When we're learning, or trying new things, mistakes are inevitable. Some of these mistakes provide us with valuable information, while others are just harmful. This week, we kick off the new year with researcher Amy Edmondson, who explains the difference between constructive failures and those we should try to avoid.

Stories about unlikely heroes have captivated people for thousands of years. This week, social scientist Ben Rogers explores why the “hero’s journey” resonates so deeply, and how the stories we tell about our own lives can shape our sense of purpose. He explains why seeing ourselves as the protagonists of our own ...

This week, we look at what's really happening when we experience pain, and how a better understanding of this process can open up new possibilities for treatment and healing. 

Our brains navigate the world by coming up with mental maps. These maps act like an autopilot system. But sometimes, they can lead us astray.

Last week, we talked with psychologist Lisa Miller about the science of spirituality. Today, we explore what those ideas can look like in everyday life.

Food, safety, and strong relationships are essential to our survival. Psychologist Lisa Miller says our brains also crave something else: transcendence. She suggests that spirituality is a universal human capacity, and that feeling connected to something larger than ourselves may be essential to a fulfilling life.  If you enjoy listening to Hidden ...