Wrong Turns with Jameela Jamil

Episode: Introducing The Optimist Project with Yara Shahidi
Release Date: November 21, 2024

Introduction to the Episode

In this episode of Wrong Turns with Jameela Jamil, host Jameela Jamil welcomes special guest Yara Shahidi to introduce The Optimist Project. This segment delves into discussions about creativity, purpose, and the power of optimism, setting the stage for an inspiring conversation centered around maintaining positivity amidst life's challenges.

Guest Introduction: Janelle Monae

Yara Shahidi opens the conversation by spotlighting the multifaceted artist Janelle Monae, highlighting her contributions as a musician, actor, producer, and fashion icon. Yara emphasizes Janelle's blend of futuristic vision with emotional depth, portraying her as a pioneer who uses her platform to challenge traditional norms and empower others.

Yara Shahidi [00:07]: "From Janelle's genre-defying sound to her boundary-pushing visuals, she's a true pioneer, blending futuristic vision with pure emotion."

Defining Optimism: Janelle's Perspective

Janelle Monae shares her personal definition of optimism, framing it as an internal construct shaped by one's perceptions. She acknowledges that while external circumstances can impact one's outlook, maintaining optimism is largely about how one architects their internal narrative.

Janelle Monae [02:21]: "I realized, like, I'm the architect of my perceptions. How I'm feeling about me, how I'm feeling about you, how I'm feeling about them, how I'm feeling about life."

Personal Practices for Maintaining Optimism

Janelle delves into the daily practices she employs to sustain her optimistic mindset. She discusses the importance of self-reminders and the strategic use of digital tools to manage her emotions, especially during challenging times like PMS. Janelle emphasizes the necessity of deliberate effort in maintaining a positive outlook.

Janelle Monae [03:39]: "I have a whole notes app that I keep where I'm like, okay, this is for when you're PMSing and you think the whole world is going against you. It is not true. It is your hormones. It will pass."

Tools and Techniques: Notes App vs. Journaling

The conversation transitions to practical methods for fostering optimism. Janelle advocates for using the Notes app as a versatile tool for capturing both positive affirmations and tracking emotional patterns. She contrasts this with traditional journaling, highlighting the accessibility and immediacy of digital note-taking.

Janelle Monae [06:30]: "And if you're like me, I can be super analytical and I wanna get to the root of something and I'll put the dates and I'm like, okay, this tracks."

Yara adds her perspective, appreciating the convenience of digital notes over physical journals, which aligns with the podcast's theme of practical optimism.

Yara Shahidi [07:12]: "The idea of having a journal, finding the time versus we have whatever is accessible to you in that moment where you have it on you."

Overcoming Negative Patterns

Janelle addresses the challenge of breaking free from negative thought loops, emphasizing the role of mental health care and self-awareness. She discusses how recognizing repetitive patterns can lead to greater peace and joy, illustrating the transformative power of intentional mindset shifts.

Janelle Monae [04:07]: "One of the things that I learned later in my career was to invest in a good mental health care plan and to set some money aside and have that person who is able to remind me of the patterns that I'm having."

Yara Shahidi's Takeaways and Audience Engagement

Yara reflects on the conversation, sharing her commitment to self-ownership and embracing her true self as keys to unlocking personal power. She encourages listeners to adopt similar practices, such as writing affirmations and celebrating personal growth steps, fostering a community of optimism.

Yara Shahidi [08:11]: "Prioritizing showing up as myself and for myself... it was empowering, exciting and freeing."

She invites the audience to engage by sharing their own affirmations and doses of optimism, reinforcing the episode's message of collective positivity.

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with actionable advice for listeners to incorporate optimism into their daily lives. By leveraging digital tools and fostering self-awareness, Janelle Monae and Yara Shahidi provide a roadmap for maintaining a positive mindset. The conversation underscores the importance of intentional practices in cultivating lasting joy and resilience.

Notable Quotes:

• Janelle Monae [02:37]: "It's all in my mind."
• Yara Shahidi [08:11]: "Embracing who we truly are... is the key to unlocking our power in everything we touch."

Timestamp Highlights:

• 00:07: Introduction of Janelle Monae and the theme of optimism.
• 02:21: Janelle defines optimism as self-architected perceptions.
• 03:39: Discussion on using Notes app for emotional management.
• 06:30: Janelle explains her method of tracking emotions and positive thoughts.
• 08:11: Yara shares her personal takeaways on self-ownership and empowerment.

Note: Advertisements and non-content segments have been omitted to focus solely on the substantive discussions of the episode.