A Bit of Optimism

Information is power. But how do we adapt now that most of the information we consume comes with a heavy bias? 

In an ironic twist of fate, it’s Wikipedia — the encyclopedia that anyone can edit — that has done one of the best jobs maintaining public trust in our polarized era. 

I sat down with the founder of Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales, in front of a live studio audience to explore how we got here and how Wikipedia’s transparency and vulnerability may be a model for a better future.

This…is A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Jimmy, his work, and the Founders Forum summit that hosted our conversation, check out: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Wales

https://twitter.com/jimmy_wales

https://ff.co/

What does it mean for a life to go well? What matters most in our time on Earth? 

These are the most important questions of our lives and yet most of us have no clue how to answer them. 

Miroslav Volf is a theologian and professor who has been grappling with these ideas for decades. He is the founding director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture where he teaches a class called “Life Worth Living,” and recently wrote a book by the same name.

It turns out, life worth living is life helping others. 

This is…A Bit of Optimism.  

For more information on Miroslav and his work check out: 

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/691260/life-worth-living-by-miroslav-volf-matthew-croasmun-and-ryan-mcannally-linz/

https://faith.yale.edu/people/miroslav-volf

Creative success is notoriously elusive, but those who have made the journey insist it comes down to three factors: hard work, luck, and talent. 

Steven Pressfield wants to add one more thing to that list: a muse. And he should know.

His muse guided him to incredible success as an author of fiction, nonfiction, and movies including hit books like: The Legend of Bagger Vance, The War of Art, and Gates of Fire. 

Steven’s story of the long and bumpy road he took to find his muse and his success can help the rest of us find ours a little quicker. 

This is… A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Steven and his work, check out: 

his new memoir, Govt Cheese: https://stevenpressfieldstore.kinsta.cloud/product/govt-cheese-signed-copy/

and his other published works: https://stevenpressfield.com/books/

On the path to fame, most rising stars abandon their morals.

Not Jimmy Darts. He’s done just the opposite.  

Jimmy started his career as a YouTuber pulling ill-advised pranks. Two decades later, he and his 20 million fans now make the world a kinder place by donating life-changing money to unsuspecting strangers who are spontaneously kind, compassionate, or generous.

This is… A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Jimmy and his work, check out:

https://www.jimmydarts.com/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2BoMmoR5HSmz5-oS8_1ENw

www.instagram.com/jimmydarts

Dating doesn’t have to be about finding “The One.”  At its most rewarding, modern love can be about growth, curiosity, and authenticity.  

Ana Kirova is the CEO of the dating platform 'Feeld’, a revolutionary app that helps people break free from traditional norms, explore alternative relationships, and discover the boundless potential for love that comes with accepting yourself and others without judgment.

This is… A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Ana and her work check out: 

https://feeld.co/

“Soul” is a word that I've never really used, but it perfectly encapsulates what has made David Copperfield the most successful magician of all time.  

He has filled global audiences with awe for over 40 years.  He made the Statue of Liberty disappear, escaped from Alcatraz, and walked through the Great Wall of China.  

And it turns out, the key to great magic is also the key to any great work: a visceral, emotional connection between the act and the performer.  

You have to find and honor the soul of the idea.  

This is…A Bit of Optimism. 

For more on David and his work check out: 

https://www.davidcopperfield.com/html/

Molly Bloom’s life story is one-of-a-kind.  

Her Olympic dreams were dashed, so she planned on going to law school. Instead, she wound up running a high-stakes poker game where hundreds of millions of dollars would change hands in a night.  

Molly made a lot of money. Celebrities, mafias, and federal informants soon took an interest in her and her game.  Eventually, she lost everything and had no one to blame but herself.

Her story later became the Academy Award nominated movie, Molly’s Game, and the lessons she learned from her extraordinary journey have tremendous value for the rest of us.

This is… A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Molly and her work, check out:

twitter.com/immollybloom

How would you like to be judged for the rest of your life by the worst thing you’ve ever done?

Robin Steinberg was a public defender, where she had to learn to see her clients – who were often accused of heinous crimes – as human.  

The lessons she has learned about how to find compassion for people with whom we vehemently disagree are absolutely essential for this divided world.

This is… A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Robin and her work check out:

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/610838/the-courage-of-compassion-by-robin-steinberg-contributions-by-camilo-ramirez/

There is a very good chance that Bill Farmer has already made your life brighter and you had no idea.

That's because Bill is a Disney Legend. He has been the voice of Goofy since 1987, among countless other Disney and Looney Tunes characters. What started as a simple impression sparked an amazing career that has influenced millions with a message of optimism.

He views his work as an act of service. As a result, he brings his audience joy that they carry with them for the rest of their lives.  

This is… A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Bill Farmer and his work, check out: 

https://disneyplusoriginals.disney.com/show/its-a-dogs-life-with-bill-farmer

When you get one of the most successful comedy writers in television history to come on your podcast, naturally the first thing to talk about is...his trip in a homemade submarine to visit the ruins of the Titanic.

You see, Mike Reiss isn't just the funniest guy in the room — he's also the most well-traveled.  He's been to Iran, the North Pole, North Korea, and everywhere in between.  

Whether he's sharing travel anecdotes or writer's room memories from his 600+ episodes of The Simpsons, one thing is very clear: when Mike tells a story, things are going to get animated.  

This is… A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Mike and his work check out: 

His travel podcast "What Am I Doing Here with Mike Reiss": https://bleav.com/shows/what-am-i-doing-here-with-mike-reiss/