We've all been told in our darkest times: "Don't worry this will get better"...but what happens if everything's going right? Should we be afraid that the other shoe will drop?
Feb 3
What Grit Really Teaches Us About Happiness with Professor Angela Duckworth
We’re often told that the secret to success is grit - more discipline, more perseverance, more individual effort. And grit does matter. But what if it’s only half the story?In today’s world, we’ve become experts at tracking achievement, yet novices at nurturing belonging - and th ... Show More
56m 5s
Jan 27
Matthew McConaughey on How to Fall Back in Love with Your Life
In a world defined by constant change, reinvention isn’t optional - it’s essential. We often assume reinvention comes from bold leaps or lucky breaks, but actor and author Matthew McConaughey’s story suggests a quieter approach can be far more powerful.In this episode, Matthew jo ... Show More
59 m
Jan 20
Revisited: Trevor Noah Makes My Brain Hurt
Hello from Team Simon! We’ll be back next week—January 27, 2026—with brand-new episodes of A Bit of Optimism. We’re excited to bring you new guests, conversations, and opportunities to learn.Until then, we’re diving back into the archives to revisit one of our favorite episodes f ... Show More
56m 18s
Jun 2024
LIVING IN HARMONY w/ Adrian Grenier
Today’s special guest is Adrian Grenier, an actor, filmmaker, and environmentalist, known for his role in "Entourage." Adrian shares his journey into spirituality, habits, and living in harmony with nature. 🌞 Natural Grounding: Living naturally grounds you, promoting a meditativ ... Show More
1h 2m
Sep 2023
Adrian Grenier On How Turning To Philosophy Saved His Life
<p>Ryan speaks with Adrian Grenier in the first of a two-part episode about their parallel career and life trajectories, what it’s really like to be famous, the rock-bottom moment that led to Adrian taking control of his life, why he is striving to be a better father than his own ... Show More
1h 13m
Jul 2016
He left his life to bike 46,000 miles around the world in 4 years. But, why?
<p>Have you ever thought about leaving everything behind and traveling the world? Of cashing out your savings to hit the road and create lifelong memories and new experiences?</p><p>This may sound like an impossible dream to most, but our guest today did just that. Alastair Humph ... Show More
57m 29s
Jan 2024
Andy Frisella - Build Your Mental Toughness!
Gear up for an episode that's all about pushing limits and shattering expectations! This week, I'm joined by my brother-in-arms, Andy Frisella, a titan in the world of entrepreneurship and a mastermind of mental toughness. Together, we've forged the ARETE SYNDICATE, but today, we ... Show More
1h 28m
<p>Maybe you’ve seen this week’s guest, Arian Moayed, playing the role of Stewy on <a href="https://www.hbo.com/succession" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HBO’s Succession</a>. Or in the breakaway hit, <a href="https://www.netflix.com/title/81008305" rel="noopener nore ... Show More