The Power of Real Optimism – A Practical, Science-Based Guide to Staying Resilient, Curious, and Open—Even When Life Is Hard

What does it really mean to stay hopeful in difficult times? In The Power of Real Optimism, Dr. Deepika Chopra offers a refreshing and practical approach to resilience—one grounded not in toxic positivity, but in science, self-awareness, and emotional honesty. Dr. Wendelin Slusser will join Dr. Chopra in conversation.

Widely known as The Optimism Doctor®, Dr. Chopra is a behavioral scientist, clinical health psychologist, bestselling author, podcast host, and visual imagery expert whose work explores the powerful connection between mindset, well-being, and human potential. Drawing on years of research and clinical experience, she guides readers through actionable tools designed to help them cultivate resilience, curiosity, openness, and hope—even during life’s most challenging moments.

Bios:

Dr. Deepika Chopra earned her doctorate in clinical health psychology and completed a double postdoctoral fellowship at UCLA and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Her innovative work on optimism and emotional resilience has made her a trusted voice across national media, including NBC’s TODAY Show, The New York Times, NPR, Forbes, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Fast Company, and Newsweek.

In addition to her writing and speaking, Dr. Chopra is the founder of Things Are Looking Up®, a consultancy focused on the intersection of science and soul. She has led workshops and keynote sessions for organizations including Google, Amazon, American Express, Live Nation, Penn Health, and BCG, and has appeared at leading events such as the Aspen Ideas Festival and The Atlantic’s “In Pursuit of Happiness.”

Warm, relatable, and deeply evidence-based, The Power of Real Optimism invites readers to rethink what optimism truly means—and how it can become a sustainable, empowering force for navigating uncertainty, adversity, and everyday life.

Dr. Chopra lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three children.

Dr. Wendelin Slusser is Associate Vice Provost for the Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center at UCLA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics in the UCLA Schools of Medicine and Public Health, and Co-Founder and Academic Director of the UCLA Fit for Healthy Weight Program. She graduated Cum Laude from Princeton University, received her Medical Degree and Master’s in Science in Nutrition from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University. She completed her internship and residency in Pediatrics at Babies Hospital, Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. She joined the UCLA faculty in 1996 and since then has been a leader in community, school, clinic, and family-based programs focused on enhancing the physical, social and emotional wellbeing of infants, children, young adults and their caregivers. Dr. Slusser practiced and taught General Pediatrics and health promotion at the Venice Family Clinic for 19 years. She was the PI on the Fruit and Vegetable Bar Intervention study to promote fruit and vegetable consumption among low-income elementary school children in LAUSD that inspired national legislation and former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Salad Bar to Schools. She produced Our Food Chain Documentary in collaboration with LAUSD to engage parents, policy makers and children in advocating for healthy school food. She is currently the producer and host of the  Semel HCI LiveWell Podcast. She was selected to be a member of the Institute of Medicine committee called Obesity Prevention Policies for Young Children. In 2020 she received the Venice Family Clinic Visionary Award and the UCLA Community Program Office’s Open Heart, Open Mind Award “for her collaborative spirit, dedication in making the campus healthier and supporting basic needs insecure students during the COVID-19 Crisis.” She is one of three UC faculty honored in 2015 by President Janet Napolitano for outstanding leadership on the UC Global Food Initiative.  She is a co-leader for the UC Healthy Campus Network and leading the efforts this past year to integrate health into the UC-wide Sustainable Practices Policy.  She also chaired the Wellness and Work Expectations Work Group (WWE WG) as part of the UCLA COVID-19 Response and Recovery Task Force. In her free time, as a fifth-generation California farmer helps to sustainably farm her family’s Vineyards in the Russian River Valley.