#1203 Nicole Karlis: Your Brain on Altruism

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Jan 16, 2026

Join health and science journalist Nicole Karlis, author of Your Brain on Altruism, as she explores the transformative power of altruism during crises. She critiques the self-care industrial complex, arguing that genuine connections are far more effective than consumerist approaches. Nicole discusses how community solidarity flourishes in times of need, and she highlights the psychological benefits of helping others. Additionally, she outlines the importance of systemic caring and the societal changes needed to support caregivers and strengthen communities.

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INSIGHT

Why Post-Crisis Caring Often Fades

The fade of post-crisis generosity links to capitalism, profit priorities, and a scarcity mindset.
Structural incentives and societal values prevent sustained altruism after emergencies.

INSIGHT

Loneliness From Lost Everyday Ties

The loneliness epidemic partly results from automation and loss of everyday social interactions.
Karlis gives the example of the local butcher as a lost source of casual, meaningful connection.

ADVICE

Choose Regular, Local Volunteering

Volunteer regularly for a cause you care about, ideally once a week, to gain the biggest health benefits.
If you lack time, perform small local acts like sharing outgrown clothes or delivering supplies in your community.

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Nicole Karlis is a health and science journalist. Her work has been published in Salon, The New York Times, Marie Claire, and The Bold Italic. She is the author of Your Brain on Altruism: The Power of Connection and Community during Times of Crisis.

In this episode, we focus on Your Brain on Altruism. We talk about the individualism in the self-care industrial complex. We discuss altruism in moments of crisis and how we can maintain it. We talk about the neuroscience of altruism. We discuss systemic caring, and how we can build a society around it. We also discuss why there is burnout among caregivers. Finally, we talk about what people can do if they cannot give to others.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS/SUPPORTERS: PER HELGE LARSEN, JERRY MULLER, BERNARDO SEIXAS, ADAM KESSEL, MATTHEW WHITINGBIRD, ARNAUD WOLFF, TIM HOLLOSY, HENRIK AHLENIUS, ROBERT WINDHAGER, RUI INACIO, ZOOP, MARCO NEVES, COLIN HOLBROOK, PHIL KAVANAGH, SAMUEL ANDREEFF, FRANCIS FORDE, TIAGO NUNES, FERGAL CUSSEN, HAL HERZOG, NUNO MACHADO, JONATHAN LEIBRANT, JOÃO LINHARES, STANTON T, SAMUEL CORREA, ERIK HAINES, MARK SMITH, JOÃO EIRA, TOM HUMMEL, SARDUS FRANCE, DAVID SLOAN WILSON, YACILA DEZA-ARAUJO, ROMAIN ROCH, YANICK PUNTER, CHARLOTTE BLEASE, NICOLE BARBARO, ADAM HUNT, PAWEL OSTASZEWSKI, NELLEKE BAK, GUY MADISON, GARY G HELLMANN, SAIMA AFZAL, ADRIAN JAEGGI, PAULO TOLENTINO, JOÃO BARBOSA, JULIAN PRICE, HEDIN BRØNNER, FRANCA BORTOLOTTI, GABRIEL PONS CORTÈS, URSULA LITZCKE, SCOTT, ZACHARY FISH, TIM DUFFY, SUNNY SMITH, JON WISMAN, WILLIAM BUCKNER, LUKE GLOWACKI, GEORGIOS THEOPHANOUS, CHRIS WILLIAMSON, PETER WOLOSZYN, DAVID WILLIAMS, DIOGO COSTA, ALEX CHAU, CORALIE CHEVALLIER, BANGALORE ATHEISTS, LARRY D. LEE JR., OLD HERRINGBONE, MICHAEL BAILEY, DAN SPERBER, ROBERT GRESSIS, JEFF MCMAHAN, JAKE ZUEHL, MARK CAMPBELL, TOMAS DAUBNER, LUKE NISSEN, KIMBERLY JOHNSON, JESSICA NOWICKI, LINDA BRANDIN, VALENTIN STEINMANN, ALEXANDER HUBBARD, BR, JONAS HERTNER, URSULA GOODENOUGH, DAVID PINSOF, SEAN NELSON, MIKE LAVIGNE, JOS KNECHT, LUCY, MANVIR SINGH, PETRA WEIMANN, CAROLA FEEST, MAURO JÚNIOR, 航豊川, TONY BARRETT, NIKOLAI VISHNEVSKY, STEVEN GANGESTAD, TED FARRIS, HUGO B., JAMES, JORDAN MANSFIELD, CHARLOTTE ALLEN, PETER STOYKO, DAVID TONNER, LEE BECK, PATRICK DALTON-HOLMES, NICK KRASNEY, RACHEL ZAK, DENNIS XAVIER, CHINMAYA BHAT, AND RHYS!

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