You went to Harvard undergrad, you went to Harvard Law, you became a hot-shot Private Equity guy.  So your next move is obviously…?

If you’re James Rhee, you walk away from all of it and discover what really makes a business grow: the intangibles.

What started out as a six month project to help a company avoid liquidation turned into a seven year passion filled with new friends, compassion, and lots of goodwill. And the results were profound.  It turns out intangibles can be measured and kindness is good for business.  

This is… A Bit Of Optimism. 

For more on James and his work check out:

Redhelicopter.com for news on upcoming projects, including a forthcoming book.

https://www.ted.com/talks/james_rhee_the_value_of_kindness_at_work?language=en

https://www.ashleystewart.com/strongtogether.html

You went to Harvard undergrad, you went to Harvard Law, you became a hot-shot Private Equity guy.  So your next move is obviously…?If you’re James Rhee, you walk away from all of it and discover what really makes a business grow: the intangibles.What started out as a six month project to help a company avoid liquidation turned into a seven year passion filled with new friends, compassion, and lots of goodwill. And the results were profound.  It turns out intangibles can be measured and kindness is good for business.  This is… A Bit Of Optimism. For more on James and his work check out:<a href="https://www.redhelicopter.com/">Redhelicopter.com</a> for news on upcoming projects, including a forthcoming book.<a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/james_rhee_the_value_of_kindness_at_work?language=en">https://www.ted.com/talks/james_rhee_the_value_of_kindness_at_work?language=en</a><a href="https://www.ashleystewart.com/strongtogether.html" target="_blank">https://www.ashleystewart.com/strongtogether.html</a>

The future is always bright…if you know where to look. Join me each week for A Bit of Optimism - I talk to inspiring people who teach me more about life, leadership and general interesting things.

A Bit of Optimism

A Bit of Optimism will return with new episodes starting January 9, 2024.

The future is always bright…if you know where to look. Join me each week for A Bit of Optimism - I talk to inspiring people who teach me more about life, leadership and general interesting things.

A Bit of Optimism will return with new episodes starting January 9, 2024.
The future is always bright…if you know where to look. Join me each week for A Bit of Optimism - I talk to inspiring people who teach me more about life, leadership and general interesting things.

You went to Harvard undergrad, you went to Harvard Law, you became a hot-shot Private Equity guy.  So your next move is obviously…?

If you’re James Rhee, you walk away from all of it and discover what really makes a business grow: the intangibles.

What started out as a six month project to help a company avoid liquidation turned into a seven year passion filled with new friends, compassion, and lots of goodwill. And the results were profound.  It turns out intangibles can be measured and kindness is good for business. 

This is… A Bit Of Optimism.

Kindness with James Rhee

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/be1f7642-3475-46c5-8335-b0a6011f38c8/transcript

Starting a company from scratch isn't easy. Doing it multiple times seems downright impossible.

Eric Ryan is one of those serial entrepreneurs. Most known as the co-founder of Method soaps, he's also the founder of Olly vitamins, Welly first aid kits, Cast jewelry, and he has more ventures planned. 

I sat down with Eric to ask him about his creative process. What follows is a conversation about serial creativity and why reinvention is the key to repeating creative success.

This...is A Bit of Optimism.

To learn more about Eric and his work, check out:

methodproducts.com

Starting a company from scratch isn't easy. Doing it multiple times seems downright impossible.
Eric Ryan is one of those serial entrepreneurs. Most known as the co-founder of Method soaps, he's also the founder of Olly vitamins, Welly first aid kits, Cast jewelry, and he has more ventures planned. 
I sat down with Eric to ask him about his creative process. What follows is a conversation about serial creativity and why reinvention is the key to repeating creative success.
This...is A Bit of Optimism.
To learn more about Eric and his work, check out:
methodproducts.com

Invention is Reinvention with entrepreneur Eric Ryan

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0b59c760-ce35-40b6-99a8-b1700000ce48/transcript

In 2005, Neil Strauss published The Game, a book about his years living in the pickup artist community. The Game sold millions of copies, stirred up huge controversy, and made Neil a bestselling author. 

Neil has totally reinvented himself since writing The Game, and I wanted to talk with him about walking away from that identity of success. This led to a much deeper conversation about what success even is. Is meaning tied to outcomes, or is intention enough? 

Neil and I don't see eye-to-eye on everything in this conversation, but I love talking with him because he challenges my ideas. I hope this episode challenges you as well, to continue questioning what the definition of success should be. 

This...is A Bit of Optimism.

To learn more about Neil and his work, check out:

neilstrauss.com

The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists

In 2005, Neil Strauss published The Game, a book about his years living in the pickup artist community. The Game sold millions of copies, stirred up huge controversy, and made Neil a bestselling author. 
Neil has totally reinvented himself since writing The Game, and I wanted to talk with him about walking away from that identity of success. This led to a much deeper conversation about what success even is. Is meaning tied to outcomes, or is intention enough? 
Neil and I don't see eye-to-eye on everything in this conversation, but I love talking with him because he challenges my ideas. I hope this episode challenges you as well, to continue questioning what the definition of success should be. 
This...is A Bit of Optimism.
To learn more about Neil and his work, check out:
<a href="neilstrauss.com">neilstrauss.com</a>
<a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-game-neil-strauss?variant=32206397767714">The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists</a>

The Definition of Success with author Neil Strauss

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/48360230-383d-443d-8e32-b168015cca91/transcript

Society treats marriage like the end goal of human intimacy. Platonic friends can never be as important as romantic partners. 

What would life look like if we made friendship the goal? Journalist and producer Rhaina Cohen tackles this question in her book The Other Significant Others. She tells the stories of people who made platonic friends the closest people in their lives, doing things together like buying houses, executing a will, and raising children. 

I wanted to talk with Rhaina because redefining what friendship means in our lives lets us connect in new and deeper ways outside the rigid boundaries of a marriage or relationship. And it might take the pressure off our romantic partners to fulfill every one of our social needs.

This...is A Bit of Optimism.

To learn more about Rhaina and her work, check out:

rhainacohen.com

her book The Other Significant Others

Society treats marriage like the end goal of human intimacy. Platonic friends can never be as important as romantic partners.  What would life look like if we made friendship the goal? Journalist and producer Rhaina Cohen tackles this question in her book The Other Significant Others. She tells the stories of people who made platonic friends the closest people in their lives, doing things together like buying houses, executing a will, and raising children.  I wanted to talk with Rhaina because redefining what friendship means in our lives lets us connect in new and deeper ways outside the rigid boundaries of a marriage or relationship. And it might take the pressure off our romantic partners to fulfill every one of our social needs. This...is A Bit of Optimism. To learn more about Rhaina and her work, check out:
<a href="rhainacohen.com">rhainacohen.com</a>
her book <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-other-significant-others-rhaina-cohen/1143330013">The Other Significant Others</a>

Happily Friended with author Rhaina Cohen

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c3c5c7c0-299f-497d-a7bd-b1620030e925/transcript

Kindness with James Rhee

In 1 playlist(s)

A Bit of Optimism

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips