The Optimist

Jake Hurwitz
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

The Optimist is a show about what it actually takes to be a man nowadays. Jake Hurwitz sits down with entrepreneurs, scientists, executives, and people who've rebuilt their lives from scratch, and asks the questions men usually only get to in private. Loneliness. Fatherhood. Ambition and what it costs. Sobriety. Work that's changing faster than anyone can keep up with. No performance, no posturing. Just long, honest conversations with people who've thought hard about how to live well. New episodes weekly.

  1. 3d ago

    Is Your Home Secretly Making You Sick? With Ben Parens, CEO at Nestwell

    You spend 90% of your life indoors, and the air in there is 2 to 5 times more toxic than the air outside. Not the air in a factory. The air in your bedroom. Ben Parens is the founder and CEO of Nestwell, a home health platform backed by Stanford medical advisors and built to diagnose what's hiding in the places we live. In this episode he lays out the VOCs coming off your new mattress, the Harvard study that found a 101% jump in cognitive function inside a well ventilated building, why a toddler exposed to mold before age seven carries three times the asthma risk, and what golf course pesticides are doing to the people who live nearby. Then it turns personal: six months chronically sick in a New York apartment, 15 marathons and the achievement addiction underneath them, the mushroom trip that finally quieted his brain, and the line Jake wants printed on a shirt, which is that you cannot solve internal problems with external solutions. This one will make you look around the room. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 — Preview 01:42 — Why home health is the most under-discussed topic in wellness 02:52 — What is actually in the air inside your home 05:05 — The Harvard study: 101% better cognitive function in a well ventilated building 07:18 — Separating what you can control from what you can't 08:20 — What Nestwell actually is 09:50 — Hypothetical: you live in a New York City walk-up. Where do you start? 14:10 — What scares Ben most about his own neighborhood 20:05 — What he would do if he were about to have a kid 25:04 — The last mile problem: you do everything right, then you go home 31:41 — Making the decision that aligns with who you want to become 35:34 — "You cannot solve internal problems with external solutions" 37:56 — 15 marathons, and where the addiction started 44:01 — The letting go paradox in business and wealth 48:29 — Growing up in Westchester and the golden path 55:32 — How he defines success now versus ten years ago 56:54 — The deathbed test 01:01:56 — "Life happens for you, not to you" 01:12:00 — What it means to be a man nowadays 01:15:04 — Where to find Ben and Nestwell

  2. Jan 7

    Why Comfort Is the Most Dangerous Thing in Your Life, with Tanner Waite

    Why are so many men stuck…anxious, restless, and disconnected…even though their lives look “fine” on paper? In this episode of The Optimist, Jake sits down with Tanner Waite; big-wave surfer, endurance athlete, and creator, for a raw conversation about fear, comfort, anger, and the moments that actually shape a man. From nearly drowning at Nazaré to experiencing a full mental breakdown in college… from surfing as an escape to surfing as a mirror… Tanner shares how chasing comfort almost cost him his sense of purpose, and why voluntarily choosing difficulty changed everything. This episode explores: - Why comfort is more dangerous than failure - How fear, anger, and pressure shape modern men - What happens when you remove structure after college - Why most men are afraid of the wrong things - The difference between pain that breaks you and pain that builds you - How nature, endurance, and stillness rewire the mind - Why sunsets became Tanner’s most powerful mental health practice This isn’t motivation porn. It’s not “grind harder” advice. And it’s definitely not about becoming fearless. It’s about learning how to meet fear, sit with discomfort, and build a life that actually feels alive. If you’ve ever felt numb, restless, or stuck in a comfortable life that doesn’t fulfill you, this conversation will hit close to home.

  3. 12/09/2025

    Be Hard to Kill But Soft Enough to Speak - Christian De La Torre on PTSD, Brotherhood & Being a Man

    Veteran & former infantry officer Christian De La Torre gets real about delayed PTSD, rockets over Bagram, and the blueprint men need now: the “King’s Council.” We break down how to ask for help without feeling weak, why every man should learn self‑defense (and change a tire), building real brotherhood, and staying level in hard seasons. What you’ll learn - PTSD that shows up years later—how triggers work and what to do - The King’s Council: a practical playbook for men’s friendship & accountability - ROTC vs. enlisted: respect, leadership, and earning trust - Why trained men fight less—and why confrontation can be healthy - AARs (after‑action reviews) for life, not just the military - Sunday as a barometer for your life & stress protocol that actually helps Chapters 00:00 Cold open 02:58 ROTC vs. enlisted, earning respect as a young officer 06:03 Afghanistan, Bagram & what combat looked like in his era 10:13 Movies vs. reality—how the battlefield changed 16:13 “Closest call” — rockets, alarms and fear management 18:27 PTSD didn’t hit right away: the delayed wave 20:07 Triggers: motorcycles, helicopters, fireworks 23:12 “Pain is pain” — don’t compare your trauma 27:12 “It ain’t weak to speak” — how to start the convo 31:12 Vulnerability invites vulnerability: the car & bar stories 36:41 Creating safe space with men: trust is more important than performance 40:14 What to take to your partner vs. your guys 44:40 King’s Council rules: cadence, honesty, accountability 50:55 AARs for civilians: debriefs, sustains, improves 54:52 Where to find brothers: jiu‑jitsu, run clubs, retreats, even gaming 57:11 Veterans & civilians: step‑by‑step to build your squad 1:02:20 What it means to be a man today (integrity, service, vulnerability) 1:05:00 Why “change a tire” still matters (competence & calm) 1:12:14 Self‑defense & fitness: be capable, not reckless 1:18:41 Hard seasons: mindset, journaling, small wins 1:21:15 Action is vitamin A — get vertical, get moving 1:36:03 Do 4 hard things a year; compound the average 1:37:35 Sunday as a life barometer; make it the best day 1:44:18 What’s next for Christian (content road trip, The Trace Club) 1:45:57 Where to find him & wrap Resources mentioned - Men’s groups/retreats (e.g., Everyman), jiu‑jitsu & martial arts, run clubs - After‑Action Review (AAR) framework for life debriefs - “It ain’t weak to speak” (mental health ethos) About the show Tactical conversations at the intersection of men’s mental health, performance, and modern masculinity, grounded in actions you can use today. Disclaimer This conversation includes adult language and mentions of war. It’s for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. If you’re struggling, talk to a qualified professional or someone you trust today. If this helped you: Like 👍 • Subscribe 🔔 • Comment: Who’s in your King’s Council—and what’s your next “hard thing”?

  4. 12/02/2025

    Test, Don’t Guess: Superpower’s Max Marchione on Labs, Testosterone & HRV

    If your energy crashes after meals, your HRV is low, or you suspect low T, this episode is your blueprint. Max Marchione—Founder/CEO of Superpower—breaks down the health “foundations” that actually move the needle: lab testing, gut & metabolic health, endocrine disruptors, HRV, and micro‑habits you can stack into a busy life. We also get into risk, culture, and modern masculinity. What you’ll learn - Why testing beats guessing (labs, ApoB/Lp(a), vitamin D, prediabetes) - How gut health and metabolism drive mood, energy, and stress - HRV 101: what it is, why high performers often have high HRV, and how to raise it - Micro‑habits that compound (elevator meditations, 5.5/5.5 breathing, “micro‑moments”) - Testosterone & today’s environment: behavior, toxins, and practical fixes - Building teams & culture where fun is a performance input - Risk math for founders: “price risk right” and move faster Chapters (approx.) 00:00 Cold open 07:05 Teenage Max: rule‑breaking, early ventures, health struggles 09:43 DIY diagnostics: CGMs, gut tests, mercury, pushing doctors 11:31 Stress & anxiety: fix sleep, gut, hormones first 12:57 Small levers: breathing, supplements, “micro” stress management 15:08 Why lab testing changes behavior 16:26 Common 2025 patterns: vitamin D, ApoB/Lp(a), prediabetes 18:04 Why Superpower now; consumer health turning point 21:19 Focus beats doing everything; killing v1 & dropping price 23:46 Risk math: “I don’t take much risk—I price it better” 25:57 Culture, failure, parenting & school conditioning 28:39 Testosterone & modern behavior 32:49 Endocrine disruptors, BPA, mold, air quality 36:39 The Superpower protocol: from data to action 37:51 Transformation story 40:12 Social health & community 43:26 Burnout: find the “why” 44:08 HRV explained; why high performers often have high HRV 47:16 Passive optimization: elevator meditations 50:09 Micro‑moments that compound 51:58 Building a healthy office; fun as a performance input 54:17 Banking vs ideal culture 57:07 What it means to be a man today 59:45 2026 goal: do 5 years in 1

  5. 11/05/2025

    Being Gay Doesn’t Make You Less of a Man, with Michael C Bryan

    Michael C Bryan grew up in the 70s and 80s, queer, flamboyant, and full of light, in a world that told him he was too much, too different, and not a “real man.” In this raw, emotional, and often hilarious conversation, Michael shares the truth about growing up gay in a violently homophobic time, surviving sexual trauma, reclaiming his identity after being kicked out by his family, and what it really means to be a man today. We talk about: - How gay men internalize shame around masculinity - The forgotten trauma of queer boyhood - Reparenting your inner child - Why rage can be a creative force - And how emotional freedom is spiritual freedom Michael also leads a powerful guided visualization at the end of the episode that left me almost in tears. If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t belong in the “rules of manhood” you were handed, this episode will meet you exactly where you are. Full episode is now live.

  6. 10/21/2025

    Why Your Lighting May Be Destroying Your Mental Health, and A Quick Fix with Alex Elsaadi

    Your home might be making you anxious, and you don’t even know it. In this first-ever documentary-style episode of The Optimist, filmed in partnership with Ozarke, Jake explores how something as simple as your lighting and décor can drastically affect your mental health, focus, and recovery. From cold, white fluorescent bulbs that trigger stress to warm, ambient light that helps your body relax, the way your space is designed might be quietly shaping how you think, feel, and perform every day. Featuring Alex Elsaadi, founder of Ozarke, this episode goes deep into how lighting impacts mood, productivity, sleep, and even sex, plus the design choices that can completely change your energy at home. If you’ve ever wondered why you feel drained in your own apartment or restless at work, this one’s for you. --- Timestamps 00:00 — Intro: Why your environment matters more than you think 03:00 — Alex Elsaadi: From oil & gas to lighting design 06:00 — The science behind light and mood 09:00 — Warm light vs. white light: what your brain prefers 13:00 — Why bad lighting triggers anxiety 16:00 — How lighting affects productivity and creativity 20:00 — The simple home upgrades that change everything 23:00 — Why your couch, coffee table, and lamp all matter 26:00 — Smart lighting, circadian rhythm, and better sleep 30:00 — How lighting impacts recovery and athletic performance 33:00 — The psychology of lighting for sex and intimacy 38:00 — Why most men underestimate their space 44:00 — The small design details that completely shift your mindset 48:00 — The hidden connection between home design and mental health 52:00 — Final thoughts: your space is your nervous system

  7. 10/14/2025

    Missionless Men Are the Real Epidemic, With Chris Griffin

    Most men aren’t depressed. They’re bored, comfortable, and missionless. Chris Griffin built one of the biggest podcasts in Australia and was nearly canceled for speaking his mind. Instead of backing down, he doubled down. In this brutally honest conversation, we talk about pain, purpose, authenticity, cancel culture, and the epidemic of weak men. This episode isn’t for the easily offended. It’s for anyone who’s tired of excuses and ready to take radical ownership of their life. ⏱️ Episode Timestamps: 00:00 – Building the biggest podcast in Australia 03:00 – Why the podcast industry is outdated 05:00 – The truth about fame, money, and losing brand deals 10:00 – Jake explains The Optimist and why modern masculinity is broken 13:00 – Discipline, ownership, and mental toughness 14:00 – The making of Chris Griffin: from small-town kid to global creator 17:00 – The “curious educator” and how he found his purpose 22:00 – Why blaming your parents keeps you stuck 25:00 – Escaping victimhood and staying present 28:00 – The problem with entitlement and soft culture 31:00 – Getting canceled, owning your truth, and finding freedom 33:00 – Why nothing is ever personal 34:00 – Purpose, power, and The Alchemist 36:00 – You don’t find your purpose — you evolve toward it 37:00 – How to find your thing: authenticity over noise 41:00 – Matthew McConaughey and the art of being yourself 43:00 – Confidence, ego, and learning to be unfazed by chaos 46:00 – Missionless men and the cost of comfort 50:00 – The truth about pain, purpose, and personal accountability 54:00 – What men and women actually want from each other 01:03:00 – The rise of weak men and the confusion of modern masculinity 01:07:00 – How to rebuild strength, purpose, and meaning 01:20:00 – What it really means to be a man today This episode is a mirror. If you’ve been coasting, if you feel stuck, if you’re wondering where your fire went — watch this. Chris Griffin doesn’t hold back. And maybe that’s exactly what we need right now. 🎧 Subscribe to The Optimist for more real conversations about modern masculinity, mental health, and meaning.

    Missionless Men Are the Real Epidemic, With Chris Griffin

  8. 10/07/2025

    Psychedelics Might Be the Cure for Modern Masculinity, with Ben Forest, Psychedelic Speaker, Author and Coach

    Ben Forest spent 25 years in the Air Force, rose to Lieutenant Colonel, and hit rock bottom. On Veterans Day, he walked into a hospital and told the nurse, “I want to die.” That moment changed everything. He quit his job. He left the military. And in one heroic dose of psilocybin, he found something he never thought he’d feel again…peace. In this conversation, Ben and I dive deep into psychedelics, masculinity, healing, and the emotional constipation that keeps so many men stuck. This isn’t a drug story. It’s a story about awakening, and what happens when men finally face themselves. 00:00 – The day Ben almost ended his life 07:00 – The “American Dream” that became a nightmare 10:45 – Walking into the psych ward: the moment everything changed 14:00 – The first psilocybin ceremony that rewired his life 18:45 – What it feels like to release generations of pain 22:00 – From military commander to spiritual seeker 27:30 – Why psychedelics are so hard to describe 32:15 – DMT, ego death, and seeing “God” for the first time 40:00 – Why psychedelics help men feel again 43:00 – Shame, masculinity, and the epidemic of emotional constipation 46:15 – The courage to say “I’m sad” 49:00 – The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek 51:00 – Psychedelics as a rite of passage for men 57:00 – The rise of “grandfather energy” and secure masculinity 01:00:00 – The crisis of modern manhood 01:07:00 – What rites of passage and adversity teach men 01:15:00 – How men can heal men 01:22:00 – What it truly means to be a man This episode is a mirror. For men who’ve shut down. For men who’ve lost their fire. And for anyone ready to turn their pain into purpose. 🎧 Listen now. Subscribe to The Optimist. Because healing isn’t soft. It’s dangerous. Episode Timestamps:

    Psychedelics Might Be the Cure for Modern Masculinity, with Ben Forest, Psychedelic Speaker, Author and Coach
See All (51)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

The Optimist is a show about what it actually takes to be a man nowadays. Jake Hurwitz sits down with entrepreneurs, scientists, executives, and people who've rebuilt their lives from scratch, and asks the questions men usually only get to in private. Loneliness. Fatherhood. Ambition and what it costs. Sobriety. Work that's changing faster than anyone can keep up with. No performance, no posturing. Just long, honest conversations with people who've thought hard about how to live well. New episodes weekly.

Information

  • Creator
    Jake Hurwitz
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jake Hurwitz
  • Show Website
    The Optimist

You Might Also Like