Blue Sky

Blue Sky

The Optimism Institute

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.

Leslie and Richard Strauss Describe How Their In-School Program, Spirit Series, Builds a Better Future with Wisdom from the Past

Leslie and Richard Strauss Describe How Their In-School Program, Spirit Series, Builds a Better Future with Wisdom from the Past

Leslie and Richard Strauss are a husband-and-wife team who oversee Spirit Series, an innovative educational program in which young students perform plays about timeless stories.  Through Spirit Series’ immersive and rigorous process, participants gain confidence in themselves and improve their teamwork, higher order thinking and focus in the classroom.  The program has served more than 60,000 students and research shows that it has improved their cognitive and social/emotional skills and even lo

Feb 19, • 47:46

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”

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”

Business school professor and author Amy Edmondson shares her views on how we can make our workplace more productive, enriching, and positive for everyone.  By creating an environment with “psychological safety,” Amy says that organizations allow people to do their best work by not fearing to make the “right kinds” of mistakes and/or speaking up when things go wrong. Order Amy's bookRight Kind of Wrong Chapters:01:08 Introduction of Amy Edmondson Host Bill Burke introduces guest Amy Edmondson, a

Feb 12, • 48:27

Five Book Recommendations to Help You Be More Optimistic

Five Book Recommendations to Help You Be More Optimistic

On this installment of “A Bit of Blue Sky,” host Bill Burke describes five books he recommends that will help listeners be more optimistic (and hopefully, fulfill their New Year’s resolution to do so)!    Blue Sky Bookshelf: Link    Chapters:   00:00 Welcome to A Bit of Blue Sky Host Bill Burke introduces the podcast and its mission to inspire optimism through engaging discussions. He sets the stage for a conversation about books that can help listeners maintain their New Year’s resolutions.  01

Feb 5, • 9:56

Marketing and Storytelling Expert Neal Foard Describes His Efforts to Make the Internet—and the World—a Kinder Place

Marketing and Storytelling Expert Neal Foard Describes His Efforts to Make the Internet—and the World—a Kinder Place

Neal Foard is an accomplished marketing expert and storyteller. On this episode, Neal describes why, after helping build household name global brands like Budweiser, Lexus, and Sony, he has turned his attention to telling and teaching stories.  He’s inspired by what he describes as the kindness of everyday people and shares personal anecdotes and stories online, hoping others will engage in what he’s calling, “The Conspiracy of Kindness.”  He is also the founder of Storyfire, an online storytell

Jan 29, • 49:57

Zach Karabell Discusses His Thought-Provoking Work and Why He Continues to Be an “Edgy Optimist”

Zach Karabell Discusses His Thought-Provoking Work and Why He Continues to Be an “Edgy Optimist”

In this Blue Sky episode, Zach Karabell describes how the roots of his optimistic worldview come from his deep understanding of history and the important societal trends that continue to move in a positive direction.  This conversation covers a lot of ground, including how Zachary views President Trump and the “chaos” and “hysteria” he expects will be created during his second term, the remarkable medical breakthroughs like mRNA vaccines, and his new Substack newsletter, "The Edgy Optimist."

Jan 22, • 50:55

Daniel Pink Shares His Thoughts on Optimism, Pessimism, and the Positive Power of Regret

Daniel Pink Shares His Thoughts on Optimism, Pessimism, and the Positive Power of Regret

Daniel Pink joins Blue Sky for a lively and wide-ranging discussion.  He describes the importance of what he sees as a personal portfolio that includes a predominance of optimism that’s balanced by a healthy and helpful dose of pessimism. He also forceful debunks “the cynical genius illusion,” which leads to an undue bias towards those with cynical, negative viewpoints. He and Bill also discuss the connections between curiosity and optimism and Daniel describes the research and powerful conclusi

Jan 15, • 48:23

Chloe Valdary Shares Her Thoughtful and Optimistic Work at Her Company, Theory of Enchantment

Chloe Valdary Shares Her Thoughtful and Optimistic Work at Her Company, Theory of Enchantment

Chloe Valdary shares her unique way of thinking about – and training others – in the field of diversity and difference.  She describes her fascination with human beings in all our complexity and resists and rejects our tendencies to put everyone into the limiting categories of “oppressors or oppressed.”  Her thoughtful insights will make you think and might even challenge some listeners’ long-held beliefs.      Chapters: 02:20 Chloe Valdary’s Background Chloe shares her journey from New Orleans

Jan 8, • 52:16

Make Being Optimistic One of Your New Year’s Resolutions

Make Being Optimistic One of Your New Year’s Resolutions

Bill Burke hosts this first-ever installment of “A Bit of Blue Sky.”  In this shorter episode, Bill explains that on the first Wednesday of every month, The Optimism Institute will release a shorter episode with information about the podcast, reflections on past episodes, and hints about new shows in the queue.  This month, to kick of 2025, Bill challenges his audience to make being more optimistic a New Years resolution.    Chapters: 00:32 Introducing A Bit of Blue Sky Bill unveils a new mini

Jan 1, • 9:22

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”

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”

This is an encore presentation of the 50th episode of Blue Sky, when Bill was joined by someone who has completed more than 400 of them.  Bestselling author and TV/podcast host Kelly Corrigan describes to Bill the many things she’s learned in her life and career about optimism and how we all can benefit from life’s setbacks to become better people and forge stronger relationships.  Kelly reflects on lessons she learned from her parents and how facing her own cancer diagnosis and battle with the

Dec 19, 2024 • 57:04

Don Carpenter on Closing “The Aspirations Gap” with Rural Youth

Don Carpenter on Closing “The Aspirations Gap” with Rural Youth

Don Carpenter has spent the bulk of his career working on youth development.  Today he’s executive director of the Rural Futures Fund, an organization focused on kids in rural settings, working to help them close what he calls the “aspirations gap,” between them and their peers in more affluent settings.      Chapters: 01:11 Meet Don Carpenter Bill introduces Don Carpenter, Executive Director of the Rural Futures Fund, an organization dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for youth i

Dec 11, 2024 • 48:46

Olivia Clarke Describes Her Passion for Helping Herself and Others Find Humor in Their Battle with Cancer

Olivia Clarke Describes Her Passion for Helping Herself and Others Find Humor in Their Battle with Cancer

When Olivia Clarke was first diagnosed with cancer and began treatment, she looked for ways to keep her spirits up as the grueling treatments and symptoms became increasingly difficult.  Gradually, she noticed moments – in waiting rooms, treatment areas, with strangers – that, when looked at with a certain lens, could be seen as downright funny.  This inspired her to launch “Humor Beats Cancer,” and online community that encourages other cancer patients to share their own moments of levity to so

Dec 4, 2024 • 49:37

Special Episode for Gratitude Month, Featuring Reflections on Gratitude from Bill Burke and Blue Sky Alums

Special Episode for Gratitude Month, Featuring Reflections on Gratitude from Bill Burke and Blue Sky Alums

November is Gratitude Month at the Optimism Institute and this episode wraps up our celebration while kicking off Thanksgiving weekend.  Blue Sky host and founder of The Optimism Institute Bill Burke shares his thoughts on the tight link between gratitude and optimism and has selected excerpts from past episodes to drive this point home.  Blue Sky alums explain the health benefits of gratitude, the many reasons to be grateful to be alive today, and why, despite our many challenges, the United St

Nov 27, 2024 • 37:34

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

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

Kevin Adler grew up with a beloved uncle, Mark, who never forgot to send him a Hallmark card on his birthday.  Over time, Kevin learned that his uncle was unhoused and suffering from schizophrenia.  When Mark died at the age of 50, Kevin decided that working to solve the crisis of homelessness would be his life’s work.  The experience of having a close relative in this predicament made him realize that “everybody is somebody’s somebody,” and deserving of our compassion.  He founded Miracle Messa

Nov 21, 2024 • 53:26

Sucheta Kamath Describes Her Optimistic Approach to Enhancing the Lives of Others Through Executive Function Training

Sucheta Kamath Describes Her Optimistic Approach to Enhancing the Lives of Others Through Executive Function Training

In a culture that celebrates competence and achievement, we often label people struggling to get things done as “lazy,” “disorganized,” or “irresponsible.”  But through her training and practice as a speech-language pathologist, Sucheta Kamath developed a passion for identifying people who struggle with executive function skills and has designed innovated ways to train them to better achieve their goals. In this episode, Sucheta describes her latest venture, ExQ, uses a cutting edge, “game-based

Nov 13, 2024 • 58:26

Melissa Connelly Describes Her Optimistic Journey From Eighth Grade Truant to CEO of OneGoal

Melissa Connelly Describes Her Optimistic Journey From Eighth Grade Truant to CEO of OneGoal

Melissa Connelly had a rocky start to her high school career, being placed in her school’s truancy program after missing sixty days of classes in 8th grade.  Fortunately, Melissa found her guidance counselor, Mrs. Jeter, who changed her life.  With her help, Melissa turned her academic career around and through determined optimism, managed to earn college degrees and build a successful, high impact life.  She now oversees OneGoal, a national postsecondary access and success organization and she

Oct 30, 2024 • 53:19

Author Jamie Metzl on His New, Optimistic Book, “Superconvergence”

Author Jamie Metzl on His New, Optimistic Book, “Superconvergence”

Jamie Metzl is one of the world’s leading authorities on the implications of the intersecting AI, genetics, and biotechnology revolutions and how governments, corporations, organizations, and individuals can ride the wave of these unprecedented transformations to build their best possible futures. In this Blue Sky episode, he talks about the optimistic insights and opportunities he describes in his new book, Superconvergence.    Chapters: 01:11 Meet Jamie Metzl Bill introduces Jamie Metzl, a te

Oct 23, 2024 • 49:36

Throwback/Encore Presentation: Motley Fool’s David Gardner on Optimism and Investing, Entrepreneurship, and More

Throwback/Encore Presentation: Motley Fool’s David Gardner on Optimism and Investing, Entrepreneurship, and More

This is a special encore presentation of the very first episode of Blue Sky!  This conversation with David Gardner first aired in March of 2023 and is still one of our favorites.  David Gardner discusses a wide range of topics, from the relationship between optimism and entrepreneurship to developing an investment strategy with an eye towards your own positive vision for the future, to David’s outsized love for, of all things, board games!  Motley Fool: www.Fool.com    Chapters:   00:00 Welcome

Oct 17, 2024 • 1:03:36

Lee Ellis on Taking Lessons Learned as a Vietnam POW to Shape a Lifetime of Leadership

Lee Ellis on Taking Lessons Learned as a Vietnam POW to Shape a Lifetime of Leadership

Today, Lee Ellis is an acclaimed and accomplished author and leadership coach.  But in 1967, while flying a combat mission over North Vietnam, he was shot down, captured, and held as a prisoner of war for five-and-a-half years at the “Hanoi Hilton,” where his group of fellow prisoners included the late Senator John McCain.  and on this Blue Sky episode, Colonel Lee Ellis shares his incredible story and the valuable leadership and life lessons he learned under these trying circumstances, as well

Oct 9, 2024 • 52:58

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

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

Theodore (Ted) R. Johnson served twenty years in the United States Navy before becoming a columnist and author.  His latest book, If We Are Brave is a collection of essays on race in America, and in this Blue Sky conversation, Ted describes his pragmatic optimism and belief that the United States has in its founding ideals the path towards forming a “more perfect union.”  Ted’s personal story is remarkable, rising from humble beginnings to become an officer in the US Navy, White House Fellow, an

Oct 2, 2024 • 50:03

Lee Woodruff on Her Family’s Extraordinary Story of Optimism and Resilience in the Face of Tragedy

Lee Woodruff on Her Family’s Extraordinary Story of Optimism and Resilience in the Face of Tragedy

Lee Woodruff and her husband Bob were, in many ways, on top of the world.  She was with her children at Walt Disney World while Bob was overseas in one of his first news gathering assignments after being named a co-anchor of ABC World News Tonight.  Everything changed in an instant when the vehicle Bob was traveling in hit a roadside bomb and he sustained a traumatic brain injury.  From there, Lee and his family faced the challenges of trauma, grief, and persevered thanks to what Lee describes a

Sep 25, 2024 • 44:19

Throwback/Encore Presentation: David Novak on the Role of Optimism in How Leaders Lead

Throwback/Encore Presentation: David Novak on the Role of Optimism in How Leaders Lead

This is a special encore edition of an episode which first aired in March of 2023.  In the time since then, our guest has added yet another best-selling book to his list of titles, “How Leaders Learn.”     David Novak has had a remarkably successful career and one that was defined by his boundless enthusiasm and contagious sense of optimism.  He describes in this episode that he’s never come across a leader who wasn’t an optimist and reflects on why he thinks this is the case.  He also discusses

Sep 19, 2024 • 55:51

Immaculata De Vivo Discusses the Optimism of Scientists and the Remarkable Research Findings in Her Book, “The Biology of Kindness”

Immaculata De Vivo Discusses the Optimism of Scientists and the Remarkable Research Findings in Her Book, “The Biology of Kindness”

Known in the science community primarily for her work as a geneticists and epidemiologist with a focus on oncology, Immaculata De Vivo seems like an unlikely person to co-Author a book called, “The Biology of Kindness.”  But the more she understood the role that behavior played in our wellbeing and that it can even have an impact on our DNA structures, the more she wanted to write her findings in a book that would be accessible to people outside the world of academia.  In this episode, Immaculat

Sep 11, 2024 • 50:33

Mary Louise and Bruce Cohen on Supporting Skilled Refugees Through Their NGO, Talent Beyond Boundaries

Mary Louise and Bruce Cohen on Supporting Skilled Refugees Through Their NGO, Talent Beyond Boundaries

The husband and wife team of Mary Louise and Bruce Cohen have impressive backgrounds in law and government and for the past ten years, they’ve used their skills to advance the cause of skilled refugees around the world.  The organization they co-founded, Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB), identifies refugees with marketable skills and places them in a talent database that matches them with eager employers.  The Cohens tackle their intimidating challenges with an inspiring sense of can-do optimism a

Sep 4, 2024 • 42:45

Christina Menkemeller on Facing Adversity, Finding Purpose in Suffering, and Lifting the Lives of Others

Christina Menkemeller on Facing Adversity, Finding Purpose in Suffering, and Lifting the Lives of Others

At a time in her life that should have been one of her happiest – just prior to her wedding – Christina Menkemeller developed frightening symptoms and was given a devastating diagnosis.   In the wake of this news, Christina’s fiancé Cardin never wavered in his commitment and the newlywed couple decided to take a yearlong trip that would change the course of their lives.  After facing the understandable “why me” moments, Christina was buoyed by her faith and a sense of gratitude and decided to la

Aug 28, 2024 • 46:42

Pediatrician, Parent Coach and Best-Selling Author Dr. Liz Henry Shares Her Optimistic Approach to Raising Kids and Building Strong Families

Pediatrician, Parent Coach and Best-Selling Author Dr. Liz Henry Shares Her Optimistic Approach to Raising Kids and Building Strong Families

Dr. Liz Henry is highly-regarded professional in the fields of pediatrics and parenting and in this Blue Sky conversation, she shares her views on everything from technology, drugs and alcohol, whether it’s tougher to be a kid today, and more.  The content is relevant for kids, current parents, past parents, and even adults who might take this information and cut their own parents a little slack.  Dr. Liz is optimistic, enthusiastic, and engaging and her advice is both helpful and practical, wit

Aug 21, 2024 • 46:39

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.”

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.”

Note for Encore Presentation:  This episode originally dropped in April of 2023 and in the time since, you’ve no doubt heard Bill quote from Kevin – and his latest book – on numerous occasions.  If you heard this one when it debuted last year, I do think it’s worth another listen, and if this is your first time, we promise you’re in for a treat.     The legendary Kevin Kelly shares his optimistic views on technology and our collective future.  As someone who was building online communities as ea

Aug 15, 2024 • 53:16

Author Alexandra Hudson on Her Book, 'The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves'

Author Alexandra Hudson on Her Book, 'The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves'

Alexandra “Lexi” Hudson was raised by a philosopher father and a mother who is a recognized manners expert.  As a result, she has spent much of her life contemplating what forms of behavior constitute “the good life,” and lead to human flourishing.  Following a disheartening stint working in government and seeing even spotty incidents of politeness masking an underlying incivility, she was driven to write her new book, which reaches back to great thinkers and writers throughout history to teach

Aug 7, 2024 • 43:13

Tim Fitzpatrick’s on His Company’s Inspiring Mission to Empower Patients Through Virtual Reality

Tim Fitzpatrick’s on His Company’s Inspiring Mission to Empower Patients Through Virtual Reality

Tim Fitzpatrick learned about healthcare the hard way, as a long-term inpatient undergoing a battery of surgeries to address injuries sustained while serving as a pilot in the US Navy.  After recovering and leaving the service, Tim was an equities trader for a bank, and after learning more about new media technologies, then meeting a physician who was pioneering virtual reality in healthcare, Tim found his passion, and left his job to co-found IKONA, where he now serves as CEO.  This innovative

Jul 31, 2024 • 47:46

Raul Espinoza Shares His Inspiring Story, From Surviving a Challenging Childhood to Making a Career of Helping Other Men Do the Same

Raul Espinoza Shares His Inspiring Story, From Surviving a Challenging Childhood to Making a Career of Helping Other Men Do the Same

Raul Espinoza’s father had many talents, but an equal number of demons.  He struggled with addiction and was abusive to Raul’s mother as well as to him and his siblings.  At the early age of ten, Raul decided he would take a different path and vowed not to drink and to treat women with respect.  He has stayed true to this pledge and now, at the age of 38, Raul Espinoza is the executive director and driving force behind All Kings, a peer-led support organization that empowers men who have been –

Jul 24, 2024 • 53:55

Throwback/Encore Presentation: Steven Pinker, Author and Johnstone Professor in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University

Throwback/Encore Presentation: Steven Pinker, Author and Johnstone Professor in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University

Note for this encore presentation: While much of our discussion centered on Professor Pinker’s views on how the world continues to improve while we have trouble believing it, he also goes into details about his concerns about the state of public discourse on college campuses. He and I conducted this interview in June of 2023, several months before the conflict between Hamas and Israel began, and subsequent demonstrations caused huge disruptions on college campuses around the country, including P

Jul 18, 2024 • 43:08

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'

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'

Dr. Hasan Merali came to admire toddlers when he began working with kids in a hospital emergency department.  Seeing their remarkable resilience, optimism, and courage in the face of adversity led him to think about ways we as adults can learn from these young people.  The result is his great book, “Sleep Well, Take Risks, Squish the Peas: Secrets from the Science of Toddlers for a Happier, More Successful Way of Life.”  On this fun Blue Sky episode, Dr. Merali shares many of these secrets, from

Jul 10, 2024 • 48:25

Teju Ravilochan Describes His Work Bringing Neighbors Together and Why He Believes That, “In Community, We Have Everything We Need.”

Teju Ravilochan Describes His Work Bringing Neighbors Together and Why He Believes That, “In Community, We Have Everything We Need.”

Teju Ravilochan was born in the United States, just two years after his parents came to this country from their native India.  His parents went on to careers in medicine, but only after help from several corners of their adopted community.  Growing up, they taught these lessons to their son, and today Teju is the founder of GatherFor, a non-profit dedicated to the belief that “in community, we have everything we need.”  In this Blue Sky conversation, Teju describes the remarkable and brave work

Jul 3, 2024 • 58:12

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

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

Note for this encore presentation: We’re bringing back this conversation in honor of Immigrant Heritage Month in the United States.  Anh and her family left their home country in the most dramatic of circumstances and in the nearly 50 years since they came to this country, their accomplishments have been extraordinary.   The family of Anh Vu Sawyer were among the small number of South Vietnamese who successfully fled Saigon in the final days and hours of the Vietnam War.  After describing this

Jun 20, 2024 • 47:08

Kate Bean on Embracing Change as the Vehicle for Life’s Journey

Kate Bean on Embracing Change as the Vehicle for Life’s Journey

Kate Bean’s life has been marked by a series of radical changes and transformations.  After founding and running a successful non-profit that launched and oversaw charter schools while leading a national movement towards personalized education Kate decided to make a change.  She retired from her position, tricked out a minivan and headed out so see the country, inspired by Gandhi’s advice that, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”  This remarkable journey

Jun 12, 2024 • 48:39

John Daniel on Optimism, Grit, Love, Loss, Survival, and Pickleball

John Daniel on Optimism, Grit, Love, Loss, Survival, and Pickleball

John Daniel has led a remarkable and inspiring life, marked by challenges that he’s met with grit and resilience.  John’s alcoholic father struggled to find work but his loving mom made sure her nine children always had the support they needed.  John emerged from his childhood to become a successful banking executive with a successful marriage and thriving children.  But following his own diagnosis of a serious heart ailment, his wife developed cancer and passed away.  A few short years later, J

Jun 5, 2024 • 53:54

Pete Davis on Why He Believes So Much in the Importance of Community and Social Capital That He Made and Entire Film About It

Pete Davis on Why He Believes So Much in the Importance of Community and Social Capital That He Made and Entire Film About It

Pete Davis was a young undergraduate college student when he took a class from Professor Robert Putnam.  By this time, Dr. Putnam was an academic celebrity, based largely on the huge success of his seminal work on social capital, Bowling Alone.  In the time since, Pete has made advocating for more civic engagement the focus of his work and in addition to writing the book, Dedicated: The Case for Commitment in An Age of Infinite Browsing, he and his sister have produced a documentary feature film

May 29, 2024 • 51:40

Blue Sky Host Bill Burke Joins the “Well…Adjusting” Podcast as a Guest Expert

Blue Sky Host Bill Burke Joins the “Well…Adjusting” Podcast as a Guest Expert

On the “Well…Adjusting” podcast, author, actor, and funny lady Robin Hopkins is joined each episode by people who are struggling with a wide range of issues, from how to manage stress, set some boundaries, find a new apartment, and save a dime or two.  On occasion, she’ll invite a “guest expert” to join to add their own insights and advice.  For this episode, the person with the challenge is Robin’s wife Mary.  And since she battles with negative – bordering on catastrophic – thinking, Robin dec

May 22, 2024 • 42:33

Throwback/Encore Presentation: Dr. Richard Davidson on the Neuroscience of Well-Being and Human Flourishing

Throwback/Encore Presentation: Dr. Richard Davidson on the Neuroscience of Well-Being and Human Flourishing

Note for this encore presentation: At the time that we celebrated our one year/50th episode in March of 2024, this episode was our most listened to.  We bring it back now as part of The Optimism Institute’s recognition of National Mental Health Month and hope Blue Sky fans will enjoy and benefit from this wise, kind, and experienced professor.    Like most neuroscientists, until a little more than thirty years ago, Dr. Richard “Richie'' researched and studied things that go wrong with th

May 16, 2024 • 53:40

Billy Starr on How He Channeled His Grief to Create the World’s Most Successful Sports Fundraiser, the Pan-Mass Challenge

Billy Starr on How He Channeled His Grief to Create the World’s Most Successful Sports Fundraiser, the Pan-Mass Challenge

Nearly 45 years ago, Billy Starr lost his mother, an uncle, and a cousin, all to cancer.  Looking for a purpose and outlet for his grief, he and a small circle of friends decided to take a long bike ride across most of the state of Massachusetts, while raising money for cancer research.  That first “event,” in 1980, raised just over $10,000.   But that was just beginning, and through the years since, Billy has stayed with this idea, growing it into the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC), which is now the

May 8, 2024 • 49:33

Barrett Takesian Talks About Portland Community Squash and His Passion for Building Social Capital

Barrett Takesian Talks About Portland Community Squash and His Passion for Building Social Capital

Squash – the game, not the vegetable – has long been seen as a “country club” sport.  But Barrett Takesian is on a mission to transform the sport’s reputation while building community in his adopted hometown of Portland, Maine.  For the past 11 years, Barrett has worked to create and build Portland Community Squash, a unique gathering place for people of all ages, backgrounds, and income levels.  While squash is in the organization’s name, and the sport at the center of much of its activity, Por

May 1, 2024 • 47:09

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

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

Daniel Stone explains that today’s politically-polarized environment began taking shape way back in the 1980’s.  Today, he says, we have an increase in what’s been described as “affective biases,” in which people move from disagreeing with the ideas of another, to disliking the person themselves, for having these beliefs.  It’s a dangerous trend, he believes, and among other things, Daniel Stone recommends an “Anti-Polarization Manhattan Project,” and idea that many Blue Sky listeners might want

Apr 24, 2024 • 47:50

Throwback/Encore Presentation: Dan Reicher’s Rationally Optimistic Take on Progress and Potential in the Fight Against Climate Change

Throwback/Encore Presentation: Dan Reicher’s Rationally Optimistic Take on Progress and Potential in the Fight Against Climate Change

One of our most popular episodes of 2023 is back, with this encore presentation, just in time for Earth Day!  Dan Reicher’s interest in and advocacy for environmental protection and clean energy began when he was a child and has continued throughout his life.  In addition to teaching at Stanford University, has served three U.S. presidents, testified before the U.S. Congress more than 50 times, led the launch of Google’s pathbreaking climate and clean energy work, oversaw a $1.2 billion annual c

Apr 18, 2024 • 53:38

Marko Cheseto Describes His Life; From Kenya to Alaska, and From Tragedy to Triumph

Marko Cheseto Describes His Life; From Kenya to Alaska, and From Tragedy to Triumph

Marko Cheseto left his home in Kenya to travel all the way to, of all places, Anchorage, Alaska, where he attended college on a track and field scholarship.  A gifted runner, he achieved many accolades before experiencing a tragedy that resulted in the amputation of both of his legs, below his knees.  He says that as he lay in his hospital bed, he thought, “it was my feet that brought me to America, and now I’ve lost my feet.”  In this Blue Sky episode, Marko tells the remarkable story of how he

Apr 10, 2024 • 47:07

Nathalie Laidler-Kylander on the Virtues and Value of International Philanthropy and Social Entrepreneurship

Nathalie Laidler-Kylander on the Virtues and Value of International Philanthropy and Social Entrepreneurship

Nathalie Laidler-Kylander has a long and distinguished career working in the non-profit, social entrepreneurship and international development sectors.  Since 2021 she has been CEO of Trickle Up, an organization that partners with women in extreme poverty to build economic opportunity and drive inclusion.  On this Blue Sky episode, Nathalie describes the remarkable work of Trickle Up while sharing her optimism for the future of women around the world and her infectious enthusiasm about the power

Apr 3, 2024 • 47:58

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

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

This episode is a master class on sticking with it, no matter what. From our friend Dan Harris on the Ten Percent Happier podcast, we’re joined by Bryan Stevenson, who is a public interest lawyer who has dedicated his career to helping the poor, the incarcerated, and the condemned. He is the author of the bestselling memoir “Just Mercy,” which was made into a feature film, and the subject of an HBO documentary, “True Justice.” In this episode they talk about:  • Bryan’s “non-negotiables,” includ

Mar 27, 2024 • 1:08:58

Throwback/Encore Presentation: Perseverance Personified: YouthBuild USA President and CEO John Valverde

Throwback/Encore Presentation: Perseverance Personified: YouthBuild USA President and CEO John Valverde

One of our most popular – and powerful episodes of 2023 is back, with this encore presentation.  In the Blue Sky conversation, John Valverde describes the impactful work of the organization he leads, YouthBuild USA,  and also shares his own inspiring story of persevering through 16 years in prison to found two non-profits and now lead a third; YouthBuild USA.  John explains how he brings his own lived experience to his leadership role of an organization that helps young people at their own cross

Mar 21, 2024 • 51:59

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

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

Gill Hasson has a wide range of interests and areas of study, exemplified by the fact that she has authored thirty-six different books.  In this Blue Sky episode, she shares her thoughts and advice on everything from the pros and cons of social media, to how to effectively parent at a time when so many kids are struggling, and how we can better deal with people we find to be difficult. (A preview – she says they’re not going to change so this challenge is on us!)

Mar 13, 2024 • 50:10

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.”

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.”

For the 50th episode of Blue Sky, Bill is joined by someone who has completed more than 400 of them.  Bestselling author and TV/podcast host Kelly Corrigan describes to Bill the many things she’s learned in her life and career about optimism and how we all can benefit from life’s setbacks to become better people and forge stronger relationships.  Kelly reflects on lessons she learned from her parents and how facing her own cancer diagnosis and battle with the disease left her with a greater sens

Feb 28, 2024 • 56:24

Alison Jones Webb on Her Book, “Recovery Allies,” and the Importance of Peers, Friends, and Family in Addiction Recovery

Alison Jones Webb on Her Book, “Recovery Allies,” and the Importance of Peers, Friends, and Family in Addiction Recovery

Alison Jones Webb has spent her career studying and working in the public health sector.  Several years ago, a combination of the opioid crisis and a realization that her own extended family had battled various substance use disorders, she decided to turn her attention here and began deeper work into addiction and recovery.  One outgrowth of these efforts is her book, Recovery Allies: How to Support Addiction Recovery and Build Recovery-Friendly Communities.  On this Blue Sky episode, Alison sha

Feb 21, 2024 • 49:52

Throwback/Encore Presentation: “Optimism Is a Superpower,” a Conversation with Life Is Good Co-Founder Bert Jacobs

Throwback/Encore Presentation: “Optimism Is a Superpower,” a Conversation with Life Is Good Co-Founder Bert Jacobs

In this episode, Bert describes how he and his brother grew from a challenging upbringing to create Life is Good, the original positive outlook brand.  He explains why he believes that optimism is a superpower and suggests that in all of history, there’s never been a successful pessimist. Links: Browse Life Is Good here: https://www.lifeisgood.com/

Feb 15, 2024 • 50:42

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

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

Chris Anderson was inspired by the growth of TED once they expanded from being simply a conference company to adding the concept of offering their talks free to the world over the internet.   He’s now calling on us all to “reclaim the internet” and use it as a force for spreading less hate and division and more kindness and generosity.  His new book, Infectious Generosity, lays out clearly the reasons why generosity is good for the world – as well as for us as individuals – then details a plan b

Feb 7, 2024 • 53:42

Dr. Kenneth Harris on Optimism and the Remarkable Power and Positivity Unleashed When We Open Ourselves to the Concept of Synchronicity

Dr. Kenneth Harris on Optimism and the Remarkable Power and Positivity Unleashed When We Open Ourselves to the Concept of Synchronicity

Dr. Kenneth (Ken) Harris is an experienced practitioner of holistic medicine and author of the book, Synchronicity.  In this Blue Sky conversation, Ken describes the subtle but important difference he sees between coincidence and synchronicity and tells why he thinks it’s important for all of us to connect actively with others, leaving ourselves open to the mysterious and positive connections that can be made between people.  As someone who was once clinically dead following a heart attack and h

Jan 31, 2024 • 40:33

Ilze Thielmann on the Inspiring Work of Team TLC, NYC

Ilze Thielmann on the Inspiring Work of Team TLC, NYC

When Ilze Thielmann learned of the steady stream of refugees and asylum seekers entering New York City, she felt compelled to get involved and help.  This led her to connect with, volunteer for, and ultimately take over leadership of an organization called Team TLC.  Here, Ilze and her colleagues greet asylum seekers – many of whom have been sent to New York from the state of Texas – and help them find food, clothing, and shelter.  The organization has grown to now have more than 1,400 names on

Jan 24, 2024 • 50:14

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

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

The life of Jonathan Conyers is full of junctures where it appears he’s not going to make it.  Both of his parents battled addiction to crack cocaine, yet somehow managed to instill in their son a desire to be educated and advance in the world.  As he grows, Jonathan is surrounded by teachers and mentors who take special interest in him and encourage him to reach high, including “Dico,” his transgender debate coach, whose support ultimately alters the trajectory of his life – and Jonathan change

Jan 18, 2024 • 55:29

KM DiColandrea Describes His Passion for Education and How Speech and Debate Can Transform Young People’s Lives

KM DiColandrea Describes His Passion for Education and How Speech and Debate Can Transform Young People’s Lives

KM DiColandrea says he works with young people because he can’t imagine doing anything else.  In high school, he developed a love for speech and debate which has led to a passion for teaching and coaching young people to develop these skills.  We first met KM DiColandrea, aka “DiCo,” in our Blue Sky episode with Jonathan Conyers.  There, we heard of him helping turn around Jonathan’s life at Frederick Douglass High School.  With Jonathan’s help, DiCo went on to co-found the Brooklyn Debate Leagu

Jan 10, 2024 • 50:20

IGNITE CEO Sara Guillermo Describes How Her Organization Trains and Empowers Young Women to Engage With Their Communities, Campaign, and Run for Office

IGNITE CEO Sara Guillermo Describes How Her Organization Trains and Empowers Young Women to Engage With Their Communities, Campaign, and Run for Office

Sara Guillermo’s family immigrated to the United States when she was a small child.  She grew up with an appreciation for this country and a desire to serve that expressed itself as early as the 1st grade, when she ran to be her “classroom organizer.”  From there, she has held several leadership positions and now serves as the CEO of IGNITE, an organization dedicated to train girls and young women with the skills they need to understand how their government works and arm them with the skills the

Jan 3, 2024 • 47:22

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

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

The family of Anh Vu Sawyer were among the small number of South Vietnamese who successfully fled Saigon in the final days and hours of the Vietnam War.  After describing this harrowing ordeal, Anh explains how these events inspired her to lead a life of inspiring service and social entrepreneurship here in the United States.

Dec 20, 2023 • 45:59

Former Microsoft Executive John Wood on Bringing a Growth Mindset to Helping Children and Young Women in the World’s Poorest Countries

Former Microsoft Executive John Wood on Bringing a Growth Mindset to Helping Children and Young Women in the World’s Poorest Countries

In the late 1990’s, John Wood was living a great life.  As a senior executive at Microsoft, his job took him to exotic places and he was experiencing an ideal post-MBA experience.  His life would forever change on a getaway vacation in Nepal, when he had an experience that led him to quit his job and become a social entrepreneur.  Since then, John Wood has created two successful non-profits and has written several books, including Leaving Microsoft to Change the World.  In this Blue Sky episode,

Dec 13, 2023 • 51:00

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

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

David Bornstein has a long history in journalism and founded the Solutions Journalism Network out of his belief that the hard work that people all over the world do to solve tough problems is history’s most under-reported story.  His organization trains journalists around the country on how to pursue and write stories not just about our problems, but also on the encouraging solutions emerging to solve them.  David’s vision is both logical and inspiring, and his efforts are paying off with a gro

Dec 6, 2023 • 51:49

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

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

Matt Ridley’s seminal book, The Rational Optimist, has inspired many since its publication in 2010 and greatly influenced the creation of The Optimism Institute.  In this far-ranging discussion, Matt will describe an early education that he said was steeped in pessimism but how later in life he found that much of what he’d been taught was simply not true.  This led him to set on a nearly evangelical quest to spread the word that interaction and trade between people and nations, including the fre

Nov 29, 2023 • 49:27

Author and Health and Wellness Coach Tracey Gates Explains the Positive Power of Expressing Appreciation

Author and Health and Wellness Coach Tracey Gates Explains the Positive Power of Expressing Appreciation

In her new book, The Power of a Few Kind Words, author Tracey Gates tells the story of how she decided to write a handwritten note of appreciation to someone every day, for an entire year.  365 letters later, she’s concluded that telling people how much you appreciate them can do as much for your own state of mind as it does for the recipients, and she’s encouraging her readers to take up the practice themselves.  While she doesn’t expect anyone else to do this every day, just starting the pract

Nov 22, 2023 • 46:23

Ritah Kabanyoro on the Remarkable Work Being Done to Support Uganda’s Refugee Population

Ritah Kabanyoro on the Remarkable Work Being Done to Support Uganda’s Refugee Population

Ritah Kabanyoro knows what it’s like to go to bed hungry.  Growing up in a household of 20 people, she was used to receiving just one meal a day, until fainting spells alerted others to the malnutrition she was suffering.  After being placed in a private school – and improving her diet, she thrived and today leads Uganda’s chapter of Action Against Hunger.  Ritah’s home country is the largest recipient of refugees in all of Africa.  They come primarily for Sudan and the Democratic Republic of th

Nov 15, 2023 • 47:42

Kevin Adler Discusses His New Book, When We Walk By, and Explains Why He’s Optimistic About Our Ability to End Homelessness in America

Kevin Adler Discusses His New Book, When We Walk By, and Explains Why He’s Optimistic About Our Ability to End Homelessness in America

Kevin Adler grew up with a beloved uncle, Mark, who never forgot to send him a Hallmark card on his birthday.  Over time, Kevin learned that his uncle was unhoused and suffering from schizophrenia.  When Mark died at the age of 50, Kevin decided that working to solve the crisis of homelessness would be his life’s work.  The experience of having a close relative in this predicament made him realize that “everybody is somebody’s somebody,” and deserving of our compassion.  He founded Miracle Messa

Nov 8, 2023 • 51:24

Dr. Howard Koh Describes How Gratitude and Optimism Have Led to a Rewarding Life of Healing and Helping

Dr. Howard Koh Describes How Gratitude and Optimism Have Led to a Rewarding Life of Healing and Helping

Dr. Howard Koh’s story is inspiring. His immigrant parents raised him to be grateful for and contribute to their adopted country.  And he has certainly made his contributions, serving first as a practicing oncologist, then moving into the field of public health.  After treating too many patients who were dying from cancers caused by tobacco use, Howard Koh turned his attention to tobacco cessation, and his determined efforts there resulted in great success.  After serving in the Massachusetts st

Oct 25, 2023 • 48:50

Dr. Adam Mastroianni Explains How Your Brain Has Tricked You Into Thinking That Everything Is Worse

Dr. Adam Mastroianni Explains How Your Brain Has Tricked You Into Thinking That Everything Is Worse

Adam Mastroianni says he likes to “study how people perceive and misperceive their social worlds, from the person sitting across the table to the whole country buzzing around them.”  In this Blue Sky conversation, Dr. Mastroianni describes research he and a colleague conducted that demonstrates that human beings falsely assume that the world used to be better, and that we continue to decline in terms of moral standards and civil behavior.  This cognitive “bug” he has detected can lead us to deve

Oct 18, 2023 • 48:14

LaTosha Brown on the Roots of Her Optimism and How She Applies a Hopeful Approach to Her Challenging Work

LaTosha Brown on the Roots of Her Optimism and How She Applies a Hopeful Approach to Her Challenging Work

LaTosha Brown has been described by many as a “force of nature,” and from the first seconds of this Blue Sky episode, you will understand why.  Raised in Selma, Alabama she grew up surrounded by family members who were at the center of the civil rights movement in the United States.  Being close to grandparents who spent much of their adult lives unable to vote led her to appreciate this franchise and their example continues to inspire her “get out the vote” work today. LaTosha describes being r

Oct 11, 2023 • 53:12

Professor and Author Anita Nowak on the Remarkable Power of Empathy

Professor and Author Anita Nowak on the Remarkable Power of Empathy

Dr. Anita Nowak has made the study of empathy her life’s work and in this Blue Sky conversation she provides her definition of the term and gives numerous examples of the value of empathy in both our personal and work lives.  As someone who teaches, consults, podcasts, and writes about this subject, Anita discusses empathy with persuasive passion and just might change the way you think about how you’d like to move through the world and what ripples you’d like to create as you go.  She also makes

Oct 4, 2023 • 49:08

Margo Walsh Describes Her Drive to Create Innovative Approaches to Help Marginalized People Get Back into the Workplace

Margo Walsh Describes Her Drive to Create Innovative Approaches to Help Marginalized People Get Back into the Workplace

Margo Walsh is an entrepreneur who created MaineWorks, a certified B-Corp that helps people with substance use disorder and/or criminal records find employment in the construction sector.  Her company finds and screens potential employees and through the non-profit she founded with her sister, sets them up for success by making sure that their basic needs for getting back to work are met (e.g., proper clothing, boots, transportation, etc.).   MaineWorks has expanded to other states in New Englan

Sep 27, 2023 • 42:07

Private Equity Professional Sean Legister Describes How His Optimistic Outlook, Thirst for Knowledge, and Appetite for Risk Have Led to Remarkable Opportunities and Achievement

Private Equity Professional Sean Legister Describes How His Optimistic Outlook, Thirst for Knowledge, and Appetite for Risk Have Led to Remarkable Opportunities and Achievement

Sean Legister was raised by a strong single mom who put a premium on his education and set him up for success. After completing his degree and playing two sports at a small liberal arts college, he entered the competitive world of Wall Street and continued to thrive. While building his own career, Sean consistently goes above and beyond to lift others up.  In this episode, Sean describes that while he didn’t benefit from having a father in his life, between his mother and other mentors he’s acti

Sep 20, 2023 • 52:40

 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

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

Today’s Blue Sky guest tells her story from the coast of Maine, but the work she’s doing was inspired by her upbringing in Pennsylvania and has ramifications for the future of coastal communities around the world.  Briana Warner is the CEO of Atlantic Sea Farms and has dedicated her life to doing well by doing good. She is passionate about her adopted home state of Maine and working with partner farmers to help create a more resilient and thriving coast. She and her team have forged a new path f

Sep 13, 2023 • 44:00

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

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

The life of Jonathan Conyers is full of junctures where it appears he’s not going to make it.  Both of his parents battled addiction to crack cocaine, yet somehow managed to instill in their son a desire to be educated and advance in the world.  As he grows, Jonathan is surrounded by teachers and mentors who take special interest in him and encourage him to reach high, including “Dico,” his transgender debate coach, whose support ultimately alters the trajectory of his life – and Jonathan change

Sep 6, 2023 • 54:57

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

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

Dr. Robert Soiffer took an interest in medicine at an early age when he played a physician in his first-grade play.  Today, he is a leading physician, researcher, and teacher at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a world leader in oncology.  In this episode, Dr. Soiffer describes the incredible pace of change in the field of cancer research and treatment and the detection tools and cures that are right around the corner.   He also reflects on how he maintains a positive and optimistic outlook despite

Aug 30, 2023 • 44:00

Kathryn Goetzke on the Power of Hope

Kathryn Goetzke on the Power of Hope

Following a challenging childhood and the tragic death of her father, Kathryn Goetzke decided that the best way to tackle depression and despair is to create reasons for hope.  After studying the issue deeply with experts in psychology, she determined that hope was both teachable and measurable and has made it her life’s work to spread this message.   In 2022, she published The Biggest Little Book About Hope, and continues to be a global mental health ambassador. Kathryn was recently appointed t

Aug 23, 2023 • 50:21

UN Foundation CEO Elizabeth Cousens on the UNF’s Remarkable Work Around the Globe, and Why She’s Optimistic About Our Collective Future

UN Foundation CEO Elizabeth Cousens on the UNF’s Remarkable Work Around the Globe, and Why She’s Optimistic About Our Collective Future

Elizabeth Cousens grew up with an insatiable curiosity about world events.  This early interest has led to a remarkable career of service, including significant roles with the United Nations, both in the New York headquarters and areas of armed conflict like Bosnia and Haiti.  At the United Nations Foundation, she oversees the organization that was formed thanks to Ted Turner’s $1 billion contribution and that today works alongside the United Nations “to collaborate for lasting change and innova

Aug 16, 2023 • 47:33

Alan Patricof: An Optimistic Octogenarian Looks Back on His Life and Ahead to His Goal of Living to 114

Alan Patricof: An Optimistic Octogenarian Looks Back on His Life and Ahead to His Goal of Living to 114

Alan Patricof began his career in venture capital before the industry even had that name.  Since 1969, he’s been seeking out and backing talented entrepreneurs with big ideas and earned his reputation as one of the all-time great investors.  While he’s best known for early bets on such successful companies as Apple, Office Depot, Audible, Axios, and many more, he is also a successful investor in film and live theater productions, including Tony Award winners Leopoldstadt and Hamilton. In his 202

Aug 9, 2023 • 35:53

Eddie Ndopu on “Reimagining Success as a Disabled Achiever”

Eddie Ndopu on “Reimagining Success as a Disabled Achiever”

When Eddie Ndopu was two years old, his mother was told he wouldn’t likely live past five.  Now in his early thirties, Eddie is an internationally-known and Oxford-educated advocate for the rights of the disabled.  In this interview, he shares how his optimistic single mother instilled in Eddie a love of learning and encouraged him to pursue a “life of the mind.”  Today, Eddie is world-renowned and was hand-selected by the UN Secretary General to be one of 17 people selected as an SDG Advocate.

Aug 2, 2023 • 47:27

Steven Pinker and the Case for Data-backed Optimism

Steven Pinker and the Case for Data-backed Optimism

In this wide-ranging conversation, renowned author and professor Steven Pinker describes that while he resists being called an “optimist,” as the label doesn’t necessarily suit his temperament, his deep dives into historical data have convinced him that the world is indeed getting better and has been on a steady trajectory since the days of the Enlightenment, the subject of one of his many acclaimed books.  Dr. Pinker also describes why he believes so many intellectuals resist acknowledging that

Jul 26, 2023 • 41:36

Addiction Recovery: A Father’s Story

Addiction Recovery: A Father’s Story

In this very special episode of Blue Sky, Steve D. tells the remarkable story of his struggle against his son’s severe addiction to alcohol. (Steve is not using his full name here to protect his son’s anonymity.)  While living what he would describe as a near perfect life – great marriage with his high school sweetheart, dream job, five great children – Steve discovers that his youngest child is struggling with an addiction that has driven him to the point of attempting to take his own life.  Al

Jul 19, 2023 • 52:52

Vanessa Cooksey’s Optimistic Take on the Future of the Arts and the Vital Role That Artists Play in Our Communities

Vanessa Cooksey’s Optimistic Take on the Future of the Arts and the Vital Role That Artists Play in Our Communities

Vanessa Cooksey has held a variety of roles at a wide range of organizations — from Cartoon Network to Wells Fargo — and she explains how these all have prepared her to take the helm of the Regional Arts Commission (RAC) of St. Louis.  Vanessa describes in touching detail how a piece of art once literally helped save her life, and how she channels her appreciation for creativity into the work she does today to support the vibrant arts community in St. Louis.  She began her work in the depths of

Jul 12, 2023 • 56:05

Dan Reicher’s Rationally Optimistic Take on Progress and Potential in the Fight Against Climate Change

Dan Reicher’s Rationally Optimistic Take on Progress and Potential in the Fight Against Climate Change

Dan Reicher’s interest in and advocacy for environmental protection and clean energy began when he was a child and has continued throughout his life.  In addition to teaching at Stanford University, has served three U.S. presidents, testified before the U.S. Congress more than 50 times, led the launch of Google’s pathbreaking climate and clean energy work, oversaw a $1.2 billion annual clean energy R&D budget as U.S. Assistant Secretary of Energy, and co-founded the nation’s first investment

Jun 28, 2023 • 52:05

Jeroo Billimoria on Humility, Optimism, and Effecting Social Change

Jeroo Billimoria on Humility, Optimism, and Effecting Social Change

During her upbringing in Mumbai, India, Jeroo Billimoria’s parents taught her to take an active interest in the welfare of everyone in her community.  She was encouraged at the end of every day to ask herself, “How many people have I made smile and how many people have I helped?”  This attitude, combined with a humble leadership style and creative, entrepreneurial spirit has led Jeroo to create a series of successful ventures, primarily targeting the welfare of children.

Jun 21, 2023 • 42:32

Dr. Richard Davidson on the Neuroscience of Well-Being and Human Flourishing

Dr. Richard Davidson on the Neuroscience of Well-Being and Human Flourishing

Like most neuroscientists, until a little more than thirty years ago, Dr. Richard “Richie'' researched and studied things that go wrong with the brain.  But then, in 1992 he visited the Dalai Lama, who challenged him instead to work on understanding what happens to our brains when we practice kindness and compassion.  This conversation changed the trajectory of Richie’s life and career and he will share much of what he’s worked on and learned in the thirty-plus years since.  Among the to

Jun 14, 2023 • 52:48

Amy Sandler on the Virtues and Value of “Caring Personally and Challenging Directly”

Amy Sandler on the Virtues and Value of “Caring Personally and Challenging Directly”

One of the biggest complaints people have about their job is the lack of feedback they receive, both positive and negative.  Amy Sandler and the team Radical Candor believe in the power of “caring personally and challenging directly,” in valuing colleagues in a meaningful way and not being afraid to challenge them openly and honestly.  The Radical Candor company was founded following the success of Kim Scott’s eponymous bestseller and today holds seminars and workshops to train people in the les

Jun 7, 2023 • 57:24

Charles Kenny Explains Why We Should All Be More Optimistic About Global Progress

Charles Kenny Explains Why We Should All Be More Optimistic About Global Progress

Charles Kenny brings to this episode a great depth of knowledge of progress being made around the world and supports his optimistic views with compelling statistics and anecdotes.  As he covers subjects ranging from disease eradication to life expectancy and the cost of basic necessities, Charles explains with infectious enthusiasm why we should take time to appreciate the remarkable progress we continue to make around the world.  Charles does not suggest we rest on our laurels but instead empha

May 31, 2023 • 49:02

Virginia Gleason on Bringing Communities Together to Improve Law Enforcement and Public Safety

Virginia Gleason on Bringing Communities Together to Improve Law Enforcement and Public Safety

Virginia Gleason has spent her career working on improving law enforcement and public safety.  She comes to this work not out of a desire to put bad people behind bars or even simply to keep our streets safe, but rather as she says, “to impact the quality of people’s lives and reduce suffering.”  Virginia offers an optimistic take on the future of policing and public safety with an emphasis on improving the data collection and transparent dissemination of information related to police encounters

May 24, 2023 • 57:05

Teresa Chahine on the Power and Potential of Social Entrepreneurship

Teresa Chahine on the Power and Potential of Social Entrepreneurship

After studying and working on public health issues, both in Lebanon and the United States, Teresa Chahine wanted to move from identifying and understanding societal problems to trying to fix them. While at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health she was exposed to the teaching of social entrepreneurship “across the river” at the university’s business school.  Inspired by the promise of this relatively new discipline, she created her own course on the subject at the Chan School and now has wr

May 17, 2023 • 45:47

Creating Hope in the Midst of Hate: Oren Segal of ADL’s Center on Extremism

Creating Hope in the Midst of Hate: Oren Segal of ADL’s Center on Extremism

Growing up in New York with a particular interest in “the dark side” of human nature, Oren Segal has channeled that curiosity into a career spent providing resources, expertise and training which enables law enforcement, public officials and internet and technology companies to identify and counter emerging threats.  Oren approaches this challenging work with intense dedication and an inspiring sense of hope and optimism. Learn More About Oren Segal and ADL: https://www.adl.org/  https://www.a

May 10, 2023 • 48:08

Dominique Wright on Her Optimistic Journey from the Navy, to the NFL, to NIL

Dominique Wright on Her Optimistic Journey from the Navy, to the NFL, to NIL

Dominique Wright describes a childhood of “humble beginnings,” complete with a series of forced moves and an eviction.  But she says that the positive mindset instilled by her mom helped her persevere through these tough early years to graduate from the US Naval Academy and serve as an officer, earn a law degree, and work at the NFL Players Association and the league’s business and legal affairs department.  Today, Dominique is the founder and CEO of a technology marketing startup, serving colle

May 3, 2023 • 52:21

Kevin Kelly on His New Book and His Long-Held Belief That, “Over the Long Term, the Future Is Decided by Optimists.”

Kevin Kelly on His New Book and His Long-Held Belief That, “Over the Long Term, the Future Is Decided by Optimists.”

The legendary Kevin Kelly shares his optimistic views on technology and our collective future.  As someone who was building online communities as early as the 1980’s and helped create Wired magazine in 1993, Kevin has seen it all, and his fascinating insights and predictions on subjects including social media and artificial intelligence are based on years of hands-on experience.  He and Bill also discuss some of their favorite excerpts from Kevin’s great new book, Excellent Advice for Living: Wi

Apr 26, 2023 • 52:20

Tim Schurrer on Redefining Success by Moving From a “Spotlight Mindset” to Helping Others Win

Tim Schurrer on Redefining Success by Moving From a “Spotlight Mindset” to Helping Others Win

Following his early years as a musician and chasing dreams of becoming “the next John Mayer,” Tim Schurrer went on to a successful career building teams and powerful brands.  We know that one of the most common barriers to an optimistic outlook is dissatisfaction at work and in this episode, Tim describes his realization that great things happen when we shift our focus from climbing the ladder to helping others be successful.

Apr 19, 2023 • 44:40

Perseverance Personified: YouthBuild USA President and CEO John Valverde

Perseverance Personified: YouthBuild USA President and CEO John Valverde

John Valverde describes the impactful work of the organization he leads, YouthBuild USA, and also shares his own inspiring story of persevering through 16 years in prison to found two non-profits and now lead a third; YouthBuild USA.  John explains how he brings his own lived experience to his leadership role of an organization that helps young people at their own crossroads change the trajectory of their life. Learn More About John and YouthBuild USA: https://youthbuild.org/

Apr 12, 2023 • 50:11

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

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

Rob Watson talks about how he emerged from a challenged school system in New York, graduated from Harvard College, served in the Peace Corps, and later earned two master’s degrees.  He explains what drives him to work so hard — and with so much hope — to achieve equity in opportunities for public school by teaching master’s candidates at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and by supporting innovative collaborative action programs around the country, including in his hometown of Poughkeepsi

Apr 5, 2023 • 51:01

David Novak on the Role of Optimism in How Leaders Lead

David Novak on the Role of Optimism in How Leaders Lead

David Novak has had a remarkably successful career and one that was defined by his boundless enthusiasm and contagious sense of optimism.  He describes in this episode that he’s never come across a leader who wasn’t an optimist and reflects on why he thinks this is the case.  He also discusses the inspiring work he’s been doing since leaving his job at the top of Yum! Brands, where he was widely considered to be one of the top CEO’s in the world. Learn More About David: https://howleaderslead.c

Mar 29, 2023 • 54:24

The “Win-Win-Win” of Second Chance Hiring, with Jeff Korzenik

The “Win-Win-Win” of Second Chance Hiring, with Jeff Korzenik

Jeff Korzenik, the chief economist at a major US bank, explains how predicting a labor shortage in the US led him to discover the growing movement around “second chance” hiring of people with criminal records. His passion for this work led him to write “Untapped Talent,” a book that explains to companies the benefits of this type of hiring and offers a blueprint of how best to do it. Jeff describes how second chance hiring can transform lives and communities. Check out Jeff’s book, “

Mar 22, 2023 • 54:43

“Optimism is a Superpower,” a Conversation With Life is Good Co-Founder Bert Jacobs

“Optimism is a Superpower,” a Conversation With Life is Good Co-Founder Bert Jacobs

In this episode, Bert describes how he and his brother grew from a challenging upbringing to create Life is Good, the original positive outlook brand. He explains why he believes that optimism is a superpower and suggests that in all of history, there’s never been a successful pessimist. Browse Life is Good here! : https://www.lifeisgood.com/

Mar 15, 2023 • 50:07

Dr. Tami Benton on Reasons to Stay Hopeful About Youth Mental Health

Dr. Tami Benton on Reasons to Stay Hopeful About Youth Mental Health

Dr. Benton discusses how she came to choose to work with young people and their families and why she’s never been more optimistic about the future of child and adolescent mental healthcare in this country. She shares her thoughts about the pros and cons of social media, the impact of the pandemic on young people and the value of outdoor activities for a children’s psyches. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences is describ

Mar 8, 2023 • 54:01

Future Crunch Founders on Why They Choose Optimism

Future Crunch Founders on Why They Choose Optimism

Tané Hunter and Dr. Angus (Gus) Hervey are the co-founders of Future Crunch, an Australia-based organization that provides intelligent, optimistic thinking about the future. In their conversation with Bill, Tané and Gus cover such topics as the future of green energy, the pros and cons of AI and ChatGPT, and what they see as some of the most inspiring but under-reported stories from around the world. Find Future Crunch’s newsletter at this link, and browse their full site! https://futurecr

Mar 1, 2023 • 58:54

Optimism Over Doom, a Climate Conversation with Marcy Franck

Optimism Over Doom, a Climate Conversation with Marcy Franck

Marcy shares her view that we need to stay hopeful and optimistic about our ability to impact the rate and effects of climate change. She explains why climate doom is the new climate denial and describes how she thinks we should educate young people about the climate and their future. Sign up for The Climate Optimist at https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/c-change/climateoptimist/ And find the “Rewiring America” calculator here: https://www.rewiringamerica.org/app/ira-calculator

Mar 1, 2023 • 45:06

Motley Fool’s David Gardner on Optimism and Investing, Entrepreneurship, and More

Motley Fool’s David Gardner on Optimism and Investing, Entrepreneurship, and More

David Gardner discusses a wide range of topics, from the relationship between optimism and entrepreneurship to developing an investment strategy with an eye towards your own positive vision for the future, to David’s outsized love for, of all things, board games! Check out The Motley Fool at www.fool.com And Steven Pinker’s TED talk referenced in the interview is here: https://www.ted.com/talks/steven_pinker_is_the_world_getting_better_or_worse_a_look_at_the_numbers?language=en

Mar 1, 2023 • 1:02:45

Introducing the Blue Sky podcast, presented by The Optimism Institute and hosted by Bill Burke

Introducing the Blue Sky podcast, presented by The Optimism Institute and hosted by Bill Burke

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.

Feb 7, 2023 • 1:01

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