Sumit Paul-Choudhury

Sumit Paul-Choudhury, former editor-in-chief of New Scientist and author of 'The Bright Side,' discusses how optimism shapes our lives and enhances well-being. He explores whether optimism is innate or learned and highlights its benefits for health and success. Joining him is Dr. Sunita Saw, an award-winning Cornell professor and author of 'Defy,' who champions the power of saying 'no' in a world that pressures conformity. She redefines defiance as a means to uphold one's values and encourages listeners to embrace constructive dissent.

Sumit Paul-Choudhury, a former Editor-in-Chief of New Scientist and founder of the creative studio Alternity, dives deep into the science of optimism. He discusses how optimism can boost health, happiness, and success while sharing personal anecdotes of its transformative power after tragedy. Listeners will learn practical strategies to cultivate a long-term optimistic mindset and how to balance optimism with realism in decision-making. His insights are backed by research, making a compelling case for optimism as a superpower in both life and work.

Agnes Callard, a philosopher specializing in Socratic thought, emphasizes the power of questioning to navigate identity and ethics. Sumit Paul-Choudhury, a science writer, champions optimism as a tool for overcoming modern challenges. Keon West, a social psychologist, counters by using data to expose the persistence of racism in society, disputing the notion that it’s a fading issue. Together, they explore the interplay of philosophy, psychology, and empirical evidence in addressing these critical topics.

Sumit Paul-Choudhury, a former astrophysicist and current Managing Director at Alternity, discusses the transformative power of optimism and its role in driving humanity forward. He warns against the pitfalls of 'manifesting' without action. Joining him, Inanna Hamati-Ataya, a global relations expert, argues for the benefits of globalization, stating there are no pure cultures. Meanwhile, Laura D'Olimpio, an education philosopher, challenges the notion of manifesting as mere wishful thinking, emphasizing the need for community-oriented values.

Sumit Paul-Choudhury, a science writer and author of "The Bright Side," discusses the transformative power of optimism. He explores how optimism isn't just a human trait; even animals like chickens and bumblebees exhibit hopeful behaviors. Sumit highlights the role of optimistic thinking in overcoming 21st-century challenges, from pandemics to climate change. He also delves into the complexities of optimism, debunking biases and advocating for innovative policymaking driven by collective hope.