A Bit of Optimism

Transcribed - Published: 2 December 2025

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Transcribed - Published: 5 August 2025

Good manners aren’t just about being polite — they’re about making other people feel seen.

Transcribed - Published: 15 July 2025

You have two years left to live. What would you do?

Transcribed - Published: 8 July 2025

When morale problems affect a team, some leaders choose to make a big, rousing speech. But quite often, it’s the quiet leader who leads with empathy that sees a better emotional solution.

Transcribed - Published: 1 July 2025

Happiness is a choice. But it’s not always an easy choice to make.

Transcribed - Published: 24 June 2025

We turned the studio into a restaurant for the day—because when Phil Rosenthal’s in the house, you don’t just talk about food, you eat it!

Transcribed - Published: 17 June 2025

Magic moments do happen in real life. If you ask Brad Meltzer, magic happens when ordinary people choose to do the extraordinary.

Transcribed - Published: 10 June 2025

My career is an accident. It started when I set out to rediscover my passion and reignite a spark I’d lost — and that journey led me to the work I do now. If you know me from my books or my speaking, you know I’m fascinated by why people do what they do. What makes someone find joy and meaning in their life, or pursue something far greater than themselves? I started A Bit of Optimism to explore those ideas and expand my own perspective. This podcast is a trove of honest conversations, with people who challenge me, teach me, or simply help me see things in a different way. Some guests are household names, and others you may be meeting for the first time. But each one of them has something to share that can help all of us grow. So if you’re looking for a spark — some insight, inspiration, or just a reminder that good things are possible — join me on A Bit of Optimism. Let’s grow together.

Transcribed - Published: 3 June 2025

My career is an accident. It started when I set out to rediscover my passion and reignite a spark I’d lost — and that journey led me to the work I do now. If you know me from my books or my speaking, you know I’m fascinated by why people do what they do. What makes someone find joy and meaning in their life, or pursue something far greater than themselves? I started A Bit of Optimism to explore those ideas and expand my own perspective. This podcast is a trove of honest conversations, with people who challenge me, teach me, or simply help me see things in a different way. Some guests are household names, and others you may be meeting for the first time. But each one of them has something to share that can help all of us grow. So if you’re looking for a spark — some insight, inspiration, or just a reminder that good things are possible — join me on A Bit of Optimism. Let’s grow together.

Transcribed - Published: 3 June 2025

What if this podcast turned into a baking show? For Christina Tosi’s third visit to A Bit of Optimism, we decided to find out.

Transcribed - Published: 3 June 2025

We're taking some time off to bring you even more episodes of A Bit of Optimism that you're going to love! In the meantime, we're revisiting some of our favorite episodes, like this one with couples counselor Shawn McBride.

Transcribed - Published: 27 May 2025

We're taking some time off to bring you even more episodes of A Bit of Optimism that you're going to love! In the meantime, we're revisiting some of our favorite episodes, like this one with Harvard professor Robert Waldinger.

Transcribed - Published: 20 May 2025

Sometimes in life, we must stop and ask ourselves, “Where am I going next?” Other times, it’s more fun to do a podcast takeover.

Transcribed - Published: 13 May 2025

Sometimes in life, we choose the wrong path. When we feel like we're living a lie, it's hard to know what to do next.

Transcribed - Published: 6 May 2025

What happens after we attain success and glory? Where do you go when there's nowhere left to run from yourself?

Transcribed - Published: 29 April 2025

What happens when we reach the top? There’s only one place to go.

Transcribed - Published: 22 April 2025

What happens when we reach the top? There’s only one place to go.

Transcribed - Published: 22 April 2025

Change happens to all of us whether we choose it or not. What’s the best way to go through transition, especially when it’s something we didn’t want?

Transcribed - Published: 15 April 2025

We often define ourselves by what we do or who we are to other people. But at our core, who we are is often something much deeper, and sometimes wildly different, from the version that the world sees -- or projects onto you.

Transcribed - Published: 8 April 2025

Self-love is never as easy as we think. Is it possible to fall in love with ourselves the way we fall for other people?

Transcribed - Published: 1 April 2025

Simon talks with psychologist Ty Tashiro about social awkwardness and why being awkward can actually be a superpower.

Transcribed - Published: 25 March 2025

Is there such a thing as female leadership? Or is gender not a factor?

Transcribed - Published: 18 March 2025

Is there such a thing as female leadership? Or is gender not a factor?

Transcribed - Published: 18 March 2025

We turn to ancient philosophies to help us cope with the stress of modern life. But what if ancient wisdom could use some help from the modern world?

Transcribed - Published: 11 March 2025

To recognize your own talent takes time and self-awareness. But to find the courage to pursue it? That often requires a spark of inspiration from someone else.

Transcribed - Published: 4 March 2025

Most people believe the only way to lead is to become the best at something. But what if great leadership means admitting you’re not the best at anything?

Transcribed - Published: 25 February 2025

Death is a word we like to avoid. We dance around the subject or use vague euphemisms to not hurt anybody. But what if being open about our deaths meant we could live happier lives?

Transcribed - Published: 18 February 2025

People aren’t born great leaders. They learn to become great leaders.

Transcribed - Published: 11 February 2025

To create something truly original, do we build something new or break what came before? Perhaps the answer is both—simultaneously.

Transcribed - Published: 4 February 2025

Parenting is the hardest job in the world—and it turns out, it’s also one of the best training grounds for leadership.

Transcribed - Published: 28 January 2025

When the wildfires struck Los Angeles, turmoil quickly consumed the city. People were desperate for clear, reliable information—unsure of evacuation routes or how to track the fires as they spread in a history-making wind storm. Then, we found Watch Duty. This intuitive app became our lifeline.

Transcribed - Published: 21 January 2025

Life can feel overwhelming, especially when we're too drained to even get out of bed. So, how do we push through those days?

Transcribed - Published: 14 January 2025

Loneliness has reached epidemic proportions. Where do we go to feel like we belong?

Transcribed - Published: 7 January 2025

It’s our last episode of 2024, so I decided to invite comedian Trevor Noah on…to get as serious as possible.

Transcribed - Published: 17 December 2024

They say business and pleasure don’t mix. But what about business and friends?

Transcribed - Published: 10 December 2024

We all want to live a happy life, but what does research say about how to actually achieve it?

Transcribed - Published: 3 December 2024

Finding love is a journey. We might take some wrong turns along the way.

Transcribed - Published: 26 November 2024

Close friends are the best thing for your health. Friendship, it turns out, is one of life’s best medicines.

Transcribed - Published: 19 November 2024