancer? Well, that would be the uniquely talented and inspiring unicorn that is Sean Wachter, who joined Matthew live in-studio for one hell of a conversation about how they're both somehow still alive. Well, that and much more, including a total 80s WWF throwback session to WrestleMania, a debate over Randy "Macho Man" Savage vs "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, and how Galaxy Quest got it right with "Never give up. Never surrender." Plus a healthy dose of nonprofit therapy and survivor guilt.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    [BONUS] Entrepreneurial Advocacy on the Spectrum With Dr. Robyn Schlicher

    [BONUS] Entrepreneurial Advocacy on the Spectrum With Dr. Robyn Schlicher

    In today's whirlwind bonus episode, I proudly welcome Dr. Robyn Schlicher, mental health advocate and Vice President of Business Development at Pear Bio. Robyn's backstory is profoundly personal and evocative of a young person trying to make sense of their life living on the autism spectrum and coping with the fundamentals of mania, euphoria, depression, and entrepreneurialism. Her role in the healthcare universe is that of a sherpa assisting pharma and providers in ensuring the drugs actually work first before getting to patients. She's a passionate, no-BS advocate who talks fast, so prepare for an invigorating rollercoaster ride of wry wit and frenetic authenticity.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.