American Optimist

American Optimist A new podcast from the visionary mind of Joe Lonsdale.

11/20/2025

Joe Liemandt is putting a billion dollars into K-12 education.

Why?

Because the American system is broken and he wants to reinvent it from the ground up.

Learn about what he's building at Alpha School and why it's one of the most promising breakthroughs in generations.

Full episode linked in bio 📲

10/10/2025

was just awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Learn about her remarkable courage and determination, and the fight for freedom in Venezuela in Episode 124. Linked in bio. 📲📺

05/10/2022

“We have such a narrow view on what it means to be an educated person.”

Fascinating conversation with Zach Latta, founder of Hack Club, on why he’s building an alternative education platform to help teach coding and programming to high schoolers.

Episode linked in bio 📺🎙🔝

03/31/2022

“Russia is not as good as we thought they were.”

New episode featuring former Defense Secretary Mark Esper.

We discuss Russia’s invasion, the geopolitical ramifications, and how to reform the Department of Defense for greater innovation.

Episode 33 linked in bio 📺🎙

03/18/2022

🤖 Not long ago, the conventional narrative was that robots would steal jobs and ruin economies. Now we need more robots. 🤖

More highlights from this week’s conversation with Dr. Jeannette zu Fürstenberg, co-founder and General Partner of La Famiglia VC. She specializes in connecting old and new world industries and moving from incremental to disruptive innovation.

03/17/2022

New episode 📺🎙

My friend Dr. Jeannette zu Fürstenberg co-founded La Famiglia VC and holds a PhD in Philosophy and Entrepreneurship.

We discuss art as a factor in how the Renaissance led to an entrepreneurial explosion — and how we can apply those lessons today.

Link to our YouTube channel is in our bio 🔝

03/14/2022

“Exhaust every moment”

Monday morning motivation from NFL legend and Hall of Famer - a great leader, philanthropist, and businessman.

03/12/2022

New episode🚨🚨

Special interests are pros at stifling competition & accountability - it's time we turn the tables on their shenanigans.

Jared Meyer & the team at Cicero Action are doing this for healthcare, education, public safety & homelessness -- and winning!

Check out Episode 30 today 🙌

03/10/2022

is transforming how Americans electrify their homes.

Check out the inspiring story of their Founder and CEO Hayes Barnard in Episode 28. Available on our YouTube Channel 📺 or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more 🎙

03/08/2022

“Russia and China don’t have these issues. Their best technology companies are working on defense challenges…”

Important reminder from Palmer Luckey, founder of Anduril Industries, one of the fastest growing defense product companies in the United States.

03/07/2022

Monday motivation from Tyler Cowen 🙌

Check out the full conversation in Ep 27 (link in bio ⬆️)

03/04/2022

This week’s episode features Thomas Chatterton Williams — writer for The Atlantic, cultural critic, and fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

His forthcoming book, “Nothing Was the Same,” traces the events that led to the paradigm shift of 2020.

Link to full episode in bio ⬆️

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