AI Summary
5 min read“I accomplished more sitting in my hope than I ever did sitting in my pessimism trying to account for all that could go wrong.” That line from Yara Shahidi lands early in this conversation, and it sets the tone for a surprisingly practical discussion about purpose, optimism, and the quiet work of figuring out what you actually want.
Yara Shahidi is an actor, producer, Harvard graduate, and co-creator of the podcast The Optimus Project. In this episode of How to Be a Better Human, host Chris Duffy talks with her about how she navigates big life questions—what to do, who to be, and how to keep moving when the path forward isn't clear. The conversation is less about grand declarations and more about the small, daily practices that help a person stay oriented.
Optimism as a Practice, Not a Feeling
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What you'll learn
- 1 (01:10) **Host Introduction: The Big Question** - Chris Duffy frames the episode around the central challenge of figuring out what you want to do and who you want to be.
- 2 (02:40) **Yara's Opening Monologue: The "And" vs. "Either/Or"** - Yara describes her lifelong curiosity and the moment her two passions (acting and education) collided, forcing her to choose between them.
- 3 (07:29) **Why Pessimism is Easy and Optimism is a Practice** - Yara explains that pessimism led to inaction, while optimism, even if naive, leads to progress.
- 4 (10:59) **Practical Tools: The "Hard Yes" List** - Yara introduces a concrete method for identifying what brings you joy and resetting during difficult moments.
- 5 (14:57) **Optimism as a Practice, Not Naivete** - Yara distinguishes between joy (a feeling) and optimism (a practice that requires daily work).
- 6 (17:06) **Historical Perspective and Generational Work** - Yara discusses how a historical view (e.g., her "1963" tattoo) helps balance acknowledging setbacks with maintaining a vision for progress.
- 7 (21:15) **The "Highest Order" Framework** - Yara introduces a tool for defining your core priorities, which helps navigate changing social and professional landscapes.
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Guests on this episode
Show Notes
“Optimism is not what exists in a vacuum on your best day, but how you're pulling through for yourself on your worst days,” says actress Yara Shahidi. Yara is known for her sitcoms Black-ish and its spinoff Grown-ish. She shares what she learned from creating a “Hard Yes” list, why she chose to attend Harvard after acting, and why she thinks anyone can find their highest order if they pay attention.
Featured guest
- Follow Yara Shahidi on Instagram and at yarashahidi.com/
- Listen to The Optimist Project podcast
Connect with the team
- Follow Chris on Instagram and at chrisduffycomedy.com
- Buy Chris’ book, Humor Me
- Watch How to Be a Better Human videos on YouTube at TEDAudioCollective
- Follow TED on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok
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