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.
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
Oct 2022
S1E11 - Activists and Public Sector Working Together
<p>In this episode of Let’s Talk Housing we’ll be talking about systemic changes to address the root causes of homelessness. To foster this discussion, we’re joined by Chrissy Brett, Indigenous Housing and Community Advocate, and Stephanie Allen, BC Housing’s Vice President of St ... Show More
28m 34s
Jun 2023
How to Talk to People: What Makes a House a Home
What motivated two families to engage in the organized chaos of shared living and how did they learn to talk through, and shape, new expectations for their family life at home? In this episode of How to Talk to People, we hear from Deborah Tepley and Luke Jackson, who remember wh ... Show More
39m 50s
<p>Today's guest, Vanessa Van Edwards , is a behavioral investigator and founder of human behavior research lab, the <a href="http://www.scienceofpeople.com/" target="_blank">Science of People</a>.</p><p>She's also known as a human lie-detector, master of influence ... Show More