Good manners aren’t just about being polite — they’re about making other people feel seen.
Mar 17
Revisited: What Dying Teaches Us About Living with Death Doula Alua Arthur
Team Simon here! While A Bit of Optimism is on a short break, we’re revisiting a few episodes you helped make some of our favorites. We’ll be back with brand-new conversations next week, on March 24th, 2026. In the meantime, we’re bringing back an episode that explores a word mos ... Show More
45m 7s
Mar 10
Revisited: The Kennedy Family and the Search for Self with Journalist Maria Shriver
Hello from Team Simon! We’re taking a short hiatus, but A Bit of Optimism will return with brand-new episodes March 24th. In the meantime, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes. Episodes that many of you who listened, shared them, and told us what resonated. This week, w ... Show More
43m 48s
Mar 3
Revisited: How to Turn Stress Into Creativity With Grammy-Winner Jacob Collier
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
58m 33s
Nov 2025
Author of Just Good Manners: William Hanson – Etiquette, British Dining Codes, & The Art of Grace in a Noisy World
The Gstaad Guy sits down with William Hanson, one of the world’s leading etiquette authorities and author of Just Good Manners, to explore the role of civility and decorum in a rapidly changing world. Known for blending British tradition with contemporary wit, William reflects on ... Show More
1h 13m
Dec 2024
50 Things Every Young Gentleman Should Know by Bryan Curtis and John Bridges
In today's podcast we discuss "50 Things Every Young Gentleman Should Know," a guidebook by Bryan Curtis and John Bridges offering etiquette advice for young gentlemen. We'll cover a wide range of topics, from basic politeness (saying "please," "thank you," and "excuse me") to mo ... Show More
10m 58s
Oct 2022
105. Mastering Professional Manners - The Essential Etiquette You Need to Succeed
There are rules of conduct for how you go about your workday, be it in-person or virtual, and that is business etiquette. These rules are the accepted or required norms in your specific profession and/or workplace, and they may be very different and not come into play in an alter ... Show More
28m 15s
Apr 2025
Sara Jane Ho: Modern Manners, Real Confidence
<p>Sara Jane Ho, global etiquette expert, Netflix host, and author of Mind Your Manners, shares practical, empowering advice for navigating today’s social and professional world with confidence and kindness. From setting boundaries and making introductions to handling awkward din ... Show More
42m 33s
Dec 2024
The Modern Gentleman - A Guide to Essential Manners, Savvy, and Vice by Phineas Mollod and Jason Tesauro
In today's deep dive, we discuss "The Modern Gentleman - A Guide to Essential Manners, Savvy, and Vice by Phineas Mollod and Jason Tesauro", an excellent guide on etiquette and social skills for men. We cover a wide range of topics, from appropriate attire to social situations, p ... Show More
25m 53s
Feb 2025
"There is more to etiquette than table manners!" Jamila Musayeva | Etiquette Consultant, Author & Content Creator
Jamila is a certified etiquette consultant, author, and content creator. She has written three books on etiquette and hosts a popular YouTube channel on etiquette with over 1 million subscribers. She graduated summa cum laude in International Affairs from George Washington Univer ... Show More
1h 31m