Explorers discover new worlds and perspectives that change humanity forever.

Leland Melvin has spent his life exploring.  He’s been a rocket scientist, an astronaut, and an NFL player.

Now, he’s an educator who uses the dramatic ups-and-downs of his own life to inspire the next generation of explorers. 

This is… A Bit of Optimism.

Exploration with Leland Melvin

The future is always bright…if you know where to look. Join me each week for A Bit of Optimism - I talk to inspiring people who teach me more about life, leadership and general interesting things.

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Self-Improvement

Relationships are hard. No matter how much we like, respect, or love someone, conflict seems inevitable.
But even as we fight and disagree, we can also learn the skills we need to resolve our problems. For over two decades, Shawn McBride has helped thousands of couples do the work to strengthen their relationships. And he has tons of practical advice.
Shawn sat down with me to discuss the three biggest problems couples face, why I'm a huge fan of his Instagram, and how love can keep relationships afloat, but it's often not enough.

This...is A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Shawn and his work, check out:
@couples_counseling_center
@shawnmcbridespeaks

and couplescounselingcenter.org
  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Love Is Not Enough with couples therapist Shawn McBride

Loneliness is now an epidemic, with devastating impacts on our health. How can we rekindle the deep human connection we need now more than ever?
For Rabbi Sharon Brous, this question is the focus of her work. Considered one of the most influential rabbis in the U.S., she's founded her own congregation and has led multiple White House faith events. In her new book, The Amen Effect, Sharon explores how grief and heartbreak can be gateways to truly seeing each other.

Sharon and I talk about what it means to be present to someone else's pain and how a 2,000-year old ritual taught her the meaning of healing together. 

This...is A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Sharon and her work, check out:

her book The Amen Effect
her congregation iKAR See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We Cannot Heal Alone with Rabbi Sharon Brous

Apple's "1984" commercial, the Energizer Bunny, and the launch of Air Jordans all have one thing in common. They're all creations of legendary ad man Lee Clow.

As creative director of Chiat/Day, Lee spent decades making work that transcended advertising and became cultural icons. He shared a close relationship with Steve Jobs, and his Think Different campaign revitalized Apple, transforming it into the brand we recognize today.

As someone whose career started in advertising, Lee's a hero of mine, and I was thrilled to sit down with him. He shares the entertaining stories behind his most iconic work and some insights into Steve Jobs's leadership, his rare ability to fearlessly embrace creativity.

This...is A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Lee and his work, check out:

Apple's "1984" Macintosh commercial

Lee in the Creative Hall of Fame


 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ideas That Stick with advertising legend Lee Clow

Anxiety disorders affect Gen Z at astronomically higher rates than previous generations. There's plenty to be anxious about in the modern world. But the reason behind Gen Z's mental health crisis might be simpler than you'd think.

According to social psychologist and NYU professor Jonathan Haidt, the answer lies in growing up with a combination of smartphones and social media. In his new book The Anxious Generation, he argues that Gen Z's anxiety is a symptom of being the first generation to go through puberty on Instagram and TikTok, with iPhones available to access them constantly.

Thankfully, Jonathan believes the problem is solvable. He shares some advice he has for concerned parents and tells me how we can fix the mental health crisis affecting our kids in just a few years time.

This...is A Bit of Optimism.

To learn more about Jonathan's work, check out:

anxiousgeneration.com
jonathanhaidt.com

And for parents, visit:

letgrow.org


 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Anxious Generation with social psychologist Jonathan Haidt

Most of us would count ourselves lucky to live to age 80. And yet, there are places on Earth where people regularly live to 100, suffer virtually no chronic disease, and live life with a sense of purpose. 
These "Blue Zones" are the focus of Dan Buettner's work. He's a National Geographic explorer, an author, and a documentarian. He spent years traveling and studying the Blue Zones to understand why these 5 places on Earth produce some of the happiest, and longest-lived, people in the world. 
 
Dan and I discuss why happiness is the key to longevity, creating Blue Zones in our own lives, and how a longer life can begin with simply rearranging your kitchen.

This...is A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Dan Buettner and his work, check out:
his Netflix documentary Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones
or bluezones.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Exploration with Leland Melvin

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