Historian and Author Martin Gutmann Discusses Optimism, History, and His Appreciation for “Unseen Leaders”
Blue Sky
Martin Gutmann is an expert on the history of business and has written extensively about styles of past leaders. In this episode, he shares his thoughts on everything from today’s political climate, to whether he thinks Ernest Shackleton is overrated (spoiler alert – he does), to the underrated excellence of less well-known figures in history. Chapters: 02:27 Meet Martin Gutmann Bill welcomes Martin Gutmann to the podcast, exploring his diverse background and extensive experience in various countries. Martin shares how his journey has shaped his...
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Blayne Smith and Brandon Young Explain Why Perseverance Is Greater Than Endurance
Blue Sky
Blayne Smith and Brandon Young are two US Army combat veterans who came together in civilian life to start their own company. They’ve now published a new book, co-authors of Perseverance > Endurance: Lead with Resilience. Grow Through Adversity. Win Together., in which they describe invaluable le
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Cheryl Dorsey Describes the Remarkable Work of Echoing Green
Blue Sky
This episode explores the work of Echoing Green, an international non-profit that invests in social entrepreneurs and their dreams and ideas. An accomplished leader and executive herself, Cheryl Dorsey explains how she first came to the organization and the great work they continue to do under her leadership.
Chapters:
02:22 Meet Cheryl Dorsey
Cheryl
A True Confession Episode – Falling Off the Optimism Wagon
Blue Sky
In this very special edition of “the mini podcast with major optimism,” host Bill Burke confesses to falling off the optimism bandwagon. Yes, this can even happen to the founder of The Optimism Institute! He describes a doom-scrolling session that left him feeling lousy and explains how – with advice we can all use – he pulled himself up and out of his predicament.
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David McCullough III Shares the Story of The American Exchange Project and His Optimistic Vision for Its Future
Blue Sky
David McCullough got the idea for The American Exchange Project (AEP) after a cross-country trip showed him how diverse and accepting were the people he met. Today, AEP creates opportunities for recent high school graduates to experience life in a different part of the US, building bridges of understanding and creating lifelong friendships. It’s McCullough’s hope that these trips will someday be a
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Erica Halverson Describes Her Optimistic Belief That Arts Educators Can Save the World
Blue Sky
While studying acting in college, Erica Halverson decided that while she loved the theater, being on stage would not be for her. Instead, she moved into different areas and now is teaching arts education at the University of Wisconsin. She also hosts a terrific podcast, "Arts Educators Save the World,” on which artists are joined by teachers and mentors to reflect on the transformative impact that thes
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Earl B. Hunter, Jr. Discusses His Optimistic Approach to Helping Grow the Outdoor Industry Through His Work at Black Folks Camp Too
Blue Sky
When Earl B. Hunter’s son was seven years old, he took him on three-month, multi-state camping. It was a positive, life-changing experience for them both. But Earl was struck by the fact that over the entire trip, they saw just one other black family. As someone who was working in sales in the outdoor industry, Earl saw an opportunity and went on to found the for-profit company, Black Folks Camp Too. <
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Celebrating Optimism Month and Blue Sky’s 2nd Anniversary
Blue Sky
On this month’s installment of “A Bit of Blue Sky,” and in honor of National Optimism Month, host Bill Burke reflects on lessons learned from two years of hosting the Blue Sky podcast.
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Khan Academy’s Sal Khan Describes Why He’s So Optimistic About the Future of AI and Education
Blue Sky
Sal Khan is one of the great innovators in education and in this Blue Sky episode, he discusses his book, Brave New Words: How AI Will Revolutionize Education (and Why That’s a Good Thing). He and his colleagues at Khan Academy are well on their way to creating powerful AI teaching assistant called
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Leslie and Richard Strauss Describe How Their In-School Program, Spirit Series, Builds a Better Future with Wisdom from the Past
Blue Sky
Leslie and Richard Strauss are a husband-and-wife team who oversee Spirit Series, an innovative educational program in which young students perform plays about timeless stories. Through Spirit Series’ immersive and rigorous process, participants gain confidence in themselves and improve their teamwork, higher order thinking and focus in the classroom. The program has served more than 60,000 students and research shows that it has improved their cognitive and social/emotional skills and even lowered
info_outlineThis episode explores the work of Echoing Green, an international non-profit that invests in social entrepreneurs and their dreams and ideas. An accomplished leader and executive herself, Cheryl Dorsey explains how she first came to the organization and the great work they continue to do under her leadership.
Chapters:
02:22 Meet Cheryl Dorsey
Cheryl Dorsey, president of Echoing Green, shares her journey from being a social entrepreneur to leading a nonprofit that supports emerging social innovators.
04:30 The Origin of Echoing Green
Cheryl explains the inspiration behind the name ‘Echoing Green,’ rooted in a William Blake poem that celebrates youth and the potential for change.
06:11 Investing in Young Leaders
Cheryl discusses Echoing Green’s unique approach of investing in young social entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of nurturing leadership alongside funding.
09:12 The Fellowship Experience
Cheryl outlines the structure of the Echoing Green fellowship, highlighting the community, support, and resources provided to selected fellows.
11:04 The Importance of Community
Cheryl reflects on the significance of community among entrepreneurs, sharing how Echoing Green fosters connections that help fellows navigate their journeys.
13:34 Addressing Inequality in Funding
Cheryl addresses the challenges faced by underrepresented leaders in securing funding, emphasizing Echoing Green’s role in leveling the playing field.
16:22 Spotting Potential in Social Innovation
Cheryl shares examples of successful Echoing Green fellows, illustrating how the organization identifies and supports innovative ideas that drive social change.
19:55 Qualities of a Successful Entrepreneur
Cheryl discusses the essential characteristics Echoing Green looks for in applicants, including optimism, resilience, and the ability to inspire others.
23:11 Navigating the Selection Process
Cheryl explains the rigorous selection process for Echoing Green fellows, highlighting the collaborative efforts of volunteers to identify promising leaders.
26:01 Finding Hope in Adversity
Cheryl shares her personal journey of optimism and resilience, inspired by the stories of Echoing Green fellows who overcome significant challenges.
29:55 The Battle of Ideas: Social Innovation vs. Populism
Cheryl Dorsey discusses the contrasting ideologies of social innovators and populists, emphasizing the need for resources to empower those who seek to improve society.
30:45 Inspiration from the Next Generation
Reflecting on the potential of today’s youth, the conversation highlights the importance of intergenerational connections and the inspiring qualities of young leaders.
32:47 Hopeful Pessimism: A Realistic Outlook
Cheryl introduces her concept of ‘hopeful pessimism,’ balancing optimism with the recognition of ongoing challenges in social equity.
34:02 Getting Involved: Supporting Social Innovators
Cheryl outlines various ways individuals can support Echoing Green and its mission, from applying for fellowships to volunteering and funding.
36:40 The Power of Mentorship and Community
The discussion shifts to the importance of mentorship and community support for young social innovators, highlighting the role of experienced professionals in guiding the next generation.
38:50 Success Stories: Transformative Impact of Echoing Green
Cheryl shares inspiring success stories from Echoing Green fellows, showcasing how their initiatives have made significant impacts in their communities. This chapter highlights the ripple effects of social innovation and the potential for change.
42:16 Closing Thoughts: The Future of Social Innovation
As the conversation wraps up, both Cheryl and Bill reflect on the optimism that stems from the work being done in social innovation.