Blayne Smith and Brandon Young are two US Army combat veterans who came together in civilian life to start their... more

This episode explores the work of Echoing Green, an international non-profit that invests in social entrepreneurs and their dreams and... more

In this very special edition of “the mini podcast with major optimism,” host Bill Burke confesses to falling off the... more

David McCullough got the idea for The American Exchange Project (AEP) after a cross-country trip showed him how diverse and... more

While studying acting in college, Erica Halverson decided that while she loved the theater, being on stage would not be... more

When Earl B. Hunter’s son was seven years old, he took him on three-month, multi-state camping.  It was a positive,... more

On this month’s installment of “A Bit of Blue Sky,” and in honor of National Optimism Month, host Bill Burke... more

Sal Khan is one of the great innovators in education and in this Blue Sky episode, he discusses his book,... more

Leslie and Richard Strauss are a husband-and-wife team who oversee Spirit Series, an innovative educational program in which young students... more

Business school professor and author Amy Edmondson shares her views on how we can make our workplace more productive, enriching,... more

On this installment of “A Bit of Blue Sky,” host Bill Burke describes five books he recommends that will help... more

Neal Foard is an accomplished marketing expert and storyteller. On this episode, Neal describes why, after helping build household name... more

In this Blue Sky episode, Zach Karabell describes how the roots of his optimistic worldview come from his deep understanding... more

Daniel Pink joins Blue Sky for a lively and wide-ranging discussion.  He describes the importance of what he sees as... more

Chloe Valdary shares her unique way of thinking about – and training others – in the field of diversity and... more

Bill Burke hosts this first-ever installment of “A Bit of Blue Sky.”  In this shorter episode, Bill explains that on... more

This is an encore presentation of the 50th episode of Blue Sky, when Bill was joined by someone who has... more

Don Carpenter has spent the bulk of his career working on youth development.  Today he’s executive director of the Rural... more

When Olivia Clarke was first diagnosed with cancer and began treatment, she looked for ways to keep her spirits up... more

November is Gratitude Month at the Optimism Institute and this episode wraps up our celebration while kicking off Thanksgiving weekend. ... more

Kevin Adler grew up with a beloved uncle, Mark, who never forgot to send him a Hallmark card on his... more

In a culture that celebrates competence and achievement, we often label people struggling to get things done as “lazy,” “disorganized,”... more

Melissa Connelly had a rocky start to her high school career, being placed in her school’s truancy program after missing... more

Jamie Metzl is one of the world’s leading authorities on the implications of the intersecting AI, genetics, and biotechnology revolutions... more

This is a special encore presentation of the very first episode of Blue Sky!  This conversation with David Gardner first... more

Today, Lee Ellis is an acclaimed and accomplished author and leadership coach.  But in 1967, while flying a combat mission... more

Theodore (Ted) R. Johnson served twenty years in the United States Navy before becoming a columnist and author.  His latest... more

Lee Woodruff and her husband Bob were, in many ways, on top of the world.  She was with her children... more

This is a special encore edition of an episode which first aired in March of 2023.  In the time since... more

Known in the science community primarily for her work as a geneticists and epidemiologist with a focus on oncology, Immaculata... more

The husband and wife team of Mary Louise and Bruce Cohen have impressive backgrounds in law and government and for... more

At a time in her life that should have been one of her happiest – just prior to her wedding... more

Dr. Liz Henry is highly-regarded professional in the fields of pediatrics and parenting and in this Blue Sky conversation, she... more

Note for Encore Presentation:  This episode originally dropped in April of 2023 and in the time since, you’ve no doubt... more

Alexandra “Lexi” Hudson was raised by a philosopher father and a mother who is a recognized manners expert.  As a... more

Tim Fitzpatrick learned about healthcare the hard way, as a long-term inpatient undergoing a battery of surgeries to address injuries... more

Raul Espinoza’s father had many talents, but an equal number of demons.  He struggled with addiction and was abusive to... more

Note for this encore presentation: While much of our discussion centered on Professor Pinker’s views on how the world continues... more

Dr. Hasan Merali came to admire toddlers when he began working with kids in a hospital emergency department.  Seeing their... more

Teju Ravilochan was born in the United States, just two years after his parents came to this country from their... more

Note for this encore presentation: We’re bringing back this conversation in honor of Immigrant Heritage Month in the United States. ... more

Kate Bean’s life has been marked by a series of radical changes and transformations.  After founding and running a successful... more

John Daniel has led a remarkable and inspiring life, marked by challenges that he’s met with grit and resilience.  John’s... more

Pete Davis was a young undergraduate college student when he took a class from Professor Robert Putnam.  By this time,... more

On the “Well…Adjusting” podcast, author, actor, and funny lady Robin Hopkins is joined each episode by people who are struggling... more

Note for this encore presentation: At the time that we celebrated our one year/50th episode in March of 2024, this... more

Nearly 45 years ago, Billy Starr lost his mother, an uncle, and a cousin, all to cancer.  Looking for a... more

Squash – the game, not the vegetable – has long been seen as a “country club” sport.  But Barrett Takesian... more

Daniel Stone explains that today’s politically-polarized environment began taking shape way back in the 1980’s.  Today, he says, we have... more

One of our most popular episodes of 2023 is back, with this encore presentation, just in time for Earth Day! ... more

Marko Cheseto left his home in Kenya to travel all the way to, of all places, Anchorage, Alaska, where he... more

Nathalie Laidler-Kylander has a long and distinguished career working in the non-profit, social entrepreneurship and international development sectors.  Since 2021... more

This episode is a master class on sticking with it, no matter what. From our friend Dan Harris on the... more

One of our most popular – and powerful episodes of 2023 is back, with this encore presentation.  In the Blue... more

Gill Hasson has a wide range of interests and areas of study, exemplified by the fact that she has authored... more

For the 50th episode of Blue Sky, Bill is joined by someone who has completed more than 400 of them. ... more

Alison Jones Webb has spent her career studying and working in the public health sector.  Several years ago, a combination... more

In this episode, Bert describes how he and his brother grew from a challenging upbringing to create Life is Good,... more

Chris Anderson was inspired by the growth of TED once they expanded from being simply a conference company to adding... more

Dr. Kenneth (Ken) Harris is an experienced practitioner of holistic medicine and author of the book, Synchronicity.  In this Blue... more