The Weekly Theme
Each week, we feature a new theme of solutions for those passionate about learning in-depth on how we are building a better world!
The boundless ways you can make a difference in your community
We all want to make a positive difference in our communities, but where to start? Fortunately, small changes can have a big impact on your block, your neighborhood, and even your city. Here are just a few great ideas to get you started. On your street, you can redesign a crosswalk to make Read More...
American honeybees are bouncing back after a bad year
When it comes to beekeeping, the number of winter deaths within a bee colony is a crucial indicator of the colony’s health. Colonies will always see a percentage of the population wiped out by colder temperatures and less abundant flowers, but what’s most important in this case is how many Read More...
The founder of Netflix just donated $120 million to black colleges
Many prominent public figures have donated towards causes that support racial justice in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd, but no donation has gone further than that of Netflix founder Reed Hastings and his wife, Patty Quillin. The duo recently put forth $120 million that will be Read More...
The Optimist View: The Power of Social Entrepreneurship
"A little bit of good can turn into a whole lot of good when fueled by the commitment of a social entrepreneur" - Jeffery Skoll We often hear about massive companies creating amazing new products, coming up with disruptive solutions and finding new ways to deliver their products or change our Read More...
Fighting racism on wheels: skateboarding and racial justice
Skateboarding has a reputation of attracting irresponsible teens, but as the sport evolves, and even joins the Olympics, researchers and riders alike are drawing attention to the beneficial community-building power of the sport. As the country continues to reckon with the need to eradicate deep Read More...
Humorous posters urge National Park visitors to stay a bear’s length apart
As quarantined visitors itch to get back into nature, national parks across the country are moving to reopen. However, even in the vastness of the outdoors, park officials still have concerns about the spread of Covid-19. The National Parks Service has rolled out some creative new posters that are Read More...
New Hampshire ski town hosts unique socially distanced graduation
If you’re graduating from Kennett High School during the pandemic, you get to receive your diploma in a way that may be cooler than a traditional graduation ceremony. Graduating seniors and their families in the North Conway, N.H. ski town traveled up a ski lift to receive their Read More...
Seeking psychological healing? Psychedelic-assisted therapy can help
Ask anyone experimenting with psychedelics in the 1960s and they would tell you about the mystical experiences associated with tripping. Urban legends circulated, claiming that psychedelics could allow intrepid trippers to meet spirit guides, to travel to other dimensions, and even to know God. Read More...
Values before profit: This man turned his restaurant into a donation center
At the Optimist Daily, we like to honor the everyday heroes that make communities thrive. Today we bring you a story out of Minneapolis where a local restaurant owner has turned his restaurant into a community outpost for those protesting police violence. Here’s his story. Tomme Beevas Read More...
How a 10-year-old girl sent thousands of art kits to kids in foster care
A young girl with a big heart has found just the way to cheer up other kids stuck at home during the pandemic. Chelsea Phaire, a 10-year-old from Danbury, Connecticut, has sent more than 1,500 children in homeless shelters and foster care homes art kits to give them something uplifting to do when Read More...