A Bit of Optimism
Simon Sinek
My career is an accident. It started when I set out to rediscover my passion and reignite a spark I’d lost — and that journey led me to the work I do now.
If you know me from my books or my speaking, you know I’m fascinated by why people do what they do. What makes someone find joy and meaning in their life, or pursue something far greater than themselves?
I started A Bit of Optimism to explore those ideas and expand my own perspective. This podcast is a trove of honest conversations, with people who challenge me, teach me, or simply help me see things in a different way. Some guests are household names, and others you may be meeting for the first time. But each one of them has something to share that can help all of us grow.
So if you’re looking for a spark — some insight, inspiration, or just a reminder that good things are possible — join me on A Bit of Optimism!
Let’s grow together.
If you know me from my books or my speaking, you know I’m fascinated by why people do what they do. What makes someone find joy and meaning in their life, or pursue something far greater than themselves?
I started A Bit of Optimism to explore those ideas and expand my own perspective. This podcast is a trove of honest conversations, with people who challenge me, teach me, or simply help me see things in a different way. Some guests are household names, and others you may be meeting for the first time. But each one of them has something to share that can help all of us grow.
So if you’re looking for a spark — some insight, inspiration, or just a reminder that good things are possible — join me on A Bit of Optimism!
Let’s grow together.
Episodes
Mentioned books
19 snips
Apr 7, 2026 • 54min
Ken Burns and the Art of Telling the Whole Story
Ken Burns, legendary documentary filmmaker behind The Civil War and Baseball, discusses why stories must hold contradictions. He talks about resisting binary thinking, choosing which stories to tell, and how complexity and empathy reshape our view of American history. Short takes on memory, national identity, and why long-form storytelling matters.
79 snips
Mar 31, 2026 • 55min
What Happens When You’re Naive Enough to Try with KIND Founder Daniel Lubetzky
Daniel Lubetzky, entrepreneur who built KIND and founded PeaceWorks, blends business with social purpose. He discusses how naiveté fuels bold entrepreneurship. He explains building trust-based company culture, protecting brand integrity, and using commerce to bridge divides. He shares why small acts of kindness and long-term thinking matter for business and society.
288 snips
Mar 24, 2026 • 1h 6min
AI Can Do Everything… Except This (Why Humans Still Win) With Restaurateur Will Guidara
Will Guidara, restaurateur, bestselling author, and former co-owner of Eleven Madison Park, explores why human connection matters more as AI grows. He talks about unreasonable hospitality, tiny acts of care that build loyalty, and using automation to create better experiences. Plus, a memorable Basque cheesecake story and a funny look at the hidden cost of achievement.
81 snips
Mar 17, 2026 • 45min
Revisited: What Dying Teaches Us About Living with Death Doula Alua Arthur
Alua Arthur, a death doula and end-of-life educator, talks about how a career shift led her to helping people and families face mortality. She explores why we avoid honest language around death. She shares how bedside support fills emotional and practical gaps. The conversation also touches on planning before crisis, lost rituals, grief, and how remembering life is finite can change how we move through it.
53 snips
Mar 10, 2026 • 44min
Revisited: The Kennedy Family and the Search for Self with Journalist Maria Shriver
Maria Shriver, journalist, author, and member of the Kennedy and Shriver families, reflects on identity beyond legacy. She discusses reclaiming self after loss and divorce. They explore how friendship, curiosity, and vulnerability deepen connection. Maria reads from her new poetry and shares practices for finding voice and belonging.
104 snips
Mar 3, 2026 • 59min
Revisited: How to Turn Stress Into Creativity With Grammy-Winner Jacob Collier
Jacob Collier, Grammy-winning multi-instrumentalist and arranger known for inventive harmonies, discusses creativity as both building and breaking. He talks about turning audiences into choirs, mixing play with practice, colliding genres and ideas, and using music to explore complex emotions. The conversation also touches on performance prep, revisiting old work, and embracing curiosity over perfection.
369 snips
Feb 24, 2026 • 55min
The Confidence Conversation We Need to Have with Scott Galloway
Scott Galloway, NYU professor, entrepreneur, and bestselling author, discusses masculinity, confidence, and why real confidence is about security, kindness, and connection. He and Simon debate social risk, dating dynamics, digital distortions, and practical fixes like service, better wages, and parenting that builds resilience. Short, candid, and provocative conversation.
47 snips
Feb 16, 2026 • 1h 5min
28 Years on the Force: Chief Angela Averiett on What It Really Takes to Change Police Culture
Angela Averiett, a police chief with nearly 30 years in law enforcement focused on culture, leadership, and officer wellness. She discusses why cynicism develops, the need for psychological safety, and how internal culture shapes community trust. Short stories highlight discretion, balancing toughness with compassion, and the first steps toward modernizing policing.
57 snips
Feb 10, 2026 • 1h 1min
When Pop Fandom Becomes a Force for Good with AJR’s Adam Met
Adam Met, the 'A' of AJR, musician, climate activist and founder of Planet Reimagined, talks about turning fan energy into civic power. He explores designing participatory shows, gamifying fan involvement, and using local, audience-first strategies to drive climate and community action. Short, creative, and practical takes on moving people from curiosity to action.
485 snips
Feb 3, 2026 • 56min
What Grit Really Teaches Us About Happiness with Professor Angela Duckworth
Angela Duckworth, psychology professor and bestselling author known for research on grit and perseverance, joins to explore grit versus belonging. They discuss how individualism and incentive systems hurt teamwork. Short conversations cover loneliness among young people, what makes great team players, leadership that protects people, and why character is about serving others.
