Early Whale Watching and How Animal Research Advances Women's Health
Today's wildly positive news: Summers highlights how Australian whale watchers are being treated to an earlier-than-usual whale watching season thanks to successful conservation! Then, Kristy talks about a new study that details how animal adaptations could inform better women’s health. Listen to Read More...
Smart Pillows and Uber's Aid in Ukraine
Today's optimistic news: A new smart pillow can track the sleep of a user and provide essential data, and Uber is aiding Ukrainians by parterning with the UN World Food Programme. That and more on The Optimist Daily today! Listen to The Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Read More...
Insect Informants and How To Reduce the Environmental Cost of Meat
Today's solutions news: Italy's special police force, the Carabinieri, teams up with bees to fight climate change, and here are four policy changes we can make to reduce the environmental cost of the meat industry. If you'd like to nominate someone you know who's doing good in this world, send an Read More...
Electric Food Trucks and Scaling Up Solar Production
Today's good news: Summers talks about how students at the University of Illinois, Chicago have built a fully functional solar charging station for an on-campus food truck and other EVs. Then, Kristy discusses how the Biden administration is trying to drastically scale up solar production. If you'd Read More...
Composting in California and The Attentional Failure during Driving Questionnaire (AFDQ)
Today's good news: California levels up its composting game by making composting a statewide practice. Plus, North Carolina State University has developed an Attentional Failure during Driving Questionnaire (AFDQ) to help determine which drivers are most at risk of having an accident. If you'd Read More...
Mental Health Benefits of Youth Team Sports and the VEST Hackathon
Today's good news: Summers and Kristy start the week by talking about how new research from the University of California, Fullerton reveals a correlation between youth who participate in team sports and better mental health. Then, they discuss the VEST hackathon is helping make the professional Read More...
Firefighting Goats and World's Largest Plant
Today's positive news: Firefighting goats are helping prevent wildfires in California's Ojai Valley (shout out to Emissary Warren Petersen for submitting this story for our Optimist Change-Makers nominations!)! Plus, the world's largest plant (think 20,000 football fields big) has just been Read More...
Barbie's First Trans Doll and Germany Returns Namibian Artifacts
Today's good news: Kristy shares exciting news about Barbie's first trans doll, modeled after amazing actress and trans woman Laverne Cox. Then, Summers discusses how Germany is coming to terms with its colonial history and, as a part of that journey, has decided to return ancient stolen artifacts Read More...
The Biggest Photo Database of Amazonian Wildlife and The Fight Against Greenwashing
Today's good news: Summers talks about how the Wildlife Conservation Society is building an enormous photo database of Amazonian wildlife with the help of an international team of scientists. Then, Kristy discusses how authorities around the world are working to regulate greenwashing. If you'd like Read More...
Colorado Law Defends LGBTQ+ Parents' Rights and Talking with Kids Afraid of Going Back To School
Today's positive parenting news: Arielle talks about a Colorado law that gives LGBTQ+ parents rightful custody over their own children and Kristy shares advice on how to talk to students who are afraid or anxious about going back to school in the wake of the tragic Uvalde shooting. If you'd like to Read More...