Blue Sky Podcast Por Bill Burke arte de portada

Blue Sky

Blue Sky

De: 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 Ciencias Sociales Higiene y Vida Saludable Psicología Psicología y Salud Mental
Episodios
  • Lynda Ulrich and Liesl Ulrich-Verderber on Optimism and Their Drive to Create the Goodness Exchange

    Lynda Ulrich and Liesl Ulrich-Verderber on Optimism and Their Drive to Create the Goodness Exchange
    Feb 4 2026
    Lynda Ulrich and her daughter Liesl Ulrich-Verderber are the mother-daughter team behind the Goodness Exchange, a global positive-news platform founded in 2014 to help people cut through today's negative nose with research-backed, solutions-focused storytelling. On this Blue Sky episode, they describe how they came to their optimistic outlooks at different stages of their lives and have managed to work together to create a remarkable platform for hopeful and uplifting stories. Chapters: 00:00 Are Optimists Born or Made? Bill Burke introduces the mother-daughter team, Dr. Linda Ulrich and Liesl Ulrich-Verderber, co-founders of The Goodness Exchange. Linda shares how a childhood tragedy, coupled with her parents' optimistic worldview, led her to choose to see the good in the world from a young age. 04:22 From Jaded to Optimist Liesl describes her journey from a 'jaded Harvard student' to an optimist, influenced by working with her mother on The Goodness Exchange's positive content. Linda discusses how she encouraged her children to 'change their state' and choose their perspective when facing adversity, modeling this through their family's extensive global travels. 08:05 The Power of Travel Linda and Liesl reflect on how their extensive world travels, even to uncomfortable places, broadened their perspectives and fueled their optimism. Liesl emphasizes seeing both the vast differences and similarities in how people live globally, fostering connections across cultures and expanding comfort zones. 12:30 The Digital Divide and Disinformation Linda explains her transition from dentistry to founding The Goodness Exchange, motivated by patients' increasing fear and negativity towards the future post-2010, linking it to negative news and social media. Liesl attributes this shift to the early, unregulated development of social media by young creators and a general lack of digital literacy, but notes a growing trend among younger generations to disengage from platforms that negatively impact them. 17:42 Battling Digital Overload Bill and Linda discuss the unhealthy constant consumption of negative information through smartphones and social media, highlighting how clicks on alarming content inadvertently 'vote' for more of it. 22:30 Unplugging and Community Liesl, specializing in EdTech, advocates for removing phones from classrooms to foster community and better learning, viewing technology as a tool for connection rather than a constant distraction. 30:01 The Goodness Exchange's Evolution Linda recounts starting The Goodness Exchange (originally Ever Widening Circles) as a blog to counter the world's negativity she observed in her dental practice, writing daily articles about positive stories. Liesl, upon graduating from Harvard, decided to join, seeing it as a way to transition her mother's passion into a sustainable and impactful publishing and media company focused on rigorously sourced positive content. 33:05 Rats to the Rescue! The Goodness Exchange primarily publishes positive news articles, a bi-weekly newsletter, and the 'Conspiracy of Goodness' podcast, focusing on engaging content formats as people skim rather than read. 41:02 AI in Education: Educated Bravery Liesl expresses excitement about AI in education, particularly tools like Khanmigo and Magic School AI, which move beyond cheating fears to empower teachers and students. 48:13 Bridging Generational Gaps Linda shares an analogy about intergenerational collaboration, where her long life provides a broad 'back of the Earth' perspective, while Liesl, standing on the 'edge,' sees what's coming in the future.
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    54 m
  • From Prison to PhD, the Inspiring Life and Work of Dr. Stanley Andrisse

    From Prison to PhD, the Inspiring Life and Work of Dr. Stanley Andrisse
    Jan 28 2026
    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 From Prison Cells to PhD. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Stan Andrisse This chapter introduces Dr. Stan Andrisse a tenured faculty member at Howard University and the founder of "From Prison Cells to PhD." 02:40 Early Life and Incarceration Dr. Andrisse discusses his childhood in Ferguson, Missouri, and how he became involved in illegal activities from a young age. He describes his progression from minor trouble to serious drug dealing, leading to multiple felony convictions and facing a potential life sentence under the three-strikes law. 07:58 The Incarceration of the Mind Stan reflects on the profound psychological impact of being labeled a career criminal and facing a lengthy prison sentence. He emphasizes that the 'incarceration of the mind' is more damaging than physical imprisonment and describes how a mentor helped him begin to overcome this despair. 12:58 Mentor and Path to Education Stan details the pivotal role of Dr. Barry Bodie, who supported him during his sentencing and continued to mentor him in prison. He explains how reading scientific articles, prompted by his father's death from diabetes, liberated his mind and ignited his passion for science, leading to his acceptance into St. Louis University despite multiple rejections. 22:33 Talent, Opportunity, and Innovation Stan discusses his philosophy that talent is evenly distributed, but opportunity is not, using his own journey as an example. He highlights the untapped brilliance within incarcerated individuals, arguing that with resources and opportunities, their innovative problem-solving skills could benefit society greatly. 28:40 From Prison Cells to PhD: The Organization Stan explains how his personal transformation inspired the creation of "From Prison Cells to PhD," a nonprofit scaling the mentorship and resource provision he received. He shares the organization's three core tenets: peer mentorship, community building, and connecting people to resources, detailing its significant success in helping formerly incarcerated individuals pursue higher education and careers. 34:07 Impact and Pen Pal Program Stan discusses the remarkable matriculation and GPA rates of participants in his "From Prison Cells to PhD" program. He explains how the organization reaches incarcerated individuals through partnerships with correctional facilities and its impactful pen pal program, which provides a vital connection to the outside world and instills hope, preventing recidivism. 41:35 The Drive to Succeed and Give Back Stan highlights the unique motivation and grit of formerly incarcerated individuals, driven by a desire to prove their worth and contribute positively to society. He notes that their experiences with hardship often translate into loyalty, hard work, and a commitment to making communities better and safer. 45:29 Breaking Chains, Building Futures, and Final Thoughts Stan discusses his new book, "Breaking Chains, Building Futures," which features diverse stories of individuals helped by his organization. He encourages listeners to support "From Prison Cells to PhD" through their website and social media, emphasizing the continued inspiration he draws from his father's motto: "It's Never Too Late to Do Good."
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    54 m
  • Kevin Lowe on How He Found Hope After Losing His Sight

    Kevin Lowe on How He Found Hope After Losing His Sight
    Jan 21 2026
    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 Josh. He also opens up about his parents' divorce in second grade and the significant role his grandmother played in his life. 04:46 Loss of Sight and Other Complications Kevin recounts the discovery of a plum-sized brain tumor at 17, which, though non-cancerous, posed a life-threatening risk. He describes the traumatic surgery that led to complete blindness, loss of smell, short-term memory loss, and a permanently damaged pituitary gland. 11:02 Journey Through Grief and Despair Kevin candidly discusses the profound sadness and despair he experienced after losing his sight, describing it as being 'trapped in hell.' He reveals his nightly prayers for his sight to return and even for the courage to end his life, ultimately finding strength in his faith and family. 15:04 Perseverance and New Beginnings Kevin shares his journey of rebuilding his life, including his determination to graduate with his high school class despite his blindness. He discusses his internships in travel and radio, which eventually led him to start his own travel agency, Better Days Travel, and his pivotal realization from an audiobook to embrace life despite his challenges. 23:12 The Podcast: Grit, Grace, and Inspiration Kevin talks about how the 2020 pandemic and his sister's suggestion led him to start podcasting, a medium he quickly realized he was 'designed for.' He details his podcast, Grit, Grace, & Inspiration, which focuses on sharing stories of overcoming adversity and inspiring others, encapsulated by his tagline 'turning setbacks into stages.' 31:54 Technological Advancements and Echolocation Kevin highlights how technology, particularly the iPhone with its voiceover feature and apps like Apple's 'Be My Eyes,' has significantly improved his life. He also fascinatingly explains how he learned echolocation, a skill that allows him to perceive his surroundings through sound, giving his world shape again. 42:20 Advice and Gratitude Kevin expresses gratitude for his seventeen years of sight, which aids his interpretation of the world, despite being a 'picky blind person' about colors. He offers heartfelt advice to those facing setbacks: 'give yourself grace' and remember that 'it's going to get easier, it's going to get better.' 45:20 Blue Sky Above - A Musical Surprise The host discusses the inspiring technological advancements and echolocation techniques Kevin shared. As a special surprise, Kevin produced an original song, 'Blue Sky Above,' which is played to close the episode.
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    51 m
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