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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
Self-Improvement
Grief
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes229Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
CareersBusinessSelf-ImprovementEducation

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Artwork for A Bit of Optimism

Latest Episodes

We tell ourselves the reason we never chase the big dream is that we're not ready, not brave enough, doomed to fail.

Nelly Attar would tell you she felt all of that too… but she chased them anyway.

Nelly is a psychologist turned extreme athlete and... more

Sixteen years ago, an unknown CEO running a manufacturing company in the Midwest saw my TED Talk and recognized something in it. He sent me a letter and we made plans to meet. What started as a one-hour lunch turned into three, then four days touring... more

YouTube

Be honest: AI makes you a little nervous.

Maybe you're afraid it'll take your job. Maybe you're overwhelmed by all the advice about prompts and agents and which chatbot to use. Or maybe you're just quietly hoping it'll all slow down.

Ethan Mollick ... more

YouTube

Most of us are so certain about, well, everything. We think we can predict what's coming, what that off-hand comment really meant, what that look was about, what's going to go wrong. And according to Dr. Ellen Langer, that certainty is making us mise... more

YouTube

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

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
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

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 7.9k ratings
  • Love it

    I watched some lectures by Simon Sinek in college, and they always stuck with me. I had no idea he had a podcast. I absolutely LOVE his interview style- i have never heard anyone do it quite like he does. He asks the most unexpected, interesting questions right out of the blue in a way that i find riveting. You can tell he is ACTUALLY fascinated with his guests, but he doesn't always agree with them either, which I ALSO find so endearing. He seems to just enjoy the interplay between himself and ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mysterymach
    United Statesa month ago
  • Wonderful

    Obsessed with these. Thank you. Wonderful

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AJC AUS
    Australiaa month ago
  • 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 States2 months 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
    Australia3 months ago
  • This is great

    i

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Discothequex
    Australia3 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.

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.
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.

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. The School of Greatness

How many episodes of A Bit of Optimism are there?

A Bit of Optimism launched 6 years ago and published 229 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. Robert (Bob) Chapman
2. Ethan Mollick
3. Ellen Langer
4. Tim Harris
5. Fredrik Backman
6. Vanessa Van Edwards
7. Tom Nash
8. Mike Posner

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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