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Blue Sky

Bill Burke
Optimism
Mental Health
Education
Social Media
Community Building
Leadership
Cancer
Mentorship
Philanthropy
Gratitude
Arts Education
Harvard University
Resilience
The Optimism Institute
Social Entrepreneurship
Homelessness
Storytelling
Climate Change
Executive Function Skills
Jonathan Conyers

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... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes163Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureHealth & FitnessMental Health

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Artwork for Blue Sky

Latest Episodes

Adam Mastroianni says he likes to "study how people perceive and misperceive their social worlds, from the person sitting across the table to the whole country buzzing around them." In this Blue Sky conversation, Dr. Mastroianni describes research he... more

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Once an ironman athlete and perfectionist, Risa August faced a devastating diagnosis that stripped away her former life. This is the story of how she found new purpose and adventure, transforming her approach to life, from rigid achievement to joyful... more

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Dr. Robert Soiffer took an interest in medicine at an early age when he played a physician in his first-grade play. Today, he is a leading physician, researcher, and teacher at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a world leader in oncology. In this episode... more

While many of us wish we had more resources, more options, and more time, David Epstein suggests that it's scarcity and constraints that lead us to better outcomes. This notion might feel counterintuitive, but David explains the research and reasonin... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. Robert J. Soiffer
Chief of Hematologic Malignancies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute / Harvard Medical School
Episode: ENCORE PRESENTATION: Dr. Robert Soiffer on His Career at the Leading Edge of Cancer Care at Dana-Farber and Reasons to Be Optimistic About the Future of Oncology
David Epstein
New York Times bestselling author of Range and Inside the Box
Author
Episode: New York Times Bestselling Author David Epstein Discusses His New Book, Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better
Sam Fankuchen
Founder and CEO of Golden
Golden
Episode: Social Entrepreneur Sam Fankuchen Describes His Passion for Unlocking the Power of Volunteers Through His Company, Golden
Dr. Kate Lund
Licensed clinical psychologist and author
The Optimism Institute
Episode: Clinical Psychologist and Author Dr. Kate Lund Discusses How to Instill Optimism in Children and More Great Advice From Her Latest Book, Step Away: The Keys to Resilient Parenting
Eddie Ndopu
Humanitarian and activist; UN SDG advocate; board member of UN Foundation
UN Foundation; United Nations; World Economic Forum
Episode: ENCORE PRESENTATION: Eddie Ndopu on Reimagining Success as a Disabled Achiever
Amy Leneker
Founder and CEO of the Center for Joyful Work
Center for Joyful Work
Episode: Amy Leneker on Her Path from Burnout to Leading a Life of Less Stress and More Joy
Steve D
Parent of a child in addiction recovery, advocate and educator in addiction recovery
Morgan Stanley (former), Northwell Health (volunteer), Addiction Lessons (website), Harvard ALI alum
Episode: ENCORE PRESENTATION: Addiction Recovery: A Father's Story
Charlene Engström
Co-founder of Playwell Minds
Playwell Minds
Episode: Charlene Engstrom and Johan Fallby Share Their Optimistic Work Providing "Mental Fitness" to Teens Through Playwell Minds
Johan Falby
Co-founder of Playwell Minds
Playwell Minds
Episode: Charlene Engstrom and Johan Fallby Share Their Optimistic Work Providing "Mental Fitness" to Teens Through Playwell Minds

Host

Bill Burke
Host of Blue Sky, The Optimism Institute

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 76 ratings
  • Interesting and Genuine Conversations!

    This show has such a wonderful collection of guests and you can tell that the host, Bill Burke, is genuinely interested and asks great questions that truly bring more depth to each conversation. I’m a big fan!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RA-UL1
    United States2 months ago
  • A smile and a fist bump!

    Bill’s podcast is part inspiration and part instigation! Examples of people doing good and a reminder we can do the same. From every vantage point and walk of life, Bill’s guests find and stoke the fire of optimism.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LoveWins727
    United Statesa year ago
  • Educating Enlightening Uplifting and Inspiring!!!

    A podcast needed now more than ever! Bill is a fantastic interviewer who hand picks guests who are beaming optimism despite the challenges they have had to overcome. His guests have turned tragedy into triumph not only for themselves but for the highest good of all. Bill also takes exquisite care to edit every episode to ensure one of the finest podcast listening experiences I’ve ever had. Be educated and enlightened, uplifted and inspired! I’d give it 10 stars if I could!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Marymcpoet
    United States2 years ago
  • A new spin on optimism!

    I LOVE Bill’s interviewing style. The way he breaks away to provide anecdotes or information in the interviews helps me learn so much.

    He’s certainly helped my 2024 be way more optimistic!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    HollandOats
    United States2 years ago
  • Uplifting listen!

    Love this pod! Love Bill Burke’s enthusiasm and also the style of pod (with Burke’s helpful recaps and insights). Paul Shapiro (Better Meat Co) and Michael Greger (NutritionFacts.org) might be neat guests, too!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KaleyOne
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Interviews feel uplifting yet practical, not just aspirational.
Listeners appreciate actionable takeaways and careful editing that keeps the flow engaging.
Guests are diverse and inspiring, with thoughtful questions from the host.
The host exudes genuine optimism and adds depth to conversations.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

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This American LifeThis American Life
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Stuff You Should KnowiHeartPodcasts
The Ezra Klein Show
The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion
Behind the Bastards
Behind the BastardsCool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts
Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics RadioFreakonomics Radio + Stitcher
Sword and Scale
Sword and ScaleSword and Scale

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

ENCORE PRESENTATION: Dr. Robert Soiffer on His Career at the Leading Edge of Cancer Care at Dana-Farber and Reasons to Be Optimistic About the Future of Oncology
Q: What role do clinical trials play in advancing medicine at Dana-Farber?
Clinical trials are essential for testing new therapies, identifying optimal dosing, and comparing treatments, serving as a catalyst for breakthroughs in targeted, immune, and cellular therapies.
ENCORE PRESENTATION: Dr. Robert Soiffer on His Career at the Leading Edge of Cancer Care at Dana-Farber and Reasons to Be Optimistic About the Future of Oncology
Q: Are you able to compartmentalize the emotional weight of patient outcomes?
Dr. Soiffer explains that he tries to balance honesty and optimism, acknowledging emotions but maintaining hope and humanity for patients and families, with support from family and colleagues.
ENCORE PRESENTATION: Dr. Robert Soiffer on His Career at the Leading Edge of Cancer Care at Dana-Farber and Reasons to Be Optimistic About the Future of Oncology
Q: First question is, what makes Dana-Farber so special?
Dana-Farber stands out as an NIH-designated cancer center where every staff member is focused on patients facing life-threatening cancer, creating a culture of shared purpose and high standards in care and research.
Clinical Psychologist and Author Dr. Kate Lund Discusses How to Instill Optimism in Children and More Great Advice From Her Latest Book, Step Away: The Keys to Resilient Parenting
Q: What practical advice do you give parents to cultivate optimism in daily life?
Encourage daily reflection on positive events (Daily Wins), acknowledge challenges without getting stuck, and model authentic vulnerability to strengthen parent-child connections.
Clinical Psychologist and Author Dr. Kate Lund Discusses How to Instill Optimism in Children and More Great Advice From Her Latest Book, Step Away: The Keys to Resilient Parenting
Q: Why is resilience the foundation for all other skills you teach in parenting?
Resilience provides the internal resources for kids to handle challenges across domains, enabling them to problem-solve, advocate for themselves, and remain curious and engaged.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Blue Sky

What is Blue Sky about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A collection of conversations anchored in optimism explores leadership, health, technology, social impact, and personal resilience. Episodes feature physicians shaping cancer care, authors examining constraints and creativity, social entrepreneurs chartering volunteer programs, mental fitness and parenting experts, disability rights advocates, and leaders driving burnout reduction, second-chance hiring, and community empowerment. The common thread is practical optimism: actionable insights, real-world stories, and frameworks listeners can apply in work and life. A distinctive element is the blend of high-stakes healthcare progress, humanitarian innovation, and everyday wellbeing, all framed through an authoritative yet hopeful lens that emp... more

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How many subscribers and views does Blue Sky have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Blue Sky?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Blue Sky:

1. The Curiosity Shop with Brené Brown and Adam Grant
2. ReThinking
3. Hidden Brain
4. Suze Orman's Women & Money (And Everyone Smart Enough To Listen)
5. Marketplace

How many episodes of Blue Sky are there?

Blue Sky launched 3 years ago and published 163 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Blue Sky?

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What guests have appeared on Blue Sky?

Recent guests on Blue Sky include:

1. Dr. Robert J. Soiffer
2. David Epstein
3. Sam Fankuchen
4. Dr. Kate Lund
5. Eddie Ndopu
6. Amy Leneker
7. Steve D
8. Charlene Engström

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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