logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2024
54m 13s

The Trouble With Cynics & How to Handle ...

Mike Carruthers | OmniCast Media
About this episode

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

Up next
Yesterday
How to Get Better Results with AI & The Science of Healing Trauma
Expiration dates aren’t always what they seem. While most packaged foods carry them, some foods — like salt — can last virtually forever. In fact, there’s a surprising list of everyday staples that can outlive the labels and stay good for years. Listen as I reveal which foods nev ... Show More
50m 22s
Oct 6
The Smart Way to Spend Money & History That Never Happened
How you walk doesn’t just reflect your mood — it can actually shape it. Research shows that adjusting your stride can boost happiness, and even a short walk outside could be the smartest thing you do today. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141015143259.htm When it co ... Show More
50m 47s
Oct 4
What Nature Reveals About Living Longer & Why Smart People Believe Irrational Things-SYSK Choice
If you’re stocking up on Halloween candy, do you know which treats kids actually want the most? This episode opens with a list of the top 10 most popular Halloween candies — and it may not be what you expect. https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/2023/10/03/blow-pops-win ... Show More
50m 25s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2024
How And Why To Avoid The Siren Call Of Cynicism | Dr. Jamil Zaki
New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- This Stanford psychologist has evidence that being a cynic is bad for your health, and offers a non-corny alternative.  Dr. Jamil Zaki is a professor of psyc ... Show More
1h 13m
Jul 2024
The Science Of Manifestation: Can This Stanford Neuroscientist Convince A Skeptical Dan To Give It A Shot? | Dr. James R. Doty
New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- Our guest today is James R. Doty, a neurosurgeon who has just written a whole book about the science of manifestation – although, as you’ll hear him admit, t ... Show More
1h 15m
Sep 2024
Dr. Jamil Zaki: How to Cultivate a Positive, Growth-Oriented Mindset
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 s ... Show More
2h 16m
Sep 2024
#841 - Dr Jamil Zaki - How To Be More Hopeful In A Cynical World
Dr Jamil Zaki is a psychologist, professor at Stanford University, and an author.In a world filled with fake news, bad news and doom, it’s easy to become cynical. But what does science say about whether cynicism helps or harm us? Why is it so seductive, and how can we all learn t ... Show More
1h 8m
Sep 2024
The Harvard Scientist Who Says You Can Use Your Thoughts To Improve Your Health | Ellen Langer
New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- The connection between your psychology and your health, and how to work with it. Ellen J. Langer is the author of eleven books, including the international b ... Show More
1h 7m
Feb 2025
The Neuroscience of Confidence | Ian Robertson
What confidence does to your brain, why it helps with anxiety, and how to get it if you don't already have it. Plus, the problem with overconfidence.   Ian Robertson is a Professor Emeritus in Psychology at Trinity College and was the founding director of Trinity College Institut ... Show More
1h 11m
Sep 29
Andrew Huberman: The #1 Reason Why Faith-Based Practices Matter When It Comes To Your Mental Health
The world's most respected neuroscientist just admitted something LIVE at Summit of Greatness that shocked everyone: prayer saved his mental health. After decades of relying purely on science, Andrew Huberman discovered that faith-based practices don't just feel good—they literal ... Show More
58m 11s
Jun 2025
The Psychology of Curiosity at Cheltenham Science Festival
Is curiosity good for us, or should we learn a lesson from what curiosity did to the cat? And why does curiosity drive some people to explore the ends of the earth and beyond, while others just really aren’t very curious at all? As a journalist and author, Claudia Hammond has tur ... Show More
29m 17s
Feb 2025
Recap: The misunderstood function of fat | Deborah Clegg
Today we’re discussing fat. It’s a word that carries a lot of weight. It’s a source of social judgment, a driver of insecurities and a tool exploited by companies in targeted marketing campaigns. It’s no surprise that a recent study found over 40% of people in the US have experie ... Show More
11m 47s