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  • Climate Optimism: How to Stay Hopeful Without Looking Away — with Anne Therese Gennari

    Climate Optimism: How to Stay Hopeful Without Looking Away — with Anne Therese Gennari
    Jul 15 2026
    What if optimism about climate change isn't naive — but necessary? In this episode of Blue Sky, Anne Therese Gennari, TEDx speaker and author of The Climate Optimist Handbook, shares the breakdown that led to her breakthrough: how years as an "angry activist" left her burned out and disconnected, until a single emotional collapse revealed her real mission — teaching climate optimism as a daily practice, not a personality trait. Anne Therese makes the case that fear-based climate messaging doesn't change behavior — it triggers the same fight-or-flight response as encountering a bear in the woods. Instead, she offers a different approach: trading shame and guilt for curiosity and invitation, and shifting from "minimizing our negative impact" to "maximizing our positive one." She and host Bill Burke also dig into the psychology of optimism, the surprising data on optimists' success and longevity, and what it's been like for her to raise two young children — including a daughter who hugs trees on sight — while holding onto hope for their future. This conversation is a reminder that the future isn't fixed. It's being written today, one mindset shift at a time. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Climate Optimism 01:54 From Climate Anxiety to Optimism 06:30 Optimism as a Catalyst for Action 09:47 Rethinking Climate Communication 13:20 Inspiring Climate Solutions 18:54 Parenting and Inner Transformation 22:33 Nurturing Love for Nature in Children 27:26 Hey Change Podcast and its Mission 31:33 Evolving Climate Narratives and Future Plans 37:04 Conclusion and Resources
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    39 Min.
  • How to Use AI to Become More Human, Not Less — with Dr. Mark Bloomfield

    How to Use AI to Become More Human, Not Less — with Dr. Mark Bloomfield
    Jul 8 2026
    If even the letters "A-I" are enough to spike your anxiety, this episode is for you. In this conversation, host Bill Burke sits down with Dr. Mark Bloomfield — a Cambridge Judge Business School fellow who has spent over 15 years applying artificial intelligence to real business challenges, long before ChatGPT made it a household name. Marc's career is a story of reinvention: a colorblind teenager whose dream of flying gave way to a PhD with Airbus, and eventually to advising boards at companies like Vodafone, Unilever, and Pfizer on their AI transformation. Along the way, he's developed a refreshingly grounded, optimistic philosophy about how everyday people can engage with AI — starting small, staying curious, and using these tools to amplify what makes us human rather than replace it. From treating AI anxiety like a fear of flying, to his weekly "AI amnesty" walks, to raising AI-savvy kids ("water always finds a way — so train them to become a plumber"), Mark offers a practical, hopeful roadmap for a technology that isn't going anywhere. In this episode: Why getting started with AI on something small and familiar builds confidence and literacy How to avoid "metacognitive laziness" and use AI to sharpen — not outsource — your thinking The honest truth about AI and jobs, and why human skills may become the real differentiator What "the uncertainty advantage" means, and the four lessons piloting through turbulence teaches us How to raise kids who use AI intentionally without losing the value of learning on their own Why governance, trust, and transparency are the keys to AI that benefits society Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Mark Bloomfield 02:04 Career Path and Aviation 05:24 The Evolution of AI 09:46 Approaching AI with Optimism 15:08 Using AI to Enhance Humanity 19:09 AI's Impact on Jobs and Governance 25:01 Untold Stories and Future of AI 29:21 The Uncertainty Advantage 32:30 Building and Using Voice Agents 38:08 Parenting in the AI World 42:29 Conclusion and Resources
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    45 Min.
  • Second Chances That Work: How Margo Walsh Is Transforming Lives Through Employment — and Changing Business in the Process — A Special Encore Presentation of Blue Sky

    Second Chances That Work: How Margo Walsh Is Transforming Lives Through Employment — and Changing Business in the Process — A Special Encore Presentation of Blue Sky
    Jun 24 2026
    Margo Walsh is an entrepreneur on a mission to prove that second chances are good for business. As founder of MaineWorks — a certified B-Corp — she has built a model that connects people with substance use disorder and/or criminal records to meaningful employment in the construction sector, tackling two of society's most persistent challenges at once. MaineWorks doesn't just find jobs for people — it sets them up to succeed. Through the non-profit she co-founded with her sister, Margo ensures that returning workers have what they need to show up and thrive: like proper clothing, boots, transportation, and the basic building blocks of a fresh start. What began in Maine has grown into a regional movement, expanding across New England and serving as a replicable blueprint for companies and communities across the country. Margo's work has earned widespread recognition and multiple awards — and in this episode, she shares what it was like to attend a State of the Union address as a senator's guest, a testament to the national impact of her vision. This is a story about optimism in action — and what becomes possible when we invest in people others have written off. Chapters: 00:00 Employing the Unemployable 02:13 Maineworks: A Staffing Agency with a Mission 05:42 Recruitment and Retention Challenges 09:10 Margo's Passion and Mission 13:42 United Recovery Fund: Addressing Basic Needs 17:10 Expansion and Industry Focus 20:01 Supporting New Americans 23:26 Navigating Systems and Maximizing Value 27:00 Engaging Business for Social Impact 31:26 The Value of B Corp Status 34:14 State of the Union and Future Aspirations 39:58 Optimism and Call to Action
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    42 Min.
  • Your Brain on Nature: Dr. Marc Berman on the Surprising Science of Nature's Impact on Attention Restoration and Optimism

    Your Brain on Nature: Dr. Marc Berman on the Surprising Science of Nature's Impact on Attention Restoration and Optimism
    Jun 17 2026

    What if one of the most powerful tools for restoring your mental health, sharpening your focus, and cultivating optimism has been outside your door all along? In this episode of Blue Sky, neuroscientist Marc Berman — pioneer of the field of environmental neuroscience and author of Nature and the Mind — shares groundbreaking research on how nature literally rewires the brain.

    From his path to coining "environmental neuroscience" to surprising findings about what even a simple walk in the park can do for your attention and mood, Marc reveals the science behind something we've always intuitively felt — that time in nature just makes us feel better. And now we know why.

    In a world of constant digital stimulation and screen fatigue, this episode offers both a scientific framework and a simple, hopeful prescription.

    Chapters:

    00:00 Introduction to Environmental Neuroscience
    02:19 Mind-Body Connection and Neuroscience
    05:08 Attention Restoration Theory Explained
    10:19 Screens vs. Nature: Attention Depletion
    16:21 The 'Walk in the Park' Study
    22:45 Unplugging for Mental Clarity
    32:04 Trees, Health, and Urban Planning
    42:47 Nature's Role in Optimism and Flourishing
    52:50 Conclusion and Call to Action

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    55 Min.
  • Is the World Getting Better? The Economic Evidence Says Yes — An Encore Presentation with Charles Kenny

    Is the World Getting Better? The Economic Evidence Says Yes — An Encore Presentation with Charles Kenny
    Jun 10 2026

    What if the relentlessly negative news cycle is giving us a distorted picture of reality? In this episode of Blue Sky, Charles Kenny from the Center for Global Development makes a compelling, data-driven case that the world is truly getting better — in ways most of us rarely hear about.

    From dramatic reductions in global poverty and child mortality to rising living standards across the developing world, Charles unpacks the economic evidence that challenges our collective pessimism. He explores how technological advancements and shifting global perspectives are quietly reshaping human welfare for the better — and why that story isn't getting told.

    If you've ever felt overwhelmed by doom and gloom, this episode is your antidote.

    Chapters:

    00:00 Welcome Charles Kenny
    01:57 Global Progress in Development
    05:00 Drivers of Global Progress
    08:11 Technology & Standard of Living
    12:32 COVID-19 Vaccine Development
    16:24 The Upside of Global Catch-Up
    21:14 Poverty, Peace, and Happiness
    27:52 Revisiting Malthusian Predictions
    33:02 People as the Solution, Not Problem
    38:08 Education and Global Tolerance
    43:58 The Moral Imperative of Optimism

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    49 Min.
  • Optimist Economy Co-Host Kathryn Anne Edwards on Why America's Best Economy Is Still Ahead

    Optimist Economy Co-Host Kathryn Anne Edwards on Why America's Best Economy Is Still Ahead
    Jun 3 2026

    Kathryn Anne Edwards, a labor economist and co-host of Optimist Economy, discusses economic optimism, career paths, and the impact of policy on the American economy. She shares her insights on the job market and AI, and explains how her work is motivated by a belief in the importance of investing in children and families to build a stronger economic future. She argues for strategic public spending and challenges common economic narratives.

    Chapters:

    00:00 Introduction to Katherine Anne Edwards
    02:16 From Diplomacy to Economics
    06:36 The Genesis of Optimist Economy
    11:06 AI, Jobs, and Economic Policy
    17:08 Self-Centered Economic Policies
    21:24 Investing in Children and Childcare
    30:55 Optimism as a Demand for Better
    35:47 Myths of Generations and Economic Blame
    43:53 Finding Optimism in Solutions

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    47 Min.
  • ENCORE PRESENTATION: Dr. Adam Mastroianni Explains How Your Brain Has Tricked You Into Thinking That Everything Is Worse

    ENCORE PRESENTATION: Dr. Adam Mastroianni Explains How Your Brain Has Tricked You Into Thinking That Everything Is Worse
    May 27 2026
    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 develop a more pessimistic view of the world and also leaves us more susceptible to believe in the message of autocrats who promise to take us back to a time when the world – and people – were somehow better than they are today. Adam's insights are fascinating, as are the techniques he uses in his research, and he explains his findings and observations with great wit and wisdom. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Adam Mastroianni The host introduces Dr. Adam Mastroianni, an experimental psychologist and author of 'Experimental History,' who will discuss a curious psychological phenomenon. 03:08 The Illusion of Decline: A Mental Bug Dr. Mastroianni explains his research on why people perceive the world as getting worse, even when it's improving. He attributes this to two phenomena: negativity bias, which makes us focus on bad information, and fading affect bias, where bad memories fade faster than good ones. 06:38 Historical Perception and Global Trends The discussion delves into how this 'bug' affects perceptions of the past, even before one's birth, creating a 'good old days' illusion. Research from 60 different countries shows a consistent belief in moral decline, suggesting it's a universal psychological tendency rather than event-driven. 11:09 Ignorance of History and Political Divide The conversation explores whether a lack of historical awareness contributes to the illusion of decline. Dr. Mastroianni and the host discuss how historical events, like the caning of Senator Charles Sumner, put current political divides in perspective, highlighting that 'unprecedented' times are often precedented. 15:45 Political Ramifications and Research Methods The host and Dr. Mastroianni discuss how the belief in moral decline can be exploited by autocrats promising to restore a non-existent past. Dr. Mastroianni details his research methods, including economic games and surveys across cultures, to demonstrate how people consistently misperceive a decline in qualities like honesty, even when evidence suggests the opposite. 23:59 Media, Confirmation Bias, and Satisfaction The conversation shifts to the role of media and confirmation bias in reinforcing negative perceptions. Dr. Mastroianni introduces the concept that people often imagine how things could be better, even excellent things like pets, contributing to a constant state of dissatisfaction and driving consumer culture. 33:01 Optimism, Technology, and Research Directions The host asks if the 'things could be better' mindset offers a glimmer of optimism, even if it often fuels dissatisfaction. They briefly touch upon technology, like AI, as a new area where people project both extreme hopes and fears, and Dr. Mastroianni discusses his future research, focusing on meta-science and finding a unifying paradigm for psychology. 37:57 Debunking Myths and Embracing the Unknown Dr. Mastroianni emphasizes that much of what we believe in science is likely wrong, and open discourse is crucial for progress, dispelling the myth that 'everything has been invented.'
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    48 Min.
  • Risa August Describes Her Path From Perfectionist to Patient, and How She Faced a Devastating Diagnosis With Grit, Resilience, and Optimism

    Risa August Describes Her Path From Perfectionist to Patient, and How She Faced a Devastating Diagnosis With Grit, Resilience, and Optimism
    May 20 2026
    Once an ironman athlete and perfectionist, Risa August faced a devastating diagnosis that stripped away her former life. This is the story of how she found new purpose and adventure, transforming her approach to life, from rigid achievement to joyful discovery, even with her unexpected companion, "Bubba," her brain tumor. Chapters: 00:00 From Extreme Achiever to Illness Host Bill Burke introduces Risa August, an adventurous woman who once excelled in extreme sports, asking, "Is there anything you can't do?" Risa describes her past as an intense overachiever and perfectionist, pushing limits in Ironman, mountain climbing, and hot yoga, always striving to be better than others and maintaining a rigid lifestyle. 03:51 The Diagnosis of Acromegaly Risa recounts the onset of strange symptoms after her first Ironman in 2010, including significant weight gain despite a strict diet and increasing fatigue. After years of doctors dismissing her concerns, she insisted on an MRI, which revealed an enlarged pituitary and led to her diagnosis of acromegaly, a serious condition she had never heard of before. 11:09 Choosing Adventure Over Despair Faced with a devastating diagnosis and a challenging life, Risa decided not to break down but to break out, committing to her adventures despite doctors' warnings about what she could no longer do. She realized she would never be her old self, so she focused on "who can I be then?" and made a conscious decision to truly live life on her own terms. 14:00 The Road Unpaved and Bubba Risa found a new purpose in a cross-country bicycle journey along the Pacific Coast Highway, a trip she committed to doing on her own terms after reflecting on her past perfectionism. She also named her brain tumor 'Bubba' as a way to connect with her changing body, turning him into a central character and partner in her healing journey and the book. 21:29 Gestalt Therapy and Connection Risa discusses how her Gestalt therapy training, which she underwent during her diagnosis, provided a crucial support network and helped her become a more patient, compassionate, and curious practitioner. She also emphasizes the importance of deep, personal connection and active listening, a lesson she learned on her bike tour by giving others a chance and finding unexpected commonalities. 30:13 The CAN Framework Risa shares her 'CAN' framework—Capable, Able, Now—which she developed after feeling stuck post-surgery and questioning her purpose. This mantra helped her simplify the complex challenges she faced, prompting her to ask, "What am I capable and able to do now, in this moment?" 35:29 Living a Full Life Now Risa openly discusses the progression of her acromegaly and its physical toll, yet she maintains a strong mindset, dedicated to inspiring others to live full lives. She now finds joy in simple things, like perusing a farmer's market, and doesn't worry about disappointing others by not always seeking the 'next big thing.'
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    41 Min.