Known in the science community primarily for her work as a geneticists and epidemiologist with a focus on oncology, Immaculata De Vivo seems like an unlikely person to co-Author a book called, “The Biology of Kindness.”  But the more she understood the role that behavior played in our wellbeing and that it can even have an impact on our DNA structures, the more she wanted to write her findings in a book that would be accessible to people outside the world of academia.  In this episode, Immaculata describes why all scientists must be optimists, and why we should all keep open minds and strive to be lifelong learners who don’t “fall in love with our hypotheses.”  She also describes the “five values” that are key to our wellbeing: kindness, optimism, forgiveness, gratitude, and happiness and offers practical advice and examples for how we might pursue this in our lives.  

Chapters:

02:05 Introducing Immaculata De Vivo 
Bill welcomes Immaculata De Vivo, a prominent figure in cancer epidemiology and co-author of ‘The Biology of Kindness.’ They discuss her impressive academic background and the intriguing intersection of her scientific research with the themes of kindness and positivity. 

03:30 The Journey to Kindness 
Immaculata shares her unexpected journey from molecular biology to writing about kindness. 

08:00 Optimism in Science 
Bill and Immaculata explore the necessity of optimism in scientific research, discussing how failures are a common part of the process.  

09:19 Nature vs. Nurture 
The conversation shifts to the nature versus nurture debate, with Immaculata quoting, ‘genes load the gun, the environment pulls the trigger.’  

12:30 Understanding Telomeres 
This chapter highlights the biological mechanisms behind aging and the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle to mitigate accelerated telomere shortening. 

15:00 The Science of Kindness 
Immaculata discusses the motivation behind her book, ‘The Biology of Kindness,’ and the importance of making scientific information accessible to a broader audience.  

19:00 The Five Values of Well-Being 
The conversation transitions to the five fundamental values outlined in Immaculata’s book: kindness, optimism, forgiveness, gratitude, and happiness.  

24:00 Adaptability and Evolution 
Immaculata reflects on the concept of adaptability in evolution, challenging the notion of ‘survival of the fittest.’ She emphasizes that kindness and the ability to adapt are crucial for survival, drawing parallels to Darwin’s observations. 

25:15 The Impact of Nature and Music 
The discussion shifts to the benefits of nature and music on mental health and well-being. Immaculata shares insights from her colleagues on how these elements can lower stress and positively influence our biological markers. 

30:00 Defining Optimism 
The hosts discuss a straightforward definition of optimism, emphasizing the belief that tomorrow can be better than today.  

32:00 Optimism in Science and Personal Experience 
Immaculata shares her journey into the world of optimism through her experiences and meetings with experts. 

35:00 The Genetic and Environmental Aspects of Optimism 
The conversation delves into the genetic and environmental influences on optimism, suggesting that while some may be predisposed to optimism, there are numerous ways to cultivate it.  

39:00 Gratitude as a Tool for Optimism 
Immaculata discusses the power of gratitude in enhancing one’s outlook on life, sharing personal anecdotes about practicing gratitude with her own daughter.  

41:00 The Swimmer Experiment: A Lesson in Mindset 
The hosts explore Martin Seligman’s swimmer experiment, illustrating how optimism and pessimism can influence performance under pressure.  

46:00 Leaving with Hope 
Immaculata expresses her goal of leaving audiences feeling hopeful and inspired, regardless of the challenges discussed.