There is always blue sky above
sometimes you just have to get your head above the clouds to see it.
A podcast meant to inspire people with an optimistic and hopeful vision of the world and our future.
Bestselling Author and Podcast/TV Host Kelly Corrigan on Why She Believes There Is “A Pretty Big Payoff to Every Hard Moment,” and “There’s No Feeling as Good as Being Useful to Someone.”
On Deck:
A Bit Of Blue Sky
Jan 1
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Ep. 77
Don Carpenter on Closing “The Aspirations Gap” with Rural Youth
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… More -
Ep. 76
Olivia Clarke Describes Her Passion for Helping Herself and Others Find Humor in Their Battle with Cancer
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… More -
Ep. 75
Special Episode for Gratitude Month, Featuring Reflections on Gratitude from Bill Burke and Blue Sky Alums
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… More -
Ep. 74
Sucheta Kamath Describes Her Optimistic Approach to Enhancing the Lives of Others Through Executive Function Training
In this episode, Sucheta describes her latest venture, ExQ, uses a cutting edge, “game-based” tools to systematically train fundamental cognitive skills related to focus, mindset, planning, organization, goal management, impulse control, emotional regulation, and self-awareness… More -
Ep. 73
Melissa Connelly Describes Her Optimistic Journey FromEighth Grade Truant to CEO of OneGoal
Melissa Connelly had a rocky start to her high school career, being placed in her school’s truancy program after missing sixty days of classes in 8th grade. Fortunately, Melissa found her guidance counselor, Mrs. Jeter, who changed her life… More -
Ep. 72
Author Jamie Metzl on His New, Optimistic Book, “Superconvergence”
Jamie Metzl is one of the world’s leading authorities on the implications of the intersecting AI, genetics, and biotechnology revolutions and how governments, corporations, organizations, and individuals can ride the wave of these unprecedented transformations to build their best possible futures… More -
Throwback Episode
Motley Fool’s David Gardner on Optimism and Investing, Entrepreneurship, and More
David Gardner discusses a wide range of topics, from the relationship between optimism and entrepreneurship to developing an investment strategy with an eye towards your own positive vision for the future… More -
Ep. 71
Lee Ellis on Taking Lessons Learned as a Vietnam POW to Shape a Lifetime of Leadership
In 1967, while flying a combat mission over North Vietnam, he was shot down, captured, and held as a prisoner of war for five-and-a-half years… More
IN THE NEWS AND ON THE AIR
Being optimistic doesn't come naturally for everyone, but there are ways to incorporate more positivity into your life. Bill Burke, the founder of The Optimism Institute and the “Blue Sky” podcast, joins Hoda & Jenna to discuss a few tips for building a happier and more optimistic lifestyle.
From Founder Bill:
Appearing on “TODAY with Hoda and Jenna” was a lot of fun. The two hosts - and everyone involved with the show - were great work with, and I appreciated the chance to bring some of The Optimism Institute’s messages to a national TV audience.
The icing on the cake has been welcoming so many new listeners to “Blue Sky” and visitors to our site and social media, as well as hearing kind words of support from long-time followers and friends.
Founder Bill’s Guest Appearances:
WHAT TO EXPECT…
Meet the Host
Bill Burke founded The Optimism Institute in 2022 after an extensive media and sports career as an executive, writer, and producer. Bill served as CEO of The Weather Channel Companies after several years at Time Warner/Turner Broadcasting System, where he was the founding general manager of Turner Classic Movies before going on to become president of TBS Superstation. Additionally, for fifteen years he was the co-owner and chairman of the Portland Sea Dogs, the double-A Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.
As a writer, Bill co-authored Ted Turner’s top-10 New York Times Best-Selling autobiography Call Me Ted and later co-wrote/produced/directed “Live Another Day,” an award winning feature-length documentary on the bailout of the U.S. auto industry.
Bill is a lifelong optimist (he has to be - he’s a Detroit Lions fan) and launched The Optimism Institute with a mission to inspire people with an optimistic, hopeful vision of the world and its future.