It can sometimes be exciting when we don't know what's coming next. Other times, the unknown can be deeply troubling. This week, we talk with researcher Dannagal Goldthwaite Young about how we respond to uncertainty, and why this psychological trait plays a surprisingly large role in shaping our behavior, perspectives — even our political beliefs.

If you'd like to learn more about the intersection between psychology and our political views, check out these other Hidden Brain episodes:

Moral Combat

US 2.0: Not at the Dinner Table

US 2.0: What We Have in Common

Money worries are one of the biggest sources of anxiety in our lives. Psychologist Brad Klontz says these worries are shaped by more than the number in our bank accounts — they’re often driven by our unconscious beliefs. This week, we bring you a favorite 2022 conversation with Klontz, who says it’s possible to identify and change what he calls our “money scripts.”

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Every morning, you wake up and face the world. What does it look like to you? Do you see a paradise of endless opportunities, where people are friendly and helpful? Or a world filled with injustice, where people cannot be trusted? In the final installment of this year's You 2.0 series, we talk with psychologist Jamil Zaki about how we become disillusioned and distrustful of the world, and how to balance realism with hope.

Did you miss any of the other episodes in the You 2.0 series? Make sure to give them a listen here or on our website:

• You 2.0: The Gift of Other People
• You 2.0: Taking Control of Your Time
• You 2.0: How To Say No
• You 2.0: Remember More, Forget Less

And if you like today's conversation with Jamil Zaki, be sure to check out our earlier conversation with him, "The Empathy Gym."