The Optimist Daily’s Weekly Roundup
With Arielle Tiangco and Karissa Garcia
Do you like the stories from around the world that recognize and celebrate the people and events making a positive change? Tune in to The Optimist Daily’s Weekly Roundup, where our solutions-focused stories continue, and hear behind-the-scenes discussions from the people bringing you the news.
Episodes
December 12, 2025
Should kids be banned from social media? Inside Australia's bold online safety experiment
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 social@optimistdaily.com.
Transcript link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/?p=1421254
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The Optimist Daily is a project of the World Business Academy.
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PLAY 24:39 min
December 05, 2025
Holiday health etiquette plus the first female crash test dummy is (finally) here
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 Friend in an Unfriendly World and explore how deeper friendship and human connection can be powerful tools for personal and collective well-being. (You can read the excerpt and preorder the book here.)
Transcript link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/?p=1421212
Want to be part of the Optimism Movement? Become an Emissary.
Subscribe to our FREE Daily Newsletter and follow us on Instagram, X, and Blue Sky.
The Optimist Daily is a project of the World Business Academy.
Donate link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/donate-to-support-the-optimist-daily/?gift=Y%20http://
PLAY 19:19 min
November 27, 2025
Thankful for optimists: a Thanksgiving shout out to The Optimist Daily community
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: https://www.optimistdaily.com/?p=1421174
Want to be part of the Optimism Movement? Become an Emissary.
Subscribe to our FREE Daily Newsletter and follow us on Instagram, X, and Blue Sky.
The Optimist Daily is a project of the World Business Academy.
Donate link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/donate-to-support-the-optimist-daily/?gift=Y%20http://
PLAY 05:09 min
November 21, 2025
From bike buses to art therapy: The uplifting solutions changing everyday life
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 Swim Sista Swim, Hands United, Move Over Bob, and Amy Howlett-Johnson, our featured Changemakers these last couple weeks. And meet this week's inspiring Local Changemakers: Shower The People and Bounty & Soul.
It's a hopeful, human-focused episode full of community, creativity, and small changes driving meaningful impact.
Transcript link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/?p=1421119
Want to be part of the Optimism Movement? Become an Emissary.
Subscribe to our FREE Daily Newsletter and follow us on Instagram, X, and Blue Sky.
The Optimist Daily is a project of the World Business Academy.
Donate link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/donate-to-support-the-optimist-daily/?gift=Y%20http://
PLAY 16:09 min
October 31, 2025
The science of saving lives: new breakthroughs in immunity and allergy prevention
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, Silver Linings Rescue Ranch, and PeaceCYCLE — both proving compassion can fuel sustainability and hope.
Want to be part of the Optimism Movement? Become an Emissary.
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Transcript link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/?p=1420998
The Optimist Daily is a project of the World Business Academy.
Donate link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/donate-to-support-the-optimist-daily/?gift=Y%20http://
PLAY 17:41 min
October 24, 2025
From chemo care to creative flair: two stories changing how we heal and create
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 www.litboxbooks.com or follow @LitBoxBooks on X for the latest.
Transcript link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/?p=1420951
Want to be part of the Optimism Movement? Become an Emissary.
Subscribe to our FREE Daily Newsletter and follow us on Instagram, X, and Blue Sky.
The Optimist Daily is a project of the World Business Academy.
Donate link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/donate-to-support-the-optimist-daily/?gift=Y%20http://
PLAY 19:00 min
October 17, 2025
Can concrete power cities? Can aspirin prevent cancer? The science says maybe.
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 Emissary.
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Transcript link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/?p=1420895
The Optimist Daily is a project of the World Business Academy.
Donate link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/donate-to-support-the-optimist-daily/?gift=Y%20http://
PLAY 14:24 min
October 10, 2025
Why women live longer (and what men can learn from it) + the world’s first Indigenous-led ocean reserve
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 Emissary.
Subscribe to our FREE Daily Newsletter and follow us on Instagram, X, and Blue Sky.
Transcript link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/?p=1420855
The Optimist Daily is a project of the World Business Academy.
Donate link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/donate-to-support-the-optimist-daily/?gift=Y%20http://
PLAY 21:32 min
October 03, 2025
Bite-Sized Roundup: Cold Plunges, Kimchi, and Global Wins for the Planet
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 Emissary.
Subscribe to our FREE Daily Newsletter and follow us on Instagram, X, and Blue Sky.
Transcript link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/?p=1420817
The Optimist Daily is a project of the World Business Academy.
Donate link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/donate-to-support-the-optimist-daily/?gift=Y%20http://
PLAY 04:04 min
September 26, 2025
Underground libraries, rethinking BFFs, and other uplifting solutions
In this week’s Optimist Daily Roundup, Arielle and Karissa explore solutions that inspire connection and community. From Warsaw’s new underground library that encourages commuters to swap scrolling for stories to expert insights on why you don’t need one “best friend” to feel fulfilled, the episode highlights practical ways to strengthen belonging.
Click here to nominate your Local Changemaker of 2025. Every nomination enters you to win a cozy Optimist Daily mug!
Want to be part of the Optimism Movement? Become an Emissary.
Subscribe to our FREE Daily Newsletter and follow us on Instagram, X, and Blue Sky.
Transcript link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/?p=1420787
The Optimist Daily is a project of the World Business Academy.
Donate link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/donate-to-support-the-optimist-daily/?gift=Y%20http://
PLAY 20:40 min