Blue Sky

Updated: 07 May 2025 • 111 episodes
www.theoptimisminstitute.com

Hosted by Bill Burke, founder of The Optimism Institute, this weekly podcast will feature inspiring leaders, authors, researchers, and big thinkers who are taking on some of our world’s toughest challenges with an infectious sense of optimism. Blue Sky takes its name from the meditation reminder that there’s always blue sky above, sometimes you just have to get your head above the clouds to see it.

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On the heels of the “Arts Educators Save the World” feed swap episode with Jonathan Groff and his elementary school music teacher, Linda Tough, Bill Burke reflects on the role of teachers and mentors in helping us all be optimistic.  He shares his own influences and those of many Blue Sky guests, while encouraging us t

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In this very special “feed swap” edition, Blue Sky Alum Erica Halverson interviews award-winning Jonathan Groff and his inspirational elementary school music teacher, Linda Tough, on the “Arts Educators Save the World” podcast.      Learn more about Erica's podcast here: https://www.artseducatorspodcast.com/   Chapters

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Martin Gutmann is an expert on the history of business and has written extensively about styles of past leaders.  In this episode, he shares his thoughts on everything from today’s political climate, to whether he thinks Ernest Shackleton is overrated (spoiler alert – he does), to the underrated excellence of less well

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Blayne Smith and Brandon Young are two US Army combat veterans who came together in civilian life to start their own company.  They’ve now published a new book, co-authors of Perseverance > Endurance: Lead with Resilience. Grow Through Adversity. Win Together., in which they describe invaluable lessons that they’ve lea

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This episode explores the work of Echoing Green, an international non-profit that invests in social entrepreneurs and their dreams and ideas.  An accomplished leader and executive herself, Cheryl Dorsey explains how she first came to the organization and the great work they continue to do under her leadership.    Chapt

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In this very special edition of “the mini podcast with major optimism,” host Bill Burke confesses to falling off the optimism bandwagon. Yes, this can even happen to the founder of The Optimism Institute! He describes a doom-scrolling session that left him feeling lousy and explains how – with advice we can all use – h

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