The Optimist Daily's Weekly Roundup - podcast cover

The Optimist Daily's Weekly Roundup

The Optimist Dailywww.optimistdaily.com
Do you like the stories from around the world that recognize and celebrate the people and events making a positive change? Tune in to The Optimist Daily's Weekly Roundup, where our solutions-focused stories continue, and hear behind-the-scenes discussions from the people bringing you the news.
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Episodes

Mental Health Benefits of Youth Team Sports and the VEST Hackathon

Today's good news: Summers and Kristy start the week by talking about how new research from the University of California, Fullerton reveals a correlation between youth who participate in team sports and better mental health. Then, they discuss the VEST hackathon is helping make the professional field of construction more equitable for all. If you'd like to nominate someone you know who's doing good in this world, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com . Listen to the Optimist Daily Update...

Jun 06, 202216 min

Firefighting Goats and World's Largest Plant

Today's positive news: Firefighting goats are helping prevent wildfires in California's Ojai Valley (shout out to Emissary Warren Petersen for submitting this story for our Optimist Change-Makers nominations!)! Plus, the world's largest plant (think 20,000 football fields big) has just been discovered off the coast of Australia. All that and more on The Optimist Daily today! Listen to The Optimist Daily Update with Summers and Kristy - Making Solutions the News!

Jun 03, 202215 min

Barbie's First Trans Doll and Germany Returns Namibian Artifacts

Today's good news: Kristy shares exciting news about Barbie's first trans doll, modeled after amazing actress and trans woman Laverne Cox. Then, Summers discusses how Germany is coming to terms with its colonial history and, as a part of that journey, has decided to return ancient stolen artifacts to Namibia. If you'd like to nominate someone you know who's doing good in this world, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com . Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Ma...

Jun 02, 202212 min

The Biggest Photo Database of Amazonian Wildlife and The Fight Against Greenwashing

Today's good news: Summers talks about how the Wildlife Conservation Society is building an enormous photo database of Amazonian wildlife with the help of an international team of scientists. Then, Kristy discusses how authorities around the world are working to regulate greenwashing. If you'd like to nominate someone you know who's doing good in this world, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com . Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!...

Jun 01, 202213 min

Colorado Law Defends LGBTQ+ Parents' Rights and Talking with Kids Afraid of Going Back To School

Today's positive parenting news: Arielle talks about a Colorado law that gives LGBTQ+ parents rightful custody over their own children and Kristy shares advice on how to talk to students who are afraid or anxious about going back to school in the wake of the tragic Uvalde shooting. If you'd like to nominate someone you know who's doing good in this world, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com . Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!...

May 30, 202214 min

Public Transportation in Germany and Secret Ingredient to Longer Lasting Roads

Happy Friday! We have some wheel-y good solutions on The Optimist Daily Update today. Summers and Kristy are chatting about good transportation news ahead of a big travel weekend for Memorial Day in the United States. Germany just reduced public transportation fees to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and old recycled rubber tires are improving the lifespan of our roads. Listen to The Optimist Daily Update with Summers and Kristy -- Making Solutions the News!

May 27, 202216 min

Summer Youth Employment Programs and Bid Binge Watching Goodbye

Summers and Kristy begin today's episode by sharing their shock and sadness about yet another mass shooting at yet another school. Then, they turn their discussion to the uplifting news that we all need, especially when the world feels like a dark place. Summers speaks about the benefits of summer employment for young people and Kristy gets into why we should try to limit our daily TV time to an hour or less. If you'd like to nominate someone you know who's doing good in this world, send an emai...

May 26, 202217 min

Everything You Need To Know About Heatstroke

Today, Kristy and Arielle address a hot topic: heatstroke. As the temperatures continue to climb, experts are predicting an incredibly hot summer this year, especially across the western and central areas in the US and Canada. Heatstroke is a serious condition that can even lead to death, so this episode is all about how to identify heatstroke, what to do about it, and how it can be prevented. If you'd like to nominate someone you know who's doing good in this world, send an email to: editorial@...

May 25, 202217 min

Resilient Redwoods and Conserving the Belize Barrier Reef

Today's inspirational nature news: Arielle and Summers talk about the remarkable Redwoods and how they're adapting to climate change, and also an exciting conservation project around the Belize Barrier Reef led by non-profit Fragments of Hope. If you'd like to nominate someone you know who's doing good in this world, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com . Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!...

May 24, 202215 min

US Soccer to Close Gender Pay Gap and Contact Lenses Treat Glaucoma

Today's good news: Arielle and Kristy discuss the exciting med-tech advancement involving contact lenses that release glaucoma treatments, then they celebrate how US Soccer and both the men's and women's national teams have come to a historic collective bargaining agreement to finally close the gender pay gap. If you'd like to lend your voice to the Optimist Daily Update, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com . Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Soluti...

May 23, 202214 min

Positive Labor Trends in the Trucking and Architect Industries

Today we're chatting about some positive labor news! US trucking shortages might be at an end, and architects are redesigning their industry labor model. Listen to The Optimist Daily Update with Summers and Kristy -- Making Solutions the News!

May 20, 202218 min

US Job Market Bounces Back and Drown Out Toxic Diet Culture

Today's good news: Here's a positive reality check about how the job market is actually doing much better than we think it is! Then, Arielle and Summers talk about the MET gala and what we can do to drown out toxic messaging about diet culture. If you'd like to lend your voice to the Optimist Daily Update, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com . Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!...

May 19, 202215 min

Tips for Supporting Someone with Bipolar Disorder and What to Do at a Professional or Personal Fork in the Road

Today's mental health news: Today Karissa gives helpful tips for supporting a loved one with bipolar disorder, and Summers shares advice on what to do when faced with a personal or a professional fork in the road. If you'd like to lend your voice to the Optimist Daily Update, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com . Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!

May 18, 202219 min

Rescuing Lithium and Algae-Powered Computing

Today's good news: Summers and Arielle dive into alternative energy stories with a new method that rescues lithium from wastewater and a basic computer that's been powered by algae for over half a year! If you'd like to lend your voice to the Optimist Daily Update, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com . Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!

May 17, 202216 min

The Orbex Rocket and A Record Smashing Jumping Robot

Happy Monday! Summers and Kristy start the week off with spacey solutions: Summers talks about the Orbex rocket prototype and how it could make space travel greener. Kristy then highlights a robot that's smashed records to become the highest jumper to date, engineered or biological. If you'd like to lend your voice to the Optimist Daily Update, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com . Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!...

May 16, 202215 min

Medicinal Tattoos and Portugal's Floating Solar Park

Woohoo! It's Friday! We've got some great forward-thinking stories on The Optimist Daily today. Karissa is talking about how medicinal tattoos are tracking a patient's oxygen levels and more, and Summers is telling us how Europe's largest solar park will open this summer in Portugal (and how she gets to see her puppy today!). Listen to The Optimist Daily Update with Summers and Kristy -- Making Solutions the News!

May 13, 202212 min

Stanford Opens New Climate Focused School and The Benefits of Backgammon

Today's good news: Prestigious Stanford University opens the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, a school dedicated solely to studying the climate crisis. Plus, backgammon offers surprising health benefits. If you'd like to lend your voice to the Optimist Daily Update, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com . Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!

May 12, 202214 min

Faster, More Climate Resilient Internet and New 2D Material

Today's tech-savvy solutions: Summers and Kristy talk about a new ultra-thin material that might be a gamechanger for batteries, storage, and other electronics. They also dive into the potential of a microwave network that could make the internet not just more climate-resilient, but faster and cheaper. If you'd like to lend your voice to the Optimist Daily Update, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com . Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the ...

May 11, 202212 min

Tasmania Becomes Carbon Negative and Germany Drops Renewable Energy Surcharge

Today's good news: Tasmania joins Suriname and Bhutan as one of the world's only carbon-negative places. Plus, Germany makes renewable energy cheaper for households and businesses. If you'd like to lend your voice to the Optimist Daily Update, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com . Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!

May 10, 202212 min

104 Marathons and 4 Pandemic Lessons

Happy Monday! In today's episode, Summers and Karissa discuss uplifting stories in person for the first time ever. Together, they talk about pandemic lessons and a particularly inspiring woman who completed 104 marathons in 104 days. If you'd like to lend your voice to the Optimist Daily Update, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com . Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!...

May 09, 202214 min

Wands for Wildlife with Jen Knight

Today we're welcoming Jen Knight from the Wands for Wildlife onto the podcast! Jen joins us to chat about the great work over at Wands for Wildlife, which is a non-profit inspiring people to help wildlife and the planet through repurposing used mascara wands for use in wildlife care, art, and education. Learn more about Wands for Wildlife and how you can support at wandsforwildlife.org.

May 06, 202238 min

Working Together to Ban Toxic Chemicals and Protect Coral Reefs

Feliz Cinco de Mayo! Today Kristy talks about how the EU is proposing the largest ban on toxic chemicals to date, and Summers discusses why nations should work together to establish ocean reservations to protect our precious coral reefs. If you'd like to lend your voice to the Optimist Daily Update, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com . Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!...

May 05, 202212 min

An Ancient Enzyme and Connecticut Expands Abortion Rights

May the fourth be with you! Today, Summers and Kristy get personal while talking about reproductive rights and access to women's healthcare. They then commend Connecticut lawmakers, who are reacting to the surge of anti-abortion legislation with a bill that expands the kinds of medical practitioners who can offer abortion services within the state. They also talk about an ancient enzyme that can help address food production concerns around the world. If you'd like to lend your voice to the Optim...

May 04, 202218 min

All-Electric Heating and Captain Fanplastic

Today's good news: Washington State becomes the first state to mandate all-electric heating for new buildings and Captain Fanplastic teaches young pirates in South Africa and the Netherlands about plastic pollution and the five "ARRRs": refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle. If you'd like to lend your voice to the Optimist Daily Update, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com . Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!...

May 03, 202213 min

Cycling and Archery: Great for your Health!

It's May! Summers and Kristy talk about two warm-weather activities that will help you step into May in a positive way: cycling and archery! Learn about the physical and mental health benefits of hopping on a bike or picking up a bow and arrow. If you'd like to lend your voice to the Optimist Daily Update, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com . Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!...

May 02, 202214 min

Elders Climate Action with Nadine Young

Today we're welcoming Nadine Young to the show, who is the communications lead at Elders Climate Action (ECA). ECA is an organization working to unite all generations, especially elders, in the fight against climate change. We're chatting about climate action, climate activism, and more in this wonderful multigenerational discussion. To learn more about ECA and get involved, visit eldersclimateaction.org.

Apr 29, 202235 min

Plogging and Adaptogens

Today's good news: Five cities around the world celebrated Earth Day by "plogging," the Swedish trend of combining picking up trash and physical exercise. Plus, Kristy explains what adaptogens are and why are they good for us. If you'd like to lend your voice to the Optimist Daily Update, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com . Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!

Apr 28, 202214 min

Understanding Birth Choices and Encouraging Pollinators

Happy Wednesday! Today's good news is all about the birds and the bees as Summers and Kristy explore why understanding how pregnant individuals make decisions around birth settings, and follow this discussion up with some helpful tips on how to encourage pollinators through the spring and summer months. If you'd like to lend your voice to the Optimist Daily Update, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com . Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the...

Apr 27, 202216 min

Fukushima and Protecting African Children Against Malaria

Today's global solutions news: Fukushima transforms itself from a nuclear disaster site to a renewable energy hub, and a million African children have been inoculated against malaria. If you'd like to lend your voice to the Optimist Daily Update, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com . Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!

Apr 26, 202213 min

Tips for Zero-Waste Air Travel and LA County Bans Disposable Dining Ware

Today's solutions news: Make air travel as green as you can with these 7 tips, and LA County trades in disposable dining ware for compostable and recyclable alternatives! If you'd like to lend your voice to the Optimist Daily Update, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com . Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!

Apr 25, 202217 min
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