Episodi

  • Navy Pilot, Magician, Stand-Up Comic, and Nonprofit Founder Julie Roland Shares Her Optimistic View on How the Arts Can Build Community

    Navy Pilot, Magician, Stand-Up Comic, and Nonprofit Founder Julie Roland Shares Her Optimistic View on How the Arts Can Build Community
    Feb 18 2026
    Julie Roland's background is impressive and remarkably varied. She's a retired naval aviator, a stand-up comic, a law school graduate, a political staffer, and founder of the community-building nonprofit Just Tryna Make Friends. In this Blue Sky episode, Julie spreads her infectious optimism about how the arts can be used to connect people at a time when so many forces are pulling us apart. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Julie Roland Bill Burke introduces Julie Roland, highlighting her diverse background as a Navy Lieutenant Commander, helicopter pilot, and founder of a community-building nonprofit. Julie shares how 'The West Wing' inspired her patriotism and Harry Potter sparked her interest in flying and magic, leading her to ROTC and a career in the Navy. 05:00 Just Trying to Make Friends Julie discusses the genesis of her nonprofit, Just Tryna Make Friends, which she co-founded to foster community and promote the arts. She explains how the organization grew from backyard shows into a larger movement, especially after COVID-19 heightened the need for connection and live performances. 11:24 The Power of Art and Connection Julie elaborates on her broad definition of art and why it effectively brings people together, emphasizing vulnerability and authentic expression. She describes the diverse acts featured at 'Just Tryna Make Friends' shows, from music and comedy to fire sword dancing and crochet, all aimed at creating a welcoming stage for creative expression. 17:04 Restoring Faith in Humanity through Art Julie reflects on how art restores her faith in humanity, highlighting its unique ability to inspire wonder and beauty. She describes the grassroots setup of 'Just Tryna Make Friends' shows, designed to be free, accessible, and foster a childlike sense of community and connection among strangers. 25:57 Creative Outlets in the Navy Julie shares how she integrated her playful and creative side, including magic and music, into her regimented Navy career, even performing on aircraft carriers. She recounts anecdotes like painting a mural in her squadron and doing magic tricks for admirals, showcasing her consistent pursuit of creative outlets. 35:30 Future Endeavors and Community Engagement Julie discusses her future plans, including potentially taking the bar exam and her current role as a District Director for a New York State government official, focusing on community engagement.
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    47 min
  • Dr. Jennifer Wong on Connecting Older Adults Through the Remarkable Nonprofit, Life Story Club

    Dr. Jennifer Wong on Connecting Older Adults Through the Remarkable Nonprofit, Life Story Club
    Feb 11 2026
    Older Americans are struggling with social isolation more than ever. This can lead to challenges with mental and physical health as people age, and one nonprofit is having great success trying to do something about it. Life Story Club uses scheduled Zoom and phone calls form members to share stories about their past, present, and plans for their future. In this Blue Sky conversation, interim director and geriatric specialist Dr. Jennifer Wong describes how this life-changing organization operates. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome and Jennifer's Background The episode introduces Blue Sky and its focus on optimism, then introduces guest Dr. Jennifer Wong. Dr. Wong shares her journey into experimental psychology and her passion for supporting older adults and those with disabilities, which stems from personal experiences with family health challenges. 05:00 Life Story Club's Mission Jennifer explains how she connected with the Life Story Club and describes its simple yet effective model. The club gathers older adults virtually each week to share life stories, aiming to combat social isolation and loneliness in a vulnerable population. 10:25 Story Rx Program and Partnerships Jennifer details the Story Rx program, a unique initiative where medical professionals can prescribe Life Story Club to patients. This program allows for powerful partnerships with leading healthcare institutions like Cleveland Clinic and Montefiore, leveraging medical data to track the program's effectiveness in improving patient well-being. 15:22 Facilitator's Impact and Wisdom The discussion highlights the profound impact facilitators have and the valuable insights they gain from older adults' stories. Facilitators, who are paid professionals, often share their own vulnerabilities, fostering deep connections and mutual support within the clubs, which also incorporate geographical and linguistic considerations. 22:34 Intergenerational Perspective and Progress Jennifer and Bill discuss how older adults' stories provide invaluable historical perspective, reminding younger generations of societal progress and the non-linear nature of change. These narratives offer optimism and a reminder that current challenges, while significant, have historical precedents that were overcome. 27:43 Data and Family Connection Jennifer shares the impressive data collected from Life Story Club participants, showing significant improvements in loneliness, belonging, and mood. The conversation also emphasizes how the club's story recording feature provides a precious gift to families, reconnecting them with their elders' unheard stories and fostering intergenerational connection. 35:20 Growth and Future Outlook Life Story Club is actively working on expanding its reach beyond New York, developing a working group for communities interested in replicating the model. They welcome partnerships with healthcare organizations and individual donors to meet the growing need for older adult support and enhance life for longer-living populations.
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    47 min
  • Lynda Ulrich and Liesl Ulrich-Verderber on Optimism and Their Drive to Create the Goodness Exchange

    Lynda Ulrich and Liesl Ulrich-Verderber on Optimism and Their Drive to Create the Goodness Exchange
    Feb 4 2026
    Lynda Ulrich and her daughter Liesl Ulrich-Verderber are the mother-daughter team behind the Goodness Exchange, a global positive-news platform founded in 2014 to help people cut through today's negative nose with research-backed, solutions-focused storytelling. On this Blue Sky episode, they describe how they came to their optimistic outlooks at different stages of their lives and have managed to work together to create a remarkable platform for hopeful and uplifting stories. Chapters: 00:00 Are Optimists Born or Made? Bill Burke introduces the mother-daughter team, Dr. Lynda Ulrich and Liesl Ulrich-Verderber, co-founders of The Goodness Exchange. Lynda shares how a childhood tragedy, coupled with her parents' optimistic worldview, led her to choose to see the good in the world from a young age. 04:22 From Jaded to Optimist Liesl describes her journey from a 'jaded Harvard student' to an optimist, influenced by working with her mother on The Goodness Exchange's positive content. Lynda discusses how she encouraged her children to 'change their state' and choose their perspective when facing adversity, modeling this through their family's extensive global travels. 08:05 The Power of Travel Lynda and Liesl reflect on how their extensive world travels, even to uncomfortable places, broadened their perspectives and fueled their optimism. Liesl emphasizes seeing both the vast differences and similarities in how people live globally, fostering connections across cultures and expanding comfort zones. 12:30 The Digital Divide and Disinformation Lynda explains her transition from dentistry to founding The Goodness Exchange, motivated by patients' increasing fear and negativity towards the future post-2010, linking it to negative news and social media. Liesl attributes this shift to the early, unregulated development of social media by young creators and a general lack of digital literacy, but notes a growing trend among younger generations to disengage from platforms that negatively impact them. 17:42 Battling Digital Overload Bill and Lynda discuss the unhealthy constant consumption of negative information through smartphones and social media, highlighting how clicks on alarming content inadvertently 'vote' for more of it. 22:30 Unplugging and Community Liesl, specializing in EdTech, advocates for removing phones from classrooms to foster community and better learning, viewing technology as a tool for connection rather than a constant distraction. 30:01 The Goodness Exchange's Evolution Lynda recounts starting The Goodness Exchange (originally Ever Widening Circles) as a blog to counter the world's negativity she observed in her dental practice, writing daily articles about positive stories. Liesl, upon graduating from Harvard, decided to join, seeing it as a way to transition her mother's passion into a sustainable and impactful publishing and media company focused on rigorously sourced positive content. 33:05 Rats to the Rescue! The Goodness Exchange primarily publishes positive news articles, a bi-weekly newsletter, and the 'Conspiracy of Goodness' podcast, focusing on engaging content formats as people skim rather than read. 41:02 AI in Education: Educated Bravery Liesl expresses excitement about AI in education, particularly tools like Khanmigo and Magic School AI, which move beyond cheating fears to empower teachers and students. 48:13 Bridging Generational Gaps Lynda shares an analogy about intergenerational collaboration, where her long life provides a broad 'back of the Earth' perspective, while Liesl, standing on the 'edge,' sees what's coming in the future.
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    54 min
  • From Prison to PhD, the Inspiring Life and Work of Dr. Stanley Andrisse

    From Prison to PhD, the Inspiring Life and Work of Dr. Stanley Andrisse
    Jan 28 2026
    Before Stan Andrisse was sentenced to ten years in prison for a Class A drug felony, the prosecutor had asked for a life sentence, suggesting that the defendant was irredeemable. In the years since, Stan, now "Dr. Andrisse" has proved this attorney and many others wrong. While in prison, he discovered an interest in science and endocrinology and today is a tenured professor at the Howard University College of Medicine. To create similar opportunities and career paths for others who are or have been incarcerated, he founded the nonprofit From Prison Cells to PhD. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Stan Andrisse This chapter introduces Dr. Stan Andrisse a tenured faculty member at Howard University and the founder of "From Prison Cells to PhD." 02:40 Early Life and Incarceration Dr. Andrisse discusses his childhood in Ferguson, Missouri, and how he became involved in illegal activities from a young age. He describes his progression from minor trouble to serious drug dealing, leading to multiple felony convictions and facing a potential life sentence under the three-strikes law. 07:58 The Incarceration of the Mind Stan reflects on the profound psychological impact of being labeled a career criminal and facing a lengthy prison sentence. He emphasizes that the 'incarceration of the mind' is more damaging than physical imprisonment and describes how a mentor helped him begin to overcome this despair. 12:58 Mentor and Path to Education Stan details the pivotal role of Dr. Barry Bodie, who supported him during his sentencing and continued to mentor him in prison. He explains how reading scientific articles, prompted by his father's death from diabetes, liberated his mind and ignited his passion for science, leading to his acceptance into St. Louis University despite multiple rejections. 22:33 Talent, Opportunity, and Innovation Stan discusses his philosophy that talent is evenly distributed, but opportunity is not, using his own journey as an example. He highlights the untapped brilliance within incarcerated individuals, arguing that with resources and opportunities, their innovative problem-solving skills could benefit society greatly. 28:40 From Prison Cells to PhD: The Organization Stan explains how his personal transformation inspired the creation of "From Prison Cells to PhD," a nonprofit scaling the mentorship and resource provision he received. He shares the organization's three core tenets: peer mentorship, community building, and connecting people to resources, detailing its significant success in helping formerly incarcerated individuals pursue higher education and careers. 34:07 Impact and Pen Pal Program Stan discusses the remarkable matriculation and GPA rates of participants in his "From Prison Cells to PhD" program. He explains how the organization reaches incarcerated individuals through partnerships with correctional facilities and its impactful pen pal program, which provides a vital connection to the outside world and instills hope, preventing recidivism. 41:35 The Drive to Succeed and Give Back Stan highlights the unique motivation and grit of formerly incarcerated individuals, driven by a desire to prove their worth and contribute positively to society. He notes that their experiences with hardship often translate into loyalty, hard work, and a commitment to making communities better and safer. 45:29 Breaking Chains, Building Futures, and Final Thoughts Stan discusses his new book, "Breaking Chains, Building Futures," which features diverse stories of individuals helped by his organization. He encourages listeners to support "From Prison Cells to PhD" through their website and social media, emphasizing the continued inspiration he draws from his father's motto: "It's Never Too Late to Do Good."
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    54 min
  • Kevin Lowe on How He Found Hope After Losing His Sight

    Kevin Lowe on How He Found Hope After Losing His Sight
    Jan 21 2026
    Kevin Lowe has come a long way since he was seventeen years old and lost his eyesight during a medical procedure gone wrong. In this Blue Sky conversation, Kevin describes how he's rallied from this devastating event to live a life full of resilience, purpose, and optimism. This episode concludes with a surprise musical feature, courtesy of Kevin himself. 00:00 Kevin Lowe's Childhood & Early Life Kevin Lowe shares insights into his childhood in East Central Florida, highlighting a carefree upbringing centered around outdoor activities with his cousin Josh. He also opens up about his parents' divorce in second grade and the significant role his grandmother played in his life. 04:46 Loss of Sight and Other Complications Kevin recounts the discovery of a plum-sized brain tumor at 17, which, though non-cancerous, posed a life-threatening risk. He describes the traumatic surgery that led to complete blindness, loss of smell, short-term memory loss, and a permanently damaged pituitary gland. 11:02 Journey Through Grief and Despair Kevin candidly discusses the profound sadness and despair he experienced after losing his sight, describing it as being 'trapped in hell.' He reveals his nightly prayers for his sight to return and even for the courage to end his life, ultimately finding strength in his faith and family. 15:04 Perseverance and New Beginnings Kevin shares his journey of rebuilding his life, including his determination to graduate with his high school class despite his blindness. He discusses his internships in travel and radio, which eventually led him to start his own travel agency, Better Days Travel, and his pivotal realization from an audiobook to embrace life despite his challenges. 23:12 The Podcast: Grit, Grace, and Inspiration Kevin talks about how the 2020 pandemic and his sister's suggestion led him to start podcasting, a medium he quickly realized he was 'designed for.' He details his podcast, Grit, Grace, & Inspiration, which focuses on sharing stories of overcoming adversity and inspiring others, encapsulated by his tagline 'turning setbacks into stages.' 31:54 Technological Advancements and Echolocation Kevin highlights how technology, particularly the iPhone with its voiceover feature and apps like Apple's 'Be My Eyes,' has significantly improved his life. He also fascinatingly explains how he learned echolocation, a skill that allows him to perceive his surroundings through sound, giving his world shape again. 42:20 Advice and Gratitude Kevin expresses gratitude for his seventeen years of sight, which aids his interpretation of the world, despite being a 'picky blind person' about colors. He offers heartfelt advice to those facing setbacks: 'give yourself grace' and remember that 'it's going to get easier, it's going to get better.' 45:20 Blue Sky Above - A Musical Surprise The host discusses the inspiring technological advancements and echolocation techniques Kevin shared. As a special surprise, Kevin produced an original song, 'Blue Sky Above,' which is played to close the episode.
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    51 min
  • ENCORE PRESENTATION: TED Leader Chris Anderson on His New Book, Infectious Generosity, and Why He Believes That Now Is the Time for Us All to "Reclaim the Internet" for Good

    ENCORE PRESENTATION: TED Leader Chris Anderson on His New Book, Infectious Generosity, and Why He Believes That Now Is the Time for Us All to "Reclaim the Internet" for Good
    Jan 14 2026
    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 by which this movement can spread virally. Chris's views on these subjects are aligned perfectly with the work of The Optimism institute and he shares them with great enthusiasm in this uplifting and inspiring episode of Blue Sky. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome Chris Anderson to Blue Sky Bill Burke welcomes Chris Anderson, head of TED, to the Blue Sky Podcast. Chris discusses his new book, "Infectious Generosity," and his mission to use the internet as a force for good, combating online division. 02:14 TED's Impact and TEDx's Success Chris shares how TED made its videos freely available online, which surprisingly enhanced the conference rather than hurting it. He explains the success of TEDx, a free licensing model that enabled 65,000 volunteers to create events globally, generating billions of views. 06:00 The Internet's Downfall and Human Nature Chris discusses how the internet, especially social media, went astray, preying on our 'lizard brains' and promoting outrage. 11:47 Generosity and Happiness Chris explains the deep connection between generosity and happiness, citing a Chinese proverb that highlights helping others as a path to lifelong joy. He emphasizes that while the internet can be negative, it also offers a powerful tool for spreading positive change. 15:57 Reclaiming the Internet: Tactics Chris discusses tactics for reclaiming the internet, focusing on making 'good stuff' go viral by evoking authentic human emotion. He uses the example of 'The Kindness Pandemic' Facebook group and highlights the need for creativity and courage to break through online negativity. 21:09 Our Role in Shaping Social Media Chris emphasizes that users are not helpless in shaping their social media experience, stressing the importance of conscious choices in who to follow and what content to engage with. 27:47 The Uniqueness of Our Time and Generosity Strategy Chris highlights the unique historical moment that allows for widespread generosity due to frictionless digital sharing and its reputation-building power. 33:06 Embracing Imperfect Generosity and Gratitude Chris encourages letting go of the idea of 'perfect generosity,' urging celebration of all motivations behind giving, even those with mixed intentions. 39:25 Podcast Recommendation and Host Reflections Bill Burke recommends 'Two Lives,' a character-driven narrative podcast about overcoming darkness, which has received several awards. 42:21 Neuroplasticity, Optimism, and AI for Good Chris discusses neuroplasticity and how our narratives shape us, emphasizing that kindness, like a muscle, grows with exercise. He introduces the Infectious Generosity Guru (TIG), an AI tool designed to help individuals brainstorm ways to spread generosity online. 49:15 A Vision for a Better Future Chris outlines his continued work with TED, focusing on the Audacious Project to collaboratively fund large-scale change initiatives. He emphasizes that optimism is a stance—a determined effort to find and illuminate pathways to a better future, urging collective action to reclaim the internet and inspire change.
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    54 min
  • ENCORE PRESENTATION: NYT Bestselling Author Matt Ridley on His Motivation to Write The Rational Optimist and Why He Believes That Human Prosperity Will Inevitably Continue to Increase

    ENCORE PRESENTATION: NYT Bestselling Author Matt Ridley on His Motivation to Write The Rational Optimist and Why He Believes That Human Prosperity Will Inevitably Continue to Increase
    Jan 7 2026
    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 free exchange of ideas, will continue to set us on an inexorable path towards increasing prosperity. Chapters: 00:00 Introducing Matt Ridley Bill Burke introduces Matt Ridley, acclaimed author of "The Rational Optimist" and other influential books. He highlights Ridley's extensive background, including his service in the House of Lords and his work on various scientific committees. 02:39 From Pessimism to Rational Optimism Matt Ridley shares his personal journey from a pessimistic upbringing in the 1970s to becoming a 'rational optimist' based on evidence. He recounts how his research for 'The Rational Optimist' revealed that many assumed negative trends, like decreasing happiness with wealth, were actually false. 06:01 The Genesis of "The Rational Optimist" Ridley explains his evangelical motivation for writing 'The Rational Optimist,' aiming to counter pervasive doom and gloom, especially among young people. He also sought to explore the evolutionary roots of human prosperity and growth, driven by an innate curiosity about why the world was improving. 07:28 Ideas Have Sex: Cooperation and Trade Matt Ridley delves into his concept of "ideas having sex," explaining how human cooperation, trade, and the exchange of specialized skills drive prosperity. He posits that this fundamental human tendency to swap goods and ideas is as crucial to cultural evolution as sex is to natural evolution. 13:50 Social Media's Impact: Polarization and Progress Ridley reflects on social media's impact on his 'ideas having sex' theory, acknowledging its initial promise for communication but also its role in political polarization. 19:29 Panglossian vs. Rational Optimism Ridley distinguishes his rational optimism from Panglossian optimism, emphasizing that he believes the world can and should be improved, not that it's already perfect. He counters common pessimistic arguments by pointing to long-term improvements in living standards and the gradual nature of good news compared to sudden bad news. 23:56 Trust and the Pencil's Lesson Matt Ridley discusses the importance of interpersonal trust for societal prosperity, contrasting it with institutional trust. He also elaborates on the 'I, Pencil' essay, illustrating how millions of specialized individuals unknowingly collaborate to produce even a simple item like a pencil. 33:15 Gratitude, Specialization, and Daily Miracles Ridley encourages gratitude for the vast network of people who contribute to our daily lives, using the example of a simple meal. 36:50 Climate Change: A Problem to Be Solved Matt Ridley shares his nuanced perspective on climate change, acknowledging it as a real threat but cautioning against panic and exaggeration. He suggests viewing it as a problem solvable through human ingenuity, while also highlighting the overlooked environmental benefits of CO2 and the harm caused by some climate prevention measures. 42:51 The Future of Innovation: Worries and Hopes Ridley discusses the limitless nature of knowledge and innovation, emphasizing communication over population size for progress.
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    50 min
  • Amy King's Innovative and Optimistic Approach to Solving Homelessness in America

    Amy King's Innovative and Optimistic Approach to Solving Homelessness in America
    Dec 31 2025
    Amy King watched the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and seeing people sheltered in a leaking football stadium inspired her to work with her husband on shelter solutions. The result was Pallet, a company that makes safe, secure, and easily assembled temporary shelters. In this episode she shares her inspiring story and details about her remarkable company. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Amy King and Pallet This chapter introduces Amy King, founder and CEO of Pallet, a public benefit corporation addressing homelessness. 02:07 From Child Psychology to Social Enterprise Amy King shares her journey from studying child psychology, where she observed the impact of troubled homes, to founding Pallet. Her interest in people and the influence of early experiences shaped her path toward addressing societal challenges like homelessness. 04:37 The Genesis of Pallet: From Katrina to Construction Amy discusses how her husband's construction company accidentally led them to employ individuals from the justice system, many of whom had experienced homelessness. 07:19 Public Benefit Corporation Model Amy explains why Pallet operates as a public benefit corporation rather than a nonprofit, emphasizing its dual mission of workforce development and providing shelter. 11:13 Pallet Shelters and Deployment Strategy Amy describes the innovative design of Pallet shelters—lightweight, panelized, and quick to assemble, with features like heat, AC, and easy cleaning. She details Pallet's partnership with cities and Zillow to identify and utilize vacant public land for shelter villages, which are temporary and designed for easy relocation. 15:35 The Transformative Impact of Pallet Shelters Amy elaborates on how Pallet shelters provide more than just a roof, offering a managed care environment with wraparound services for mental health, substance use, and housing placement. This stability allows individuals to engage with services and break the cycle of homelessness, as exemplified by a tenant named Matthew. 20:29 Hope for Ending Homelessness & Political Challenges Amy discusses Pallet's broad reach across the US and Canada and her controversial but hopeful view on ending homelessness. She addresses the political complexities and the need for sufficient services and innovation to address root causes, moving towards 'functional zero' homelessness. 25:57 Disaster Relief and Versatile Solutions Amy highlights Pallet's role in disaster relief, noting the political challenges of working with organizations like FEMA and the need for non-congregate shelter solutions. She explains the versatility of Pallet's product, which can be repurposed for both disaster response and homelessness, providing flexibility for communities. 31:10 Economic Viability and Community Recovery Amy discusses the economic benefits of using Pallet shelters for disaster relief, contrasting them with expensive hotel stays and emphasizing the importance of keeping residents near their communities for recovery. This approach helps maintain local economic bases and encourages volunteer participation by providing convenient housing for relief workers. 34:19 Transformative Impact on Individuals and Families Amy shares her favorite part of the work: witnessing the profound transformation of individuals who gain employment and stability through Pallet. She emphasizes how this not only changes the lives of the employees, many of whom were formerly incarcerated or homeless, but also reunites and positively impacts their families, especially their children. 38:46 Getting Involved with Pallet Amy encourages listeners to get involved with Pallet by reaching out through their website or email to support their mission. She emphasizes the value of local constituent engagement in driving political conversations and understanding community stakeholders to expand their impact.
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    42 min