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Passion vs. Paycheck

Overview

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Passion vs. Paycheck

Hidden Brain

Sep 22
Hidden Brain

Hidden Brain

Sep 22
OverviewShownoteHighlightsTranscriptChaptersPins

Shownote

The idea of being driven by a calling goes back centuries. It was the language used to describe religious people who were called to the priesthood. Today, millions of people in secular professions yearn to be similarly galvanized by their work. This week, ...

Highlights

What drives someone to dedicate their life to a particular job, even at great personal cost? This episode delves into the evolving idea of work as a calling, tracing its roots from religious devotion to modern-day career passion. We explore how this powerful concept can inspire extraordinary achievement—but also lead to hardship, burnout, and difficult trade-offs.
10:46
Finding meaning in work is a relatively recent cultural phenomenon.
14:30
People with a calling at work are more satisfied, engaged, and perform better.
18:10
A strong calling in work correlates with greater commitment and lower perception of career plateaus.
28:15
People with strong callings may ignore mentor feedback and pursue careers against advice
39:04
Pursuing a calling can lead to personal ruin and harm others.
42:27
People with strong callings can be highly committed but also critical and tough to work with
52:40
Love is a widely-cared-about topic, and the show will explore what happens after the initial infatuation ends.

Chapters

From Sacred Duty to Career Passion: How the Idea of a Calling Changed
00:00
Why Believing in a Calling Can Make You Happier—and More Driven
14:30
When Purpose Fuels Perseverance—And Blinds You to Reality
18:10
The Hidden Cost of Passion: Burnout, Exploitation, and Financial Strain
24:37
Can a Calling Harm the People You Love?
35:28
Is Your Job Like a Soulmate? The Romance of Work Expectations
42:27
What Happens When the Passion Fades—And What Comes Next
49:17

Transcript

Shankar Vedantam: Hey there, Shankar, here. We're dropping this episode on September 22nd, 2025. That's 10 years to the day since we first launched Hidden Brain into the world. Welcome to the first episode of the Hidden Brain podcast. I'm Shankar Vedantam....