The Paradox of Pleasure

Hidden Brain

Hidden Brain Media

Performing Arts, Social Sciences, Science, Arts

4.6 • 40.4K Ratings

🗓️ 8 December 2025

⏱️ 51 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

All of us think we know what addiction looks like. It’s the compulsive consumption of drugs, alcohol, or nicotine. But psychiatrist Anna Lembke argues that our conception of addiction is far too narrow — and that a broader view might help us to understand why so many people are anxious and depressed. This week, we revisit a 2023 episode that remains of the most popular in the history of our show. We'll explore how and why humans are wired to pursue pleasure, and all the ways the modern world tempts us with addictive substances and behaviors.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	This is Hidden Brain. I'm Shankar Vedantam.
0:04.2	In the hit television show Ozark, a bright financial advisor
0:08.5	finds himself suddenly working on the wrong side of the law.
0:13.0	What's our story for the kids?
0:15.5	Well, we could tell them the truth, Wendy. How would that be?
0:19.5	Following a series of bad decisions by his business partner,
0:22.9	Marty Bird, played by Jason Bateman,
0:25.4	begins working for a drug cartel.
0:27.4	I want you to be ready to set up shop within a week.
0:30.7	Yeah.
0:32.0	And Marty, when I drive by you house,
0:35.5	there better be a for-sale sign on their lawn.
0:40.1	Almost from the start, the bodies start to fall.
0:43.9	People get thrown off balconies.
0:45.8	People get shot.
0:47.1	People are electrocuted.
0:50.0	When government officials get involved, more violence unfolds.
0:54.2	People betray one another.
0:55.9	They cheat each other.
0:57.3	They act in selfish and short-sighted ways.
1:00.6	Let me just jog your memory for a minute.
1:03.1	There was an innocent man who was murdered.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Hidden Brain Media, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Hidden Brain Media and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.