Where Is Simon Going? with journalist Cal Fussman
Sometimes in life, we must stop and ask ourselves, “Where am I you going next?” Other times, it’s more fun to do a podcast takeover.No one has ever interviewed me quite like Cal Fussman. Cal has a gift – he pulls things out of you that you didn’t even know were there. A prolific Writer At Large for Esquire, Cal has interviewed legends like Muhammad Ali and Mikhail Gorbachev, and he’s the host of the podcast Big Questions. So, to mark 15 years since writing Start With Why, I invited Cal to take over my podcast and ask me the questions I don’t usually get asked.Cal did get me to open up in this conversation, but not in the way you might expect. We talk about where I’ve been, where I’m going, the infinite game, creativity in AI…and why I’ve become so obsessed with friendship lately.This…is A Bit of OptimismFor more on Cal and his work, check out:Big Questions with Cal Fussman
13 Mai 50min
The Cure for Nihilism with professor Suzy Welch
Sometimes in life, we choose the wrong path. When we feel like we're living a lie, it's hard to know what to do next.That’s where Suzy Welch comes in. She’s obsessed with helping people create lives worth living. A professor at NYU’s Stern School of Business, Suzy teaches a popular class called “Becoming You,” where she takes students down a brutal, but liberating, journey to live as their authentic selves. According to Suzy’s research, purpose is the key to unlocking the real you, but finding that purpose is often trickier than we imagine.I had a blast talking, and debating, with Suzy about what it means to craft a purpose-driven life. In this conversation, she shares with me the difference between passion and aptitude, the reason luck is overrated, and why so many people struggle to know their own values.To learn more about Suzy and her work, check out:her book, Becoming Youand The Becoming You Podcast with Suzy Welch
6 Mai 34min
(PART 2) The Climb Out of Pain is Taller Than Everest with National Geographic photographer Cory Richards
*Please note: At 9:01, Simon and Cory have a discussion about suicide.What happens after we attain success and glory? Where do you go when there's nowhere left to run from yourself?In Part 2 of my conversation with Cory Richards, Cory explains why reaching the summit of Everest marked the beginning of a long, painful fall from grace. After his tumultuous decision to retire from climbing, Cory found himself lost and confused about his true identity. At the same time, he was forced to grapple with multiple life-shattering events at once -- some of his own making.In this episode, we discuss the difference between identity and purpose, the skills Cory learned to cope with multiple tragedies, and why the more we ignore life’s harshest lessons, the louder they become.Listen to Part 1 here or watch it on YouTube.This…is A Bit of Optimism.For more on Cory Richards and his work, check out:coryrichards.com
29 Apr 39min
(PART 1) The Climb Out of Pain is Taller Than Everest with National Geographic photographer Cory Richards
What happens when we reach the top? There’s only one place to go.Cory Richards has scaled the world’s highest peaks and fallen to life’s lowest lows. An acclaimed mountain climber, photographer, and filmmaker, Cory has literally reached the top of the world. He climbed Mount Everest with no supplemental oxygen, became the first American to summit an 8,000-meter mountain, and narrowly survived an avalanche, after which he skyrocketed to fame when his photos graced the cover of National Geographic.And yet, after all that success, Cory felt like an emotional wreck. As his mental health deteriorated, his volatile behavior damaged his career and his relationships. Without the identity of “climber” to give him validation, Cory was forced to confront who he really is.In Part 1 of this conversation, Cory shares with me head-spinning stories from climbing the Himalayas, his struggles with mental health as a teen, and the difference between survival and resilience.This…is A Bit of Optimism.For more on Cory Richards and his work, check out:coryrichards.com
22 Apr 47min
Who Are You, Really? with journalist Maria Shriver
We often define ourselves by what we do or who we are to other people. But at our core, who we are is often something much deeper, and sometimes wildly different, from the version that the world sees -- or projects onto you.Maria Shriver was born into the legendary Kennedy and Shriver families, arriving with a script already written for her—an identity shaped by legacy and expectation. From the start, the world had ideas about who she should be. But after decades as a journalist, years as California’s First Lady, and raising four amazing kids, Maria has been on a lifelong journey to peel back the layers and ask Who am I now?—and answer it for herself.Maria also happens to be my best friend. We talked about how we became each other’s “8-minute friends,” the quiet questions that shape us, and her beautiful new book of poetry—which she reads from in this episode. It’s all about identity, self-reflection, and finding your voice in a world that keeps trying to define it for you.This…is A Bit of Optimism.For more on Maria Shriver, check out:her book, I Am Mariamariashriver.com
8 Apr 41min
The Search for Self-Love with podcaster Lewis Howes
Self-love is never as easy as we think. Is it possible to fall in love with ourselves the way we fall for other people?Lewis Howes knows that learning to like yourself, let alone love yourself, can take decades. After surviving a traumatic childhood, Lewis spent years working on himself to try and understand what it takes for human beings to achieve greatness. He overcame learning disabilities, insecurity, and self-loathing to become who he is today. Lewis is a New York Times bestselling author, a former pro athlete, and host of the popular podcast The School of Greatness.After appearing several times on Lewis’s show, I was excited to finally have Lewis join me on A Bit of Optimism. Together, we unpack our insecurities, talk through our money trauma, and discuss why the first step to liking yourself is to find a little courage.This…is A Bit of Optimism.For more on Lewis and his work, check out:his book, Make Money Easyhis podcast, The School of Greatness
1 Apr 51min
Revisited: Why Awkward Is Awesome with psychologist Ty Tashiro
A Bit of Optimism is on hiatus this week, so we’re revisiting one of our favorite conversations! In this episode, Simon talks with psychologist Ty Tashiro about social awkwardness and why being awkward can actually be a superpower.*****Awkwardness gets a bad rap. But being awkward is often an indicator that someone has extraordinary.Psychologist and author Ty Tashiro has spent a great deal of time studying (and living!) social awkwardness. He's fascinated by how the same traits that cause us social embarrassment can also drive exceptional accomplishment. As a fellow awkward person, I was delighted to sit down with Ty and discuss the competitive advantages of social awkwardness, and how sometimes what society labels a weakness turns out to be our greatest strength.This...is A Bit of Optimism.For more on Ty and his work check out: his book, AWKWARD: The Science of Why We're Socially Awkward and Why That's Awesometytashiro.com
25 Mar 31min