A Bit of Optimism – Details, episodes & analysis

Business and poetry usually don't mix. But vulnerability has the power to bring teams together.

Poet IN-Q has found an unlikely audience in business. A slam poetry veteran and accomplished songwriter, companies invite IN-Q to help strengthen their cultures. He works with teams to connect on a deeper level, using poetry to share something human. As he'll tell you, winning over crowds of skeptical businesspeople is an art. 

In this conversation, IN-Q takes me through a powerful exercise in vulnerability. He shares some deeply personal poems and walks me through writing my own, and I learn that to truly connect with someone else, you must offer something of yourself first.

This...is A Bit of Optimism.

To learn more about IN-Q and his work, check out:

The Never Ending Now poetry journal

IN-Q.com

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Our sense of smell has the deepest tie to emotion and memory. But it's also the most overlooked. In business, that's a giant missed opportunity.

Dawn Goldworm knows how to use scent to evoke emotion and create loyalty. From Lady Gaga to Ferrari to books, Dawn designs signature fragrances that allow customers to connect with brands in a more meaningful way. A perfumer turned entrepreneur, her company 12.29 works with some of the biggest names in hospitality, fashion, automotive, and beyond.

Many years ago, Dawn helped me create the Scent of Optimism. I was excited to talk with her about what it takes to compose a new smell from scratch and why smell has the unique ability to make a brand instantly memorable.

This...is A Bit of Optimism.

To learn more about Dawn and her work, check out:

12.29

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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.com

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A small number of tech companies have amassed enormous power in our modern world. Do they wield that power responsibly, or do they abuse it to benefit themselves? I talked to Tristan Harris, “the closest thing Silicon Valley has to a conscience,” to better understand what we can do about our social dilemma. 

This is… A Bit of Optimism.
 

If you want to know more about Tristan and his work, check out:

About | TRISTAN HARRIS

Center for Humane Technology

https://www.thesocialdilemma.com/

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In show business, Ari Emmanuel is the consummate insider. The founder and CEO of the Endeavor agency, he represents some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. He’s a mover and a shaker and a philanthropist. So obviously, I called to talk to him about…family. This is…A Bit of Optimism. 

For more on Ari and his work check out:  

https://www.wmeagency.com/story/

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/04/26/ari-emanuel-takes-on-the-world

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What is the best way to navigate the world of diversity, equity and inclusion? Chloe Valdary’s point of view is different from the norm. The founder of the Theory of Enchantment believes the best way for us to come together is to first find love within ourselves. And the results are...enchanting. This is…A Bit of Optimism.

The Theory of Enchantment - Website
Chloe's feature in The Atlantic

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There are only a few people in the world who have made a success out of failing. Serial entrepreneur and author of Backable, Suneel Gupta is one of them. We talked about the importance of failing and the lessons we can learn. This is…A Bit of Optimism.

If you want to know more about Suneel and his work, check out:

Suneel Gupta - LinkedIn
Backable: The surprising truth behind what makes people take a chance on you

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We’ve seen it in the movies, someone throws themselves onto a grenade to save their buddy, but how many of us could actually do it? Kyle Carpenter, the youngest living recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, can answer that question. However, he sees what he did as the kind of responsibility we all have - to protect and take care of each other. His words are powerful and inspiring. This is…A Bit of Optimism.

If you want to know more about Kyle and his work, check out:
williamkylecarpenter.com/
You Are Worth It - Audiobook

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With unprecedented levels of stress and depression amongst young people, I wanted to know what we, as an older generation can do to help. So I talked to psychologist,  professor at the University of Pennsylvania and author of Grit , Angela Duckworth. This is… A Bit of Optimism.

If you want to know more about Angela and her work, check out :

https://angeladuckworth.com.

https://www.amazon.com/Angela-Duckworth/e/B019S711S0

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Most people know him as a disability rights activist, chairman of Special Olympics or for his book The Call to Unite. But when we talked, our conversation took a turn. We ended up talking about what it means to learn to love. And it was wonderful. 

This is ... A Bit of Optimism. 

If you want to know more about Tim and his work, check out :

Timothyshriver.com

www.specialolympics.org

www.amazon.com/Call-Unite-Voices-Hope-Awakening/dp/B08M8DY4XC

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