A Bit of Optimism

What happens when we reach the top? Theres only one place to go.

Cory Richards has scaled the worlds highest peaks and fallen to lifes 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.I

n 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.

Thisis A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Cory Richards and his work, check out:

coryrichards.com

Change happens to all of us whether we choose it or not. What’s the best way to go through transition, especially when it’s something we didn’t want?

Melinda French Gates has seen her fair share of big transitions. A philanthropist, author, and champion for female empowerment, she spent decades building the Gates Foundation into one of the mightiest charitable organizations in the world. But after 25 years, she decided it was time for a change. Leaving the Foundation and her marriage to Bill Gates behind, she struck out on her own for a new decade of philanthropy.

I was delighted to sit down with Melinda to talk about how we can successfully navigate the big changes in life, and why finding your allies during tough transitions is the best way to start a new chapter.

This…is A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Melinda French Gates and her work, check out:

her book, The Next Day: Transitions, Change, and Moving Forward

her investment and philanthropy organization, Pivotal Ventures

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 Maria

mariashriver.com

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 Easy

his podcast, The School of Greatness

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.

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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 Awesome

tytashiro.com