# Gad Saad: Suicidal Empathy and the Slow Death of the West

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-brink-7481910/gad-saad-suicidal-empathy-and-the-slow-death-of-the-west
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-brink-7481910/gad-saad-suicidal-empathy-and-the-slow-death-of-the-west.md
Podcast: [The Brink](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-brink-7481910)
Published: 2026-06-11T17:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://shows.acast.com/the-brink/episodes/6a26b5b0dd95c87263b9aec2
Audio file: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/68bb49871af371182ae70db4/e/6a26b5b0dd95c87263b9aec2/media.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-brink-7481910/episodes/gad-saad-suicidal-empathy-and-the-slow-death-of-the-west
Duration seconds: 3052

## Resource

Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/gad-saad-suicidal-empathy-and-the?r=63dafp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true In this episode of The Brink, Andrew and Jake are joined by evolutionary psychologist, bestselling author, and podcast host Gad Saad to discuss his new book, Suicidal Empathy, and the ideas he believes are driving the West towards cultural and political self-destruction. Gad explains the concept of "suicidal empathy" and argues that many of the West’s biggest challenges stem from a well-meaning but ultimately self-defeating inability to balance compassion with self-preservation. From mass immigration and cultural relativism to identity politics and DEI, he explores how empathy can become detached from reality and produce disastrous consequences. The conversation examines the origins of these ideas, the role of universities and elite institutions in spreading them, and why so many people feel unable to challenge prevailing orthodoxies. We also discuss meritocracy, free speech, the decline of intellectual curiosity, and the growing divide between common sense and elite opinion. Finally, Gad reflects on Israel, October 7th, propaganda, and the psychological forces shaping public opinion in the West. He explains why he believes societies must rediscover the confidence to defend their values, culture, and institutions before it is too late. Don't forget to check out our merch store: https://www.thebrinkmerch.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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## Transcript

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