Dr. Jamil Zaki, Ph.D. is a professor of psychology at Stanford University, director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Laboratory, and the author of the new book Hope for Cynics. In this episode, he discusses cynicism and its healthier, more adaptive alternative, healthy skepticism, and how embracing healthy skepticism can enhance both our emotional and physical health.

Data reveals how cynicism affects us as individuals and in relationships, causing lower levels of happiness, poorer physical health, and reduced creativity, trust, and collaboration. Dr. Jamil Zaki 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 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.

Dr. Jamil Zaki
Website: https://www.jamil-zaki.com
Stanford academic profile: https://profiles.stanford.edu/jamil-zaki
Social Neuroscience Laboratory: https://www.ssnl.stanford.edu
Hope for Cynics (book): https://www.jamil-zaki.com/hope-for-cynics
Articles: https://www.jamil-zaki.com/media
X (Personal): https://x.com/zakijam
X (Lab): https://x.com/StanfordSNL
Instagram: / jamil_zaki_psych
LinkedIn: / jamil-zaki-b0b4a9192