You 2.0: Stop Spiraling!
Hidden Brain
2025/12/29
You 2.0: Stop Spiraling!
You 2.0: Stop Spiraling!

Hidden Brain
2025/12/29
Shownote
Shownote
The start of a new year is a natural moment to set goals for ourselves. But doing so can also be a little daunting. Today, we kick off a series designed to help you understand and grapple with the mental obstacles that can keep you from charting a new path...
Highlights
Highlights
As the new year begins, many of us turn our attention inward, reflecting on goals and personal growth. Yet, even with the best intentions, our minds can become obstacles to progress. This episode explores the invisible psychological patterns that pull us into cycles of doubt, fear, and isolation—and how small shifts in perspective can redirect those forces toward resilience and connection.
Chapters
Chapters
How Small Fears Can Trigger Big Downward Spirals
00:00When Belonging Feels Uncertain, Do We See Rejection Everywhere?
13:17Can a Simple Mindset Shift Change a Student's Future?
27:57What Stories Help Us Survive Tough Times?
40:28Why Do Some People Give So Much Without Hesitation?
51:19How One Act of Kindness Can Lift Someone from Despair
1:02:03Are Truly Generous People Naive—or Wise?
1:15:08What Sustains Compassion When the World Feels Broken?
1:25:28Transcript
Transcript
Shankar Vedantam: This is Hidden Brain. I'm Shankar Vedantam. In 1971, a 17-year-old girl won the Miss Black Tennessee Beauty Pageant. It set in motion a chain of events that would transform not just her life, but the lives of millions of other people. Bor...