Ask Yourself “What If?”
with chef Christina Tosi

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What if this podcast turned into a baking show?

For Christina Tosi’s third visit to A Bit of Optimism, we decided to find out. So we headed to Milk Bar to make compost cookies from things in my own pantry and my favorite beer bread from scratch!

Christina’s not just my best friend—she’s the founder of Milk Bar, host of Bake Squad on Netflix, a cookbook author, and a fan favorite on this podcast. She lives by one simple question: what if?

In this experimental episode, we dug into some big ideas about creativity, uncertainty, and the magic of trying something new. Recipes below!

This…is A Bit of Optimism.

You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube here.

For more on Christina and her work, check out:

christinatosi.com

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Simon’s Compost Cookie Recipe (makes 15-20 cookies):

16 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup tightly packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons glucose syrup
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Maltesers
85% dark chocolate
Optimism Coffee grounds
Granola
Space/Astronaut Ice Cream
Kettle Corn Pop Chips

For the full step-by-step recipe, visit Milk Bar’s website!

Beer Bread Recipe:

3 cups self-rising flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
4 tablespoons honey (or to taste)
12 oz beer (Samual Smith’s Organic Chocolate Stout is Simon’s preference!)
2 tablespoons butter (and save a little for the top)

Mix ingredients slowly together
Bake at 350 for 45-60 mins until baked through

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This episode is brought to you by True Classic!

I really love True Classic T-shirts, so we called them up and asked if they wanted to work together. And they said yes!

Check out their clothes at: trueclassictees.com

https://player.simplecast.com/71b0f9e0-8abd-466c-b92a-f061e9910776?dark=false

Certified WHY Coach Program Framework

Learn the exact process Simon Sinek uses to help people discover their WHY and guide them to inspire others.

What You’ll Learn

By the end of the program, you’ll be able to:

  • Explain The Golden Circle and its components — WHY, HOWs, and WHATs
  • Guide someone through a WHY Discovery process that leads to a resonant WHY statement and actionable HOWs
  • Help people use their Golden Circle to make better decisions and create positive change in their careers and lives

You’ll also develop essential human skills you can use every day:

  • Building trust
  • Listening to understand
  • Asking better questions
  • Handling emotional conversations with care

How You’ll Learn

The program includes four structured units combining independent learning, live training, and practice:

Day 1 – The Foundation

  • Get to know The Golden Circle 
  • Find out what it means to bring a Golden Circle to life
  • Learn what a WHY Discovery is, how it works, and what the benefits are

Day 2 – The Human Skills

  • Hone the human skills to guide someone through a WHY Discovery:
    • Creating psychological safety
    • Asking effective questions
    • Engaging in active listening

Day 3 – The Process in Practice

  • Learn notetaking strategies that will help you facilitate a WHY Discovery session
  • Develop the analytic and collaborative skills you need to help someone identify and articulate their WHY and HOWs

Day 4 – The Golden Circle in Action

  • Apply everything you’ve learned to facilitate a full WHY Discovery
  • Learn how to wrap up a session
  • Prepare for your next steps to becoming a Certified WHY Coach

Program Details

Format: 4 live classes + independent learning + group practice

Duration: ~ 8-10  hours per unit (including independent learning and live classes) plus ~5 hours to complete the final exam

Certification Requirements:

  • Complete independent work
  • Attend and participate in all live sessions 
  • Pass a final exam and performance assessment

Your Support Team

  • Regular updates and reminders
  • Opportunities to ask questions
  • Personalized feedback from master trainers
  • Ongoing support through your final evaluation

Program and Participation Terms and Conditions

Our mission is to create a supportive learning environment where we grow together to help others. By joining, you agree to show up in service to one another.

Professional Expectations

  • Attend and participate in ALL live classes in their entirety.
  • Complete ALL assigned online coursework.
  • Must be fluent in English.
  • Show up to live classes, community spaces, and group work with respect, kindness, and gratitude.
  • Support your fellow participants with a service mindset.
  • Keep all personal stories shared during the WHY Discovery process confidential.
  • Approach the WHY Discovery journey with empathy, integrity, and care for those you serve.

Participant Cancellation and Transfer Policy

  • Cancel up to 10 days before your cohort start date: Full refund.
  • Cancel less than 10 days before: We’re unable to offer a refund at this stage.
  • Transfer up to 7 days before: You may transfer your spot to another participant for a $200 (USD) fee.

Recording and Photography

  • Participants may not record or screenshot sessions.
  • The Company will record sessions and make them available internally for 30 days.
  • By joining, you understand you may appear on screen and agree that recordings and photos may be used by the Company for program or marketing purposes.

If you prefer not to be included, please contact the team before the first session at [email protected].

Unleash Your Infinite Mindset

Quantity: 1 quantity = 1 team of up to 20 participants

Teams 20+

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For teams of 20+ contact us

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Purchase: $999

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The Art of Creating Fiercely Loyal Customers

Quantity: 1 quantity = 1 team of up to 20 participants

Teams 20+

Contact Sales

For teams of 20+ contact us

Teams of up to 20

Purchase: $999

The Art of Creating Fiercely Loyal Customers

Bundle & Save: $1,198 SAVE $800

Buy Unleash Your Infinite Mindset and The Art of Building Fiercely Loyal Customers together for only $1,198.

Curiosity is essential
                for progress.
SimonSignature

We fully agree, so we like to reward curiosity.
Use code GETCURIOUS for 20% off your next purchase.

A spark is something quite small and, by itself, not very powerful. But a spark has the ability to ignite. An idea is like a spark; alone it is just a set of words, but it too can ignite. A great idea can inspire others to dream bigger. Let us all work together to ignite something greater than ourselves.

Let us all be a Spark of Optimism.