California's Sea Otters and Twilight Zone Fungi
This week's solutions news: Karissa shares a story about one of her favorite animals—sea otters—and their role in protecting California coastlines. Then, Arielle takes us into the ocean's "Twilight Zone" to discuss the potential antibiotic properties of all the fungi growing there. The Optimist Read More...
Spain's First Parliamentarian with Down Syndrome and a Neuroscientist's Guide to Strengthening Your Brain
This week's positive news: Arielle shares exciting inclusivity and diversity news from Valencia: Mar Galcerán becomes Spain's first parliamentarian with Down Syndrome. Then, Karissa shares some expert tips on how to exercise key brain regions for a stronger brain in 2024. The Optimist Daily is a Read More...
Dry January and The Golden Gate Bridge's Life Saving Makeover
Happy New Year! Arielle and Karissa catch up and talk about how they rang in 2024, then Arielle leads a conversation about the science behind Dry January. After, Karissa talks about a life-saving change on San Francisco's iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Trigger Warning This episode involves Read More...
Connecting at Family Gatherings and Design Solutions to Urban Loneliness
Welcome to our last episode of the year! Karissa shares tips on how to truly cultivating connection at family gatherings. Then Arielle talks about social infrastructure and how certain design choices can help alleviate urban loneliness. On behalf of the team behind The Optimist Daily, we thank you Read More...
Sesame Workshop Helps Kids Tackle Tough Issues and Unveiling Oxford's Word of the Year.
This week's positive news: Arielle highlights Sesame Workshop's efforts to help children navigate families with addiction problems with kid-friendly and accessible resources. Then, Karissa explains what Oxford University's Word of the Year, "Rizz," really means! We want to hear from you. Send your Read More...
Nature Guardians in UK Companies and Detroit's EV-Charging Roads
This week's uplifting news: Karissa talks about how yet another UK Company invites "nature guardians" into their boardrooms to speak for and vote on behalf of nature. Then, Arielle shares electrifying news from Detroit: the rolling out of stretches of road that wirelessly charge EVs on the go. The Read More...
Patagonia Transforms Waste into Fashion and Smartphone Codes for Children's Well-being
This week's positive news: Patagonia leads the way (again) in sustainable and circular fashion. Karissa highlights Patagonia's Stormshadow parker which is made of ocean waste. Then, Arielle talks about how a small Irish town's "smartphone code" is improving children's mental health and digital Read More...
Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!
Happy Thanksgiving Weekend! Arielle and Karissa talk about what they're grateful for this year and why we should practice gratitude all year round. They also extend their appreciation to you for being a part of The Optimist Daily community. The Optimist Daily is a project of The World Business Read More...
Tracy Chapman and Enough! Plays to Stop Gun Violence
This week's empowering solutions: Karissa talks about how the 35-year-old song Fast Car wins Song of the Year at this year's Country Music Awards, making Tracy Chapman the first Black woman to receive this award. Then Arielle highlights a story about "Enough! Plays to Stop Gun Violence," an Read More...
Reinstating Film Intermissions and Art Preserves Endangered Flora
This week's artistic solutions: Arielle shares the case for why film intermissions should be reinstated for a better movie-going experience. Then Karissa dives into how artists in the Himalayas are capturing their culture's endangered flora and fauna in their art in an effort to preserve and teach Read More...