Best Cory Mo Podcasts (2025)

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A Bit of Optimism Will Return in the New Year 2:37

Play Pause

4d ago2:37

2:37

Team Simon here! As the year comes to a close, A Bit of Optimism is pressing pause for a short winter break. The show will return on January 27, 2026 and we can’t wait to be back with you. But before we go, we want to say thank you. Truly. This show exists because of you—the listeners who show up every week, share episodes and clips, leave thoughtf…

1
Revisited: Your Unhappy Brain Needs Some Assistance with Happiness Expert Mo Gawdat 1:30:38

4d ago1:30:38

1:30:38

Team Simon here! Thank you for being part of such an incredible year—and for helping us grow the podcast through your support, sharing it with others, and showing up week after week. We love seeing your comments and hearing what resonates with you. A Bit of Optimism returns on January 27, 2026, with brand-new episodes we think you’re really going t…

1
Michael Franzese 55:50

3d ago55:50

55:50

Michael Franzese, former captain in the Colombo family, on his more than five-decade journey into and out of organized crime -- a career choice that most often ends in life in prison and/or an early funeral. Franzese, 74, is now a wine mogul, author and speaker.By Roben Farzad

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Prepare for the Life You’re Meant to Live With Chaplain John Fox 1:07:31

11d ago1:07:31

1:07:31

Often the biggest transformations we undergo don’t arrive as lightning bolts, but as quiet shifts we’ve been preparing for all along. For John Fox, the transformation from a 25-year career in high finance to becoming a chaplain wasn’t sudden at all. It was a slow burn—shaped by loss, reflection, community, and a deep desire to live a more meaningfu…

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Mo News Mosh 1:00:40

16d ago1:00:40

1:00:40

Legacy news exile. Digital media insurgent. All-around enfant terrible and friend of the show. Mosheh Oinounou of Mo News on the battle for Warner Bros; the midterm reckoning for Trump II; incoming NYC Mayor Mamdani; and the enormous challenge of rebuilding Gaza.By Roben Farzad

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How Losing Everything Taught Her to Help Everyone: Joan Howard’s Story 51:08

18d ago51:08

51:08

Life can change in an instant. One day you’re shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue, and the next you’re sitting in your car with everything you own, and everyone you love, wondering what happens now. Joan Howard grew up in Beverly Hills with every advantage until a series of crises left her homeless and living in her car with her mother and three dogs. Wh…

1
Jesse Crosson 1:04:10

20d ago1:04:10

1:04:10

Jesse Crosson on finding hope, purpose and himself after 19 years of incarceration. His book is The Best Part of Prison: The Power of Second Chances and Reclaiming Life Out of DarknessBy Roben Farzad

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A Rebel With a Cause (and a Cone) with Jeni’s Ice Cream Founder Jeni Britton 53:19

25d ago53:19

53:19

What if a great business was built like a handmade mixtape? A lovingly crafted experience that is as much a love letter from its founder as it is custom-tailored to its audience. Before Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams became a household name, Jeni Britton was a 22-year-old art school dropout scooping her ice cream creations at a farmers market in Ohio. …

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The Culture That Converts Even the Biggest Cynics with former WD-40 CEO Garry Ridge 56:55

1M ago56:55

56:55

Who would’ve guessed that one of the world’s best company cultures was hiding behind a can of WD-40? Of all the places to find a leadership masterclass, the blue-and-yellow can in your garage probably wasn’t on your list - but it’s time to put it there. Garry Ridge - an Australian who brought his charm and curiosity across the Pacific - joined WD-4…

1
Dine with Kent! 57:08

1M ago57:08

57:08

Texas grandpa Kent Burris -- you know him as @ dinewithkent on TikTok and Instagram -- on hitting it big globally with his earnest restaurant visits. A highway construction exec by day, Burris moonlights as a champion of small biz ...blasting his smartphone posts on Ethiopian, Persian, Cameroonian, (every) cuisine from his travel trailer.…

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Choose Your Seven Humans Wisely with author Fredrik Backman 58:07

1M ago58:07

58:07

What if great friendships aren’t found by luck but built through effort? Bestselling novelist Fredrik Backman, the mind behind A Man Called Ove (adapted into the Tom Hanks film A Man Called Otto), Anxious People, and the beloved Beartown series, has spent his career writing about the quiet power of ordinary people. But in his real life, he learned …

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Chef Patrick O'Connell 1:02:46

1M ago1:02:46

1:02:46

Chef Patrick O'Connell of the renowned Inn at Little Washington on turning a run-down stretch of rural Virginia into a three-star Michelin destination. Recorded for an audience at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture.By Roben Farzad

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The Smartest Way To Be Stupid with comedian Matthew Broussard 1:04:53

2M ago1:04:53

1:04:53

If you feel stupid while learning something new, you’re doing it right. But if you keep doing the same thing over and over hoping it’ll suddenly make sense - that’s on you. The trick isn’t to push harder; it’s to find a new teacher, a new explanation, a new way in. That’s exactly how Matthew Broussard approaches comedy - and everything else. A stan…

1
DJ Eric Rhodes 52:51

2M ago52:51

52:51

DJ Eric Rhodes discusses hitting it big on social media -- from Idaho. The mashup artist (Tone Loc + New Order?!) now travels the globe to spin, and gets pitched by brands and ad agencies.By Roben Farzad

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The Man Who Proved Me Right with CEO Bob Chapman and the Barry-Wehmiller Team 1:12:07

2M ago1:12:07

1:12:07

I’ve long imagined a world where people wake each morning inspired, feel safe wherever they work, and return home fulfilled by what they’ve created. That vision once felt like a dream - until I met Bob Chapman, CEO of Barry-Wehmiller, who quietly built it into reality. Over five decades, Bob has grown a humble Midwestern manufacturing company into …

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The Cars' Rise and Decline 1:00:00

2M ago1:00:00

1:00:00

Bestselling author Bill Janovitz on his book, The Cars: Let the Stories Be Told. Behind the MTV-heyday personas and chart-toppers: so much hurt and dysfunction -- from family disintegration to alcohol abuse and grown men too reluctant to open up to one another.By Roben Farzad

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Gary Shteyngart 54:52

2M ago54:52

54:52

Author and satirist Gary Shteyngart joined NPR's Mary Childs and Chioke I'Anson at Richmond's Institute for Contemporary Art. The New Yorker recently featured Shteyngart in mini-doc “The Guy Who Got Cut Wrong.”By Roben Farzad

1
David Sirota 58:05

2M ago58:05

58:05

The investigative journalist, Oscar nominee and Bernie Sanders 2020 speechwriter on his new book, Master Plan: The Hidden Plot to Legalize Corruption in America.By Roben Farzad

1
Cory Bradford 56:31

2M ago56:31

56:31

Comedian, amateur historian, edutainer and TikTok/Insta star Cory Bradford's social media breakout. This episode has strong language.By Roben Farzad

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Barak Ravid of Axios 52:50

3M ago52:50

52:50

Axios global affairs correspondent Barak Ravid on Gaza, Israel, the broader Mideast and U.S. two years after the October 7 attacks. Ravid's 2023 book is Trump's Peace: The Abraham Accords And The Reshaping Of The Middle East.By Roben Farzad

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Ricardo "Monkey" Morales: The Most Infamous Man in Miami 1:00:33

3M ago1:00:33

1:00:33

Google "Ricardo 'Monkey' Morales." Then listen to this interview with authors Sean Oliver and Rick Morales, Jr., on their "true story of a mythic Cuban exile, assassin, CIA operative, FBI informant, smuggler and Dad" -- perhaps the most infamous man in the infamous history of Miami.By Roben Farzad

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Rob Lowe Names Names: The Power of ‘Screw It’ 1:02:21

3M ago1:02:21

1:02:21

We don’t usually look to Hollywood for lessons in career longevity. But it might be the perfect place to study it. Few industries move faster or cast people aside more quickly, and yet Rob Lowe has spent more than four decades defying those odds. His story isn’t just about surviving fame—it’s about overcoming adversity, finding joy in the work, and…

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The Future You Avoid Is Riskier Than the One You Face with LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman 1:06:32

3M ago1:06:32

1:06:32

The future is something we create, not just something that happens. To guide progress toward real good, we need bold, optimistic visions of what society can become. Reid Hoffman makes the case for better science fiction - stories that don’t just entertain, but illuminate the futures we can strive for. As a serial entrepreneur and cofounder of Linke…

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Mike Henry 51:38

4M ago51:38

51:38

Actor, producer, director Mike Henry — known for voicing multiple characters on “Family Guy” — on finding his groove after crashing out of the ad biz; sitcoms in the age of streaming; the opportunities in A.I.; much more. Ian Stewart guest hosts.By Roben Farzad

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What Your Love Life Can Teach You About Work Relationships with psychotherapist Esther Perel 1:02:24

4M ago1:02:24

1:02:24

We’ve never had more freedom in our relationships—yet many of us feel more disconnected than ever. Marriage, family, and even the workplace have all been reshaped by shifting norms, new technologies, and rising expectations. Happiness, once a nice-to-have, is now the very glue that keeps both couples and teams together. Few people understand these …

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ICYMI 53:10

4M ago53:10

53:10

In case you missed it, highlights from recent episodes: actor Samuel Roukin; public media's Kenya Young; Puck's Julia Alexander. Full episodes also on YouTube.By Roben Farzad

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Your Instincts Know What You Want with Author Arthur Brooks 55:54

4M ago55:54

55:54

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…

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Julia Alexander 59:00

4M ago59:00

59:00

Puck's Julia Alexander -- one of the most followed voices in the realm of media disruption -- onlegacy Hollywood, streaming, YouTube, cable news, Netflix, Amazon and Apple...so much more.By Roben Farzad

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The Power of Doing One Thing Exceptionally Well with Gymshark Founder and CEO Ben Francis 1:01:14

4M ago1:01:14

1:01:14

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 gy…

1
Samuel Roukin 57:00

4M ago57:00

57:00

Actor, DJ, voiceover and video game star Samuel Roukin -- renowned for his role as John Graves Simcoe on AMC's hit series "Turn" -- on staying alive, solvent and hopeful through Hollywood's post-streaming-binge hangover.By Roben Farzad

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Simon Goes Nuclear with nuclear energy influencer Isabelle Boemeke 1:06:20

4M ago1:06:20

1:06:20

“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 e…

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The Brilliance of Boredom with creative polymath Elle Cordova 1:05:22

5M ago1:05:22

1:05:22

We’re wired to chase the next spark - scrolling, swiping, refreshing - but some of our brightest ideas sneak in when we stop chasing, let boredom settle in and give our minds room to wander. Elle Cordova knows the power of that pause. When the pandemic hit pause on her life as a touring musician, she stumbled into new creative territory - making of…

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Kenya Young 55:00

5M ago55:00

55:00

NPR veteran Kenya Young on the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's shutdown; hard choices for member stations; and the scramble to find new business models to sustain the service. Young, an alum of Morning Edition and WNYC, is the new president and CEO of Louisville Public Media.By Roben Farzad