A Bit of Optimism

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The future is always bright…if you know where to look. Join me each week for A Bit of Optimism - I talk to inspiring people who teach me more about life, leadership and general interesting things. read less

Our Editor's Take

The A Bit of Optimism podcast shares a positive outlook on life. Author Simon Sinek started the series during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic when he saw a need for optimism. He began by sharing the conversations he was having with friends. The first episodes share their challenges and opportunities during a time of uncertainty. Simon has continued the podcast to provide a guide to living a happy life. Guests include nutritionist Mark Hyman, founder Bruce Deel, and entrepreneur Jean Oelwang.

Outside of the podcast, Simon admits that he is, of course, an optimist. He wants to build a world in which most people wake up feeling safe, inspired, and fulfilled by the end of the day. Some listeners may know Simon for his TED Talk on how great leaders inspire action. It's also the topic of his bestselling books Leaders Eat Last and The Infinite Game.

Inspiring business leader Sharmadean Reid discusses the community's importance on the podcast. Through her work, she seeks to encourage women to find their sense of power. Sharmadean credits her confidence to the female Jamaican community that supported her. It was this upbringing that taught her to believe in herself. Author David Von Drehle discusses his book The Book of Charlie: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man. David's a journalist who shares his neighbor's lessons about how to live a life worth living. Entrepreneur Cassandra Worthy shares her transformational approach to change. She helps companies harness the power of resilience.

The founder of Wikipedia discusses the principles of trust on the podcast. In an era of misinformation, Jimmy Wales believes transparency is vital. YouTuber Jimmy Darts explains how he changed his career to help others. Author Steven Pressfield discusses the need for determination and a muse.

The A Bit of Optimism podcast shares conversations with inspiring authors and entrepreneurs. Why does writer Kathryn Finney believe it's essential to be authentic? How can people love without judgment, according to CEO Ana Kirova? From psychotherapist Sara Kuburic to writer Susan Cain, each one shares their motivations. New episodes debut each week.
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This is... A Bit of Optimism

This is... A Bit of Optimism

During these times, we are all having to find new ways to connect. Starting June 1, join me every week from my kitchen table as I talk with people that inspire me, about love, life, leadership and silver linings. The hope is that we all leave with something I think we need these days… A Bit of Optimism.www.simonsinek.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episodes

The Ultimate Infinite-Minded CEO with Trek Bicycle CEO John Burke

The Ultimate Infinite-Minded CEO with Trek Bicycle CEO John Burke

The jump from $250 million to $2 billion in revenue doesn't happen overnight. Over 25 years, John Burke transformed Trek Bikes into a global powerhouse — one mom-and-pop bike store at a time.The key to John's success is simple but powerful. Create value for others first, and you too shall be rewarded. John and I discuss why the best way to win isn't to focus on "winning," but to focus on "play," and how the principles of The Infinite Game have guided his leadership. And he tells me why creative leadership is exactly what's missing in American government.This...is A Bit of Optimism. To learn more about John and his work, check out: his book, A Bold Plan For America TrekBikes.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Be Necessary with war journalist Sebastian Junger

Be Necessary with war journalist Sebastian Junger

War reporters risk their lives to document conflict. And yet, after a career living on battlefields, Sebastian Junger's closest brush with death was surviving an aneurysm. Sebastian's story of his sudden internal hemorrhage and making sense of what he saw while dying is the subject of his new book In My Time of Dying. As someone who usually writes as an outside observer, it's an atypical and personal exploration of death.I was privileged to speak with Sebastian about the fragility of life and why being necessary to others is one of our highest needs of all. This...is A Bit of Optimism.To learn more about Sebastian and his work, check out:sebastianjunger.comhis book, In My Time of DyingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Invention is Reinvention with entrepreneur Eric Ryan

Invention is Reinvention with entrepreneur Eric Ryan

Starting a company from scratch isn't easy. Doing it multiple times seems downright impossible. Eric Ryan is one of those serial entrepreneurs. Most known as the co-founder of Method soaps, he's also the founder of Olly vitamins, Welly first aid kits, Cast jewelry, and he has more ventures planned. I sat down with Eric to ask him about his creative process. What follows is a conversation about serial creativity and why reinvention is the key to repeating creative success. This...is A Bit of Optimism. To learn more about Eric and his work, check out: methodproducts.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Definition of Success with author Neil Strauss

The Definition of Success with author Neil Strauss

In 2005, Neil Strauss published The Game, a book about his years living in the pickup artist community. The Game sold millions of copies, stirred up huge controversy, and made Neil a bestselling author. Neil has totally reinvented himself since writing The Game, and I wanted to talk with him about walking away from that identity of success. This led to a much deeper conversation about what success even is. Is meaning tied to outcomes, or is intention enough? Neil and I don't see eye-to-eye on everything in this conversation, but I love talking with him because he challenges my ideas. I hope this episode challenges you as well, to continue questioning what the definition of success should be. This...is A Bit of Optimism. To learn more about Neil and his work, check out: neilstrauss.com The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happily Friended with author Rhaina Cohen

Happily Friended with author Rhaina Cohen

Society treats marriage like the end goal of human intimacy. Platonic friends can never be as important as romantic partners. What would life look like if we made friendship the goal? Journalist and producer Rhaina Cohen tackles this question in her book The Other Significant Others. She tells the stories of people who made platonic friends the closest people in their lives, doing things together like buying houses, executing a will, and raising children. I wanted to talk with Rhaina because redefining what friendship means in our lives lets us connect in new and deeper ways outside the rigid boundaries of a marriage or relationship. And it might take the pressure off our romantic partners to fulfill every one of our social needs.This...is A Bit of Optimism.To learn more about Rhaina and her work, check out: rhainacohen.com her book The Other Significant OthersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How To Eat with Glucose Goddess Jessie Inchauspé

How To Eat with Glucose Goddess Jessie Inchauspé

It's not just what we eat but how we eat it that counts. Eating the same meal in a different order can dramatically change how we feel! Glucose Goddess is the viral Instagram account of Jessie Inchauspé, who's inspired millions of people to change how they eat. With simple and easy dietary hacks, Jessie teaches people how to prevent glucose spikes -- large influxes of sugar into our bodies that make us tired, stress our organs, and cause us to age. Since adopting her eating habits, my energy has never been better. I was thrilled to talk with Jessie about creating Glucose Goddess and her personal story behind showing people a better way to eat.This...is A Bit of Optimism. For more on Jessie and her work, check out: @glucosegoddess glucosegoddess.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Love Is Not Enough with couples therapist Shawn McBride

Love Is Not Enough with couples therapist Shawn McBride

Relationships are hard. No matter how much we like, respect, or love someone, conflict seems inevitable. But even as we fight and disagree, we can also learn the skills we need to resolve our problems. For over two decades, Shawn McBride has helped thousands of couples do the work to strengthen their relationships. And he has tons of practical advice. Shawn sat down with me to discuss the three biggest problems couples face, why I'm a huge fan of his Instagram, and how love can keep relationships afloat, but it's often not enough.This...is A Bit of Optimism.For more on Shawn and his work, check out: @couples_counseling_center@shawnmcbridespeaksand couplescounselingcenter.org See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We Cannot Heal Alone with Rabbi Sharon Brous

We Cannot Heal Alone with Rabbi Sharon Brous

Loneliness is now an epidemic, with devastating impacts on our health. How can we rekindle the deep human connection we need now more than ever? For Rabbi Sharon Brous, this question is the focus of her work. Considered one of the most influential rabbis in the U.S., she's founded her own congregation and has led multiple White House faith events. In her new book, The Amen Effect, Sharon explores how grief and heartbreak can be gateways to truly seeing each other.Sharon and I talk about what it means to be present to someone else's pain and how a 2,000-year old ritual taught her the meaning of healing together. This...is A Bit of Optimism.For more on Sharon and her work, check out:her book The Amen Effect her congregation iKARSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ideas That Stick with advertising legend Lee Clow

Ideas That Stick with advertising legend Lee Clow

Apple's "1984" commercial, the Energizer Bunny, and the launch of Air Jordans all have one thing in common. They're all creations of legendary ad man Lee Clow.As creative director of Chiat/Day, Lee spent decades making work that transcended advertising and became cultural icons. He shared a close relationship with Steve Jobs, and his Think Different campaign revitalized Apple, transforming it into the brand we recognize today.As someone whose career started in advertising, Lee's a hero of mine, and I was thrilled to sit down with him. He shares the entertaining stories behind his most iconic work and some insights into Steve Jobs's leadership, his rare ability to fearlessly embrace creativity.This...is A Bit of Optimism.For more on Lee and his work, check out:Apple's "1984" Macintosh commercialLee in the Creative Hall of FameSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Anxious Generation with social psychologist Jonathan Haidt

The Anxious Generation with social psychologist Jonathan Haidt

Anxiety disorders affect Gen Z at astronomically higher rates than previous generations. There's plenty to be anxious about in the modern world. But the reason behind Gen Z's mental health crisis might be simpler than you'd think.According to social psychologist and NYU professor Jonathan Haidt, the answer lies in growing up with a combination of smartphones and social media. In his new book The Anxious Generation, he argues that Gen Z's anxiety is a symptom of being the first generation to go through puberty on Instagram and TikTok, with iPhones available to access them constantly.Thankfully, Jonathan believes the problem is solvable. He shares some advice he has for concerned parents and tells me how we can fix the mental health crisis affecting our kids in just a few years time.This...is A Bit of Optimism.To learn more about Jonathan's work, check out:anxiousgeneration.comjonathanhaidt.comAnd for parents, visit:letgrow.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to Live to 100 with Blue Zones explorer Dan Buettner

How to Live to 100 with Blue Zones explorer Dan Buettner

Most of us would count ourselves lucky to live to age 80. And yet, there are places on Earth where people regularly live to 100, suffer virtually no chronic disease, and live life with a sense of purpose. These "Blue Zones" are the focus of Dan Buettner's work. He's a National Geographic explorer, an author, and a documentarian. He spent years traveling and studying the Blue Zones to understand why these 5 places on Earth produce some of the happiest, and longest-lived, people in the world. Dan and I discuss why happiness is the key to longevity, creating Blue Zones in our own lives, and how a longer life can begin with simply rearranging your kitchen.This...is A Bit of Optimism. For more on Dan Buettner and his work, check out: his Netflix documentary Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones or bluezones.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Going To Mars with NASA director Laurie Leshin

Going To Mars with NASA director Laurie Leshin

As the private space industry races to colonize space for profit, where does NASA fit in to the equation? Laurie Leshin is just the person to answer that question. She's the Director of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the first female director in JPL's storied history. To her, NASA's future is defined by its mission — exploring the cosmos for the greater good of humankind. Laurie and I discuss the role of Space X and Blue Origin in the new space age and why NASA should set its sights on Mars, and flying to even deeper space beyond. This...is A Bit of Optimism.To find out more about Laurie and her work, check out:jpl.nasa.govSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Four Years in Solitary Confinement with political prisoner Leopoldo Lopez

Four Years in Solitary Confinement with political prisoner Leopoldo Lopez

If great leaders are those willing to suffer for their beliefs, Leopoldo Lopez is certainly a great leader. After he led the massive 2014 Venezuelan protests that swept the nation, the regime of Nicolás Maduro sentenced Leopoldo to over a decade of political imprisonment. He suffered four years of solitary confinement and psychological torture before he escaped. Leopoldo tells me about his time in prison and how he cultivated the mental strength to endure. The story of how he smuggled himself into exile is a truly remarkable one. Most of us will never experience military prison, but what Leopoldo discovered about surviving enormous stress is something each of us can learn from. This…is A Bit of Optimism. To find out more about Leopoldo and his work, check out: worldlibertycongress.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Redemption with charity founder Scott Harrison

Redemption with charity founder Scott Harrison

The thrills of pleasure-seeking don't last long before we need even more. And when the excitement isn't enough, what is? Scott Harrison's life as an elite nightclub promoter was an unending cycle of drinking, drugs, models, and fast cars. After ten years, his vices caught up with him, and a health scare forced him to reflect on his life. Scott felt decadent, wasteful, and morally bankrupt. He decided to completely reverse course. Scott spent the next 2 years in West Africa on board a nonprofit hospital ship, where he saw a level of human suffering that led him to his true calling. Today, solving the global water crisis is Scott's life's work, and he's built one of the most trusted nonprofits in the world to do just that. His organization charity: water has raised over $750 million, helping more than 17.4 million people access clean drinking water. Scott shares with me the painful road that led to his transformation and why living a life of service can be a path toward redemption. This...is A Bit of Optimism If you would like to help solve the global water crisis, visit: charitywater.org For more on Scott, check out: his book ThirstSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Supercommunicators with journalist Charles Duhigg

Supercommunicators with journalist Charles Duhigg

Great communicators aren't born that way. They're self-made. Charles Duhigg is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist whose new book, Supercommunicators, explores how some people have unlocked the secret language of connection. Charles and I discuss what makes these "supercommunicators" unique, why we need stories to convey ideas, and how being honest once saved a CIA recruiter his job. This...is A Bit of Optimism. To learn more about Charles's work, check out: his book Supercommunicators charlesduhigg.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Community Starts at Home with author Alexandra Hudson

Community Starts at Home with author Alexandra Hudson

In a divided society, idealists believe we can overcome our differences. Alexandra Hudson is one of those idealists. Disillusioned by the backstabbing she witnessed in federal government, she began to research how we can repair the divisions keeping us apart. We discuss what being civil means in a dog-eat-dog culture and why building a more connected community can start on the front porch. This...is A Bit of Optimism. To learn more about Alexandra and her work, check out: her book: The Soul of Civility alexandraohudson.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How To Be A Friend with chef Christina Tosi

How To Be A Friend with chef Christina Tosi

When life gets tough, true friends ask for help. Christina Tosi is that kind of friend. She's someone I can trust with anything and someone I can cry with. She also happens to be a world-class pastry chef, a genius dessert maker, and the founder and CEO of Milk Bar. We reflect on the art of asking for help and how sometimes all we need from a true friend is 8 minutes of their time. This...is A Bit of Optimism. For more on Christina and her work, check out: https://www.christinatosi.com/https://milkbarstore.com/ For more on the power of an 8-minute phone call, check out this New York Times article. And, by the way, I wanted to share Christina's recipe for making an Ice Cream Loaf. It's magic. You will need: 2 cups (1 pint) of softened ice cream 1 cup of self-rising flour 1 egg Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a loaf pan and set aside.In a large bowl, mix the melty ice cream, self-rising flour, and egg. Do not overmix.Pour the batter into loaf pan.Bake for 45 minutes or until toothpick clean. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why Awkward is Awesome with psychologist Ty Tashiro

Why Awkward is Awesome with psychologist Ty Tashiro

Awkwardness gets a bad rap, but the trait is often an indicator that someone is extraordinary. Psychologist and author Ty Tashiro has spent a great deal of time studying (and living!) social awkwardness. He's fascinated by how the same traits that cause us social embarrassment can also drive exceptional accomplishment. As a fellow awkward person myself, I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation with Ty about the advantages of being awkward, what the socially fluent can learn from awkward people, and the best way to navigate conversations in loud clubs. This...is A Bit of Optimism. For more on Ty and his work check out: His book: AWKWARD: The Science of Why We're Socially Awkward and Why That's Awesome.tytashiro.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Theory of Everyone with behavioral researcher Dr. Michael Muthukrishna

A Theory of Everyone with behavioral researcher Dr. Michael Muthukrishna

What makes humanity unique? Dr. Michael Muthukrishna is fascinated by why our species behaves the way it does. In his book, A Theory of Everyone, Michael seeks to answer some of the deepest questions humans have about ourselves and how our cultures came to be. Why do humans create culture? What do all our societies have in common? And how can this knowledge help us build a better future?This...is A Bit of Optimism.In our conversation, Michael references a paper published in Science titled "The Church, intensive kinship, and global psychological variation." You can read it here.To learn more about Michael's work, check out:michael.muthukrishna.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atomic Habits with author James Clear

Atomic Habits with author James Clear

In the New Year, we all aspire to become better versions of ourselves. But how do we change our behavior so new habits actually stick? Well, James Clear is THE expert on habits. His book, Atomic Habits, is the #1 New York Times bestseller with over 15 million copies sold. Together, James and I break down his powerful approach to forming better habits, breaking the bad ones, and living the life we desire. This...is A Bit of Optimism. To learn more about James and his work, check out: jamesclear.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.