This week, I sit down with Ego Nwodim, Saturday Night Live cast member, comedian, and actress, for an inspiring conversation on the power of optimism. Ego opens up about how embracing a positive mindset has transformed her well-being and why it’s a gift to both mind and body. We talk about the pressures of work, how Ego stays grounded in the chaos, and her journey toward setting boundaries while nurturing her desire to help others. Tune in for a candid and uplifting discussion on staying true to yourself in a demanding world—and why optimism is the ultimate tool for self-care.

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 @chocolatemommyluv // Keri Shahidi

@eggyboom // Ego Nwodim

Join me this week as we tap into the literal science of well-being with the brilliant Dr. Laurie Santos—THE Yale psychology professor who’s revolutionized how we think about happiness.

As the creator of Yale’s most popular course EVER, The Science of Well-Being, and host of the hit podcast The Happiness Lab, Dr. Santos breaks down the psychology of optimism and introduces us to the “Beautiful Mess Effect.” We also explore why happiness can feel so tricky to achieve—and she shares practical tools to help us rewire our approach to well-being.

Want to share your experience or ask a question? Call us at (323) 761-0837 or email askoptimistproject@gmail.com.

Looking for more? Dr. Santos offers a free Coursera course, The Science of Well-Being.

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to share your own seeds of optimism and wisdom!

Dr. Laurie Santos // @lauriesantosofficial

The Optimist Project Podcast // @theoptimistprojectpod

Yara Shahidi // @yarashahidi

Keri Shahidi // @chocolatemommyluv

In this week’s episode of The Optimist Project, I’m joined by veteran journalist Ari Shapiro, host of NPR's All Things Considered. Ari has actively rooted his life’s work and his experiences in the belief that optimism isn’t about avoiding struggle, but about our collective ability to navigate struggle with hope, creativity, and curiosity. Whether you listen to Ari’s nightly newscast, are new to his work, or simply believe in the transformative power of thoughtful journalism, this conversation will remind you that we can strive for a deeper appreciation for the human stories that connect us all.

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

@arishapiro // Ari Shapiro

@chocolatemommyluv // Keri Salter-Shahidi