logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2025
54m 48s

How and Why Optimism Works & Why a Littl...

Mike Carruthers | OmniCast Media
About this episode

Why are dalmatians often associated with firefighters and fire trucks? Is it just a mascot thing or is there more to the story? Of course, there is more to the story and this episode begins with a quick explanation. https://www.livescience.com/33293-dalmatians-official-firehouse-dogs.html

The world is full of optimists and pessimists. Which is better? How do we come to be one or the other – are we born that way? What does it mean to be an optimist and are there benefits to it? These things I explore with my guest Sumit Paul-Choudhury. He is the former Editor-in-Chief of New Scientist; he trained as an astrophysicist and has worked as a financial journalist. He is also author of the book The Bright Side: How Optimists Change the World, and How You Can Be One (https://amzn.to/3W3Ndzl).

Have you ever NOT spoken up at a meeting because it is just easier to go along with the crowd – even when you know you were right? It seems we have been taught that compliance and being a team player is best while defying the consensus is bad. Well maybe not. There is another way to look at this, which is why Dr. Sunita Sah is here. She believes saying no and defying conventional wisdom is often the right thing to do. And you can do it in a way that doesn’t offend. Sunita is an award-winning professor at Cornell University and an expert in organizational psychology. She is author of the book Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes (https://amzn.to/49Zecln)

 Keeping warm in the winter cold can be tricky and expensive. Listen as I offer some easy and practical ideas that will help keep everyone in your home nice and warm without having to turn up the heat and run up the bill. https://www.thespruce.com/ways-to-keep-warm-without-turning-up-the-heat-1388206

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!!!

SHOPIFY:  "Established in 2025". Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? Sign up for a $1 per-month trial period at https://Shopify.com/sysk . Go to SHOPIFY.com/sysk to grow your business!

HERS: Hers is changing women's healthcare by providing access to GLP-1 weekly injections with the same active ingredient as Ozempic and Wegovy, as well as oral medication kits. Start your free online visit today at https://forhers.com/sysk

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Up next
Today
How to Get Better Results with AI & The Science of Healing Trauma
Expiration dates aren’t always what they seem. While most packaged foods carry them, some foods — like salt — can last virtually forever. In fact, there’s a surprising list of everyday staples that can outlive the labels and stay good for years. Listen as I reveal which foods nev ... Show More
50m 22s
Oct 6
The Smart Way to Spend Money & History That Never Happened
How you walk doesn’t just reflect your mood — it can actually shape it. Research shows that adjusting your stride can boost happiness, and even a short walk outside could be the smartest thing you do today. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141015143259.htm When it co ... Show More
50m 47s
Oct 4
What Nature Reveals About Living Longer & Why Smart People Believe Irrational Things-SYSK Choice
If you’re stocking up on Halloween candy, do you know which treats kids actually want the most? This episode opens with a list of the top 10 most popular Halloween candies — and it may not be what you expect. https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/2023/10/03/blow-pops-win ... Show More
50m 25s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2024
How And Why To Avoid The Siren Call Of Cynicism | Dr. Jamil Zaki
New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- This Stanford psychologist has evidence that being a cynic is bad for your health, and offers a non-corny alternative.  Dr. Jamil Zaki is a professor of psyc ... Show More
1h 13m
Sep 15
Why Bad People Sometimes Win—and How You Can Too Without Being One
Why do arrogant or selfish people often seem to succeed while kind, caring people struggle to get ahead? It’s a frustrating paradox we see all around us—but the truth is, it’s not about morality. It comes down to alignment and self-worth. On today’s show, I’ll explain why the wor ... Show More
18m 42s
Apr 2025
Can You Become a "Practical" Optimist?
There are many benefits to being an optimist - particularly when things go wrong in our lives. But we aren't all naturally optimistic, so can we learn to adopt the best and most positive behaviours of born optimists? Through treating New Yorkers caught up in the 9/11 attacks, psy ... Show More
45m 4s
Sep 2024
Find Hope and Banish Cynicism... Coming Sept 9
It's hard to stay hopeful sometimes. Things can look pretty bleak and divided, especially around election time. But if you're losing hope in your fellow humans, stop and listen to the science. Other people are kinder, friendlier and more co-operative than you might think.    Usin ... Show More
4m 3s
Sep 30
How Spending Time In Nature Helps Our Health
Many of us know that being outside feels good. Maybe it’s for a short walk to the store. Maybe for a hike at a nearby mountain. Or maybe spending time at the beach with loved ones for a holiday.But did you know that a short walk in nature can improve your attention span by 20 per ... Show More
33m 8s
Aug 20
Why numeracy counts in everyday life, with Ellen Peters, PhD
From deciding whether to buy a house to weighing the risks and benefits of taking a new medication, many important life decisions hinge on understanding numbers, statistics and probability. Ellen Peters, PhD, author of “Innumeracy in the Wild: Misunderstanding and Misusing Number ... Show More
35m 22s
Apr 2025
#1323 - Simple Ways to Transform Your Health
Sadhguru talks about the importance of eating locally and how this body is a product of the food that we eat.Set the context for a joyful, exuberant day with a short, powerful message from Sadhguru. Explore a range of subjects with Sadhguru, discover how every aspect of life can ... Show More
11m 39s
Apr 2025
3567: [Part 1] The Power of Words - 3 Phrases That Will Destroy Your Happiness by Sabrina of Budding Optimist
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.Episode 3567:Sabrina explores how seemingly harmless phrases like “why me” and “if only” subtly erode our happiness by reinforcing f ... Show More
9m 52s
Jan 2025
Dr. Rhonda Patrick On Why Exercise Fuels The Brain, How Microplastics Poison The Body, & The Science Of Fitness
Dr. Rhonda Patrick is a renowned scientist, researcher, and the founder of FoundMyFitness. This conversation explores how exercise enhances brain function—upending old beliefs about lactate—while examining new research on microplastics’ accumulation in our bodies and practical wa ... Show More
2h 50m
Aug 2024
What Does “Perfect” Mean in Med School?
Why perfect isn’t always the goal Listener Noah wrote to us from the UK asking–among other things–how he could flourish when he starts medical school. One statement caught our eye, however: that he was determined to do everything right the first time. M4s Matt Engelken, Chirayu S ... Show More
1h 13m