Do you feel cynical these days? Research shows our negative feelings about one another are on the rise. However, studies also indicate that people are actually more trustworthy, honest, and less greedy than they used to be.

Dr. Jamil Zaki says that if you’re feeling cynical, there are strategies that can help you develop a more positive outlook on others. He’s a psychologist and professor of Psychology at Stanford University, an expert in social connections, kindness, and human behavior, and the author of a new book called Hope for Cynics.

Some of the things we discuss are:

• Why cynicism has been on the rise since the 1970s
• The negative impact cynicism has on our well-being and on society
• How Dr. Zaki managed his cynicism during the pandemic
• What it means to be cynical and why it happens
• What the research says about cynicism
• Strategies for developing a more positive view of others (even if you are skeptical)

Links & Resources

Hope for Cynics

jamil-zaki.com

X — @Zakijam

Dr. Zaki’s TED talk — Escape the Cynicism Trap

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Amy Morin Therapist, Bestselling Author, Host of the Mentally Stronger Podcast

Amy Morin is a psychotherapist, international bestselling author and the host of the Mentally Stronger podcast. Her books on mental strength, including 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do, have sold more than 1 million copies and been translated into more than 40 languages.

She’s practiced therapy for over 20 years and she’s a sought after speaker whose TEDx talk, The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong, has become one of the most popular talks of all time with more than 22 million views.

Amy lives on a sailboat in the Florida Keys.