Who Are You, Really? with journalist Maria Shriver | A Bit of Optimism Podcast

We often define ourselves by what we do or who we are to other people. But at our core, who we are is often something much deeper, and sometimes wildly different, from the version that the world sees—or projects onto you. Maria Shriver was born into the legendary Kennedy and Shriver families, arriving with a script already written for her—an identity shaped by legacy and expectation. From the start, the world had ideas about who she should be. But after decades as a journalist, years as California’s First Lady, and raising four amazing kids, Maria has been on a lifelong journey to peel back the layers and ask Who am I now?—and answer it for herself. Maria also happens to be my best friend. We talked about how we became each other’s “8-minute friends,” the quiet questions that shape us, and her beautiful new book of poetry—which she reads from in this episode. It’s all about identity, self-reflection, and finding your voice in a world that keeps trying to define it for you. This…is A Bit of Optimism. For more on Maria Shriver, check out: her book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/i-am-maria-my-poems-and-reflections-on-heartbreak-healing-and-hope-maria-shriver/21881575 http://mariashriver.com/ ⏰ Timestamps 0:00 Who is Maria Shriver? 1:16 The unlikely friendship of Maria and Simon 5:36 How to be a Kennedy, Shriver, and Schwarzenegger 10:31 What is identity? 17:24 Tragedies that shaped Maria 21:25 8-minute friends 26:57 Creating containers of safety 35:07 Work is not your home 38:14 Maria reads her poetry + + + 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/ + + + #SimonSinek

Simon SinekhostMaria Shriverguest

Apr 8, 202544mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: April 8, 2025
Duration: 44m
Channel: Simon Sinek
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

We often define ourselves by what we do or who we are to other people. But at our core, who we are is often something much deeper, and sometimes wildly different, from the version that the world sees—or projects onto you. Maria Shriver was born into the legendary Kennedy and Shriver families, arriving with a script already written for her—an identity shaped by legacy and expectation. From the start, the world had ideas about who she should be. But after decades as a journalist, years as California’s First Lady, and raising four amazing kids, Maria has been on a lifelong journey to peel back the layers and ask Who am I now?—and answer it for herself. Maria also happens to be my best friend. We talked about how we became each other’s “8-minute friends,” the quiet questions that shape us, and her beautiful new book of poetry—which she reads from in this episode. It’s all about identity, self-reflection, and finding your voice in a world that keeps trying to define it for you. This…is A Bit of Optimism. For more on Maria Shriver, check out: her book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/i-am-maria-my-poems-and-reflections-on-heartbreak-healing-and-hope-maria-shriver/21881575 http://mariashriver.com/ ⏰ Timestamps 0:00 Who is Maria Shriver? 1:16 The unlikely friendship of Maria and Simon 5:36 How to be a Kennedy, Shriver, and Schwarzenegger 10:31 What is identity? 17:24 Tragedies that shaped Maria 21:25 8-minute friends 26:57 Creating containers of safety 35:07 Work is not your home 38:14 Maria reads her poetry + + + 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/ + + + #SimonSinek

SPEAKERS

Simon Sinek
host
Author and leadership speaker, host of the A Bit of Optimism podcast.
Maria Shriver
guest
Journalist and author, discussing her book "I Am Maria" and personal reflections on identity and healing.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Simon Sinek, featuring Simon Sinek and Maria Shriver, Who Are You, Really? with journalist Maria Shriver | A Bit of Optimism Podcast explores maria Shriver on identity, heartbreak, healing, friendship, and finding home Maria Shriver describes growing up inside the Kennedy/Shriver spotlight and how that legacy pressure shaped her lifelong search to answer “Who am I?” beyond titles and surnames.

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