A Bit of Optimism

We’re often told that the secret to success is grit - more discipline, more perseverance, more individual effort. And grit does matter. But what if it’s only half the story? In today’s world, we’ve become experts at tracking achievement, yet novices at nurturing belonging - and the cost of that imbalance is showing up everywhere from burnout to loneliness. Few people are better equipped to help me make sense of that tension than today’s guest, Angela Duckworth. Angela is a professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, a MacArthur “Genius” Award winner, and the bestselling author of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. Angela is one of those people I could talk to for hours and we cover a lot of ground, but our conversation isn’t just about grit or performance. It’s about something deeper: why belonging gives achievement meaning and why human beings are actually wired to thrive together. In this episode, Angela and I explore how a culture obsessed with individual success quietly erodes teamwork, trust, and wellbeing. We talk about the loneliness epidemic among young people, why grit is so often misunderstood, and why character isn’t just about what you do for yourself, but what you do for others. Along the way, we unpack why the smartest people don’t always make the best teammates, how incentives shape behavior in ways we rarely notice, and why purpose and people—not willpower—are what sustain us over time. If you’ve ever felt burned out, disconnected, or wondered why success doesn’t feel as satisfying as you thought it would, this conversation is a reminder that meaning doesn’t come from standing alone at the top—it comes from being part of something bigger than yourself. This is… A Bit of Optimism. --------------------------- To buy Angela’s book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, head to: https://angeladuckworth.com/grit-book ---------------------------

In a world defined by constant change, reinvention isn’t optional - it’s essential. We often assume reinvention comes from bold leaps or lucky breaks, but actor and author Matthew McConaughey’s story suggests a quieter approach can be far more powerful. In this episode, Matthew joins me to explore the inner practices that have shaped both his life and his legendary career in Hollywood. From stepping away from romantic comedies at the height of his success to sitting with uncertainty when there were no guarantees on the other side, Matthew shares how learning to get comfortable with discomfort empowered the most meaningful reinventions of his life. At the center of our conversation is curiosity - self-curiosity. Matthew reflects on decades of journaling as a way to notice patterns, stay honest, and make sense of moments that feel unclear. Rather than avoiding discomfort, he learned to treat it as information to study, learn from, and eventually act on. We talk about what it takes to stay relevant without losing yourself, why reinvention often requires carrying the risk before anyone else believes in the outcome, and how self-curiosity can become a compass when the path forward isn’t obvious. Matthew also shares how these ideas come to life in his newest book, Poems & Prayers - a collection of reflections shaped by presence, patience, and the courage to keep asking better questions. If you’re navigating change, questioning your direction, or looking to grow while remaining true to yourself, this conversation offers a grounded and thoughtful path forward. This is… A Bit of Optimism. --------------------------- To check out Matthew’s new book Poems & Prayers, head to: http://www.poemsprayers.com ---------------------------

Hello from Team Simon! We’ll be back next week—January 27, 2026—with brand-new episodes of A Bit of Optimism. We’re excited to bring you new guests, conversations, and opportunities to learn. Until then, we’re diving back into the archives to revisit one of our favorite episodes from 2024, when comedian Trevor Noah joined the show… to get as serious as possible. Most Americans know Trevor as the former host of The Daily Show, a bestselling author, and a stand-up comedian. But his brand of humor isn’t just a barrel of laughs— it’s raw, witty, thought-provoking, and often makes you see the world in a whole new way. In this conversation, Simon and Trevor ditched the small talk (mostly) and went deep into the paradox of choice, the public's response to the murder of United HealthCare's CEO, and why the human experience might be defined by constraint. It will make you chuckle, think, and probably question everything all at once. This… is A Bit of Optimism. --------------------------- For more on Trevor and his work, check out: https://www.trevornoah.com/

Team Simon here! We’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes from 2025. But we'll be back in just two weeks with brand-new episodes of A Bit of Optimism on January 27, 2026. We think you’re going to love them! Today, we’re going back to January of last year when Dr. Becky Kennedy joined us to discuss the hardest job in the world—parenting. It turns out, it’s also one of the best training grounds for leadership. Dr. Becky Kennedy, aka the “Millennial Parent Whisperer,” became an essential voice for caretakers by offering practical, actionable parenting advice that resonated with millions during the pandemic. As a clinical psychologist and founder of Good Inside, she’s now helping parents build sturdy leadership skills that not only transform their homes but also their work lives. In this conversation, Dr. Becky shares how understanding boundaries, emotional triggers, and big feelings can help us become more effective leaders. Whether you’re a parent or a manager (or both!), her insights will help you lead with more intention, connection, and confidence. This… is A Bit of Optimism. --------------------------- Check out Dr. Becky’s work: https://www.goodinside.com/

Happy New Year from Team Simon! We’re so excited to bring you more new episodes of A Bit of Optimism when we return on January 27, 2026. With your support, we’ll make 2026 an incredible year together. In the meantime, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes from last year. We kicked off 2025 with a guest most podcast enthusiasts probably have heard of—Mel Robbins. This insightful conversation answers an important question: how do we push through the days where life can feel overwhelming? Especially when we're too drained to even get out of bed. For Mel Robbins, facing this very question turned her life around. Struggling with $800,000 in debt and at rock bottom, she became obsessed with finding practical ways to regain control. Fast forward to today, and Mel is a bestselling author and podcast host who has helped millions transform their lives. In her latest book, The Let Them Theory, she reveals how shedding the weight of others' expectations can help us live more authentically. Simon sat down with Mel to dive into how we can take action when we're emotionally spent, why our need for control ties us to other people's opinions, and how giving others the freedom to be themselves allows us to align with our true values. This… is A Bit of Optimism. --------------------------- For more on Mel and her work, check out: https://www.melrobbins.com/podcast and her book: https://www.melrobbins.com/letthemtheory

Team Simon is revisiting some of the episodes you helped make our favorites of the year until A Bit of Optimism returns on January 27, 2026, with brand-new episodes. We’re rewinding back to August, when talented polymath Elle Cordova joined the show and unpacked how we’re all wired to chase the next spark. We scroll, swipe, refresh, and repeat—but some of our brightest ideas sneak in when we stop chasing, let boredom settle in, and give our minds room to wander. Elle knows the power of that pause. When the pandemic hit pause on her life as a touring musician, she stumbled into new creative territory—making offbeat comedy videos about delightfully nerdy topics like particle physics, grammar, and fonts. Those sketches went viral, and suddenly she was thriving as a social media creator with a devoted following. In this episode, Simon and Elle talk about finding what truly lights you up, pushing through writer’s block, working with anxiety—and yes, Star Wars makes an appearance (because of course it does). Plus, Elle treats us to a live, in-studio performance of her song “Roswell.” This… is A Bit of Optimism. --------------------------- For more on Elle, check out: https://www.ellecordova.com/

Team Simon here! Thank you for being part of such an incredible year—and for helping us grow the podcast through your support, sharing it with others, and showing up week after week. We love seeing your comments and hearing what resonates with you. A Bit of Optimism returns on January 27, 2026, with brand-new episodes we think you’re really going to enjoy. Until then, we’re revisiting a few of our favorite moments from the past year. We’re kicking things off with one of our most popular episodes—the conversation we filmed in London with Mo Gawdat. As a “Happiness Expert,” Mo teaches us that happiness is a choice, even if it’s not always an easy choice to make. Mo had to face an impossible choice. Before he was a bestselling author and podcast host, Mo worked a lucrative career as Chief Business Officer at Google X. He reached the heights of business influence and amassed a fortune by 29. And yet, he was miserable. It was only after the tragic death of his 21-year-old son Ali that Mo was forced to confront the truth. Mo now dedicates his life, work, and research to figuring out how human beings can be happier, and he’s on a mission to make 1 billion people happy. He shares what he’s learned – that happiness is both a choice and our default setting, how to trick our brains out of survival mode, and why the happiest emotions we feel are rooted in the present, not the past or future. This… is A Bit of Optimism. --------------------------- To learn more about Mo and his work, check out: https://www.mogawdat.com/

Team Simon here! As the year comes to a close, A Bit of Optimism is pressing pause for a short winter break. The show will return on January 27, 2026 and we can’t wait to be back with you. But before we go, we want to say thank you. Truly. This show exists because of you—the listeners who show up every week, share episodes and clips, leave thoughtful comments, start conversations, and carry these ideas into your own lives and workplaces. Your support, curiosity, and generosity are what give this podcast its momentum. It wouldn’t be what it is without this community. While we’re away, we’ll be revisiting some of our favorite episodes from the past year—conversations you helped turn into something special. We also invite you to explore the archive and revisit the episodes you loved most, the ones you shared, commented on, and helped make a success. We’re taking all of that energy with us into the break as we prepare for the year ahead. More meaningful conversations, more inspiring guests, and more moments we hope will leave you feeling just a little more optimistic. Thank you for being part of this journey. Happy holidays, and we’ll see you in the new year!

Often the biggest transformations we undergo don’t arrive as lightning bolts, but as quiet shifts we’ve been preparing for all along. For John Fox, the transformation from a 25-year career in high finance to becoming a chaplain wasn’t sudden at all. It was a slow burn—shaped by loss, reflection, community, and a deep desire to live a more meaningful life. John’s successful finance career spanned decades. To the world, he was thriving, but internally he yearned for fulfillment no paycheck could give him. After losing his mother, questioning the purpose of work, and rediscovering his spiritual roots, he began to sense that his life was preparing him for a very different kind of service. That path eventually led him to the Peace Corps, seminary, and finally chaplaincy—where he now spends his days sitting with people in hospitals, jails, shelters, and hospice care. In this conversation, John shares how you can slowly build a new life, why most of us struggle to talk about things we can’t fix, and the human need to be seen by others. We also talk about community, discernment, loss, faith, and the power of listening without trying to change anything. His story is a reminder that life’s meaning often reveals itself slowly… and that the pivots that change our lives most profoundly are the ones we’ve been preparing for all along. This is A Bit of Optimism. --------------------------- To learn more about the Union Rescue Mission, visit their website at www.urm.org And to check out John’s congregation, head to www.newcitychurchla.com

Life can change in an instant. One day you’re shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue, and the next you’re sitting in your car with everything you own, and everyone you love, wondering what happens now. Joan Howard grew up in Beverly Hills with every advantage until a series of crises left her homeless and living in her car with her mother and three dogs. What helped her rebuild wasn't luck or charity. It was kindness, consistency, and one simple weekly practice of being in service to others. Today, Joan is a long-time volunteer for Food on Foot, the very organization that helped her decades ago. Food on Foot is more than a meal line—it’s a community built on dignity, kindness, and practical support for people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles. Their model helps people find work, save money, build confidence, and move forward with independence. In this episode, we talk about what homelessness actually looks like, why service can be transformative, and how organizations like Food on Foot help people not just get back on their feet, but build a future. This is A Bit of Optimism. --------------------------- To learn more about Food on Foot, visit their website! https://www.foodonfoot.org/ ---------------------------

What if a great business was built like a handmade mixtape? A lovingly crafted experience that is as much a love letter from its founder as it is custom-tailored to its audience. Before Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams became a household name, Jeni Britton was a 22-year-old art school dropout scooping her ice cream creations at a farmers market in Ohio. She didn’t have investors, connections, or a playbook. What she did have was a vision - not just for ice cream, but for connection. Jeni believed her bold ice cream could be a conduit for something bigger: a place where people feel seen, conversations happen naturally, and strangers become community. Over the next two decades, she bootstrapped her way from a small counter to a nationally recognized brand by doing everything the slow, hard, old-fashioned way — one customer, one flavor, and one act of service at a time. She refused shortcuts. She prioritized people. And she built her company like a handmade mixtape — crafted with intention, risk, rebellion, and love. In this conversation, Jeni explains what true entrepreneurship really is: not hype, not hyper-growth, and not chasing venture capital, but the courage to follow a vision long enough for it to start leading you. We talk about the creative process, the power of service, the lessons learned from young employees, the myth of “scalable ideas,” and how walking in the woods helped Jeni discover her next chapter - Floura. Jeni’s story is a reminder that the best things in life - and in business - take time, heart, and a willingness to make something beautiful even when no one is watching. This is A Bit of Optimism. --------------------------- This episode is brought to you by the Porsche USA Macan --------------------------- Visit Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams: https://jenis.com/ Check out Jeni’s newest venture — Floura: https://www.floura.com/

Who would’ve guessed that one of the world’s best company cultures was hiding behind a can of WD-40? Of all the places to find a leadership masterclass, the blue-and-yellow can in your garage probably wasn’t on your list - but it’s time to put it there. Garry Ridge - an Australian who brought his charm and curiosity across the Pacific - joined WD-40 Company in the late ’80s and rose through the ranks, eventually serving as CEO for 25 years. But he didn’t start out as the culture-building expert he’s known as today. Early in his career, he lived by the old mantra: “be brilliant, be brief, be gone.” He had to unlearn that mindset and rebuild himself into a leader who centers people, learning, and belonging - an evolution that reshaped WD-40 from the inside out. His new book, Any Dumb Ass Can Do It, captures that journey. In this episode, we break down how Garry built a company where people genuinely love coming to work - even through recessions, pandemics, and all the external chaos leaders can’t control. We dig into the systems and behaviors that fueled WD-40’s rise, from psychological safety to accountability to building internal consistency no matter what the market is doing. Garry and I both believe that people deserve to love their work - even if they don’t like it every single day. People want to feel seen, heard, and valued. And Garry is one of the rare leaders who knows exactly how to make that happen. This is A Bit of Optimism. --------------------------- This episode is brought to you by the Porsche USA Macan --------------------------- Check out Garry’s new book. https://thelearningmoment.net/any-dumb-ass-can-do-it/ And his coaching work with The Learning Movement. https://thelearningmoment.net/

What if great friendships aren’t found by luck but built through effort? Bestselling novelist Fredrik Backman, the mind behind A Man Called Ove (adapted into the Tom Hanks film A Man Called Otto), Anxious People, and the beloved Beartown series, has spent his career writing about the quiet power of ordinary people. But in his real life, he learned one of his most important lessons from his best friend of 30 years: meaningful friendship is a skill you develop, not a lottery you win. Despite being a self-described introvert, Fredrik discovered that you don’t need hundreds of friends. You only get a few humans who truly shape your life. His newest book, My Friends, is a tribute to those relationships and the daily work of showing up for the people who matter most. In this candid and inspiring conversation, Fredrik and I talk about the healing power of friendship, why differences make relationships stronger, the value of having friends who edit us, and the joy of being genuinely happy for someone else. If you want to become a better friend and build deeper connections, this episode offers heartfelt lessons from one of the world’s most compassionate storytellers. This is A Bit of Optimism. --------------------------- This episode is brought to you by the Porsche USA Macan --------------------------- To check out Fredrik’s newest book, “My Friends,” visit: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/My-Friends/Fredrik-Backman/9781982112820 Find the full-length speech Fredrik gave for Simon & Schuster here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSuSyZ92Cjg

If you feel stupid while learning something new, you’re doing it right. But if you keep doing the same thing over and over hoping it’ll suddenly make sense - that’s on you. The trick isn’t to push harder; it’s to find a new teacher, a new explanation, a new way in. That’s exactly how Matthew Broussard approaches comedy - and everything else. A stand-up comedian, math nerd, and former financial analyst, Matthew is obsessed with learning and cracking the formula behind how things work. He treats every joke like an equation, testing, refining, and solving for laughter. He’s the creator of Monday Punday, a puzzle webcomic and app, and has been featured on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Conan and Comedy Central’s Roast Battle. He’s also made appearances on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and The Mindy Project. His storytelling, including his viral tales about his mother-in-law, proves that logic and vulnerability can live in the same sentence. In this episode, we explore the overlap between comedy and leadership—the art of experimenting, iterating, and connecting through honesty. We talk about the hidden work beneath success, the difference between purpose and perfection, and why laughter might just be the purest form of optimism. This is A Bit of Optimism. --------------------------- This episode is brought to you by the Porsche USA Macan --------------------------- Check out Matthew’s Youtube page for his full comedy special “Hyperbolic”: https://www.youtube.com/@mondaypunday ---------------------------

I’ve long imagined a world where people wake each morning inspired, feel safe wherever they work, and return home fulfilled by what they’ve created. That vision once felt like a dream - until I met Bob Chapman, CEO of Barry-Wehmiller, who quietly built it into reality. Over five decades, Bob has grown a humble Midwestern manufacturing company into a global business success story, proving that leadership grounded in humanity can scale across the world. Bob sees the people in his company not as line items, but as human beings within his span of care - individuals he feels responsible to help become healthy, fulfilled, and whole. His belief is simple yet profound: when people are cared for at work, they create happier families, stronger communities, and a better world. He captured this vision in his book Everybody Matters - which I’m proud to have published - inspiring leaders everywhere to imagine a kinder form of capitalism. In this episode, we return to BW Papersystems in Phillips, Wisconsin where Bob first brought me fifteen years ago where he showed me what his Truly Human Leadership movement looks like. There, I speak with Amber Meyers, Randall Fleming, Lance Johnson, and Jared Nelson, each at different points in their journey with Barry-Wehmiller - some just three years in, others more than twenty-five. Through their eyes, we see the company’s evolution and the lasting power of care in action. What I once thought was idealism, I now know is possible: proof that capitalism can, in fact, be kind. This Is A Bit of Optimism. For more of Bob’s work check out: Bob's book, Everybody Matters https://www.barrywehmiller.com/bobchapman/b Chapman & Co. Leadership Institute: https://www.ccoleadership.com/ Barry-Whemiller: https://www.barrywehmiller.com/

Hey Optimists! We’re taking a little hiatus, but exciting things are coming your way! We’ll be back on October 21 with some amazing new episodes that we can’t wait to share. In the meantime, take care of yourself, enjoy the little moments, and remember—good things are just around the corner. See you soon! - Team Simon _____________________ We don’t usually look to Hollywood for lessons in career longevity. But it might be the perfect place to study it. Few industries move faster or cast people aside more quickly, and yet Rob Lowe has spent more than four decades defying those odds. His story isn’t just about surviving fame—it’s about overcoming adversity, finding joy in the work, and proving that authenticity is the only path to a career that lasts. Across his career, Rob has navigated the highs of teen idol stardom, the lows of very public failures, and the challenge of reinventing himself again and again—all while staying relevant and true to himself. His secret? A willingness to take risks, embrace failure, and laugh at himself along the way. Rob and I dive into Rob’s philosophy of resilience, authenticity, and joy. He shares how humiliations turned into lessons, why not taking yourself too seriously is a strength, and how authenticity has become the ultimate currency in today’s culture. You can also see Rob hosting the fourth season of The Floor, airing September 24th on FOX.] This is A Bit of Optimism.

The future is something we create, not just something that happens. To guide progress toward real good, we need bold, optimistic visions of what society can become. Reid Hoffman makes the case for better science fiction - stories that don’t just entertain, but illuminate the futures we can strive for. As a serial entrepreneur and cofounder of LinkedIn, Reid brings a unique perspective on how storytelling shapes technology, society, and innovation. He argues that imagining optimistic futures is essential if we want to create them. In this episode, we also explore how technology like AI is changing the way our brains work and how our faculties will evolve, why humanity has shifted from focusing on external threats to internal ones, and how optimism isn’t blind faith—it’s a clear-eyed strategy for shaping a better world. This is... A Bit of Optimism. Check out Reid’s new book here: https://www.superagency.ai/ SUPERAGENCY: What Could Possibly Go Right with Our AI Future

We’ve never had more freedom in our relationships—yet many of us feel more disconnected than ever. Marriage, family, and even the workplace have all been reshaped by shifting norms, new technologies, and rising expectations. Happiness, once a nice-to-have, is now the very glue that keeps both couples and teams together. Few people understand these changes better than Esther Perel. For decades, she’s helped us rethink intimacy, navigate conflict, and reimagine what a healthy connection looks like—at home and now at work with her new conversation inducing game of questions, Where Should We Begin? At Work. Esther and I explore how our ideas of love and partnership have evolved, why friendships can be just as life-giving as romance, and why learning to “talk to strangers” may be the most important skill for the next generation. We also dive into the role of play, trust, and risk-taking in building lasting bonds. If you care about creating relationships that are strong enough to withstand the pressures of modern life, this episode might just be for you. This is A Bit of Optimism. To learn more about Esther’s work, visit: www.estherperel.com And to check out Where Should We Begin? At Work here: https://game.estherperel.com/products/where-should-we-begin-at-work?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21749016432&gbraid=0AAAAA93e13laOUsIrrGSZUodaliBNmZVP&gclid=CjwKCAjw_fnFBhB0EiwAH_MfZtrMmVTRj7QgBn4ER-_HF10aCifdOOpY1DLy9R4dt4K0Sbh2WKJDeRoC2XUQAvD_BwE

Your instincts aren’t just whispers. They’re a compass pointing you toward the life you’re meant to live. But in a world obsessed with speed, metrics, and outcomes, most of us forget how to listen. Arthur Brooks, bestselling author and Harvard Business School professor, teaches one of the most popular classes on happiness. But his insights come not just from research, but from a life of reinvention: from French horn player to scholar, from think-tank leader to teacher, and even pilgrim on the Camino de Santiago. In this conversation, we explore why so many of us feel unhappy today, the real equation for joy, and why following your gut is essential. Along the way, Arthur shares how to treat life like a pilgrimage, why AI may strip away the struggle that makes us wise, and why the process - not the outcome - is where happiness lives. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re “falling behind,” or if you’re searching for the courage to trust your instincts, this episode will remind you that happiness isn’t something you chase - it’s something you practice, every step of the way. This is…A Bit of Optimism. Check out more of Arthur’s work here: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/

We’re often told to do more, move faster, and chase the next big trend—but some of the most remarkable successes come from narrowing your focus, obsessing over one thing, and truly understanding the people you’re serving. Ben Francis knows this better than most. He started Gymshark with nothing more than a sewing machine and a passion for making gym clothes that actually worked for him. From those humble beginnings, he built a billion-dollar brand—carefully, sustainably, and with a vision for a company that lasts 100 years, not just a flash in the pan. And yes, he’s still young, proving that you can dream big while thinking long term. Recorded at the very impressive Gymshark HQ in Birmingham, UK, this episode takes us inside the energy and culture that fuel the brand. We dive into Ben’s journey of obsession, experimentation, and relentless focus, exploring how to build something meaningful without having all the answers, learning from failures, and why understanding your customer is everything. If you’ve ever wanted to create something that lasts, this conversation is for you. This is A Bit of Optimism. Check out Gymshark here: https://www.gymshark.com/