Why Awkward is Awesome with psychologist...

Team Simon here! As we take a short hiatus, A Bit of Optimism will return with brand-new episodes on March 24, 2026. Until then, we’re revisiting some of the conversations you loved and we still think about long after the microphones turned off. This week, we’re rewinding to Simo ... Show More

Scott Galloway and I don’t always see the world the same way, but our friendly debates almost always lead us back to common ground. It’s probably why we enjoy talking to each other as much as we do. If you haven’t heard my friend Scott’s name before, he’s known for being brillian ... Show More

It’s often true that the most challenging conversations are often the ones most worth having. Conversations that bring up strong feelings, different experiences, and questions without easy answers. Policing, and how we can make it better, is one of those conversations.San Leandro ... Show More

<p>You’ve likely experienced an awkward moment or two in your life. You say or do something that’s out of social sync, leaving the person you’re interacting with bemused, and you feeling like running and hiding under a rock. <br>While awkwardness is an uncomfortable feeling and c ... Show More

<p>Can the traits that make you feel socially awkward actually be the key to unlocking extraordinary success?</p> <p>We’ve all experienced a time when we felt like an outsider looking in. But for some, this isn’t a rare occurrence, but a constant struggle. In fact, research shows ... Show More

Melissa Dahl is a senior editor covering health and psychology for New York's The Cut. In 2014, she cofounded New York’s popular social science site, Science of Us. Her work has appeared in Elle, Parents, and TODAY.com. Her new book, Cringeworthy, is her first book. In our conver ... Show More

Have you ever made a comment in a meeting that was met with silence? A silence that felt like hours, and you had no option but to wait for that awkward moment to be over? We’ve all been there. But having awkward moments at work doesn't have to be a bad thing. In fact, this week's ... Show More

We all know what it feels like to be awkward. It happens all the time. Sadly I’ve known it a lot more with all the moving I’ve done in my younger years. So as fellow awkward people, we can do small things to make others feel less left out. Check out the blog post hereBuy Get Out ... Show More

Everyone experiences social awkwardness; it's what you do when you're experiencing it that determines whether or not it will mess with your confidence and with how you come off to others. This podcast episode will coach you to a place of confidence for the next time you find your ... Show More

A racing heart, blushing, feeling sick - most people experience symptoms of shyness in certain situations. But some of us are much shyer than others, and if it gets on top of you, shyness can really limit what you get out of life.That’s why this week’s listener got in touch with ... Show More

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style= "font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;">In this enlightening episode, we dive deep into the social skills challenges often faced by smart and accomplished adults. Despite their professional success and intellectual prowess, many adults find social i ... Show More