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Artwork for Blue Sky

Blue Sky

Bill Burke
The Optimism Institute
Jonathan Conyers
Immigration
Education
Optimism
Brooklyn Debate League
Asylum Seekers
Addiction
Covid-19
The Little Shop Of Kindness
New York City
Team TLC
Addiction Recovery
The Power Of a Few Kind Words
Harvard University
Substance Use Disorder
Kindness
Social Media
Mental Health
Expressing Appreciation

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes152Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Health & FitnessMental HealthSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Blue Sky

Latest Episodes

Jeff Korzenik, the chief economist at a major US bank, explains how predicting a labor shortage in the US led him to discover the growing movement around "second chance" hiring of people with criminal records. His passion for this work led him to wri... more

Beatrice Erkers decided not to pursue a PhD after concluding that she wanted to do work that had more of a positive impact on the world. She made her way to the Foresight Institute and is now director of their Existential Hope program. In this episod... more

YouTube

LaTosha Brown has been described by many as a "force of nature," and from the first seconds of this Blue Sky episode, you will understand why. Raised in Selma, Alabama she grew up surrounded by family members who were at the center of the civil right... more

YouTube

Julie Roland's background is impressive and remarkably varied. She's a retired naval aviator, magician, a law school graduate, a political staffer, and founder of the community-building nonprofit Just Tryna Make Friends. In this Blue Sky episode, Jul... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Beatrice Erkers
Director of the Existential Hope Program at the Foresight Institute
Foresight Institute
Episode: Beatrice Erkers Describes Her Work at the Foresight Institute and Her Optimistic Belief in Existential Hope
LaTosha Brown
Co-founder of Black Voters Matter and cultural activist
Black Voters Matter
Episode: ENCORE PRESENTATION: LaTosha Brown on the Roots of Her Optimism
Dr. Jennifer Wong
Interim Director of Life Story Club and Experimental Psychologist
Life Story Club
Episode: Dr. Jennifer Wong on Connecting Older Adults Through the Remarkable Nonprofit, Life Story Club
Liesl Ulrich-Verderber
An advocate for educational positivity and positive social change with an emphasis on education, and Lynda's daughter.
The Goodness Exchange
Episode: Lynda Ulrich and Liesl Ulrich-Verderber on Optimism and Their Drive to Create the Goodness Exchange
Lynda Ulrich
Founder of The Goodness Exchange and author of 'Happiness is an Option', formerly a dentist.
The Goodness Exchange
Episode: Lynda Ulrich and Liesl Ulrich-Verderber on Optimism and Their Drive to Create the Goodness Exchange
Dr. Stan Andrisse
Tenured professor and founder of From Prison Cells to PhD
Howard University College of Medicine
Episode: From Prison to PhD, the Inspiring Life and Work of Dr. Stanley Andrisse
Kevin Lowe
Inspirational speaker and podcaster who lost his sight at age 17 and uses his experiences to inspire others.
Episode: Kevin Lowe on How He Found Hope After Losing His Sight
Amy King
Founder and CEO of Pallet, a Public Benefit Corporation working to end unsheltered homelessness and provide employment opportunities.
Pallet
Episode: Amy King's Innovative and Optimistic Approach to Solving Homelessness in America
Mimi Nicklin
Empathy expert, keynote speaker, and best-selling author.
Episode: Empathy Expert Mimi Nicklin Explains Why and How She's Optimistically Attacking the World's Empathy Deficit

Host

Bill Burke
Host with a passion for positivity and community-building, focusing on inspiring storytelling and practical solutions to societal issues.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 75 ratings
  • 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 Statesa year 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
  • Optimism is a Skill

    I have been listening to the Blue Sky podcast from the beginning and have found it uplifting and useful to my everyday life. Something struck me on the Richie Davidson interview as so practical and yet profound, I am writing my first ever podcast review. I shared the podcast w my family and hope to incorporate some of the rituals and ideas into my everyday life. Thank you, Bill Burke, for taking on this mission.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Perry5
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Many praise the host's engaging interview style, which combines personal anecdotes with deep discussions, making complex topics approachable.
Commonly noted are the prevalent themes of resilience and community, alongside a strong emphasis on mental health and optimism as tools for navigating life's challenges.
Listeners appreciate the inspiring storytelling and practical insights shared by guests, emphasizing the uplifting and positive nature of each episode.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Beatrice Erkers Describes Her Work at the Foresight Institute and Her Optimistic Belief in Existential Hope
Q: How do you all think about climate change or how have any of your guests you've talked to or people?
Beatrice encourages listeners to look at data and acknowledges the tools we have to solve climate issues.
Beatrice Erkers Describes Her Work at the Foresight Institute and Her Optimistic Belief in Existential Hope
Q: Do you consider yourself sort of a naturally optimistic, hopeful, positive person?
Beatrice reflects on her biases towards optimism and how frustration with pessimism fuels her outlook.
ENCORE PRESENTATION: LaTosha Brown on the Roots of Her Optimism
Q: Could it be, because I'm sure you could have won if you stayed at it, but instead it seems you chose to work in different ways. What has led you to not continue to try to hold office, but instead get involved in voting rights and that sort of thing?
LaTosha expressed that she wanted power to impact change rather than simply holding a position. After experiencing sexism during her campaign, she refocused her efforts on building the infrastructure for voter empowerment through organizations like Black Voters Matter.
Dr. Jennifer Wong on Connecting Older Adults Through the Remarkable Nonprofit, Life Story Club
Q: How did you wind up connecting with the Life Story Club?
Jennifer shared that a colleague introduced her to Life Story Club during a leadership transition, recommending her fit for the organization.
Navy Pilot, Magician, and Nonprofit Founder Julie Roland Shares Her Optimistic View on How the Arts Can Build Community
Q: How did you get involved in community building through the arts?
Julie started the nonprofit 'Just Tryna Make Friends' after realizing the need for community connections, especially after experiencing isolation during her Navy service.

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?

Focused on themes of optimism and resilience, this podcast features conversations with a diverse range of leaders, educators, and entrepreneurs who tackle significant societal issues through a positive lens. Episodes explore topics such as mental health, community-building, homelessness, and the power of storytelling, often highlighting innovative solutions to complex challenges. Noteworthy is the consistent emphasis on uplifting narratives, showcasing how individual experiences can contribute to collective growth and happiness, making it an inspiring resource for listeners seeking motivation and positivity in their lives.

Where can I find podcast stats for Blue Sky?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Blue Sky. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Blue Sky and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Blue Sky get?

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What are the audience demographics for Blue Sky?

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How many subscribers and views does Blue Sky have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Blue Sky has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Blue Sky?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Blue Sky:

1. The Al Franken Podcast
2. Hidden Brain
3. Untangle
4. Good Life Project
5. Fresh Air

How many episodes of Blue Sky are there?

Blue Sky launched 3 years ago and published 152 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Blue Sky?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Blue Sky from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Blue Sky?

Recent guests on Blue Sky include:

1. Beatrice Erkers
2. LaTosha Brown
3. Dr. Jennifer Wong
4. Liesl Ulrich-Verderber
5. Lynda Ulrich
6. Dr. Stan Andrisse
7. Kevin Lowe
8. Amy King

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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