Snakebites, sunscreen, and solutions: ancient humans, modern science, and unexpected heroes
The Optimist Daily's Weekly Roundup
Release Date: 05/16/2025
Holiday gifts for a loved one with cancer + a powerful Miwuk land-back victory near Yosemite
The Optimist Daily's Weekly Roundup
This week, Arielle and Karissa dive into two very different but deeply connected stories about what it means to truly support healing. First, we unpack new research on what people going through cancer actually find helpful during the holidays, and why practical support often means more than cozy socks and inspirational mugs. Then they travel to the Sierra Nevada, where nearly 900 acres of ancestral land have been returned to the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation in a landmark cultural and ecological restoration near Yosemite. They close with some seasonal reflections, a big thank you to listeners,...
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Should kids be banned from social media? Inside Australia’s bold online safety experiment
The Optimist Daily's Weekly Roundup
Australia just became the first country to ban social media accounts for kids under 16... but will it actually keep them safer online? In this episode, Arielle and Karissa unpack the data that pushed lawmakers to act, the huge loopholes critics are worried about, and the real trade-offs for teens, parents, and platforms. They also ask a bigger question: who should be responsible for protecting kids on the internet in the first place? Have thoughts on the ban or ideas for better solutions? Share your take at . Transcript link: Want to be part of the Optimism Movement? Become an . Subscribe to...
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Holiday health etiquette plus the first female crash test dummy is (finally) here
The Optimist Daily's Weekly Roundup
This week, Karissa and Arielle tackle two big, very real-world solutions: how to gracefully ask friends and family if they’re sick before a holiday hangout, and why the U.S. finally introducing its first female crash test dummy is a major win for road safety and equity. They unpack expert advice on setting health boundaries without drama, explain how the new THOR-05F model closes a decades-long safety gap for women and smaller drivers, and share a quick round-up of other uplifting stories from The Optimist Daily. They also spotlight an excerpt from Barnet Bain’s upcoming book How to Be a...
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Thankful for optimists: a Thanksgiving shout out to The Optimist Daily community
The Optimist Daily's Weekly Roundup
In this special Thanksgiving mini-episode of The Optimist Daily’s Weekly Roundup, Karissa and Arielle press pause on the usual headlines to say thank you. They share what they are personally grateful for this year, celebrate the Emissaries and listeners who keep solutions journalism alive, and invite anyone who isn't already to support the work through donations, shares, and word of mouth. Transcript link: Want to be part of the Optimism Movement? Become an . Subscribe to our and follow us on , , and . The Optimist Daily is a project of the World Business Academy. Donate link:
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From bike buses to art therapy: The uplifting solutions changing everyday life
The Optimist Daily's Weekly Roundup
In this week’s episode of The Optimist Daily’s Weekly Roundup, Arielle and Karissa return from a fall break with a fresh wave of uplifting stories, diving right into two standout solutions of the week. First: the “bike bus” phenomenon turning school mornings into joyful, community-powered parades across the world. Next: surprising new research revealing how art gallery visits (and even looking at reproductions) can measurably lower stress and inflammation. Plus, find out a little more about , , , and , our featured Changemakers these last couple weeks. And meet this week’s...
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The science of saving lives: new breakthroughs in immunity and allergy prevention
The Optimist Daily's Weekly Roundup
In this week’s episode, Arielle and Karissa gab about two groundbreaking medical solutions changing lives: a one-time gene therapy that helps children with ADA-SCID develop healthy immune systems, and new pediatric guidelines that could drastically reduce peanut allergies. Plus, meet this week’s inspiring Local Changemakers — the Oregon senior dog rescue, , and — both proving compassion can fuel sustainability and hope. Want to be part of the Optimism Movement? Become an . Subscribe to our and follow us on , , and . Transcript link: The Optimist Daily is a project of the World...
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From chemo care to creative flair: two stories changing how we heal and create
The Optimist Daily's Weekly Roundup
This week, Arielle and Karissa talk about two powerful wins for compassion and creativity. New York’s new law makes scalp cooling treatments more accessible for cancer patients, while a D.C. author reimagines book access with her “LitBox” vending machine. Together, they remind us that healing and storytelling thrive when communities care. Discover more about LitBox at or follow on X for the latest. Transcript link: Want to be part of the Optimism Movement? Become an . Subscribe to our and follow us on , , and . The Optimist Daily is a project of the World Business Academy. Donate...
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Can concrete power cities? Can aspirin prevent cancer? The science says maybe.
The Optimist Daily's Weekly Roundup
This week, Arielle and Karissa spotlight two game-changing breakthroughs: MIT’s new battery concrete, which could turn buildings into energy storage devices, and a Swedish study showing that low-dose aspirin may significantly reduce the risk of colorectal cancer recurrence in certain patients. We break down the science behind both discoveries—and how they might shape the future of our cities and our health. Want to be part of the Optimism Movement? Become an . Subscribe to our and follow us on , , and . Transcript link: The Optimist Daily is a project of the World Business Academy....
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Why women live longer (and what men can learn from it) + the world’s first Indigenous-led ocean reserve
The Optimist Daily's Weekly Roundup
In this episode, Karissa and Arielle begin in the Pacific Islands, where Indigenous leaders are creating the world’s first ocean sanctuary designed to preserve migratory routes across national borders. Then we turn to the science behind why women tend to live longer than men—and what those findings can teach us about resilience, biology, and the future of health. A thoughtful conversation about stewardship, survival, and what it means to care across generations. Want to be part of the Optimism Movement? Become an . Subscribe to our and follow us on , , and . Transcript link: ...
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Bite-Sized Roundup: Cold Plunges, Kimchi, and Global Wins for the Planet
The Optimist Daily's Weekly Roundup
Arielle opens the episode with a quick update—she’s feeling under the weather, so Karissa is taking the reins this week. In this bite-sized round-up, Karissa highlights some of the most intriguing stories from Optimist Daily, including science-backed benefits of kimchi, fresh debates around cold plunges, and why ultra-processed foods may be on their way out of California school lunches. It’s a speedy, feel-good listen packed with health and sustainability wins. Want to be part of the Optimism Movement? Become an . Subscribe to our and follow us on , , and . Transcript link: The...
info_outlineThis week, Arielle and Karissa dive into the wild and wonderful world of solutions—from ancient humans using ochre as sunscreen during a magnetic pole shift, to Tim Friede, a man who willingly took 200 venomous snake bites to help researchers create a better antivenom. Plus: a roundup of science-backed health and policy stories you don’t want to miss. Listen in for survival strategies, surprising science, and a lot of human ingenuity.
Transcript link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/?p=1420108
The Optimist Daily is a project of the World Business Academy.
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