Do you ever struggle to communicate with your mom? Or feel like you and your spouse sometimes speak different languages? This week, we revisit a favorite conversation with linguist Deborah Tannen. She shows how our conversational styles can cause unintended conflicts, and what we can do to communicate more effectively with the people in our lives. Then, in an all-new installment of "Your Questions Answered," Emma Levine responds to your questions and stories about the psychology of lying.
Duration
1h 48m
Broadcast on
14 Sep 2026
Audio Format
other
This episode appears to contain dynamically inserted ads. Transcript timestamps may be approximate.
Do you ever struggle to communicate with your mom? Or feel like you and your spouse sometimes speak different languages? This week, we revisit a favorite conversation with linguist Deborah Tannen. She shows how our conversational styles can cause unintended conflicts, and what we can do to communicate more effectively with the people in our lives. Then, in an all-new installment of "Your Questions Answered," Emma Levine responds to your questions and stories about the psychology of lying.
What should you do when you achieve a big goal, but it doesn't bring the satisfaction or happiness you thought it would? Check out our latest YouTube video for ideas about getting out of this sort of rut. And make sure to subscribe so you don't miss any of Shankar's upcoming videos.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
This is Hidden Brain, I'm Shankar Vedanta. One of the most famous comedy sketches of the 20th century, is built on a simple misunderstanding. We just pretend that we're organizing a baseball team here at the retired actors' home. And I am the manager. It's the routine from Abbott and Costello, who's on first. Well, let's see that we have on our team, we have who's on first, what's on second, I don't know's on third. That's what I want to find out, the guy's name. And that's what I want to find out, the guy's name. Don't tell me, who's on first, what's on second, I don't know's on third. The duo first performed the sketch in the 1930s and continued to refine it over the next two decades. They rarely did it the same way twice. You're not attached to the baseball team. Who's on first? Yes. I mean the guy's name. Who? They got player first. Who? They got player first base. Who? They got player first base. Who's on first? What do you ask of me? I don't know. Don't wait a minute. Part of what makes this kid funny is that we are in on the joke. But what happens when the joke's on us? When real life conversations go off the rails because of miscommunication or a misunderstanding, it's no laughing matter. There are so many things that could misfire the pace at which you speak, how you get to the point, the rhythms, the intonation patterns, humor. That is a minefield. How do you let people know that you're joking and that you're teasing? This week on Hidden Brain, how the unthinking patterns in the way we express ourselves can cause unneeded pain and conflict and how we can learn to talk and listen better. When it comes to my policy, farmers gives it to me straight, so there's no surprises. It's your coverage. You should never be confused. You hear that? An insurance provider with a conscience. We're a choir, but yes, we had that too. Straight forward coverage you can literally understand. That's what you get when you have farmers bum bum bum bum bum. Learn more at farmers.com, underwritten by farmers truck or fire insurance exchanges or affiliate products not available in every state. Support for Hidden Brain comes from Instagram. Instagram teen accounts automatic protections limit who can contact teens, the content they can see, and the time they spend on the app. Teens are automatically placed into teen accounts. Teens under 16 will need a parent's permission to change any of those settings to be less strict.
Transcription truncated.
Do you ever struggle to communicate with your mom? Or feel like you and your spouse sometimes speak different languages? This week, we revisit a favorite conversation with linguist Deborah Tannen. She shows how our conversational styles can cause unintended conflicts, and what we can do to communicate more effectively with the people in our lives. Then, in an all-new installment of "Your Questions Answered," Emma Levine responds to your questions and stories about the psychology of lying.
