Harry Smith on Life Lessons and His Career in Journalism
Blue Sky
Over the course of his remarkable career, Harry Smith interviewed six US presidents and numerous celebrities including Julia Roberts, Cher, and Madonna. But on this Blue Sky episode Harry shares that his favorite people to cover were the ones we’ve likely never heard of, the everyday heroes that he describes as the glue of our society. Harry shares some of the wisdom he’s earned and now share bestows on students in the college class he’s teaching at his alma mater. Chapters: 02:16 Meet Harry Smith: A Journalism Legend Bill welcomes Harry Smith, a respected...
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Some Reasons Why Today Is the Greatest Time to Be Alive
Blue Sky
Blue Sky host Bill Burke, along with several past guests, have described today as the best time to be alive in all of human history. On this episode, Bill explains some data-backed reasons why and provides hope that even better days lie ahead.
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Mary McManus on Surviving and Thriving After Recovering from Trauma and Polio
Blue Sky
Mary McManus has never had it easy. As a kindergartener, she was a victim of polio just a short time before the vaccine was introduced. She also faced trauma in her home life but somehow managed to persevere and overcome these and still more obstacles throughout her life. Today, Mary is an inspiring author, poet, motivational speaker, and finisher of the Boston Marathon. Chapters: 01:05 Meet Mary McManus Mary McManus is introduced as a remarkable individual with a story of resilience and triumph over adversity. 02:14 Mary’s Early...
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Political Scientist and Author Lindsey Cormack Discusses Her Book, "How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It’s Up to You to Do It)"
Blue Sky
Political division in the United States is an issue often cited as contributing to the pessimistic outlook so many of us have. Blue Sky guest Lindsey Cormack believes that our government will only improve if we begin to understand it better and get involved ourselves. As a college professor, when she found that many of her students were remarkably ignorant about how our government works, she decided to do something about it. The result is her latest book, which challenges parents to fill the void left by elementary and high schools that no longer teach these subjects in the...
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Sam Pressler on His Passion for Building Community and Connection
Blue Sky
Sam Pressler has a strong track record of bringing people together and working to rebuild the civic infrastructure of the United States. In addition to being a researcher and writer, he is also the founder of the , a collection of projects designed to help people understand how they might go about creating connections in their own towns and civic organizations. Chapters: 02:20 Making Grandmothers Proud Sam shares the inspiration behind his mantra of making his grandmothers proud, discussing the significant influence they had on his life and values, particularly in...
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Reflections on the Role of Mentors and Teachers in a Life of Optimism
Blue Sky
On the heels of the “Arts Educators Save the World” feed swap episode with Jonathan Groff and his elementary school music teacher, Linda Tough, Bill Burke reflects on the role of teachers and mentors in helping us all be optimistic. He shares his own influences and those of many Blue Sky guests, while encouraging us to think of our own and consider being mentors ourselves.
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A Special Blue Sky Presentation of the “Arts Educators Save the World” Podcast with Erica Halverson, Featuring Jonathan Groff
Blue Sky
In this very special “feed swap” edition, Blue Sky Alum Erica Halverson interviews award-winning Jonathan Groff and his inspirational elementary school music teacher, Linda Tough, on the “Arts Educators Save the World” podcast. Learn more about Erica's podcast here: Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to the Feed Swap In this special edition of the Blue Sky podcast, the host introduces the concept of a Feed Swap with Erica Halverson and highlights the upcoming conversation with Jonathan Groff, a celebrated actor known for his roles in Broadway and film. ...
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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
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 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.