Blue Sky
By Bill Burke
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Episodes: 145
Description
Hosted by Bill Burke, founder of The Optimism Institute, this weekly podcast will feature inspiring leaders, authors, researchers, and big thinkers who are taking on some of our world's toughest challenges with an infectious sense of optimism. Blue Sky takes its name from the meditation reminder that there's always blue sky above, sometimes you just have to get your head above the clouds to see it.
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
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Kevin Lowe on How He Found Hope After Losing His Sight
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Jan 21, 2026 |
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ENCORE PRESENTATION: TED Leader Chris Anderson on His New Book, Infectious Generosity, and Why He Believes That Now Is the Time for Us All to "Reclaim the Internet" for Good
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Jan 14, 2026 |
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ENCORE PRESENTATION: NYT Bestselling Author Matt Ridley on His Motivation to Write The Rational Optimist and Why He Believes That Human Prosperity Will Inevitably Continue to Increase
|
Jan 07, 2026 |
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Amy King's Innovative and Optimistic Approach to Solving Homelessness in America
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Dec 31, 2025 |
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Empathy Expert Mimi Nicklin Explains Why and How She's Optimistically Attacking the World's Empathy Deficit
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Dec 17, 2025 |
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Technology Management Expert Paul Leonardi on Why Technology Exhausts Us and What We Can Do About It
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Dec 10, 2025 |
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Guy Kawasaki Describes Working with Steve Jobs and Other Remarkable People Who've Used Optimism as a Strategic Advantage
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Dec 03, 2025 |
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Could Venture Capital Invest in World Peace? Guest Brian Abrams Has Set Out to Do Just That
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Nov 26, 2025 |
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Scott Nash Reflects on His Remarkable Career Marked by Curiosity, Experimentation, and Optimism
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Nov 19, 2025 |
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Phil Green on the Impactful and Inspiring Work He Does for Young Musicians and His Hometown of Oakland
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Nov 12, 2025 |
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Stacy Palmer on Nonprofits and the Role Optimism Plays in Moving Them Forward
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Nov 05, 2025 |
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Shirzad Chamine on Saboteurs, Sages, and Positive Intelligence
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Oct 29, 2025 |
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Author Bree Groff on Finding Joy at Work
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Oct 22, 2025 |
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Erin Cain on Personal Resilience and the Power of Horses to Heal
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Oct 15, 2025 |
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Psychotherapist Meghan Riordan Jarvis on the Importance of Understanding Grief as a Path Toward Living Healthier Lives
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Oct 08, 2025 |
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Tricia Rose Burt Describes How She Transformed Her Life and Why She Encourages Others to Believe That There Is "No Time to Be Timid"
|
Oct 01, 2025 |
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Stacey Garcia on Resilience and Optimism in the Face of Personal Roadblocks and Why She Thinks "Mondays are Magic"
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Sep 17, 2025 |
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Astronaut Nicole Stott Reflects on Lessons She Learned in Outer Space and How They Changed Her View of Life on "Spaceship Earth"
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Sep 10, 2025 |
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Back to School Edition
|
Sep 03, 2025 |
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Marcy Syms on Her New Book and "Not Letting the Bad Guys Win"
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Aug 27, 2025 |
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Mike Goodwin on the Power of Humor and "The Comedian's Mindset"
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Aug 20, 2025 |
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Kristine Michie on Stirring Up Impactful Change Through Joy and Optimism
|
Aug 13, 2025 |
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Curiosity + Resilience: A Formula for Optimism
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Aug 06, 2025 |
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Niren Chaudhary Reflects on Rebounding From Grief and His Successful Career Leading With Gratitude and Love
|
Jul 30, 2025 |
|
Heidi Johnson on Loss, Grief, and the Transformative Power of Giving
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Jul 23, 2025 |
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Wounded Warrior Tom Deierlein's Remarkable Story of Grit, Resilience, Service, and Optimism
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Jul 16, 2025 |
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Jodie Jackson on How to Manage Our News Consumption to Preserve Our Mental Health and Well-Being
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Jul 09, 2025 |
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4th of July Edition and Reflections on American Optimism
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Jul 02, 2025 |
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Nichole Argo on Her Remarkable Work as a Community Builder
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Jun 25, 2025 |
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Harry Smith on Life Lessons and His Career in Journalism
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Jun 18, 2025 |
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Some Reasons Why Today Is the Greatest Time to Be Alive
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Jun 04, 2025 |
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Mary McManus on Surviving and Thriving After Recovering from Trauma and Polio
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May 28, 2025 |
|
Political Scientist and Author Lindsey Cormack Discusses Her Book, "How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It's Up to You to Do It)"
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May 21, 2025 |
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Sam Pressler on His Passion for Building Community and Connection
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May 14, 2025 |
|
Reflections on the Role of Mentors and Teachers in a Life of Optimism
|
May 07, 2025 |
|
A Special Blue Sky Presentation of the "Arts Educators Save the World" Podcast with Erica Halverson, Featuring Jonathan Groff
|
Apr 30, 2025 |
|
Historian and Author Martin Gutmann Discusses Optimism, History, and His Appreciation for "Unseen Leaders"
|
Apr 23, 2025 |
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Blayne Smith and Brandon Young Explain Why Perseverance Is Greater Than Endurance
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Apr 16, 2025 |
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Cheryl Dorsey Describes the Remarkable Work of Echoing Green
|
Apr 09, 2025 |
|
A True Confession Episode – Falling Off the Optimism Wagon
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Apr 02, 2025 |
|
David McCullough III Shares the Story of The American Exchange Project and His Optimistic Vision for Its Future
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Mar 26, 2025 |
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Erica Halverson Describes Her Optimistic Belief That Arts Educators Can Save the World
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Mar 19, 2025 |
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Earl B. Hunter, Jr. Discusses His Optimistic Approach to Helping Grow the Outdoor Industry Through His Work at Black Folks Camp Too
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Mar 12, 2025 |
|
Celebrating Optimism Month and Blue Sky's 2nd Anniversary
|
Mar 05, 2025 |
|
Khan Academy's Sal Khan Describes Why He's So Optimistic About the Future of AI and Education
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Feb 26, 2025 |
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Leslie and Richard Strauss Describe How Their In-School Program, Spirit Series, Builds a Better Future with Wisdom from the Past
|
Feb 19, 2025 |
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Professor and Author Amy Edmondson Discusses the Benefits of Psychological Safety in the Workplace and What She Believes to Be the "Right Kind of Wrong"
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Feb 12, 2025 |
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Five Book Recommendations to Help You Be More Optimistic
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Feb 05, 2025 |
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Marketing and Storytelling Expert Neal Foard Describes His Efforts to Make the Internet—and the World—a Kinder Place
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Jan 29, 2025 |
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Zach Karabell Discusses His Thought-Provoking Work and Why He Continues to Be an "Edgy Optimist"
|
Jan 22, 2025 |
|
Daniel Pink Shares His Thoughts on Optimism, Pessimism, and the Positive Power of Regret
|
Jan 15, 2025 |
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Chloe Valdary Shares Her Thoughtful and Optimistic Work at Her Company, Theory of Enchantment
|
Jan 08, 2025 |
|
Make Being Optimistic One of Your New Year's Resolutions
|
Jan 01, 2025 |
|
Throwback/Encore Presentation: Bestselling Author and Podcast/TV Host Kelly Corrigan on Why She Believes There Is "A Pretty Big Payoff to Every Hard Moment"
|
Dec 19, 2024 |
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Don Carpenter on Closing "The Aspirations Gap" with Rural Youth
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Dec 11, 2024 |
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Olivia Clarke Describes Her Passion for Helping Herself and Others Find Humor in Their Battle with Cancer
|
Dec 04, 2024 |
|
Special Episode for Gratitude Month, Featuring Reflections on Gratitude from Bill Burke and Blue Sky Alums
|
Nov 27, 2024 |
|
Throwback/Encore Presentation: Kevin Adler Discusses His New Book, 'When We Walk By,' and Explains Why He's Optimistic About Our Ability to End Homelessness in America
|
Nov 21, 2024 |
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Sucheta Kamath Describes Her Optimistic Approach to Enhancing the Lives of Others Through Executive Function Training
|
Nov 13, 2024 |
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Melissa Connelly Describes Her Optimistic Journey From Eighth Grade Truant to CEO of OneGoal
|
Oct 30, 2024 |
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Author Jamie Metzl on His New, Optimistic Book, "Superconvergence"
|
Oct 23, 2024 |
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Throwback/Encore Presentation: Motley Fool's David Gardner on Optimism and Investing, Entrepreneurship, and More
|
Oct 17, 2024 |
|
Lee Ellis on Taking Lessons Learned as a Vietnam POW to Shape a Lifetime of Leadership
|
Oct 09, 2024 |
|
Theodore (Ted) R. Johnson Shares His Pragmatic and Optimistic Views on America's Founding Ideals and How They Can Guide Us to a Better Future
|
Oct 02, 2024 |
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Lee Woodruff on Her Family's Extraordinary Story of Optimism and Resilience in the Face of Tragedy
|
Sep 25, 2024 |
|
Throwback/Encore Presentation: David Novak on the Role of Optimism in How Leaders Lead
|
Sep 19, 2024 |
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Immaculata De Vivo Discusses the Optimism of Scientists and the Remarkable Research Findings in Her Book, "The Biology of Kindness"
|
Sep 11, 2024 |
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Mary Louise and Bruce Cohen on Supporting Skilled Refugees Through Their NGO, Talent Beyond Boundaries
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Sep 04, 2024 |
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Christina Menkemeller on Facing Adversity, Finding Purpose in Suffering, and Lifting the Lives of Others
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Aug 28, 2024 |
|
Pediatrician, Parent Coach and Best-Selling Author Dr. Liz Henry Shares Her Optimistic Approach to Raising Kids and Building Strong Families
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Aug 21, 2024 |
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Throwback/Encore Presentation: Kevin Kelly on His Book, 'Excellent Advice for Living' and His Long-Held Belief That, "Over the Long Term, the Future Is Decided by Optimists."
|
Aug 15, 2024 |
|
Author Alexandra Hudson on Her Book, 'The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves'
|
Aug 07, 2024 |
|
Tim Fitzpatrick's on His Company's Inspiring Mission to Empower Patients Through Virtual Reality
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Jul 31, 2024 |
|
Raul Espinoza Shares His Inspiring Story, From Surviving a Challenging Childhood to Making a Career of Helping Other Men Do the Same
|
Jul 24, 2024 |
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Throwback/Encore Presentation: Steven Pinker, Author and Johnstone Professor in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University
|
Jul 18, 2024 |
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Dr. Hasan Merali Describes the Valuable Lessons We Can All Learn from Toddlers in His Optimistic and Fun New Book, 'Sleep Well, Take Risks, Squish the Peas'
|
Jul 10, 2024 |
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Teju Ravilochan Describes His Work Bringing Neighbors Together and Why He Believes That, "In Community, We Have Everything We Need."
|
Jul 03, 2024 |
|
Throwback/Encore Presentation: Anh Vu Sawyer Describes Her Family's Remarkable Flight From Saigon in 1975, and the Inspiring, High Impact Work She's Done Since Coming to America
|
Jun 20, 2024 |
|
Kate Bean on Embracing Change as the Vehicle for Life's Journey
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Jun 12, 2024 |
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John Daniel on Optimism, Grit, Love, Loss, Survival, and Pickleball
|
Jun 05, 2024 |
|
Pete Davis on Why He Believes So Much in the Importance of Community and Social Capital That He Made and Entire Film About It
|
May 29, 2024 |
|
Blue Sky Host Bill Burke Joins the "Well…Adjusting" Podcast as a Guest Expert
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May 22, 2024 |
|
Throwback/Encore Presentation: Dr. Richard Davidson on the Neuroscience of Well-Being and Human Flourishing
|
May 16, 2024 |
|
Billy Starr on How He Channeled His Grief to Create the World's Most Successful Sports Fundraiser, the Pan-Mass Challenge
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May 08, 2024 |
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Barrett Takesian Talks About Portland Community Squash and His Passion for Building Social Capital
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May 01, 2024 |
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Daniel Stone Discusses the Research Behind His Book, "Undue Hate," Explains the Roots of Our Political Polarization, and Offers Novel Ideas for How We Can Fix It
|
Apr 24, 2024 |
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Throwback/Encore Presentation: Dan Reicher's Rationally Optimistic Take on Progress and Potential in the Fight Against Climate Change
|
Apr 18, 2024 |
|
Marko Cheseto Describes His Life; From Kenya to Alaska, and From Tragedy to Triumph
|
Apr 10, 2024 |
|
Nathalie Laidler-Kylander on the Virtues and Value of International Philanthropy and Social Entrepreneurship
|
Apr 03, 2024 |
|
How to Keep Going When Things Get Hard: A Special Blue Sky Presentation of the "Ten Percent Happier" Podcast with Dan Harris, Featuring Bryan Stevenson
|
Mar 27, 2024 |
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Throwback/Encore Presentation: Perseverance Personified: YouthBuild USA President and CEO John Valverde
|
Mar 21, 2024 |
|
Prolific Author, Teacher, and Coach Gill Hasson on How to Deal With Difficult People, the Pros and Cons of Social Media, and the Challenges Raising Children in Our Digital Age
|
Mar 13, 2024 |
|
Bestselling Author and Podcast/TV Host Kelly Corrigan on Why She Believes There Is "A Pretty Big Payoff to Every Hard Moment," and "There's No Feeling as Good as Being Useful to Someone."
|
Feb 28, 2024 |
|
Alison Jones Webb on Her Book, "Recovery Allies," and the Importance of Peers, Friends, and Family in Addiction Recovery
|
Feb 21, 2024 |
|
Throwback/Encore Presentation: "Optimism Is a Superpower," a Conversation with Life Is Good Co-Founder Bert Jacobs
|
Feb 15, 2024 |
|
TED Leader Chris Anderson on His New Book, Infectious Generosity, and Why He Believes That Now Is the Time for Us All to "Reclaim the Internet" for Good
|
Feb 07, 2024 |
|
Dr. Kenneth Harris on Optimism and the Remarkable Power and Positivity Unleashed When We Open Ourselves to the Concept of Synchronicity
|
Jan 31, 2024 |
|
Ilze Thielmann on the Inspiring Work of Team TLC, NYC
|
Jan 24, 2024 |
|
Throwback/Encore Presentation: Author Jonathan Conyers on His Memoir, "I Wasn't Supposed to Be Here," About the Supportive Village That Filled His Life With Hope and Optimism
|
Jan 18, 2024 |
|
KM DiColandrea Describes His Passion for Education and How Speech and Debate Can Transform Young People's Lives
|
Jan 10, 2024 |
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IGNITE CEO Sara Guillermo Describes How Her Organization Trains and Empowers Young Women to Engage With Their Communities, Campaign, and Run for Office
|
Jan 03, 2024 |
|
Anh Vu Sawyer Describes Her Family's Remarkable Flight From Saigon in 1975, and the Inspiring, High Impact Work She's Done Since Coming to America
|
Dec 20, 2023 |
|
Former Microsoft Executive John Wood on Bringing a Growth Mindset to Helping Children and Young Women in the World's Poorest Countries
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Dec 13, 2023 |
|
Solutions Journalism Network Founder and CEO David Bornstein on Why Reporting on Solutions – Not Just Problems – Will Do Us All a Lot of Good, Including the News Outlets Themselves
|
Dec 06, 2023 |
|
New York Times Bestselling Author Matt Ridley on His Motivation to Write 'The Rational Optimist' and Why He Believes That Human Prosperity Will Inevitably Continue to Increase
|
Nov 29, 2023 |
|
Author and Health and Wellness Coach Tracey Gates Explains the Positive Power of Expressing Appreciation
|
Nov 22, 2023 |
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Ritah Kabanyoro on the Remarkable Work Being Done to Support Uganda's Refugee Population
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Nov 15, 2023 |
|
Kevin Adler Discusses His New Book, When We Walk By, and Explains Why He's Optimistic About Our Ability to End Homelessness in America
|
Nov 08, 2023 |
|
Dr. Howard Koh Describes How Gratitude and Optimism Have Led to a Rewarding Life of Healing and Helping
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Oct 25, 2023 |
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Dr. Adam Mastroianni Explains How Your Brain Has Tricked You Into Thinking That Everything Is Worse
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Oct 18, 2023 |
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LaTosha Brown on the Roots of Her Optimism and How She Applies a Hopeful Approach to Her Challenging Work
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Oct 11, 2023 |
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Professor and Author Anita Nowak on the Remarkable Power of Empathy
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Oct 04, 2023 |
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Margo Walsh Describes Her Drive to Create Innovative Approaches to Help Marginalized People Get Back into the Workplace
|
Sep 27, 2023 |
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Private Equity Professional Sean Legister Describes How His Optimistic Outlook, Thirst for Knowledge, and Appetite for Risk Have Led to Remarkable Opportunities and Achievement
|
Sep 20, 2023 |
|
Atlantic Sea Farms CEO Briana Warner Describes Her Company's Leadership Role in Kelp Farming and How This Environmentally-Friendly and Nutritious Food Is the Shaping the Future of Aquaculture
|
Sep 13, 2023 |
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Author Jonathan Conyers on His Memoir, "I Wasn't Supposed to Be Here," About the Supportive Village That Filled His Life With Hope and Optimism
|
Sep 06, 2023 |
|
Dr. Robert Soiffer on His Career at the Leading Edge of Cancer Care at Dana-Farber and Reasons to Be Optimistic the Future of Oncology
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Aug 30, 2023 |
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Kathryn Goetzke on the Power of Hope
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Aug 23, 2023 |
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UN Foundation CEO Elizabeth Cousens on the UNF's Remarkable Work Around the Globe, and Why She's Optimistic About Our Collective Future
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Aug 16, 2023 |
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Alan Patricof: An Optimistic Octogenarian Looks Back on His Life and Ahead to His Goal of Living to 114
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Aug 09, 2023 |
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Eddie Ndopu on "Reimagining Success as a Disabled Achiever"
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Aug 02, 2023 |
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Steven Pinker and the Case for Data-backed Optimism
|
Jul 26, 2023 |
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Addiction Recovery: A Father's Story
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Jul 19, 2023 |
|
Vanessa Cooksey's Optimistic Take on the Future of the Arts and the Vital Role That Artists Play in Our Communities
|
Jul 12, 2023 |
|
Dan Reicher's Rationally Optimistic Take on Progress and Potential in the Fight Against Climate Change
|
Jun 28, 2023 |
|
Jeroo Billimoria on Humility, Optimism, and Effecting Social Change
|
Jun 21, 2023 |
|
Dr. Richard Davidson on the Neuroscience of Well-Being and Human Flourishing
|
Jun 14, 2023 |
|
Amy Sandler on the Virtues and Value of "Caring Personally and Challenging Directly"
|
Jun 07, 2023 |
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Charles Kenny Explains Why We Should All Be More Optimistic About Global Progress
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May 31, 2023 |
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Virginia Gleason on Bringing Communities Together to Improve Law Enforcement and Public Safety
|
May 24, 2023 |
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Teresa Chahine on the Power and Potential of Social Entrepreneurship
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May 17, 2023 |
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Creating Hope in the Midst of Hate: Oren Segal of ADL's Center on Extremism
|
May 10, 2023 |
|
Dominique Wright on Her Optimistic Journey from the Navy, to the NFL, to NIL
|
May 03, 2023 |
|
Kevin Kelly on His New Book and His Long-Held Belief That, "Over the Long Term, the Future Is Decided by Optimists."
|
Apr 26, 2023 |
|
Tim Schurrer on Redefining Success by Moving From a "Spotlight Mindset" to Helping Others Win
|
Apr 19, 2023 |
|
Perseverance Personified: YouthBuild USA President and CEO John Valverde
|
Apr 12, 2023 |
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It's Not About Beating the Odds, It's About Changing the Odds — Harvard's Rob Watson on a Community Wide Approach to Well-Being and Upward Mobility for Children, Youth, and Families
|
Apr 05, 2023 |
|
David Novak on the Role of Optimism in How Leaders Lead
|
Mar 29, 2023 |
|
The "Win-Win-Win" of Second Chance Hiring, with Jeff Korzenik
|
Mar 22, 2023 |
|
"Optimism is a Superpower," a Conversation With Life is Good Co-Founder Bert Jacobs
|
Mar 15, 2023 |
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Dr. Tami Benton on Reasons to Stay Hopeful About Youth Mental Health
|
Mar 08, 2023 |
|
Future Crunch Founders on Why They Choose Optimism
|
Mar 01, 2023 |
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Optimism Over Doom, a Climate Conversation with Marcy Franck
|
Mar 01, 2023 |
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Motley Fool's David Gardner on Optimism and Investing, Entrepreneurship, and More
|
Mar 01, 2023 |
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Introducing the Blue Sky podcast, presented by The Optimism Institute and hosted by Bill Burke
|
Feb 07, 2023 |