To respond to the challenging times we are living through, physician, humanitarian and social justice advocate Dr. Paul Zeitz has identified “Revolutionary Optimism” as a new cure for hopelessness, despair, and cynicism. Revolutionary Optimism is itself an infectious, contagious, self-created way of living and connecting with others on the path of love. Once you commit yourself as a Revolutionary Optimist, you can bravely unleash your personal power, #unify with others, and accelerate action for our collective repair, justice, and peace, always keeping love at the center.
This Election Day, I’m holding two things at once: grief and hope. Grief for the division, threats, and violence affecting our communities, and hope rooted in four years of bringing Americans together across political divides.
In this episode of Revolutionary Optimism, I share how that work has made me a target of online hostility, why I still believe in our capacity to find common ground, and six choices we can make to help keep our communities peaceful through the election and beyond. I also introduce “We Choose Peace,” an invitation to build a shared commitment to preventing political violence:
Join “We Choose Peace” here: https://drpaulzeitz.org/we-choose-peace/ (https://drpaulzeitz.org/we-choose-peace/)
Revolutionary optimism means choosing to act from love while carrying grief and fear. Whatever the headlines bring, we can keep showing up for one another.
Are you ready to join #unifyUSA? Learn more about the transformational movement at https://unify-usa.org/ (https://unify-usa.org/)
Get your copy of Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution: A Revolutionary Roadmap for Fulfilling the Promise of Democracy here (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F7GNDWJ1?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_Y0R76A34M929PVEZWDSM&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_Y0R76A34M929PVEZWDSM&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_Y0R76A34M929PVEZWDSM&bestFormat=true&previewDoh=1)!
Get your copy of Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here (https://a.co/d/5kZYK6S).
Revolutionary Optimism is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz (https://www.drpaulzeitz.org/) and produced by Wavestream Media. Wavestream Media does not endorse or assume responsibility for statements made on podcasts it produces.
7 Sept 2026
The America We Don’t Hear About with Scott Shigeoka
Across the country, people are finding unexpected ways to bridge divides, strengthen their communities, and solve problems together.
In this episode, Dr. Paul Zeitz sits down with curiosity expert, author, and creator of the Curiosity Mobile Scott Shigeoka to explore what Scott discovered traveling across the country in search of people making meaningful change in their communities.
Scott shares stories of neighbors rebuilding after Hurricane Helene, young lawmakers working across party lines, and Republicans, Democrats, and independents navigating whitewater rapids—and political differences—together. He also introduces his DIVE framework for practicing deeper curiosity and explains why approaching people with a genuine desire to understand can open possibilities that judgment cannot.
Together, Paul and Scott explore the connection between curiosity, imagination, and democratic renewal and why changing the stories we tell about America may be essential to believing that transformation is possible.
Learn more about The Curiosity Mobile: https://curiositymobile.com/ (https://curiositymobile.com/)
Follow Scott on…
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottshigeoka (https://www.instagram.com/scottshigeoka)
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@scottshigeoka (https://www.tiktok.com/@scottshigeoka)
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/scottshigeoka (http://linkedin.com/in/scottshigeoka)
Are you ready to join #unifyUSA? Learn more about the transformational movement at https://unify-usa.org/ (https://unify-usa.org/)
Get your copy of Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution: A Revolutionary Roadmap for Fulfilling the Promise of Democracy here (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F7GNDWJ1?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_Y0R76A34M929PVEZWDSM&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_Y0R76A34M929PVEZWDSM&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_Y0R76A34M929PVEZWDSM&bestFormat=true&previewDoh=1)!
Get your copy of Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here (https://a.co/d/5kZYK6S).
Revolutionary Optimism is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz (https://www.drpaulzeitz.org/) and produced by Wavestream Media (https://www.wavestream.media/).
2 Jul 2026
The Third Founding: A Declaration for America's Democratic Renewal
As the United States marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, Dr. Paul Zeitz offers a powerful reflection on the nation's past—and a hopeful vision for its future.
In this Action Alert, Dr. Zeitz argues that America is entering a "Third Founding,” one that won't be won through war, but through courageous citizenship, renewed civic trust, and a shared commitment to one another. Drawing on history, medicine, and decades of democracy advocacy, he diagnoses the deeper challenges facing the country and presents Revolutionary Optimism as a practical framework for healing our divisions.
He explores why contempt—not disagreement—is the greatest threat to democracy, what interdependence really means, and how ordinary people can help build a more inclusive, resilient, and participatory democracy. This episode is both a declaration and an invitation to help write America's next chapter together.
Are you ready to join #unifyUSA? Learn more about the transformational movement at https://unify-usa.org/ (https://unify-usa.org/)
Get your copy of Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution: A Revolutionary Roadmap for Fulfilling the Promise of Democracy here (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F7GNDWJ1?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_Y0R76A34M929PVEZWDSM&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_Y0R76A34M929PVEZWDSM&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_Y0R76A34M929PVEZWDSM&bestFormat=true&previewDoh=1)!
Get your copy of Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here (https://a.co/d/5kZYK6S).
Revolutionary Optimism is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz (https://www.drpaulzeitz.org/) and produced by Wavestream Media (https://www.wavestream.media/).
Who has been a guest on Revolutionary Optimism Podcast
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Susan Sturm
Osita Nwanevu
Vinay Orekondy
Professor Lawrence Lessig
Rev Dr Liz Theoharis
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.9 / 5
10 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Contact Revolutionary Optimism Podcast
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about Revolutionary Optimism Podcast
Who hosts Revolutionary Optimism Podcast?
Dr Paul Zeitz host the show. Published by Dr. Paul Zeitz.
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The show publishes bi-weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Revolutionary Optimism Podcast take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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