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A Bit of Optimism

Simon Sinek
Mental Health
Leadership
Friendship
Creativity
Loneliness
Community
Relationships
Personal Growth
Happiness
Identity
Climate Change
Vulnerability
Self-Improvement
Grief
Mortality
Empathy
Entrepreneurship
Optimism
Nuclear Energy
Resilience

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 th... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes235Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
CareersBusinessEducationSelf-Improvement

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Artwork for A Bit of Optimism

Latest Episodes

Every lasting relationship has survived at least a few hard conversations.

But most of us would still rather not have them... So we put them off and tell ourselves the tension will fade on its own. Instead it goes underground: into the stories we bu... more

Everyone says they want more accountability at work… yet few of us think we're the ones who need to learn how to be more accountable.

Most of us believe we already know how to own a mistake. We've all said sorry and truly meant it. But meaning it an... more

YouTube

Giving and receiving feedback is one of the hardest things we do at work and most of us just... avoid it.

But avoiding feedback has a cost. Everything you need to grow is already in the room and it's just sitting in your blind spot. Your colleagues ... more

YouTube

The fastest way to improve your relationships isn't talking. It's listening.

Most of us hear what's being said. Very few of us know how to make someone feel heard.

Feelings at Work is a special five-part series from A Bit of Optimism, where Simon S... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Alex Simon
Adjunct professor at Yale and founder of Lifeshop, teaching emotional intelligence
Lifeshop / Yale University
Episode: The Hidden Cost of Always Saying Yes | A Bit of Optimism: Feelings at Work | PART 1
Harville Hendrix
Relationship expert, Imago Relationship Therapy creator
Imago Relationship Therapy / co-author with Helen LaKelly Hunt
Episode: Why We Fall for the Wrong Person with Couples Therapist Dr. Harville Hendrix
Nelly Attar
Extreme athlete, psychologist, founder of MOVE Saudi Arabia
MOVE Saudi Arabia
Episode: How to Tell If Fear Is Protecting You or Holding You Back with Extreme Athlete Nelly Attar
Robert (Bob) Chapman
Founder and CEO of Barry-Wehmiller
Barry-Wehmiller
Episode: Remembering Bob Chapman: The Mentor Who Changed My Life
Ethan Mollick
AI expert, Wharton professor studying AI, entrepreneurship, and innovation
Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Episode: The AI Skills Nobody is Teaching (And Everyone Needs) with AI Expert Ethan Mollick
Ellen Langer
Harvard psychologist, mindfulness researcher and author
Harvard University
Episode: How to Stop Letting Your Own Thoughts Make You Sick, Stressed, and Stuck with Dr. Ellen Langer
Tim Harris
Former president of business operations for the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
Episode: What Happens When You Stop Optimizing and Start Committing with Former LA Lakers President Tim Harris
Fredrik Backman
Author, noted for thoughtful explorations of human relationships
Author, multiple bestsellers
Episode: Revisited: Choose Your Seven Humans Wisely with Author Fredrik Backman
Vanessa Van Edwards
Behavioral Scientist, recovering awkward person
Van Edwards International
Episode: How to Stop Being Socially Awkward (According to Science) with Behavioral Scientist Vanessa Van Edwards

Host

Simon Sinek
Host and guiding voice behind the conversations, leading with curiosity and a focus on purpose and leadership.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 8k ratings
  • The Secret to Better Conversations Isn’t Talking

    I have never written a review of a podcast, let alone an individual episode. However, this particular episode was so difficult to listen to that I feel compelled to provide feedback, specifically because of the episode’s focus. Throughout, Sinek expertly demonstrated how NOT to be a good listener—talking over his guest, not allowing her to respond, and clearly listening to respond, not to understand. I would bet that if you break down this episode, you will find that he did 80% of the talking. I... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Listening to Respond
    United States21 days ago
  • Audio issues

    Love the content. But the audio levels are terrible. Constantly have to adjust the volume.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    usaDB1234
    United Statesa month ago
  • I listen to everything Simon!

    I think you can apply your great suggestion of not having a grand reveal at the end and give a more detailed summary in the beginning so we have a better idea of what to expect. You kind of do this already but i think it could benefit from being more detailed rather than anecdotal.

    Audible
    5
    Lele
    United Statesa month ago
  • Inspiring work and incredible respect

    Podcast Addict
    5
    dmcarizona
    2 months ago
  • Honest and Open Discusdions

    This is a great podcast for honest and open discussions about the topics. Great guests and always something fresh and relevant.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    F-4 Phorever!
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many praise the guests and topics, though some note excessive interruptions from the host.
Audience values optimism, leadership lessons, and human-centric storytelling.
Listeners appreciate the deep, thoughtful conversations and practical takeaways.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How to Tell If Fear Is Protecting You or Holding You Back with Extreme Athlete Nelly Attar
Q: What do you think is the difference between fear that is protecting you and fear that is holding you back?
Protective fear is real and signals to be cautious, potentially risking life or safety; the fear that holds you back is the discomfort of stepping out of your comfort zone, the embarrassment or risk of failure, which you should push through while staying mindful.
What Happens When You Stop Optimizing and Start Committing with Former LA Lakers President Tim Harris
Q: What memories stand out that make the Lakers the Lakers?
Tim Harris highlights the emotional power of the moment-to-moment experience—seeing fans, players, and staff together after championships and the importance of being present to absorb the joy and chaos of victory.
How to Stop Being Socially Awkward (According to Science) with Behavioral Scientist Vanessa Van Edwards
Q: What's the key to balancing questions and listening in conversations, especially with high-status individuals?
Lead with curiosity, but read cues; for VIPs or private individuals, avoid turning the chat into an interrogation and instead share stories or invite them to share at their pace.
How to Stop Being Socially Awkward (According to Science) with Behavioral Scientist Vanessa Van Edwards
Q: How should someone begin addressing social awkwardness without feeling performative?
Start with micro-skills you're already good at, then build outward by choosing safe contexts and gradually increasing exposure, all while keeping the intention to add value and connect authentically.
The Real Reason Young People Don't Have 'The Hunger' for Work (And What Leaders Need to Hear) with Generations Expert Dr. Eliza Filby
Q: How does AI influence the way we think about work and mastery?
AI handles the repetitive, countable tasks, freeing humans to leverage judgment, care, and collective wisdom. It also challenges organizations to nurture soft skills, mentorship, and trust-building activities that AI cannot replicate, redefining mastery as the ability to collaborate and lead with empathy.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Professions
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Frequently Asked Questions About A Bit of Optimism

What is A Bit of Optimism about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The series centers on leaders, entrepreneurs, and thinkers who explore meaning, growth, and practical wisdom for everyday life and work. Across episodes, conversations orbit topics like resilience, purposeful leadership, human-centered service, storytelling, and culture-building in organizations. Guests range from historians and artists to business founders and policy leaders, all sharing insights on how to lead with intent, create lasting impact, and cultivate optimism in challenging times. A distinctive aspect is the emphasis on actionable mindset frameworks, real-world examples, and a conversational style that blends personal vulnerability with professional guidance. For potential listeners, the show offers relatable, growth-oriented tak... more

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Which podcasts are similar to A Bit of Optimism?

These podcasts share a similar audience with A Bit of Optimism:

1. ReThinking
2. The Curiosity Shop with Brené Brown and Adam Grant
3. The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
4. Worklife with Molly Graham
5. Coaching for Leaders

How many episodes of A Bit of Optimism are there?

A Bit of Optimism launched 6 years ago and published 235 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on A Bit of Optimism?

Recent guests on A Bit of Optimism include:

1. Alex Simon
2. Harville Hendrix
3. Nelly Attar
4. Robert (Bob) Chapman
5. Ethan Mollick
6. Ellen Langer
7. Tim Harris
8. Fredrik Backman

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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