Explore every episode of the podcast A Bit of Optimism
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| Revisited: Molly's Game with Molly Bloom | 01 Oct 2024 | 00:49:30 | |
Some people’s life stories are too crazy not to tell. So today, we’re revisiting one of my favorite episodes, my conversation with Molly Bloom. Her story is so riveting it's no surprise it became a star-studded Hollywood film. After her Olympic dreams were dashed, Molly wound up running an illegal, 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 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: | |||
| Revisited: We Cannot Heal Alone In The Loneliness Epidemic with Rabbi Sharon Brous | 17 Sep 2024 | 00:34:12 | |
Grief can paralyze us. Most of us aren't given a manual about how to comfort someone grieving or how to ask for help with our own pain. That's why I wanted to revisit one of my favorite conversations, with Rabbi Sharon Brous. I talked with her about being present to someone else's pain and what it means to heal together in the loneliness epidemic. Considered one of the most influential rabbis in the U.S., she founded her own congregation and has led multiple White House faith events. In her book, The Amen Effect, Sharon explores how grief and heartbreak can be gateways to truly seeing each other. This...is A Bit of Optimism. her congregation iKAR
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| More Thinking About Thinking with Brené Brown and Adam Grant: Part Two | 02 Jul 2024 | 00:38:10 | |
In Part 2 of our conversation, Brené Brown, Adam Grant, and I continue our journey of out loud self-reflection. We discuss identifying our values, the two types of narcissists, explanation-based parenting, and exercising judgment over our own judgment. This...is A Bit of Optimism. For more on Brené and Adam's work, check out:
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| Resolving Conflict with William Ury | 04 Jan 2022 | 00:36:59 | |
Fear and anger seem to dominate the headlines. So, to start the New Year, I thought it would be a good idea to find out if there is anything we can do to get to a resolution. And William Ury is about the best person to help figure that out. The author of "Getting to Yes" and co-founder of the Harvard Negotiation Program, he has helped negotiate disarmament pacts between nuclear superpowers, ease religious and ethnic strife in the Middle East, and find common ground among warring factions in Venezuela. So I called William to see if he could start the new year by resolving, well…all of America’s current problems. And the result made me feel quite hopeful. This is…A Bit of Optimism.
If you want to know more about William and his work, check out:
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| Gratitude with Omar Brownson | 28 Dec 2021 | 00:31:17 | |
Stressed from work? Stressed from life? For all the talk of mindfulness and meditation, a lot of us still struggle to find that calm we want. Omar Brownson tapped into an entirely new way to find peace that may surprise you: gratitude. It was so powerful, he left his high visibility, high stress job to share the power of being grateful with as many people as possible. This…is A Bit of Optimism. If you want to know more about Omar and his work, check out: https://simonsinek.com/product/the-gratitude-class https://www.gratitudeblooming.com/ https://www.gratitudeblooming.com/podcast
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| Setting Boundaries with Sara Kuburic | 21 Dec 2021 | 00:29:08 | |
Despite all our “social” media, more and more people report feeling lonelier, more stressed and more adrift than ever before. How can we protect our mental health and still engage with friends on Instagram, etc? To find out, I called Sara Kuburic – an existential psychotherapist, war survivor, and the mind behind the massive and brilliant Instagram account @Millennial.Therapist. Her insights on self-love, trauma and authenticity reveal both a kind heart and profound wisdom. This is… A Bit of Optimism. If you want to know more about Sara and her work, check out: https://www.instagram.com/millennial.therapist/ https://twitter.com/SaraKuburic
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| Being Rich with Ron Finley | 14 Dec 2021 | 00:29:15 | |
We live in an era in which possessions are, too often, more important than personal health and the health of our planet. That never felt right to activist, gardener, and education reformer Ron Finley. He’s been called an Eco-lutionary, a Guerrilla Gardener, the Gangsta Gardener…regardless of what you want to call him he is one thing: inspiring. This is… A Bit of Optimism. If you want to know more about Ron and his work, check out: https://www.instagram.com/ronfinleyhq https://www.instagram.com/ronfinleyproject
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| Hope with Shamma Al Mazrui | 07 Dec 2021 | 00:33:23 | |
So many politicians say our children are our future, so why do so few nations have a cabinet level position to represent their youth? As the Minister of State for Youth Affairs for the United Arab Emirates, Shamma Al Mazrui is revolutionizing the dynamic between youth and government. At the age of 22, she became the youngest government minister in the world. Now, five years later, she has powerful insights to share about fostering a nation’s youth, the power of listening, and how hope empowers. This is... A Bit of Optimism. If you want to know more about Shamma and the Ministry for Youth Affairs, check out: https://uaecabinet.ae/en/details/cabinet-members/her-excellency-shamma-bint-suhail-faris-al-mazrui https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/the-uae-government/government-of-future/youth
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| The Asymmetry of Power with Tristan Harris | 30 Nov 2021 | 00:21:55 | |
This is… A Bit of Optimism. If you want to know more about Tristan and his work, check out: https://www.thesocialdilemma.com/
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| Family with Ari Emanuel | 23 Nov 2021 | 00:24:06 | |
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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| Enchantment with Chloe Valdary | 29 Jun 2021 | 00:36:28 | |
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 YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| The Value of Failing with Suneel Gupta | 22 Jun 2021 | 00:33:50 | |
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 YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| Awesome Responsibility with Kyle Carpenter | 15 Jun 2021 | 00:42:18 | |
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: YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| Thinking About Thinking with Brené Brown and Adam Grant: Part One | 25 Jun 2024 | 00:42:49 | |
To become more self-aware, sometimes you need a friend. Two friends is even better. For more from Brené and Adam, check out:
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| Raising Resilient Kids with Angela Duckworth | 08 Jun 2021 | 00:30:08 | |
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://www.amazon.com/Angela-Duckworth/e/B019S711S0
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| Learning to Love with Tim Shriver | 01 Jun 2021 | 00:32:25 | |
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 : www.amazon.com/Call-Unite-Voices-Hope-Awakening/dp/B08M8DY4XC
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| Thinking Differently with Matthew Barzun | 25 May 2021 | 00:38:52 | |
Every now and then, I get to meet someone who sees the world differently. Matthew Barzun is one of those people. He was early to see opportunities that others didn’t - in the internet, in political fundraising and even as US Ambassador. Put simply, Matthew helps us see the world differently. This is… A Bit of Optimism. YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| Having a Laugh with Michael McIntyre | 18 May 2021 | 00:27:51 | |
In high stress times it helps to laugh, which is why I called Michael McIntyre, one of the most successful comedians in the world. And that’s what we did…we laughed. This is… A Bit of Optimism. YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| Respect with Nicole Avant | 11 May 2021 | 00:33:25 | |
In a world that’s increasingly polarized, it’s harder and harder to bridge the divide between ourselves and those we disagree with. Filmmaker and former US Ambassador, Nicole Avant and I chatted about the importance of reaching out beyond the divide and showing fellow humans a little respect. This is… A Bit of Optimism. YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| Designing the Future with Brian Collins | 04 May 2021 | 00:33:15 | |
Spotify, Target and Twitch are just three of the brands whose identity has been significantly influenced by Brian Collins. He’s a legend in the design world and thinks about the future in ways completely different from everyone else. This is… A Bit of Optimism YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| Confidence with Sara Blakely | 27 Apr 2021 | 00:25:30 | |
Confidence is this thing we all need… this thing we all want. Some seem to find it easier than others. Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx, found it and it worked. This is… A Bit of Optimism. YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| Vulnerability with Brigadier General Michael “Johnny Bravo” Drowley | 20 Apr 2021 | 00:31:49 | |
If you ask people in the military what makes them willing to sacrifice themselves for each other, the answer may surprise you. It’s not God or country… it's LOVE. In business we have colleagues and co-workers, in the military, they have brothers and sisters. Bonds like that inspire people to do remarkable things for each other. I sat down with Brigadier General Michael “Johnny Bravo” Drowley, to understand what it takes to build a bond of love on a team. This is… A Bit of Optimism. YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| The One With Brené Brown | 13 Apr 2021 | 00:53:25 | |
People tell me that Brené Brown’s work, more than anyone else, is the perfect companion to my work. So what a treat for me to talk to Brené to further explore… and debate, well, a whole lot of things. This is… A Bit of Optimism YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| Faith with Quilen Blackwell | 12 Jan 2021 | 00:37:09 | |
Occasionally I get to meet someone whose story absolutely inspires me. Quilen Blackwell is that person. He was on the path set for him - good grades, good college, good job - but he decided to follow his own path and his journey was filled with far more difficulty than he imagined. Only through faith, conviction and the generosity of strangers was he able to rise up and become the successful social entrepreneur he is today - serving the community that took care of him. This is… A Bit of Optimism YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| The War On The Young with Professor Scott Galloway | 18 Jun 2024 | 01:02:20 | |
Building wealth is an unequal pursuit. Scott Galloway believes no one is getting more screwed financially than young people. Scott argues what the U.S. is doing to the economic future of its youth is nothing less than a war on the young. The massive transfer of wealth from young to old is a topic he explores in his new book The Algebra of Wealth. his book The Algebra of Wealth his podcasts at Prof G Media his TED Talk
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| A Tension Deficit with James Harding | 05 Jan 2021 | 00:34:50 | |
Where do we find the truth? As the business of news has become, well, a business…it seems to have become more and more difficult to actually find the truth. Even search engines are no help. So I called James Harding, former Director of BBC News and the founder and editor-in-chief of Tortoise, a new news service, to uncover the truth about the truth. This is …A Bit of Optimism. YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| The Infinite Game with Dr. James Carse | 29 Dec 2020 | 00:30:21 | |
Many people have theories, but what philosopher, Dr. James Carse, figured out is more profound. He articulated a basic truth about how the world actually works. His work has had a profound impact on me and my work. So much so, I wrote a book to pick up where he left off. Sadly, Dr. Carse died in September 2020. Fortunately I had a chance to sit down with him a few months before, to chat with him about belief, fulfillment and the Infinite Game. This is… A Bit of Optimism. YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| Happying with Derren Brown | 22 Dec 2020 | 00:22:02 | |
What happens when someone who is obsessed with human behavior, instead of becoming a psychologist, chooses a career in entertainment? Mentalist and illusionist, Derren Brown, has mastered the ability to tap into our motivations and biases to uncover some remarkable things. These days, he’s interested in how we can all be just a little bit happier. This is… A Bit of Optimism YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| Conversion with Ric Elias | 15 Dec 2020 | 00:28:12 | |
On January 15th 2009, Captain “Sully” Sullenberger, against all odds, landed his US Airways Airbus safely on the Hudson River. How would you have reacted to the sound of the engines shutting down in mid-flight and the captain announcing “brace for impact”? CEO and venture capitalist, Ric Elias, was on that flight. He shared how that near-death experience transformed his views on his business and his life. This is… A Bit of Optimism. YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| Generosity with Ann Marie Scichili | 08 Dec 2020 | 00:24:26 | |
In life we learn different things from different people. From my friend, retail executive Ann Marie Scichili, I learned about generosity. So, in the spirit of generosity I wanted to share her with you. This is… A Bit of Optimism. YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| Joy with Marco Bizzarri | 01 Dec 2020 | 00:27:36 | |
Gucci CEO, Marco Bizzarri, finds joy in the little things. This is his secret. His secret to a happy life, also his secret to leadership. And it works. This is… A Bit of Optimism. YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| Fight with Love, Fight for Love with Aloe Blacc | 24 Nov 2020 | 00:29:01 | |
We are living in a polarized world filled with fear and uncertainty. There is, however, a way we can overcome all of it - Love. Grammy nominated singer-songwriter, Aloe Blacc and I, talked about how we must Fight with Love and Fight for Love. This is… A Bit of Optimism. YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| Finding your Tribe with Amy Cuddy | 17 Nov 2020 | 00:23:29 | |
We all want to feel like we belong. We feel safe surrounded by people who see the world the way we see it. This is why we all have to find our tribe. Social psychologist and award winning Harvard professor, Amy Cuddy, certainly found hers - The Grateful Dead. So I sat down with this lifelong Deadhead to talk about the value of finding your tribe. This is … A Bit of Optimism. YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| A Bit of Everything with Adam Grant | 10 Nov 2020 | 00:51:58 | |
What would you talk to organizational psychologist and author of Give and Take, Adam Grant, about? Everything! This was one of those conversations that went in so many directions…and I learned so much. This is … A Bit of Optimism. YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| Moving Forward with my sister Sara | 14 Sep 2020 | 00:24:24 | |
Twenty years ago my sister and our family suffered a tragedy that we don’t talk about very often. She wanted to talk about it with the hope that it helps someone. I think it will help a lot of people. This is… A Bit of Optimism. YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| Moral Courage with Diane Foley, mother of executed journalist James Foley | 11 Jun 2024 | 00:30:47 | |
Seven years after ISIS killed her son, Diane Foley met with one of his killers. Somehow, she was able to find the humanity in her son's murderer. ISIS held journalist James Foley hostage for 2 years before publicly executing him in 2014, when they uploaded a YouTube video of James's beheading. After her son's murder, Diane Foley started The Foley Foundation, working to free American hostages held abroad, teach journalist safety, and inspire people to act with moral courage. I asked Diane how she found the moral courage to meet ISIS terrorist Alexanda Kotey and see him as a human being. If Diane could find the grace to connect with her son's murderer, the rest of us can find the moral courage to see the good in those with whom we so vehemently disagree. This...is A Bit of Optimism. To learn more about Diane and her work, check out: her book American Mother | |||
| A Lot of Optimism (Or The One Where I Met Andy Grammer) | 07 Sep 2020 | 00:25:13 | |
Where does optimism come from? I think it comes from an innate sense that the future is bright. Andy Grammer, an incurable optimist, thinks it starts with pain. I love his point of view. This is not a Bit of Optimism. This is… A Lot of Optimism. YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| Ethical Fading with Lenny Wong | 31 Aug 2020 | 00:34:01 | |
Are you honest? Let me ask the question a different way: have you ever told a lie? You can see the problem. Dr. Lenny Wong has spent years studying this and we talked about how pervasive this “ethical fading” is in so many aspects of modern life and what we can do about it. This is… A Bit of Optimism YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| Second Chances with Bruce Deel | 24 Aug 2020 | 00:25:19 | |
It’s often easier to learn lessons when we look at extreme cases. I turned to the military to understand trust. To learn about compassion, I turned to Bruce Deel. He’s an extraordinary man and the second chances his organization, City of Refuge, gives people can teach the rest of us how we can do the same. This is… A Bit of Optimism YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| Challenging Authority with Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss | 17 Aug 2020 | 00:36:52 | |
Two things - money and the internet - influence and impact almost everything in our lives. Which is a problem when both are run by just a few companies. Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, co-founders of Facebook and early investors in Bitcoin, have an idea how to give the people back their power. This is … A Bit of Optimism. YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| Extreme Listening with Deeyah Khan | 10 Aug 2020 | 00:52:00 | |
Extreme listening are two words that don’t usually go together. But there is no other way to describe what Deeyah Khan does. A Muslim woman, she made a documentary, White Right: Meeting the Enemy, about spending time with white supremacists. Her results were so profound, it raises the question, what if we all had the capacity for extreme listening? This is…A Bit of Optimism. YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| Quiet Service with General Stan McChrystal | 03 Aug 2020 | 00:28:15 | |
General Stan McChrystal was the Commander of The Joint Special Operations Command under President Obama and is the author of Team of Teams. He has had a colorful and distinguished career, but what I wanted to talk to him about is how he has lived a life of Quiet Service. This… is A Bit of Optimism. YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| Courage with Guy Raz | 27 Jul 2020 | 00:48:57 | |
We all need courage these days. The courage to speak out, the courage to be optimistic, the courage to take care of our loved ones when we’re hurting. Guy Raz and I talked about where courage comes from and how to find it. Guy is the podcast king. He was also a war correspondent. So he knows a lot about courage. His ideas are absolutely inspiring. This is… A Bit of Optimism. YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simonsinek Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/simonsinek/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/simonsinek/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonsinek Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/officialsimonsinek/
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| Gratitude with Carolyn Adams | 20 Jul 2020 | 00:24:01 | |
Carolyn Adams is an extraordinary woman. A world-renown dancer, pioneer, and teacher - she is a light that shines bright. I wanted to discover what she’s learned in her purposeful life and get her perspective on what’s going on right now. I loved our chat – I hope you do too. This is… A Bit of Optimism. YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simonsinek Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/simonsinek/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/simonsinek/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonsinek Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/officialsimonsinek/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Shades of Grey with Jenna Arnold | 13 Jul 2020 | 00:26:08 | |
We live in a world that is increasingly polarized. Reality, however, is a lot more grey than that, which can make us feel uncomfortable. That’s why I wanted to talk to author, entrepreneur, and activist Jenna Arnold about how we can learn to accept and manage the grey. This is... A Bit of Optimism. YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| Entrepreneurship with Helene and Seth Godin | 06 Jul 2020 | 00:35:07 | |
An entrepreneur is not what most people think…that’s what I discussed with marketing guru and serial entrepreneur Seth Godin and his entrepreneur wife, Helene. I learned a lot and I laughed a lot, I really do love them. This is... A Bit of Optimism YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| Humble Confidence with veteran and entrepreneur Blake Hall | 04 Jun 2024 | 00:27:55 | |
Humility stems from confidence. Confident leaders can admit when they're not the smartest person in the room. Blake Hall exemplifies the type of leadership we need more of in business. A former Army Ranger, Blake was awarded the Bronze Star for leading his platoon in combat during the Iraq War. Now he's the CEO and co-founder of ID.me, a digital wallet that simplifies online identity verification. I sat down with Blake to discuss how his combat experience informed his journey as an entrepreneur and why the smartest leaders lead with humility.
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| Leadership with Bob Chapman | 29 Jun 2020 | 00:30:06 | |
I imagine a world in which the vast majority of people wake up inspired, feel safe wherever they are, and end the day fulfilled by the work that they do. Bob Chapman, legendary CEO of manufacturing company Barry-Wehmiller, has done more than most other leaders to bring that vision to life. A mentor of mine, I asked him to share his thoughts on Leadership. This is… A Bit Of Optimism YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek
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| Service with Maria Shriver | 22 Jun 2020 | 00:36:01 | |
I wanted to talk about Service. Given how she lives her life, Maria Shriver was the perfect person to talk to. We went for a socially distanced walk together in LA and talked about how we can leave this world in better shape than we found it. This is... A Bit of Optimism. YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simonsinek Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/simonsinek/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/simonsinek/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonsinek Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/officialsimonsinek/
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| How To Have Difficult Conversations with David Harris | 15 Jun 2020 | 00:26:34 | |
I have a desire to have necessary and difficult conversations. But I don’t always know how to start them. My brilliant friend and colleague David Harris helped and guided me. My goal is that this podcast helps others start those uncomfortable conversations that need to be had right now for us all to move forward. This is… A Bit Of Optimism. YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simonsinek Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/simonsinek/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/simonsinek/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonsinek Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/officialsimonsinek/
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