Guaranteed Joy with Richard Curtis

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

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

Richard the Lionheart has been portrayed on screen by Sean Connery, Anthony Hopkins and Patrick Stewart, quite a starry list. But what is the reality behind the legend of this famous king?

Richard's nominator is Timmy Mallett, a legend of children's TV but also unexpect ...

When others share their grief, it gives us permission to feel it ourselves. That’s what Richard E Grant has learnt over the last year as he’s shared every part of his own grieving process online. His wife Joan died in 2021, but before she did she told Richard he must try to fi ...

Richard Marx (Grammy Award Winner) shares some incredible industry stories from the birth of his career after being taken under the wing of Lionel Richie at 18 years old to his current close friendship with with the great Barbara Streisand. Richard opens up about the fearless min ...  Show more

In the world of comedy, there are a select few who leave an indelible mark on the industry. Richard Lewis, the legendary comedian, was one such individual. With his unique comedic style, candidness about his struggles, and memorable appearances, Richard Lewis became a favorite am ...  Show more