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Blue Sky

Blue Sky

By: Bill Burke
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Hosted by Bill Burke, founder of The Optimism Institute, this weekly podcast will feature inspiring leaders, authors, researchers, and big thinkers who are taking on some of our world's toughest challenges with an infectious sense of optimism. Blue Sky takes its name from the meditation reminder that there's always blue sky above, sometimes you just have to get your head above the clouds to see it.2025 Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Sciences
Episodes
  • ENCORE PRESENTATION: Dr. Adam Mastroianni Explains How Your Brain Has Tricked You Into Thinking That Everything Is Worse

    ENCORE PRESENTATION: Dr. Adam Mastroianni Explains How Your Brain Has Tricked You Into Thinking That Everything Is Worse
    May 27 2026
    Adam Mastroianni says he likes to "study how people perceive and misperceive their social worlds, from the person sitting across the table to the whole country buzzing around them." In this Blue Sky conversation, Dr. Mastroianni describes research he and a colleague conducted that demonstrates that human beings falsely assume that the world used to be better, and that we continue to decline in terms of moral standards and civil behavior. This cognitive "bug" he has detected can lead us to develop a more pessimistic view of the world and also leaves us more susceptible to believe in the message of autocrats who promise to take us back to a time when the world – and people – were somehow better than they are today. Adam's insights are fascinating, as are the techniques he uses in his research, and he explains his findings and observations with great wit and wisdom. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Adam Mastroianni The host introduces Dr. Adam Mastroianni, an experimental psychologist and author of 'Experimental History,' who will discuss a curious psychological phenomenon. 03:08 The Illusion of Decline: A Mental Bug Dr. Mastroianni explains his research on why people perceive the world as getting worse, even when it's improving. He attributes this to two phenomena: negativity bias, which makes us focus on bad information, and fading affect bias, where bad memories fade faster than good ones. 06:38 Historical Perception and Global Trends The discussion delves into how this 'bug' affects perceptions of the past, even before one's birth, creating a 'good old days' illusion. Research from 60 different countries shows a consistent belief in moral decline, suggesting it's a universal psychological tendency rather than event-driven. 11:09 Ignorance of History and Political Divide The conversation explores whether a lack of historical awareness contributes to the illusion of decline. Dr. Mastroianni and the host discuss how historical events, like the caning of Senator Charles Sumner, put current political divides in perspective, highlighting that 'unprecedented' times are often precedented. 15:45 Political Ramifications and Research Methods The host and Dr. Mastroianni discuss how the belief in moral decline can be exploited by autocrats promising to restore a non-existent past. Dr. Mastroianni details his research methods, including economic games and surveys across cultures, to demonstrate how people consistently misperceive a decline in qualities like honesty, even when evidence suggests the opposite. 23:59 Media, Confirmation Bias, and Satisfaction The conversation shifts to the role of media and confirmation bias in reinforcing negative perceptions. Dr. Mastroianni introduces the concept that people often imagine how things could be better, even excellent things like pets, contributing to a constant state of dissatisfaction and driving consumer culture. 33:01 Optimism, Technology, and Research Directions The host asks if the 'things could be better' mindset offers a glimmer of optimism, even if it often fuels dissatisfaction. They briefly touch upon technology, like AI, as a new area where people project both extreme hopes and fears, and Dr. Mastroianni discusses his future research, focusing on meta-science and finding a unifying paradigm for psychology. 37:57 Debunking Myths and Embracing the Unknown Dr. Mastroianni emphasizes that much of what we believe in science is likely wrong, and open discourse is crucial for progress, dispelling the myth that 'everything has been invented.'
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    48 mins
  • Risa August Describes Her Path From Perfectionist to Patient, and How She Faced a Devastating Diagnosis With Grit, Resilience, and Optimism

    Risa August Describes Her Path From Perfectionist to Patient, and How She Faced a Devastating Diagnosis With Grit, Resilience, and Optimism
    May 20 2026
    Once an ironman athlete and perfectionist, Risa August faced a devastating diagnosis that stripped away her former life. This is the story of how she found new purpose and adventure, transforming her approach to life, from rigid achievement to joyful discovery, even with her unexpected companion, "Bubba," her brain tumor. Chapters: 00:00 From Extreme Achiever to Illness Host Bill Burke introduces Risa August, an adventurous woman who once excelled in extreme sports, asking, "Is there anything you can't do?" Risa describes her past as an intense overachiever and perfectionist, pushing limits in Ironman, mountain climbing, and hot yoga, always striving to be better than others and maintaining a rigid lifestyle. 03:51 The Diagnosis of Acromegaly Risa recounts the onset of strange symptoms after her first Ironman in 2010, including significant weight gain despite a strict diet and increasing fatigue. After years of doctors dismissing her concerns, she insisted on an MRI, which revealed an enlarged pituitary and led to her diagnosis of acromegaly, a serious condition she had never heard of before. 11:09 Choosing Adventure Over Despair Faced with a devastating diagnosis and a challenging life, Risa decided not to break down but to break out, committing to her adventures despite doctors' warnings about what she could no longer do. She realized she would never be her old self, so she focused on "who can I be then?" and made a conscious decision to truly live life on her own terms. 14:00 The Road Unpaved and Bubba Risa found a new purpose in a cross-country bicycle journey along the Pacific Coast Highway, a trip she committed to doing on her own terms after reflecting on her past perfectionism. She also named her brain tumor 'Bubba' as a way to connect with her changing body, turning him into a central character and partner in her healing journey and the book. 21:29 Gestalt Therapy and Connection Risa discusses how her Gestalt therapy training, which she underwent during her diagnosis, provided a crucial support network and helped her become a more patient, compassionate, and curious practitioner. She also emphasizes the importance of deep, personal connection and active listening, a lesson she learned on her bike tour by giving others a chance and finding unexpected commonalities. 30:13 The CAN Framework Risa shares her 'CAN' framework—Capable, Able, Now—which she developed after feeling stuck post-surgery and questioning her purpose. This mantra helped her simplify the complex challenges she faced, prompting her to ask, "What am I capable and able to do now, in this moment?" 35:29 Living a Full Life Now Risa openly discusses the progression of her acromegaly and its physical toll, yet she maintains a strong mindset, dedicated to inspiring others to live full lives. She now finds joy in simple things, like perusing a farmer's market, and doesn't worry about disappointing others by not always seeking the 'next big thing.'
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    41 mins
  • ENCORE PRESENTATION: Dr. Robert Soiffer on His Career at the Leading Edge of Cancer Care at Dana-Farber and Reasons to Be Optimistic About the Future of Oncology

    ENCORE PRESENTATION: Dr. Robert Soiffer on His Career at the Leading Edge of Cancer Care at Dana-Farber and Reasons to Be Optimistic About the Future of Oncology
    May 13 2026
    Dr. Robert Soiffer took an interest in medicine at an early age when he played a physician in his first-grade play. Today, he is a leading physician, researcher, and teacher at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a world leader in oncology. In this episode, Dr. Soiffer describes the incredible pace of change in the field of cancer research and treatment and the detection tools and cures that are right around the corner. He also reflects on how he maintains a positive and optimistic outlook despite the many times he's forced to deliver terrible news to patients and families. While he tries hard not to bring these tough times home with him, he also stresses the importance of keeping his humanity and treating his patients and their families as people, not just statistics. Chapters: 02:29 Dana-Farber's Special Mission Dr. Soiffer discusses what makes Dana-Farber Cancer Institute unique, emphasizing its focus on cancer patients and the common purpose among all staff. 05:50 Evolution of Cancer Treatment This segment details the seismic shift in cancer treatment over the past 40 years, from nonspecific chemotherapy to targeted therapies focusing on specific mutations. 10:25 Bone Marrow Transplants and Graft vs. Leukemia Dr. Soiffer delves into the history of bone marrow transplants, highlighting the Nobel Prize-winning work of E. Donald Thomas and the intriguing concept of graft versus leukemia effect. 15:02 The Role of Medical Education and Mentoring This chapter emphasizes the critical role of medical education and mentoring in shaping the future of medicine, drawing from Dr. Soiffer's experience as chief medical resident and mentor. He discusses the mutual learning process between experienced physicians and younger generations, and the importance of continuous learning. 19:50 Personal Impact of Oncology Work Dr. Soiffer reflects on the emotional challenges of his work, balancing optimism with realism and honesty while treating patients facing life-threatening situations. He discusses the difficulty of compartmentalizing emotions and the importance of maintaining humanity and connection with patients and their families, even when outcomes are not positive. 24:57 The Value of Clinical Trials This chapter explains the critical role of clinical trials in advancing cancer treatment, from early-stage phase I trials to comparative studies. Dr. Soiffer describes patients participating in these trials as brave pioneers, highlighting how targeted, immune, and cellular therapies would not exist without their contributions. 28:39 Global Collaboration in Medicine Dr. Soiffer discusses the extensive global collaboration in medical and scientific fields, emphasizing the shared mission to develop therapies for suffering patients. 35:33 Future of Cancer Treatment and Prevention Looking ahead, Dr. Soiffer predicts less toxic and more precise cancer treatments with improved therapeutic ratios, focusing on overcoming resistance and early detection. He discusses the potential of preventing progression to full-blown malignancy through early intervention and the growing understanding of germline predispositions to cancer. 41:26 Conclusion and Call to Optimism The episode concludes with Bill Burke thanking Dr. Soiffer for his time and invaluable insights, highlighting the rapid pace of change and innovation in cancer research. He also expresses hope and optimism for the future of cancer care.
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    44 mins
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