Prepare for the Life You’re Meant to Live With Chaplain John Fox | A Bit of Optimism

Often the biggest transformations we undergo don’t arrive as lightning bolts, but as quiet shifts we’ve been preparing for all along. For John Fox, the transformation from a 25-year career in high finance to becoming a chaplain wasn’t sudden at all. It was a slow burn — shaped by loss, reflection, community, and a deep desire to live a more meaningful life. John’s successful finance career spanned decades. To the world, he was thriving, but internally he yearned for fulfillment no paycheck could give him. After losing his mother, questioning the purpose of work, and rediscovering his spiritual roots, he began to sense that his life was preparing him for a very different kind of service. That path eventually led him to the Peace Corps, seminary, and finally chaplaincy — where he now spends his days sitting with people in hospitals, jails, shelters, and hospice care. In this conversation, John shares how you can slowly build a new life, why most of us struggle to talk about things we can’t fix, and the human need to be seen by others. We also talk about community, discernment, loss, faith, and the power of listening without trying to change anything. His story is a reminder that life’s meaning often reveals itself slowly… and that the pivots that change our lives most profoundly are the ones we’ve been preparing for all along. This is A Bit of Optimism. --------------------------- To learn more about the Union Rescue Mission, visit their website at www.urm.org And to check out John’s congregation, head to www.newcitychurchla.com --------------------------- P.S. A Bit of Optimism will return in the new year on January 20th, 2026 with an exciting guest you won't want to miss! Until then, take care of yourself and each other. + + + Simon is an unshakable optimist. He believes in a bright future and our ability to build it together. Described as “a visionary thinker with a rare intellect,” Simon has devoted his professional life to help advance a vision of the world that does not yet exist; a world in which the vast majority of people wake up every single morning inspired, feel safe wherever they are and end the day fulfilled by the work that they do. Simon is the author of multiple best-selling books including Start With Why, Leaders Eat Last, Together is Better, and The Infinite Game. + + + Website: http://simonsinek.com/ Live Online Classes: https://simonsinek.com/classes/ Podcast: http://apple.co/simonsinek Instagram: https://instagram.com/simonsinek/ Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/simonsinek/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonsinek Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simonsinek Simon’s books: The Infinite Game: https://simonsinek.com/books/the-infinite-game/ Start With Why: https://simonsinek.com/books/start-with-why/ Find Your Why: https://simonsinek.com/books/find-your-why/ Leaders Eat Last: https://simonsinek.com/books/leaders-eat-last/ Together is Better: https://simonsinek.com/books/together-is-better/ + + + Chapters 00:00 - Intro 01:34 - Chance Encounters at Brunch 02:25 - 25 Years in Finance: Success Without Fulfillment 04:14 - Growing Up in Church Without Feeling Religious 05:06 - When Loss Forces You to Rethink Everything 07:24 - Preparing for a Life Change Long Before the Leap 12:59 - Peace Corps & Seminary: Preparing for a New Life 17:20 - What a Chaplain Actually Does 23:19 - The Moment John Knew He Was Meant for This Work 26:36 - Why Strangers Open Up More Than Loved Ones 34:13 - From Making Money to Finding Meaning 41:23 - What It Really Means to Be Seen 44:06 — Building Communities That Actually Work 50:45 — The Emotional Cost (and Gift) of Chaplaincy #SimonSinek