Podcasts about cynics

We think that cynicism protects us from being disappointed by other people. But Stanford psychologist Jamil Zaki says the opposite is true. When we expect the worst in people, we create a self-fulfilling prophecy that brings out exactly what we feared. So in his new book, Hope for Cynics, Jamil sets out to prove that hope isn't naive: it's smart.

There are certain passages in this book that are downright stunning to me. For instance, Paul doesn't just tell the Philippians to “rejoice in the Lord,” he tells them to “rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil. 4:4). He doesn't just say, “don't worry,” he says, “don't worry about anything” (Phil. 4:6) Now in today's passage, Paul says, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation” (Phil. 4:12)Remember, Paul isn't able to say these things because his life has been easy. Just the opposite! He faced life-threatening circumstances over and over again, all for the sake of Christ. Indeed, at the very moment he penned these words he was chained to a guard in a Roman prison. Even so, Paul had “learned the secret” of being content. What can we learn from Paul that can help us learn to be content no matter what comes our way?The Greek word Paul uses for contentment means “satisfaction with what one has; independence from all things and all people.” It's the idea of not needing anything, anyone, or any change in the circumstances in order to be at peace.But how do you get there?  In Paul's day, as in ours, there were two philosophies that people followed to ease their discontent. Counterfeit contentment, you could say. Contentment isn't a matter of giving in to stoicism. Stoicism believes the goal is to get rid of desire, to eliminate emotion. In other words, to simply not care. In today's parlance, the watchword would be “whatever.” “My job's been eliminated. Whatever. I don't care.”But this is not what Paul is talking about.Contentment isn't a matter of turning in to self-sufficiency. This is the philosophy of the Cynics. One of their beliefs is to trust no one but yourself. The problem with that is, the only resources you have are the ones you can muster up, and when those run out, you're out of luck. That's why Cynics are seldom content; they're bitter.So, what's Paul's secret? It's found in verse 13. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."This is one of the most popular verses in the Bible, used as motivation by athletes and millions of others facing challenging situations. But we would do well to understand that the original context of these words has to do with learning to be content.  What they remind us is that…Contentment is a matter of leaning in to divine sovereignty. Paul's contentment was anchored in His awareness that Christ was enough and that his life was controlled by a sovereign God who worked all things together for our good and His glory.Here are some actions steps that can help us when discontentment creeps in.Ponder: thank God for all that you do have. Discontentment is largely triggered by ingratitude. Instead of focusing on what isn't, thank God for what is. One of the secrets of contentment is gratitude.Wonder: ask yourself what God might be up to. God is always at work. What might He want you to learn about Him, about you? How might He use these circumstances for the greater progress of the gospel?Surrender: trust God's heart rather than your understanding.  There will be times when God's actions baffle us. In those moments, we much surrender our need to understand the situation and fall back on what you know is true about God – His character and love for you.  Text: Philippians 4:10-13, 2 Corinthians 11:23-28; 12:7-12Originally recorded on February 1, 2009, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN

410.  Are You a Cynic, Optimist, or Skeptic? Dr. Jamil Zaki Shares Which Way is Happiest  Dr. Jamil Zaki–a Stanford psychologist and director of their Social Neuroscience Lab–discusses how worldviews like optimism, cynicism, and skepticism shape our lives, health, and relationships.  -The three lies we tell ourselves about cynicism -Why we need to stop putting faith in people who don't put faith in people -The quiz you need to know if you're a cynic -Why hope could very well save your life Dr. Jamil Zaki is a professor of psychology at Stanford University and the director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab. He trained at Columbia and Harvard, studying empathy and kindness in the human brain. He is interested in how we can learn to connect better. Dr. Zaki is the author of The War For Kindness and, most recently, Hope for Cynics. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Probst, Carsten www.deutschlandfunk.de, Kultur heute

This Day in Legal History: “Law Day” is BornOn this day in 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued a proclamation that did more than just slap a new label on the calendar—it attempted to reframe the ideological narrative of the Cold War itself. With Presidential Proclamation 3221, Eisenhower officially designated May 1 as Law Day, a symbolic counterweight to May Day, the international workers' holiday long associated with labor movements, socialist solidarity, and, in the American imagination, the creeping specter of communism.What better way to combat revolutionary fervor than with a celebration of legal order?Pushed by the American Bar Association, Law Day wasn't just a feel-good civics moment; it was a strategic act of Cold War messaging. While the Soviet bloc paraded tanks through Red Square, the U.S. would parade its Constitution and wax poetic about the rule of law. In short, May Day was about the workers; Law Day was about the lawyers—and the system they claimed safeguarded liberty.But this wasn't just symbolic posturing. In 1961, Congress gave Law Day teeth by writing it into the U.S. Code (36 U.S.C. § 113), mandating that May 1 be observed with educational programs, bar association events, and a national reaffirmation of the “ideal of equality and justice under law.”Cynics might call it Constitution cosplay. Advocates call it civic literacy.Either way, Law Day has endured. Each year, the President issues a formal proclamation with a new theme—ranging from the judiciary's independence to access to justice. The ABA leads events, schools hold mock trials, and the legal community gets a rare day in the spotlight.In the grand tradition of American holidays, Law Day may not come with a day off or department store sales. But it's a reminder that the U.S. doesn't just celebrate its laws when it's convenient—it does so deliberately, and sometimes, geopolitically.A federal judge ruled that Apple violated a 2021 injunction meant to promote competition in its App Store by improperly restricting developers' payment options. U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers found that Apple defied her prior order in an antitrust case brought by Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite. The judge referred Apple and its vice president of finance, Alex Roman, to federal prosecutors for a possible criminal contempt investigation, citing misleading testimony and willful noncompliance. She emphasized that Apple had treated the injunction as a negotiation rather than a binding mandate.Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney praised the ruling as a win for developers and said Fortnite could return to the App Store soon. Apple had previously removed Epic's account after it allowed users to bypass Apple's in-app payment system. Despite the ruling, Apple maintains it made extensive efforts to comply while protecting its business model and plans to appeal. Epic argued that Apple continued to stifle competition by imposing a new 27% fee on external purchases and deterring users through warning messages. The judge rejected Apple's request to delay enforcement of her ruling and barred the company from interfering with developers' ability to communicate with users or imposing the new fee.US judge rules Apple violated order to reform App Store | ReutersPalestinian student Mohsen Mahdawi, a Columbia University graduate student and longtime Vermont resident, was released from U.S. immigration custody after a judge ruled he could remain free while contesting his deportation. The case stems from the Trump administration's efforts to remove non-citizen students who have participated in pro-Palestinian protests, arguing such activism threatens U.S. foreign policy. Mahdawi, who was arrested during a citizenship interview, has not been charged with any crime. Judge Geoffrey Crawford found he posed no danger or flight risk and compared the political environment to McCarthy-era crackdowns on dissent.Crawford emphasized that Mahdawi's peaceful activism was protected by the First Amendment, even as a non-citizen. Mahdawi was greeted by supporters waving Palestinian flags as he denounced his detention and vowed not to be intimidated. The Department of Homeland Security criticized the decision, accusing Mahdawi of glorifying violence and supporting terrorism, although no evidence or charges of such conduct were presented in court.Members of Vermont's congressional delegation condemned the administration's actions as a violation of due process and free speech. Mahdawi's release was seen as a symbolic blow to broader efforts targeting pro-Palestinian foreign students, while others in similar situations remain jailed. Columbia University reaffirmed that legal protections apply to all residents, regardless of citizenship status.The relevant takeaway here revolves around the First Amendment rights of non-citizens – Judge Crawford's ruling affirmed that lawful non-citizens enjoy constitutional protections, including freedom of speech. This principle was central to Mahdawi's release, reinforcing the legal standard that political expression—even controversial or unpopular—is not grounds for detention or deportation.Palestinian student released on bail as he challenges deportation from US | ReutersA federal judge in San Francisco is set to consider a critical legal question in ongoing copyright disputes involving artificial intelligence: whether Meta Platforms made "fair use" of copyrighted books when training its Llama language model. The case, brought by authors including Junot Díaz and Sarah Silverman, accuses Meta of using pirated copies of their work without permission or payment. Meta argues that its use was transformative, enabling Llama to perform diverse tasks like tutoring, translation, coding, and creative writing—without replicating or replacing the original works.The outcome could significantly impact similar lawsuits filed against other AI developers like OpenAI and Anthropic, all hinging on how courts interpret fair use in the context of AI training. Meta contends that its LLM's use of copyrighted material is covered under fair use because it generates new and transformative outputs, rather than duplicating the authors' content. Plaintiffs argue that this type of use violates copyright protections by extracting and repurposing the expressive value of their works for commercial AI systems.Technology firms warn that requiring licenses for such training could impede AI innovation and economic growth. Authors and content creators, on the other hand, view the unlicensed use as a threat to their financial and creative interests.Judge in Meta case weighs key question for AI copyright lawsuits | ReutersThe U.S. Supreme Court appears sharply divided over whether states can prohibit religious charter schools from receiving public funding, in a case that could significantly alter the legal landscape for church-state separation in education. The case centers on Oklahoma's rejection of St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School's bid to become the first publicly funded religious charter school in the country. Conservative justices, including Brett Kavanaugh, expressed concerns that excluding religious schools constitutes unconstitutional discrimination, while liberal justices emphasized the importance of maintaining a secular public education system.Chief Justice John Roberts is seen as a crucial swing vote. He questioned both sides, at times referencing prior rulings favoring religious institutions, but also signaling discomfort with the broader implications of authorizing religious charter schools. Justice Sotomayor raised hypothetical concerns about curriculum control, such as schools refusing to teach evolution or U.S. history topics like slavery.The case could affect charter school laws in up to 46 states and has implications for federal charter school funding, which mandates nonsectarian instruction. Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself, increasing the possibility of a 4-4 split, which would leave Oklahoma's decision to block St. Isidore intact without setting a national precedent.This case hinges on the constitutional balance between prohibiting government endorsement of religion (Establishment Clause) and ensuring equal treatment of religious institutions (Free Exercise Clause). The justices' interpretations of these principles will guide whether public funds can support explicitly religious charter schools.Supreme Court Signals Divide on Religious Charter Schools - Bloomberg This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

JC Family Church: Empowering People, Impacting Communities.No matter what you have done or where you have come from, your past doesn't have to define your present, or dictate your future... Today is a new day.  If you need prayer or just want to get in touch with us you can email us at admin@jcfamily.com.auIf you have been blessed by this ministry we would love to invite you to partner with us in spreading the message of Hope.Name: Jimboomba Assembly of GodBSB: 654 000A/C: 64193699  Join us for church online.Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jcfamilychurchYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcIcVeev1rBu-iFkdkiHIwQ  For more information head to our webpagehttp://www.jcfamily.com.au/

”Motivation Is Manipulation” Join me and my guest Dr. Roger Gerard (www.rogergerard.com), founder and CEO of of Sloan & Gerard Consulting, a private consulting practice serving executives and boards in strategic planning, operational planning, executive coaching, and management development. Roger is the author of several books, including Lead with Purpose: Reignite Passion and Engagement for Professionals in Crisis and Owning the Room: Leading with Mind, Heart, and Spirit to Make Extraordinary Choices in a Demanding World. In this conversation, Blaine and Roger explore the essence of compassionate leadership, emphasizing the importance of connection and understanding in effective leadership.  Show Notes: Summary In this conversation, Blaine and Dr. Roger Gerard explore the essence of leadership and purpose in business. They discuss the importance of understanding the soul of business, which is rooted in purpose, and how this can transform organizational culture. The dialogue delves into the distinction between motivation and inspiration, emphasizing that true engagement comes from within rather than external manipulation. They also challenge common misconceptions about business, particularly the notion that profit is the primary purpose, advocating instead for a focus on enhancing the human experience. Blaine and Roger Gerard explore the essence of compassionate leadership, emphasizing the importance of connection and understanding in effective leadership. They discuss the significance of rounding in leadership, the challenges of cultural shifts, and the dynamics of resistance within organizations. Roger outlines the five promises leaders should make to foster trust and engagement, and the conversation concludes with a call to action for leaders to actively engage with their teams. Takeaways * Leadership is about influencing, not controlling. * Purpose is the meta holder of coordinated movement. * Organizations often operate under outdated paradigms. * People come together to meet their needs and the business's needs. * Manipulation leads to resistance and disengagement. * Inspiration is internally driven, not externally imposed. * The concept of family in business is misleading. * Profit should not be the sole purpose of business. * Community building is essential for organizational success. * Understanding the soul of business requires redefining common terms. * Compassionate leadership is rooted in connection. * Leaders must understand the needs of their teams. * Rounding is essential for effective leadership. * Cultural shifts require patience and commitment. * Impatience is a major barrier to change. * Leaders should seek buy-in, not mere compliance. * Vulnerability is key to leading with purpose. * Cynics, apathetics, and naysayers hinder progress. * Listening with respect builds trust. * Leaders must actively engage and take action. #leadershipdevelopment #leadership #soulofbusiness #trust #empowerment #decisionmaking Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Colin opens up our passage from Luke 24 for Easter Sunday 2025. How do we respond to the news that He is Risen? With cynicism, or like Peter by sprinting to see for ourselves?

Send us a textTwenty years ago The Times asked young people in Britain a series of questions. The new Millenials gave answers which showed that the majority thought the UK was forward-looking and tolerant; they were proud to be British.This year that same survey - this time asking Gen Z - has brought in radically different results.48 per cent thought that Britain is a racist country, compared with 36 per cent who did not, and only 11 per cent said they would fight for Britain. In fact, 41 per cent said there were no circumstances in which they would take up arms for their countryThis caught my eye, because I've been reading about the sharp rise in cynicism across many societies. What's particularly fascinating is that the opinions of people, when asked in research aimed at trying to understand cynicism, seem to be far less extreme and more peaceful, than we generally believe them to be.So the question is, are we too cynical, and what can we parents do to help our kids feel more hope about the intentions of others and the world in general?It's a very tricky subject, with lots of opportunities to offend, so do try to listen to the episode with the spirit in which it is intended. The Times poll: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/society/article/generation-z-survey-young-people-britain-ld076s8qrBooks referenced:Hope for Cynics by Dr Jamil ZakiCynical Theories: How Activist Scholarship Made Everything about Race, Gender, and Identity--And Why This Harms Everybody by Helen Pluckrose and James LindsayUseful episodes for blended families with a newborn:https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/1-your-parenting-toolbox-and-tidy-teen-rooms-rummaging-in-your-toolbox-and-how-you-get-your-teena/https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/differing-parenting-styles-and-future-careers-parenting-together-when-you-cant-agree-on-a-parenti/https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/manners-parenting-to-help-teens-succeed-in-life-by-teaching-the-importance-of-good-manners/https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/29-step-children-coping-and-thriving-with-a-blended-family/https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/123-avoid-parenting-burnout-and-troublesome-chore-charts-with-this-simple-method-an-interview-with/Support the showThank you so much for your support. Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. My email is teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact us:www.teenagersuntangled.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/teenagersuntangled/Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/teenagersuntangled/Susie is available for a free 15 minute consultation, and has a great blog:www.amindful-life.co.uk

Trump's latest tariff escalation on China, Mexico, and Canada has earned the Wall Street Journal's bluntest critique yet: “dumbest.” With markets reacting sharply, Wall Street remains the one force that might actually make him reconsider. Plus, Brenda Wineapple, author of Keeping the Faith: How American Democracy Survives Scandals, Scoundrels, and Cynics, joins to discuss a century-old “trial of the century” and its relevance to today's politics. Produced by Corey Wara Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: GIST INSTAGRAM Follow Mikes Substack at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today, Dr Emily talks about hope. And in a world where things can feel a little bit hopeless, this really couldn’t have come at a better time. In contrast to all of our understanding up until this point, hope is not an emotion. Expertly defined by Dr Emily, hope is a belief. And most significantly, it can be learned, and it can be cultivated. Psychological mic-drop. This episode delves into strategies for creating both a sense of collective and individual hope, and in a discovery which happens to be VERY on-brand for this podcast, Dr Emily talks to the significance of vulnerability and connection in living a hopeful life. We hope you enjoy this one as much as we did. If you would like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://bit.ly/41j0pT1

Hello. I'm Randy Greenwald. Welcome to Greatheart's Table. Imagine John Lennon as a pastor. It's easy, if you try. Okay, maybe it's not that easy. But it's easy to imagine the song he might have written had he been a pastor: You may say that I'm a cynic,but I'm not the only one. It's not […]

In this video, We have a sit down with Nimicry about RPGs, things we are passionate about and even some MMO'sWhere You can Find Nimicryhttps://www.twitch.tv/nimicryhttps://x.com/nimicry?lang=enConnect with me on social media for more gaming goodness:Join The Discord!: https://discord.gg/6H9nNJqDsZ

From Games, to Failed Live Services, and the Switch 2 Announcement...So much has gone on. Connect with me on social media for more gaming goodness: Join The Discord!: https://discord.gg/6H9nNJqDsZ

Research shows that cynicism is on the rise. What does that mean for your ability to create and maintain deep friendships? In this episode of the Friend Forward podcast, we review some key points from the book "Hope for Cynics" by Jamil Zaki and think through the relational consequences of this trend.Remember, the full episode is available exclusively in "Office Hours", our Patreon network.-----*Attend our annual Women's Connection Summit on 3/7-8/2025**Serious about making new friends in the new year? Register for our "Forming Friendships Accelerator!"***Follow Danielle on Instagram

The last book I read in 2024 is an important book that gave me some insights foe 2025. Let me start this year by talking aboit that book. The book is Hope for Cynics by Jamil Zaki. If you are listening on Spotify please share add your thoughts there. If not on Spotify email me your thoughts to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠penpositive@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect on Social Media PenPositive YouTube Channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@PenPositive ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@penpositive⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ My Professional Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://penpositive.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ My Personal Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://vinodnarayan.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinodn/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

After the death of a beloved colleague known for his optimism, Stanford psychology professor Jamil Zaki began reflecting on his own cynicism. He discovered that cultural stereotypes casting cynics as smarter and more worldly are wrong. Instead, cynicism undermines relationships and confines our vision of the future. We'll talk to Zaki about how to quiet our inner cynic to appreciate a humanity he says is “far more beautiful and complex than a cynic imagines.” His new book is “Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness.” Guests: Jamil Zaki, professor of psychology, Stanford University; director, Stanford Social Neuroscience Laboratory; author of “Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness”

In this episode we go back to pre-recorded history to record a time when hunters and gatherers were less naive about what was supposed to be worshiped. No saps were these folks!

Compassionate dialogue isn't just about talking and listening—it's a meaningful way to bridge divides, cultivate belonging, and reimagine education as a space for connection.Summary: In this episode of The Science of Happiness, we explore the  role of compassion in education and connecting across differences. We explore the bravery it takes to have tough conversations, how to create spaces where everyone feels they belong, and the profound impact of addressing marginalization in the classroom. Plus, we uncover practical ways to turn these classroom lessons into meaningful, real-world connections and community building.This episode is sponsored by The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations.Scroll down for a transcription of this episode.Today's Guests:JACKIE JUSTICE, M.A.E.T., is an English and humanities professor at Mid Michigan College, where she teaches courses in writing, literature, culture, and compassion studies. Read Justice's article about how learning to bridge differences can help students succeed: https://tinyurl.com/mw7r845h Learn about our Bridging Differences online course at GGSC: https://tinyurl.com/2wk5h72zJAMIL ZAKI is a professor of psychology at Stanford University and the director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab. Follow Zaki on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamil-zaki-b0b4a9192Follow Zaki on X: https://x.com/zakijamRead Zaki's Book Hope for Cynics: https://tinyurl.com/mrxtzhmw More episodes like this one:How to Talk to People You Disagree With: https://tinyurl.com/4cpm8m3aWhen It's Hard to Connect, Try Being Curious: https://tinyurl.com/bde6wyu7Why Compassion Requires Vulnerability: https://tinyurl.com/yxw4uhpfMore Happiness Breaks like this one:Take a Break With Our Loving-Kindness Meditation: https://tinyurl.com/2kr4fjz5Radical Acceptance, with Tara Brach: https://tinyurl.com/ycec7jwtTell us about your experiences and struggles with compassionate listening. Email us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or follow on Instagram @HappinessPod.Help us share The Science of Happiness! Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and share this link with someone who might like the show: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aapTranscription: https://tinyurl.com/3x7w2s5s

This Throwback Thursday, Chris DeMakes A Podcast rewinds to December 13, 2021, when Shawn Harris of The Matches joined the show for Episode 81 to break down the making of the holiday punk anthem “December Is for Cynics.” Shawn shared stories about writing and recording the track, reflecting on its clever lyrics, high-energy vibe, and how it became a beloved seasonal staple for those who prefer their holiday music with a bit of edge. Revisit this festive deep dive into a holiday classic that's anything but typical. Chris DeMakes A Podcast is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at http://distrokid.com/vip/demakes  For bonus episode of The After Party podcast, an extensive back catalog of past After Party episodes, early ad-free releases of new episodes of Chris DeMakes A Podcast, full video versions of episodes, and MUCH more, head to the Patreon at http://www.ChrisDeMakes.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is cynicism getting in the way of our progress? In “Hope for Cynics”, Stanford psychologist Dr. Jamil Zaki, explores how cynicism is keeping us hopeless and inactive, which prevents us from creating real, lasting change. Zaki shares his ideas on how to escape the “cynicism trap” and become critical thinkers capable of hope and trust. Credits: Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks Audio Producer: Craig Thompson To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Cynicism is a tool of the status quo." - Jamil Zaki "Billions of us are taught that life is a battle where winners take all and losers are everywhere. Our trust and hope are mocked as naive. By now,you know better. You can stay skeptical and avoid knee-jerk assumptions about people. You can remember that the media warps our view of one another and look for better data. Most of all, you can realize that hope is not a weakness, but a path to being less wrong and more effective. We can use that hope, like a divining rod, to locate others who want thesame things we do, building solidarity and common cause." - Jamil ZakiRESOURCES: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_find_hope_when_youre_feeling_cynicalhttps://www.theguardian.com/books/article/2024/aug/23/hope-for-cynics-by-jamil-zaki-review-beating-the-trust-recessionhttps://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/in-hope-for-cynics-researcher-explores-how-seeing-the-good-in-others-is-good-for-youTHE BOOK: https://www.jamil-zaki.com/hope-for-cynicsDONATE:www.pcrf.netGet Involved:Operation Olive Branch: Spreadsheets + LinksGET AN OCCASIONAL PERSONAL EMAIL FROM ME: www.makeyourdamnbedpodcast.comTUNE IN ON INSTAGRAM FOR COOL CONTENT: www.instagram.com/mydbpodcastOR BE A REAL GEM + TUNE IN ON PATREON: www.patreon.com/MYDBpodcastOR WATCH ON YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/juliemerica The opinions expressed by Julie Merica and Make Your Damn Bed Podcast are intended for entertainment purposes only. Make Your Damn Bed podcast is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Get bonus content on PatreonSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/make-your-damn-bed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"I am sure that we will recognize that there are some things in our society, some things in our world, to which we should never be adjusted. There are some things concerning which we must always be maladjusted if we are to be people of good will. We must never adjust ourselves to racial discrimination and racial segregation. We must never adjust ourselves to religious bigotry. We must never adjust ourselves to economic conditions that take necessities from the many to give luxuries to the few. We must never adjust ourselves to the madness of militarism, and the self-defeating effects of physical violence." - Martin Luther King Jr. RESOURCES: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_find_hope_when_youre_feeling_cynicalhttps://www.theguardian.com/books/article/2024/aug/23/hope-for-cynics-by-jamil-zaki-review-beating-the-trust-recessionhttps://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/in-hope-for-cynics-researcher-explores-how-seeing-the-good-in-others-is-good-for-youTHE BOOK: https://www.jamil-zaki.com/hope-for-cynicsDONATE:www.pcrf.netGet Involved:Operation Olive Branch: Spreadsheets + LinksGET AN OCCASIONAL PERSONAL EMAIL FROM ME: www.makeyourdamnbedpodcast.comTUNE IN ON INSTAGRAM FOR COOL CONTENT: www.instagram.com/mydbpodcastOR BE A REAL GEM + TUNE IN ON PATREON: www.patreon.com/MYDBpodcastOR WATCH ON YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/juliemerica The opinions expressed by Julie Merica and Make Your Damn Bed Podcast are intended for entertainment purposes only. Make Your Damn Bed podcast is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Get bonus content on PatreonSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/make-your-damn-bed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peace does not always represent justice or equity. Sometimes, it's good to be agitated. I think we can be hopeful AND angry. I truly believe there is room for both. “The challenge for us... is not to grieve over social change, but to guide it.” - Robert PutnamRESOURCES: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_find_hope_when_youre_feeling_cynicalhttps://www.theguardian.com/books/article/2024/aug/23/hope-for-cynics-by-jamil-zaki-review-beating-the-trust-recessionhttps://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/in-hope-for-cynics-researcher-explores-how-seeing-the-good-in-others-is-good-for-youTHE BOOK: https://www.jamil-zaki.com/hope-for-cynicsDONATE:www.pcrf.netGet Involved:Operation Olive Branch: Spreadsheets + LinksGET AN OCCASIONAL PERSONAL EMAIL FROM ME: www.makeyourdamnbedpodcast.comTUNE IN ON INSTAGRAM FOR COOL CONTENT: www.instagram.com/mydbpodcastOR BE A REAL GEM + TUNE IN ON PATREON: www.patreon.com/MYDBpodcastOR WATCH ON YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/juliemerica The opinions expressed by Julie Merica and Make Your Damn Bed Podcast are intended for entertainment purposes only. Make Your Damn Bed podcast is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Get bonus content on PatreonSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/make-your-damn-bed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Studies reveal a recipe for disagreeing better:Good disagreers ask questions instead of making statements.They work to get underneath people's opinions to their stories.When they spot common ground, good disagreers name it.When they are unsure about something, they say so rather than pretending to be confident.These ingredients each decrease the chance that dissent will devolve into toxic conflict. But good disagreement is more than nice; it's powerful. In experiments, people given the recipe you see here listened more intently and asked better questions. But the people they talked with also became more open-minded, even though they received no training. Outrage is contagious, but so are curiosity and humility.” - Jamil ZakiRESOURCES: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_find_hope_when_youre_feeling_cynicalhttps://www.theguardian.com/books/article/2024/aug/23/hope-for-cynics-by-jamil-zaki-review-beating-the-trust-recessionhttps://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/in-hope-for-cynics-researcher-explores-how-seeing-the-good-in-others-is-good-for-youTHE BOOK: https://www.jamil-zaki.com/hope-for-cynicsDONATE:www.pcrf.netGet Involved:Operation Olive Branch: Spreadsheets + LinksGET AN OCCASIONAL PERSONAL EMAIL FROM ME: www.makeyourdamnbedpodcast.comTUNE IN ON INSTAGRAM FOR COOL CONTENT: www.instagram.com/mydbpodcastOR BE A REAL GEM + TUNE IN ON PATREON: www.patreon.com/MYDBpodcastOR WATCH ON YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/juliemerica The opinions expressed by Julie Merica and Make Your Damn Bed Podcast are intended for entertainment purposes only. Make Your Damn Bed podcast is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Get bonus content on PatreonSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/make-your-damn-bed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Ernest Hemingway once said, "The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them." He was half right. Trust doesn't just teach us about people; it changes them. It's a gift they repay. A reciprocity mindset means understanding this. Leaps of faith are actions inspired by that knowledge: deliberate bets on other people.” - Jamil ZakiRESOURCES: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_find_hope_when_youre_feeling_cynicalhttps://www.theguardian.com/books/article/2024/aug/23/hope-for-cynics-by-jamil-zaki-review-beating-the-trust-recessionhttps://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/in-hope-for-cynics-researcher-explores-how-seeing-the-good-in-others-is-good-for-youTHE BOOK: https://www.jamil-zaki.com/hope-for-cynicsDONATE:www.pcrf.netGet Involved:Operation Olive Branch: Spreadsheets + LinksGET AN OCCASIONAL PERSONAL EMAIL FROM ME: www.makeyourdamnbedpodcast.comTUNE IN ON INSTAGRAM FOR COOL CONTENT: www.instagram.com/mydbpodcastOR BE A REAL GEM + TUNE IN ON PATREON: www.patreon.com/MYDBpodcastOR WATCH ON YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/juliemerica The opinions expressed by Julie Merica and Make Your Damn Bed Podcast are intended for entertainment purposes only. Make Your Damn Bed podcast is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Get bonus content on PatreonSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/make-your-damn-bed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Minimalists speak with Dr. Jamil Zaki from Stanford University about understanding and overcoming hopelessness and cynicism. Discussed in this episode: In what ways does cynicism mimic false hope? (2:24) How do you find hope when you've felt hopeless for a long time? (10:08) What are the surprising downsides of hope? (22:00) Listener tip: Overthinking makes people feel hopeless. (30:55) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.

"Any of us can seek out more accurate, less cynical news. But don't forget that the stories you tell influence others, too. Gossip is our ancient media, and someone is probably tuned in to yours. Try to balance negative conversation with celebration of the kindness and honesty that you've witnessed. Be someone else's nourishing media.” - Jamil ZakiRESOURCES: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_find_hope_when_youre_feeling_cynicalhttps://www.theguardian.com/books/article/2024/aug/23/hope-for-cynics-by-jamil-zaki-review-beating-the-trust-recessionhttps://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/in-hope-for-cynics-researcher-explores-how-seeing-the-good-in-others-is-good-for-youTHE BOOK: https://www.jamil-zaki.com/hope-for-cynicsDONATE:www.pcrf.netGet Involved:Operation Olive Branch: Spreadsheets + LinksGET AN OCCASIONAL PERSONAL EMAIL FROM ME: www.makeyourdamnbedpodcast.comTUNE IN ON INSTAGRAM FOR COOL CONTENT: www.instagram.com/mydbpodcastOR BE A REAL GEM + TUNE IN ON PATREON: www.patreon.com/MYDBpodcastOR WATCH ON YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/juliemerica The opinions expressed by Julie Merica and Make Your Damn Bed Podcast are intended for entertainment purposes only. Make Your Damn Bed podcast is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Get bonus content on PatreonSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/make-your-damn-bed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Researchers find that people regularly fail to realize how charitable, trustworthy, and compassionate others are. Helpers are all around; we just don't see them. Some of these mistakes reflect how our minds are tuned. Negativity bias means people pay more attention to bad things than good. Again, thismakes evolutionary sense: It's safe to ignore a sunset, but not a tsunami. As psychologist Fred Bryant says, “Troubles kick our door in and come and find us… whereas the pleasures and the joys, they don't hunt us down and force us to enjoy them. They wait and they sometimes hide.” - Jamil ZakiRESOURCES: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_find_hope_when_youre_feeling_cynicalhttps://www.theguardian.com/books/article/2024/aug/23/hope-for-cynics-by-jamil-zaki-review-beating-the-trust-recessionhttps://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/in-hope-for-cynics-researcher-explores-how-seeing-the-good-in-others-is-good-for-youTHE BOOK: https://www.jamil-zaki.com/hope-for-cynicsDONATE:www.pcrf.netGet Involved:Operation Olive Branch: Spreadsheets + LinksGET AN OCCASIONAL PERSONAL EMAIL FROM ME: www.makeyourdamnbedpodcast.comTUNE IN ON INSTAGRAM FOR COOL CONTENT: www.instagram.com/mydbpodcastOR BE A REAL GEM + TUNE IN ON PATREON: www.patreon.com/MYDBpodcastOR WATCH ON YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/juliemerica The opinions expressed by Julie Merica and Make Your Damn Bed Podcast are intended for entertainment purposes only. Make Your Damn Bed podcast is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Get bonus content on PatreonSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/make-your-damn-bed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Cynics often get people wrong, but that doesn't mean it's smart to put faith in everyone, all the time. Skeptics update their beliefs based hundreds of children, and then checked in with them a year later. When it came to depression and friendships, cynical children ended up the worst off, but extremely trusting kids did less well than those in the middle.Why? When judging humanity, both cynics and trusters behave like lawyers in humanity's trial. Trusters represent the defense. They disregard suspicious signs, forget betrayals, and hold on to any evidence of human goodness. Cynics work for the prosecution, explaining away kindness and cataloging every instance of human viciousness. Both attorneys are inclined to ignore half of the evidence, even if they're opposite halves.Lawyering is a fine way to argue, but a terrible way to learn. A growing science finds that real wisdom arrives when people know what they don't know. Likewise, social wisdom doesn't mean believing in everyone or no one. It means believing in evidence—by thinking less like a lawyer and more like a scientist. And despite the different instruments they use, all sorts of scientists share an intellectual tool:skepticism, the questioning of old wisdom and hunger for more information. Skeptics update their beliefs based on new information, allowing them to adjust to a complex world" - Jamil ZakiRESOURCES: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_find_hope_when_youre_feeling_cynicalhttps://www.theguardian.com/books/article/2024/aug/23/hope-for-cynics-by-jamil-zaki-review-beating-the-trust-recessionhttps://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/in-hope-for-cynics-researcher-explores-how-seeing-the-good-in-others-is-good-for-youTHE BOOK: https://www.jamil-zaki.com/hope-for-cynicsDONATE:www.pcrf.netGet Involved:Operation Olive Branch: Spreadsheets + LinksGET AN OCCASIONAL PERSONAL EMAIL FROM ME: www.makeyourdamnbedpodcast.comTUNE IN ON INSTAGRAM FOR COOL CONTENT: www.instagram.com/mydbpodcastOR BE A REAL GEM + TUNE IN ON PATREON: www.patreon.com/MYDBpodcastOR WATCH ON YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/juliemerica The opinions expressed by Julie Merica and Make Your Damn Bed Podcast are intended for entertainment purposes only. Make Your Damn Bed podcast is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Get bonus content on PatreonSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/make-your-damn-bed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Cynicism is the theory that people are selfish, greedy, and dishonest. Like any theory, it changes how we see reality and react to it—in this case, the social world. Cynicism changes how we think, what we do, and what we don't do." - Jamil ZakiRESOURCES: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_find_hope_when_youre_feeling_cynicalhttps://www.theguardian.com/books/article/2024/aug/23/hope-for-cynics-by-jamil-zaki-review-beating-the-trust-recessionhttps://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/in-hope-for-cynics-researcher-explores-how-seeing-the-good-in-others-is-good-for-youTHE BOOK: https://www.jamil-zaki.com/hope-for-cynicsDONATE:www.pcrf.netGet Involved:Operation Olive Branch: Spreadsheets + LinksGET AN OCCASIONAL PERSONAL EMAIL FROM ME: www.makeyourdamnbedpodcast.comTUNE IN ON INSTAGRAM FOR COOL CONTENT: www.instagram.com/mydbpodcastOR BE A REAL GEM + TUNE IN ON PATREON: www.patreon.com/MYDBpodcastOR WATCH ON YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/juliemerica The opinions expressed by Julie Merica and Make Your Damn Bed Podcast are intended for entertainment purposes only. Make Your Damn Bed podcast is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Get bonus content on PatreonSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/make-your-damn-bed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Cynicism is an understandable response to injustice and inequality. But in many cases, it is misplaced. Dozens of studies find that people fail to realize how kind, generous, and open-minded others really are. And cynical thinking worsens social problems: when we expect the worst in people, we often bring it out of them." - Jamil Zaki RESOURCES: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_find_hope_when_youre_feeling_cynicalhttps://www.theguardian.com/books/article/2024/aug/23/hope-for-cynics-by-jamil-zaki-review-beating-the-trust-recessionhttps://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/in-hope-for-cynics-researcher-explores-how-seeing-the-good-in-others-is-good-for-youTHE BOOK: https://www.jamil-zaki.com/hope-for-cynicsDONATE:www.pcrf.netGet Involved:Operation Olive Branch: Spreadsheets + LinksGET AN OCCASIONAL PERSONAL EMAIL FROM ME: www.makeyourdamnbedpodcast.comTUNE IN ON INSTAGRAM FOR COOL CONTENT: www.instagram.com/mydbpodcastOR BE A REAL GEM + TUNE IN ON PATREON: www.patreon.com/MYDBpodcastOR WATCH ON YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/juliemerica The opinions expressed by Julie Merica and Make Your Damn Bed Podcast are intended for entertainment purposes only. Make Your Damn Bed podcast is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Get bonus content on PatreonSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/make-your-damn-bed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Derek shares his biggest frustrations about the 2024 election, like the lack of a policy debate and blind spots in news coverage and polling analysis. Then he welcomes Jamil Zaki to the show: a professor of psychology at Stanford University and the director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab. Zaki is the author of ‘Hope for Cynics,' a new book that explores tension at the heart of human affairs. On one hand, social cooperation is the basis of human civilization. And yet cynicism—a baseline aversion to social cooperation and assumption that most people are greedy, selfish, and dishonest—is also core to the human experience. We are constantly violating the secret of our own success by assuming the worst in others, and Professor Zaki explains why. If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email us at PlainEnglish@Spotify.com. Host: Derek Thompson Guest: Jamil Zaki Producer: Devon Baroldi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#193: Unlock better opportunities, improve your emotional and physical health, and build stronger relationships by embracing “hopeful skepticism.” Dr. Jamil Zaki shares science-backed, actionable strategies to overcome the rising tide of cynicism and shift toward a positive mindset— paving the way for a more fulfilling and successful life. Dr. Jamil Zaki is the director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab and a psychology professor at Stanford University. Trained at Columbia and Harvard, Dr. Zaki has published his work on empathy and kindness in the human brain, including his books The War For Kindness and Hope for Cynics. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/jamil-zaki-hopeful-skepticism Partner Deals Superhuman: Free month of the fastest and best email with code ALLTHEHACKS Copilot: Free 2 months access to my favorite personal finance app with code HACKS2 Maui Nui: 20% off the most nutrient-dense red meat Daffy: Free $25 to give to the charity of your choice Vuori: 20% off the most comfortable performance apparel I've ever worn For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: chrishutchins.com/deals Resources Mentioned Chris Hutchins's Q&A Submission Jamil Zaki: Website | X | Instagram Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness Social Neuroscience Laboratory Cynic Personality Self Evaluation ATH Podcast: Follow & Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts Email us for questions, tips, deals and feedback Full Show Notes (00:00) Introduction (02:35) The Difference Between Being Cynical vs. Skeptical (05:12) Why There's a Massive Rise in Cynicism and Drop in Trust (07:36) Ways to Identify if You're a Cynic (09:45) The Spectrum of Cynicism (12:48) What's the Ultimate Benefit of Overcoming Cynicism? (16:46) Is There Any Benefit to Being Cynical in Certain Scenarios? (20:30) The Generational Difference in Cynicism (21:41) Why Hopeful Skepticism Isn't the Same as Optimism (23:26) How to Cultivate Hopeful Skepticism (26:58) What Are Values Affirmations? (28:35) Ways to Engage People Who Are Too Cynical (31:18) Why You Should Experiment with Risk Tolerance in Social Settings (37:59) How to Deal with Hopeful Cynicism When Your Trust Is Broken (41:21) Role of Your Intuition and Gut vs. Science (44:37) The Impact of Cynicism on Personal Finance and Optimization (47:51) Dealing with Cynics in Your Own Family and Friend Circles (49:47) Advice for Parents to Course Correct Kids (52:27) The Rule of Exception in Cynicism Connect with Chris Newsletter | Membership | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Editor's Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

How does cynicism harm our workplaces and our communities? Tune in for this insightful conversation with Dr. Jamil Zaki, professor of psychology at Stanford University, director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab, and author of the new book Hope for Cynics.  Jamil joins Jessi to delve into the dangers of cynicism and the transformative power of hope and trust. He explores how the psychological impacts of cynicism affect individual well-being and organizational culture, and how overcoming cynicism can lead to profoundly positive changes in our workplaces, our communities, and ourselves. Jamil and Jessi discuss the contrast between hyper-competitive, cutthroat environments and collaborative, trusting communities. They examine why hope is not naive but a powerful tool for meaningful activism and collective change.  Listen to gain actionable insights into transforming workplace cultures, building trust in organizations, fostering hopeful skepticism, and driving positive change in our interconnected world throughout our lives and careers. Subscribe to the Hello Monday newsletter to get episodes and insights delivered straight to your inbox every Monday!

In this episode of The Human Upgrade, Dave Asprey welcomes Dr. Jamil Zaki, a professor of psychology at Stanford University and the director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab. Dr. Zaki discusses the critical intersection between empathy, cynicism, and hope, exploring the impacts of negativity bias, cynicism in modern society, and how we can rewire our brains to become more hopeful. Drawing from his latest research and new book, Hope for Cynics, Dr. Zaki shares profound insights on human goodness, how we can challenge our biases, and the practices that can help us foster a more positive outlook on the world. Sponsors: Puori | Visit https://puori.com/dave and use code DAVE for 20% storewide. ARMRA | Go to https://tryarmra.com/ and use the code DAVE to get 15% off your first order. Resources: Jamil Zaki's website: jamil-zaki.com Jamil Zaki's New Book: Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness Dave's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/daveasprey Dave Asprey's Book ‘Smarter Not Harder' is out now: https://daveasprey.com/books Want to join The Human Upgrade Podcast Live? Join Our Upgrade Collective: https://www.ourupgradecollective.com/ Danger Coffee by Dave Asprey: https://www.instagram.com/dangercoffeeofficial/ Supplements by Dave Asprey: https://shopsuppgradelabs.com/ Own an Upgrade Labs: https://ownanupgradelabs.com/ Timestamps and Highlights: 00:00:01 – Introduction by Dave Asprey 00:02:00 – Dr. Zaki on Cynicism and Empathy 00:05:30 – The Science Behind Empathy and Human Goodness 00:10:00 – The Impact of Negativity Bias on Decision-Making 00:15:00 – How to Overcome Cynicism Through Skepticism 00:20:30 – Practices to Foster Empathy and Optimism 00:30:00 – Understanding Cynicism in the Digital Age 00:35:00 – Building Hope in Relationships and Society See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of A Dad's Path Podcast, we sit down with Jamil Zaki, author of the newly released book Hope for Cynics. Together, they dive into the fascinating concept of “hopeful skepticism” and why it's a more effective mindset than blind optimism or deep cynicism, especially in parenting. Jamil explains why society often views cynicism as wisdom and how this perception can limit opportunities for connection and growth. They discuss how parents can foster hopeful skepticism in their kids, build trust, and avoid the pitfalls of “social shark attacks.” You'll also learn practical strategies like implementing gratitude practices and identifying moments of social goodness to counter negativity. This conversation offers insightful, actionable tips for parents who want to raise resilient, empathetic children while maintaining a balanced worldview.

This week Scott is joined by author and professor of psychology at Stanford University, Dr. Jamil Zaki. Scott and Dr. Zaki discuss tribal cynicism, how hopeful skepticism is different from naive optimism, and the importance of countering “social shark attacks”.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, my guest is Dr. Jamil Zaki, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Stanford University, director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Laboratory, and the author of the new book Hope for Cynics. We discuss cynicism and its healthier, more adaptive alternative, healthy skepticism, and how embracing healthy skepticism can enhance both our emotional and physical health. We discuss the data on how cynicism affects us as individuals and in relationships, causing lower levels of happiness, poorer physical health, and reduced creativity, trust, and collaboration. He also explains novel data-supported tools that we can use to shift ourselves towards a more informed yet more positive worldview and how to adopt a mindset of “hopeful skepticism” — the ideal stance to navigate life.  Dr. Zaki offers listeners a positive, hopeful view of humanity grounded in cutting-edge research from his laboratory and other top laboratories. He also offers science-supported protocols to navigate relationships in person and online better.  Access the full show notes, including referenced articles, books, people mentioned, and additional resources at hubermanlab.com. Pre-Order Andrew's New Book Protocols: An Operating Manual for the Human Body: https://protocolsbook.com Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman  Maui Nui Venison: https://mauinuivenison.com/huberman  Joovv: https://joovv.com/huberman  Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman  Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman   Timestamps 00:00:00 Dr. Jamil Zaki 00:02:12 Sponsors: Maui Nui, Joovv & Waking Up 00:06:59 Cynicism 00:12:38 Children, Attachment Styles & Cynicism 00:17:29 Cynicism vs. Skepticism, Complexity 00:23:30 Culture Variability & Trust 00:26:28 Sponsor: AG1 00:27:40 Negative Health Outcomes; Cynicism: Perception & Intelligence 00:35:59 Stereotypes, Threats 00:39:48 Cooperative Environments, Collaboration & Trust 00:44:05 Competition, Conflict, Judgement 00:48:46 Cynics, Awe, “Moral Beauty” 00:55:26 Sponsor: Function 00:57:13 Cynicism, Creativity & Workplace 01:04:19 Assessing Cynicism; Assumptions & Opportunities 01:11:11 Social Media & Cynicism, “Mean World Syndrome” 01:18:35 Negativity Bias, Gossip  01:24:03 Social Media & Cynicism, Polarization, “Hopeful Skepticism”  01:32:59 AI, Bias Correction 01:39:05 Tools: Mindset Skepticism; Reciprocity Mindset; Social Savoring 01:46:05 Tools: Leaps of Faith; Forecasting; Encounter Counting 01:51:33 Tool: Testing & Sharing Core Beliefs 01:58:09 Polarization vs. Perceived Polarization, Politics 02:06:06 Challenging Conversations, Questioning Perceptions  02:14:04 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures

Do you feel cynical these days? Research shows our negative feelings about one another are on the rise. However, studies also indicate that people are actually more trustworthy, honest, and less greedy than they used to be. Dr. Jamil Zaki says that if you're feeling cynical, there are strategies that can help you develop a more positive outlook on others. He's a psychologist and professor of Psychology at Stanford University, an expert in social connections, kindness, and human behavior, and the author of a new book called Hope for Cynics. Some of the things we discuss are: Why cynicism has been on the rise since the 1970s The negative impact cynicism has on our well-being and on society How Dr. Zaki managed his cynicism during the pandemic What it means to be cynical and why it happens What the research says about cynicism Strategies for developing a more positive view of others (even if you are skeptical) Links & Resources Hope for Cynics jamil-zaki.com X — @Zakijam Dr. Zaki's TED talk — Escape the Cynicism Trap Offers From Our Sponsors BetterHelp — Go to BetterHelp.com/MENTALLYSTRONG today to get 10% off your first month of therapy. AirDoctor — Head to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code STRONGER to receive UP TO $300 off air purifiers! ButcherBox — Go to Butcherbox.com/stronger and use code stronger at checkout and enjoy your choice of bone-in chicken thighs, top sirloins, or salmon in every box for an entire year, plus $30 off! Jenni Kayne — Find your forever pieces @jennikayne and get 15% off with promo code STRONGER15 at Jennikayne.com/STRONGER15 #jennikaynepartner Aqua Tru — Receive 20% OFF any AquaTru water purifier when you go to AquaTru.com and use promo code STRONGER at checkout! Subscribe to Mentally Stronger Premium — Get weekly bonus episodes, monthly bonus content, and cool gifts (like signed books)! Connect with the Show Buy Amy's books on mental strength Connect with Amy on Instagram — @AmyMorinAuthor Email the show — Podcast@AmyMorinLCSW.com Order 13 Things Mentally Strong Couples Don't Do Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Be careful what you say when someone pays you a compliment. This episode begins with some great advice on the importance of taking a compliment graciously. https://www.artofmanliness.com/character/etiquette/how-to-accept-a-compliment-with-class/ Is it good to be cynical? After all, cynics claim they see the world and the people in it more accurately – they are not so naïve and trusting as the rest of us. Well, it seems being a cynic has a downside – a BIG downside as you are about to hear from Dr. Jamil Zaki. He is a professor of psychology at Stanford University, the director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab and author of the book Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness (https://amzn.to/3XeRfpL). If you or someone you know leans to the cynical side, you need to hear this discussion.  When the pressure is on, it makes any task more difficult. Some people rise to the occasion while others crumble. Why? It has a lot to do with what you are telling yourself. That's according to my guest Dr. Dana Sinclair who is a psyhologist, clinical assistant professor with the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia and founder and partner of Human Performance International. Dana has been working with top athletes in every major sport since 2000. She is author of the book, Dialed In: Do Your Best When It Matters Most (https://amzn.to/4dvvW8Y). Moths and bugs seem very attracted to lights at night. You see them fly in circles around a light source and sometimes crash and die into a light or fire. Why do they do that? Listen and I'll explain the prevailing theories. https://earthsky.org/earth/why-are-moths-attracted-to-flame/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, we explore the rise of cynicism, strategies to cultivate hope, and the crucial difference between skepticism and cynicism with Dr. Jamil Zaki, a distinguished professor of psychology at Stanford University and director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Laboratory. Dr. Zaki has spent nearly two decades studying how people connect with each other, how these connections benefit us, and how we can improve our ability to connect. His groundbreaking research has been featured in top-tier publications such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Scientific American. In this episode, we explore insights from his upcoming book, "Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness," available this September. Join us for an engaging conversation with Dr. Jamil Zaki, where he unpacks the rise of cynicism and offers practical strategies to foster hope and trust. How can you recognize and combat your own cynical tendencies in a world that often feels increasingly distrustful? What are the key differences between healthy skepticism and detrimental cynicism? Dr. Zaki shares his expert insights on cultivating a more positive outlook, drawing from his extensive research and groundbreaking work. Discover effective strategies to nurture hope, improve your relationships, and create a more trusting and cooperative environment both personally and professionally. What to Listen For Introduction – 00:00:00 How does Dr. Jamil Zaki's extensive background in psychology and social neuroscience inform his approach to combating cynicism? What personal experiences inspired Dr. Zaki to focus on the rise of cynicism in his research? How does Dr. Zaki define cynicism and its impact on both personal and professional relationships? Recognizing and Combating Personal Cynicism – 00:06:28 What are the key differences between healthy skepticism and harmful cynicism? What strategies can you use to cultivate a more hopeful and trusting mindset? The Contagion of Cynicism – 00:13:45 In what ways is cynicism contagious, and how does it spread through groups and organizations? How can you counteract the spread of cynicism within your own social and professional networks? How does organizational cynicism from leaders affect employees and company culture? What are the consequences of micromanagement and lack of trust in a work environment? Strategies to Foster Hope and Trust – 00:18:04 How can you build trust and positivity within your immediate team or social circle? Demographic Trends in Cynicism – 00:24:27 How can you identify your own cynical tendencies? What demographic groups are experiencing the highest rise in cynicism, and why? How do generational differences impact levels of trust and cynicism? What are the implications of increasing cynicism among younger generations for the future of society? What factors contribute to the increasing levels of cynicism in today's society? How have historical trends and recent events, such as the pandemic, influenced collective trust and cynicism? Cultivating Hope and Trust – 00:34:14 How does Dr. Zaki differentiate between hope and optimism? What are practical steps to foster hope and maintain a positive outlook? How can you support friends and family members who are struggling with cynicism? What is the concept of "trusting loudly," and how can it enhance your relationships? How can collecting more social data help you challenge and overcome negative assumptions about others? Final Thoughts and Resources – 00:45:34 Where can listeners learn more about Dr. Jamil Zaki's research and his new book, "Hope for Cynics"? What additional resources are available for those looking to improve their social and emotional health? How can listeners apply the insights from this episode to their own lives and relationships? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices