From Prison to PhD, the Inspiring Life and Work of Dr. Stanley Andrisse
Blue Sky
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 . Chapters:...
info_outline
Kevin Lowe on How He Found Hope After Losing His Sight
Blue Sky
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...
info_outline
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
Blue Sky
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, , 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...
info_outline
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
Blue Sky
Matt Ridley’s seminal book, , 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. ...
info_outline
Amy King’s Innovative and Optimistic Approach to Solving Homelessness in America
Blue Sky
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 , 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...
info_outline
Empathy Expert Mimi Nicklin Explains Why and How She’s Optimistically Attacking the World’s Empathy Deficit
Blue Sky
Mimi Nicklin left a successful career as a marketing executive to take on the task of educating the world on the value and power of empathy. In this episode, Mimi describes the alarming “empathy deficit,” its root causes, and practical strategies like self-empathy and “ALUR” (Authenticity, Listening, Understanding, Recognition) that she espouses to reconnect our workplaces and world. Chapters: 00:00 Mimi Nicklin’s Global Journey Mimi Nicklin, a British native, has spent nearly two decades living and working across Asia Pacific and the Middle East, finding...
info_outline
Technology Management Expert Paul Leonardi on Why Technology Exhausts Us and What We Can Do About It
Blue Sky
Paul Leonardi is an expert in technology management and has developed a deep understanding for why today’s digital tools—even those that are helpful—can contribute to our growing sense of exhaustion. Pulling from research he’s written about in his book he explains why this happens and as importantly, what we can do about it. Chapters: 02:00 Why Digital Exhaustion? Paul Leonardi discusses his 20-year career helping companies implement new technologies and his observation of the increasing dread people feel towards new tools. He highlights how the solutions...
info_outline
Guy Kawasaki Describes Working with Steve Jobs and Other Remarkable People Who’ve Used Optimism as a Strategic Advantage
Blue Sky
Guy Kawasaki has had an amazing life and career. After growing up in Hawaii, he went to California for college and later went on to what was then known as Apple Computer where he was a self-described “brand evangelist” during some of their highest growth and most entrepreneurial years. He describes Steve Jobs as being optimistic almost to the point of being delusional, and working for him has inspired Guy to be interested in mold-breaking people ever since, hence the name of his popular podcast, . He has also written 17 books on a variety of subjects, his latest being , which...
info_outline
Could Venture Capital Invest in World Peace? Guest Brian Abrams Has Set Out to Do Just That
Blue Sky
We all know that huge sums of money are invested in creating new, more effective weapons of war. Brian Abrams sees an opportunity to invest instead in what he calls “peace tech,” emerging businesses using technologies and creative methods designed to prevent war from happening in the first place. He’s created a new firm, , and in this Blue Sky episode he describes with infectious optimism his exciting vision for the future. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Brian Abrams Bill Burke introduces Brian Abrams, founder of B Ventures Group, an investment fund...
info_outline
Scott Nash Reflects on His Remarkable Career Marked by Curiosity, Experimentation, and Optimism
Blue Sky
Blue Sky host Bill Burke first met Scott Nash nearly 30 years ago, when both were working in the cable television business. In the years since, Scott has gone on to a successful career in publishing, both as an illustrator and an author, and with his wife Nancy co-founded on a small island in Maine. In this episode, Scott describes his outgoing, experimental, and optimistic nature and how these traits have led to his remarkable success in publishing, art direction, and non-profit entrepreneurship. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Early...
info_outlineMarcy Syms has led a remarkable life, full of triumphs and tragedies. Through a discussion of her new book, Leading with Respect: Adventures of an Off-Price Fashion Pioneer, 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 the bad guys win” and how it relates to being prepared and ensuring both sides of an encounter feel respected.
04:18 Customer Respect & Grandmother’s Influence
Marcy explains how her father’s tagline “an educated consumer is our best customer” was foundational to their company’s success and built on respect for the customer. She also shares the significant influence of her Romanian immigrant grandmother, who instilled in her the importance of financial independence for young women.
09:12 Overcoming Antisemitism
Marcy recounts the overt antisemitism her family faced after moving to Westchester County, detailing the anxiety and fear it caused. She explains how she decided to ‘tough it out’ like a job, overcompensating for the prejudice and becoming a rebel to challenge stereotypes.
13:47 Trailblazing & Joining the Family Business
Marcy discusses how she, as a 12-year-old, trailblazed by pushing for a Bat Mitzvah in her Conservative synagogue, which didn’t traditionally hold them. She also explains her path to joining her father’s business after being fired from her broadcasting job, finding excitement and fulfillment in the entrepreneurial world.
19:05 Business Innovation & Personal Resilience
Marcy describes the unique “automatic markdown price tag” marketing strategy that differentiated Syms stores, despite not being a profit center. She then discusses the immense personal resilience required to lead the company as CEO while simultaneously dealing with the tragic loss of her brother and sister within a year.
27:43 Courage, Values, and Philanthropy
Marcy emphasizes the importance of courage, even in small acts, and how it’s linked to personal values. She reveals her strong aversion to bullies, a trait honed by her past experiences, and how her father’s philanthropic vision led to the establishment of the Sy Syms Foundation.
33:25 Impactful Philanthropic Initiatives
Marcy details the foundation’s unique philanthropic approach, supporting organizations like PEN America, the American Heart Association’s “Go Red” campaign for women’s heart health, and the Tannenbaum Foundation’s anti-bullying initiatives. She also highlights their commitment to investigative journalism through NPR and scientific research at institutions like the Weissman Institute.
41:34 Lifelong Learning & Hot Water Strength
Marcy reflects on the Eleanor Roosevelt quote, “A woman is like a tea bag; you don’t know her strength until she gets into hot water,” acknowledging her own life’s challenges. She passionately advocates for lifelong learning as a key to longevity and a fulfilling life, drawing parallels to Jewish cultural inquisitiveness and the entrepreneurial spirit.