Tali Sharot

Are we born to be optimistic, rather than realistic? Tali Sharot shares new research that suggests our brains are wired to look on the bright side -- and how that can be both dangerous and beneficial. Talk by Tali Sharot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Alberto sat down with Dr Tali Sharot, one of the world’s leading cognitive neuroscientists, Professor at MIT and UCL, and a global authority on optimism, decision making, memory, and influence. Dr Sharot’s research challenges the idea that humans are rational decision makers. Instead, she explains how optimism bias, emotion, and anticipation shape the choices we make, the memories we form, and the way we respond to information. This episode turns complex neuroscience into practical insight that applies to work, relationships, learning, and everyday life. You will learn Why optimism is hardwired into the brain and how it affects resilience and success How emotion shapes memory more than accuracy or facts Why telling people they are wrong rarely changes their behaviour How to become more optimistic Practical ways to make better decisions and communicate with greater impact Get Tali's Book, Look Again: The Power of Noticing What Was Always Therehttps://amzn.eu/d/ay0Q0I7 #OptimismBias #NeurosciencePodcast #ThrivingMinds #DrTaliSharot #MentalHealthScience Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Tali Sharot explains why we stop noticing what matters and how to start feeling alive again. She describes what habituation is and how our minds normalize what once moved us. Tali also explores ways that we can reawaken joy, purpose, and even moral clarity. It’s an eye-opening look at the subtle ways we lose and then can reclaim our aliveness. Feeling stuck? It could be one of the six saboteurs of self-control—things like autopilot, self-doubt, or emotional escapism. But here’s the good news: you can outsmart them. Download the free Six Saboteurs of Self-Control ebook now at oneyoufeed.net/ebook and start taking back control today! Key Takeaways: Concept of habituation and its effects on emotional responses Importance of noticing the extraordinary in everyday life Strategies for counteracting habituation, such as taking breaks and diversifying experiences Relationship between habituation and creativity Impact of social media on emotional well-being and habituation Exploration of habits and addiction, particularly in relation to social media Discussion on the nature of lying and habituation to dishonesty The balance between exploration and exploitation in personal experiences The complexities of human emotions and expectations, particularly regarding women’s rights and happiness Encouragement to experiment with life choices to enhance well-being and fulfillment If you enjoyed this conversation with Tali Sharot, check out these other episodes: How to Stop Losing Your Mind (Literally): The Surprising Science of Attention with Amishi Jha How to Create Elastic Habits that Adapt to Your Day with Stephen Guise For full show notes, click here ! Connect with the show: Follow us on YouTube: @TheOneYouFeedPod Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Follow us on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People think happiness comes from getting everything you want. But the science shows, it's the absence, the novelty, and the change that bring joy back - Tali Sharot Ever wonder why lasting happiness can feel so elusive? This episode delves into the neuroscience of habituation, and why our brains, despite achieving desires, tend to filter out positive experiences. We'll explore this phenomenon and uncover practical strategies to consciously re-engage with what's already good in your life. My guest is Dr. Tali Sharot, a cognitive neuroscientist and professor at University College London, where she directs the Affective Brain Lab. Tali's research blends neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral economics to study how emotion and motivation shape decision-making, memory, and belief. Tali's work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The BBC, and her TED Talks have been viewed over 15 million times. We talk about her research behind why we adapt so quickly to both the good and the bad—and how this helps us survive, but can also rob us of happiness, creativity, and even the desire to change. This is the crux of her book, Look Again: The Power of Noticing What Was Always There, co-authored with Cass Sunstein. If you've ever wondered why joy fades faster than it should—or why we stop seeing the beauty around us—this conversation offers a fresh perspective on how to disrupt that pattern. Some highlights from the pod: Tali's research background and the Affective Brain Lab Research insights into human–AI bias feedback loops Habituation: How our brains are built to ignore what doesn't change Why the mechanism that makes us resilient also makes us take good things for granted The problem of perfection; and getting everything you want Dis-habituation —and how to apply it to relationships and daily life Happiness and the evolutionary role of novelty How to use imagination and attention to rekindle joy and gratitude Why people with depression often struggle to recover—and the role of rumination How learning and effort unlock happiness Refreshing the familiar: Savoring, small changes, and role-play This is one of those episodes that can help you feel more alive—not by adding more to your life, but by changing how you see what's already there. Enjoy!

Why do we stop noticing the most meaningful parts of our lives? In this episode of The Nick Standlea Show, neuroscientist and author Dr. Tali Sharot joins Nick to discuss her new book, Look Again: The Power of Noticing What Was Always There. They explore the science of habituation, the secret to revitalizing relationships, reigniting joy, and making everyday life feel vibrant again. From midlife malaise to marriage monotony, Tali explains how small changes—like disrupting routines or traveling differently—can help us rediscover wonder. We also unpack: * Why we become desensitized to even the best parts of life * How novelty recharges the brain * What brain science says about risk-taking, lying, and truth-telling * Tips for keeping long-term relationships exciting * Why TikTok is easy—but snowboarding is better Stick around to hear Dr Sharot's ideas for a future tech tool that could measure confirmation bias—and maybe even help break our online echo chambers. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations that challenge your thinking and sharpen your curiosity. 📚 Get the book: Look Again: The Power of Noticing What Was Always There - https://amzn.to/3YxJEmf 🎙 More from Tali Sharot: The Affective Brain Lab - https://affectivebrain.com TED Talks: How to motivate yourself to change your behavior - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp0O2vi8DX4 The optimism bias https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8rmi95pYL0 🔗 Support This Podcast by Checking Out Our Sponsors: Huel (Get $15 off your first order!): https://huel.com/pages/loudcrowd-ambassador?utm_medium=influencer&utm_source=loudcrowd&lc_ambassador_id=Y3VzdG9tZXI6NjEyNDkyNQ Test Prep Gurus: https://www.prepgurus.com Instagram: @TestPrepGurus Connect with The Nick Standlea Show: YouTube: @TheNickStandleaShow Podcast Website: https://nickshow.podbean.com/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nick-standlea-podcast/id1700331903 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0YqBBneFsKtQ6Y0ArP5CXJ RSS Feed: https://feed.podbean.com/nickshow/feed.xml Nick's Socials: Instagram: @nickstandlea X (Twitter): @nickstandlea TikTok: @nickstandleashow Facebook: @nickstandleapodcast Ask questions, Don't accept the status quo, And be curious. 00:00 – Intro: Who is Tali Sharot? 01:03 – The U-curve of happiness & Nick’s midlife story 03:19 – Why happiness dips in midlife 07:23 – What is habituation and why it matters 10:13 – Why routine dulls life—and how novelty revives it 11:50 – Habituation, lying, and risk-taking 20:52 – How to revive long-term relationships and marriages 24:00 – The balance between explorers and routine-seekers 27:23 – Why even novelty needs contrast to feel new 28:03 – Travel tips to make experiences more memorable 30:45 – Nick’s Amazon honeymoon story (and why luxury feels better after hardship) 34:09 – Can habituation explain the midlife crisis? 39:32 – Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, flow, and the difficulty of starting meaningful activities 41:00 – Small changes vs. big shake-ups—what really works? 43:38 – Nick on how the podcast adds challenge and learning 45:08 – Tali's tips: easy changes that fight habituation 48:30 – What’s next for Tali Sharot’s research 52:24 – Could we measure confirmation bias with tech? 54:07 – Why echo chambers are dangerous 55:06 – Where to find Tali Sharot and her work 55:29 – Final thoughts: Be curious

Speaker: Tali Sharot (Neuroscientist and professor of cognitive neuroscience) Message: How to effectively change someone's mind. Source: Tali Sharot: Intelligent People Have Greater Difficulty Changing Their Beliefs Connect with Tali Sharot: Website: N/A Instagram: N/A Book: Look Again: The Power of Noticing What Was Always There Previous Episodes: 885 | Tali Sharot:“What Makes Up A Good Life.” 750 | Tali Sharot: "What Makes People Happiest." Hosted by Malikee Josephs (Pronounced Muh leek Jo seffs) Let's Connect: (I Personally Respond, The Real Me) Follow Me On Instagram @ DepressionDetoxShow . Email me: mj@depressiondetoxshow.com Support The Show: Donate

Dr. Tali Sharot, one of the most innovative neuroscientists of our time, joins us to explore the science of behaviour, happiness, and change. As the author of The Optimism Bias and The Influential Mind, Tali is an expert in how our brains shape our lives and decisions. In this episode, we dive into the fascinating concept of habituation—how our minds adapt to experiences over time, often dulling our joy and awareness. Tali reveals how dishabituation can bring variety, happiness, and meaning back into our lives, offering practical tools to help us wake up to the world around us. In the pursuit of happiness, Tali unpacks the interconnected roles of variety, meaning, and optimism, offering insights into why midlife often feels the least optimistic and how we can reverse the trend. From breaking bad habits to crafting a life of psychological richness, this episode is packed with science-backed tools to transform your mindset. Dr. Tali Sharot’s new book, Look Again: The Power of Noticing What Was Always There, is a must-read for anyone looking to break free from the ordinary and rediscover joy – available now.

Neuroscientist and professor of cognitive neuroscience Tali Sharot is back to discuss the core tenets of living a good life. Source: Tali Sharot | Look Again: The Power of Noticing What Was Always There | Talks at Google Connect with Tali Sharot: Website: N/A Instagram: N/A Book: Look Again: The Power of Noticing What Was Always There Previous Episodes: Hosted by Malikee Josephs (Pronounced Muh leek Jo seffs) Let's Connect: (I Personally Respond, The Real Me) Follow Me On Instagram @ DepressionDetoxShow . Email me: mj@depressiondetoxshow.com Support The Show: Donate

Professor Tali Sharot talks to Caswell and Selina about why we're easy to influence and overly optimistic Date of episode recording: 2024-07-19T00:00:00Z Duration: 00:49:49 Language of episode: English TAGS: as before Presenter: Caswell Barry; Selina Wray Guests: Professor Tali Sharot Producer: Patrick Robinson

New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- It's so easy, especially these days, to numb out. To get bored. To move through life on autopilot. There is even a scientific term for this: habituation. Today we're talking to a researcher who co-authored a new book about the neuroscience of habit and how to wake up again. To make things exciting. Or as she says, to "re-sparkle". Tali Sharot is a professor of cognitive neuroscience at University College London and MIT. She's written several books including The Optimism Bias and The Influential Mind. Her latest, co-written with Cass Sunstein, is called Look Again: The Power of Noticing What Was Always There . In this episode we talk about: What habituation is and what's going on in the brain when it happens How it negatively impacts the joy we feel in life – and inversely – how it can make us stop noticing the bad stuff Key strategies for disrupting habituation and introducing change and variety into your life The interesting relationship between creativity and people who habituate slowly How habituation impacts our relationships Why it's important to break up the good experiences, but swallow the bad whole. How to wake up from a "technologically induced coma" How people emotionally habituate to dishonesty and lying And lastly, we talk about the dangers of habituating to a slow, incremental rise in tyranny – and how dis-habituation entrepreneurs can help Related Episodes: #345 How to Change Your Habits | Katy Milkman How Turning Habits Into Rituals Can Help You At Home, At Work, And When You're Anxious | Michael Norton Making and Breaking Habits, Sanely | Kelly McGonigal Sign up for Dan's weekly newsletter here Follow Dan on social: Instagram , TikTok Ten Percent Happier online bookstore Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Our favorite playlists on: Anxiety , Sleep , Relationships , Most Popular Episodes Full Shownotes: https://happierapp.com/podcast/tph/tali-sharot-828

Neuroscientist and professor of cognitive neuroscience Tali Sharot makes her first appearance on the show to teach us the most effective way to disrupt our normal daily routines and live happier and more fulfilling lives. Source: Tali Sharot | Look Again: The Power of Noticing What Was Always There | Talks at Google Connect with Tali Sharot: Website: N/A Instagram: N/A Book: Look Again: The Power of Noticing What Was Always There Hosted by Malikee Josephs (Pronounced Muh leek Jo seffs) Let's Connect: (I Personally Respond, The Real Me) Follow Me On Instagram @ DepressionDetoxShow . Email me: mj@depressiondetoxshow.com Support The Show: Donate

Neuroscience professor Tali Sharot and Harvard law professor (and presidential advisor) Cass R. Sunstein have investigated why people stop noticing both the great and not-so-great things around them and how to “dishabituate” at the office, in the bedroom, at the store, on social media, and in the voting booth. Have you ever noticed that what is thrilling on Monday tends to become boring on Friday? Even exciting relationships, stimulating jobs, and breathtaking works of art can lose their sparkle after a while. Sharot and Sunstein say that many people stop noticing what is most wonderful in their own lives. They also stop noticing what is terrible. They get used to dirty air. They stay in abusive relationships. People grow to accept authoritarianism and take foolish risks. They become unconcerned by their own misconduct, blind to inequality, and are more liable to believe misinformation than ever before. But what if we could find a way to see everything anew? What if you could regain sensitivity, not only to the great things in your life, but also to the terrible things you stopped noticing and so don’t try to change? For fans of Thinking Fast and Slow and The Power of Habit , Sharot and Sunstein offer a new study of how disrupting our well-worn routines, both good and bad, can rejuvenate our days and reset our brains to allow us to live happier and more fulfilling lives. Join us for a talk with Sharot and Sunstein about their work, based on decades of research in the psychological and biological sciences, and how they say it illuminates how people can reignite the sparks of joy, innovate, and recognize where improvements urgently need to be made. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices