Miscellaneous
Podcast Transcript April 4, 2025: How crafting and friendships foster healing, joy, and upward mobility
Episode Description: This week, Arielle and Karissa explore the powerful intersection of creativity, mental well-being, and community. They dive into a groundbreaking study on how friendships across income lines can increase social mobility—and why inclusive schools and recreational spaces Read More...
Podcast Transcript March 28, 2025: Bloodless Bulls & Biodegradable Beads
Episode Description: This week, Karissa and Arielle explore creative sustainability in action—from biodegradable, seed-filled Mardi Gras beads developed by LSU students to Mexico City’s bold move toward bloodless bullfighting. Join in for a hopeful conversation about how traditions can evolve, Read More...
Podcast Transcript March 21, 2025: Why Calling Your Friends Matters + A Win for Accessibility in France
Episode Description: In this episode of The Optimist Daily’s Weekly Roundup, Karissa and Arielle dive into two compelling stories: why picking up the phone to call your friends can strengthen relationships and improve mental well-being, and how France finally scrapped a discriminatory voting Read More...
Podcast Transcript March 7, 2025: Coping with Travel Anxiety and Thriving in Uncertainty: Science-Backed Solutions
Episode Description: In this episode of The Optimist Daily Weekly Roundup, Arielle and Karissa dive into some of the most anxiety-inducing headlines of the past week—from plane crashes to media overload—and explore how to manage travel anxiety when the news is anything but comforting. They Read More...
Podcast Transcript February 28, 2025: Mastering Eye Contact for Better Communication + Norway Bans Fur Farming
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 Read More...
Podcast Transcript February 21, 2025: Naps & Net Worth: How Sleep Boosts Problem-Solving + Discussing Female Invest
Episode Description: In this episode of The Optimist Daily Weekly Roundup, Karissa and Arielle explore the surprising link between naps and enhanced problem-solving skills—because sometimes, sleeping on it really is the best strategy. Then, they dive into the story of Female Invest, a platform Read More...
Podcast Transcript February 14, 2025: Love, Climate Justice, and a Snuggly Sleep Hack
Episode Description: Happy Valentine’s Day! This week, Arielle and Karissa are diving into a love-infused lineup of solutions, starting with a fascinating study on how your partner’s scent might actually help you sleep better. Then, they explore San Francisco State University’s Read More...
Podcast Transcript February 7, 2025: The Rise of Ethical Social Media & Granting Nature Legal Rights
Episode Description: In this week’s episode of The Optimist Daily’s Weekly Round-up, Karissa and Arielle dive into the world of ethical social media and environmental justice. First, Karissa explores decentralized platforms like Pixelfed, Loops, and Sup, which challenge big tech by Read More...
Why we can sense when someone is staring at us
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEA Have you ever had that prickly sensation on the back of your neck, only to turn around and catch someone staring at you? It’s tempting to attribute this experience to intuition or even extrasensory perception (ESP), but science offers a simpler Read More...
Podcast Transcript January 31, 2025: From Climate Action to Better Sleep: Solutions for a Brighter Future
Episode Description: In this episode of The Optimist Daily’s Weekly Round-up, Arielle and Karissa dive into the latest solutions-focused stories making a positive impact worldwide. They discuss Michael Bloomberg’s bold move to fund the UNFCCC after U.S. withdrawal, highlighting how private Read More...