🎬 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 discipline of realism-rooted optimism, Lena shares her personal practices for cultivating inner peace—like meditation and silent retreats—and challenges our assumptions about what it means to be “happy.” Through powerful reflections on societal norms, capitalism, and representation in the arts, Lena offers a blueprint for unlearning, growth, and intentional impact. She opens up about creating new infrastructure in Hollywood, honoring the legacy of local theaters, and fostering spaces for true dialogue over divisive debate. In this expansive exchange, Lena and Yara explore how optimism isn’t about ignoring life’s challenges—it’s about accepting the full spectrum of experience and still choosing to create, connect, and care. 🎧 From Broadway to the South Side, from storytelling to systems change—Lena reminds us that legacy is built on one radical act of honesty at a time. 📩 How do you practice optimism? DM us, drop a voice note, or tag us in your story. 📲 @optimistprojectpod // The Optimist Project Podcast ✨ Executive Producer: @yarashahidi // Yara Shahidi ✨ Executive Producer: @chocolatemommyluv // Keri Salter-Shahidi 🎙 Guest: @lenawaithe // Lena Waithe 🔔 Experience Lena’s play Trinity at Baltimore Stage Center from Feb 12–March 8, 2026. 🎧 And don’t miss her podcast Legacy Talk with Lena Waithe—a deep dive into creativity, community, and the voices shaping culture. 📞 Voicemail: (323) 761-0837 🎭 Tune in—because radical acceptance is a revolutionary act.

🎨 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 and illustrating best-selling children's books, Nikkolas has made a career of dreaming aloud. In this conversation, he shares how his signature Sunday Sketch series evolved into a public ritual of art-as-healing—and how optimism fuels his ability to honor lives, amplify marginalized voices, and spark social transformation. We dive into the art of balancing engineering and expression, the deeply personal process behind The History of We, and why creating moments of pressure can still be rooted in joy. With reflections on empathy, representation, and the mural he painted in tribute to Chadwick Boseman, Nikkolas reminds us that art can be both protest and prayer. 🎨 Nikkolas challenges us to see optimism not as passive hope—but as an active call to reimagine what's possible. What stories are you telling through your creativity? How are you expressing this through regular practice? 📩 We'd love to hear your story—DM us, send a voice note, or leave a message sharing your vision of optimism. 📲 @optimistprojectpod // The Optimist Project Podcast ✨ Executive Producer: @yarashahidi // Yara Shahidi ✨ Executive Producer: @chocolatemommyluv // Keri Salter-Shahidi 🎙 Guest: @nikkolas_smith // Nikkolas Smith 📚 Explore Nikkolas’s new book The History of We : https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/721499/the-history-of-we-by-nikkolas-smith/ 📰 Read Nikkolas Smith's National Geographic Article about The History of We: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/nikkolas-smith-book-the-history-of-we 🎧 Tune in—because optimism builds bridges.   

🎶 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 matters more than being liked. Estelle unpacks what it means to move through life with optimism—not as blind hope, but as a conscious choice to respond with grace, clarity, and ease. From the influence of family and the ancestral wisdom we carry, to the personal practices that fuel her artistry, Estelle opens up about self-trust, navigating fatigue, and creating from a place of ease and truth. We journey through the heart of her creative process, her reflections on career, and the freedom that comes from embracing who you are—without apology. ✨ Estelle reminds us that optimism isn’t just a feeling—it’s a discipline. A way of being that lets us choose joy, again and again. What does it mean to live as your fullest self? Where can you choose ease without guilt? 📩 We want to hear from you—DM us, send a voice note, or leave us a message and share your version of optimism. 📲 @optimistprojectpod // The Optimist Project Podcast ✨ Executive Producer: @yarashahidi // Yara Shahidi ✨ Executive Producer: @chocolatemommyluv // Keri Salter-Shahidi 🎙 Guest: @estelledarlings // Estelle 🎤 Listen to Estelle's new album Stay Alta Out NOW! 📞 Voicemail: (323) 761-0837 🎧 Tap in—because optimism feels like home.

✨ 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 contradiction, wonder, and doubt. In this profound conversation, she speaks with reverence and clarity about the spiritual life as one of complexity: where skepticism meets faith, and silence becomes presence. We explore the birth of Black Liturgies, the discipline of noticing beauty in the mundane, and the delicate dance between public witness and private becoming. Cole shares stories of her ancestors, the role of ritual, and what it means to create from a place of embodied truth. ✨ Cole reminds us that optimism doesn’t erase despair—it sits beside it, breathes through it, and dares to imagine a world where our questions are held, not silenced. What questions allow you to embrace the unknown? What beauty are you making space to witness? 📩 We want to hear from you—DM us, send a voice note, or leave us a message and share your version of optimism. 📲 @optimistprojectpod // The Optimist Project Podcast ✨ Executive Producer: @yarashahidi // Yara Shahidi ✨ Executive Producer: @chocolatemommyluv // Keri Salter-Shahidi 🎙 Guest: @colearthurriley //Cole Arthur Riley 📖 Book & Online Community: @blackliturgies // black liturgies 📞 Voicemail: (323) 761-0837 🎧 Tap in—because optimism, like ritual, is an act of return.

🌈 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 practice of embracing the unknown and choosing beauty, again and again. We explore their early artistic influences (yes, including Avril Lavigne!), the transformative power of imagination, and how humor and honesty become tools for survival. Alok shares what it means to resist hate without becoming hardened, to find joy in the ordinary, and to stay rooted in community and friendship while navigating the spotlight. ✨ From stage fright to soul-deep reflections on authenticity, creativity, and the human condition—Alok reminds us that art isn’t just about performance. It’s about presence. And in our Giving Flowers segment, they honor the people and practices that have helped them bloom. How do you find joy in your everyday life? What does resistance look like when it's grounded in love? 📩 We want to hear from you—DM us, send a voice note, or drop us a message and share your light. 📲 @optimistprojectpod // The Optimist Project Podcast ✨ Executive Producer: @yarashahidi // Yara Shahidi ✨ Executive Producer: @chocolatemommyluv // Keri Salter-Shahidi 🎙 Guest: @alokvmenon // Alok Vaid-Menon 📞 Voicemail: (323) 761-0837 🎧 Tap in and join the conversation—because optimism is more than a mindset. It’s a movement.

✨ 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 intimate and inspiring conversation, she opens up about learning discipline through early responsibility, navigating tough kitchens with compassion, and facing fear head-on in pursuit of her dream. We talk about the rituals that ground her, the power of silence and prayer, and how she creates space for joy, intention, and community through her bakery. Ashley’s brand of optimism is rooted in showing up, staying steady, and pushing past fear—not just for herself, but for the young Black women she hopes to inspire. ✨ Ashley drops gems on growth, grace, and building a legacy that tastes as good as it feels. What does discipline mean to you? What space are you creating to welcome others? 📩 We want to hear from you—DM us, send a voice note, or leave us a message and share your version of optimism. 📲 @optimistprojectpod // The Optimist Project Podcast ✨ Executive Producer: @yarashahidi // Yara Shahidi ✨ Executive Producer: @chocolatemommyluv // Keri Salter-Shahidi 🎙 Guest: @sobadash_ // Ashley Cunningham 🍪 @badashbakes // Bad Ash Bakes // 247 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101 📞 Voicemail: (323) 761-0837 🎧 Tap in—because optimism, like a good cookie, is best when shared.

🌟 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 powerful and deeply personal conversation, we unpack realistic optimism—what it looks like to hold faith and clarity through dark moments, how rituals and community ground us, and why leading with integrity is a revolutionary act. We also explore Mir’s rich and layered career journey—spanning music, media, activism, and beyond—and how her love for storytelling, faith, and service fuels every chapter. ✨ Mir drops gems on navigating burnout, honoring your voice, and staying creatively inspired—even when the world feels heavy. And in our Giving Flowers segment, she pays tribute to the artists and changemakers lighting the way forward. What helps you stay rooted in optimism? What’s your personal ritual for staying ready? 📩 We want to hear from you—DM us, send a voice note, or drop us a message and share your light.📲 @optimistprojectpod // The Optimist Project Podcast✨ Executive Producer: @yarashahidi // Yara Shahidi✨ Executive Producer: @chocolatemommyluv // Keri Salter-Shahidi🎙 Guest: @mirsays // Mir Harris📞 Voicemail: (323) 761-0837 🎧 Tap in and join the conversation—because optimism gets more powerful when we share it.

🌊 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 the stories of lost slave shipwrecks, amplifying ancestral truths that were almost erased by time. In this soulful, searching, and ultimately empowering conversation, we explore what it means to pursue purpose with courage, how optimism can be a form of resistance, and why honoring our histories is a path to healing. ✨ Tara shares wisdom on listening to your calling (even when it takes you underwater), following curiosity as a compass, and turning passion into something beautifully transformative. We also talk about her journey from magazine editor to global explorer—and how her life has become a living archive of resilience, remembrance, and radiant hope. If you’ve ever felt called to do something bigger than yourself, if you’re trying to reconnect with legacy or ignite a new chapter—you’ll find fuel in this episode. 📩 What histories are calling you forward? How are you choosing optimism in your everyday life? We want to hear from you. DM us, leave a voice note, or send us a message and share your light. 📲 @optimistprojectpod // The Optimist Project Podcast ✨ Executive Producer: @yarashahidi // Yara Shahidi ✨ Executive Producer: @chocolatemommyluv // Keri Salter-Shahidi 🎙 Guest: @tararoberts_explorer// Tara Roberts 📞 Voicemail: (323) 761-0837 🎧 Tap in—and let this conversation remind you that even the deepest waters hold light.

🚀 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 perseverance, purpose, and profound optimism. In our conversation, we dive into what it means to aim higher than seems reasonable, how to reframe setbacks as rocket fuel, and why inclusive storytelling is critical to shaping the future. Anousheh reflects on building bridges across disciplines, cultures, and generations—and how we all play a role in pushing humanity forward. ✨ She shares wisdom on staying grounded while reaching for the stars, the healing power of nature, and why joy and service are revolutionary tools for change. What’s the biggest dream you’ve ever dared to name? What keeps you reaching for more? 📩 We’d love to hear from you—send us a voice note or tag us with your reflections. 📲 @optimistprojectpod // The Optimist Project Podcast ✨ Executive Producer: @yarashahidi // Yara Shahidi ✨ Executive Producer: @chocolatemommyluv // Keri Salter-Shahidi 🎙 Guest: @anousheh_x// Anousheh Ansari 📞 Voicemail: (323) 761-0837 🎧 Tune in and blast off with us—because optimism, like space, has no limits.

💆‍♀️💆‍♂️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 uplifting conversations! In the meantime, catch up on past episodes, revisit your favorites, and spread optimism by sharing them with friends. And we want to hear from YOU! Drop us a message, share your inspirations, and let’s keep the conversation going! 💬 DM us, leave a voicemail, or send an email — we’re listening! 📲 @optimistprojectpod // The Optimist Project Podcast ✨ Executive Producer: @yarashahidi // Yara Shahidi ✨ Executive Producer: @chocolatemommyluv // Keri Salter-Shahidi 📞 Voicemail: (323) 761-0837 🎧 Tune in NOW and join the conversation on @instagram!

🎨 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 unapologetically, and what it really means to embrace life with an open heart and curious mind. Plus, Colm drops gems for aspiring creators — hint: JUST START! We’d love to hear from you! What’s fueling your creative spark? Share your thoughts, ideas, and moments of inspiration: 💬 DM us, leave a voicemail, or send an email — we’re listening! 📲 @optimistprojectpod // The Optimist Project Podcast ✨ Executive Producer: @yarashahidi // Yara Shahidi ✨ Executive Producer: @chocolatemommyluv // Keri Salter-Shahidi 📚 Guest: @kidsuper // KidSuper 📞 Voicemail: (323) 761-0837 🎧 Tune in NOW and join the conversation on @instagram!

✨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 just about personal wins). Maybe happiness isn’t something we chase—but everything we create together. 💡 Get ready to rethink what it means to live a good life. 🎧 Listen in NOW and join the conversation! 💬 send us your thoughts via DM, voicemail, or email at: 📲 @optimistprojectpod //The Optimist Project Podcast
 ✨Executive Producer @yarashahidi // Yara Shahidi ✨Executive Producer @chocolatemommyluv // Keri Salter-Shahidi
 📚 @bexhsu // Dr. Becky Yang Hsu
 📞 Voicemail: (323) 761-0837

🎙 The Optimist Project Podcast: Bisa Butler – Giving Our Past a New Life Through Art Today, 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 and drive behind her powerful body of work, which honors the rich and vibrant histories of Black life and culture. From her roots in academia to the world’s most prestigious galleries and museums, Bisa shares how her journey as both a student and teacher continues to shape her vision—proving that art is more than just an expression; it’s a revolution. This conversation is a masterclass in creativity, perseverance, and storytelling. If you’ve ever wondered how art can heal, inspire, and empower—this episode is for you. We want to hear from YOU! How are you investing in yourself while chasing your purpose? Drop us a voicemail, DM, or email and share your thoughts! 🔗 Listen NOW and be inspired! @optimistprojectpod // The Optimist Project Podcast @yarashahidi // Yara Shahidi @bisabutler // Bisa Butler @chocolatemommyluv // Keri Salter-Shahidi 📞 Voicemail: (323) 761-0837

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 how important her work in higher education is in breaking barriers for girls and young women in Zimbabwe and around the world. Resilience, empowerment, and a hopeful heart CAN turn dreams into reality! We want to hear from YOU! Head over to Instagram, leave us a voicemail, or shoot us an email about how you're investing in your mental health and chasing your purpose. Let’s share our seeds of optimism and uplift each other along the way. 🔗 Listen NOW and be inspired! @optimistprojectpod // The Optimist Project Podcast @yarashahidi // Yara Shahidi @veekativhu // Dr. Vee Kativhu/ @empoweredbyVee @chocolatemommyluv // Keri Salter-Shahidi 📞 Voicemail: (323) 761-0837

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 health advocate. Demetrius, the founder of the global clothing brand @youmatter, opens up about his personal journey of entrepreneurship, while also grappling with his own mental health struggles. He shares how he’s learned to chase his dreams and build community, all while learning the importance of mental well-being. 🧠✨ In this episode, Demetrius and Yara dive deep into the delicate balance between pursuing your passion and prioritizing your mental health. If you’re feeling uncertain, overwhelmed, or just need a reminder that you’re capable of greatness, this episode is for YOU. Tune in for wisdom, motivation, and the comforting message: YOU MATTER. 💙 We’d love to hear how you're staying optimistic during this time. 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 @demetriusharmon // Demetrius Harmon @chocolatemommyluv // Keri Salter-Shahidi

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 (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 @rapsody // Rapsody @chocolatemommyluv // Keri Salter-Shahidi

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 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 @fchwpo // Jaylen Brown @chocolatemommyluv // Keri Salter-Shahidi

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 impacting Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. Please know that our thoughts are with you, your loved ones, and your communities. Here are some vital resources: 211 LA: 211la.org The American Red Cross Shelter Locator: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html California Fire Foundation: cafirefoundation.org Mutual Aid LA Network : https://www.mutualaidhub.org Follow us on Instagram at: @optimistprojectpod // The Optimist Project Podcast @yarashahidi // Yara Shaidi @the_a_prentice // Prentice Penny @chocolatemommyluv // Keri Salter-Shahidi

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 surrounding areas. Please know that our thoughts are with you, your loved ones, and your communities. Here are some vital resources: 211 LA: 211la.org The American Red Cross Shelter Locator: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html California Fire Foundation: cafirefoundation.org Mutual Aid LA Network : https://www.mutualaidhub.org Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to share your own seeds of optimism and wisdom!  @optimistprojectpod // The Optimist Project Podcast @yarashahidi // Yara Shahidi @iamchristineplatt // Christine Platt @chocolatemommyluv // Keri Salter-Shahidi

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 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 @courtneybvance // Courtney B Vance