The Eternal Optimist

Hosted by Matt Drinkhahn

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261

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Aug 2025

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About the show

The ‘Eternal Optimist’ is the show for people who see the good in the world and want to make a positive difference in the lives of their families and communities! Twice a week Matt Drinkhahn will help you see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. You’ll start thinking bigger and playing offense in life more consistently. Every week you’ll hear inspiring stories from people who faced immense challenges and KEPT GOING.

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60 recent

August 12, 202550 min

(Replay) How Feedback, Jiu-Jitsu, and Plant-Based Living Changed Everything with Jason Bronstad

What happens when you lose 100 pounds, humble your ego on the jiu-jitsu mat, rebuild your marriage through intentional listening, and take the helm of one of the cleanest plant-based brands in America?In this episode, Matt sits down with Jason Bronstad, CEO of MALK Organics, to unpack his radical transformation. From facing unemployment in early 2020 to turning it into a season of health, family growth, and professional alignment, Jason shares the lessons that reshaped his life. They dig into why feedback is a superpower, how family core values can anchor decision-making, and why you should always “turn it around” to check your ingredients. Whether you’re a leader, a parent, or simply someone hungry for better living, this conversation will fuel your next move.Chapters:00:00:00 – A Big Hello + Matt’s Book Drops with a Surprise Offer00:00:45 – Step Into the Eternal Optimist Vibe00:01:42 – Meet Jason Bronstad: CEO, Dad, Game-Changer00:02:17 – From 315 Pounds to Purpose: Jason’s Radical Reset00:05:18 – Tooth Fairy Tales, Peso Jackpots, and Parenting Wins00:07:03 – When Unemployment Opens the Door to a New Mission00:09:58 – Ego on the Mat: Lessons from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu00:13:47 – Why Feedback Might Be Your Greatest Superpower00:24:47 – Counseling, Connection, and a Marriage Reinvented00:25:06 – How Match.com (and a Mother-in-Law!) Made the Match00:26:02 – Hard Truths, Tough Lessons, and Turning Points00:28:12 – Breaking Old Patterns and Sharing the Load at Home00:30:22 – Sponsor Spotlight: Take a Breath & Be Cool, Baby00:31:35 – From Food & Bev to Finding Passion in Pure Quality00:33:23 – Saying “Yes” to MALK Organics and Its Clean-Label Cause00:40:03 – What Your Gut Really Wants: The Case for Natural Ingredients00:41:57 – Building a Family “BRO Code” to Live By00:45:52 – How to Discover the Values That Drive Your Life00:46:51 – Final Nuggets + Where to Find Jason Online00:47:43 – Tournament Glory: Jiu-Jitsu, Grit, and Kids in Your Corner00:49:31 – Wrapping It Up with Gratitude and OptimismLinks And Resources:Connect on LinkedinConversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful EngagementFront Row DadsMalk OrganicsMalk Organics Instagram Malk Organics FacebookThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

August 8, 202543 min

I Got Sober to Survive. I Stayed Sober to Lead with Damon Mitchell

When Damon Mitchell lost the ability to do a single pushup, it triggered a reckoning—not just with his body, but with his identity as “the strong guy.” In this raw and reflective episode, Damon opens up about the neurological injury that sidelined his body but awakened something deeper. He shares how sobriety, self-trust, and intentional brotherhood became anchors through pain, disconnection, and uncertainty. Now a coach for men navigating the relationships that matter most, Damon offers hard-earned insights on leadership, masculinity, and what it means to fight for something real. If you’ve ever questioned your worth when you couldn’t perform, provide, or push through—this conversation is your invitation to show up anyway.Chapters:00:00:00 - Meet Damon Mitchell: Real Talk Begins00:00:51 - Iguanas, Engagements, and Unlikely Adventures00:01:41 - From Trainer to Coach: Damon’s Backstory00:02:16 - Dogs, Loyalty, and Emotional Anchors00:03:09 - Drinking Days and the Sobriety Decision00:04:40 - Pain, Pride, and Pushing Through00:06:28 - “Something’s Not Right”: The Body Breaks Down00:08:25 - Misdiagnosed, Misunderstood, and Running Out of Options00:10:05 - Surgery, Survival, and Mental Battles00:17:51 - Airports, Breakdown, and Emotional Exhaustion00:20:23 - Climbing Back: The Physical and Mental Recovery00:20:55 - “What Can I Fight For Now?”00:21:58 - Regaining Strength—and the Will to Be Independent00:25:05 - Freedom, Movement, and Meaning00:26:29 - Puzzle Pieces and the Nature of Addiction00:28:42 - The Real Story Behind Getting Sober00:30:32 - Business Pressure Meets Personal Pain00:31:01 - Taco Bros Day: Healing Over Tacos00:33:50 - Building Tolomen: Brotherhood with Intention00:39:59 - Lightning Round: What Fuels Damon’s FireLinks And Resources:Official Website – Intentionalize My LifeTolomen's GroupSubstack – Live HappierDamon Mitchell on LinkedInThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

July 25, 202543 min

Beyond Networking: Daniel Andrews on Asking the Right Questions to Build Real Trust

Matt Drinkhahn sits down with longtime friend and business coach Daniel Patrick Andrews for a raw and inspiring conversation about personal transformation, grief, and the business of building meaningful relationships. Daniel shares how he went from being a self-described “recovering people pleaser” who was “better in small doses,” to becoming a top-tier relationship coach who helps professionals master the art of asking the right question from the right person for the right introduction. Through deeply personal stories—like the painful loss of his brother to AIDS and navigating the emotional aftermath with his father—Daniel unpacks how struggle, faith, and sheer willpower shaped his philosophy. This episode is a must-listen for growth-minded professionals who value grit over talent, results over ego, and relationships over transactions.Chapters:00:00:00 - Kickoff: The Eternal Optimist Energy00:01:06 - Meet Daniel Andrews: Real Talk Begins00:01:35 - The Cutco Vector Hustle Story00:03:00 - Mastering the Art of Connection00:14:22 - Breaking Through Life’s Hardest Challenges00:23:04 - A Family Clash That Changed Everything00:23:56 - Grief, Healing, and Life Lessons00:25:06 - Why True Relationships Stand the Test of Time00:26:50 - The Heartbreak of Losing a Parent00:28:44 - Apologies, Forgiveness, and Rebuilding Bonds00:33:36 - From Pain to a Powerful Career Path00:34:43 - Smart Networking & Business Growth Hacks00:40:59 - Final Thoughts and How to ConnectLinks And Resources:Daniel Patrick Andrews's WebsiteDaniel Andrews on LinkedInThe Two Critical QuestionsThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

July 15, 202544 min

It Costs Nothing to Be Polite: Lifting Others as You Rise with Dedric & Krystal

From chance gas station encounters to building an empire brick by brick, Dedric & Krystal Polite share how they rose from generational poverty to create generational wealth — and lift others as they rise. In this candid conversation, they reveal how getting fired and evicted sparked their Airbnb hustle, how a betrayal at 19 fueled their mindset that failure isn’t final, and why mentorship is the ultimate cheat code. This is a real-world blueprint for building something that outlives you — for anyone ready to believe it’s gotta work or it’s gotta work.Chapters:00:00:00 - Step Into the Mindset of Eternal Optimism00:00:59 - The Unexpected Power Couple: Meet Krystal & Dedric Polite00:03:38 - From Struggle to Strength: Their Personal Turning Points00:09:18 - Betrayal at 19: Krystal’s Defining Moment in College00:17:09 - Fired Up: How Losing Jobs Sparked Their Entrepreneurial Fire00:21:43 - The Real Estate Hustle Begins—With Nothing But Grit00:22:58 - The Questions That Changed Everything00:23:36 - A Leap of Faith to North Carolina00:23:57 - Flipping the Script: Enter Real Estate00:24:24 - The Mentor Who Collapsed Their Learning Curve00:25:07 - Hustle Mode: Wholesaling Without a Roadmap00:26:03 - $16K Risk, Massive Reward: The Mastermind Move00:28:50 - Scaling Up: The Real Estate Breakthrough Moment00:32:13 - What Every Entrepreneur Needs to Hear00:35:11 - Want In? Here’s Where to Start00:38:56 - Lightning Round: Grit, Growth, and Grace in 60 SecondsLinks And Resources:Official Website of Dedric and KrystalPolite Wealth PortalDedric’s LinkedInKrystal’s LinkedInThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

July 8, 202543 min

(Replay) Building Strong Communities for the Future with Thomas Power

In this enlightening episode of the Eternal Optimist, Matt Drinkhahn sits down with Thomas Power, a visionary thinker in the realm of AI and community building. They delve into the transformative power of AI, the emergence of intimate community groups, and the potential business models that can sustain these groups. They also explore the intersection of big corporate transactions and intimate connections, offering a glimpse into the future of human-machine integration.Chapters:00:00:00 - Discussion on influential books that shaped the teenage years00:05:08 - Reflection on navigating challenges and finding inspiration amidst adversity during the comeback years00:10:27 - Sharing the journey from pain to progress, unveiling the joy of a comeback journey00:15:56 - Building a community of support and success, filling the void left by COVID00:21:11 - How a community of 100 caught the attention of big corporations00:22:11 - Unleashing the power of Chat GPT: Creating top 100 versions for companies and beyond00:25:14 - Navigating the blizzard of innovation and the potential business model for small, intimate groups00:31:44 - The future of perfect matches: Finding ideal partners, suppliers, clients, employees, and investors made easier with AI00:35:00 - Unlocking the power of AI: Matching perfect scenarios and unveiling hidden connections00:39:20 - Revealing social media presence and answering lightning round questionsLinks And Resources:WebsiteThomas Power on LinkedInThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

July 1, 202531 min

The Real Cost of “Making It” with Justin Williams

Justin Williams — founder of Millionaire University — reveals what really happens when you “make it.” From quitting college with one semester left to racking up $120,000 of debt and raising a baby who slept in a closet, Justin’s path to flipping hundreds of homes and building multiple seven-figure businesses wasn’t overnight. But the hardest season? It came after the big payday — when he realized money means nothing without vision and family. Together with Matt, Justin unpacks what it really takes to build your “money machine” without losing what matters most.Chapters:00:00:00 - Meet Justin Williams: Breaking the Rules00:00:38 - From College Athlete to Risk-Taker00:01:38 - Family vs. Business: Finding True Balance00:03:50 - How to Build Your Money Machine00:07:21 - Struggle, Success & Real Fulfillment00:09:49 - The Moment Everything Changed00:13:25 - Hard Lessons That Paid Off00:16:33 - Small Wins, Big Momentum00:17:28 - Beating Doubt & Debt00:18:23 - Big Goals? Here’s How to Start00:20:29 - Stop Learning — Start Doing00:22:22 - Focus, Action & What Really Works00:24:51 - Family, Purpose & What Matters00:25:32 - Pay It Forward: Sharing the Journey00:26:47 - Books & Podcasts That Shape Success00:28:28 - Music, Passions & Staying Human00:30:01 - One Last Word on OptimismLinks And Resources:WebsitePodcast & YouTube: Search “Millionaire University”Email Justin DirectlyLinkedIn: Justin WilliamsThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

June 24, 202550 min

You Don’t Need Funnels, Ads, or a Website to Make $1M – Crosspost Episode

What happens when you abandon the pitch, lead with vulnerability, and treat sales as a sacred conversation? In this powerful crosspost episode from I Made A Podcast, Matt Drinkhahn—host of The Eternal Optimist—flips the script on traditional business-building. He shares how one emotional moment in a sales meeting (yes, he cried) unlocked a radically honest and high-performing coaching practice. From cold calls and high-pressure quotas to $1M+ in revenue with zero paid ads, Matt dives into the principles of radical ownership, clarity-driven leadership, and relationship-first growth. Whether you’re a recovering perfectionist, a mission-driven entrepreneur, or a leader seeking smarter systems, this conversation is your wake-up call to build with integrity—and win.Chapters:00:00:00 - What Is the Eternal Optimist Really About?00:00:43 - How to Land World-Class Podcast Guests00:01:45 - What Makes ‘I Made a Podcast’ Different00:02:20 - Who Is Matt Ham (and Why You Should Care)00:03:37 - How This Podcast Was Built From Scratch00:06:22 - Why the Name ‘Eternal Optimist’ Almost Didn’t Happen00:10:49 - Behind the Mic: Favorite Guests + Big Lessons00:17:08 - The Smart Way to Build a Dream Guest List00:24:10 - The Ultimate Pre-Interview Prep Ritual00:25:00 - Tools That Make Guest Booking Effortless00:26:01 - Unlocking the PR Machine: A Behind-the-Scenes Look00:29:53 - Real Talk: How to Build Authentic On-Air Chemistry00:36:17 - Mistakes, Lessons & Growth: The Real Podcast Journey00:45:30 - If You’re Thinking About Starting a Podcast… Listen to ThisLinks and Resources:I Made a Podcast on Instagram @IMadeaPodcastI Made a Podcast on Facebook ⁠⁠@IMadeaPodcastThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

June 17, 202547 min

What Happens When Leaders Finally Get Honest With Themselves with Dr. Michael Brabant

Matt Drinkhahn sits down with Dr. Michael Brabant—transformational psychologist, spiritual guide, and Co-Founder of Candor & Coherence—for a deep dive into what it truly means to lead with clarity, coherence, and heart. Drawing from his journey through trauma healing, academia, and integrative spiritual practice, Michael reveals why traditional leadership tactics often fall short—and how cultivating psychological safety, embodied presence, and radical honesty can unlock authentic transformation in both life and business. If you’ve ever felt the tension between performing and truly being, this episode offers a powerful reframe on how real leaders grow.Chapters:00:00:00 - Step Inside The Eternal Optimist00:00:14 - Meet Dr. Michael Brabant: Depth Meets Clarity00:00:52 - A Childhood Gift: Curiosity Meets Sensitivity00:02:57 - Turning Sensitivity Into a Superpower00:05:24 - Healing the Past to Lead the Future00:08:58 - How Internal Validation Changed Everything00:12:21 - Finding the Self Beneath the Layers00:16:40 - Building Unshakable Trust Within Yourself00:21:45 - Why Self-Esteem Isn’t Optional00:24:56 - Facing Your Inner Critic Head-On00:25:26 - Feedback as a Catalyst for Growth00:29:14 - Vulnerability: The Gateway to Authentic Leadership00:32:36 - What Is Internal Family Systems, Really?00:36:47 - Practicing Empathy Without Losing Yourself00:38:36 - Why Leaders Must Do the Inner Work00:41:38 - Tools and Wisdom for the Growth Path00:45:29 - Parting Words on Presence and PossibilityLinks And Resources:Candor & Coherence WebsiteDr. Michael Brabant on LinkedInThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

June 10, 202544 min

The Career-Crushing Identity Trap No One Talks About with Damon Lembi

What happens when your lifelong dream shatters at 22—and you’ve got no Plan B? In this raw and real conversation, Matt sits down with Damon Lembi, former pro baseball player turned CEO of Learnit, to explore how identity, leadership, and imposter syndrome collide in high-stakes moments. Damon unpacks the four-step framework he built to overcome self-doubt—Label Your Fear, Work Hard, Practice Deliberately, Learn and Let Go—and shares how it’s helped him evolve from hitting home runs in the College World Series to upskilling over 2 million professionals globally. With vulnerability, grit, and a healthy dose of humility, Damon reveals how failing publicly, receiving tough feedback, and embracing setbacks have been the fuel behind his leadership journey. Whether you’re a CEO, entrepreneur, or ambitious professional, this episode is your playbook for turning adversity into mastery—and doing it with integrity.Chapters:00:00:00 - Kicking Off with Eternal Optimism00:00:29 - Meet Damon Lembi: From Dugout to Boardroom00:01:28 - Baseball Dreams, Big Setbacks00:05:28 - When Self-Doubt Takes the Mound00:10:04 - The 4 Steps That Saved My Confidence00:16:03 - From Receptionist to CEO: Earning It the Hard Way00:23:08 - The Diagnosis That Changed Everything00:23:48 - Losing Vision, Gaining Clarity00:24:37 - Brotherhood, Mentors, and Support That Stuck00:25:01 - Leading with Humility (and Hair Gel)00:28:06 - Why Podcasting and Connection Fuel Growth00:32:02 - Must-Read Books for Real Leaders00:39:31 - Music, Memories, and the People Who Shape Us00:43:30 - Final Wisdom and a Hopeful SendoffLinks And Resources:WebsiteDamon Lembi on LinkedInThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

June 3, 202548 min

Why Hitting Rock Bottom Was the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me with Shawn Hoyt

Matt sits down with endurance athlete, Harvard-trained lawyer, and father of six, Shawn Hoyt—a man who’s not just defying age, but redefining it. From sitting the bench in soccer to completing an Ironman and running a marathon at age 55, Shawn shares how hitting personal and professional rock bottom—divorce, job loss, and doubt—became the unexpected catalyst for a profound reinvention. This conversation dives deep into mental toughness, physical transformation, and the power of showing up with intention. If you’ve ever questioned whether it’s too late to start over or aim higher, this episode is your blueprint for rising stronger—with purpose, poise, and relentless positivity.Chapters: 00:00:00 - Kicking Off with Optimism & Energy00:00:50 - What Eternal Optimism Really Means00:02:39 - From the Midwest to Medford: Shawn’s Roots00:04:21 - When the Fitness Spark First Ignited00:06:15 - Breaking Limits, Facing Pain, and Getting Stronger00:14:28 - When Life Falls Apart—and How to Rebuild00:16:46 - Networking That Saved His Career00:22:44 - Getting Back in the Game, One Mile at a Time00:24:06 - Inside the Grit of a Half Ironman00:25:50 - Crushing Self-Doubt and Mental Roadblocks00:27:23 - Training Through the Boston Cold00:28:12 - Injuries, Setbacks, and Refusing to Quit00:30:57 - Race Day Gratitude and Going the Distance00:33:24 - Becoming the Role Model He Once Needed00:37:01 - Finding Love, Healing, and Starting Again00:42:45 - Books and Music That Fuel the Fire00:47:47 - Eternal Optimism, Defined Through ExperienceLinks and Resources:Website: shawnhoytstayactive.comLinkedIn: Shawn Hoyt on LinkedInInstagram: @shawnhoytstayactiveThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!