What up, family? It's episode 434 of The Genius Life.

What's going on, everybody?

Welcome back to another episode of the show.

I'm your host, Max Lugavir.

And today we're being joined by the wonderful Dr. Jameel Zaki, a renowned psychologist and professor at Stanford University, who specializes in the science of empathy, social connection,

and our mind's tendency towards cynicism and negativity. Jamil is the author of the new book,

Hope for Cynics, the surprising science of human goodness, which explores how understanding our inherent capacity for kindness can transform our perspectives and our relationships. His work also featured in

publications like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Scientific American combines

rigorous science with practical insights for fostering empathy and resilience in a time when

division and distrust are at an all-time high. Today we're diving into a fascinating topic

that hits home for so many

of us, trust, or rather the lack of it. Over recent years, trust in media, science, and the

government has plummeted. With more and more people turning away from institutions they once relied

upon for truth, guidance, and stability. But why is this happening? What drives this growing

cynicism and distrust? And more importantly,

how is it affecting our well-being? Jamil's going to help us unpack this issue exploring why our

brains are drawn to the negative, the effects that this can have on our mental and physical health,

and practical steps that we can take to cultivate a healthier and more balanced perspective.

Trust me, you're going to want to listen all the way through to the end.

And as always, don't forget to share this episode with friends and loved ones who you think may benefit from it.

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