Episodes 217
Avg. Duration 39m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 4.8 (1,994)
Since May 2020
Latest Episode Apr 2026

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Open to Sponsors Features Guests

Publishing Details

Schedule
Weekly
Format
Episodic
Consistency
98%
Hosting
feeds.simplecast.com

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

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.

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Recent Episodes

Ken Burns and the Art of Telling the Whole Story

Apr 07, 2026 54m

We live in a world that pushes us to simplify everything: right or wrong, good or bad, this or that. It makes things and our place in the world easier to understand. But the truth is rarely simple……

What Happens When You’re Naive Enough to Try with KIND Founder Daniel Lubetzky

Mar 31, 2026 54m

Naiveté is one of the most powerful assets an entrepreneur can have. In fact, I think some of the most meaningful things in the world only exist because someone was naive enough to try. Daniel…

AI Can Do Everything… Except This (Why Humans Still Win) With Restaurateur Will Guidara

Mar 24, 2026 1h 5m

As businesses race toward faster systems, smarter tools, and total automation, something critical is getting lost: human connection. And ironically, the rise of AI is making that gap impossible to…

Revisited: What Dying Teaches Us About Living with Death Doula Alua Arthur

Mar 17, 2026 45m

Team Simon here! While A Bit of Optimism is on a short break, we’re revisiting a few episodes you helped make some of our favorites. We’ll be back with brand-new conversations next week, on March…

Revisited: The Kennedy Family and the Search for Self with Journalist Maria Shriver

Mar 10, 2026 43m

Hello from Team Simon! We’re taking a short hiatus, but A Bit of Optimism will return with brand-new episodes March 24th. In the meantime, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes. Episodes…

Revisited: How to Turn Stress Into Creativity With Grammy-Winner Jacob Collier

Mar 03, 2026 58m

Team Simon here! As we take a short hiatus, A Bit of Optimism will return with brand-new episodes on March 24, 2026. Until then, we’re revisiting some of the conversations you loved and we still…

The Confidence Conversation We Need to Have with Scott Galloway

Feb 24, 2026 54m

Scott Galloway and I don’t always see the world the same way, but our friendly debates almost always lead us back to common ground. It’s probably why we enjoy talking to each other as much as we…

28 Years on the Force: Chief Angela Averiett on What It Really Takes to Change Police Culture

Feb 16, 2026 1h 5m

It’s often true that the most challenging conversations are often the ones most worth having. Conversations that bring up strong feelings, different experiences, and questions without easy answers.…

When Pop Fandom Becomes a Force for Good with AJR’s Adam Met

Feb 10, 2026 1h 1m

Fanbases are some of the most powerful forces on the planet.They show up. They buy the tickets. They travel across countries and time zones. They memorize lyrics, study interviews, hunt for Easter…

What Grit Really Teaches Us About Happiness with Professor Angela Duckworth

Feb 03, 2026 56m

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…

Matthew McConaughey on How to Fall Back in Love with Your Life

Jan 27, 2026 59m

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…

Revisited: Trevor Noah Makes My Brain Hurt

Jan 20, 2026 56m

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…

Revisited: Kids (And Employees) Know More Than You Think with Dr. Becky Kennedy

Jan 13, 2026 43m

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…

Revisited: The First Steps To Reducing Your Anxiety with Author Mel Robbins

Jan 06, 2026 57m

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…

Revisited: The Beautiful Brilliance of Boredom with Creative Polymath Elle Cordova

Dec 30, 2025 1h 3m

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,…

Revisited: Your Unhappy Brain Needs Some Assistance with Happiness Expert Mo Gawdat

Dec 23, 2025 1h 30m

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…

A Bit of Optimism Will Return in the New Year

Dec 23, 2025 2m

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…

Prepare for the Life You’re Meant to Live With Chaplain John Fox

Dec 16, 2025 1h 7m

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…

How Losing Everything Taught Her to Help Everyone: Joan Howard’s Story

Dec 09, 2025 51m

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…

A Rebel With a Cause (and a Cone) with Jeni’s Ice Cream Founder Jeni Britton

Dec 02, 2025 53m

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…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does A Bit of Optimism have?

A Bit of Optimism has published 217 episodes since May 2020, covering topics in Business, Careers.

Is A Bit of Optimism still active?

A Bit of Optimism is currently highly active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 39m.

How do I contact A Bit of Optimism for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for A Bit of Optimism, including email and social media links.

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