What does grit really look like?

What if the hardest part of your story… became the source of your greatest strength? This week on the Eternal Optimist, I sit down with my friend Nema Semnani — and let me tell you, this one hits different. Nema was born into a moment of pure chaos — his mom fled Iran while

Chris Hillier shared something that hit home: when things get tense in business, especially with family, perspective is everything.

This moment hit me. Life throws curveballs. This episode is about what you do next.

There’s power in saying yes.

This episode with Rukhsana Triem is a masterclass in human resilience. From fleeing war zones to building a life of purpose in the U.S., she’s proof that healing, community, and compassion can rewrite even the hardest stories. Listen here — you won’t forget it:

What if the most powerful way to give… is to receive something deeply human in return? In this week’s episode of the Eternal Optimist Podcast, I talk with Aidan Uttinger about solving poverty with love, intention, and energy. From “love farmers” to reciprocal healing, this one

Aidan Uttinger shares how giving can be more than just a donation

Your brain’s job is to protect you — but sometimes it does that by lying to you. In this convo with Mitch Weisburgh, we go deep into how to shift from emotional reactivity to intentional leadership. We talk betrayal, big business lessons, and how mindshifting can help you build

Ever been so sure you were right… only to realize later your brain was running the show? Mitch Weisburgh dropped a powerful truth bomb: just because your mind spins a story doesn’t mean it’s true. We’re talking about rewiring your thinking so it works for you — not against you.

I’ll never forget what Damon Lembi shared during this conversation. A coach once told him he wasn’t good enough to play Division I baseball—and Damon believed it. But then came the gut punch: “That’s not what we think of you. That’s what you think about yourself.” This wasn’t

If you’re constantly chasing approval, that’s not self-esteem—it’s “other-esteem.” The real work is learning how to validate yourself from the inside.