Why should we believe in human goodness? Today we’re exploring the power of human kindness and why the theory that most people are governed by self-interest is possibly totally inaccurate. Our guest Rutger Bregman instead argues that history shows we are fundamentally altruistic and kind, it’s a refreshing, optimistic view of the world that we hope will give ... Show More
Sep 14
Beat the 3pm Slump, Survive a Bad Night’s Sleep & The Low-Down on Lie-Ins
How can we beat the dreaded 3pm slump? Could 20 minutes of exercise really help after a terrible night’s sleep? And should we actually stop feeling guilty about a weekend lie-in? This week, we share simple ways to boost energy as we head into autumn, from spreading protein across ... Show More
54m 24s
Sep 7
Can Inflammation Affect Your Mood? Healthy Ageing & The ‘Ferritin Face’ Trend
Can inflammation really affect our mood and mental health? Could eating more plants help us age better? And what on earth is “ferritin face”? This week, we explore the fascinating connection between our immune system, inflammation and mental health, and unpack new research sugges ... Show More
53m 13s
Aug 2020
Rutger Bregman on Human Kindness in a Frightened World with Helen Lewis
Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/intelligencesquared ------ Human beings, we’re taught, are by nature selfish and governed by self-interest. From Hobbes’ theory about the state of nature to Richard Dawkins’ ‘selfish gene’, the roots of this belief are deeply ingrained ... Show More
1 h
Jul 2025
What kindness means to us
At a time when it feels like the world needs kindness more than ever, Rohan and the Meditative Story team share a unique, immersive exploration of the ways kindness can show up in all of our lives, featuring contributions from the Meditative Story community. This purposefully cra ... Show More
10m 18s
Apr 2022
Wielding Kindness To Win Your Battles
#986: The power of…kindness. As you’ll hear right at the top of the show, set aside your altruistic thoughts about “kindness” and hear Tom Ziglar and I present it as a primary tool you can use to gain trust, attract people to you, and be the biggest person in the room. The spirit ... Show More
51m 17s
Feb 2024
‘Humankind’ Makes the Case That We Are Wired for Happiness
Humans, it turns out, are pretty decent. That's according to Dutch historian Rutger Bregman, whose book "Humankind: A Hopeful History" was praised by our very own Daniel Pink for making a "bold, sweeping argument" — one you'll hear pieces of today — "[that] will make you rethink ... Show More
18m 3s
Feb 2025
How selfish are we really? - Jo Brand, Matti Wilks and Steve Jones
Brian Cox and Robin Ince kindly open the door for each other as they step into understanding altruism, asking why humans have evolved to help each other. Joining them to explore the human tendency to be kind is evolutionary biologist Steve Jones, psychologist Matti Wilks and come ... Show More
42m 26s