Our Story
We created Optimal Living Daily as a passion project–we had spent three years building mobile applications and wanted to create a business that would offer much more fulfillment. We were always discussing our interest for personal development and minimalism and wanted to create a side project in that space;
however, neither of us thought that we could offer original and unique content in those areas. Justin thought it would be an interesting idea to curate and read the best blog content that we could find with author permission, and so OLD was born, and the other four shows followed shortly thereafter.
Our OLD Family
The dream team behind the Optimal Living Daily podcasts.
Justin Malik
Justin Malik is an award-winning podcaster and award-winning audiobook narrator. He defines himself as an entrepreneur and life-long learner. He earned his MBA at Pepperdine University in 2010, where he met Lee Rankinen, and both eventually launched a six-figure app business. He quit his full-time cubicle job to pursue it; however, feeling unfulfilled with apps, he & Lee launched Optimal Living Daily to spread motivational & inspirational messages, and also to force Justin to speak more, ultimately helping his social & performance anxiety. In his free time, outside of launching and improving businesses, Justin enjoys game nights and playing instruments.
Lee Rankinen
Lee Rankinen is a Co-Founder (with Justin Malik) of Optimal Living Daily and self-proclaimed professional reader, who spends hours every day trying to find the best content for narration on OLD's 5 different shows. Justin and Lee met at Pepperdine University while pursuing their MBAs and started their first business a few years later before ultimately deciding to pursue their shared passion of personal development and create the Optimal Living Daily podcast. On most days, you can find Lee alternating between reading and chasing around his two wonderful children and lovely wife.
Dan Weinberg
From podcasts to videos and radio campaigns, Dan Weinberg makes his living through voice acting. He hosted Optimal Finance Daily from 2016-2020 and has hosted Optimal Work Daily since October 2020. When he's not behind the mic, he spends his time with his wife and two daughters, going to Pittsburgh Pirates games, planning their next trip to New York City, and visiting the beach.
Dr. Neal Malik
Dr. Neal Malik (“Dr. Neal”) is currently a professor at California State University, San Bernardino. Before this, he served as Department Chair at Bastyr University California. Dr. Neal has taught at the college and university levels for over 12 years. He has been featured as a nutrition and wellness expert in over 70 media outlets including the Los Angeles Times, CBS local radio in Los Angeles, CA, as well as a number of online and print publications including eHow.com and Men’s Fitness Magazine. Dr. Neal has also published peer-reviewed scientific research on diet and its effects on appetitive hormones, Type 2 diabetes, blood lipids, and body weight and has presented at national conferences. He hosts Optimal Health Daily,
Greg Audino
Greg Audino is a Rhode Island-born certified life coach, actor, and graduate of Goucher College. He is the host of Optimal Relationships Daily as of 2020 (and Optimal Living Advice). He also posts videos that offer uncommon solutions to common struggles.
Diania Merriam
Diania Merriam is the founder of The EconoMe Conference, an event centered around financial independence. After getting out of $30K of debt in 11 months, she used her newfound financial freedom to walk 500 miles across northern Spain on the Camino de Santiago. Diania saves 60% of her income and is on track to be financially independent by the time she’s 40 years old. She’s passionate about personal finance and thrilled to be the new host of Optimal Finance Daily. When she’s not working, you can find her cooking and hiking with her best friend, an 80 lb German Shepard Lab mix named Buddy.
