The August Sale is on - save 30% on almost everything this month only.Shop the sale
For YouFor BusinessFor Coaches
Sign In
A Bit of Optimism with Simon Sinek

A Bit of Optimism

An inspiring podcast with Simon Sinek.

Subscribe

Episodes: Page 13

Breaking Tradition with cellist Anastasia Kobekina

Episode 136

Breaking Tradition with cellist Anastasia Kobekina

Classical music could use a little disruption. For Anastasia Kobekina, that means playing outside of its rigid forms. An accomplished soloist, Anastasia has played with prestigious orchestras all over the world. She also bangs on her cello, improvises with Vivaldi, and sings. I was thrilled to sit down with Anastasia to discuss her musical experimentations and to hear her play some pieces from her remarkable new album *Venice.* This...is A Bit of Optimism. To learn more about Anastasia and her music, check out: [kobekina.info](https://www.kobekina.info/)

July 16, 2024 38 min
Listen
How to Breathe Out Fear with freediver Li Karlsen

Episode 135

How to Breathe Out Fear with freediver Li Karlsen

Courage isn't about bravado. It's about staying calm.  Li Karlsen knows a lot about staying calm under the most inhospitable conditions. One of the most accomplished freedivers in the world, Li is a record-holding champion at holding her breath and diving hundreds of feet below the ocean's surface. I wanted to ask Li what freediving has taught her about managing stress and fear. It turns out the lessons she's learned in the ocean work just as well above the water. Something as simple as changing the way we breathe can have a huge impact on our own fear and stress. This...is A Bit of Optimism. To learn more about Li, check out: [her AIDA stats](https://www.aidainternational.org/Athletes/Profile-5341c4e7-6423-42e4-8b90-af58f4db26a0) [@li\_karlsen](https://www.instagram.com/li_karlsen/?hl=en) and her latest venture [bkm.health](bkm.health)

July 9, 2024 47 min
Listen
More Thinking About Thinking with Brené Brown and Adam Grant: Part Two

Episode 134

More Thinking About Thinking with Brené Brown and Adam Grant: Part Two

In Part 2 of our conversation, Brené Brown, Adam Grant, and I continue our journey of out loud self-reflection. We discuss identifying our values, the two types of narcissists, explanation-based parenting, and exercising judgment over our own judgment.  Listen to [Part 1 here](https://simonsinek.com/podcast/episodes/thinking-about-thinking-with-brene-brown-and-adam-grant-part-one/) or wherever you listen to podcasts. This...is A Bit of Optimism. For more on Brené and Adam's work, check out: [brenebrown.com](brenebrown.com) [adamgrant.net](adamgrant.net)

July 2, 2024 38 min
Listen
Thinking About Thinking with Brené Brown and Adam Grant: Part One

Episode 133

Thinking About Thinking with Brené Brown and Adam Grant: Part One

To become more self-aware, sometimes you need a friend. Two friends is even better. Brené Brown and Adam Grant swing by the podcast for one of our trademark conversations with no plan. It turns into a deep dive about knowing our selves and how self-reflection is sometimes best done with others. What's a little metacognition between friends? This...is A Bit of Optimism. For more from Brené and Adam, check out: [brenebrown.com](brenebrown.com) [adamgrant.net](adamgrant.net)

June 25, 2024 43 min
Listen
The War On The Young with Professor Scott Galloway

Episode 132

The War On The Young with Professor Scott Galloway

Building wealth is an unequal pursuit. Scott Galloway believes no one is getting more screwed financially than young people. Scott argues what the U.S. is doing to the economic future of its youth is nothing less than a war on the young. The massive transfer of wealth from young to old is a topic he explores in his new book *The Algebra of Wealth*.  I was delighted to have Prof G back on the show to share what's been on his mind lately, and enjoyed veering far off topic to discuss love, money, and the nature of true friendship. This...is A Bit of Optimism. To learn more about Scott and his work, check out: his book [*The Algebra of Wealth*](https://www.amazon.com/Algebra-Wealth-Formula-Financial-Security/dp/0593714024/ref=sr_1_1?crid=29LUPKJZZ723F&keywords=algebra+of+wealth&qid=1707764094&s=books&sprefix=algebra+of+wealth%2Cstripbooks%2C154&sr=1-1) his podcasts at [Prof G Media](https://profgmedia.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwvb-zBhCmARIsAAfUI2sKRYej-kokpqDl2Czy8nCQYiXeu7HEJJA8GFIgAEIiM9luJh33ZSwaAsX-EALw_wcB) his [TED Talk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEJ4hkpQW8E)

June 18, 2024 1 hr 2 min
Listen
Moral Courage with Diane Foley, mother of executed journalist James Foley

Episode 131

Moral Courage with Diane Foley, mother of executed journalist James Foley

Seven years after ISIS killed her son, Diane Foley met with one of his killers. Somehow, she was able to find the humanity in her son's murderer.  ISIS held journalist James Foley hostage for 2 years before publicly executing him in 2014, when they uploaded a YouTube video of James's beheading. After her son's murder, Diane Foley started The Foley Foundation, working to free American hostages held abroad, teach journalist safety, and inspire people to act with moral courage. I asked Diane how she found the moral courage to meet ISIS terrorist Alexanda Kotey and see him as a human being. If Diane could find the grace to connect with her son's murderer, the rest of us can find the moral courage to see the good in those with whom we so vehemently disagree. This...is A Bit of Optimism. To learn more about Diane and her work, check out: her book [American Mother](https://etruscanpress.org/product/american-mother-by-by-colum-mccann-with-diane-foley/) [The Foley Foundation](https://jamesfoleyfoundation.org/)

June 11, 2024 31 min
Listen
Humble Confidence with veteran and entrepreneur Blake Hall

Episode 130

Humble Confidence with veteran and entrepreneur Blake Hall

Humility stems from confidence. Confident leaders can admit when they're not the smartest person in the room. Blake Hall exemplifies the type of leadership we need more of in business. A former Army Ranger, Blake was awarded the Bronze Star for leading his platoon in combat during the Iraq War. Now he's the CEO and co-founder of ID.me, a digital wallet that simplifies online identity verification. I sat down with Blake to discuss how his combat experience informed his journey as an entrepreneur and why the smartest leaders lead with humility. This...is A Bit of Optimism. To learn more about Blake and his work, check out: [id.me](https://www.id.me/)

June 4, 2024 28 min
Listen
The Ultimate Infinite-Minded CEO with Trek Bicycle CEO John Burke

Episode 129

The Ultimate Infinite-Minded CEO with Trek Bicycle CEO John Burke

The jump from $250 million to $2 billion in revenue doesn't happen overnight. Over 25 years, John Burke transformed Trek Bikes into a global powerhouse — one mom-and-pop bike store at a time. The key to John's success is simple but powerful. Create value for others first, and you too shall be rewarded.  John and I discuss why the best way to win isn't to focus on "winning," but to focus on "play," and how the principles of The Infinite Game have guided his leadership. And he tells me why creative leadership is exactly what's missing in American government. This...is A Bit of Optimism. To learn more about John and his work, check out: his book, [A Bold Plan For America](https://aboldplan.com/) [TrekBikes.com](https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/)

May 28, 2024 25 min
Listen