Your instincts aren’t just whispers. They’re a compass pointing you toward the life you’re meant to live. But in a world obsessed with speed, metrics, and outcomes, most of us forget how to listen.

Arthur Brooks, bestselling author and Harvard Business School professor, teaches one of the most popular classes on happiness. But his insights come not just from research, but from a life of reinvention: from French horn player to scholar, from think-tank leader to teacher, and even pilgrim on the Camino de Santiago.

In this conversation, we explore why so many of us feel unhappy today, the real equation for joy, and why following your gut is essential. Along the way, Arthur shares how to treat life like a pilgrimage, why AI may strip away the struggle that makes us wise, and why the process - not the outcome - is where happiness lives.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re “falling behind,” or if you’re searching for the courage to trust your instincts, this episode will remind you that happiness isn’t something you chase - it’s something you practice, every step of the way.

This is…A Bit of Optimism.

Check out more of Arthur’s work here: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/

We’re often told to do more, move faster, and chase the next big trend—but some of the most remarkable successes come from narrowing your focus, obsessing over one thing, and truly understanding the people you’re serving.

Ben Francis knows this better than most.

He started Gymshark with nothing more than a sewing machine and a passion for making gym clothes that actually worked for him. From those humble beginnings, he built a billion-dollar brand—carefully, sustainably, and with a vision for a company that lasts 100 years, not just a flash in the pan. And yes, he’s still young, proving that you can dream big while thinking long term.

Recorded at the very impressive Gymshark HQ in Birmingham, UK, this episode takes us inside the energy and culture that fuel the brand. We dive into Ben’s journey of obsession, experimentation, and relentless focus, exploring how to build something meaningful without having all the answers, learning from failures, and why understanding your customer is everything. If you’ve ever wanted to create something that lasts, this conversation is for you.

This is A Bit of Optimism.

Check out Gymshark here:

https://www.gymshark.com/

“Nuclear” might make you wince—but the real problem isn’t the energy, it’s the branding. Safe, low-carbon, and scalable, nuclear could be a climate hero—if only we told the story right.

Isabelle Boemeke is on a mission to change how we think about nuclear energy. A Brazilian model turned the world’s first nuclear influencer, she created her alter ego, Isodope, to show a new generation the benefits of clean energy—while cutting through the fear shaped by war movies and disaster shows. In her new book, Rad Future, she makes the science, history, and promise of nuclear power accessible to everyone.

In this episode, we talk about why nuclear scares us, how we need to rethink the climate conversation, and why embracing nuclear energy could be one of our smartest moves yet. Isabelle also shares her personal journey—from modeling to advocacy, building Isodope, and helping shift the conversation around clean energy for a better, brighter future.

This is… A Bit of Optimism.

Learn more about Isabelle’s work here.

https://isodope.com/

And order the new book Rad Future here.

https://isodope.com/rad-future/