
"If Chickens Can Do It" | A case for optimism.
From Something Shifted with Sean Loots by Sean Loots
January 6, 2026 · 21 min
About this episode
Sean Loots discusses the science and psychology of optimism with Sumit Paul-Choudhury.
What does optimism actually mean, and can it be learned? In this episode, astrophysicist-turned-author Sumit Paul-Choudhury explores the psychology and science of optimism, drawing on research, history, and lived experience. This conversation looks at hope, meaning-making, and the role optimism plays in navigating uncertainty and loss. A story about choosing perspective, even when life does not make it easy. www.somethingshifted.co.za Listen to Something Shifted: The Soundtrack on Spotify
People in this episode
Hosts: Sean Loots, Sean
Guest: Sumit Paul-Choudhury
Topics covered
- optimism
- science
- psychology
- expedition
- loss
Keywords
- Ernest Shackleton
- Joy Jar
- optimistic chickens
Mentioned in this episode
Products: The Bright Side
Books & works: If Chickens Can Do It, Something Shifted, The Bright Side, Joy Jar, Something Shifted: The Soundtrack
Places: Arctic
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