Hidden Brain
Book Recommendations

Hidden Brain

Why do I feel stuck? How can I become more creative? What can I do to improve my relationships? If you’ve ever asked yourself these questions, you’re not alone. On Hidden Brain, we help you understand your own mind — and the minds of the people around you. (We're routinely rated the #1 science podca...

Episodes 615
Books 396

Most Recommended

Recovering Nonviolent History: Civil Resistance in Liberation Struggles Cover

Maciej J. Bartkowski

Recovering Nonviolent History

Civil Resistance in Liberation Struggles

It was mentioned as a book that highlighted the myth of violence, and provided alternative historical accounts that emphasized the importance of nonviolent campaigns.

"

There's an interesting book called Recovering Nonviolent History that's edited by Maciej Barkowski.

— Episode: How to Change the World

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Episode: How to Change the World

It was mentioned as a book that highlighted the myth of violence, and provided alternative historical accounts that emphasized the importance of nonviolent campaigns.

"

There's an interesting book called Recovering Nonviolent History that's edited by Maciej Barkowski.

The Moral Economy: Why Good Incentives Are No Substitute for Good Citizens (Castle Lecture Series) Cover

Samuel Bowles

The Moral Economy

Why Good Incentives Are No Substitute for Good Citizens (Castle Lecture Series)

It was discussed as exploring the idea that policies focused on preventing bad actors from doing bad things can inadvertently harm our ability to do good, underestimating the capacity for good behavior.

"

He explores this idea in his book, The Moral Economy.

— Episode: Mind Reading 2.0: Our Better Angels

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Episode: Mind Reading 2.0: Our Better Angels

It was discussed as exploring the idea that policies focused on preventing bad actors from doing bad things can inadvertently harm our ability to do good, underestimating the capacity for good behavior.

"

He explores this idea in his book, The Moral Economy.

Sam Bowles is a behavioral economist at the Santa Fe Institute. He's the author of The Moral Economy, Why Good Incentives Are No Substitute for Good Citizens.

The Elements of Choice: Why the Way We Decide Matters Cover

Eric J. Johnson

The Elements of Choice

Why the Way We Decide Matters

It was discussed as the book where Eric Johnson explores the world of choice architecture, explaining how people's choices are subtly biased by the way options are presented, and the counterproductive ways that we often present choices to others.

"

In his book, The Elements of Choice, the psychologist Eric Johnson explores the world of choice architecture.

— Episode: Choose Carefully

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Choose Carefully

It was discussed as the book where Eric Johnson explores the world of choice architecture, explaining how people's choices are subtly biased by the way options are presented, and the counterproductive ways that we often present choices to others.

"

In his book, The Elements of Choice, the psychologist Eric Johnson explores the world of choice architecture.

Eric Johnson is the author of The Elements of Choice Why the Way We Decide Matters.

Ulysses Cover

James Joyce

Ulysses

It was given to Tony Ludlow by his English teacher, Mrs. Holman, and it changed his life. He was reluctant to read it at first, but it ultimately inspired him.

"

She handed me a book and she said I want you to take this book and I put a bookmark in there and I want you to go home I want you to read this poem and then and this was on a Monday then on Friday. I...

— Episode: My Unsung Hero: Tony Ludlow's Story

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: My Unsung Hero: Tony Ludlow's Story

It was given to Tony Ludlow by his English teacher, Mrs. Holman, and it changed his life. He was reluctant to read it at first, but it ultimately inspired him.

"

She handed me a book and she said I want you to take this book and I put a bookmark in there and I want you to go home I want you to read this poem and then and this was on a Monday then on Friday. I want you to tell me what the poem was about.

Well, I hated the whole idea and so I reluctantly went home and opened the book to read Ulysses by Alfred Lord Tennyson and it changed my life.

Changing the Game: The Parent's Guide to Raising Happy, High-Performing Athletes and Giving Youth Sports Back to Our Kids Cover

John O'Sullivan

Changing the Game

The Parent's Guide to Raising Happy, High-Performing Athletes and Giving Youth Sports Back to Our Kids

It was discussed as a book that explores how employers and policymakers are incorporating game elements into work to improve creativity and engagement, and ultimately, improve the bottom line.

"

Along with David Edery, Ethan Mollick is the author of Changing the Game, How Video Games Are Transforming the Future of Business.

— Episode: Work 2.0: Game On!

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Work 2.0: Game On!

It was discussed as a book that explores how employers and policymakers are incorporating game elements into work to improve creativity and engagement, and ultimately, improve the bottom line.

"

Along with David Edery, Ethan Mollick is the author of Changing the Game, How Video Games Are Transforming the Future of Business.

The Human Element: Overcoming the Resistance That Awaits New Ideas Cover

Loran Nordgren

The Human Element

Overcoming the Resistance That Awaits New Ideas

It was discussed as a book that highlighted the resistance that new ideas face, exploring the concept of friction and how it can hinder innovation and change.

"

In their book, The Human Element, Overcoming the Resistance That Awaits New Ideas, Lauren Nordgren and David Schoenthal, both professors at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwe...

— Episode: Work 2.0: The Obstacles You Don't See

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Episode: Work 2.0: The Obstacles You Don't See

It was discussed as a book that highlighted the resistance that new ideas face, exploring the concept of friction and how it can hinder innovation and change.

"

In their book, The Human Element, Overcoming the Resistance That Awaits New Ideas, Lauren Nordgren and David Schoenthal, both professors at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, say that part of the problem is that friction comes in many disguises.

The Myths of Happiness: What Should Make You Happy, but Doesn't, What Shouldn't Make You Happy, but Does Cover

Sonja Lyubomirsky

The Myths of Happiness

What Should Make You Happy, but Doesn't, What Shouldn't Make You Happy, but Does

It was mentioned that in this book, Sonja explored the mismatches between what we expect to make us happy and what actually does, particularly in the context of love and relationships.

"

And you talk about this in your book, The Myths of Happiness. And this has to do with love and personal relationships.

— Episode: Where Happiness Hides

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Where Happiness Hides

It was mentioned that in this book, Sonja explored the mismatches between what we expect to make us happy and what actually does, particularly in the context of love and relationships.

"

And you talk about this in your book, The Myths of Happiness. And this has to do with love and personal relationships.

Sonia, in your book, you talk about this mismatch between our expectations and reality when it comes to love and marriage.

In her book, The Myths of Happiness, Sonia has also studied techniques to limit unhappiness or at least to make it end more quickly.

Auguries of Innocence: Poems Cover

Patti Smith

Auguries of Innocence

Poems

It was mentioned in passing for its elegant description of the interweaving of joy and sorrow. A single quote from this book was highlighted.

"

I love William Blake. He has this great line from Auguries of Innocence, joy and woe are woven fine.

— Episode: Where Happiness Hides

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Where Happiness Hides

It was mentioned in passing for its elegant description of the interweaving of joy and sorrow. A single quote from this book was highlighted.

"

I love William Blake. He has this great line from Auguries of Innocence, joy and woe are woven fine.

The Importance of Being Earnest: The Original 1895 Unabridged And Complete Edition (Oscar Wilde Classics) Cover

Oscar Wilde

The Importance of Being Earnest

The Original 1895 Unabridged And Complete Edition (Oscar Wilde Classics)

It was mentioned in the introduction as Oscar Wilde's play in which he describes memory as a diary that we carry around with us.

"

Memory is the diary we all carry about with us.

— Episode: You 2.0: Did That Really Happen?

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: You 2.0: Did That Really Happen?

It was mentioned in the introduction as Oscar Wilde's play in which he describes memory as a diary that we carry around with us.

"

Memory is the diary we all carry about with us.

You Have More Influence Than You Think: How We Underestimate Our Power of Persuasion, and Why It Matters Cover

Vanessa Bohns

You Have More Influence Than You Think

How We Underestimate Our Power of Persuasion, and Why It Matters

It was discussed that this book explores how people often underestimate the influence they have on others, leading to various outcomes, both positive and negative. The podcast highlighted this idea as a major takeaway.

"

She's the author of the forthcoming book, 'You Have More Influence Than You Think'.

— Episode: The Influence You Have

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: The Influence You Have

It was discussed that this book explores how people often underestimate the influence they have on others, leading to various outcomes, both positive and negative. The podcast highlighted this idea as a major takeaway.

"

She's the author of the forthcoming book, 'You Have More Influence Than You Think'.

And I Do Not Forgive You: Stories and Other Revenges Cover

Amber Sparks

And I Do Not Forgive You

Stories and Other Revenges

It was discussed as an 'anti-redemption' story, where forgiveness is not automatically granted, particularly in the context of the Me Too movement and its various harms.

"

It was important to me to sort of write an anti-redemption story because we have a lot of women who are victims of this.

— Episode: The Power of Mercy

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: The Power of Mercy

It was discussed as an 'anti-redemption' story, where forgiveness is not automatically granted, particularly in the context of the Me Too movement and its various harms.

"

It was important to me to sort of write an anti-redemption story because we have a lot of women who are victims of this.

And eventually they're forgiven. And everybody learns something. And then we can tie a bow on it. It isn't that great.

Or at least it's not owed to you as a victim to give somebody that gift. Especially after like a freaking year or two or whatever, which some of these guys are asking for.

So it was important to me to sort of write a counter narrative that included the idea that the person doesn't have to grant forgiveness. And that not only can that be OK, but that can actually be transformative.

Possessed: Why We Want More Than We Need Cover

Bruce Hood

Possessed

Why We Want More Than We Need

It was mentioned as exploring the psychology of ownership and the reasons behind people's desire to own more than they need, particularly in the context of the Industrial Revolution and the rise of consumerism.

"

It's a play on words because, obviously, possessions are the things that we own. But I'm also alluding to the fact that it's almost as if there's a sort of little demon inside us which is compelling u...

— Episode: Why We Hold on to Things

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Why We Hold on to Things

It was mentioned as exploring the psychology of ownership and the reasons behind people's desire to own more than they need, particularly in the context of the Industrial Revolution and the rise of consumerism.

"

It's a play on words because, obviously, possessions are the things that we own. But I'm also alluding to the fact that it's almost as if there's a sort of little demon inside us which is compelling us to go for more and more things.

It's like this irrational little monster who controls our consumption.

In the last 30 years, the time to what is called spontaneous combustion has gone down from 28 minutes to 4 minutes.

Our insatiable hunger to own things remains ever-present today.

Bruce Hood is the author of Possessed, Why We Want More Than We Need.

The Road Home (The Broken Road Series) Cover

Richard Paul Evans

The Road Home (The Broken Road Series)

It was Krista's first published book and a huge success, becoming a series of books. It was a way for her to explore and reimagine the painful memories she had from her past.

"

It's about a woman confronting her past and finding danger and love.

— Episode: The Story of Your Life

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: The Story of Your Life

It was Krista's first published book and a huge success, becoming a series of books. It was a way for her to explore and reimagine the painful memories she had from her past.

"

It's about a woman confronting her past and finding danger and love.

Travis and Judith were the Bonnie and Clyde of narcissism and irresponsibility, moving from town to town living only for themselves.

Their relationship was always tumultuous like a roller coaster about to fly off the rails at any moment, but now knowing that Judith suffered from bipolar disorder, Jenna could better understand her mother's behavior as well as her attraction to Travis.

They both lived for the high and needed a constant stream of drama to survive.

Man Whore Cover

Marty Embry

Man Whore

It was recommended to Krista by a friend when she was diagnosed with MS and she found it to be an escape, listening to it obsessively for a year.

"

Oh, it's got such a naughty title. It's called Man Whore by Katie Evans. But it's a wonderful, wonderful book, a wonderful series.

— Episode: The Story of Your Life

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: The Story of Your Life

It was recommended to Krista by a friend when she was diagnosed with MS and she found it to be an escape, listening to it obsessively for a year.

"

Oh, it's got such a naughty title. It's called Man Whore by Katie Evans. But it's a wonderful, wonderful book, a wonderful series.

Change: How Organizations Achieve Hard-to-Imagine Results in Uncertain and Volatile Times Cover

John P. Kotter

Change

How Organizations Achieve Hard-to-Imagine Results in Uncertain and Volatile Times

It discussed the distinction between simple and complex contagion and how social networks influence the spread of ideas and behavior change, particularly in relation to social movements.

"

He's a sociologist at the University of Pennsylvania and the author of the book, Change.

— Episode: The Snowball Effect

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: The Snowball Effect

It discussed the distinction between simple and complex contagion and how social networks influence the spread of ideas and behavior change, particularly in relation to social movements.

"

He's a sociologist at the University of Pennsylvania and the author of the book, Change.

At the core of your book is a very important insight.

Damon Santola is the author of Change, a book about social movements and entrepreneurial success.

Ship of Fools 1ST Edition Cover

Katherine Anne Porter

Ship of Fools 1ST Edition

It was mentioned as the number one New York Times bestseller, with the author noticing an increase in palpable anger during the 2016 election.

"

There is a new number one atop the New York Times bestseller list. Tucker Carlson, Ship of Fools.

— Episode: Screaming into a Void

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Screaming into a Void

It was mentioned as the number one New York Times bestseller, with the author noticing an increase in palpable anger during the 2016 election.

"

There is a new number one atop the New York Times bestseller list. Tucker Carlson, Ship of Fools.

Well, you know, during the 2016 election I was noticing the level of anger that was just palpable.

Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.