We talk a lot about building successful things. But what does it actually take to build something people love? Jesse Cole has built an entirely new genre of entertainment: The Savannah Bananas and the Banana Ball League. They’re a viral sensation, selling out stadiums across the country, and have over 4.2 million fans on their  ticket waitlist. On the surface, Banana Ball looks like a wild and entertaining version of baseball. But underneath it all is something much more disciplined: an obsession with the fan experience.  Jesse calls his approach Fans First and it’s more than a slogan and the title of his book… It’s a standard. Every minute of the two-hour games are crammed with attention grabbing spectacle. It’s a full-blown live experience designed for every seat in the stadium: players dance, fans are part of the show, trick plays defy the laws of physics, there are multiple sing-alongs… all during an actual baseball game.  In this conversation, we talk about building something new for others, from embracing years of failure (including selling just two tickets in the first three months), to creating experiences that make people feel included, joyful, and valued. We also discuss how he took inspiration from Disney and PT Barnum, the importance of affordable in-person experiences, and how his team reviews every single detail after every show to get better the next day. Because what Jesse’s building goes beyond just entertainment. It’s a place where people can feel seen for generations to come. And in a world that often moves too fast to build things with care… Those human details might be what matter most. This… is A Bit of Optimism. --------------------------- To learn more about the Banana Ball League or sign up for the ticket waitlist, check out: https://bananaball.com/  Or if you want all things Savannah Bananas, head to: https://thesavannahbananas.com/  ---------------------------

We live in a world that pushes us to simplify everything: right or wrong, good or bad, this or that. It makes things and our place in the world easier to understand. But the truth is rarely simple… in fact, it’s often messy and deeply human. For 50 years, Ken Burns has mastered his craft, becoming one of the most prolific and respected documentary filmmakers. His documentaries notably resist easy answers. From The Civil War to The Vietnam War to Baseball, Ken has shaped how we understand American identity, political memory, and our shared history. His latest project, The American Revolution, is a six-part PBS series that tells the story of America’s founding. He revisits the revolution through multiple human perspectives, which reveals new complexity to a familiar story. Ken’s guiding principle is simple: “it’s complicated.” And that philosophy shows up in everything he does. Because the most honest stories hold opposing truths at the same time. In this conversation, Ken and I explore why storytelling matters more than arguments, how simplifying the world can help us understand it—but also distort it—and why empathy lives in the space between what’s included in a story and what’s left out. We also dive into why human behavior hasn’t changed much over time, what mistakes humans keep repeating, how embracing complexity might help us better understand each other, and what history can teach us about who we are and who we’re still becoming. If you’ve ever struggled to make sense of a complicated world, or felt frustrated by how quickly we reduce people to labels, this episode is a powerful reminder: understanding lives in our ability to see the whole story. This… is A Bit of Optimism. --------------------------- If you want to watch “American Revolution” the six-part, 12-hour documentary directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt on PBS, head to: https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-american-revolution ---------------------------

We’re often told that the secret to success is grit - more discipline, more perseverance, more individual effort. And grit does matter. But what if it’s only half the story? In today’s world, we’ve become experts at tracking achievement, yet novices at nurturing belonging - and the cost of that imbalance is showing up everywhere from burnout to loneliness. Few people are better equipped to help me make sense of that tension than today’s guest, Angela Duckworth. Angela is a professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, a MacArthur “Genius” Award winner, and the bestselling author of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. Angela is one of those people I could talk to for hours and we cover a lot of ground, but our conversation isn’t just about grit or performance. It’s about something deeper: why belonging gives achievement meaning and why human beings are actually wired to thrive together. In this episode, Angela and I explore how a culture obsessed with individual success quietly erodes teamwork, trust, and wellbeing. We talk about the loneliness epidemic among young people, why grit is so often misunderstood, and why character isn’t just about what you do for yourself, but what you do for others. Along the way, we unpack why the smartest people don’t always make the best teammates, how incentives shape behavior in ways we rarely notice, and why purpose and people—not willpower—are what sustain us over time. If you’ve ever felt burned out, disconnected, or wondered why success doesn’t feel as satisfying as you thought it would, this conversation is a reminder that meaning doesn’t come from standing alone at the top—it comes from being part of something bigger than yourself. This is… A Bit of Optimism. --------------------------- To buy Angela’s book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, head to: https://angeladuckworth.com/grit-book  ---------------------------

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.org

Life as a nightclub promoter in New York City was an unending cycle of drinking, drugs, models, and fast cars. After ten years, Scott Harrison's 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 Thirst

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.com

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.com

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.

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.com

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.com

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.com

Lasting success requires innovation. But how do we build teams that keep innovation in their DNA? Jackie Reses is Silicon Valley royalty precisely because she knows how to hire, build, and lead the best teams for the best companies. Jackie was a senior executive at Yahoo!, Alibaba, and Square and now she is the founder and CEO of a new bank disrupting retail finance. We talked about what it takes to empower people to invent new things and how grit, paranoia, and excellence breed success. This is...A Bit of Optimism. For more on Jackie and her work check out:  https://www.lead.bank/

Great comedians have the ability to point out some of the madness, ridiculousness, and nuance that exists in the world. Alex Edelman is already one of the greats.  His current show, "Just For Us," is a transformative experience for his audiences, as he regales them with his experience as an unwelcome interloper at a meeting for white supremacists.   Our conversation was just as enlightening. We discussed how imperfections are beautiful, how seeing humanity in others is the first step to peace, and if IHOP is good, evil, or something in-between.  This is...A Bit of Optimism.  For more on Alex and his work check out:  https://www.justforusshow.com/ https://www.alexedelmancomedy.com/

In a world defined by constant change, reinvention isn’t optional - it’s essential. We often assume reinvention comes from bold leaps or lucky breaks, but actor and author Matthew McConaughey’s story suggests a quieter approach can be far more powerful. In this episode, Matthew joins me to explore the inner practices that have shaped both his life and his legendary career in Hollywood. From stepping away from romantic comedies at the height of his success to sitting with uncertainty when there were no guarantees on the other side, Matthew shares how learning to get comfortable with discomfort empowered the most meaningful reinventions of his life.  At the center of our conversation is curiosity - self-curiosity. Matthew reflects on decades of journaling as a way to notice patterns, stay honest, and make sense of moments that feel unclear. Rather than avoiding discomfort, he learned to treat it as information to study, learn from, and eventually act on. We talk about what it takes to stay relevant without losing yourself, why reinvention often requires carrying the risk before anyone else believes in the outcome, and how self-curiosity can become a compass when the path forward isn’t obvious. Matthew also shares how these ideas come to life in his newest book, Poems & Prayers - a collection of reflections shaped by presence, patience, and the courage to keep asking better questions. If you’re navigating change, questioning your direction, or looking to grow while remaining true to yourself, this conversation offers a grounded and thoughtful path forward. This is… A Bit of Optimism. --------------------------- To check out Matthew’s new book Poems & Prayers, head to: http://www.poemsprayers.com ---------------------------

Drive can get you to peak performance.  But what happens when you enter the next chapter of your life?  Danica Patrick was one of the best drivers in the world, the only woman in a field perennially dominated by men.  But that was years ago. Now, she is finding meaning beyond wins, races, and results.  It turns out, the best part of drive is the journey.   This is...A Bit of Optimism.  For more on Danica and her work check out:  https://danicapatrick.com/

All business leaders want to make a lasting impact, but very few have the scale and tools to change the entire planet.   Doug McMillon has the scale and the tools. He is the CEO of Walmart and employs over 2 million people across the world. But it is Doug's commitment to leading Walmart based on its core values that makes him so important. So I sat down with him to talk about his 33-year career, in which he went from packing trucks in the loading bay to becoming the chief executive, to discuss the value of values and how Walmart can have an impact on the whole world. This is...A Bit of Optimism. For more on Doug and his work check out:  https://corporate.walmart.com/about/leadership/doug-mcmillon https://corporate.walmart.com/about/history

Authenticity is exceedingly rare. Yet Brian Grazer embodies it with an unparalleled zest and refreshing innocence.  Though Grazer might not be a household name, his tv shows and movies (like "A Beautiful Mind" and “Apollo 13”) have earned him 242 Emmy nominations and 47 Oscar nominations. He believes in the power of asking endless amounts of questions to shape stories that resonate on a deeply human level. Grazer is an unparalleled storyteller and offers a unique perspective on how to engage, question, and understand the world around us. This is…A Bit of Optimism.  For more on Brian and his work check out:  His new book: https://www.amazon.com/Curious-Mind-Expanded-Secret-Bigger/dp/1668025507 https://imagine-entertainment.com/ https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Brian-Grazer/410161296

When did we get so disconnected from the world around us? How can we find our way back? Aza Raskin thinks the answer might lie in humanity's greatest adversary - listening. As co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology and of the Earth Species Project, Aza and his team are using Artificial Intelligence to decode the language of animals, from whales to crows, while remaining dedicated to ensuring the accelerating rise of A.I. remains safe and responsibly handled. This is...A Bit of Optimism. For more on Aza and his work check out:  https://www.earthspecies.org/ https://www.humanetech.com/

We have lost trust in almost everything. Yat Siu has a clear vision for how we can solve our large-scale trust issues and enhance human coordination.  For every problem technology creates, technology also has a solution. This is…A Bit of Optimism.  For more on Yat Siu and his work check out:  https://www.animocabrands.com/

We used to care about beautiful architecture.  Luckily, Thomas Heatherwick still does. He is on a quest to make the world less boring. You may not know Thomas yet, but you know his work.  He's designed iconic buildings and experiences and he says our cities have become dreadfully unhuman and our lack of beauty is negatively impacting our physical and mental health.  He's a truly original thinker with great insights into how to innovate, create, and humanize. This is...A Bit of Optimism. For more on Thomas and his work check out:  His new book, Humanize: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Humanize/Thomas-Heatherwick/9781668034439 https://www.heatherwick.com/

High-performing teams require more than just a leader. Great teams come from great teammates.   Shane Battier won't be in the NBA Hall of Fame, but he was one of the greatest teammates to ever play professional basketball. He won back-to-back NBA Championships with the Miami Heat and was named the league's Teammate of the Year during their second championship run.   His insights into trust, discomfort, and "teammateship" are essential for teams -- and teammates -- of all types.   This is...A Bit of Optimism.

When we want wisdom, we turn to people older than us. But there is a lot to be learned from younger generations too. Elizabeth English knows this. She’s the head of one of the most innovative schools in the country, The Archer School for Girls and has spent her career working with -- and learning from -- younger generations. We sat down to talk about: the problems facing parents today, why kids need and thrive from rules, boundary setting, phone addictions, and how her students make her hopeful for the future. This is...A Bit of Optimism. For more on Elizabeth and her work check out:  https://www.archer.org/about/from-the-head-of-school

We are told from a young age to pursue love—romantic love, self-love, divine love. But how do you actually define love? And once you do, how do you find it? Cleo Wade is the right person to ask. She's a poet whose latest book is called “Remember Love: Words for Tender Times.” Our conversation about love led down many paths: we talked about appreciating pain, staying present, and the resurgence of poetry. This is... A Bit of Optimism. For more on Cleo and her work check out: her new book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/724180/remember-love-by-cleo-wade/ https://cleowade.com/

How do you run a thriving company that cares more about impact than about profit and margins? Karissa Bodnar is a genius CEO who dedicated herself to building a cause-based company. Thrive Causemetics started out of her one-bedroom apartment and now it’s a massively successful brand that has donated over $139 million of value to those in need. We sat down to talk about finding your purpose, leading younger generations, and so much more.   This is… A Bit of Optimism. For more on Karissa and her work check out:  https://thrivecausemetics.com/pages/our-story

Hello from Team Simon! We’ll be back next week—January 27, 2026—with brand-new episodes of A Bit of Optimism. We’re excited to bring you new guests, conversations, and opportunities to learn. Until then, we’re diving back into the archives to revisit one of our favorite episodes from 2024, when comedian Trevor Noah joined the show… to get as serious as possible. Most Americans know Trevor as the former host of The Daily Show, a bestselling author, and a stand-up comedian. But his brand of humor isn’t just a barrel of laughs— it’s raw, witty, thought-provoking, and often makes you see the world in a whole new way. In this conversation, Simon and Trevor ditched the small talk (mostly) and went deep into the paradox of choice, the public's response to the murder of United HealthCare's CEO, and why the human experience might be defined by constraint. It will make you chuckle, think, and probably question everything all at once. This… is A Bit of Optimism. --------------------------- For more on Trevor and his work, check out: https://www.trevornoah.com/

How are you? It’s a question we get asked everyday, but we hardly ever answer it honestly.   When Diego Perez — also known under his penname, Yung Pueblo — started asking himself that question and answering honestly, his entire life changed. In this conversation, Diego opens up about his own struggles with addiction and shares hard-earned wisdom about conflict, spirituality, and so much more. This is...A Bit of Optimism. For more of Yung Pueblo's work check out:  his new book out today The Way Forward https://yungpueblo.com/

How do people become powerful? Can understanding power protect us from those who wield it too strongly? When Robert Greene first set out to write about power, he didn’t have much of it. He worked odd jobs and was largely at the mercy of other people’s power. Now, his book “The 48 Laws of Power” has given him the power he wrote about. He sat down with me to share what he’s learned on both sides of that spectrum. This… is a Bit of Optimism. For more on Robert and his work, check out: https://powerseductionandwar.com/

Failure is the secret to success. Our failures are agents of inspiration, iteration, and innovation.   Dr. Amy Edmondson is the Professor of Leadership and Management at Harvard Business School and her newest book "Right Kind of Wrong" is all about how we can change our relationship with failures and start “failing well.”   This is…A Bit of Optimism. For more on Dr. Amy Edmondson and her work check out: https://www.amazon.com/Right-Kind-Wrong-Science-Failing/dp/1982195061 https://amycedmondson.com/ https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/profile.aspx?facId=6451 https://www.linkedin.com/in/amycedmondson/ https://twitter.com/AmyCEdmondson https://www.instagram.com/amycedmondson/

You’ll never achieve perfect happiness. This might sound like bad news, but it’s actually a good thing. Because being happy is not a final destination, it’s an ongoing practice. In short, it’s happier-ness. That’s a term Arthur Brooks and Oprah Winfrey coined in their new book “Build the Life You Want” where together they lay out a blueprint for a better life. And they would know: Arthur has studied the science of happiness for over 25 years, and I have never had a conversation with him that I haven’t left with a life-changing perspective on what it means to live a meaningful life.  This conversation was no different. This… is a Bit of Optimism. For more on Arthur and his work check out:  https://www.amazon.com/Build-Life-You-Want-Science/dp/0593545400 arthurbrooks.com 2

When should we trust our gut and when should we depend on logic?  Liv Boeree can actually answer that question.  She won the World Series of Poker before retiring from the game to explore big questions about game theory, competition, and how we can all find more win-wins. This is…a Bit of Optimism. For more on Liv and her work check out:  https://livboeree.com/

When should you quit a project and when should you persevere? As one of the world’s leading entrepreneurs, Steven Bartlett has thought deeply about this problem. Steven is used to getting people to open up on his podcast, but it turns out he’s just as insightful when the focus is on him.  This is…a Bit of Optimism. For more on Steven and his work check out:  His new book: https://smarturl.it/DOACbook His website: https://stevenbartlett.com/

How you do anything is how you do everything. Steven Bartlett embodies this old adage.  His high standards and focus on the finest details launched him from a broke university dropout to one of the world’s most influential entrepreneurs. At 30-years-old he has already founded multiple companies, starred on Britain’s hit tv show Dragon’s Den, and he is now the host of one of the planet’s most popular podcasts, Diary of a CEO.   He is a leader for the new era. It was a joy to turn the tables on him and have him talk about himself for a change.  His new book, Diary of a CEO, is available for pre-order now.  This is…a Bit of Optimism. For more on Steven and his work check out:  His new book: https://smarturl.it/DOACbook His website: https://stevenbartlett.com/

Great businesses often look a lot like social movements.   Sharmadean Reid knows this from experience—she has combined technology and culture to create multiple businesses around strong communities. She started her first business at 24, creating a nail salon that changed the beauty industry. Now she runs a media network for the next generation of women in power.   This is…A Bit of Optimism. For more on Sharmadean and her work, check out: https://thestack.world https://sharmadeanreid.com

What does it mean to live a long and happy life?   David Von Drehle has spent 40 years covering big stories and important figures as an award-winning journalist. But the best lessons turned out to be right next door. David’s latest book, “The Book of Charlie: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109 Year-Old Man,” is a best-seller about resilience, American history, and what it means to live well. This is… A Bit of Optimism. For more on David and his work check out: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Book-of-Charlie/David-Von-Drehle/9781476773926 https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/david-von-drehle/

For this 4th of July, I wanted to do something special to celebrate the birth of our nation. So I invited Air Force Chief of Staff General CQ Brown, Jr. to join me on the podcast.  General Brown is the head of the Air Force and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He is also the current nominee to be the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. If he is confirmed as Chairman later this year, it would make him the most senior-ranked member of the United States military.  General Brown is humble, approachable, credible, and super inspiring.  This is… A Bit of Optimism. For more on General Brown and his work, check out:  His Leadership Library: https://www.af.mil/About-Us/CSAF-Leadership-Library/ His comments in the wake of George Floyd: https://twitter.com/PACAF/status/1268794618461618177?s=20 His bio: https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/108485/charles-q-brown-jr/

Team Simon here! We’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes from 2025. But we'll be back in just two weeks with brand-new episodes of A Bit of Optimism on January 27, 2026. We think you’re going to love them! Today, we’re going back to January of last year when Dr. Becky Kennedy joined us to discuss the hardest job in the world—parenting. It turns out, it’s also one of the best training grounds for leadership. Dr. Becky Kennedy, aka the “Millennial Parent Whisperer,” became an essential voice for caretakers by offering practical, actionable parenting advice that resonated with millions during the pandemic. As a clinical psychologist and founder of Good Inside, she’s now helping parents build sturdy leadership skills that not only transform their homes but also their work lives. In this conversation, Dr. Becky shares how understanding boundaries, emotional triggers, and big feelings can help us become more effective leaders. Whether you’re a parent or a manager (or both!), her insights will help you lead with more intention, connection, and confidence. This… is A Bit of Optimism. --------------------------- Check out Dr. Becky’s work: https://www.goodinside.com/

Change is inevitable.  And yet fear, anger, and confusion are often our first reactions to changes.  Cassandra Worthy experienced the negative emotions that stem from change so many times that she now sees them for what they really are: signals for opportunity. Now, she helps companies and individuals thrive during times of major change.  This is… A Bit of Optimism. For more on Cassandra and her work check out:  Her book Change Enthusiasm https://a.co/d/jlB2Xnk https://cassandraworthy.com/

Information is power. But how do we adapt now that most of the information we consume comes with a heavy bias?  In an ironic twist of fate, it’s Wikipedia — the encyclopedia that anyone can edit — that has done one of the best jobs maintaining public trust in our polarized era.  I sat down with the founder of Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales, in front of a live studio audience to explore how we got here and how Wikipedia’s transparency and vulnerability may be a model for a better future. This…is A Bit of Optimism. For more on Jimmy, his work, and the Founders Forum summit that hosted our conversation, check out:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Wales https://twitter.com/jimmy_wales https://ff.co/

What does it mean for a life to go well? What matters most in our time on Earth?  These are the most important questions of our lives and yet most of us have no clue how to answer them.  Miroslav Volf is a theologian and professor who has been grappling with these ideas for decades. He is the founding director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture where he teaches a class called “Life Worth Living,” and recently wrote a book by the same name. It turns out, life worth living is life helping others.  This is…A Bit of Optimism.   For more information on Miroslav and his work check out:  https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/691260/life-worth-living-by-miroslav-volf-matthew-croasmun-and-ryan-mcannally-linz/ https://faith.yale.edu/people/miroslav-volf

Creative success is notoriously elusive, but those who have made the journey insist it comes down to three factors: hard work, luck, and talent.  Steven Pressfield wants to add one more thing to that list: a muse. And he should know. His muse guided him to incredible success as an author of fiction, nonfiction, and movies including hit books like: The Legend of Bagger Vance, The War of Art, and Gates of Fire.  Steven’s story of the long and bumpy road he took to find his muse and his success can help the rest of us find ours a little quicker.  This is… A Bit of Optimism. For more on Steven and his work, check out:  his new memoir, Govt Cheese: https://stevenpressfieldstore.kinsta.cloud/product/govt-cheese-signed-copy/ and his other published works: https://stevenpressfield.com/books/

On the path to fame, most rising stars abandon their morals. Not Jimmy Darts. He’s done just the opposite.   Jimmy started his career as a YouTuber pulling ill-advised pranks. Two decades later, he and his 20 million fans now make the world a kinder place by donating life-changing money to unsuspecting strangers who are spontaneously kind, compassionate, or generous. This is… A Bit of Optimism. For more on Jimmy and his work, check out: https://www.jimmydarts.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2BoMmoR5HSmz5-oS8_1ENw www.instagram.com/jimmydarts

Dating doesn’t have to be about finding “The One.”  At its most rewarding, modern love can be about growth, curiosity, and authenticity.   Ana Kirova is the CEO of the dating platform 'Feeld’, a revolutionary app that helps people break free from traditional norms, explore alternative relationships, and discover the boundless potential for love that comes with accepting yourself and others without judgment. This is… A Bit of Optimism. For more on Ana and her work check out:  https://feeld.co/

“Soul” is a word that I've never really used, but it perfectly encapsulates what has made David Copperfield the most successful magician of all time.   He has filled global audiences with awe for over 40 years.  He made the Statue of Liberty disappear, escaped from Alcatraz, and walked through the Great Wall of China.   And it turns out, the key to great magic is also the key to any great work: a visceral, emotional connection between the act and the performer.   You have to find and honor the soul of the idea.   This is…A Bit of Optimism.  For more on David and his work check out:  https://www.davidcopperfield.com/html/

Molly Bloom’s life story is one-of-a-kind.   Her Olympic dreams were dashed, so she planned on going to law school. Instead, she wound up running a high-stakes poker game where hundreds of millions of dollars would change hands in a night.   Molly made a lot of money. Celebrities, mafias, and federal informants soon took an interest in her and her game.  Eventually, she lost everything and had no one to blame but herself. Her story later became the Academy Award nominated movie, Molly’s Game, and the lessons she learned from her extraordinary journey have tremendous value for the rest of us. This is… A Bit of Optimism. For more on Molly and her work, check out: twitter.com/immollybloom

How would you like to be judged for the rest of your life by the worst thing you’ve ever done? Robin Steinberg was a public defender, where she had to learn to see her clients – who were often accused of heinous crimes – as human.   The lessons she has learned about how to find compassion for people with whom we vehemently disagree are absolutely essential for this divided world. This is… A Bit of Optimism. For more on Robin and her work check out: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/610838/the-courage-of-compassion-by-robin-steinberg-contributions-by-camilo-ramirez/

There is a very good chance that Bill Farmer has already made your life brighter and you had no idea. That's because Bill is a Disney Legend. He has been the voice of Goofy since 1987, among countless other Disney and Looney Tunes characters. What started as a simple impression sparked an amazing career that has influenced millions with a message of optimism. He views his work as an act of service. As a result, he brings his audience joy that they carry with them for the rest of their lives.   This is… A Bit of Optimism. For more on Bill Farmer and his work, check out:  https://disneyplusoriginals.disney.com/show/its-a-dogs-life-with-bill-farmer

Happy New Year from Team Simon! We’re so excited to bring you more new episodes of A Bit of Optimism when we return on January 27, 2026. With your support, we’ll make 2026 an incredible year together. In the meantime, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes from last year. We kicked off 2025 with a guest most podcast enthusiasts probably have heard of—Mel Robbins. This insightful conversation answers an important question: how do we push through the days where life can feel overwhelming? Especially when we're too drained to even get out of bed. For Mel Robbins, facing this very question turned her life around. Struggling with $800,000 in debt and at rock bottom, she became obsessed with finding practical ways to regain control. Fast forward to today, and Mel is a bestselling author and podcast host who has helped millions transform their lives. In her latest book, The Let Them Theory, she reveals how shedding the weight of others' expectations can help us live more authentically. Simon sat down with Mel to dive into how we can take action when we're emotionally spent, why our need for control ties us to other people's opinions, and how giving others the freedom to be themselves allows us to align with our true values. This… is A Bit of Optimism. --------------------------- For more on Mel and her work, check out: https://www.melrobbins.com/podcast and her book: https://www.melrobbins.com/letthemtheory

When you get one of the most successful comedy writers in television history to come on your podcast, naturally the first thing to talk about is...his trip in a homemade submarine to visit the ruins of the Titanic. You see, Mike Reiss isn't just the funniest guy in the room — he's also the most well-traveled.  He's been to Iran, the North Pole, North Korea, and everywhere in between.   Whether he's sharing travel anecdotes or writer's room memories from his 600+ episodes of The Simpsons, one thing is very clear: when Mike tells a story, things are going to get animated.   This is… A Bit of Optimism. For more on Mike and his work check out:  His travel podcast "What Am I Doing Here with Mike Reiss": https://bleav.com/shows/what-am-i-doing-here-with-mike-reiss/

Our time, energy, and emotions are valuable because they are finite. And yet conversations with Seth Godin always leave me feeling more patient, energized, and full of love.   Seth is a prolific author and a marketing genius who knows first-hand how love can take an interaction from transactional to transformational. This is… A Bit of Optimism. For more on Seth and his work check out:  https://www.sethgodin.com/ A Song of Significance, out May 2023: https://geni.us/pdnqnz

Want to go fast? Go alone. Want to go far? Go together. Most entrepreneurs aren’t lone wolves. Founders like Jeff Rosenthal know that the greatest ventures come with partners, mentors, and communities. Being enthusiastic, generous, and kind attracts people who want to help—and together you can accomplish the unreasonable.  This is… A Bit of Optimism. For more on Jeff and his work check out:  https://summit.co/ https://summitimpact.org/