A Bit of Optimism — Page 15 | Podcast

Episode 120

The Anxious Generation with social psychologist Jonathan Haidt

Anxiety disorders affect Gen Z at astronomically higher rates than previous generations. There's plenty to be anxious about in the modern world. But the reason behind Gen Z's mental health crisis might be simpler than you'd think. According to social psychologist and NYU professor Jonathan Haidt, the answer lies in growing up with a combination of smartphones and social media. In his new book *The Anxious Generation*, he argues that Gen Z's anxiety is a symptom of being the first generation to go through puberty on Instagram and TikTok, with iPhones available to access them constantly. Thankfully, Jonathan believes the problem is solvable. He shares some advice he has for concerned parents and tells me how we can fix the mental health crisis affecting our kids in just a few years time. This...is A Bit of Optimism. To learn more about Jonathan's work, check out: [anxiousgeneration.com](anxiousgeneration.com) [jonathanhaidt.com](jonathanhaidt.com) And for parents, visit: [letgrow.org](letgrow.org)

March 26, 2024 36 min

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Episode 119

How to Live to 100 with Blue Zones explorer Dan Buettner

Most of us would count ourselves lucky to live to age 80. And yet, there are places on Earth where people regularly live to 100, suffer virtually no chronic disease, and live life with a sense of purpose. These "Blue Zones" are the focus of Dan Buettner's work. He's a National Geographic explorer, an author, and a documentarian. He spent years traveling and studying the Blue Zones to understand why these 5 places on Earth produce some of the happiest, and longest-lived, people in the world. Dan and I discuss why happiness is the key to longevity, creating Blue Zones in our own lives, and how a longer life can begin with simply rearranging your kitchen. This...is A Bit of Optimism. For more on Dan Buettner and his work, check out: his Netflix documentary [Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones](https://www.netflix.com/title/81214929) or [bluezones.com](https://www.bluezones.com/)

March 19, 2024 42 min

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Episode 118

Going To Mars with NASA director Laurie Leshin

As the private space industry races to colonize space for profit, where does NASA fit in to the equation? Laurie Leshin is just the person to answer that question. She's the Director of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the first female director in JPL's storied history. To her, NASA's future is defined by its mission — exploring the cosmos for the greater good of humankind. Laurie and I discuss the role of Space X and Blue Origin in the new space age and why NASA should set its sights on Mars, and flying to even deeper space beyond. This...is A Bit of Optimism. To find out more about Laurie and her work, check out: [jpl.nasa.gov](https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/a-plan-for-jpl)

March 12, 2024 38 min

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Episode 117

Four Years in Solitary Confinement with political prisoner Leopoldo Lopez

If great leaders are those willing to suffer for their beliefs, Leopoldo Lopez is certainly a great leader. After he led the massive 2014 Venezuelan protests that swept the nation, the regime of Nicolás Maduro sentenced Leopoldo to over a decade of political imprisonment. He suffered four years of solitary confinement and psychological torture before he escaped. Leopoldo tells me about his time in prison and how he cultivated the mental strength to endure. The story of how he smuggled himself into exile is a truly remarkable one. Most of us will never experience military prison, but what Leopoldo discovered about surviving enormous stress is something each of us can learn from. This…is A Bit of Optimism. To find out more about Leopoldo and his work, check out: [worldlibertycongress.org](https://worldlibertycongress.org/)

March 5, 2024 44 min

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Episode 116

Redemption with charity founder Scott Harrison

Life as a nightclub promoter in New York City was an unending cycle of drinking, drugs, models, and fast cars. After ten years, Scott Harrison's vices caught up with him, and a health scare forced him to reflect on his life. Scott felt decadent, wasteful, and morally bankrupt. He decided to completely reverse course. Scott spent the next 2 years in West Africa on board a nonprofit hospital ship, where he saw a level of human suffering that led him to his true calling. Today, solving the global water crisis is Scott's life's work, and he's built one of the most trusted nonprofits in the world to do just that. His organization **charity: water** has raised over $750 million, helping more than 17.4 million people access clean drinking water. Scott shares with me the painful road that led to his transformation and why living a life of service can be a path toward redemption. This...is A Bit of Optimism If you would like to help solve the global water crisis, visit: [charitywater.org](http://charitywater.org/) For more on Scott, check out: his book [Thirst](https://www.charitywater.org/thirst)

February 27, 2024 42 min

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Episode 115

Supercommunicators with journalist Charles Duhigg

Great communicators aren't born that way. They're self-made. Charles Duhigg is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist whose new book, *Supercommunicators*, explores how some people have unlocked the secret language of connection. Charles and I discuss what makes these "supercommunicators" unique, why we need stories to convey ideas, and how being honest once saved a CIA recruiter his job. This...is A Bit of Optimism. To learn more about Charles's work, check out: his book [*Supercommunicators*](https://www.charlesduhigg.com/supercommunicators) [charlesduhigg.com](http://charlesduhigg.com/)

February 20, 2024 28 min

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Episode 114

Community Starts at Home with author Alexandra Hudson

In a divided society, idealists believe we can overcome our differences. Alexandra Hudson is one of those idealists. Disillusioned by the backstabbing she witnessed in federal government, she began to research how we can repair the divisions keeping us apart. We discuss what being civil means in a dog-eat-dog culture and why building a more connected community can start on the front porch. This...is A Bit of Optimism. To learn more about Alexandra and her work, check out: her book: [The Soul of Civility](https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250277787/thesoulofcivility) [alexandraohudson.com](https://alexandraohudson.com/)

February 13, 2024 21 min

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Episode 113

How To Be A Friend with chef Christina Tosi

When life gets tough, true friends ask for help. Christina Tosi is that kind of friend. She's someone I can trust with anything and someone I can cry with. She also happens to be a world-class pastry chef, a genius dessert maker, and the founder and CEO of Milk Bar. We reflect on the art of asking for help and how sometimes all we need from a true friend is 8 minutes of their time. This...is A Bit of Optimism. For more on Christina and her work, check out: [https://www.christinatosi.com/](https://www.christinatosi.com/) [https://milkbarstore.com/](https://milkbarstore.com/) For more on the power of an 8-minute phone call, check out [this New York Times article](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/02/well/phone-call-happiness-challenge.html). And, by the way, I wanted to share Christina's recipe for making an [Ice Cream Loaf](https://milkbarstore.com/blogs/christina-tosi-bake-club/bake-club-birthday-ice-cream-loaf). It's magic. You will need: 2 cups (1 pint) of softened ice cream 1 cup of self-rising flour 1 egg 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a loaf pan and set aside. 2. In a large bowl, mix the melty ice cream, self-rising flour, and egg. Do not overmix. 3. Pour the batter into loaf pan. 4. Bake for 45 minutes or until toothpick clean. Enjoy.

February 6, 2024 40 min

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