Chatting with Channing – Professor Tali Sharot, professor of cognitive neuroscience with Bella and Emily

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What makes us optimistic about the future—even when the evidence might suggest otherwise? And how do our emotions shape the way we remember the past and make decisions about what lies ahead?

In the latest episode of the Chatting with Channing podcast, psychology students Bella and Emily sit down with leading cognitive neuroscientist Professor Tali Sharot to explore the fascinating science behind optimism, belief, and human decision-making.

Professor Sharot is internationally recognised for her research into how emotions influence the way we perceive the world, remember experiences, and predict the future. Currently a Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London and director of the Affective Brain Lab, her work bridges psychology, neuroscience, and human behaviour.

During the conversation, Bella and Emily ask thoughtful questions that take listeners inside the world of cutting-edge brain research. Professor Sharot explains how her interest in optimism began unexpectedly during her PhD research in New York, when she was studying emotional memories following major traumatic events. This work led her to investigate how the brain processes information about the future—and why people tend to maintain surprisingly positive expectations.