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 6

Your Instincts Know What You Want with Author Arthur Brooks

Episode 191

Your Instincts Know What You Want with Author Arthur Brooks

Your instincts aren’t just whispers. They’re a compass pointing you toward the life you’re meant to live. But in a world obsessed with speed, metrics, and outcomes, most of us forget how to listen. Arthur Brooks, bestselling author and Harvard Business School professor, teaches one of the most popular classes on happiness. But his insights come not just from research, but from a life of reinvention: from French horn player to scholar, from think-tank leader to teacher, and even pilgrim on the Camino de Santiago. In this conversation, we explore why so many of us feel unhappy today, the real equation for joy, and why following your gut is essential. Along the way, Arthur shares how to treat life like a pilgrimage, why AI may strip away the struggle that makes us wise, and why the process - not the outcome - is where happiness lives. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re “falling behind,” or if you’re searching for the courage to trust your instincts, this episode will remind you that happiness isn’t something you chase - it’s something you practice, every step of the way. This is…A Bit of Optimism. Check out more of Arthur’s work here: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/

September 2, 2025 56 min
Listen
The Power of Doing One Thing Exceptionally Well with Gymshark Founder and CEO Ben Francis

Episode 190

The Power of Doing One Thing Exceptionally Well with Gymshark Founder and CEO Ben Francis

We’re often told to do more, move faster, and chase the next big trend—but some of the most remarkable successes come from narrowing your focus, obsessing over one thing, and truly understanding the people you’re serving.  Ben Francis knows this better than most. He started Gymshark with nothing more than a sewing machine and a passion for making gym clothes that actually worked for him. From those humble beginnings, he built a billion-dollar brand—carefully, sustainably, and with a vision for a company that lasts 100 years, not just a flash in the pan. And yes, he’s still young, proving that you can dream big while thinking long term. Recorded at the very impressive Gymshark HQ in Birmingham, UK, this episode takes us inside the energy and culture that fuel the brand. We dive into Ben’s journey of obsession, experimentation, and relentless focus, exploring how to build something meaningful without having all the answers, learning from failures, and why understanding your customer is everything. If you’ve ever wanted to create something that lasts, this conversation is for you. This is A Bit of Optimism.  Check out Gymshark here:  [https://www.gymshark.com/](https://www.gymshark.com/)

August 26, 2025 1 hr 1 min
Listen
Simon Goes Nuclear with nuclear energy influencer Isabelle Boemeke

Episode 189

Simon Goes Nuclear with nuclear energy influencer Isabelle Boemeke

“Nuclear” might make you wince—but the real problem isn’t the energy, it’s the branding. Safe, low-carbon, and scalable, nuclear could be a climate hero—if only we told the story right. Isabelle Boemeke is on a mission to change how we think about nuclear energy. A Brazilian model turned the world’s first nuclear influencer, she created her alter ego, Isodope, to show a new generation the benefits of clean energy—while cutting through the fear shaped by war movies and disaster shows. In her new book, *Rad Future*, she makes the science, history, and promise of nuclear power accessible to everyone. In this episode, we talk about why nuclear scares us, how we need to rethink the climate conversation, and why embracing nuclear energy could be one of our smartest moves yet. Isabelle also shares her personal journey—from modeling to advocacy, building Isodope, and helping shift the conversation around clean energy for a better, brighter future. This is… A Bit of Optimism.  Learn more about Isabelle’s work here.  https://isodope.com/ And order the new book Rad Future here.  https://isodope.com/rad-future/

August 19, 2025 1 hr 6 min
Listen
The Brilliance of Boredom with creative polymath Elle Cordova

Episode 188

The Brilliance of Boredom with creative polymath Elle Cordova

We’re wired to chase the next spark - scrolling, swiping, refreshing - but some of our brightest ideas sneak in when we stop chasing, let boredom settle in and give our minds room to wander. Elle Cordova knows the power of that pause. When the pandemic hit pause on her life as a touring musician, she stumbled into new creative territory - making offbeat comedy videos about delightfully nerdy topics like particle physics, grammar, and fonts. Those sketches went viral, and suddenly she was thriving as a social media creator with a devoted following.  In this episode, we talk about finding what truly lights you up, pushing through writer’s block, working with anxiety - and yes, Star Wars makes an appearance (because of course it does). Plus, Elle treats us to a live, in-studio performance of her song *Roswell*. This…is A Bit of Optimism. For more on Elle, check out: ellecordova.com/

August 12, 2025 1 hr 5 min
Listen
The Privilege of Bad Experiences with NASA astronaut Jonny Kim

Episode 187

The Privilege of Bad Experiences with NASA astronaut Jonny Kim

This was the most epic Zoom call we’ve ever been a part of — an incredible conversation with NASA astronaut Jonny Kim, live from the International Space Station, with sunrise on Earth as a stunningly causal site behind him as they barreled at 17,000 mph in orbit. Thanks to the amazing team at Johnson Space Center, Jonny was able to join us to share insights from a life that defies limits, showing what it truly means to lead and serve on and off the planet. In this episode, we grapple with a startling and powerful idea: that there can be a privilege in how we face our darkest days. For those who find the strength to rise through empathy and courage, adversity transforms from a burden into a source of profound growth and resilience. Jonny’s journey—from a violent childhood to becoming a Navy SEAL, Harvard-trained doctor, and astronaut—embodies this truth. Driven not just by pain or pride in loved ones, but by a genuine ambition to become his best self, Jonny’s story challenges us all to embrace hardship as a catalyst for leadership and service. This is a conversation the 13-year-old Simon, in his blue jumpsuit, would be very proud of.  This is… A Bit of Optimism.

August 5, 2025 26 min
Listen
The Business Case for Good Manners with etiquette coach William Hanson

Episode 185

The Business Case for Good Manners with etiquette coach William Hanson

Good manners aren’t just about being polite — they’re about making other people feel seen. William Hanson is one of the world’s leading etiquette coaches. He’s advised royalty, CEOs, and television personalities on how to communicate with clarity, confidence, and grace. But his mission goes far beyond fine dining or proper handshakes. In today’s fast-paced, informal world, William argues that etiquette isn’t outdated — it’s essential. Whether you’re trying to land a job, win over a client, or simply connect with others, good manners are your most underrated advantage. He sat down with me to share how etiquette builds trust, why it’s not about snobbery or perfection, and how anyone — regardless of background — can learn the unspoken codes that open doors. This… is a Bit of Optimism. Check out William’s new book *Just Good Manners* here And learn more about his work [here.](https://www.williamhanson.co.uk/)

July 15, 2025 55 min
Listen
Live Like You Have 2 Years Left with dancer and cancer survivor Angela Trimbur

Episode 184

Live Like You Have 2 Years Left with dancer and cancer survivor Angela Trimbur

You have two years left to live. What would you do? That's a real question Angela Trimbur had to answer. In 2018, a breast cancer diagnosis forced her to get honest with herself. If Angela had only 2 years to live, what kind of life did she truly wish to live? Angela chose to start over. She sold everything she owned, moved to New York City, and became a dance teacher. Angela's irreverent teaching style and unique approach to dance won her accolades, and she now teaches sold out classes where people use dance to find themselves. In this conversation, Angela explains why cancer actually helped her become a better version of herself. She shares how her disease enabled her to adopt a 2-years outlook on life, and why living as if our time is limited is always good practice, even when nothing appears to be wrong. This…is A Bit of Optimism. For more on Angela and her work, check out: [Angela Trimbur Dance](https://angelatrimburdance.com/)

July 8, 2025 54 min
Listen
The Quiet Power of the Empathetic Leader with Navy SEAL turned rowing coach Gordon Schmidt

Episode 183

The Quiet Power of the Empathetic Leader with Navy SEAL turned rowing coach Gordon Schmidt

When morale problems affect a team, some leaders choose to make a big, rousing speech. But quite often, it’s the quiet leader who leads with empathy that sees a better emotional solution. Gordon Schmidt is a retired Navy SEAL with enough combat experience to understand that empathy is an operational advantage, not a weakness. After 20 years of military service, he started his second act as a high school rowing coach. According to Gordo, be it coaching rowers or leading soldiers, the emotional lessons he’s learned about leadership apply just the same. In this conversation, Gordo shares with me how to move on into a new chapter in life and why emotional intelligence in high-stress situations is often a leader’s only way out. This…is A Bit of Optimism. For more on Gordon and his work, check out: [San Diego Rowing Club](https://www.sdrcjrs.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=71827&module_id=151617)

July 1, 2025 1 hr 10 min
Listen