Hidden Brain - You 2.0: Change Your Story, Change Your Life

We all tell stories about ourselves, often without realizing we’re doing so. How we frame those stories can profoundly shape our lives. In our latest You 2.0 episode, we bring you a favorite conversation with psychologist Jonathan Adler. He shares how to tell our stories in ways that enhance our wellbeing. Then, Max Bazerman answers your questions about the science of negotiation.

Duration: 1h 27m
Broadcast on: 28 Jul 2025
Audio Format: other

Do you have follow-up questions or ideas that you’d like to share after listening to our conversation with Jonathan Adler? How do you tell the story of your life, and how does that shape the way you see yourself? If you’re comfortable sharing your thoughts and questions with the Hidden Brain audience, please record a voice memo on your phone and email it to us at [email protected]. Use the subject line “personal stories.”

Hidden Brain's "Perceptions" tour is continuing this fall! Join Shankar at an upcoming stop; more info and tickets here: https://hiddenbrain.org/tour/

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"This is Hidden Brain. I'm Shankar Vedantam." When Leon Flasher was a small child, his older brother took piano lessons. The brother didn't much care for them. But afterwards, little Leon would climb onto the piano bench and play, note for note, the pieces his brother had practiced. That's when his mother realized Leon was the one who should study the instrument. Leon Flasher made his debut at Carnegie Hall in 1944. He was just 16 years old. "Who has performed Brahms piano concerto number one in D minor?" A New York Times music critic said this performance established him as one of the most remarkably gifted of the younger generation of American keyboard artists. He went on to perform with the world's top orchestras throughout the 1950s and early 60s. Pause his story here, and Leon Flasher's life is a triumph. But then, something unexpected happened. He started to notice an odd stiffness in his right index finger. His fourth and fifth finger started curling under. The pain and stiffness grew steadily worse. Within a matter of months, his career as a concert pianist was virtually over. As you can well imagine without becoming melodramatic, it was I was in a very despairing state of depression for about two years. If we were to take stock of Leon Flasher's life at this point, we might say it was a tragedy. But Leon Flasher still had so much music in him. So he reinvented himself, becoming a much admired conductor and teacher. Meanwhile, he continued to try every available measure to heal his right hand. Eventually, a combination of Botox injections and deep tissue massage started to help. In 2003, Leon Flasher made a triumphant return to Carnegie Hall. He was 75 years old. The next year, he released a CD, his first two-handed recording in more than 40 years. Today, we conclude this year's YouTube.0 series on purpose, passion, and meaning. We'll bring you a favorite episode about the stories we tell about ourselves and the many subtle and powerful ways in which our personal narratives shape who we are. How the way we understand the ups and downs of our lives can shape the ups and downs of our lives, this week on Hidden Brain. 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. Working as a dedicated fidelity advisor, I always ask, what's important to you? I'll look at those priorities and goals alongside your full financial picture to build a comprehensive plan designed to help grow and protect your wealth. With proactive portfolio insights and an eye on taxes, I'm here to help you make the most of your money. I'm Laura Maxwell, and I'm a dedicated fidelity advisor. Learn more at fidelity.com/wealth.

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