A Bit of Optimism

Release Date

All Episodes

Revisited: The Beautiful Brilliance of Boredom with Creative Polymath Elle Cordova

Team Simon is revisiting some of the episodes you helped make our favorites of the year until A Bit of Optimism returns on January 27, 2026, with brand-new episodes.We’re rewinding back to August, when talented polymath Elle Cordova joined the show and unpacked how we’re all wire ... Show more

. 1h 3min

A Bit of Optimism Will Return in the New Year

Team Simon here! As the year comes to a close, A Bit of Optimism is pressing pause for a short winter break. The show will return on January 27, 2026 and we can’t wait to be back with you.But before we go, we want to say thank you. Truly.This show exists because of you—the listen ... Show more

. 2min 37sec

Revisited: Your Unhappy Brain Needs Some Assistance with Happiness Expert Mo Gawdat

Team Simon here! Thank you for being part of such an incredible year—and for helping us grow the podcast through your support, sharing it with others, and showing up week after week. We love seeing your comments and hearing what resonates with you.A Bit of Optimism returns on Jan ... Show more

. 1h 30min

Prepare for the Life You’re Meant to Live With Chaplain John Fox

Often the biggest transformations we undergo don’t arrive as lightning bolts, but as quiet shifts we’ve been preparing for all along. For John Fox, the transformation from a 25-year career in high finance to becoming a chaplain wasn’t sudden at all. It was a slow burn—shaped by l ... Show more

. 1h 7min

How Losing Everything Taught Her to Help Everyone: Joan Howard’s Story

Life can change in an instant. One day you’re shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue, and the next you’re sitting in your car with everything you own, and everyone you love, wondering what happens now.Joan Howard grew up in Beverly Hills with every advantage until a series of crises left ... Show more

. 51min 8sec