The Optimist Project with Yara Shahidi

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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.

5 DAYS AGO

Unlocking Positive Thinking:: The Psychology of Optimism with Dr. Laurie Santos

Join me this week as we tap into the literal science of well-being with the brilliant Dr. Laurie Santos—THE Yale psychology professor who’s revolutionized how we think about happiness. 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 happiness can feel so tricky to achieve—and she shares practical tools to help us rewire our approach to well-being. Want to share your experience or ask a question? Call us at (323) 761-0837 or email askoptimistproject@gmail.com. Looking for more? Dr. Santos offers a free Coursera course, The Science of Well-Being. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to share your own seeds of optimism and wisdom! Dr. Laurie Santos // @lauriesantosofficial The Optimist Project Podcast // @theoptimistprojectpod Yara Shahidi // @yarashahidi Keri Shahidi // @chocolatemommyluv

48 min
11 DEC

Finding Seeds of Optimism in Storytelling with Ari Shapiro

In this week’s episode of The Optimist Project, I’m joined by veteran journalist Ari Shapiro, host of NPR's All Things Considered. Ari 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 conversation will remind you that we can strive for a deeper appreciation for the human stories that connect us all. We’d love to hear your thoughts, questions, or ideas. Leave a voice message at (323) 761-0837 or email us at askoptimistproject@gmail.com. And don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to share your own seeds of optimism and wisdom! @optimistprojectpod // The Optimist Project Podcast @yarashahidi // Yara Shahidi @arishapiro // Ari Shapiro @chocolatemommyluv // Keri Salter-Shahidi

42 min
4 DEC

Writing Our Own Stories: 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’ve ever wondered what fuels Keke’s magic—or better yet, her optimism—you’re in the right place. She shares the power of taking control of and taking pride in our own narrative and knowing what you desire is worth it. We’d love to hear your thoughts, questions, or ideas. Leave a voice message at (323) 761-0837 or email us at askoptimistproject@gmail.com. And don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to share your own seeds of optimism and wisdom! @optimistprojectpod // The Optimist Project Podcast @yarashahidi // Yara Shahidi @keke // Keke Palmer @chocolatemommyluv // Keri Salter-Shahidi

40 min
27 NOV

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 purpose, actively seeks growth moments, and explains why he believes it's important to "keep receipts". As we continue adding new ideas—or seeds—to our optimism garden, Hasan reminds us that the answers we seek may already be within us. We’d love to hear your thoughts, questions, or ideas. Leave a voice message at (323) 761-0837 or email us at askoptimistproject@gmail.com. And don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to share your own seeds of optimism and wisdom! @optimistprojectpod // The Optimist Project Podcast @yarashahidi // Yara Shahidi @hasanminhaj // Hasan Minhaj

49 min
20 NOV

Optimism Through Art and Identity with Janelle Monáe

In this episode, I am excited to be in conversation with the phenomenal Janelle Monáe—she is a singer, songwriter, producer, actress and more. In this inspiring conversation, 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 thoughts may be featured in a future episode!

50 min
1 NOV

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!

1 min
5 OCT

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!

1 min

You can change your life and Mel Robbins will show you how. Mel Robbins is one of the world’s most widely booked and followed podcast hosts and authors. She’s trusted by the world’s leading brands and medical professionals who use her research-backed tools and strategies in clinical and corporate settings. She’s amassed millions of followers online, with her videos going viral almost daily. 143 Studios Inc., her female-led media company, produces provocative and award-winning content with unprecedented results: millions of books sold, billions of video views, seven #1 audiobooks, and original courses and programming for clients like Starbucks, JP Morgan Chase, LinkedIn, Spotify, Headspace, and Audible. Mel’s work has been translated into 41 languages, her podcast is syndicated in 194 countries, and her TEDx Talk is one of the most viewed of all time. A New York Times bestselling author and self-publishing phenom, Mel’s work includes The High 5 Habit and The 5 Second Rule. Most importantly, her science-backed tools and relatable advice have changed the lives of millions of people worldwide. Despite all this, Mel is one of the most down-to-earth and caring people you’ll ever meet. The person you see every day online is exactly the same in real life. Probably because she learned everything she teaches the hard way: by first screwing up her own life, and out of necessity, discovering the tools and research that transformed her life and got her to where she is today. In The Mel Robbins Podcast, Mel gets more personal than ever, welcoming you into her life and taking you behind the scenes in real time. Every episode is packed with deeply relatable topics, tactical advice, hilarious screwups, compelling conversations, and the tools and inspiration you need to create a better life. Tune in and buckle up – your life is about to change. New episodes of The Mel Robbins Podcast drop every Monday and Thursday. To learn more about Mel, go deeper into every episode, find the resources and research she mentions, or submit a topic or question, check out https://www.melrobbins.com. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to ad-free new episodes.

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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.