We Can Do Hard Things
Are You a Cynic, Optimist, or Skeptic? Dr. Jamil Zaki Shares Which Type is Happiest
13 May 2025
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
Full Episode
Hello!
Hi! How are you?
Hooray!
Hey, everybody. It's great to meet you all. It's so nice to meet you.
I'm Glennon. I'm Abby. I'm Amanda.
Yes, I know. I know all three of you. It's an honor to be talking with you, really. I'm a big fan of the show and of all of you. So thank you so much for having me on. It means a lot.
We're so excited. There's a lot to discuss.
I can't wait.
Hello, PodSquad. We have a question for you. Are you a cynic, an optimist, or a skeptic? And also, did you know which one of those you are will determine how long you live? We're sort of joking, but not at all. Today, we are talking with a brilliant scientist whose new book is a study into the worldview of optimism and cynicism and skepticism.
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