When It's Okay to Lie
Hidden Brain

When It's Okay to Lie

Mar 30, 2026 · 51 min

About this episode

<p>Should you tell a harsh truth if it will only cause pain? Or is it sometimes kinder to keep someone in the dark? Psychologist <a href="https://www.chicagobooth.edu/faculty/directory/l/emma-levine" rel="noopener noreferrer">Emma Levine</a> explores the unwritten rules that guide when people feel it’s acceptable to lie — and what those choices reveal about trust, harm, and our deepest moral values.</p> <p><i>In our companion Hidden Brain+ episode, we explore ways to bridge the gap between the many lies we condone in practice, and the lying we claim to hate. If you're a subscriber, that episode is called “Telling The Truth About Lies.” If you're not yet a Hidden Brain+ subscriber, please visit </i><a href="http://support.hiddenbrain.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><i>support.hiddenbrain.org</i></a><i> or </i><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-brain/id1028908750?at=1010l3ab3&ct=hiddenbrain_podcasts&itsct=hiddenbrain_podcasts&itscg=30200S&ls=1" rel="noopener noreferrer"><i>apple.co/hidden brain</i></a><i> for a free seven-day trial. </i></p> <p><i>We're excited to share that Hidden Brain is </i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenbrain" rel="noopener noreferrer"><i>coming to YouTube</i></a><i>! Check out our trailer and subscribe so you don't miss our first three episodes, coming April 10. </i></p> <p><a href="https://unsplash.com/illustrations/a-hand-holds-a-scale-balancing-lies-and-truth-Zht6Qyjqhus" rel="noopener noreferrer"><i>Illustration by Masantocreative for Unsplash+</i></a></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>