The Optimist Project with Yara Shahidi
Host Yara Shahidi sits down with incredible changemakers to unlock their secrets to conquering life, love, career, and everything in between with unwavering confidence and hope. We often discuss joy and happiness, but this podcast goes deeper. Optimism is where the magic happens! Join us as we find ways to cultivate the practice of optimism in our own lives.
Episodes
Lena Waithe Redefines Legacy, Listening, and Radical Acceptance
🎬 Storytellers, Builders, and Believers—This One’s for the Architects of Culture Who Speak Truth and Shape Tomorrow.This week on The Optimist Project, Yara Shahidi welcomes Emmy-winning screenwriter, producer, and trailblazer Lena Waithe for a deeply introspective conversation on happiness, radical acceptance, and creative disruption.From navigating emotional impermanence to embracing the daily di
Nikkolas Smith Reimagines the World Through ‘Artivism’
🎨 Creators, Visionaries, and Changemakers—This One’s for the Revolutionaries with a Paintbrush.This week on The Optimist Project, Yara Shahidi welcomes celebrated artivist, author, and concept artist Nikkolas Smith for a powerful exploration of optimism through the lens of creativity, justice, and bold imagination.From designing theme parks as a Disney Imagineer to creating iconic movie posters an
Estelle on Trusting Yourself & Being a Light
🎶 Creators, Dreamers, and Artists—This One’s for the Light Shining in You.This week on The Optimist Project, Yara Shahidi sits down with Grammy Award-winning musician Estelle for an intimate conversation on purpose, presence, and the art of living with intention.In a world that often prizes popularity over authenticity, Estelle invites us to consider a more grounded truth: that being a light matte
Cole Arthur Riley's Black Liturgies and the Beauty of Unanswered Questions
✨ Writers, Seekers, and Tender Truth-Tellers—This One’s for You.This week on The Optimist Project, we’re joined by writer, poet, and spiritual curator Cole Arthur Riley, author of This Here Flesh and creator of the transcendent digital space Black Liturgies.Cole’s wisdom invites us to consider optimism not as loud hope but as sacred stillness—a quiet, rooted stance that makes room for contradictio
Alok Vaid-Menon on Art, Identity & the Radical Power of Joy
🌈 Artists, Seekers, and Boundary-Breakers—This One’s For You.This week on The Optimist Project, I’m joined by the brilliant and genre-defying artist, writer, and performer Alok Vaid-Menon, whose work invites us to embrace our full selves with tenderness, complexity, and courage. In this luminous conversation, Alok redefines what it means to be optimistic—not as blind positivity, but as a sacred p
Ashley Cunningham on Courage, Cinnamon Rolls, and the Discipline Behind Optimism
✨ Food Lovers, Dreamers, and Anyone on a Journey Toward Self-Mastery—This One’s for You.This week on The Optimist Project, we’re joined by classically trained chef, self-taught baker, and founder of Bad Ash Bakes, Ashley Cunningham.Ashley’s story is one of fearless evolution—from teenage culinary prodigy to full-time entrepreneur with a deep spiritual practice and a next-level cookie game. In this
Mir Harris on Using Storytelling and Service in 'Realistic' Optimism
🌟 Deep Thinkers, Creative Leaders, and Purpose-Driven Souls—This Episode Is for You.This week on The Optimist Project, I had the honor of sitting down with multihyphenate creative strategist and cultural force, Mir Harris.As the founder and CEO of MirSays, Mir has built a career rooted in storytelling, social impact, and the kind of optimism that doesn’t ignore reality—but reshapes it.In this powe
Tara Roberts Honors History by 'Diving' into Purpose
🌊 Truth Seekers, Legacy Builders, and Lovers of Deep Stories—This One’s for You.This week on The Optimist Project, I had the absolute joy of sitting down with award-winning storyteller, explorer, and changemaker Tara Roberts.Tara is the voice behind the National Geographic podcast Into the Depths and the first Black woman to grace the cover of Nat Geo as an Explorer. Her work dives—literally—into
Anousheh Ansari on Exploring Space, Cultivating Curiosity, and Igniting Imagination
🚀 Visionaries, Space Dreamers, and Changemakers—This Episode Is for You.This week on The Optimist Project, I had the privilege of sitting down with Anousheh Ansari—engineer, explorer, entrepreneur, and the first female private space traveler.From gazing at the stars as a curious child in Iran to launching into orbit and later into impact-driven innovation through XPRIZE, Anousheh’s story is one of
On Break : More Optimism to Come!
💆♀️💆♂️Taking a break but we’ll be back!What an amazing journey it’s been, diving into the power of optimism and creating space for the big ideas that keep us inspired!With that same spirit, we’re taking a little time to recharge. That’s right—The Optimist Project is hitting pause for a short hiatus… but don’t worry, we’ll be back before you know it, refreshed and ready to bring you even more upl
KidSuper on Taking Optimistic Risks
🎨 Creative Souls and Dreamers, This One’s for You!This week on The Optimist Project, I sat down with the wildly inventive fashion designer Colm Dillane — aka KidSuper. Known for his unforgettable Paris Fashion Week shows and his vibrant live-work studio space, Colm is a fearless, creative force.We explore the magic of blending optimism with fearlessness, the power of pursuing your passions unapolo
Dr. Becky Yang Hsu Breaks Down How Culture Defines Happiness
✨What is happiness, really? And are we looking for it in all the wrong places?This week on The Optimist Project, Yara Shahidi sits down with sociologist Dr. Becky Yang Hsu to explore how different cultures define happiness—and why the solo pursuit of it might be too limiting.Dr. Hsu unpacks the surprising ways deep connections, community, and relationships shape fulfillment. (spoiler: it’s not jus
Bisa Butler's Threads of Optimism using Art, Teaching, and Legacy
🎙 The Optimist Project Podcast: Bisa Butler – Giving Our Past a New Life Through ArtToday, I’m in conversation with the extraordinary Bisa Butler—artist, educator, visual historian, and creative futurist. Through her breathtaking quilted portraits, Bisa weaves history, identity, and resilience into fabric, redefining how we see the past and imagine the future.Join us as we explore the inspiration
Dr. Vee Kativhu: Igniting Optimism by Chasing her Dreams & Changing Lives
Ready for a dose of inspiration? This week on The Optimist Project, Yara Shahidi sits in conversation with Gen Z global phenom, educator, author, and activist, Dr. Vee Kativhu, about chasing dreams, facing challenges, and lifting others as you rise.Dr. Vee gets real about how self-care can be the perfect shield against criticism, the importance and the power of community in grounding optimism, and
Demetrius Harmon: Embracing your Unique Journey: The Strength to Lean into Vulnerability, Discover more about yourself & Honor your Purpose
This week’s episode of The Optimist Project is for my Gen Z peers and all those who love and support us. 💫 So many of us are battling self-doubt and navigating the complexities of mental health—a double whammy that can feel overwhelming. But here's the thing: we're not alone. In this empowering conversation, we’re joined by the incredible Demetrius Harmon—writer, actor, entrepreneur, and mental he
Rapsody reminds us to 'stay in the light'
Grammy award-winning rapper Rapsody shares how optimism allows her to "stay in the light," the power of learning when to say 'no' and how to create purpose driven art. Also, she shares how her community is pivotal in shaping her pride in black culture, creative flow and living in alignment with her calling.We’d love to hear how you're staying optimistic during this time. Leave a voice message at
Jaylen Brown on Finding Optimism in Meditation and Discipline
Jaylen Brown – 2024 NBA Finals MVP, philanthropist and entrepreneur – shares how he maintains his spiritual hygiene through mediation, sound frequencies and stoicism. Plus, he reveals the defining moment that made him choose UC Berkeley before being drafted into the Boston Celtics. We’d love to hear how you're staying optimistic during this time. Leave a voice message at (323) 761-0837 or email u
Prentice Penny on the Optimism in Taking An "L"
Prentice Penny joins the Optimist Project sharing the important lessons he’s learned from the many “L’s” he’s experienced throughout his life and his writing, directing and producing career. Plus, I invite you to plan a social activity to help build community around you. Bolstering human connection is key to our well-being. Also, our hearts go out to those affected by the devastating wildfires imp
Christine Platt on Healing, Giving, and Finding Balance with Afro-minimalism
Christine Platt. author of The Afro-minimalist's Guide to Living With Less, explains how we can all rethink our living spaces, which helps to declutter our minds. She lets us in on the inspiring twists and turns with her career, and how a spur-of-the-moment decision to write a book changed her life.Also, our hearts go out to those affected by the devastating wildfires impacting Los Angeles and the
Preparing for Life's Lemons with Courtney B. Vance
I'm in conversation this week with actor Courtney B. Vance, who shares how life's ups and downs have conditioned him to lean into optimism. He opens up about how grief and a mother's prodding nudged him into therapy, and why he advocates for others to do the work of dealing with themselves. We’d love to hear your thoughts, questions, or ideas. Leave a voice message at (323) 761-0837 or email us at
Dr. Allycin Powell - Hicks on Preserving our Peace
Dr. Allycin Powell-Hicks, who comes from a long line of physicians, still had to find her own way in the health arena. These days, she mixes her medical and media backgrounds into her own business. She shares the way she counsels people about how to practice optimism as part of mental health. And she encourages us to try a new way to meditate -- with love and kindness at its center.We’d love to he
Ego Nwodim on finding Purpose, Laughter, and Faith
Ego Nwodim, Saturday Night Live cast member, comedian, and actress, joins me for an inspiring conversation on the power of optimism. Ego opens up about how embracing a positive mindset has transformed her well-being and why it’s a gift to both mind and body. We talk about the pressures of work, how Ego stays grounded in the chaos, and her journey toward setting boundaries while nurturing her desir
Dr. Laurie Santos Explains the Psychology of Optimism
Dr. Laurie Santos—THE Yale psychology professor who’s revolutionized how we think about happiness helps us tap into the literal science of well-being.As the creator of Yale’s most popular course EVER, The Science of Well-Being, and host of the hit podcast The Happiness Lab, Dr. Santos breaks down the psychology of optimism and introduces us to the “Beautiful Mess Effect.” We also explore why happi
Ari Shapiro on Finding Seeds of Optimism in Storytelling
Ari Shapiro, host of NPR's All Things Considered, has actively rooted his life’s work and his experiences in the belief that optimism isn’t about avoiding struggle, but about our collective ability to navigate struggle with hope, creativity, and curiosity. Whether you listen to Ari’s nightly newscast, are new to his work, or simply believe in the transformative power of thoughtful journalism, this
Keke Palmer on Mastering Self-Esteem and Empowerment
Keke Palmer has made her way into our hearts, beginning as a young actor with a resume as long as my arm - and continues to blossom into an entrepreneurially inspired actor, author, mother, host and so much more. Join the Optimist Project as Keke shares insights from her journey - how family and community shape her, and how in moments of doubt, her mindset keeps her stepping into her power.If you’
Faith, Fatherhood and Finding Optimism with Hasan Minhaj
This week, comedian and social commentator Hasan Minhaj joins us for a moving conversation about how his faith has been foundational in shaping his sense of optimism. We explore how Hasan's ever-deepening belief system influences his approach to life as a father, brother, caregiver, and partner to his brilliant wife—each role guiding his broader personal journey. Hasan shares how he moves with pur
Janelle Monáe on Cultivating Optimism Through Art and Identity
Janelle Monáe shares her personal take on optimism, the pure potentiality of believing in yourself and her must-have items that support her emotional health and boundless creativity while on tour and at home. The Optimist Project always LOVES hearing from our OP community! Share your Journey with us- You can leave a message at (323) 761-0837 or - email askoptimistproject@gmail.com - Your though
The Optimist Project with Yara Shahidi | Coming November 20th!
On this podcast, we’ll discover: what gives you hope? Join Yara Shahidi as she sits down with some of the best thought leaders of our time - artists, comedians, scientists, and more - to find out how optimism plays a role in their lives. Together, we’ll unpack how to access resilience and joy in our everyday lives. Join us every Wednesday starting November 20th for your weekly optimism drop!
This Show Will Keep You Lifted
Welcome to the Optimist Project with Yara Shahidi, a show that asks: what gives you hope? You’ll hear from some of the best thought leaders of our era — artists, comedians, scientists, musicians and more. Together, we’ll unpack how to access resilience and joy in our everyday lives. Meet us back here November 20th for your weekly optimism drop!
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