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 Simon’s conversation with the wildly creative and endlessly curious Jacob Collier.

To create something truly original, do we build something new or break what came before? Perhaps the answer is both—simultaneously. 

Jacob Collier does exactly that. A songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and Grammy Award winner, Jacob has built a career on blending structure with spontaneity. He’s known for turning entire concert halls into three-part choirs, transforming audiences from spectators into collaborators. His album "Djesse Volume 4" was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2025 Grammy Awards, alongside icons like Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, and Taylor Swift. Although Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" won, Jacob snagged his seventh Grammy for his rendition of "Bridge Over Troubled Water."

Simon sat down with Jacob in a music studio just days before the 2025 Grammys, surrounded by pianos and possibility. What unfolded was more than a conversation about music. It was a masterclass in creativity, about holding opposites at once, embracing imperfection, and having the courage to follow curiosity wherever it leads.

If you’ve ever wondered how creativity really works or how to find your own voice without losing what came before—this one’s worth another listen.

This… is A Bit of Optimism.

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For more on Jacob, check out: 

http://jacobcollier.com  

‪@jacobcollier‬

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Scott Galloway and I don’t always see the world the same way, but our friendly debates almost always lead us back to common ground. It’s probably why we enjoy talking to each other as much as we do.

If you haven’t heard my friend Scott’s name before, he’s known for being brilliant, provocative, and unapologetically himself. He’s a professor at NYU Stern School of Business, entrepreneur, bestselling author, and larger-than-life social commentator. In recent years, his work, which includes his new book Notes on Being a Man, has explored the challenges facing men today, from loneliness and dating to purpose and identity.

Scott and I have different views on what “healthy masculinity” looks like. He’s not afraid to say things during this podcast that might ruffle some feathers. But inevitably, the conclusions we get to are introspective, vulnerable, and often universal. That’s certainly true for one revelation we share: confidence matters.

Not the loud, performative kind. The real kind. The kind that helps people risk rejection, build meaningful relationships, and show up more generously in the world.

In this episode, Scott and I talk about the “masculinity crisis,” why young people are struggling to connect, how purpose outlasts happiness, and why masculine and feminine traits are complementary rather than competing. We explore the need for good social risks like leaving the house, meeting people, pursuing relationships, and hearing “no,” and why confidence is less about ego and more about security, kindness, and connection.

This is a conversation between two opposites who challenge each other, listen deeply, and ultimately agree that building real confidence may be one of the most important skills we can teach the next generation.

This… is A Bit of Optimism.

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If you want to read Scott’s new book Notes on Being a Man, head to: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Notes-on-Being-a-Man

Check out Scott’s podcast “The Prof G Pod”: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheProfGShow-ScottGalloway

You can also watch his podcast “Pivot with Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway”: https://www.youtube.com/@pivot

To stay up to date with all of Scott’s work, head over to: https://www.profgalloway.com/

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It’s often true that the most challenging conversations are often the ones most worth having. Conversations that bring up strong feelings, different experiences, and questions without easy answers. Policing, and how we can make it better, is one of those conversations.

San Leandro Police Chief Angela Averiett has spent nearly three decades in law enforcement, navigating the profession’s challenges while advocating for a healthier path forward. I met Angela through The Curve, my organization focused on helping policing evolve to meet the needs of a modern world. She’s a powerful example of forward-thinking leadership, exploring how culture, mindset, and psychological safety shape the way officers show up for each other and for the communities they serve.

In this episode, Angela and I unpack why cynicism is so common among officers, how strong leadership creates healthier team cultures, and why rebuilding trust in policing starts from the inside out. Angela shares stories from her career that reveal a different side of police work: where compassion improves safety, discretion matters more than enforcement, and leadership means creating space for people to be human. Together, we explore the balance between strength and empathy, and why healthier internal cultures lead to stronger relationships with the public.

Whether you’re a leader interested in organizational culture or simply curious about how policing can evolve, I hope this conversation offers an honest and hopeful perspective on the work ahead.

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If you want to learn more about the work The Curve is doing, head to: https://www.thecurve.org

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Fanbases are some of the most powerful forces on the planet.

They show up. They buy the tickets. They travel across countries and time zones. They memorize lyrics, study interviews, hunt for Easter eggs, and turn the smallest detail into an entire universe of meaning. They collaborate, they organize, and they care deeply.

Fan communities are savvy. They are smart. And when they are invited in, they create extraordinary momentum.

Adam Met, best known as the “A” of indie-pop band AJR, believes that this kind of energy can extend far beyond concerts or comment sections. He is asking a bigger question. What if we harnessed that same passion, creativity, imagination, and sense of belonging to improve the communities we live in?

Adam has spent years studying how to move people from curiosity to action. He’s also a climate activist, the founder of the nonprofit Planet Reimagined, an adjunct professor at Columbia University, and the author of the bestselling book Amplify: How to Use the Power of Connection to Engage, Take Action, and Build a Better World.

In our conversation, Adam explains how the same principles that make music meaningful - ownership, storytelling, participation, and belonging - can be applied to social movements, civic engagement, and climate action, to name a few. From designing fan-first concert experiences to rethinking how we engage people around complex issues, Adam argues that emotion is the engine of progress.

This episode isn’t really about music.
And it’s not really about climate either.

It’s about how we bring people together, help them feel invested, and create experiences that inspire them to act.

This… is A Bit of Optimism.

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To buy Adam’s book Amplify: How to Use the Power of Connection to Engage, Take Action, and Build a Better World, head to: https://www.adammet.net/amplify

If you want to learn more about Adam’s climate work, check out: https://www.planetreimagined.com

And don’t forget to stream AJR’s latest EP, What No One’s Thinking: https://www.ajrbrothers.com

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We’re often told that the secret to success is grit - more discipline, more perseverance, more individual effort. And grit does matter. But what if it’s only half the story?

In today’s world, we’ve become experts at tracking achievement, yet novices at nurturing belonging - and the cost of that imbalance is showing up everywhere from burnout to loneliness.

Few people are better equipped to help me make sense of that tension than today’s guest, Angela Duckworth. Angela is a professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, a MacArthur “Genius” Award winner, and the bestselling author of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance.

Angela is one of those people I could talk to for hours and we cover a lot of ground, but our conversation isn’t just about grit or performance. It’s about something deeper: why belonging gives achievement meaning and why human beings are actually wired to thrive together.

In this episode, Angela and I explore how a culture obsessed with individual success quietly erodes teamwork, trust, and wellbeing. We talk about the loneliness epidemic among young people, why grit is so often misunderstood, and why character isn’t just about what you do for yourself, but what you do for others. Along the way, we unpack why the smartest people don’t always make the best teammates, how incentives shape behavior in ways we rarely notice, and why purpose and people—not willpower—are what sustain us over time.

If you’ve ever felt burned out, disconnected, or wondered why success doesn’t feel as satisfying as you thought it would, this conversation is a reminder that meaning doesn’t come from standing alone at the top—it comes from being part of something bigger than yourself.

This is… A Bit of Optimism.

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To buy Angela’s book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, head to: https://angeladuckworth.com/grit-book 

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In a world defined by constant change, reinvention isn’t optional - it’s essential. We often assume reinvention comes from bold leaps or lucky breaks, but actor and author Matthew McConaughey’s story suggests a quieter approach can be far more powerful.

In this episode, Matthew joins me to explore the inner practices that have shaped both his life and his legendary career in Hollywood. From stepping away from romantic comedies at the height of his success to sitting with uncertainty when there were no guarantees on the other side, Matthew shares how learning to get comfortable with discomfort empowered the most meaningful reinventions of his life. 

At the center of our conversation is curiosity - self-curiosity. Matthew reflects on decades of journaling as a way to notice patterns, stay honest, and make sense of moments that feel unclear. Rather than avoiding discomfort, he learned to treat it as information to study, learn from, and eventually act on.

We talk about what it takes to stay relevant without losing yourself, why reinvention often requires carrying the risk before anyone else believes in the outcome, and how self-curiosity can become a compass when the path forward isn’t obvious.

Matthew also shares how these ideas come to life in his newest book, Poems & Prayers - a collection of reflections shaped by presence, patience, and the courage to keep asking better questions.

If you’re navigating change, questioning your direction, or looking to grow while remaining true to yourself, this conversation offers a grounded and thoughtful path forward.

This is… A Bit of Optimism.

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To check out Matthew’s new book Poems & Prayers, head to: http://www.poemsprayers.com

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Hello from Team Simon! We’ll be back next week—January 27, 2026—with brand-new episodes of A Bit of Optimism. We’re excited to bring you new guests, conversations, and opportunities to learn.

Until then, we’re diving back into the archives to revisit one of our favorite episodes from 2024, when comedian Trevor Noah joined the show… to get as serious as possible.

Most Americans know Trevor as the former host of The Daily Show, a bestselling author, and a stand-up comedian. But his brand of humor isn’t just a barrel of laughs— it’s raw, witty, thought-provoking, and often makes you see the world in a whole new way.

In this conversation, Simon and Trevor ditched the small talk (mostly) and went deep into the paradox of choice, the public's response to the murder of United HealthCare's CEO, and why the human experience might be defined by constraint.

It will make you chuckle, think, and probably question everything all at once.

This… is A Bit of Optimism.

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For more on Trevor and his work, check out: https://www.trevornoah.com/ 

Team Simon here! We’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes from 2025. But we'll be back in just two weeks with brand-new episodes of A Bit of Optimism on January 27, 2026. We think you’re going to love them!

Today, we’re going back to January of last year when Dr. Becky Kennedy joined us to discuss the hardest job in the world—parenting. It turns out, it’s also one of the best training grounds for leadership.

Dr. Becky Kennedy, aka the “Millennial Parent Whisperer,” became an essential voice for caretakers by offering practical, actionable parenting advice that resonated with millions during the pandemic. As a clinical psychologist and founder of Good Inside, she’s now helping parents build sturdy leadership skills that not only transform their homes but also their work lives.

In this conversation, Dr. Becky shares how understanding boundaries, emotional triggers, and big feelings can help us become more effective leaders. Whether you’re a parent or a manager (or both!), her insights will help you lead with more intention, connection, and confidence.

This… is A Bit of Optimism.

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Check out Dr. Becky’s work: https://www.goodinside.com/

Happy New Year from Team Simon! We’re so excited to bring you more new episodes of A Bit of Optimism when we return on January 27, 2026. With your support, we’ll make 2026 an incredible year together. In the meantime, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes from last year.

We kicked off 2025 with a guest most podcast enthusiasts probably have heard of—Mel Robbins. This insightful conversation answers an important question: how do we push through the days where life can feel overwhelming? Especially when we're too drained to even get out of bed.

For Mel Robbins, facing this very question turned her life around. Struggling with $800,000 in debt and at rock bottom, she became obsessed with finding practical ways to regain control. Fast forward to today, and Mel is a bestselling author and podcast host who has helped millions transform their lives. In her latest book, The Let Them Theory, she reveals how shedding the weight of others' expectations can help us live more authentically.

Simon sat down with Mel to dive into how we can take action when we're emotionally spent, why our need for control ties us to other people's opinions, and how giving others the freedom to be themselves allows us to align with our true values.

This… is A Bit of Optimism.

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For more on Mel and her work, check out: https://www.melrobbins.com/podcast

and her book: https://www.melrobbins.com/letthemtheory

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 wired to chase the next spark. We scroll, swipe, refresh, and repeat—but some of our brightest ideas sneak in when we stop chasing, let boredom settle in, and give our minds room to wander.

Elle knows the power of that pause. When the pandemic hit pause on her life as a touring musician, she stumbled into new creative territory—making offbeat comedy videos about delightfully nerdy topics like particle physics, grammar, and fonts. Those sketches went viral, and suddenly she was thriving as a social media creator with a devoted following.

In this episode, Simon and Elle talk about finding what truly lights you up, pushing through writer’s block, working with anxiety—and yes, Star Wars makes an appearance (because of course it does). Plus, Elle treats us to a live, in-studio performance of her song “Roswell.”

This… is A Bit of Optimism.

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For more on Elle, check out: https://www.ellecordova.com/