Blue Sky

This is an encore presentation of the 50th episode of Blue Sky, when Bill was joined by someone who has completed more than 400 of them.  Bestselling author and TV/podcast host Kelly Corrigan describes to Bill the many things she’s learned in her life and career about optimism and how we all can benefit from life’s setbacks to become better people and forge stronger relationships.  Kelly reflects on lessons she learned from her parents and how facing her own cancer diagnosis and battle with the disease left her with a greater sense of empathy for others with similar hardships.  She also explains why she thinks intellectual humility is a key ingredient for an optimistic outlook and also that “there’s no feeling as good as being useful to someone.” 

Chapters: 

00:00 Introduction to Blue Sky Podcast Host

Bill Burke introduces the 50th episode of the Blue Sky Podcast, highlighting its significance and the guest, Kelly Corrigan, an accomplished podcaster and author.  

03:07 The Power of Lifelong Learning 

Kelly Corrigan shares her insights on the importance of being a lifelong learner and how it fosters a mindset of curiosity and openness.  

09:02 Optimism in Discovery

The conversation delves into the optimistic belief that there is always more to learn and discover.  

12:52 Finding Common Ground

Bill and Kelly explore the idea of starting conversations with shared experiences rather than differences, highlighting the importance of empathy in discussions, especially in polarized environments.  

16:17 Lessons from Kelly’s Dad

 Kelly reflects on her father’s optimistic worldview and his unique way of greeting the day, which instilled a sense of joy and agency in her life. She shares how his perspective can inspire others to approach life with openness and positivity. 

23:03 The Steadiness of Kelly’s Mom

Transitioning to her mother’s influence, Kelly describes her mother’s calm and competent nature during challenging times, particularly during her cancer diagnosis. 

30:00 The Beauty of Brokenness

Kelly discusses her perspective that everyone is broken by the age of 50, and how this brokenness can lead to deeper connections with others. She emphasizes that meaningful connections often arise from shared hardships, transforming superficial interactions into profound conversations. 

34:11 The Power of Shared Experiences

The conversation shifts to how shared challenges can break down barriers and foster genuine connections among people.  

37:57 Finding Purpose in Pain 

Kelly shares the story of her cousin who became a source of support after losing her son, illustrating how personal tragedy can lead to a greater sense of purpose and empathy. The discussion touches on the transformative power of helping others through their struggles. 

39:01 The Journey to Wellbeing

Kelly introduces her PBS show focused on understanding wellbeing and the various factors that contribute to it, including mood, connection, and spirituality.  

45:06 The Future of Mental Health Treatment

The discussion highlights advancements in mental health treatment, emphasizing the potential for precision medicine to revolutionize how we approach mental health issues. Kelly and Bill express optimism about the ongoing research and the possibility of more effective, individualized treatments. 

49:06 Embracing Uncertainty in Science

Kelly reflects on her experiences interviewing leading scientists, revealing that even experts often disagree on key issues in mental health research. This segment emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and maturity in interpreting scientific findings.

Don Carpenter has spent the bulk of his career working on youth development.  Today he’s executive director of the Rural Futures Fund, an organization focused on kids in rural settings, working to help them close what he calls the “aspirations gap,” between them and their peers in more affluent settings.   

Chapters:

01:11 Meet Don Carpenter 
Bill introduces Don Carpenter, Executive Director of the Rural Futures Fund, an organization dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for youth in rural areas.  

03:03 The Trekker Model 
Don discusses the Trekker youth development mentoring model, which connects caring adults with students in a cohort-based approach. This innovative model emphasizes outdoor experiences to foster relationships and personal growth over six years. 

06:18 Focusing on Rural Youth 
The conversation shifts to the unique challenges faced by youth in rural settings, particularly regarding educational aspirations.  

07:32 The Birth of the Rural Futures Fund 
Don explains the evolution of the Rural Futures Fund and its mission to support youth development initiatives. He shares how the fund aims to tackle the aspirations gap, particularly during the critical 8th to 9th-grade transition. 

10:09 Creating the Aspirations Incubator 
Don elaborates on the Aspirations Incubator, a project designed to empower rural communities by providing resources and support for youth development.  

12:15 Measuring Success 
The discussion turns to the metrics used to evaluate the success of the Aspirations Incubator. Don outlines the focus on social-emotional development, academic achievement, and post-secondary aspirations among participating youth. 

22:35 Results and Learnings 
Don shares the impressive results from the first cohort of the Aspirations Incubator, highlighting significant improvements in students’ sense of belonging and post-secondary enrollment rates.  

29:09 Understanding Summer Melt 
In this chapter, Don discusses the national phenomenon of summer melt, where a significant percentage of students fail to enroll in college after graduation. He highlights how their program achieved a remarkable 78% enrollment rate and the ongoing efforts to address this issue for future cohorts. 

30:29 Reflections on Results 
Don reflects on the outcomes of the program, sharing his initial expectations and the unexpected support provided to organizational leadership during the pandemic.  

33:39 The Impact of the Pandemic 
This chapter delves into how the pandemic influenced the program’s operations and the unique support provided to students during this challenging time. Don shares heartwarming examples of how program managers maintained connections and provided essential services to families. 

36:37 Adapting to New Challenges 
Don explains the fundamental differences in their model compared to traditional youth-serving organizations, especially in terms of maintaining relationships with students.  

39:02 Looking Ahead: The Rural Youth Institute 
Don introduces the Rural Youth Institute, designed to build on the successes of the previous program. He outlines its pillars and the intention to expand its reach beyond Maine to support rural youth nationwide. 

44:04 The Importance of Community Connection 
Don highlights the significance of fostering a sense of belonging among rural youth and the potential impact on their communities. He discusses the challenges of brain drain and how their program aims to empower young people to return and contribute to their hometowns. 

46:01 A Legacy of Inspiration 
In this closing chapter, Don shares the personal fulfillment he derives from his work, including officiating weddings for program alumni. The conversation wraps up with a reflection on the importance of optimism and community support in shaping the future of rural youth. 

When Olivia Clarke was first diagnosed with cancer and began treatment, she looked for ways to keep her spirits up as the grueling treatments and symptoms became increasingly difficult.  Gradually, she noticed moments – in waiting rooms, treatment areas, with strangers – that, when looked at with a certain lens, could be seen as downright funny.  This inspired her to launch “Humor Beats Cancer,” and online community that encourages other cancer patients to share their own moments of levity to soften the blows of this terrible disease.  Olivia’s attitude of empathy, hope, and optimism is infectious and comes through loud and clear in this Blue Sky conversation. 

Chapters:

01:11 Meet Olivia Clarke
Olivia Clarke, founder of Humor Beats Cancer, shares her journey from journalism to creating a supportive community for cancer patients through humor and storytelling. 

02:11 Olivia’s Cancer Journey Begins 
Olivia recounts her unexpected breast cancer diagnosis in 2015 during a routine checkup, detailing the rapid progression of her treatment and the emotional toll it took. 

04:01 The Return of Cancer 
After a period of being cancer-free, Olivia faces a stage four metastatic breast cancer diagnosis, leading to ongoing treatments and a search for coping mechanisms. 

04:41 Finding Humor in Hardship 
Amidst her struggles, Olivia discovers that humor can be a powerful coping tool, leading her to create a platform for sharing funny cancer stories. 

06:03 The Birth of Humor Beats Cancer 
In 2017, Olivia officially launches Humor Beats Cancer, utilizing social media to connect with others and share light-hearted stories that resonate with cancer patients. 

07:21 The Impact of Humor 
Olivia discusses how humor helps patients cope with their experiences, fostering connections and reducing feelings of isolation through shared laughter. 

10:51 Creating Humorous Care Packages 
Olivia explains the concept of humorous care packages designed to uplift cancer patients, filled with funny items and treats that defy traditional expectations. 

12:59 The Power of Shared Stories 
Through shared experiences, Olivia highlights how humor can transform the cancer narrative, helping individuals feel less alone and more connected. 

17:01 Involvement of Caregivers 
Olivia discusses the importance of including caregivers in her community, recognizing their challenges and the humor that can arise from their experiences. 

18:49 Resilience and Optimism 
Olivia shares her personal strategies for staying positive amidst adversity, emphasizing the importance of a supportive network and a hopeful mindset. 

24:21 Workplace Support During Illness 
Olivia reflects on the role of her supportive workplace during her cancer journey, highlighting the importance of understanding employers in navigating treatment. 

29:02 The Four Fs of Support 
Olivia discusses the essential elements that helped her and Lee Woodruff navigate the challenges of cancer: friends, family, funny, and faith.  

31:05 Navigating Information Overload 
Olivia shares her approach to cancer research, highlighting the importance of trusting medical professionals over diving into overwhelming information.  

34:14 The Humor in Bad Advice 
The conversation shifts to the often ridiculous suggestions cancer patients receive, illustrating the awkwardness of well-meaning but misguided advice.  

36:52 Empathy in Illness: The Struggle to Connect 
Olivia discusses the challenges of communication during illness, including the tendency for people to share their own experiences instead of listening.  

39:05 Advice for New Patients 
Offering wisdom for those newly diagnosed, Olivia encourages them to document their questions and take things step by step.  

November is Gratitude Month at the Optimism Institute and this episode wraps up our celebration while kicking off Thanksgiving weekend.  Blue Sky host and founder of The Optimism Institute Bill Burke shares his thoughts on the tight link between gratitude and optimism and has selected excerpts from past episodes to drive this point home.  Blue Sky alums explain the health benefits of gratitude, the many reasons to be grateful to be alive today, and why, despite our many challenges, the United States and its founding ideals are worth believing in and being thankful for.   

Chapters: 

00:00 Welcome to Blue Sky Podcast 
Host Bill Burke introduces the Blue Sky Podcast, setting the stage for a special episode focused on gratitude. He emphasizes the importance of optimism and appreciation, especially during the Thanksgiving season. 

01:20 The Meaning of Grace 
Bill explores the origins of the word ‘grace’ and its connection to gratitude, linking it to the Latin word ‘gratia.’  

02:14 Cicero on Gratitude 
Quoting Cicero, Bill discusses the significance of gratitude as a foundational virtue that fosters optimism. 

03:20 The Benefits of Gratitude 
Bill highlights the health benefits of optimism and gratitude, referencing Dr. Richie Davidson’s insights on neuroplasticity. He introduces a practice of appreciation before meals to deepen our sense of gratitude. 

06:03 Embracing “Pronoia” 
Bill shares Kevin Kelly’s concept of “pronoia,” the belief that the universe is conspiring to help us succeed.  

08:20 Life is Good: Gratitude in Adversity 
Bert Jacobs from Life is Good reflects on how letters from customers facing hardships revealed a common thread of gratitude.  

11:00 Gratitude for America 
Bill pivots to discuss gratitude for the United States, featuring Anh Vu Sawyer’s thoughts on the freedom and resources America provides, enabling her to help others. 

15:19 Loving America: A Personal Perspective 
Ted Johnson shares his deep love for America, emphasizing its promise of democracy and equality.  

17:10 Countering Negativity in Media 
Bill discusses the challenge of negativity in the news and introduces guests like Angus Hervey and David Bornstein, who promote good news and solutions journalism.  

18:24 The Power of Gratitude 
Chris Anderson emphasizes the importance of daily gratitude practices and how they can transform our outlook on life. He encourages listeners to appreciate the simple joys and connections we often take for granted. 

20:30 Gratitude as Contagious 
David Gardner discusses the contagious nature of gratitude and optimism, highlighting how expressing appreciation can uplift others.  

22:30 Appreciation in the Workplace 
David Novak shares his philosophy on the importance of appreciation in leadership and workplace culture.  

25:38 Healthcare Innovations and Gratitude 
Bill reflects on the advancements in healthcare and the gratitude felt by patients and practitioners alike. He shares stories of resilience from guests who have faced significant health challenges. 

28:00 Finding Gratitude in Hardship 
Christina Menkemeller shares her journey of finding gratitude amidst illness, emphasizing the importance of recognizing ‘Godwinks.’ Her practice of daily gratitude helps her combat negativity. 

30:16 The Impact of Mentorship 
Bill highlights being grateful for mentors, with stories from Melissa Connolly and Jonathan Conyers. They express gratitude for the guidance they received, which now fuels their own efforts to help others. 

33:01 The Pan Mass Challenge: A Legacy of Gratitude 
Billy Starr discusses the Pan Mass Challenge and the gratitude expressed by participants. He contrasts the supportive atmosphere of the event with other athletic competitions, highlighting the power of thankfulness.