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Secrets are a double-edged sword. They can both inflict and remedy physical and psychological injury for us and our loved ones. But regardless of whether they offer benefit, keeping secrets is often burdensome for the keeper. Michael Slepian, author of The Secret Life of Secrets, has dedicated his career to the psychology of secrets and how keeping secrets affect variables that govern social and organizational life. In this episode of POTC, Michael and Yael discuss the personal and relational value in sharing as well as the impact of keeping secrets. Join us in this episode for surprising statistics and findings on secret-keeping, practical advice on assessing when and how to share your secrets, evidence-based strategies on building trust, and much much more, today!\n\nListen and Learn:\n\nYael and Debbie discuss the power of tightly held secrets\n\nWhy secret-keeping is often overlooked in the realm of mental health\n\nMichael\u2019s expert definition of secrecy\n\nImportant distinctions between deception and private information\n\nThe impact of secret-keeping on our well-being\n\nSome surprising findings from Michael\u2019s research on secret-keeping\n\nThe first steps in overcoming a tightly held or particularly burdensome secret\n\nThe hazards and gifts associated with professional secret-keeping as a clinician\n\nRevealing statistics on secrets and secret-keeping\n\nAn expert definition of ambitious secrets\n\nPractical advice on assessing when and how to share your secrets\n\nGuidelines for helping children understand the differences between the right to privacy and the dangers of keeping certain kinds of secrets\n\nPros and cons of snooping\n\nEvidence-based strategies on building trust\n\nMichael\u2019s coping compass and how it can help you decide whether or not to disclose a secret\n\nMichael\u2019s personal experiences sharing and learning secrets\n\nThe personal and relational value in sharing\xa0secrets\n\n\nResources:\n\nBuy your copy of Michael\u2019s book, The Secret Life of Secrets: How Our Inner Worlds Shape Well-Being, Relationships, and Who We Are!\xa0\n\nMichael\u2019s study, Relieving the burdens of secrecy: Revealing secrets influences judgments of hill slant and distance\xa0\n\nCheck out Danny Shapiro\u2019s book Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love\xa0\n\n\nGrab your copy of all our favorite books at bookshop.org/shop/offtheclockpsych.\n\nCheck out Debbie, Diana, Yael, and Jill\u2019s websites to access their offerings, sign up for their newsletters, buy their books, and more!\xa0\n\n\nAbout Michael Slepian:\nMichael Slepian is the Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. Associate Professor of Leadership and Ethics at Columbia Business School. He previously was a visiting scholar at Stanford University, and received his Ph.D. from Tufts University. He is an elected fellow of the Society of Experimental Social Psychology, has received the Rising Star Award from the Association for Psychological Science, and received the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship.Michael studies the psychology of secrets and how keeping secrets affect variables that govern social and organizational life. For more information see his research and publications.\n\nRelated Episodes:\n\nEpisode 83. Courageous Conversations to Prevent Childhood Sexual Abuse with Feather Berkower\n\n\nEpisode 118. Moral Injury and Shame with Lauren Borges and Jacob Farnsworth\xa0\n\nEpisode 184. Getting Past Affairs and Other Relationship Betrayals with Kristina Coop Gordon\n\n\nWe'd love your help creating a better podcast listening experience by hearing more about you. Consider taking a few minutes to fill out our brief listener survey here.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices