To recognize your own talent takes time and self-awareness. But to find the courage to pursue it? That often requires a spark of inspiration from someone else.

For Hasan Minhaj, that spark came from an unexpected trio—a teacher, a roommate, and Napster. A former correspondent on The Daily Show, Hasan’s natural gift of gab allowed him to build a wide-ranging career which spans standup, acting, Netflix shows, and, most recently, his podcast, Hasan Minhaj Doesn’t Know.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Hasan to discuss his journey—why gifted people crave external validation, why kids are braver than adults, and where comedians truly rank in the artistic hierarchy.

This… is A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Hasan and his work check out:

hasanminhaj.com

Most people believe the only way to lead is to become the best at something. But what if great leadership means admitting you’re not the best at anything?

Jocko Willink believes the secret to his greatest achievements come down to one thing – humility. A retired Navy SEAL commander, Jocko served 20 years in the U.S. military, leading one of the most decorated special operations units through combat in the Iraq War. A New York Times bestselling author, podcast host, and entrepreneur, he now teaches those in the civilian world the skills he learned from his time in the SEAL Teams.

This was my first time meeting Jocko Willink, and we discussed why new leaders should never try to prove their own competence and the difference between tyrannical and open-minded leaders.

This…is A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Jocko and his work, check out:

jocko.com

Death is a word we like to avoid. We dance around the subject or use vague euphemisms to not hurt anybody. But what if being open about our deaths meant we could live happier lives?

That’s where Alua Arthur comes in. Alua is one of the most prominent death doulas in the country, which means it’s her job to help people die. She offers support to her clients and their families as they embark on their dying journey, tackling everything from financial planning and insurance policy to emotional support and grief.

When I sat down with Alua, I was prepared for a grim conversation. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised by her candor and good humor about dying. She shares with me how she made a career pivot from lawyer to death dula, the most interesting stories she’s heard from people on their death bed, and why thinking about our deaths is the key to living the way we wish to live.

This…is A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Alua and her work, check out: Going With Grace