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A Bit of Optimism

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

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes223Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BusinessCareersSelf-ImprovementEducation

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Artwork for A Bit of Optimism

Latest Episodes

Maybe this sounds familiar: you leave a party and spend the rest of the night convinced everyone was upset with you. Or you replay something you said in a meeting for days and second-guess every last word.

Vanessa Van Edwards has been there. As a se... more

YouTube

We often comfort ourselves with the idea that things happen for a reason, or define our struggles as a test of strength. Tom Nash might ask you to reconsider.

Tom is a speaker, former DJ, and globe-trotting advocate for agency, anti-fragility, and t... more

YouTube

If at some point, you've looked at your life—your job, your relationships, your achievements—and thought: “is this it?” This episode is for you.

Mike Posner had that moment at 30. His life, by every external measure, was extraordinary: he had hit so... more

YouTube

Admit it, you've complained about at least one other generation. Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z—somehow, they all end up with reputations built around what's wrong with them.

Dr. Eliza Filby has a different suggestion: stop asking what's wrong w... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Tom Nash
Australian DJ and host of Last Meal with Tom Nash; TED Talk speaker on perspective and disability
Last Meal with Tom Nash; TED Talk
Episode: Stop Telling Us Everything Happens for a Reason with Anti-Victim Tom Nash
Mike Posner
Musician, songwriter, and producer
Episode: The Real Reason You Feel Empty (Even When Life Looks Good) with Musician Mike Posner
Dr. Eliza Filby
Generational historian
Author of Inheritocracy andGenerational expert
Episode: The Real Reason Young People Don't Have 'The Hunger' for Work (And What Leaders Need to Hear) with Generations Expert Dr. Eliza Filby
Don Yaeger
Leadership expert, author, former Sports Illustrated reporter
Author; former Sports Illustrated writer
Episode: The Leadership Advice Nobody Follows (But Everyone Should) with Top Leadership Expert Don Yaeger
Jesse Cole
Founder of the Savannah Bananas, entrepreneur focused on fans-first experiences
Savannah Bananas
Episode: Why This Baseball Team Has a 4.2 Million Person Waitlist With Savannah Bananas Founder Jesse Cole
Ken Burns
Documentary filmmaker known for multi-perspective historical documentaries
PBS, documentary filmmaker
Episode: Ken Burns and the Art of Telling the Whole Story
Daniel Lubetzky
Founder of Kind, CEO of later ventures, peace-building advocate
Kind (former founder)
Episode: What Happens When You’re Naive Enough to Try with KIND Founder Daniel Lubetzky
Will Guidara
Former co-owner of Eleven Madison Park; Executive producer of The Bear; author
Unreasonable Hospitality, The Field Guide
Episode: AI Can Do Everything… Except This (Why Humans Still Win) With Restaurateur Will Guidara
Alua Arthur
New York Times bestselling author and death doula
Death doulas / end-of-life work
Episode: Revisited: What Dying Teaches Us About Living with Death Doula Alua Arthur

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 7.8k ratings
  • Poor audio quality

    I love this podcast but struggle with the audio settings. It seems like I am continually adjusting my volume throughout a single episode, depending on who is speaking. Simon tends to be on the quiet side. I wish there could be a better balance of the audio so we could just listen and not miss the information being shared. I am listening to this podcast the same as I do all others. It is frustrating because I want to hear everything.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    melnhd
    United Statesa month ago
  • Great Content But Simon Continually Interrupts His Guests

    I love what Simon is about. Even the title shows promise. If it weren’t for him constantly interrupting his guests this would likely be one of the top podcasts I listen to. I’ve read Start with Why and he has great people and subjects on his show but when I come to listen to a particular episode I am there to learn from his guests not him (as I’ve heard from him many time before). Seek to understand, not be understood. Give us a chance to learn from the guests on your show please, and I’ll liste... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Never done growing
    Australia2 months ago
  • This is great

    i

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Discothequex
    Australia2 months ago
  • I love it.

    I love this podcast. As an entrepreneur, I always learn something valuable. As a human, I learn things that can make me a better human! This podcast is not only insightful, but it is also hilarious, raw, and entertaining. It is a breath of fresh air in this busy, and oftentimes crazy world.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JadeE87
    United States2 months ago
  • Simon is best host ever

    This podcast covers so many topics and every episode are so deep and bringing a lot of reflections, on humanity, on love, on society. Simon leads every conversation perfectly, absolutely my all time favourite.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SchemeRuby
    United Kingdom2 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.

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.
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: What should leaders offer to attract and retain younger workers in the current environment?
Beyond money, leaders should offer stability through career paths and security, belonging within a community, and opportunities to learn and grow. They should create spaces for care, collective learning, and clear, actionable feedback that centers on people rather than just productivity.
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 did you become a generational expert, and what drew you to study time as a factor in identity?
I blended history with a focus on how time and generations shape identity, using family histories and long-term societal shifts to explain why cohorts form distinct approaches to work and life. My work grew from observing the disconnect between traditional narratives and lived experiences across families and societies.
Ken Burns and the Art of Telling the Whole Story
Q: What makes a story powerful without becoming didactic?
A good story presents the range of complexity, avoids forcing a single conclusion, and invites viewers to sit in contradiction, using nuanced characters and multi-faceted historical forces.
Ken Burns and the Art of Telling the Whole Story
Q: How do you balance objectivity and subjectivity in storytelling?
Burns explains that there is always a degree of subjectivity in any documentary; the goal is to begin with a blank slate, acknowledge biases, and let a complex range of perspectives emerge through careful editing and ongoing revision.

Audience Metrics

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

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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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How many listeners does A Bit of Optimism get?

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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 223 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact A Bit of Optimism?

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What guests have appeared on A Bit of Optimism?

Recent guests on A Bit of Optimism include:

1. Tom Nash
2. Mike Posner
3. Dr. Eliza Filby
4. Don Yaeger
5. Jesse Cole
6. Ken Burns
7. Daniel Lubetzky
8. Will Guidara

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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