A Bit of Optimism

Latest Episodes:

Two Bits of Optimism with Brené Brown and Adam Grant: Part One Dec 13, 2022

Show notes

What separates exceptional ideas from good ideas?

Here’s an example of a good idea: Book two podcast guests and meticulously plan a conversation about creativity.

Now, here’s an exceptional idea: Get Brené Brown and Adam Grant to join you on a call, have absolutely NO plan, and hit record.

This is… A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Brené and Adam's work check out:

https://brenebrown.com/

https://adamgrant.net/

Being Yourself with Kathryn Finney Dec 06, 2022

Show notes

Daring to be different feels risky. There’s constant pressure to “read the room” or “tone it down.”

Kathryn Finney discovered at a young age that – when it comes to being authentic – the rewards are actually far greater than the risks.

Kathryn is a model for how being yourself can get you ahead in both business and relationships. She is: an author, an entrepreneur, a fund manager, and a celebrated non-conformist.

And she does it all in incredible style.

This is… A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Kathryn and her work check out:

kathrynfinney.com

https://www.kathrynfinney.com/build-the-damn-thing

https://www.geniusguild.co/

Live A Long, Happy Life with physician Mark Hyman Nov 29, 2022

Show notes

Turns out laughter isn't the best medicine. Medicine might not even be the best medicine. If you were to ask Dr Mark Hyman, he would tell you that food is the best medicine.

Some would say Mark is a modern age miracle worker. In reality, he has figured out ways to help the body perform its own miracles. From curing diseases to extending our lifespans, his approach to wellness is unlike what most of us are used to. His work is inspirational, anthropological and downright fascinating.

This is… A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Mark and his work check out:

his forthcoming book, Young Forever, at www.youngforeverbook.com

https://drhyman.com/

The Value of Interruptions with Janis Burl Nov 22, 2022

Show notes

Most of us think that social media is the bastion of our younger generations. Until a middle-aged woman named Janis Burl proved that assumption completely wrong. She oversaw the team that built the TSA’s Instagram account (yes, the TSA has an Instagram account and it’s brilliant) into one of the most popular accounts on Instagram. And the best part of her story is how she got the job. The non-linear career path she followed may be a better way for us to find joy in our careers.

So if you would kindly take off your shoes, take your liquids and gels out of your bag and throw away your water bottles, this is...a Bit of Optimism.

For more on Janis and her work, check out:

https://www.instagram.com/tsa/

The Sweet Bitter with Susan Cain Nov 15, 2022

Show notes

There’s something profound in life’s bitter moments. The transformative beauty of a sad song, the anguished past of a story’s hero, the unexpected turnout of a crowded funeral. Turns out we often need darkness in order to appreciate the light.

In our modern world, we focus so much on the pursuit of happiness that we often forego an appreciation of bitterness. Susan Cain has found a way to celebrate both the sweet and the bitter… in fact she’s written a bestselling book about it.

This is… A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Susan and her work check out:

susancain.net

https://susancain.net/book/bittersweet/

https://susancain.net/newsletter

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Minor key music sample by Musictown from Pixabay

Major key music sample by Trygve Larsen from Pixabay

Kindness with James Rhee Nov 08, 2022

Show notes

You went to Harvard undergrad, you went to Harvard Law, you became a hot-shot Private Equity guy. So your next move is obviously…?

If you’re James Rhee, you walk away from all of it and discover what really makes a business grow: the intangibles.

What started out as a six month project to help a company avoid liquidation turned into a seven year passion filled with new friends, compassion, and lots of goodwill. And the results were profound. It turns out intangibles can be measured and kindness is good for business.

This is… A Bit Of Optimism.

For more on James and his work check out:

Redhelicopter.com for news on upcoming projects, including a forthcoming book.

https://www.ted.com/talks/james_rhee_the_value_of_kindness_at_work?language=en

https://www.ashleystewart.com/strongtogether.html

How To Be An Optimist with Pat Berges Nov 01, 2022

Show notes

Don’t you hate it when you’re coasting along -- not a care in the world -- and then it feels like life comes out of nowhere and hits you like a car, almost paralyzing you? Well, for Pat Berges, that wasn’t just a feeling…that actually happened.

Like many of us, Pat is not a natural optimist. He had to learn how to find optimism during this dark period. Not only did it help him recover, but what he learned continues to help him be, well, optimistic.

This is… A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Pat and his work, check out:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-berges

https://twitter.com/BergesPat

https://www.aarc.org/ventilator-training-alliance/

The Labor of Love with Francesca Hogi Oct 25, 2022

Show notes

It’s what all the poets write about, all the musicians sing about, and all the brokenhearted cry about. That’s right… It's time to talk about love.

I was lucky enough to talk to Francesca Hogi, a love coach and all around incredible person, about how we can traverse through the world of digital dating, rejection, and modern day love.

So… care to join us? Great. It’s a date.

This is… A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Francesca and her work check out:

https://francescahogi.com/

https://www.instagram.com/dearfranny/

https://linktr.ee/dearfranny

Unreasonable Hospitality with Will Guidara Oct 18, 2022

Show notes

If you walk up to someone and say “you’re being unreasonable!” most people would be offended. Will Guidara, however, would take it as a compliment.

A renowned New York restaurateur, Will transformed Eleven Madison Park into the best restaurant in the world by reinventing how they offered hospitality....they made it unreasonable.

I had a chance to sit down and talk to him about how he learned the power of being unreasonable.

This is… A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Will and his work, check out his new book Unreasonable Hospitality below or wherever you prefer to buy your books:

https://simonsinek.com/optimism_press_books/unreasonable-hospitality/

Partnering with Jean Oelwang Mar 08, 2022

Show notes

Some of the most successful people in the world all have a secret power. It’s not their experience or technical expertise that matter most – it’s their partnerships.

As the President and founding CEO of Virgin Unite, Jean Oelwang has had a ringside seat to remarkable people and how they build deep business and personal relationships. She has spent over 15 years working with some of the world's greatest partnerships as they learned to become better versions of themselves, and in doing so, multiplied their positive impact on the world.

In her new book Partnering, Jean illuminates the six core principles that weave through sixty of these extraordinary collaborations and shows how we can increase depth and meaning in our most important relationships.

This is…A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Jean and her work check out:

https://www.amazon.com/Partnering-Forge-Connections-Things-Happen/dp/059318954X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1646661822&sr=8-2

https://unite.virgin.com/unite/person/jean-oelwang

https://twitter.com/JeanOelwang

instagram.com/JeanOelwang