Turning Soap — and Hope — into Action with Molly Lee

How to Stay Optimistic When the World Feels Heavy

Small Acts Can Create Big Change

What if finding your voice didn’t happen in your twenties or thirties — but in your fifties?

That’s exactly what happened to Molly Lee, the founder of Optimistic Soap. What began as a creative hobby — making soap in her kitchen to unwind after her day job in IT — evolved into something much bigger: a platform for activism, generosity, and community.

For years, Molly kept her business “clean” and non-political, believing that speaking up might turn people away. But after the 2016 Women’s March, she couldn’t stay silent any longer. She began using her business to support causes she cares deeply about — donating proceeds, fundraising through her online community, and spreading a message of hope through action.

In this conversation, Molly and I talk about how optimism can be a radical act in difficult times — not about ignoring the bad, but about choosing to show up anyway. She shares how she found her courage later in life, what activism looks like when it’s rooted in love instead of anger, and why staying engaged matters for our hearts as much as it does for the world.

If you’ve ever felt like it’s too late to make a difference or doubted whether your small actions matter, this episode will remind you that optimism isn’t naïve — it’s powerful.

If you’d like to see more of Molly’s inspiring work (and her gorgeous handmade soaps!), follow her on Instagram.

And if you’d rather watch our conversation, head over to the Late Bloomer Living YouTube channel  for the full video episode!