There's an age-old question: Are humans fundamentally good or evil? Are we hardwired towards greed and cynicism... or towards compassion and goodness? Our guest today, Dr. Jamil Zaki, is a leading psychologist and empathy researcher who has dedicated his career to exploring this question. He believes that humans are fundamentally good – and he has the science to back it up. Jamil is at the forefront of research at Stanford's Social Neuroscience Lab, where he's exploring how we understand emotions, conform to social norms, and choose to do good. Cynicism is on the rise in the United States, and ..read more

When was the last time you felt completely free? Not just “happy”.. but you felt a profound sense of clarity and calm from within? Dr. Emma Seppälä has spent over a decade proving that this state of inner freedom – which she refers to as “sovereignty” – is not only achievable but essential for our wellbeing. Emma is a psychologist, best-selling author, and leading researcher in the science of happiness and social connection. As the director of the Women's Leadership Program at the Yale School of Management, she's guided thousands of individuals towards greater emotional intelligence and resili ..read more

A few months back, we recorded our first ever AMA in front of a live audience in New York City. The energy in the room was incredible, and it brought a whole new level of depth and spontaneity to the conversation.  Your favorite co-host, O'Neil Cespedes, and I dove headfirst into the questions that matter most to you. And this time, it wasn’t just us talking—our audience had a chance to steer the conversation in real time. We dug into some fascinating topics, including: The delicate balance between striving for success and maintaining mental health How to rewire your brain to change habi ..read more

"Love is not a feeling, it's an ability." - Sharon Salzberg Can we really change the world by changing how we relate to our own thoughts? Our guest this week, Sharon Salzberg, has spent five decades proving we can. Sharon is a pioneer in meditation and New York Times bestselling author who brought mindfulness and loving-kindness meditation into the mainstream in America nearly 50 years ago. Sharon’s work has guided millions toward deeper self-compassion and interconnectedness. She co-founded the Insight Meditation Society and has authored thirteen influential books, including her latest, Real ..read more

All good things must come to an end… In our closing episode of The Game Inside The Games, gold medalist Nastia Liukin and high-performance psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais reflect on the most inspiring moments of the series and The Games in Paris.  They discuss pivotal stories from Paris – from Simone Biles and Suni Lee’s comeback to Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikeç’s casual precision, Noah Lyles’ photo finish, Katie Ledecky’s dominance, and how Stephen Nedoroscik captured the world’s attention – emphasizing the human side of their journeys and the mental skills required to succeed.  The ..read more

Imagine what it takes to land an $80 million fighter jet on a moving target — in the middle of the ocean — at night. The extreme precision, split-second timing, and unwavering focus required for such a feat are beyond the grasp of ordinary experience. Our guest today, Commander Kristen Findlay (née Hansen), knows precisely what it takes to land an F/A-18 Super Hornet on an aircraft carrier – in rough seas and in the dark, where every decision can have monumental consequences. Kristen is a distinguished Naval aviator whose career spans two decades of sustained high performance in military servi ..read more

It’s moments before the biggest competition of your life… you’re rattled by something your coach just said… you have one minute alone to yourself before go time. You look in the mirror… What do you say to yourself to get in the zone – to ground yourself – before the race begins? On Day 13 of The Game Inside The Games, Nastia Liukin and Dr. Michael Gervais sit down with Summer Sanders, a two-time gold medalist and renowned television commentator.  They delve into the evolution of the Olympic experience from Summer's 1992 games to the present, exploring the impact of social media, technolog ..read more

Rowing is a sport that brings the mind into play like no other. When they are maxing out their physical capacity, completely mentally drained, and have little left in the tank – how do they summon the internal resources to push through? On Day 12 of The Game Inside the Games, Nastia Liukin and Dr. Michael Gervais sit down with rowing legends – and brothers – Martin and Valent Sinkovic, who recently won their third gold medal here in Paris.   The Sinkovic brothers discuss their thrilling gold medal race, detailing the mental and physical challenges they faced, particularly when they w ..read more

You work your whole life towards one goal… and you come up short by a fraction of a second. How do you bounce back from that? How do you move forward? On Day 11 of The Game Inside The Games, gold medalist Nastia Liukin and high-performance psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais explore the psychological and emotional complexities that athletes face when they fall just short of a gold medal or podium.  They discuss the flood of emotions that can overwhelm an athlete in pivotal moments, the importance of processing those emotions, and how to use past experiences to fuel future success.  With ..read more

In the high-pressure world of elite sport, the unwavering support of loved ones can be both a powerful boost and a perilous distraction. In this episode of The Game Inside The Games, Nastia Liukin and Dr. Michael Gervais explore the significant impact that family and friends can have on an athlete’s performance at The Games. They discuss how the presence of loved ones, while a vital source of encouragement, can also become a significant distraction that impacts focus and performance. For athletes, The Games represent the pinnacle of their careers—a moment that requires complete mental and emot ..read more