Hidden Brain

Young people have always used language in new and different ways, and it has pretty much always driven older people crazy. But the linguist John McWhorter says all the "likes" and LOLs are part of a natural – and inevitable –evolution of language. This week on Hidden Brain, why language can't "sit still."

Intelligence officials testify about Russian hacking on Capitol Hill, and the Obamacare showdown looms. This episode: host/reporter Sam Sanders, White House reporter Tamara Keith, congressional reporter Susan Davis, and political editor Domenico Montanaro. More coverage at nprpolitics.org. Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org. Find and support your local public radio station at npr.org/stations.

After backlash on Tuesday — including from Donald Trump — House Republicans reversed themselves on a decision to take the teeth out of the Office of Congressional Ethics. This episode: host/White House reporter Tamara Keith, congressional reporter Scott Detrow, and editor/correspondent Ron Elving. More coverage at nprpolitics.org. Find and support your local public radio station at npr.org/stations.

At one time or another, many of us feel stuck: in the wrong job, the wrong relationship, the wrong city – the wrong life. Psychologists and self-help gurus have all kinds of advice for us when we feel rudderless. This week on Hidden Brain, we explore a new idea, from an unlikely source: Silicon Valley.

Israel and the UN Security Council, plus Donald Trump's talk of nuclear proliferation. This episode: host/reporter Sam Sanders, congressional correspondent Scott Detrow, and editor/correspondent Ron Elving. More coverage at nprpolitics.org. Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org. Find and support your local public radio station at npr.org/stations.

Maya Shankar was well on her way to an extraordinary career as a violinist when an injury closed that door. This week, we look at how she wound up at the top of another field: the social sciences.

In a week of violent news overseas, how the President and President-elect could contrast on foreign policy. Plus highlights from NPR's exit interview with President Obama. This episode: host/campaign reporter Sam Sanders, White House correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional correspondent Scott Detrow, and White House correspondent Scott Horsley. More coverage at nprpolitics.org. Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org. Find and support your local public radio station at npr.org/stations.

There is a replication "crisis" in psychology: many findings simply do not replicate. Some critics take this as an indictment of the entire field — perhaps the best journals are only interested in publishing the "sexiest" findings, or universities are pressuring their faculty to publish more. But this week on Hidden Brain, we take a closer look at the so-called crisis...

Plus a look at the Electoral College vote. This episode: host/congressional correspondent Scott Detrow, White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political reporter Danielle Kurtzleben, and political editor Domenico Montanaro. More coverage at nprpolitics.org Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org. Find and support your local public radio station and npr.org/stations.

The latest on Russia's election tampering and Donald Trump's conflicts of interest. This episode: host/reporter Sam Sanders, White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political reporter Danielle Kurtzleben, and political editor Domenico Montanaro. More coverage at nprpolitics.org. Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org. Find and support your local public radio station at npr.org/stations.