Workplace Trust and Emotional Fitness - with Paul Zak

What does neuroscience tell us about trust, fear, and how we work together? In this episode I chat with Dr. Paul Zak to explore how the brain responds to fear and stress – and what that means for leadership, teamwork and performance at work. A pioneer in the neuroscience of trust, Paul shares insights from two decades of research into what drives collaboration, motivation and emotional fitness in the workplace. From high-stakes trading floors to Silicon Valley, he reveals why fear is a poor long-term motivator – and how trust, connection and challenge are key to building high-performing teams. We discuss: Why trust is more productive than pressure The brain science behind motivation, burnout and recovery The difference between challenge stress and chronic stress How hierarchy and dominance displays erode engagement Practical ways to create cultures of trust, safety and shared purpose We also explore how Paul’s research helps us recognise and rethink High-Functioning Fear – when fear hides behind overperformance, people-pleasing or control – and how organisations can move from survival mode to spaces where people truly thrive. If you’re curious about the science of human connection, emotional fitness and what makes work truly work – this one’s for you. Continue the conversation with Grace here: gracemarshall.com  LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/gracemarshall/ Instagram: instagram.com/gracemarshallninja/ About Guest Dr. Paul J. Zak is a neuroscientist, author and Distinguished University Professor at Claremont Graduate University, ranked among the top 0.3% of most cited scientists. His two decades of research on trust, fear and human connection have taken him from the Pentagon to Fortune 50 boardrooms and remote villages in Papua New Guinea. He’s the author of several books, including The Trust Factor and Immersion: The Science of the Extraordinary and the Source of Happiness, and is the founder of Immersion Neuroscience. A four-time tech entrepreneur and regular TED speaker, his work has featured in The New York Times, The Economist, and Scientific American. His latest project, Your6, is a free app that helps people track happiness using neuroscience. Find out more at https://pauljzak.com and https://your6.com The podcast was produced by pronkproductions.com