Stacey Garcia on Resilience and Optimism in the Face of Personal Roadblocks and Why She Thinks “Mondays are Magic”
Blue Sky
As a personal trainer and wellness coach, Stacey Garcia was doing everything right. She ate well, exercised, and took great care of herself. That’s why her cancer diagnosis came as an extra shock, and in this episode, she explains how she dealt with this news and found strength and resilience as she battled her disease. Now in recovery, Stacey helps guide others through similar challenges both in her daily work as well as her podcast . Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Stacey Garcia Bill Burke introduces Stacey Garcia, host of ‘Never Miss a...
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Astronaut Nicole Stott Reflects on Lessons She Learned in Outer Space and How They Changed Her View of Life on “Spaceship Earth”
Blue Sky
Nicole Stott had a remarkable career with NASA, logging more than 100 days in outer space. Her time on the International Space Station drives her appreciation for the importance of cooperation across cultures and national boundaries. On this Blue Sky episode, she describes lessons learned from her time as an astronaut, and the inspiring work she does today through the Space For Art Foundation, and her optimistic and solutions-oriented approach to life. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Nicole Stott This chapter introduces Nicole Stott, a retired NASA...
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Back to School Edition
Blue Sky
Host Bill Burke thinks back to his own back to school days and offers thoughts on what he might study were he an incoming student this fall. He also discusses what he might teach if he were a faculty member and encourages us all to keep learning in our lives, whether we are enrolled students or not.
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Marcy Syms on Her New Book and “Not Letting the Bad Guys Win”
Blue Sky
Marcy Syms has led a remarkable life, full of triumphs and tragedies. Through a discussion of her new book, host Bill Burke and Marcy cover subjects ranging from Marcy’s upbringing, to overcoming bigotry and bullying in high school, to running her father’s company and keeping it on track through the loss of two of her siblings. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Leading with Respect Bill Burke introduces Marcy Syms, CEO of The Syms Corporation, and her upcoming book “Leading with Respect.” Marcy discusses her father’s motto “Don’t let...
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Mike Goodwin on the Power of Humor and “The Comedian’s Mindset”
Blue Sky
Mike Goodwin grew up with a difficult and volatile father. As a child, he decided that one way he could help his mom would be to help make her laugh. He soon realized he had a talent for humor, but it wasn’t until after time in the US Army and a career in higher education that Mike made comedy his career. Host Bill Burke and Mike Goodwin share a lot of laughs and life lessons in this fun episode of Blue Sky. Chapters: 02:27 Meet Mike Goodwin Bill introduces Mike Goodwin, a comedian, humor coach, and keynote speaker known for his clean comedy style....
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Kristine Michie on Stirring Up Impactful Change Through Joy and Optimism
Blue Sky
In this Blue Sky conversation, Kristine Michie describes her path to a career marked by sparking joy in people and organizations to facilitate positive and impactful change. Earlier this year, she hosted Bill Burke on her and with this episode, the tables are turned and the result is a fun, inspiring conversation on the power of fun, joy, and optimism. Chapters: 02:05 Meet Kristine Michie Kristine Michie, founder of Impactfull, Inc. and host of the PlayFull podcast, joins Bill to discuss her journey and the importance of joy in making a difference. They delve into...
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Curiosity + Resilience: A Formula for Optimism
Blue Sky
Bill Burke reflects on an idea presented by Niren Chaudhary in episode 107. Niren described curiosity and resilience as two master skills required to successfully run the marathon of life. In this "A Bit of Blue Sky," Bill underscores Niren's belief and relates these qualities to optimism, providing examples through past Blue Sky guests.
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Niren Chaudhary Reflects on Rebounding From Grief and His Successful Career Leading With Gratitude and Love
Blue Sky
Niren Chaudhary has led a remarkable life while overcoming intense personal tragedies. He describes his success in running global business as stemming from a foundational belief in putting his employees first and leading them with love, gratitude, and respect. Chapters: 01:36 Meet Niren Chaudhary Niren Chaudhary, a visionary leader and CEO, shares his impressive career journey, highlighting his roles at Panera Bread and Yum! Brands. 04:04 The Power of People in Business Niren reflects on the significance of gratitude and treating employees...
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Heidi Johnson on Loss, Grief, and the Transformative Power of Giving
Blue Sky
Heidi Johnson was in a great spot in life. She had a great family, good job, all she could reasonably ask for. But when her mother was killed in a shocking accident, that all changed. After suffering from intense grief, Heidi’s life changed when she was asked to start a new initiative at her local children’s hospital. This led her to create and lead her own nonprofit and to a life today of service and also shining a light on other nonprofit leaders, through both a book and hosting her podcast, Charity Matters. Chapters: 00:30 Heidi Johnson’s Journey...
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Wounded Warrior Tom Deierlein’s Remarkable Story of Grit, Resilience, Service, and Optimism
Blue Sky
As a West Point graduate who had completed his required service, Tom Deierlein was well into a successful career in digital advertising when he was called up once again to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom. There, while working to help struggling Iraqi families meet their basic needs, a sniper’s bullet would change his life’s trajectory. In this Blue Sky conversation, Tom shares his remarkable life story, on that is marked by inspiring grit, resilience, service, and optimism. Chapters: 02:11 Tom Deierlein’s Background Tom Deierlein shares insights about his...
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.