In this energising episode of That Optimism Man Podcast, Victor Perton speaks with Professor Angus Fletcher, an expert in storytelling, narrative neuroscience, and the psychology of performance, and author of Primal Intelligence: You Are Smarter Than You Know.

Together, they explore how optimism and story shape the way we lead, adapt, and grow. Drawing on his work with the military, NASA, and creative institutions, Angus shares how reconnecting with your own moments of success can inspire action, belief, and confidence in what is possible.

Angus shares powerful insights, including:

“Optimism is not This will succeed. Optimism is much, much stronger. Optimism is This can succeed.”

“Optimism is the first step toward antifragility.”

“The most important story you will ever tell is the story you tell yourself about yourself.”

This episode is a call to ensure you are connected to your own story, to rediscover your strengths, and to lead with infectious optimism.

You can explore Angus Fletcher’s book Primal Intelligence.

Connect with your host, Victor Perton, on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Learn more about the global community of optimists at The Centre for Optimism.

Tune in, be inspired, and keep choosing optimism.

Do optimists think alike? New research from Japan reveals a powerful truth. Optimists share common brain patterns when imagining the future. In this episode, Victor Perton explores the Anna Karenina Principle of Optimism, how optimism brings clarity, and why that matters for leadership, wellbeing, and innovation. Discover how optimism is not just a mindset. It is a neural superpower.

In this energising episode of The Optimism Man Podcast, Victor Perton welcomes Erina Reddan — foreign correspondent, award-winning novelist, strategist, and coach to modern leaders.

Erina brings to life a unique brand of optimism: sparkling in spirit, dogged in resolve. From reporting in war zones to guiding CEOs, her stories and insights show how optimism fuels courageous communication, deep trust, and transformational leadership.

💡 Explore how Erina equips leaders to speak with impact, clarity, and calm

💬 Discover how optimism becomes a strategy, not just a mindset

🎁 Enjoy 25 percent off Erina’s leadership communication program, exclusively for podcast listeners

🖥️ Learn more about her consultancy at https://www.redriver.com.au

📚 Explore her books and writing at https://erinareddan.com

This episode is your invitation to lead with optimism, speak with truth, and connect with purpose.

Join me, Victor Perton, on "That Optimism Man Victor Perton" as I welcome back the inspiring Alix Bradfield in our episode titled "Alix Bradfield on Living Well with Optimism in Your Eighties and Beyond." Alix, a beacon of vitality and optimism, shares her insights on embracing life past 50 with joy and resilience. We explore her book, "Energy for Life," which offers guidance on living well, aging boldly, and finding joy in everyday moments. Alix discusses the power of gratitude, connection, and the importance of maintaining health as a foundation for optimism. Discover how simple habits and a positive mindset can transform your life, regardless of age. Whether you're sipping tea or taking a walk, let Alix rekindle your optimism and inspire you to live with purpose and joy.

What do you get when an army sniper, a magician, and a documentary filmmaker turns his lens inward? You get Julian Mather, an unapologetic optimist and a living example of practical optimism in action.

In this episode of That Optimism Man, Victor Perton sits down with Julian to explore the mindset that transforms obstacles into opportunities and failure into fuel. Julian shares extraordinary, real-life stories—from near-death experiences to building hidden time capsules for future generations—all anchored in his powerful mantra: Own up. Wise up. Step up.

Whether you're leading change, navigating uncertainty, or simply looking to become more optimistic in the midst of cynics, Julian's voice will challenge you to live boldly, speak more clearly, and lead with practical optimism.

Tap play and meet the unapologetic optimist who might change how you see your day and your future.

In this powerful and heartfelt episode of That Optimism Man, Victor Perton talks with animator-turned-fine-artist Rich Wilkie, whose journey from depression and self-doubt to creative clarity is transformational.

A self-described natural pessimist, Rich shares how he deliberately chose optimism as a daily practice rooted in self-talk, creativity, laughter, and resilience.

“I try to be optimistic about optimism," said Rich Wilkie

From bringing joy to millions through animation at Disney and Netflix to painting powerful portraits in his “Eyes of War, Eyes of Hope” project for Ukrainian refugees, Rich shows us that optimism is the courage to keep creating through struggle.

“Dreams are optimism, right? Even if you don’t believe in them… dream in the darkness, bring them into the light, and fight for them," Rich Wilkie told us.

Whether you're an artist, a leader, or someone navigating life’s ups and downs, this conversation is filled with wisdom, warmth, and practical optimism.

“It’s the striving to get the bad stuff out of your life, get the good stuff in—because being more optimistic, you’ll be healthier, happier, live longer, and be more successful," Rich told Victor.

🎨 Explore Rich’s art and optimism at richwilkie.com and follow him on Instagram and LinkedIn at @RichWilkieArt.

💡 Subscribe to That Optimism Man on your favourite platform to hear stories that inspire courage, joy, and infectious optimism.

🌍 Join the movement at centreforoptimism.com because the answer to life’s most pressing questions is optimism.

In this inspiring episode of That Optimism Man Podcast, Victor Perton shares an energising and heartfelt conversation with Anne Therese Gennari, The Climate Optimist author of The Climate Optimist Handbook. Together, they explore how we can face the climate challenge and life itself by leading with infectious optimism.

Anne Therese shares how optimism is not just a mindset but a daily practice that builds resilience, sparks imagination, and empowers us to take meaningful action. Whether you're navigating personal change or global complexity, this conversation will lift your spirit and expand your sense of possibility.

✨ As Anne Therese says:

"Optimism is a practice… but the good thing is, you can get better at it."

And her bold reminder:

"Since we are in power of creating and writing the future, why wouldn't we bring our most optimistic self to that picture?"

🌿 This episode is a radiant invitation to become a climate optimist, a courageous leader, and an optimistic force for good.

🔔 Subscribe to this podcast and to The Centre for Optimism at www.centreforoptimism.com, and join the movement to lead with infectious optimism.

In this inspiring episode of That Optimism Man Podcast, Victor Perton speaks with Dr Karen Johnson, educator, researcher and a true beacon of resilience and optimism.

Karen shares her remarkable life journey, from her early years to becoming a respected faculty member at the University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies. Her work mentoring students and her leadership in higher education shapes generations of optimistic leaders.

Drawing from her white paper, The Resilience Factor: American Workforce’s Adaptation to Ongoing Challenges, Karen reveals that over two-thirds of American workers are optimistic about their career futures, driven by resilience and the belief that challenges can become opportunities.

When asked what makes her optimistic, Karen told Victor it is a blend of life experience, mindset, faith, relationships, and the daily decision to search for the light, even in the darkest moments.

With grace, humour and profound wisdom, Karen reminds us that optimism is not about denying hardship. It is about believing the light will return and working to find it.

She beautifully says, “We become what we look for.” Karen looks for optimism.

🎙️ Kindness, Optimism and the Journey to Freedom with Leon Logothetis

What happens when you lead with kindness, embrace Optimism, and embark on a journey to true freedom? And what is said when "The Kindness Guy" meets "That Optimism Man"?

In this episode of That Optimism Man, Victor Perton talks with Leon Logothetis, The Kindness Guy, bestselling author, and star of The Kindness Diaries, to explore the transformative power of kindness, human connection, and Optimism.

Leon shares insights from his latest film, The Kindness Within: A Journey to Freedom. He reveals how his search for spiritual awakening and personal liberation led him across India, where he found that kindness is not just an action but a path to inner freedom.

Together, Victor and Leon discuss:

✅ Why kindness and Optimism are deeply connected

✅ How small acts of kindness can create massive ripple effects

✅ The role of faith, resilience, and persistence in finding personal freedom

✅ What we can all do to bring more kindness and Optimism into daily life

Leon's powerful insights include:

💬 "All it takes to change the world is to touch one life positively."

💬 "Optimism is simply an iron will to keep going through thick and thin. Never, ever give up."

💬 "When you're kind or when you are in the emotion of kindness, your heart is open. And when your heart is open, anything is possible. You cannot be a pessimist with an open heart."

💡 If you're ready to feel inspired, take action, and spread Optimism, this episode is for you!

What makes you optimistic? Is it your life experience, mindset, the facts, or the people around you?

In this powerful episode of That Optimism Man podcast, Victor Perton sits down with Maria Ruberto, a vibrant, optimistic, deeply insightful psychologist, resilience coach, and founder of Salutegenics Psychology. Maria and her team recently won the Optimism & Wellbeing Award at the Melbourne Business Network Awards, recognising their trailblazing work in building cultures of Optimism, resilience, and strength-based mental health.

Maria’s expertise lies in Salutogenic Psychology, a revolutionary approach focusing on building mental fitness rather than just treating illness. In this episode, she unpacks the science of Optimism, explaining how it fuels adaptability, creativity, and resilience. She also shares practical strategies anyone can apply to cultivate Optimism and thrive.

Some of Maria’s most powerful insights from this episode:

🧠 “Optimism is the description that we give to our biological state of balance—it stabilises us when things are not going well.”

🚀 “The role of optimism is about engaging in the process of moving forward—whether that is planning, creating, or being curious.”

🌍 “Optimism requires a broad-lens focus. It’s about stepping back, seeing the bigger picture, and understanding the landscape we are working with.”

💡 “Optimism doesn’t mean avoiding struggle—it’s about bringing courage and belief to the table when we are truly challenged.”

🎯 “What makes me optimistic? My ability to choose. Optimism is a choice, and it’s one I make every single day.”

If you’re ready to embrace Optimism as a powerful tool for resilience, leadership, and personal growth, this episode pf "That Optimism Man" Podcast is for you.