Short packets of content. That’s the world we live in. We've condensed and compressed so much of what we consume that our entertainment and our news seem to have lost any nuance or complexity. And that’s a problem, because our world and our lives are nuanced and complex. Phoebe Robinson is a comedian, bestselling author, actress and producer who tries to capture the nuance and complexity of life in her work. And it works. She’s funny, thought-provoking and full of heart. This is…A Bit of Optimis...
Feb 01, 2022•30 min•Ep. 49
Less than 5% of major crimes end in a conviction. For cold cases, that number drops to 1%. Those numbers won’t stay low forever. David Mittelman’s company, Othram Inc., is revolutionizing DNA sequencing and, in the process, greatly reducing the number of “unsolvable” cases. I called David to learn more about how the new technology works, what it means for the future of crime-fighting, and maybe get some fascinating stories out of the bargain too. This is… A Bit of Optimism. For more on David and...
Jan 25, 2022•28 min•Ep. 48
Engraved on the Statue of Liberty it reads, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free...” A beautiful sentiment, indeed. The reality is a little less poetic. When refugees reach America’s shores today, they face the daunting task of rebuilding a sense of community while trying to work through a system that is ill-equipped to give them the support they need. That’s where Luma Mufleh comes in. Twenty-nine years ago, Luma came to the United States as a refugee and...
Jan 18, 2022•29 min•Ep. 47
How would you react if you found out that your friends purposely planned a birthday party when you were out of town so you wouldn’t attend? And what if you found out from a video that went viral on TikTok? That’s exactly what happened to Marissa Meizz. Marissa's reaction was absolutely beautiful. She used the attention - and the pain - to help others. She founded No More Lonely Friends, a group dedicated to help anyone who wants to build deeper, more meaningful friendships. This is… A Bit of Opt...
Jan 11, 2022•22 min•Ep. 46
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 Vene...
Jan 04, 2022•37 min•Ep. 45
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-gratit...
Dec 28, 2021•31 min•Ep. 44
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 Op...
Dec 21, 2021•29 min•Ep. 43
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://ronfinley.com https://www.instagram.com/ronfinleyhq https...
Dec 14, 2021•29 min•Ep. 42
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. ...
Dec 07, 2021•33 min•Ep. 41
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/...
Nov 30, 2021•22 min•Ep. 40
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...
Nov 23, 2021•24 min•Ep. 39
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 YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simonsinek Linkedin: https://link...
Jun 29, 2021•36 min•Ep. 38
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 YouTube: http://youtube.com/simonsinek Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simonsine...
Jun 22, 2021•34 min•Ep. 37
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...
Jun 15, 2021•42 min•Ep. 36
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...
Jun 08, 2021•30 min•Ep. 35
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...
Jun 01, 2021•32 min•Ep. 34
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 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simonsinek Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/simonsinek/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/simonsinek/ Twi...
May 25, 2021•39 min•Ep. 33
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 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/...
May 18, 2021•28 min•Ep. 32
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 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simonsinek Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/simonsinek/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/simonsinek/ Tw...
May 11, 2021•33 min•Ep. 31
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 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.pi...
May 04, 2021•33 min•Ep. 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 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...
Apr 27, 2021•26 min•Ep. 29
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...
Apr 20, 2021•32 min•Ep. 28
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 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...
Apr 13, 2021•53 min•Ep. 27
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...
Jan 12, 2021•37 min•Ep. 26
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 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simonsinek Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/s...
Jan 05, 2021•35 min•Ep. 25
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....
Dec 29, 2020•30 min•Ep. 24
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 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simonsinek Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/simo...
Dec 22, 2020•22 min•Ep. 23
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 Facebook: https://www.fa...
Dec 15, 2020•28 min•Ep. 22
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 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/officialsimonsine...
Dec 08, 2020•24 min•Ep. 21
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 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/...
Dec 01, 2020•28 min•Ep. 20
