Optimal Living Daily - Personal Development and Self-Improvement
Health, Home & Life
Join award-winning audiobook narrator Justin Malik in this personal growth accelerator, delivering bite-sized episodes each day that are rich with wisdom and practical advice. Optimal Living Daily features a carefully selected mix of articles from some of the most influential voices in self-help, covering topics like minimalism, productivity, mental health, and personal development. Each episode is thoughtfully narrated to not only inform but also inspire you to make meaningful changes in your life. Whether you're seeking motivation, clarity, or strategies to enhance your daily life, Optimal Living Daily is your go-to source for personal development. It’s not just a podcast; it’s a daily habit that empowers you to live your best life, one insightful and uplifting episode at a time. Dive into episodes that cover the essence of self-help, minimalism, and self-improvement, offering actionable steps to foster personal development. This podcast is designed for those passionate about personal development and minimalism, looking to integrate self-help strategies and self-improvement techniques into their daily routines. By focusing on personal development, each episode provides you with the tools needed for self-improvement and minimalism, transforming your life with every listen. Listen now, and become an OLD friend--your optimal life awaits...
Location:
Orange County, CA
Description:
Join award-winning audiobook narrator Justin Malik in this personal growth accelerator, delivering bite-sized episodes each day that are rich with wisdom and practical advice. Optimal Living Daily features a carefully selected mix of articles from some of the most influential voices in self-help, covering topics like minimalism, productivity, mental health, and personal development. Each episode is thoughtfully narrated to not only inform but also inspire you to make meaningful changes in your life. Whether you're seeking motivation, clarity, or strategies to enhance your daily life, Optimal Living Daily is your go-to source for personal development. It’s not just a podcast; it’s a daily habit that empowers you to live your best life, one insightful and uplifting episode at a time. Dive into episodes that cover the essence of self-help, minimalism, and self-improvement, offering actionable steps to foster personal development. This podcast is designed for those passionate about personal development and minimalism, looking to integrate self-help strategies and self-improvement techniques into their daily routines. By focusing on personal development, each episode provides you with the tools needed for self-improvement and minimalism, transforming your life with every listen. Listen now, and become an OLD friend--your optimal life awaits...
Twitter:
@OLDPodcast
Language:
English
Website:
http://oldpodcast.com/
Episodes
3622: Shifting Perspective as a Wellness Strategy by Kathy Robinson of Athena Wellness on How to Reduce Stress
6/5/2025
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3622: Kathy Robinson explores how intentionally "zooming in" and "zooming out" can serve as powerful tools to shift your perspective, reduce stress, and reconnect with what matters most. By tapping into awe, from the vastness of the universe to the quantum world of atoms, you gain clarity, emotional resilience, and a practical approach to wellness grounded in awareness and presence. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://athenawellness.com/blog/2021/7/1/shifting-perspective-as-a-wellness-strategy Quotes to ponder: "From the Milky Way to a grain of sand, there’s so much awe, so much we don’t know." "Zooming out is a great technique when you’re mired in the details of your daily routine." "Zooming in gives you more clarity on a practical next step." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:00:10:41
3621: Loving What I Used to Hate AND My Loss by Derek Sivers on Self-Discovery and Personal Clarity
6/4/2025
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3621: Derek Sivers explores how hate and loss can serve as unexpected catalysts for self-discovery and personal clarity. By confronting what repels or devastates us, we uncover our deepest values and realign with what truly matters, sharpening our sense of purpose in the process. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://sive.rs/hate & https://sive.rs/loss Quotes to ponder: "I used to think hate was a negative emotion to be avoided. Now I see it as a useful alarm." "What you hate is a hint at what you value. What you hate shows what you believe should not be." "Loss feels like being stripped of everything, but then you realize what was underneath it all." Episode references: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: https://www.amazon.com/Subtle-Art-Not-Giving-Counterintuitive/dp/0062457713 Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning: https://www.amazon.com/Mans-Search-Meaning-Viktor-Frankl/dp/080701429X The Top Five Regrets of the Dying: https://www.amazon.com/Top-Five-Regrets-Dying-Transformed/dp/140194065X Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:00:09:25
3620: 5 Lessons About Self-Confidence, Play and the Meaning of Work (That I Learned From a Toddler) by Ingrid Y Helander
6/3/2025
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3620: Ingrid Helander shares five unexpected yet powerful lessons in self-confidence, creativity, and purpose drawn from observing her toddler grandson. Through playful moments and unfiltered honesty, she reveals how reclaiming childlike wonder and emotional authenticity can transform our approach to work and life. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://ingridyhelanderlmft.com/5-lessons-about-self-confidence-play-and-the-meaning-of-work-that-i-learned-from-a-toddler/ Quotes to ponder: "True confidence comes from the inside, not from what you do or how well you do it." "He takes his own ideas seriously and has no need to compare them to anyone else’s." "When he’s done with something, he’s done. And he knows it." Episode references: Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul: https://www.amazon.com/Play-Shapes-Brain-Imagination-Invigorates/dp/1583333789 The Whole-Brain Child: https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Brain-Child-Revolutionary-Strategies-Developing/dp/0553386697 Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff: https://self-compassion.org/ Greater Good Science Center: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:00:10:50
3619: Why You Need to Take a Minimalist Vacation by Amy Slenker-Smith of SimplyEnough
6/2/2025
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3619: Amy Slenker-Smith reflects on the liberating benefits of taking a minimalist vacation, from ditching overpacking to fully disconnecting from work and responsibilities. By planning ahead and trusting others to step in, she shows how simplifying travel can lead to deeper relaxation, stronger relationships, and a healthier mindset. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.simplyenough.net/minimalist-vacation/ Quotes to ponder: "Less Luggage = More Vacation." "I trust my team. And I will be a better leader after these two weeks off." "Leaving your child with the confidence that they are strong and resilient enough to be without you for chunks of time helps them believe in themselves, which is a belief they can take into adulthood." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:00:11:10
3618: What Would You Do If You Had All The Money In The World by Margo Aaron of That Seems Important
6/1/2025
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3618: Margo Aaron challenges the popular self-help trope of the "$10 million question," revealing how it often obscures deeper issues of self-worth, fulfillment, and societal pressure. Through the story of her friend Kal, a man content with a simple, joyful life, she exposes the radical truth that genuine satisfaction comes not from ambition or hustle, but from accepting who you are and what you truly value. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.thatseemsimportant.com/psychology/what-would-you-do-if-you-had-all-the-money-in-the-world/ Quotes to ponder: "Financial burdens (after a certain point) are psychological burdens. And there is no amount of money that can rid you of psychological burdens." "He was a regular dude who enjoyed his life. That’s it. That was what the world told him was a problem." "We live in a world where the most subversive thing you can do is be satisfied with who you are and what you want." Episode references: The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz: https://www.amazon.com/Paradox-Choice-Why-More-Less/dp/0060005696 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:00:09:50
3617: Why a Fixed-Rate Mortgage is the Best Choice AND To Do More - Do Less by Paula Pant of Afford Anything
6/1/2025
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3617: Paula Pant invites us to stop living on autopilot and start living with purpose by asking just two powerful questions. With gentle honesty and minimalist wisdom, she shows how aligning our daily actions with our true desires can bring clarity, joy, and deeper fulfillment, without judgment or complexity. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://affordanything.com/fixed-rate-mortgage-is-always-the-best-choice/ & https://affordanything.com/to-do-more-do-less/ Quotes to ponder: "What do I truly desire? What is standing in my way?" "Rearranging your life so that it more closely reflects your priorities shouldn’t be a struggle." "True simplicity calls us into a space of radical honesty, asking us to examine the way we have been living and contrast that with the way we want to be living." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:00:13:57
3616: Want to Feel Balanced? Learn How to Start Each Day with a Sadhana by Kate Hesse of Nourish Nest Breathe
5/31/2025
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3616: Kate Hesse shares how establishing a morning sadhana, a personalized spiritual practice, can bring calm, clarity, and intention to your day. Whether it's just a few minutes of breathwork or a more elaborate routine, she explains how to build a practice that meets you where you are and evolves with your life. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://nourishnestbreathe.com/sadhana/ Quotes to ponder: "Sadhana is Sanskrit for a daily spiritual practice." "Pick activities which fit into the time you have available without feeling rushed." "This practice is a living process." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:00:12:02
3615: Benefits of Mindfulness by Dr. Lisa Firestone of PsychAlive on Emotional Health
5/30/2025
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3615: Dr. Lisa Firestone explores how mindfulness can transform emotional health, boost physical resilience, and deepen our connection to the present. Backed by research and real-life clinical applications, her insights show how simple practices like meditation can quiet the mind, reduce stress, and help us live with greater intention and clarity. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.psychalive.org/benefits-of-mindfulness/ Quotes to ponder: "Mindfulness is an incredible tool to help people understand, tolerate, and deal with their emotions in healthy ways." "When we release judgment and learn to live in the moment, we increase our mental agility." "Get out of our heads and learn to experience the world directly, experientially, without the relentless commentary of our thoughts." Episode references: Society for Humanistic Psychology: https://www.apadivisions.org/division-32 The Mindful Way Through Depression: https://www.amazon.com/Mindful-Way-through-Depression-Unhappiness/dp/1593851286 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:00:12:08
3614: Glory Days by Chris Guillebeau on Mindfulness and Living in the Moment
5/29/2025
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3614: Chris Guillebeau unpacks why we often romanticize the past and chase “glory days” that never truly existed the way we remember them. By questioning nostalgia and emphasizing the present, he invites readers to create meaningful experiences today rather than dwell in filtered memories. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://chrisguillebeau.com/glory-days/ Quotes to ponder: "Sometimes we long for a version of the past that didn’t actually happen, at least not in the way we remember it." "The best days of your life don’t have to be behind you. They can be right now, or just ahead." "Memory is faulty, and nostalgia can be deceptive." Episode references: The Art of Non-Conformity: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Unconventional-Living/dp/0399536108 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:00:09:53
3613: 5 Inspirations for Being in the Moment by Leo Babauta of Zen Habits on Meditation and Mindfulness
5/28/2025
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3613: Leo Babauta offers five vivid inspirations to help us reconnect with the present moment, from the playful focus of children to the mindful precision of Zen monks. Through relatable examples and simple wisdom, he reminds us that joy and calm are found not in overthinking, but in fully engaging with what's right in front of us. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://zenhabits.net/5-inspirations-for-being-in-the-moment/ Quotes to ponder: "Children. There’s no one better at being present than a child." "Be like a cat." "The Zen state is the sweeping." Episode references: Alan Watts - Quote Source: https://www.alanwatts.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:00:09:50
3612: From Age to Achievement, it's Mind Over Matter by Jay & Heather Harrington of Life And Whim
5/27/2025
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3612: Jay and Heather Harrington explore how age, success, and well-being are all shaped more by mindset than by biology or circumstance. Drawing from Ellen Langer’s “Counterclockwise Study” and Steven Pressfield’s work on resistance, they show how internal belief and mental habits can profoundly transform our physical vitality and personal achievement. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.lifeandwhim.com/first-moments-blog/mind-over-matter Quotes to ponder: "Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter." "Thinking that we are old and frail or young and vibrant, therefore, can each be their own self-fulfilling prophecy." "The only thing that stands between you and your dream is your mind." Episode references: The War of Art: https://www.amazon.com/War-Art-Steven-Pressfield/dp/1936891026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:00:11:21
3611: Living Small in a Big World by Kerry Ogden on Minimalism and True Fulfillment
5/26/2025
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3611: Kerry Ogden invites us to reconsider our relationship with space, stuff, and self-worth by sharing her personal journey from minimalist living to a sprawling Victorian home - and back again. With insights on gratitude, simplicity, and intentionality, she reminds us that true fulfillment often comes from owning less and experiencing more. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://kerryogden.com/2016/08/decluttering/ Quotes to ponder: "Detaching from stuff requires psychological fortitude. It takes courage to trust that you have enough, that you are enough." "Minimalism is a mindset. It’s about living intentionally." "The real joys in life come from collecting experiences, not things." Episode references: Love's Executioner by Irvin D. Yalom: https://www.amazon.com/Loves-Executioner-Other-Tales-Psychotherapy/dp/0060958340 The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Changing-Magic-Tidying-Decluttering-Organizing/dp/1607747308 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:00:11:27
3610: What To Do (When You Have No Idea What To Do) by Josie Michelle Davis on How to Improve Decision Making
5/25/2025
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3610: Josie Michelle Davis offers a compassionate guide for those feeling paralyzed by indecision or uncertainty. Her practical, heart-centered strategies help you take small, meaningful steps forward, especially when clarity feels impossible, making this a comforting resource for moments of confusion and overwhelm. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://josiemichelledavis.com/blog/2019/02/07/2019-1-26-what-to-do-when-you-have-no-idea-what-to-do/ Quotes to ponder: "When you don’t know what to do, do something." "Action breeds clarity. Stillness doesn’t always bring the answers we’re hoping for." "You don’t need to make the right decision right now, you just need to make a decision." Episode references: The Next Right Thing Podcast: https://emilypfreeman.com/podcast/ The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Changing-Magic-Not-Giving-Counterintuitive/dp/0316270725 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:00:08:53
3609: Does Brain Training Work? More Food For Thought by Dr. Jenny Brockis on Improving Cognitive Ability
5/25/2025
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3609: Dr. Jenny Brockis challenges the sweeping conclusion that brain training is ineffective, calling attention to the flawed methodology and limited scope of a widely publicized study. She emphasizes the importance of scrutinizing research design and reminds us that mental fitness depends on a range of lifestyle choices, not just cognitive games. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.drjennybrockis.com/2010/4/26/does-brain-training-work-more-food-for-thought/ Quotes to ponder: "One sweeping statement can colour people’s overall acceptance of what is the 'truth'." "240 minutes is not very long to look at how effective a training program is." "Brain training programs are only one facet managing stress and getting enough sleep, will all help in our quest to stay mentally fit." Episode references: The original brain training study (Owen et al., 2010): https://www.nature.com/articles/nature09042 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:00:12:13
3608: How to Practice Self Care When Travelling by Jennifer Burger of SimplyFiercely
5/24/2025
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3608: Jennifer Burger reminds us that even the most exciting trips can lose their spark without intentional self-care. From preserving daily rituals to giving yourself permission to slow down, her practical tips help travelers stay grounded, present, and truly enjoy the journey, body and soul. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.simplyfiercely.com/how-to-practice-self-care-when-travelling/ Quotes to ponder: "Self-care is always important, especially when travelling." "Don’t get me wrong, I love talking about travel and making plans, but I also know that I need downtime so that travel stays fun and not an unpleasant chore." "Being free to do what you please is one of the best parts about travel." Episode references: Adult colouring book (similar example): https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Garden-Inky-Treasure-Coloring/dp/1780671067 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:00:11:52
3607: The Quiet Power of Rejecting "Comfort Creep" by Charlie Brown of Simple And Straight Forward
5/23/2025
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3607: Charlie Brown explores the subtle but powerful impact of “Comfort Creep,” the quiet inflation of our comfort standards that erodes our contentment over time. Through personal stories and cultural critique, she offers a compelling argument for resetting our expectations to rediscover gratitude, happiness, and the joy in life’s simplest pleasures. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://simpleandstraightforward.substack.com/p/the-quiet-power-of-rejecting-comfort Quotes to ponder: "If you want to level up your contentment and happiness, reset your comfort levels and lower your expectations." "Our expectations of what we want from our home, our car, and our stuff is sky-high, exactly because of Comfort Creep." "Lowering expectations goes against everything we’re taught and yet it is one of the most effective ways to experience contentment, happiness, and gratitude." Episode references: The Comfort Crisis: https://www.amazon.com/Comfort-Crisis-Embrace-Discomfort-Reclaim/dp/0593138767 Journal of Adolescence study (2016) on wilderness and mental health: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2016.07.004 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:00:12:31
3606: This is My Most Expensive Habit by Ryan Holiday on Anxiety
5/22/2025
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3606: Ryan Holiday explores how anxiety, often invisible and normalized, drains our lives more than any luxury ever could. With wisdom from Stoic philosophers, he reframes anxiety as a habit we can unlearn, freeing ourselves to reclaim peace, presence, and perspective. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://ryanholiday.net/this-is-my-most-expensive-habit/ Quotes to ponder: "Anxiety turns the hypothetical into the actual. It drags us into a future that doesn’t yet exist and forces us to live out every worst-case scenario in vivid detail." "Today, I escaped from anxiety. Or no, I discarded it, because it was within me, in my own perceptions, not outside." "It’s not events that upset us but our opinions about them." Episode references: The Daily Stoic Podcast: https://dailystoic.com/podcast/ Epictetus' Discourses and Enchiridion: https://www.amazon.com/Discourses-Epictetus-Handbook-Oxford-Classics/dp/0199595186 Seneca’s Letters from a Stoic: https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Stoic-Penguin-Classics/dp/0140442103 Meditations by Marcus Aurelius: https://www.amazon.com/Meditations-Penguin-Classics-Marcus-Aurelius/dp/0140449337 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:00:10:00
3605: [Part 2] Does Minimalism Make You Happier? Simplicity and Happiness by Antonia of Balance Through Simplicity
5/21/2025
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3605: Antonia Colins explores how minimalism can lead to deeper happiness, not through deprivation, but by creating space for clarity, gratitude, and intentional living. By simplifying, we become more attuned to our needs, more confident in our boundaries, and better able to prioritize what truly matters. Quotes to ponder: "Gratitude is a powerful mindset that changes how you perceive ‘enough’ in your life." "Saying no is like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it becomes." "Minimalism is not about your stuff, it’s about finding yourself in amongst that stuff." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:00:10:43
3604: [Part 1] Does Minimalism Make You Happier? Simplicity and Happiness by Antonia of Balance Through Simplicity
5/20/2025
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3604: Antonia Colins explores how minimalism can shift our focus from material clutter to meaningful living, offering more time, less stress, and deeper contentment. Through personal reflection, she shows that simplifying life isn't about sacrifice, it's about creating space for what truly makes us happy. Quotes to ponder: "Minimalism makes space for the best of you and your life." "Stuff piles up without us noticing, until that stuff starts to weigh heavy on our space, heart and mind." "Less stuff to worry about and more time on my hands means less stress." Episode references: Happiness Definition - Verywell Mind: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-happiness-4869755 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:00:10:36
3603: Valuable Things AND Can't Live Without by Colin Wright of Exile Lifestyle on Minimalism and A Simple Life
5/19/2025
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3603: Colin Wright challenges our relationship with possessions, urging us to ask whether the things we own genuinely serve us or simply weigh us down. By fostering self-reliance and internal contentment, we can enjoy life's offerings without becoming dependent on them, creating a richer, more intentional existence. Read along with the original article(s) here: http://exilelifestyle.com/valuable & http://exilelifestyle.com/live Quotes to ponder: "Most ideally, the things we own are mere additions to a fulfilled existence." "Will I feel better knowing this money is there, in the bank, available at need in the future, or will I feel better knowing I’ve spent it, the money lost to me forever, on this thing?" "If you can find your happiness internally, your satisfaction with life derived from how you experience the world, not in the experiences themselves, then your quality of life is determined by you, not some external factor." Episode references: The Minimalists: https://www.theminimalists.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:00:10:40