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/1668025507https://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/9781668034439https://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 

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 Forwardhttps://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/1982195061https://amycedmondson.com/https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/profile.aspx?facId=6451https://www.linkedin.com/in/amycedmondson/https://twitter.com/AmyCEdmondsonhttps://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/0593545400arthurbrooks.com2

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/DOACbookHis 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/DOACbookHis 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.worldhttps://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/9781476773926https://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=20His bio: https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/108485/charles-q-brown-jr/ 

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/jlB2Xnkhttps://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_Waleshttps://twitter.com/jimmy_waleshttps://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_1ENwwww.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  

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/  

Anxiety is the crown jewel of human evolution. That’s the professional opinion of neuroscience professor and clinical psychologist Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary, who is driving a paradigm shift in how we understand anxiety. The emotion isn’t a sickness or a flaw in human design – it’s an evolved advantage that protects us and strengthens our creative and productive powers. So even though anxiety doesn’t feel good…it can be good to feel anxious.This is… A Bit of Optimism.For more on Dr. Dennis-Tiwary and her work check out: https://www.drtracyphd.com/https://www.harpercollins.com/products/future-tense-tracy-dennis-tiwary?variant=39708426797090 

There are precious few moments in life that guarantee joy. That’s what makes time spent with Richard Curtis or watching his films so special – you just know you’re in for a great time.  Richard is the patron saint of love in the movies.  He’s a writer and sometimes director known for optimistic, funny, and uplifting films like: Love Actually, About Time, Notting Hill, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Mr. Bean, and many more.I had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with Richard on Valentine’s Day of all days to talk about love, joy, charity, and optimism.This is…A Bit of Optimism.For more on Richard and his work check out:https://www.comicrelief.com/ 

Explorers discover new worlds and perspectives that change humanity forever.Leland Melvin has spent his life exploring.  He’s been a rocket scientist, an astronaut, and an NFL player.Now, he’s an educator who uses the dramatic ups-and-downs of his own life to inspire the next generation of explorers.  This is… A Bit of Optimism.For more on Leland and his work, check out: lelandmelvin.com 

When is a risk worth taking? We have to learn to embrace the comfortable risks - the ones where the pain of failure is worthwhile or even valuable.  Podcaster, author and NYU professor, Scott Galloway and I talk about a lot of things, including our concern that the youngest generation is too afraid of the risks worth taking and how that may be adversely affecting them. This is… A Bit of Optimism. For more on Scott and his work check out: https://www.profgalloway.com/https://profgmedia.com/the-pod/https://profgmedia.com/pivot/https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/713560/adrift-by-scott-galloway/ 

Sarah has the coolest job: Space Archaeologist.She uses satellites to find undiscovered sites buried deep beneath the ground. But the real interesting stuff is what we can learn about ourselves from studying our past.This is… A Bit of Optimism. Watch Sarah's first TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFC5CwZVCEw&themeRefresh=1Watch Egypt's Lost Cities on the BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b011pwms  

Divesh is one of the most connected people I know. Charming and opinionated, he advises and invests the fortunes of the most successful and wealthiest people on the planet.  So I wanted to ask him what he's learned along the way and what we can learn from him.This is... A Bit of Optimism.For more on Divesh and his work check out: https://www.iconiqcapital.com/ 

When you show up with love and aim only to give of yourself, everyone you interact with can feel it.Carla Hall has led a life and a career filled with zigs and zags. The two-time Top Chef contestant and current cooking contributor for Good Morning America went from accountant, to model, to author, to chef. She has done it all and shown up with love at every opportunity. She’s living proof that when you make decisions out of love—both for yourself and others—even your falls can be beautiful.This is… A Bit of Optimism.For more on Carla and her work, check out:https://www.carlahall.com/https://linktr.ee/carlahall 

Every generation is different, but one thing currently unites Boomers, Gen X-ers, and Millennials: they are all struggling to understand Gen Z.  David and Jonah Stillman are a father-and-son research team who specialize in generational differences and their impact on the workplace. David is Gen X, Jonah is Gen Z, and together they are helping today’s leaders understand the new generation.  This is… A Bit of Optimism.For more on Jonah and David's work, check out: genguru.comhttps://www.amazon.com/Gen-Work-Generation-Transforming-Workplace-ebook/dp/B01HM27IDK/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= 

New year, new opportunities, new questions!We’re ringing in 2023 with more answers to the hundreds of questions our listeners sent in from all over the world.  This is… A Bit of Optimism.For more on my work, check out: simonsinek.com 

A few weeks ago, I put out an open call on social media to see what questions my listeners have for me.  And there were a LOT of responses.So, as an end-of-the-year special, our next two episodes will be dedicated to answering your burning questions.  This is… A Bit of Optimism.For more on my work, check out: simonsinek.com 

Remember how it was an incredible idea to get Brené Brown and Adam Grant on a call, have absolutely NO plan, and hit record?Well, this is the second part of that lovely, free-flowing conversation where we talk about creativity, leadership, and if the three of us love each other.  This is… A Bit of Optimism.For more on  Brené and Adam's work, check out: https://brenebrown.com/https://adamgrant.net/ 

What separates exceptional ideas from good ideas?  Here’s an example of a good idea: Book two podcast guests and meticulously plan a conversation about creativity.Now, here’s an exceptional idea: Get Brené Brown and Adam Grant to join you on a call, have absolutely NO plan, and hit record.  This is… A Bit of Optimism.For more on Brené and Adam's work check out: https://brenebrown.com/https://adamgrant.net/ 

Daring to be different feels risky. There’s constant pressure to “read the room” or “tone it down.”Kathryn Finney discovered at a young age that – when it comes to being authentic – the rewards are actually far greater than the risks.Kathryn is a model for how being yourself can get you ahead in both business and relationships. She is: an author, an entrepreneur, a fund manager, and a celebrated non-conformist. And she does it all in incredible style.This is… A Bit of Optimism.For more on Kathryn and her work check out:kathrynfinney.comhttps://www.kathrynfinney.com/build-the-damn-thinghttps://www.geniusguild.co/ 

Turns out laughter isn't the best medicine. Medicine might not even be the best medicine. If you were to ask Dr Mark Hyman, he would tell you that food is the best medicine.Some would say Mark is a modern age miracle worker. In reality, he has figured out ways to help the body perform its own miracles. From curing diseases to extending our lifespans, his approach to wellness is unlike what most of us are used to. His work is inspirational, anthropological and downright fascinating.This is… A Bit of Optimism.For more on Mark and his work check out:his forthcoming book, Young Forever, at www.youngforeverbook.comhttps://drhyman.com/  

Most of us think that social media is the bastion of our younger generations. Until a middle-aged woman named Janis Burl proved that assumption completely wrong. She oversaw the team that built the TSA’s Instagram account (yes, the TSA has an Instagram account and it’s brilliant) into one of the most popular accounts on Instagram. And the best part of her story is how she got the job. The non-linear career path she followed may be a better way for us to find joy in our careers.  So if you would kindly take off your shoes, take your liquids and gels out of your bag and throw away your water bottles, this is...a Bit of Optimism. For more on Janis and her work, check out: https://www.instagram.com/tsa/ 

There’s something profound in life’s bitter moments. The transformative beauty of a sad song, the anguished past of a story’s hero, the unexpected turnout of a crowded funeral. Turns out we often need darkness in order to appreciate the light.  In our modern world, we focus so much on the pursuit of happiness that we often forego an appreciation of bitterness. Susan Cain has found a way to celebrate both the sweet and the bitter… in fact she’s written a bestselling book about it.This is… A Bit of Optimism.For more on Susan and her work check out: susancain.net https://susancain.net/book/bittersweet/https://susancain.net/newsletter----Minor key music sample by Musictown from PixabayMajor key music sample by Trygve Larsen from Pixabay 

You went to Harvard undergrad, you went to Harvard Law, you became a hot-shot Private Equity guy.  So your next move is obviously…?If you’re James Rhee, you walk away from all of it and discover what really makes a business grow: the intangibles.What started out as a six month project to help a company avoid liquidation turned into a seven year passion filled with new friends, compassion, and lots of goodwill. And the results were profound.  It turns out intangibles can be measured and kindness is good for business.  This is… A Bit Of Optimism. For more on James and his work check out:Redhelicopter.com for news on upcoming projects, including a forthcoming book.https://www.ted.com/talks/james_rhee_the_value_of_kindness_at_work?language=enhttps://www.ashleystewart.com/strongtogether.html 

Don’t you hate it when you’re coasting along -- not a care in the world -- and then it feels like life comes out of nowhere and hits you like a car, almost paralyzing you? Well, for Pat Berges, that wasn’t just a feeling…that actually happened.  Like many of us, Pat is not a natural optimist. He had to learn how to find optimism during this dark period. Not only did it help him recover, but what he learned continues to help him be, well, optimistic.  This is… A Bit of Optimism.For more on Pat and his work, check out:https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-bergeshttps://twitter.com/BergesPathttps://www.aarc.org/ventilator-training-alliance/