A Bit of Optimism — Page 14 | Podcast

Episode 128

Be Necessary with war journalist Sebastian Junger

War reporters risk their lives to document conflict. And yet, after a career living on battlefields, Sebastian Junger's closest brush with death was surviving an aneurysm. Sebastian's story of his sudden internal hemorrhage and making sense of what he saw while dying is the subject of his new book *In My Time of Dying.* As someone who usually writes as an outside observer, it's an atypical and personal exploration of death. I was privileged to speak with Sebastian about the fragility of life and why being necessary to others is one of our highest needs of all. This...is A Bit of Optimism. To learn more about Sebastian and his work, check out: [sebastianjunger.com](sebastianjunger.com) his book, [In My Time of Dying](https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/In-My-Time-of-Dying/Sebastian-Junger/9781668050835)

May 21, 2024 32 min

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Episode 127

Invention is Reinvention with entrepreneur Eric Ryan

Starting a company from scratch isn't easy. Doing it multiple times seems downright impossible. Eric Ryan is one of those serial entrepreneurs. Most known as the co-founder of Method soaps, he's also the founder of Olly vitamins, Welly first aid kits, Cast jewelry, and he has more ventures planned. I sat down with Eric to ask him about his creative process. What follows is a conversation about serial creativity and why reinvention is the key to repeating creative success. This...is A Bit of Optimism. To learn more about Eric and his work, check out: [methodproducts.com](www.methodproducts.com)

May 14, 2024 34 min

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Episode 126

The Definition of Success with author Neil Strauss

In 2005, Neil Strauss published *The Game*, a book about his years living in the pickup artist community. *The Game* sold millions of copies, stirred up huge controversy, and made Neil a bestselling author. Neil has totally reinvented himself since writing *The Game,* and I wanted to talk with him about walking away from that identity of success. This led to a much deeper conversation about what success even is. Is meaning tied to outcomes, or is intention enough? Neil and I don't see eye-to-eye on everything in this conversation, but I love talking with him because he challenges my ideas. I hope this episode challenges you as well, to continue questioning what the definition of success should be. This...is A Bit of Optimism. To learn more about Neil and his work, check out: [neilstrauss.com](neilstrauss.com) [*The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists*](https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-game-neil-strauss?variant=32206397767714)

May 7, 2024 33 min

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Episode 125

Happily Friended with author Rhaina Cohen

Society treats marriage like the end goal of human intimacy. Platonic friends can never be as important as romantic partners. What would life look like if we made friendship the goal? Journalist and producer Rhaina Cohen tackles this question in her book *The Other Significant Others.* She tells the stories of people who made platonic friends the closest people in their lives, doing things together like buying houses, executing a will, and raising children. I wanted to talk with Rhaina because redefining what friendship means in our lives lets us connect in new and deeper ways outside the rigid boundaries of a marriage or relationship. And it might take the pressure off our romantic partners to fulfill every one of our social needs. This...is A Bit of Optimism. To learn more about Rhaina and her work, check out: [rhainacohen.com](rhainacohen.com) her book [The Other Significant Others](https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-other-significant-others-rhaina-cohen/1143330013)

April 30, 2024 25 min

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Episode 124

How To Eat with Glucose Goddess Jessie Inchauspé

It's not just *what* we eat but *how* we eat it that counts. Eating the same meal in a different order can dramatically change how we feel! Glucose Goddess is the viral Instagram account of Jessie Inchauspé, who's inspired millions of people to change how they eat. With simple and easy dietary hacks, Jessie teaches people how to prevent glucose spikes -- large influxes of sugar into our bodies that make us tired, stress our organs, and cause us to age. Since adopting her eating habits, my energy has never been better. I was thrilled to talk with Jessie about creating Glucose Goddess and her personal story behind showing people a better way to eat. This...is A Bit of Optimism. For more on Jessie and her work, check out: [@glucosegoddess](https://www.instagram.com/glucosegoddess/?hl=en) [glucosegoddess.com](https://www.glucosegoddess.com/)

April 23, 2024 35 min

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Episode 123

Love Is Not Enough with couples therapist Shawn McBride

Relationships are hard. No matter how much we like, respect, or love someone, conflict seems inevitable. But even as we fight and disagree, we can also learn the skills we need to resolve our problems. For over two decades, Shawn McBride has helped thousands of couples do the work to strengthen their relationships. And he has tons of practical advice. Shawn sat down with me to discuss the three biggest problems couples face, why I'm a huge fan of his Instagram, and how love can keep relationships afloat, but it's often not enough. This...is A Bit of Optimism. For more on Shawn and his work, check out: [@couples\_counseling\_center](https://www.instagram.com/couples_counseling_center/) [@shawnmcbridespeaks](https://www.instagram.com/shawnmcbridespeaks/) and [couplescounselingcenter.org](https://www.couplescounselingcenter.org/team)

April 16, 2024 48 min

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Episode 122

We Cannot Heal Alone with Rabbi Sharon Brous

Loneliness is now an epidemic, with devastating impacts on our health. How can we rekindle the deep human connection we need now more than ever? For Rabbi Sharon Brous, this question is the focus of her work. Considered one of the most influential rabbis in the U.S., she's founded her own congregation and has led multiple White House faith events. In her new book, The Amen Effect, Sharon explores how grief and heartbreak can be gateways to truly seeing each other. Sharon and I talk about what it means to be present to someone else's pain and how a 2,000-year old ritual taught her the meaning of healing together. This...is A Bit of Optimism. For more on Sharon and her work, check out: her book [The Amen Effect](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/720048/the-amen-effect-by-sharon-brous/) her congregation [iKAR](https://ikar.org/)

April 9, 2024 35 min

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Episode 121

Ideas That Stick with advertising legend Lee Clow

Apple's "1984" commercial, the Energizer Bunny, and the launch of Air Jordans all have one thing in common. They're all creations of legendary ad man Lee Clow. As creative director of Chiat/Day, Lee spent decades making work that transcended advertising and became cultural icons. He shared a close relationship with Steve Jobs, and his Think Different campaign revitalized Apple, transforming it into the brand we recognize today. As someone whose career started in advertising, Lee's a hero of mine, and I was thrilled to sit down with him. He shares the entertaining stories behind his most iconic work and some insights into Steve Jobs's leadership, his rare ability to fearlessly embrace creativity. This...is A Bit of Optimism. For more on Lee and his work, check out: [Apple's "1984" Macintosh commercial](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtvjbmoDx-I) [Lee in the Creative Hall of Fame](https://www.oneclub.org/hall-of-fame/-bio/lee-clow)

April 2, 2024 39 min

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