The Optimist Project with Yara Shahidi – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome to the Optimist Project with Yara Shahidi, a show that asks: what gives you hope? You’ll hear from some of the best thought leaders of our era — artists, comedians, scientists, musicians and more. Together, we’ll unpack how to access resilience and joy in our everyday lives. 

Meet us back here November 20th for your weekly optimism drop!

On this podcast, we’ll discover: what gives you hope? Join Yara  Shahidi as she sits down with some of the best thought leaders of our time - artists, comedians, scientists, and more - to find out how optimism plays a role in their lives. Together, we’ll unpack how to access resilience and joy in our everyday lives. 

Join us every Wednesday starting November 20th for your weekly optimism drop! 

Janelle Monáe shares her personal take on optimism, the pure potentiality of believing in yourself and her must-have items that support her emotional health and boundless creativity while on tour and at home.  

The Optimist Project always LOVES hearing from our OP community! Share your Journey with us- You can leave a message at (323) 761-0837  or - email askoptimistproject@gmail.com -  Your thoughts may be featured in a future episode!

This week, comedian and social commentator Hasan Minhaj joins us for a moving conversation about how his faith has been foundational in shaping his sense of optimism. We explore how Hasan's ever-deepening belief system influences his approach to life as a father, brother, caregiver, and partner to his brilliant wife—each role guiding his broader personal journey. Hasan shares how he moves with purpose, actively seeks growth moments, and explains why he believes it's important to "keep receipts". As we continue adding new ideas—or seeds—to our optimism garden, Hasan reminds us that the answers we seek may already be within us. We’d love to hear your thoughts, questions, or ideas. Leave a voice message at (323) 761-0837 or email us at askoptimistproject@gmail.com. And don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to share your own seeds of optimism and wisdom! @optimistprojectpod // The Optimist Project Podcast @yarashahidi // Yara Shahidi @hasanminhaj // Hasan Minhaj 

Keke Palmer has made her way into our hearts, beginning as a young actor with a resume as long as my arm - and continues to blossom into an entrepreneurially inspired actor, author, mother, host and so much more. Join the Optimist Project as Keke shares insights from her journey - how family and community shape her, and how in moments of doubt, her mindset keeps her stepping into her power.

If you’ve ever wondered what fuels Keke’s magic—or better yet, her optimism—you’re in the right place. She shares the power of taking control of and taking pride in our own narrative and knowing what you desire is worth it.

We’d love to hear your thoughts, questions, or ideas. Leave a voice message at (323) 761-0837 or email us at askoptimistproject@gmail.com. And don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to share your own seeds of optimism and wisdom! 

@optimistprojectpod // The Optimist Project Podcast 

@yarashahidi // Yara Shahidi 

@keke // Keke Palmer 

@chocolatemommyluv // Keri Salter-Shahidi

Ari Shapiro, host of NPR's All Things Considered, has actively rooted his life’s work and his experiences in the belief that optimism isn’t about avoiding struggle, but about our collective ability to navigate struggle with hope, creativity, and curiosity. Whether you listen to Ari’s nightly newscast, are new to his work, or simply believe in the transformative power of thoughtful journalism, this conversation will remind you that we can strive for a deeper appreciation for the human stories that connect us all. 

We’d love to hear your thoughts, questions, or ideas. Leave a voice message at (323) 761-0837 or email us at askoptimistproject@gmail.com. And don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to share your own seeds of optimism and wisdom! 

@optimistprojectpod // The Optimist Project Podcast 

@yarashahidi // Yara Shahidi 

@arishapiro // Ari Shapiro 

@chocolatemommyluv // Keri Salter-Shahidi

Ego Nwodim, Saturday Night Live cast member, comedian, and actress, joins me for an inspiring conversation on the power of optimism. Ego opens up about how embracing a positive mindset has transformed her well-being and why it’s a gift to both mind and body. We talk about the pressures of work, how Ego stays grounded in the chaos, and her journey toward setting boundaries while nurturing her desire to help others. Tune in for a candid and uplifting discussion on staying true to yourself in a demanding world—and why optimism is the ultimate tool for self-care.                                                                    

We’d love to hear your thoughts, questions, or ideas. Leave a voice message at (323) 761-0837 or email us at askoptimistproject@gmail.com. And don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to share your own seeds of optimism and wisdom!    

 @optimistprojectpod // The Optimist Project Podcast

@yarashahidi // Yara Shahidi  @chocolatemommyluv // Keri Shahidi

@eggyboom // Ego Nwodim 

Dr. Laurie Santos—THE Yale psychology professor who’s revolutionized how we think about happiness helps us tap into the literal science of well-being.

As the creator of Yale’s most popular course EVER, The Science of Well-Being, and host of the hit podcast The Happiness Lab, Dr. Santos breaks down the psychology of optimism and introduces us to the “Beautiful Mess Effect.” We also explore why happiness can feel so tricky to achieve—and she shares practical tools to help us rewire our approach to well-being.

Want to share your experience or ask a question? Call us at (323) 761-0837 or email askoptimistproject@gmail.com.

Looking for more? Dr. Santos offers a free Coursera course, The Science of Well-Being.

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to share your own seeds of optimism and wisdom!

Dr. Laurie Santos // @lauriesantosofficial

The Optimist Project Podcast // @theoptimistprojectpod

Yara Shahidi // @yarashahidi

Keri Shahidi // @chocolatemommyluv

Dr. Allycin Powell-Hicks, who comes from a long line of physicians, still had to find her own way in the health arena. These days, she mixes her medical and media backgrounds into her own business. She shares the way she counsels people about how to practice optimism as part of mental health. And she encourages us to try a new way to meditate -- with love and kindness at its center.

We’d love to hear your thoughts, questions, or ideas. Leave a voice message at (323) 761-0837 or email us at askoptimistproject@gmail.com. And don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to share your own seeds of optimism and wisdom! @optimistprojectpod // The Optimist Project Podcast

@yarashahidi // Yara Shahidi

@allycinhicks // Dr Ally

I'm in conversation this week with actor Courtney B. Vance, who shares how life's ups and downs have conditioned him to lean into optimism. He opens up about how grief and a mother's prodding nudged him into therapy, and why he advocates for others to do the work of dealing with themselves.

We’d love to hear your thoughts, questions, or ideas. Leave a voice message at (323) 761-0837 or email us at askoptimistproject@gmail.com. And don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to share your own seeds of optimism and wisdom!

@optimistprojectpod // The Optimist Project Podcast

@yarashahidi // Yara Shahidi

@courtneybvance // Courtney B Vance