Episode Description:

In this episode of The Optimist Daily’s Weekly Round-up, Karissa and Arielle explore Norway’s groundbreaking decision to ban fur farming, diving into how activism, consumer choices, and political action shape a more compassionate world. They also break down essential eye contact tips—what mistakes to avoid, how to improve your skills, and why eye contact is key to confidence and connection.

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Transcript:

Theme music

Karissa:

Hello and welcome to The Optimist Daily’s Weekly Round-up. I’m Karissa.

Arielle:

And I’m Arielle, and we’re working hard to put solutions in view and optimism in movement.

Karissa:

Hello again! We’re back with another episode of the pod to share the solutions from the Optimist Daily this week. How are you doing today, Arielle?

Arielle:

I’m doing pretty well. Umm, I’m in Seattle right now, so I don’t have my usual mic setup— sorry for any audio discrepancies.

Karissa:

Mm.

Arielle:

How about you, Karissa?

Karissa:

I’m feeling a little under the weather, so sorry for the voice (laughs) a little sniffly over here. But we’re here, and we’re going to share some positivity today!

Before we get into the positivity, We wanted to share our new segment: I’m an Optimist, But… Would you like to go first today?

Arielle:

All right! So for this week’s I’m an Optimist, But… segment, I have to admit I’ve been feeling a little down about something that’s hard to ignore while I’m visiting Seattle. There’s just such a stark contrast between the immense wealth in the city and the number of people experiencing homelessness. You see it everywhere— people struggling, clearly in need of help— and it just makes you wonder how a place with so many resources can still have so many people left behind.

On top of that, every time I go to the grocery store— granted, Whole Foods is the closest one to where my sister lives— but I’m just shocked by how expensive things are. Even basics like granola feel a little out of reach. And if I’m feeling shocked at the prices, I can’t even imagine how tough it must be for people who are already struggling.

So yeah, it makes me feel a little bit hopeless about the state of things. Because how do you even wrap your head around fixing something that feels so broken? But I try to remind myself of some of the strategies we share here at The Optimist Daily— that even small actions can make a difference.

Helping out your neighbor or the guy you pass on the street every day can make you feel a little bit more in control of the situation, instead of getting bogged down by the immensity of a global issue. So yeah, I’ve been thinking about donating to food banks, supporting local organizations that help unhoused people, or even just acknowledging people instead of looking away. I think that’s part of optimism—it’s not about ignoring the hard stuff, it’s about believing we can work toward change.

Karissa:

Yeah, absolutely. That was beautifully said, Arielle. The grocery situation—even if you’re not homeless in America right now—is crazy. But it does make you want to do something about it, and I’m sure there are organizations in Seattle and elsewhere working to combat this.

We’ve definitely reported on some with a similar theme, but if any listeners know of great organizations in that area—or just in general—please reach out to The Optimist Daily! We’d love to highlight what people are doing.

Arielle:

Mm-hmm.

Karissa:

Well, mine isn’t as deep as that one… I’m an Optimist, But I can be pretty pessimistic about learning new things sometimes. As much as I love to say that learning is great, it can also be really frustrating—and that’s how I’ve been feeling about learning how to ski (laughs).

Arielle:

Mmm.

Karissa:

Doing a new physical activity, I feel like, can be pretty difficult. And this weekend, I started crying on the mountain when I couldn’t—just a little bit. And I’ve been doing well with my lessons. I keep going out of my comfort zone. And then I was kind of stuck on the mountain for a while, thinking, I can’t do this. It really made me feel pessimistic about trying something new.

Arielle:

Oh.

Karissa:

But I did end up getting down, so I guess that is the win here. And I was pushing myself. So, well, it’s definitely, you know, mixed feelings. I think with something new, when you’re not the best, you just want to be good at it.

Arielle:

Yeah, it can be very discouraging, especially something as physical as skiing or snowboarding. I remember learning how to snowboard, and that was really, really difficult—and embarrassing. Like, you feel like you should be better at this (laughs). But it’s actually also quite a mental thing because there’s fear involved.

Karissa:

Yes.

Arielle:

And then there’s also, like, thinking about how your body should be positioned, and it’s just so much. So I admire you for going out there and doing it anyway.

Karissa:

Yeah, well, thank you! But I guess, like, on the topic of learning new things, we had a solution this week that kind of taught me some new things that I should work on—and will help me out in all areas of life. So if you don’t mind, Arielle, I think I’ll share my solution.

Arielle:

Yeah, of course! Go ahead.

Karissa:

My solution is called Mastering Eye Contact: Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them. So, Arielle, do you feel like you struggle with maintaining eye contact?

Arielle:

Before, when I was younger, I definitely did. And I think it depends on the situation because once I started serving at a restaurant, you just kind of have to stop being afraid of making eye contact.

Karissa:

Yeah.

Arielle:

Still, circumstantially, if I’m at a party where I don’t know very many people, I do tend to…

Karissa:

Yeah?

Arielle:

…start looking at my feet a lot.

Karissa:

For me, personally, I think I hold eye contact well when I’m listening to people—I can really, you know, lock into that. But when I’m talking, I actually feel like I tend to kind of look all over the place. Or if I do lock eyes, I’m like, let me look away!

This solution actually shows that all of those things are very common, but there are ways to fix them. Eye contact is an underrated social skill that signals attentiveness, confidence, intelligence, and trustworthiness. It conveys emotions, fosters understanding, and improves connections in both personal and professional…

Arielle:

Mmm.

Karissa:

…settings. Yet many of us unknowingly make eye contact mistakes that can lead to awkward interactions. But the good news, of course, is that small adjustments can make a big difference. So today, we’re going to break down the most common eye contact mistakes and explore easy ways to improve this essential skill.

The first mistake is avoiding eye contact altogether. If you tend to look away during conversations, you’re not alone. Many people avoid eye contact due to shyness, nerves, or discomfort. Research also shows that those with social anxiety disorder fear or struggle with direct eye contact.

Arielle:

And consistently dodging eye contact can make you seem a bit disengaged—or maybe even untrustworthy.

Karissa:

But there is a way to fix it, of course! You can start small. Instead of staring directly into someone’s eyes, focus on their face as a whole. If full eye contact feels overwhelming, try looking at the bridge of their nose or between their eyebrows.

All right, and mistake #2 is staring too intensely. On the other end of the spectrum, maintaining unbroken eye contact can be a little unsettling, yeah?

Arielle:

Intense eye contact can get pretty uncomfortable—in my experience, anyway.

Karissa:

And as psychologist Sophia Spencer says, humans expect natural breaks in gaze. So when those breaks don’t happen, people may perceive the stare as aggressive or uncomfortable.

Arielle:

Mmm.

Karissa:

But there is a way to fix it! You can use the 50/70 rule. Aim to maintain eye contact 50% of the time when speaking and 70% when listening. This creates a comfortable, natural rhythm.

Arielle:

But where should we look when we’re not looking directly into someone’s eyes?

Karissa:

Yeah! So that brings me to the third eye contact mistake—looking at the wrong place. If you find yourself staring at someone’s forehead, mouth, or even their hands instead of their eyes, it can make you seem distracted. Or worse, like you’re fixated on an unrelated part of their body.

Arielle:

Yeah (laughs).

Karissa:

That’s not always the best… but there is a way to fix it! You can try the triangle method. Picture a triangle on the person’s face, with their eyes and mouth forming the three points. Shift your gaze between these areas to maintain natural eye contact without feeling too intense.

And the fourth mistake that many people make is darting eyes. Constantly shifting your eyes—whether looking at the floor, ceiling, or other objects—can make you seem anxious or uninterested. And this is the mistake I feel like I’m most guilty of! Because like I said earlier, once I lock eyes with someone, I’m like, okay, let me dart my eyes away now.

But to fix it, you can use these tips: try peripheral awareness—keep your focus on the person’s face while still allowing yourself to take in the surroundings.

Arielle:

Okay, so keeping your attention on the face but not making that deep, locked-in eye contact.

Karissa:

Yeah, precisely! And if necessary, take occasional natural breaks by briefly looking away before returning to eye contact.

And mistake #5 is ignoring cultural differences. Eye contact norms vary widely across cultures. In many Western cultures, direct eye contact signals confidence and attentiveness—like we’re talking about right now.

Arielle:

And I know that in some Asian, Middle Eastern, and Indigenous cultures, prolonged eye contact can be seen as disrespectful or confrontational—especially if you’re directing it toward an elder.

Karissa:

Yeah, definitely. So it’s crucial to be mindful of cultural differences and adjust accordingly. And if you’re visiting a new place, this should definitely be part of your research beforehand, I’d say. But if you’re unsure, you can observe the other person’s behavior and match their level of eye contact.

All right! And finally, the last mistake we have is focusing too much on one person in a group setting.

Arielle:

Yeah. In group conversations, I find that it’s easy for me to lock eyes with just one person—but I guess that’s not necessarily the right move.

Karissa:

Yeah, exactly! Unintentionally leaving out other group members can make some people feel excluded. And I know I’ve been one of those group members before, where I can see someone just making eye contact with one person. And I probably have unintentionally done the same to others as well.

Arielle:

Yeah, it’s just hard to break that habit. But how can we be aware of this in a group setting and do better?

Karissa:

Yeah! So you can fix it by distributing your gaze evenly across the group. If you’re speaking, shift your eye contact to different individuals every few seconds. And if you’re listening, acknowledge each speaker with a glance to show engagement.

Arielle:

Hmm. OK, so we covered a lot of what not to do and their applicable fixes, but what are some other strategies to really strengthen eye contact skills?

Karissa:

We have a couple of tips that we shared in this article. So, you can practice with screens—while watching TV or videos, challenge yourself to maintain eye contact with the characters. This low-pressure exercise helps build comfort over time.

Arielle:

Yeah, that’s pretty clever! I’ve never thought to use a screen.

Karissa:

Yeah, it’s super interesting! And we can also use nonverbal cues—pair eye contact with nodding, smiling, and slight head tilts to make your engagement feel more natural.

Another tip is to take intentional breaks. Avoid staring contests by occasionally looking away for a second before re-establishing eye contact.

And of course, get feedback! Ask a trusted friend or colleague if your eye contact feels natural or needs improvement.

All these steps really go to show that eye contact is a powerful but often overlooked skill that plays a very crucial role in communication.

Arielle:

Mmm. And it seems like the key is balance—we should avoid both extremes of too much or too little eye contact while being mindful of cultural differences and social settings.

Karissa:

Absolutely! So if you find eye contact challenging, don’t stress. With small, intentional efforts, you can gradually build confidence and enhance your social presence. So the next time you’re in a conversation, try implementing some of these tips, and you might just be surprised at how much stronger your connections become.

Arielle:

Yeah, that is a really good social solution for everyday life and something we can implement right now.

But I have a solution that caught my eye this week—one that’s been in the works for a long time. Do you mind if I jump into mine?

Karissa:

Yeah, let’s hear it!

Arielle:

OK! So, the title of my article is Norway Bids Farewell to Fur Farming in a Milestone for Animal Welfare.

So yes, Norway has officially shut down its fur farming industry, and it’s a big deal because it was once home to nearly 300 fur farms. And yeah, actually, the country completely phased out the practice, beating its original deadline of February 2025.

And this isn’t just a big deal for Norway—it’s part of a growing movement against fur farming worldwide.

Karissa:

Wow, yeah, this is awesome to hear. And it’s a pretty bold move because fur farming has been around in Norway for decades, right?

Arielle:

Yes, definitely. It was a major part of the agricultural industry, with minks and foxes bred in small wire cages for the luxury fashion market. But times have since changed—public attitudes started shifting, and animal welfare activists got louder. Eventually, the government decided it was time to put an end to it.

Karissa:

Well, that’s great news! So when did Norway actually decide to pull the plug on fur farming?

Arielle:

The official decision was made in 2018, with a phase-out period to give farmers time to transition to new livelihoods. Now, as the deadline approaches, the last fur farms have closed. Actually, they shut down a long time ago—but I’ll talk about that later. It’s just great to see that Norway has kept its promise.

Karissa:

I imagine this wasn’t an overnight change, of course. What pushed Norway to make this decision?

Arielle:

Yeah, it was definitely not overnight—this was years in the making. Animal welfare groups, including the Norwegian Society for the Protection of Animals, exposed inhumane conditions on fur farms—things like untreated wounds, psychological distress, and cramped cages. Undercover footage really shocked the public, and soon, opinion polls showed that the majority of Norwegians supported a ban.

Karissa:

Wow. I’m guessing because of this, there was also political pressure, too.

Arielle:

Absolutely. A petition calling for a ban got 35,000 signatures, which helped push the government to take action. A government spokesperson summed it up by saying, This decision reflects the values of our society today. We have seen the strength of feeling on the issue and have listened.

Karissa:

OK, well, it seems like at its core, this was an ethical decision.

Arielle:

Mm-hmm, that’s right. The big question was: Should fashion justify animal suffering?

Minks and foxes are wild animals. In fur farms, they were confined to tiny cages, unable to exhibit their natural behaviors like swimming and roaming vast territories. Instead, they developed stress-related behaviors like pacing and self-mutilation.

Karissa:

That’s so sad. And I’m guessing there was also some scientific backing for these concerns, too?

Arielle:

Mmm. The Norwegian Veterinary Association and animal welfare experts agreed that fur farming simply could not meet modern humane treatment standards. Unlike other types of livestock farming, there was no realistic way to make fur farming ethical.

Karissa:

Plus, the fashion industry has been moving away from fur, right? I think we’ve reported on this on The Optimist Daily a little bit.

Arielle:

Yeah! Major brands like Gucci, Prada, and Burberry have stopped using fur, which has helped shrink the market. So beyond ethics, Norway’s decision also made sense economically.

Karissa:

OK, so what about the farmers? Shutting down an entire industry must have had some consequences.

Arielle:

Yeah. So Norway introduced a compensation plan worth about $50 million to help farmers transition into new industries—things like agriculture, tourism, or even renewable energy.

Interestingly, the phase-out progressed ahead of schedule, like I mentioned earlier. By January 2023, the last two fur farms in Norway had ceased operations, effectively ending the industry two years before the official ban was in effect.

This early closure was a significant milestone, reflecting both the effectiveness of the government support measures and the shifting public sentiment against fur farming.

But you can’t please everyone. Not all fur farmers were happy with the deal—some argued that the financial support wasn’t enough, especially considering the emotional toll of having to shut down a business that may have been in their family for generations.

So there have certainly been legal challenges, let’s say.

Karissa:

Wow, I can see how that transition could be tough, of course. But overall, it’s really impressive that they were able to do this in kind of a short time span—like a little over five years.

What happens to all the land these farms were on?

Arielle:

That’s a good question. Some farms were in environmentally sensitive areas, so there’s still debate over how to repurpose the land. The government is working on solutions, but it’s an ongoing conversation.

Karissa:

Makes sense. So is Norway’s decision part of a bigger trend we’re seeing?

Arielle:

Oh, for sure! Norway joins countries like the UK, Austria, the Netherlands, and Belgium, which have all banned fur farming. France and Italy have also put at least some restrictions in place.

And then, over in the U.S., where we both are right now, California was the first state to ban fur sales.

Karissa:

Amazing! And I heard the European Union is also considering a ban too.

Arielle:

Mm-hmm. Yeah, there’s a petition calling for an EU-wide ban that has gathered over 1.5 million signatures so far. And as awareness grows, it’s becoming harder for the industry to defend and justify itself.

Karissa:

So it seems like this is way more than just a policy change—it’s a reflection of shifting values, perhaps?

Arielle:

Exactly. Norway’s ban isn’t just about ending fur farming; it’s about redefining how society values animal welfare. And it shows that activism, consumer choices, and political action can create real change.

Karissa:

Yeah, totally! And it’s proof that progress is possible when people speak up.

So I guess… what’s next for fur farming worldwide?

Arielle:

The momentum is definitely growing. More brands are moving toward cruelty-free alternatives, and innovations in synthetic fur and plant-based materials are proving that fashion can be both ethical and luxurious.

Karissa:

Yeah, I know! I bought a synthetic fur coat, and I really like it. I mean, there’s just… there’s no point in harming an animal for that.

Arielle:

Yeah, exactly! And Norway’s ban is a reminder that compassion and progress go hand in hand.

So who knows? Maybe in a few years, fur farming will be a thing of the past.

Karissa:

Absolutely.

Arielle:

Everywhere.

Karissa:

Yeah, I hope so! It looks like the future of fashion is looking a lot kinder.

Arielle:

Mmmhmm.

Karissa:

Makes me feel pretty optimistic that little animals will be safe.

Arielle:

Exactly. But we do have a lot more solutions on the Optimist Daily this week—you should definitely check them out!

Karissa:

Yeah! So we have 5 Creative Ways to Reuse Tea Bags, In Your 50s and Worried About Dementia? Here Are 14 Ways to Lower Your Risk, New York Launches Interactive Tree Tracker to Monitor 25 Million Tree Goal, and London Doctors Cure Childhood Blindness with Cutting-Edge Gene Therapy.

Amazing to hear! What else do we have?

Arielle:

We also have 4 Easy Ways to Remove Lint Without a Lint Roller, Germany’s Small-Town Bet: Can Deep Geothermal Energy Power the Future?, How Reducing Metal Pollution Boosts Biodiversity in English Waterways, and Food Sequencing: How Eating in the Right Order Can Boost Your Health.

Karissa:

Well, if you want to start your day off right next week, make sure to subscribe to our free daily newsletter to get our solutions delivered straight to your inbox.

Arielle:

We also have a lot more on our social channels! You can find us @OptimistDaily on all platforms—including Threads, Pinterest, Bluesky, you name it.

The only different one is on X—on there, we are known as @OdeToOptimism.

Karissa:

And we are a small team of optimists working hard to bring you positive news! If you want to support our mission of putting optimism into the world, click the link in the show notes to find out how.

Arielle:

And remember, support doesn’t always have to be financial! Even just recommending our podcast to a friend, leaving a positive review wherever you’re listening, forwarding a link, or sharing a solution on your socials would be a huge help.

Karissa:

Well, great as always to be here with you, Arielle, sharing these solutions—and I’m looking forward to sharing more next week!

Arielle:

Likewise! And I hope you feel better soon Karissa.

Karissa:

Thank you! Yes—bye, everyone! Hope everyone is well and healthy.

Arielle:

Bye!