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A Bit of Optimism: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Simon Sinek
My career is an accident. It started when I set out to rediscover my passion and reignite a spark I’d lost — and that journey led me to the work I do now. If you know me from my books or my speaking, you know I’m fascinated by why people do what they do. What makes someone find joy and meaning in their life, or pursue something far greater than themselves? I started A Bit of Optimism to explore those ideas and expand my own perspective. This podcast is a trove of honest conversations, with people who challenge me, teach me, or simply help me see things in a different way. Some guests are household names, and others you may be meeting for the first time. But each one of them has something to share that can help all of us grow. So if you’re looking for a spark — some insight, inspiration, or just a reminder that good things are possible — join me on A Bit of Optimism! Let’s grow together.
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- 3 days ago56 min
What Happens When You Stop Optimizing and Start Committing with Former LA Lakers President Tim Harris
In a world of job-hopping, side hustles, and an endless LinkedIn feed, Tim Harris did something almost no one does anymore. He stayed put. Few executives spend an entire career helping build a dynasty. Tim Harris spent 35 years with the Los Angeles Lakers, rising to President of Business Operations and helping transform the franchise into a global brand. Through championship eras, iconic athletes like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, and decades of change in professional sports, Tim's influence was felt not on the hardwood, but in the culture, leadership, and business excellence that powered one of the NBA's most storied organizations. In this episode you'll learn: ➡️ Why clarity of role is the most underrated tool in any leader's arsenal ➡️ The three unspoken words that silently destroy any team ➡️ What Kobe Bryant taught Tim about mindset (+ why it matters off the court) ➡️ How the Lakers built one of the most powerful brands in sports ➡️ What elite athletes do differently + how it translates directly to business ➡️ What caring, high-performing leadership actually looks like ➡️ Why giving away free tickets to strangers was a brilliant + caring business decision ➡️ The cost of short-termism + what we lose when we stop playing the long game Even a brand as iconic as the Lakers wasn't built by championships alone. Tim says its foundation was built one small, genuine human moment at a time. This… is A Bit of Optimism. + + + Chapters Chapters 00:00:00 You Have to Love Them in Order to Win 00:01:54 Why Tim Stayed 35 Years With One Company 00:04:30 From Soccer Player to Lakers President: Tim's Unlikely Journey 00:07:54 Coaching as Leadership: Don't Play on the Field 00:09:39 The Long Game vs Day Trading Success 00:11:00 The Underrated Tool of Clarity of Role 00:13:29 Kobe's Compartmentalization: Nice Guy Off Court, Competitor On Court 00:15:19 The Mental Game: What Separates Elite Athletes From Everyone Else 00:22:08 The Three Unspoken Words That Ruin Any Team 00:24:16 Meeting People Where They Are 00:36:45 Caught You Being a Laker: Empowering Employees to Create Magic 00:30:31 The Empty Seat Philosophy: Turning Sunk Costs Into Memories 00:31:35 Building Brands One Tiny Act at a Time 00:38:42 Remember That Business Is Always Human 00:42:04 The Jenga Theory: Every Interaction Either Builds or Destroys Your Brand 00:46:31 Caring Structure: What People Actually Crave at Work 00:47:26 Never Miss Your Kid's Game: The Accountability Agreement 00:50:09 Learning From Legends: Phil Jackson and the Human-First Philosophy 00:48:48 The Work Happens in the Dark: What Made Kobe and LeBron Great 00:50:56 Stop and Look at the Joy: Championship Lessons and Kobe's Legacy + + + Credits Footage: NBA Entertainment Photos: http://bit.ly/43Fb37Z (Full List) + + + Simon is an unshakable optimist. He believes in a bright future and our ability to build it together. Described as “a visionary thinker with a rare intellect,” Simon has devoted his professional life to help advance a vision of the world that does not yet exist; a world in which the vast majority of people wake up every single morning inspired, feel safe wherever they are and end the day fulfilled by the work that they do. Simon is the author of multiple best-selling books including Start With Why, Leaders Eat Last, Together is Better, and The Infinite Game. + + + Website: http://simonsinek.com/ Leaderful: https://simonsinek.com/leaderful Podcast: http://apple.co/simonsinek Instagram: https://instagram.com/simonsinek/ Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/simonsinek/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonsinek Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simonsinek
- 1 weeks ago58 min
Revisited: Choose Your Seven Humans Wisely with Author Fredrik Backman
Hello from Team Simon! We're taking a quick break this week and will be back with brand-new episodes of A Bit of Optimism next Tuesday. Until then, we're revisiting one of our favorite episodes — when bestselling novelist Fredrik Backman joined the show to talk about the thing he's spent his whole career writing about: the quiet, radical power of showing up for people. And Fredrik says great friendships aren't found by luck. They're built deliberately, repeatedly, and, sometimes, inconveniently by people who choose to do the work. Fredrik is the internationally bestselling author of A Man Called Ove (adapted into the film A Man Called Otto), Anxious People, and the Beartown series. His book, My Friends, is a love letter to the relationships that quietly shape who we become. In this conversation, Fredrik opens up about his best friend of over 30 years and what 30 years of real friendship actually requires. His words will have you thinking hard about the friends you might be taking for granted. In this episode you'll learn: ➡️ Why great friendship is a skill + what the work actually looks like ➡️ The concept of your "people” vs. “humans" ➡️ Why your friends are your best editors ➡️ The friendship rule that changed how Fredrik's entire friend group thought about relationships ➡️ The unexpected value of quantity of time vs. quality of time ➡️ How to be genuinely happy for someone else ➡️ The difference between healthy self-deprecation and low self-esteem ➡️ Why the work in a relationship is never solely on the relationship — it's always on you A great relationship isn't a stroke of luck. It's a choice you make every day, in small ways, often when it's inconvenient. This conversation is a reminder of why it's worth it. This… is A Bit of Optimism. + + + To buy Fredrik’s book, My Friends, visit: https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Fredrik-Backman/411545926 + + + Chapters Chapters 00:00:00 We Don't Need Algorithms to Find Our People 00:02:45 Fredrik's Viral Speech: Fueled by Pure Panic 00:05:55 The Power of Authenticity: Why Imperfection Resonates 00:07:29 Choose Your Seven Humans Wisely 00:08:56 The Friend Who Taught Him Everything 00:15:43 Quality Time vs Quantity Time: The ROI of Presence 00:17:53 The "I Want To," Not "I Have To" Philosophy 00:20:55 Your Friends Are Your Best Editors 00:13:23 Writing as Self-Editing 00:15:06 Learning to Be Happy for Others 00:22:41 The Gift of Time: Showing Up When It Matters 00:23:56 Be A Great Friend, Get Great Friends 00:28:55 The Work Is On You: Relationships and Self-Growth 00:36:23 Algorithms Would Never Match Us: The Value of Difference 00:34:21 Trying Is Everything 00:35:55 People vs Humans 00:37:18 Self-Deprecation vs Low Self-Esteem 00:39:22 The Jantelagen: Swedish Humility Law 00:45:26 The Fear of Disappointing People 00:48:00 Expectations vs Reality: Letting Go of Fantasy 00:49:00 Understanding Bullies: Finding What We Have in Common 00:51:21 Fighting Narcissism: Surrounding Yourself With Better People 00:52:08 Being Comfortable Not Knowing: The Gateway to Learning 00:55:28 The World's Best Cardamom Bun Debate + + + Simon is an unshakable optimist. He believes in a bright future and our ability to build it together. Described as “a visionary thinker with a rare intellect,” Simon has devoted his professional life to help advance a vision of the world that does not yet exist; a world in which the vast majority of people wake up every single morning inspired, feel safe wherever they are and end the day fulfilled by the work that they do. Simon is the author of multiple best-selling books including Start With Why, Leaders Eat Last, Together is Better, and The Infinite Game. + + + Website: http://simonsinek.com/ Leaderful: https://simonsinek.com/leaderful Podcast: http://apple.co/simonsinek Instagram: https://instagram.com/simonsinek/ Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/simonsinek/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonsinek Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simonsinek
- 2 weeks ago58 min
How to Stop Being Socially Awkward (According to Science) with Behavioral Scientist Vanessa Van Edwards
Maybe this sounds familiar: you leave a party and spend the rest of the night convinced everyone was upset with you. Or you replay something you said in a meeting for days and second-guess every last word. Vanessa Van Edwards has been there. As a self-proclaimed "recovering awkward person," she’s spent two decades decoding the hidden dynamics of human interaction to make those skills teachable for introverts and extroverts alike. Vanessa is a behavioral researcher, bestselling author, and founder of Science of People. In her book, Conversation: How to Be Instantly Likeable in Any Interaction, she makes the case that social skills aren't a personality type, they're learnable. And she believes we are living in the most critical moment in history to start learning them. In this episode you'll learn: ➡️ Why "just be yourself" is unhelpful advice + potentially cruel ➡️ The important everyday interactions technology + AI replaced ➡️ Where to stand at a party so someone always talks to you ➡️ How to have better conversations (+ why you already have the skills) ➡️ What the real antidote to awkwardness is ➡️ How to practice micro-social skills without turning people off ➡️ Why we’re all ambiverts + how to understand ambiversion ➡️ How soft skills drive major career inflection points ➡️ The concept of social fitness + the “nutrition” of your relationships In this conversation, Vanessa lays out how even the most socially anxious among us can build real connections and become more likable… even in a world that has quietly removed all the places we used to accidentally get good at being human. And the secret isn't confidence. It's something far more generous. This… is A Bit of Optimism. + + + Watch A Bit of Optimism on Spotify, and Spotify Premium users can enjoy the show ad-free. + + + To pre-order Vanessa’s new book, Conversation: How to Be Instantly Likeable in Any Interaction, head to: https://www.scienceofpeople.com/conversation/ Want to learn more people skills from Vanessa? Check out The Science of People: https://www.scienceofpeople.com/ + + + Chapters Chapters 00:00:00 Social Skills in the Digital Age Crisis 00:01:47 Vanessa's Journey: The Accidental Social Skills Expert 00:05:45 Mistakes Everyone Makes Learning to Improve Social Skills 00:08:09 Where Did Our Places to Practice Being Human Go? 00:11:17 Where to Stand at a Party When You Don't Know Anyone 00:14:17 The Ambivert Reality: Social Fitness and Friendship Nutrition 00:18:07 The Discomfort Problem: Why Young People Avoid Rather Than Adapt 00:21:33 Put the Shoes in the Box: The Art of Knowing When to Stop 00:34:54 Intention Matches Action: Defining Authenticity 00:46:56 The Power of Being Seen: How Love Changed Everything 00:49:51 The Ultimate Social Skill: Helping Others Feel Normal 00:42:20 Micro-Social Skills: Finding the Parts of Yourself You Like + + + Simon is an unshakable optimist. He believes in a bright future and our ability to build it together. Described as “a visionary thinker with a rare intellect,” Simon has devoted his professional life to help advance a vision of the world that does not yet exist; a world in which the vast majority of people wake up every single morning inspired, feel safe wherever they are and end the day fulfilled by the work that they do. Simon is the author of multiple best-selling books including Start With Why, Leaders Eat Last, Together is Better, and The Infinite Game. + + + Website: http://simonsinek.com/ Leaderful: https://simonsinek.com/leaderful Podcast: http://apple.co/simonsinek Instagram: https://instagram.com/simonsinek/ Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/simonsinek/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonsinek Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simonsinek
- 3 weeks ago1h 2m
Stop Telling Us Everything Happens for a Reason with Anti-Victim Tom Nash
We often comfort ourselves with the idea that things happen for a reason, or define our struggles as a test of strength. Tom Nash might ask you to reconsider. Tom is a speaker, former DJ, and globe-trotting advocate for agency, anti-fragility, and the radical idea that your worst moment might be your greatest asset — as he argued in his TED Talk, "The Perks of Being a Pirate.” He’s also the mind behind Last Meal with Tom Nash where he asks his guests what their last meal would be if the world ended tomorrow, and then actually cooks it for them. In our conversation, Tom shares how, at 19, a rare bacterial infection left him a quadruple amputee with a 2% chance of survival. And he'll tell you it's the best thing that ever happened to him. This isn’t just another conversation about resilience. It’s a deep dive into agency and the difference between a life that happens to you and one you actually choose. In this episode, we explore: ➡️ Why the story you tell yourself about your own life is the most powerful force in it ➡️ The difference between resilience and anti-fragility (and why it matters) ➡️ Tom’s framework for navigating adversity: The Artist, the Author, and the Alchemist ➡️ The counterintuitive reason why we actually need support networks ➡️ Why "everything happens for a reason" can be a trap (and the perspective that works better) ➡️ What your last meal choice reveals about what you're really searching for ➡️ Why the concept of being "self-made" is a dangerous illusion Tom joins me to ask a fundamental question: who is really holding the pen when it comes to your story? This… is A Bit of Optimism. + + + Watch the new season of Tom’s show Last Meal with Tom Nash and head to: https://www.lastmealwithtomnash.com Want more Tom? Check out his website: https://www.tomnash.com + + + Chapters Chapters 00:00:00 Adversity Can Be The Best Thing You Experience 00:03:45 Tom's Story: Contracting Meningococcal Disease 00:07:47 The Gift of Agency: Choosing to Amputate 00:16:18 The Artist, The Author, and The Alchemist: A Framework for Anti-Fragility 00:20:28 The Alchemist: Turning Adversity Into Advantage 00:23:52 Learning to Walk Again: The Momentum Metaphor 00:26:57 The True Purpose of Support Networks 00:34:33 Why 'Everything Happens for a Reason' Robs You of Agency 00:47:37 The Last Meal Question: What Your Choice Reveals About Freedom 00:42:23 Joel Robuchon: Leadership Through Teaching, Not Commanding 00:58:34 The Problem With Inspirational Affirmations 01:00:59 Stop Saying Everything Happens for a Reason + + + Simon is an unshakable optimist. He believes in a bright future and our ability to build it together. Described as “a visionary thinker with a rare intellect,” Simon has devoted his professional life to help advance a vision of the world that does not yet exist; a world in which the vast majority of people wake up every single morning inspired, feel safe wherever they are and end the day fulfilled by the work that they do. Simon is the author of multiple best-selling books including Start With Why, Leaders Eat Last, Together is Better, and The Infinite Game. + + + Website: http://simonsinek.com/ Leaderful: https://simonsinek.com/leaderful Podcast: http://apple.co/simonsinek Instagram: https://instagram.com/simonsinek/ Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/simonsinek/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonsinek Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simonsinek Simon’s books: The Infinite Game: https://simonsinek.com/books/the-infinite-game/ Start With Why: https://simonsinek.com/books/start-with-why/ Find Your Why: https://simonsinek.com/books/find-your-why/ Leaders Eat Last: https://simonsinek.com/books/leaders-eat-last/ Together is Better: https://simonsinek.com/books/together-is-better/
- May 5, 202652 min
The Real Reason You Feel Empty (Even When Life Looks Good) with Musician Mike Posner
If at some point, you've looked at your life—your job, your relationships, your achievements—and thought: “is this it?” This episode is for you. Mike Posner had that moment at 30. His life, by every external measure, was extraordinary: he had hit songs, Grammy nominations, millions in the bank. He was a pop star… And he was miserable. What followed was one of the most honest reckonings we've ever heard on this show. Mike walked across America, survived a rattlesnake bite, climbed Everest, and came out the other side with something no amount of success had ever given him: peace. Mike Posner is a multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated recording artist, songwriter, and producer. But the reason you should listen to this conversation has nothing to do with any of that. It has everything to do with where he was and his incredibly human journey getting to somewhere better, more peaceful, and more meaningful. He even wrote a song about it—a follow up to his hit song “I Took a Pill in Ibiza” called “I Went Back To Ibiza.” In this episode you'll learn: ➡️ Why achieving your biggest goals can leave you feeling emptier than before you started ➡️ The difference between real vulnerability and broadcasting your pain online (and why intention changes everything) ➡️ Why comfort (not failure) might be the thing quietly hollowing out your life ➡️ What walking across America actually taught Mike about who he was and who he wasn't ➡️ Why self-improvement taken too far becomes selfishness ➡️ The one pursuit more valuable than success, grit, or getting to the top You don't need a Grammy nomination to relate to this conversation, you just need to have ever wondered if the life you're building is actually the life you want. This… is A Bit of Optimism. + + + Watch A Bit of Optimism on Spotify! If you’re subscribed to Spotify Premium, you don’t get any Spotify ads on my video. If you want to watch Mike’s new music video for “I Went Back To Ibiza,” check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDL6SEW4xKU You can find “I Went Back To Ibiza” wherever you stream music. + + + Chapters Chapters 00:00:00 The Real Reason You Feel Empty 00:06:51 Art as Alchemy: Turning Pain into Beauty 00:18:12 The Asymmetry Between What We Have and What We Give 00:20:32 Walking Across America: Getting Out of His Comfort Zone 00:24:54 The Snake Bite: When Attention Came From Pain 00:30:13 The Problem With Avoiding Discomfort 00:33:47 From Fraud to Peace: Mike's Transformation 00:36:31 Walking Each Other Home: The Purpose of Art and Life 00:38:56 The Pursuit of Peace, Not Just Hardship 00:48:48 Getting to the Top of Everest: Only Half of the Journey + + + Simon is an unshakable optimist. He believes in a bright future and our ability to build it together. Described as “a visionary thinker with a rare intellect,” Simon has devoted his professional life to help advance a vision of the world that does not yet exist; a world in which the vast majority of people wake up every single morning inspired, feel safe wherever they are and end the day fulfilled by the work that they do. Simon is the author of multiple best-selling books including Start With Why, Leaders Eat Last, Together is Better, and The Infinite Game. + + + Website: http://simonsinek.com/ Live Online Classes: https://simonsinek.com/classes/ Podcast: http://apple.co/simonsinek Instagram: https://instagram.com/simonsinek/ Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/simonsinek/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonsinek Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simonsinek
- Apr 28, 20261h 25m
The Real Reason Young People Don't Have 'The Hunger' for Work (And What Leaders Need to Hear) with Generations Expert Dr. Eliza Filby
Admit it, you've complained about at least one other generation. Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z—somehow, they all end up with reputations built around what's wrong with them. Dr. Eliza Filby has a different suggestion: stop asking what's wrong with them. And start questioning what world they were handed. Eliza is a contemporary historian, generations expert, and the author of Sunday Times bestseller: Inheritocracy. And with more generations in the workplace than at any point in history, she is precisely the person we need to show us a new way to win… together. In this conversation, Eliza makes connections about how generational change is reshaping work, wealth, and modern life that I’d never thought to connect. She might just change how you see the world (and people) around you. In this episode you'll learn: ➡️ Why calling Gen Z "entitled" is the wrong diagnosis (and what's really driving the behavior leaders complain about most) ➡️ How retirement planning and eldercare became the new midlife crisis ➡️ How the economy changed after 2008 + quietly rewrote the rulebook for every generation that followed ➡️ Why belonging is becoming increasingly rare (even though we need it) ➡️ Why Millennials + Gen Z are more likely become homeowners by being loyal to their parents than by being loyal to their jobs ➡️ 3 things no AI will replace in the workplace… ➡️ What’s driving hyper-individualism + how do we fix it We all may have strong opinions about one another, but it’s time to focus on building greater understanding. This conversation is a good place to start. This… is A Bit of Optimism. + + + To buy a copy of Dr. Eliza Filby’s bestselling book Inheritocracy: It’s Time to Talk About the Bank of Mum and Dad, head to: https://www.elizafilby.com/books Want to hear more from Eliza? Check out her It’s All Relative Newsletter: https://www.elizafilby.com/newsletter + + + Chapters 00:00:00 Rethinking the Generational Divide at Work 00:01:35 How Dr. Filby Became a Generations Expert 00:04:33 Defining Generations: Why They're Getting Shorter 00:08:42 The Fragmentation of Shared Experience 00:14:29 Conspiracy Culture Infiltrates the Workplace 00:16:16 The End of Job Security and the Rise of the Solopreneur 00:18:02 What Leaders Must Offer in the Age of Uncertainty 00:20:31 The Bank of Mom and Dad: Living in an Inheritocracy 00:28:23 Why Young People Don't Have 'The Hunger' for Work 00:31:35 The Changing Life Cycle: Delayed Adulthood and Pressured Midlife 00:41:45 Rising Individualism and the Loss of 'We' at Work 00:47:02 Gen AI: The Next Generation in the Workplace 00:50:44 The Solution: Let Humans Do What Can't Be Counted 01:00:42 Disrupting the Path to Mastery and Nurturing Human Skills 01:03:02 How the Generations Can Come Together + + + Simon is an unshakable optimist. He believes in a bright future and our ability to build it together. Described as “a visionary thinker with a rare intellect,” Simon has devoted his professional life to help advance a vision of the world that does not yet exist; a world in which the vast majority of people wake up every single morning inspired, feel safe wherever they are and end the day fulfilled by the work that they do. Simon is the author of multiple best-selling books including Start With Why, Leaders Eat Last, Together is Better, and The Infinite Game. + + + Website: http://simonsinek.com/ Live Online Classes: https://simonsinek.com/classes/ Podcast: http://apple.co/simonsinek Instagram: https://instagram.com/simonsinek/ Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/simonsinek/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonsinek Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simonsinek
- Apr 21, 202654 min
The Leadership Advice Nobody Follows (But Everyone Should) with Top Leadership Expert Don Yaeger
The most successful leaders, coaches, and teams in history share one counterintuitive secret: their main focus wasn’t winning. And yet… they won more than everyone else. My guest, Don Yaeger, learned this lesson from his mentor: legendary college basketball coach John Wooden. Don is one of my favorite master storytellers, a top business leadership coach, author of 44 books, 13 of them New York Times bestsellers, and a former Associate Editor at Sports Illustrated. Don has worked alongside the greatest athletes of our generation: Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, Michael Phelps. But no relationship shaped him more than the 12 years he spent as Coach Wooden's mentee. Whether or not you're a sports fan, I promise you: the lessons Don shares are as universal as it gets. We explore what it really means to win in business and in life. The greatest leaders in history already figured this out. The question is why the rest of us aren't following their lead. In this episode you'll learn: ➡️ Why the winningest coach in college basketball history never talked about winning (and what he focused on instead) ➡️ The Bill Walton story that reveals how great leaders hold standards without exceptions (even for their best people) ➡️ How one conversation with John Wooden transformed Don's marriage & the weekly habit he's kept for 16+ years ➡️ What Delta CEO Ed Bastian's "virtuous cycle" can teach any leader about putting people before results ➡️ What a great mentor actually look like and how to know when you’ve found one If you've ever chased the short-term win at the cost of the long game… this episode is the reset you didn't know you needed. This… is A Bit of Optimism. + + + If you want to read a free chapter from Don's upcoming book The Business of Storytelling, head to: https://www.donyaeger.com/chapter/ Join the Leaderful app! Listeners can use promo code: STORY30 when you download the app or sign up at simonsinek.com. + + + Chapters Chapters 00:00:00 The Power of Appreciation: What You Look For, You Find 00:02:02 From Delivering Newspapers to Sports Illustrated: Don's Journey to Journalism 00:04:21 Don’s 12-Year Mentorship with Coach John Wooden 00:06:50 Coach Wooden's Philosophy: Pyramid of Success 00:09:00 The Bill Walton Haircut Story: How Wooden Managed Ego and Held Everyone to the Same Standards 00:10:33 Building Better Humans, Not Just Better Players 00:14:36 The Love Letters That Changed Don's Marriage 00:19:35 Looking for Things to Love: The Mindset That Changes Everything 00:22:23 Leading with Employee Care Over Customer-First Mentality 00:33:55 What True Mentorship Really Means: It's Not Transactional 00:47:07 Why Aren't More Leaders Following Coach Wooden's Example? 00:53:17 The Best Storytelling Advice: Know Your Audience + + + Simon is an unshakable optimist. He believes in a bright future and our ability to build it together. Described as “a visionary thinker with a rare intellect,” Simon has devoted his professional life to help advance a vision of the world that does not yet exist; a world in which the vast majority of people wake up every single morning inspired, feel safe wherever they are and end the day fulfilled by the work that they do. Simon is the author of multiple best-selling books including Start With Why, Leaders Eat Last, Together is Better, and The Infinite Game. + + + Website: http://simonsinek.com/ Live Online Classes: https://simonsinek.com/classes/ Podcast: http://apple.co/simonsinek Instagram: https://instagram.com/simonsinek/ Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/simonsinek/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonsinek Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simonsinek + + + Photo/Video credits for this episode: https://tinyurl.com/ycxdw52s
- Apr 14, 20261h 5m
Why This Baseball Team Has a 4.2 Million Person Waitlist With Savannah Bananas Founder Jesse Cole
We talk a lot about building successful things. But what does it actually take to build something people love? Jesse Cole has built an entirely new genre of entertainment: The Savannah Bananas and the Banana Ball League. They’re a viral sensation, selling out stadiums across the country, and have over 4.2 million fans on their ticket waitlist. On the surface, Banana Ball looks like a wild and entertaining version of baseball. But underneath it all is something much more disciplined: an obsession with the fan experience. Jesse calls his approach Fans First and it’s more than a slogan and the title of his book… It’s a standard. Every minute of the two-hour games are crammed with attention grabbing spectacle. It’s a full-blown live experience designed for every seat in the stadium: players dance, fans are part of the show, trick plays defy the laws of physics, there are multiple sing-alongs… all during an actual baseball game. In this conversation, we talk about building something new for others, from embracing years of failure (including selling just two tickets in the first three months), to creating experiences that make people feel included, joyful, and valued. We also discuss how he took inspiration from Disney and PT Barnum, the importance of affordable in-person experiences, and how his team reviews every single detail after every show to get better the next day. Because what Jesse’s building goes beyond just entertainment. It’s a place where people can feel seen for generations to come. And in a world that often moves too fast to build things with care… Those human details might be what matter most. This… is A Bit of Optimism. --------------------------- To learn more about the Banana Ball League or sign up for the ticket waitlist, check out: https://bananaball.com/ Or if you want all things Savannah Bananas, head to: https://thesavannahbananas.com/ ---------------------------
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About A Bit of Optimism
My career is an accident. It started when I set out to rediscover my passion and reignite a spark I’d lost — and that journey led me to the work I do now. If you know me from my books or my speaking, you know I’m fascinated by why people do what they do. What makes someone find joy and meaning in their life, or pursue something far greater than themselves? I started A Bit of Optimism to explore those ideas and expand my own perspective. This podcast is a trove of honest conversations, with people who challenge me, teach me, or simply help me see things in a different way. Some guests are household names, and others you may be meeting for the first time. But each one of them has something to share that can help all of us grow. So if you’re looking for a spark — some insight, inspiration, or just a reminder that good things are possible — join me on A Bit of Optimism! Let’s grow together.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's A Bit of Optimism daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of A Bit of Optimism as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
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When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official A Bit of Optimism product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Simon Sinek.
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How often does A Bit of Optimism release new episodes?
A Bit of Optimism publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does A Bit of Optimism cover?
A Bit of Optimism covers topics including Education, Business, Careers, Self-Improvement. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
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