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

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