Yara Shahidi Is Challenging Herself to 'Bring a Level of Openness to Every Moment' with New Podcast (Exclusive)
Mar. 15, 2025Yara Shahidiis challenging herself to be an open book when it comes to her upcoming SiriusXM podcast,The Optimist Project.
TheGrown-ishalum, 24, exclusively tells PEOPLE that hosting the podcast, on which she will talk with guests about exploring how they harness optimism and hope, is “a treat and such a learning experience.”
On the show’s first season, Shahidi chats withJanelle Monáe,Courtney B. VanceHasan Minhajand Ego Nwodim in addition to NPR’sAll Things Consideredhost Ari Shapiro, host ofThe Happiness Labpodcast Dr. Laurie Santos, producer, writer and director Prentice Penny and more.
Yara Shahidi pictured for The Optimist Project Podcast with Yara Shahidi.Kai Byrd
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Kai Byrd
She adds that listeners will be given “beautifully actionable advice and blossomed seeds of hope” from the guests.
The project comes six months afterShahidi’s showGrown-ishcame to an end. The actress says she found inspiration from the podcast while starting a new chapter in her life.
Yara Shahidi with The Optimist Project co-creator and EP, Keri Shahidi at the SiriusXM HQ.SherriAnn Cole
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SherriAnn Cole
The experience pushed the star too. “I’ve interviewed many people before, but I have challenged myself withThe Optimist Projectto be inconversationand to bring a level of openness to every moment,” she explains. “Again, this is an active journey I’m taking for myself and with my listeners — so we can track in real-time how we are caring for ourselves and each other while we grow into our next evolution!”
In PEOPLE’s exclusive look at the trailer for the new podcast, Shahidi asks her listeners an important question: “How do you use optimism?”
(L-R) Yara Shahidi with guest Courtney B. Vance for The Optimist Project Podcast.
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“I’m so excited to share my upcoming podcast,The Optimist Project, where I’ll be talking to heavy hitters, you know, game changers, the people that inspire me to find out what fuels them and what tools, techniques and lessons that they’ve learned on their paths,” she teases. “Why? Because I’ve always anchored my life in my career, my studies, and my purpose, but now I’m on an active journey to add optimism to the mix.”
After sharing guests who will appear on the guests onThe Optimist Project, she adds, “What I’m most excited about though, is going on this adventure with you. Each week I wanna check in with your optimism journeys so we can get all of our questions answered.”
Yara Shahidi; The Optimist Project Podcast with Yara Shahidi.Stefanie Keenan/Getty; Kai Byrd
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Stefanie Keenan/Getty; Kai Byrd
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The Optimist Projectpremieres Nov. 20 wherever you listen to podcasts with new episodes debuting every Wednesday.
source: people.com
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