If Chickens Can Do It


A case for optimism.
In the prelude to the new season of Something Shifted, Sean Loots speaks to astrophysicist-turned-journalist and author of "The Bright Side" Sumit Paul-Choudhury, about the science and psychology of optimism.
Drawing on stories from Ernest Shackleton's 1915 Arctic expedition, to Sean's "Joy Jar", and the research behind optimistic chickens, Sumit shares how he became an optimist after experiencing great loss.
About Something Shifted
Something Shifted is a documentary-style, narrative podcast about identity after interruption. It tells stories of life before and after pivotal moments of change, where familiar structures fall away and new ways of being slowly emerge. Hosted by South African broadcaster Sean Loots, the podcast explores grief, resilience, transformation, and the lived experience of becoming someone different after life changes unexpectedly.
These are stories of life after interruption, told with honesty, detail, and emotional depth.
Listen to more episodes
Explore more narrative stories of identity, resilience, and life transition wherever you listen to podcasts. Listen to Something Shifted: The Soundtrack on Spotify
00:00 - Intro
01:22 - The Joy Jar
03:30 - Sumit Paul-Choudhury
09:33 - Ernest Shackleton's Arctic Expedition
14:35 - Zoe's progress
15:25 - Optimistic Chickens
17:38 - Optimism and Humans









