Podcasts about optimists

When was the last time you sighed? Probably not that long ago. We tend to think of sighing as something we do when we're frustrated, tired, or relieved. But scientists have discovered that sighing plays a much deeper role in keeping your body functioning properly — and your brain actually has a built-in mechanism that triggers it. https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/ucla-and-stanford-researchers-pinpoint-origin-of-sighing-reflex-in-the-brain Some people naturally seem to expect things to work out, while others brace for disappointment. Is optimism simply a personality trait, or is it something you can learn? Psychologist Deepika Chopra — often called “The Optimism Doctor” and author of The Power of Real Optimism: A Practical, Science-Based Guide to Staying Resilient, Curious, and Open Even When Life Is Hard (https://amzn.to/4b9EG4S) — explains that real optimism isn't about pretending everything is fine. It's a mindset grounded in science that can improve resilience, decision making, health, and even longevity. Butter seems simple. It's just butter… right? Not even close. The butter you buy at the grocery store hides a surprising amount of history, science, and culinary nuance — from why it's shaped into sticks to why some butter is salted and some isn't. Anna Stockwell, New York–based recipe developer, food stylist, and author of The Butter Book ( https://amzn.to/47gj6u8), explains what actually makes butter different from one brand to another, when premium butter is worth it, and how understanding butter can dramatically improve the way you cook. Many people use mouthwash every day as part of their routine. It seems like a healthy habit. But there's growing evidence that regular use of some mouthwashes may come with an unexpected downside — one that most people never consider. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7125030 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cinco Paul is an Emmy Award-winning screenwriter, producer, and songwriter. He is widely recognized for his work on major animated hits like the DESPICABLE ME trilogy, THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS, THE LORAX, and HORTON HEARS A WHO. This season, he is producing his Apple TV musical comedy series SCHMIGADOON! on Broadway.  In this episode, Cinco talks about the creation of the Schmigadoon! television series, his mission trip to Japan in his early 20s, and what runs through his mind in the middle of the night. Get your tickets to SCHMIGADOON! Cinco's Podcast Make Him Watch It Theo of Golden book

Jeff and Jim welcome Joseph Carson, cybersecurity expert and host of the Security by Default podcast, for a conversation on AI in offensive and defensive security. Joseph shares the real-world incident that inspired his EIC keynote - watching two AI agents negotiate a ransomware payment live. He breaks down how attackers use unconstrained models to lower the skill barrier and accelerate data exfiltration. The conversation covers NATO Lock Shields, the world's largest live cyber defense exercise, identity as national critical infrastructure, and the EU AI Act's risk-based approach. Also: Estonia's AI tax agents, the energy cost of being polite to AI, and the Tamagotchi theory of human-AI relationships.Connect with Joseph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephcarsonNATO Locked Shields: https://ccdcoe.org/exercises/locked-shields/Security by Default podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/0mzN5M5CkFVLn8fq5TnH0OConnect with us on LinkedIn:Jim McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmcdonaldpmp/Jeff Steadman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsteadman/Visit the show on the web at http://idacpodcast.comTIMESTAMPS00:00 Welcome and intro03:02 Conference season and IDAC discount codes04:19 Introducing Joseph Carson and Security by Default10:18 Optimist or pessimist on identity security12:30 AI vs. AI - origin of the concept15:02 Watching two AI agents negotiate a ransomware payment17:26 The Tamagotchi metaphor for human-AI relationships19:07 Who is winning the AI cyber arms race21:00 How AI accelerates attacker capabilities23:09 Dark web LLMs and bypassing guardrails26:36 The energy cost of being polite to AI28:15 Agentic AI skills, campaigns, and the Matrix analogy31:34 Estonia AI agents filing tax returns35:14 Introducing NATO Lock Shields37:00 Protecting a simulated nation from 8,500 cyber attacks38:08 Why identity is national critical infrastructure41:18 AI in Lock Shields before and after43:05 Lock Shields 2025 scoring explained47:04 The EU AI Act - is it the next GDPR50:18 Risk-based approach to AI regulation53:35 Closing thoughts and cautious optimism54:21 Scuba diving vs. snowboarding58:05 Wrap-upKEYWORDSAI vs AI, agentic AI, identity security, NATO Lock Shields, EU AI Act, Joseph Carson, Security by Default, ransomware, dark web LLMs, guardrails, data exfiltration, phishing, critical infrastructure, Estonia, cyber defense, IDAC, Identity at the Center, Jeff Steadman, Jim McDonald

SLEERICKETS is a podcast about poetry and other intractable problems. My book Midlife now exists. Buy it here, or leave it a rating here or hereFor more SLEERICKETS, subscribe to SECRET SHOW, join the group chat, and send me a poem for Listener Crit!Leave the show a rating here (actually, just do it on your phone, it's easier). Thanks!Wear SLEERICKETS t-shirts and hoodies. They look good!SLEERICKETS is now on YouTube!For a frank, anonymous critique on SLEERICKETS, subscribe to the SECRET SHOW and send a poem of no more 25 lines to sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] com Some of the topics mentioned in this episode:– Order Brian's book The Optimists! It's so good!– Now give Brian's book a 5-star review!– My chapbook The Soft Black Stars is out now!– I'm reading this Saturday, March 14, at 6:00 p.m. at the Mettlesome Theater in Durham, NC– Brian's appearance on The Gist– The Mysterious Case of Gothic Verse Narratives by Brian Brodeur– Pre-order Sixteen Games of Hide and Seek by Stephen Bass and Steve Teare!– Sofia Kavlin Castaneda of Unsent Letterbox– Rosanna Oh– Sonnet 130– One Art by Elizabeth Bishop– Poetry by Joseph Harrison– Moira Egan– Joe Osterhaus– Robert Schreur– Sunil Iyengar– The Same City by Terrance Hayes– Maps by James Baker Hall– Michael Theune– Kim Noriega– Kim Addonizio– Poetry Says Ep 294. The American Ecstatic– Dan Kois– The Martin Chronicles– Lauren Wethers– Reclaiming Jane– Jordan Kisner– Thresholds– The Critic and Her Publics– Michele MosesFrequently mentioned names:– Joshua Mehigan– Shane McCrae– A. E. Stallings– Ryan Wilson– Morri Creech– Austin Allen– Jonathan Farmer– Zara Raab– Amit Majmudar– Ethan McGuire– Coleman Glenn– Chris Childers– Alexis Sears– JP Gritton– Alex Pepple– Ernie Hilbert– Joanna Pearson– Matt Wall– Steve Knepper – Helena Feder– David Yezzi– Victoria Moul– Katie Dozier & Tim Green– George David Clark– Tristram Fane Saunders– Philip MetresOther Ratbag Poetry Pods:Poetry Says by Alice AllanI Hate Matt Wall by Matt WallVersecraft by Elijah Perseus BlumovRatbag Poetics By David Jalal MotamedAlice: In Future PostsBrian: @BPlatzerCameron: Minor TiresiasMatthew: sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] comMusic by ETRNLArt by Daniel Alexander Smith

This week on From the Front Porch, Annie chats with her mom, Susie, about books for readers with PG-13 tastes. You get 10% off the Susie-approved reads mentioned in this episode when you use code SHOPMOMSELECTS at checkout online and in-store! To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 572), or download and shop on The Bookshelf's official app: Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street by Helene Hanff Hurricane Season by Lauren K Denton The Chancellor's Mansion: A Renovation Story of Family, Home, History, and Mystery by Jamie Arty A Change of Habit: Leaving Behind My Husband,Career, and Everything I Owned to Become A Nun by Sister Monica Claire Awake: A Memoir by Jen Hatmaker Summer Light on Nantucket by Nancy Thayer A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan The Women on Platform Two by Laura Anthony Family of Spies by Christine Kuehn Something to Look Forward To by Fanny Flagg Marce Catlett: The Fore of a Story by Wendell Berry My Beloved: A Mitford Novel by Jan Karon Theo of Golden by Allen Levi The Sisters of Book Row by Shelly Noble 100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimist's Guide to a Happy Life by Dick Van Dyke More Than Enough by Anna Quindlan From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf's daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today's episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com.  A full transcript of today's episode can be found here. Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations.  This week, Annie is listening to Annie is reading Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan. Susie is reading The Little Bookshop by the Harbor by Jean Stone. If you liked what you heard in today's episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch. We're so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week. Our Executive Producers are...Ashley Ferrell, Beth, Cammy Tidwell, Gene Queens, Jammie Treadwell, Joseph Shorter IV, Kimberly, Linda Lee Drozt, Nicole Marsee, Stephanie Dean, and Wendi Jenkins.

Greg welcomes special guest Jeanine Thomas to the pod to talk about her new movie THE OPTIMIST starring Stephen Lang and Elsie Fisher. Hear her discuss the journey from concept to screen and what challenges she had to overcome in the process. Are you taking a leap of faith to make a creative project? Let us know what it is at poppingcollarspodcast@gmail.com or send us your pitch on socials Find us on the web at poppingcollarspodcast.com Don't forget to pick up some awesome merch Check out our Youtube offerings Read Greg's ramblings about movies at Letterboxd

Bryan Stone - Host of StoneOnAir Podcast In-Studio (language warning)! Well - This Was Fun! He insults me to MY FACE - we talk baseball - politics - podcasting - radio/media - pro sports - AND LIFE!!! ===== THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: Nutrition World: https://nutritionw.com/ Vascular Institute of Chattanooga: https://www.vascularinstituteofchattanooga.com/ The Barn Nursery: https://www.barnnursery.com/ Optimize U Chattanooga: https://optimizeunow.com/chattanooga/ Guardian Investment Advisors: https://giaplantoday.com/ Alchemy Medspa and Wellness Center: http://www.alchemychattanooga.com/ Our House Studio: https://ourhousestudiosinc.com/ Team Montieth Real Estate - Lori Montieth: https://www.findchattanoogarealestate.com/ Ballinger and Associates - Risk Management: https://ballingerandassociates.com/ AirSpace Acoustics: https://www.airspaceacoustics.com/ ALL THINGS JEFF STYLES: www.thejeffstyles.com PART OF THE NOOGA PODCAST NETWORK: www.noogapodcasts.com Please consider leaving us a review on Apple and giving us a share to your friends! This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Sox Optimist re-joins the show to revisit last year's discussion on Chase Meidroth, is the defense actually improved, Munetaka Murakami, the Alumni HR Derby and MUCH MUCH MORE. SPONSORED BY PUNKY'S PIZZA AND PASTA!! Follow Sox Optimist on X https://x.com/OptimistSox Order from Punky's https://punkyspizza.com/ Buy 108 Merch https://108.ing/merch

SLEERICKETS is a podcast about poetry and other intractable problems. My book Midlife now exists. Buy it here, or leave it a rating here or hereFor more SLEERICKETS, subscribe to SECRET SHOW, join the group chat, and send me a poem for Listener Crit!Leave the show a rating here (actually, just do it on your phone, it's easier). Thanks!Wear SLEERICKETS t-shirts and hoodies. They look good!SLEERICKETS is now on YouTube!For a frank, anonymous critique on SLEERICKETS, subscribe to the SECRET SHOW and send a poem of no more 25 lines to sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] com Some of the topics mentioned in this episode:– Order Brian's book The Optimists! It's so good!– My chapbook The Soft Black Stars is out now!– Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)Queen of Chess (2026)Poetry Says Ep 296. Gena Rowlands PoeticsAdam CurtisNight by Ellie WieselIkigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life by Francesc Miralles and Hector GarciaMarie KondoAfter Apple-Picking and Mending Wall by Robert FrostMalcolm GladwellTim FerrissJulie SteinerEgg and Dart by Matthew Buckley SmithDeceptacon by Le TigreThe touch move ruleThe Queen's Gambit (2020)Judit's TED talkMy Best Game Ever: Vishy Anand vs. Judit PolgarJudit Polgar tricks Magnus Carlsen in a game of blitz in the parkNigel Short vs. Judit PolgarTwo Catholic sonnets by Julie SteinerOn Noticing How Many Pro-Life Men Are Smokers by Julie SteinerJulie's Sapphics thread on EratosphereSecret Show notesThe Sparrow by Mary Roia RussellDana GioiaWeldon KeesI Saw the TV Glow (2024)Supernatural Horror and Literature by H.P. LovecraftSecret show notesMeanjin lives!Tropical Skiing by John ForbesLimiting Poetry's Feedback Loop by Steven SearcyEp 231: Insidious Tendencies, ft. Steven SearcyA Caveat-Filled Case for AtheismThe Via Negativa of R.S. Thomas on VersecraftNick Cave's Red Hand Files Issue #265The Siberian unicornA Holy Dread by R. A. VillanuevaBill Hicks: Pro LifeFrequently mentioned names:– Joshua Mehigan– Shane McCrae– A. E. Stallings– Ryan Wilson– Morri Creech– Austin Allen– Jonathan Farmer– Zara Raab– Amit Majmudar– Ethan McGuire– Coleman Glenn– Chris Childers– Alexis Sears– JP Gritton– Alex Pepple– Ernie Hilbert– Joanna Pearson– Matt Wall– Steve Knepper – Helena Feder– David Yezzi– Victoria Moul– Katie Dozier & Tim Green– Tristram Fane SaundersOther Ratbag Poetry Pods:Poetry Says by Alice AllanI Hate Matt Wall by Matt WallVersecraft by Elijah Perseus BlumovRatbag Poetics By David Jalal MotamedAlice: In Future PostsBrian: @BPlatzerCameron: Minor TiresiasMatthew: sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] comMusic by ETRNLArt by Daniel Alexander Smith

SLEERICKETS is a podcast about poetry and other intractable problems. My book Midlife now exists. Buy it here, or leave it a rating here or hereFor more SLEERICKETS, subscribe to SECRET SHOW, join the group chat, and send me a poem for Listener Crit!Leave the show a rating here (actually, just do it on your phone, it's easier). Thanks!Wear SLEERICKETS t-shirts and hoodies. They look good!SLEERICKETS is now on YouTube!For a frank, anonymous critique on SLEERICKETS, subscribe to the SECRET SHOW and send a poem of no more 25 lines to sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] com Some of the topics mentioned in this episode:– Order Brian's book The Optimists! It's so good!– Let me know if you'd like a review copy of my forthcoming chapbook The Soft Black Stars: sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] com– Vanderpump Rules Season 12The Great Pottery ThrowdownSelling SunsetJiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)Queen of Chess (2026)how i be revising by Brandon TaylorSashay awayComing down in Ohio by Dave SmithEp 234: Midlife Show-and-Tell, ft. Katie DozierContrapoints Tangent: Liminal SpacesStep wellsSecret show notesMeanjin lives!Tropical Skiing by John ForbesLimiting Poetry's Feedback Loop by Steven SearcyEp 231: Insidious Tendencies, ft. Steven SearcyA Caveat-Filled Case for AtheismThe Via Negativa of R.S. Thomas on VersecraftNick Cave's Red Hand Files Issue #265The Siberian unicornA Holy Dread by R. A. VillanuevaBill Hicks: Pro LifeFrequently mentioned names:– Joshua Mehigan– Shane McCrae– A. E. Stallings– Ryan Wilson– Morri Creech– Austin Allen– Jonathan Farmer– Zara Raab– Amit Majmudar– Ethan McGuire– Coleman Glenn– Chris Childers– Alexis Sears– JP Gritton– Alex Pepple– Ernie Hilbert– Joanna Pearson– Matt Wall– Steve Knepper – Helena Feder– David Yezzi– Victoria Moul– Katie Dozier & Tim Green– Tristram Fane SaundersOther Ratbag Poetry Pods:Poetry Says by Alice AllanI Hate Matt Wall by Matt WallVersecraft by Elijah Perseus BlumovRatbag Poetics By David Jalal MotamedAlice: In Future PostsBrian: @BPlatzerCameron: Minor TiresiasMatthew: sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] comMusic by ETRNLArt by Daniel Alexander Smith

We spotlight how the Manhattan Optimists turn a simple motto, Friend of Youth, into concrete programs that open doors for kids and strengthen the city. From a thriving instrument drive to free t‑ball and flexible meetings, the club shows how service scales when people show up.• Purpose and history of the Manhattan Optimists since 1959• Band and orchestra instrument drive for families who cannot afford rentals• Breadth of impact with over 30 programs and grants• Partnerships with schools, Parks and Rec, and local nonprofits• Free t‑ball access for every five and six year old• Fundraising pillars: Christmas tree sales, chili crawl, spaghetti dinner and silent auction• Member recruitment through split breakfast and lunch meetings• Benefits of merging two clubs to expand reach and leadership• Youth recognition programs that build future service leaders• Practical advice for future civic philanthropy awardeesManhattanOptimist.com • Spaghetti Dinner at Pottorf Hall, March 28, 5–8 p.m., with silent auctionGMCFCFAs

Novelist, essayist, and educator Brian Platzer joins co-hosts Whitney Terrell and V.V. Ganeshananthan to discuss his new novel, The Optimists, which follows private school teacher Mr. Keating over three decades. Platzer reflects on the real-life inspiration for the book, his own mentor, Rod Keating, and the fleeting intensity of teacher-student relationships that nevertheless turn out to be formative. He explains how he came to decide that the fictional Keating, struggling to tell the story of his own life, would narrate the story of a remarkable student, Clara, alongside his own. Platzer also talks about the novel's other central relationships, including Keating's marriage to his wife, Caroline, and his connection to his ex's son, Jacob. Platzer, himself a private school teacher, considers the novel's private school setting, as well as the high cost of elite education and small classroom sizes in New York City, the competitive pressures placed on young people, and the broader impact of the gap between private institutions and public schools. Platzer reads from The Optimists. To hear the full episode, subscribe through iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app (include the forward slashes when searching). You can also listen by streaming from the player below. Check out video versions of our interviews on the Fiction/Non/Fiction Instagram account, the Fiction/Non/Fiction YouTube Channel, and our show website: https://www.fnfpodcast.net/This podcast is produced by V.V. Ganeshananthan and Whitney Terrell.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

SLEERICKETS is a podcast about poetry and other intractable problems. My book Midlife now exists. Buy it here, or leave it a rating here or hereFor more SLEERICKETS, subscribe to SECRET SHOW, join the group chat, and send me a poem for Listener Crit!Leave the show a rating here (actually, just do it on your phone, it's easier). Thanks!Wear SLEERICKETS t-shirts and hoodies. They look good!SLEERICKETS is now on YouTube!For a frank, anonymous critique on SLEERICKETS, subscribe to the SECRET SHOW and send a poem of no more 25 lines to sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] com Some of the topics mentioned in this episode:– Pre-order Brian's book The Optimists! It's so good!– Let me know if you'd like a review copy of my forthcoming chapbook The Soft Black Stars: sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] com– Bad Lieutenant (1992)– Will Diana– Romanticon– Literary Imagination– Serpent Club– Rathlin Island by Paul FranzFrequently mentioned names:– Joshua Mehigan– Shane McCrae– A. E. Stallings– Ryan Wilson– Morri Creech– Austin Allen– Jonathan Farmer– Zara Raab– Amit Majmudar– Ethan McGuire– Coleman Glenn– Chris Childers– Alexis Sears– JP Gritton– Alex Pepple– Ernie Hilbert– Joanna Pearson– Matt Wall– Steve Knepper – Helena Feder– David Yezzi– Victoria Moul– Katie Dozier & Tim Green– Tristram Fane SaundersOther Ratbag Poetry Pods:Poetry Says by Alice AllanI Hate Matt Wall by Matt WallVersecraft by Elijah Perseus BlumovRatbag Poetics By David Jalal MotamedAlice: In Future PostsBrian: @BPlatzerCameron: Minor TiresiasMatthew: sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] comMusic by ETRNLArt by Daniel Alexander Smith

This week's blogpost - https://bahnsen.co/4tQ4xaA Trevor Cummings hosts the Thoughts of Money Podcast with article author Blaine Carver and Brett Bonecutter, discussing Carver's piece “Stock Market Expectations.” Using examples from relationships, premarital counseling, and sports fandom, they emphasize that expectations must be communicated early, clearly, and realistically to avoid disappointment, resentment, and poor decisions. They connect this to investing by explaining how stocks can fall even on good results when expectations are “priced to perfection,” why unrealistic return targets (e.g., 20–25% annually) break financial plans, and how compounding magnifies small percentage differences. 00:00 Welcome to the Thoughts on Money Podcast + Introducing Blaine & Brett 00:21 Under-Promise, Over-Deliver: Why Expectations Drive Everything 00:59 Vikings Season Story: Rock-Bottom Expectations → “Best” Year 02:05 From Football to Finance: Priced to Perfection & Pleasant Surprises 04:34 Expectations in Marriage (and Advisor-Client Relationships) 06:55 Unrealistic Return Targets: The 20% Conversation & Compounding Reality Check 10:39 Long-Run vs One-Year Thinking: Annual vs Annualized + Attribution 12:11 Strategy Whiplash: 2025 vs 2026 Reversal & Staying the Course 14:35 The Expectations Gap: Investors Want 12.6%, Advisors Model 7.1% 17:27 Why the Gap Exists: Valuations, History, and Risk Accountability (Bitcoin Example) 20:19 The “Road” Matters: Normal Drawdowns, Slow Recoveries, and the Bumpy Path 26:17 Coping Tools: Dividends, Business Fundamentals, and the 14% Intra-Year Drawdown 29:52 Optimists vs Pessimists: Experience, Confirmation Bias, and Fear of Running Out 37:37 Closing Reflections: Gratitude vs Grumbling + Final Thoughts & How to Reach Us Links mentioned in this episode: http://thoughtsonmoney.com http://thebahnsengroup.com

Learn more at TheCityLife.org

In 2024, Gisèle Pelicot was the victim in one of the most notorious rape trials in France's history. Her ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, was found guilty of drugging and raping his then-wife – and recruiting scores of men online to abuse her while she was unconscious, over the course of a decade. Fifty other men were also found guilty, most on rape charges. What made the trial all the more remarkable is that Gisèle Pelicot waived her right to anonymity, inviting the world into the courtroom. In a Canadian broadcast exclusive interview, Gisèle Pelicot speaks with Piya Chattopadhyay about the shocking crimes, the ripple effects within her family, and how going public made her a feminist hero, as explored in her memoir, A Hymn to Life.

Spoiler alert: You're not bad at time… you're just optimistic. This episode breaks down time optimism, how it sneaks into ADHD life, and practical, shame-free strategies to stop underestimating time and start feeling more in control.PLUS: Hear the Book of the Week.Join ADHD-Friendly now and join the 2026 program, Plan, Act, Thrive!As a member, you'll get full access to this course and all ADHD-Friendly live events, planning tools, and on-demand resources.Click the link below to get started today!https://adhdfriendly.mn.coCreate an ADHD-Friendly Personal Owner's Manual (POM) eBook is now available in the ADHD-Friendly shop for only $19.99: https://www.adhdfriendly.com/adhd-friendly-shop/Thank you for checking out this episode of the ADHD Friendly podcast with Patty Blinderman!!New episodes are posted every Wednesday! Subscribe to the channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@adhdfriendlyPlease subscribe to my YouTube channel, ADHD Friendly Podcast, or wherever you listen to podcasts. For more information on the ADHD-Friendly services offered by Patty, please visit her website: ADHDFriendly.com

SLEERICKETS is a podcast about poetry and other intractable problems. My book Midlife now exists. Buy it here, or leave it a rating here or hereFor more SLEERICKETS, subscribe to SECRET SHOW, join the group chat, and send me a poem for Listener Crit!Leave the show a rating here (actually, just do it on your phone, it's easier). Thanks!Wear SLEERICKETS t-shirts and hoodies. They look good!SLEERICKETS is now on YouTube!For a frank, anonymous critique on SLEERICKETS, subscribe to the SECRET SHOW and send a poem of no more 25 lines to sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] com Some of the topics mentioned in this episode:– Pre-order Brian's book The Optimists! It's so good!– Let me know if you'd like a review copy of my forthcoming chapbook The Soft Black Stars: sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] com– All That Glitter by Katie Dozier– The Poetry Space– Rattle– The Rattlecast– Good Bones by Maggie Smith– The Trouble with Poetry by Billy Colins– Limiting Poetry's Feedback Loop by Steven Searcy– Ep 231: Insidious Tendencies, ft. Steven SearcyFrequently mentioned names:– Joshua Mehigan– Shane McCrae– A. E. Stallings– Ryan Wilson– Morri Creech– Austin Allen– Jonathan Farmer– Zara Raab– Amit Majmudar– Ethan McGuire– Coleman Glenn– Chris Childers– Alexis Sears– JP Gritton– Alex Pepple– Ernie Hilbert– Joanna Pearson– Matt Wall– Steve Knepper – Helena Feder– David Yezzi– Victoria Moul– Katie Dozier & Tim Green– Tristram Fane SaundersOther Ratbag Poetry Pods:Poetry Says by Alice AllanI Hate Matt Wall by Matt WallVersecraft by Elijah Perseus BlumovRatbag Poetics By David Jalal MotamedAlice: In Future PostsBrian: @BPlatzerCameron: Minor TiresiasMatthew: sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] comMusic by ETRNLArt by Daniel Alexander Smith

Dieses Wochenende heißt es wieder: Rein in die Kostüme und rumgeknutscht. Karneval, Fasching, Fasnacht und so weiter, stehen vor der Tür und alles ist erlaubt.Atze ist ja bekennender Optimist, aber die Meldung, dass die Deutschen weniger Schnaps inhalieren, hat ihn doch schockiert. Gut, dass der Karneval auch das Hochamt der saufenden Zunft ist. Gute Tradition ist auch, dass nach der Dschungel Show, Heidi Klum neue Models sucht und nur ein Rülpser später beginnt ja auch schon let's Dance bei RTL. The Circle of Life.Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/atzeschroeder_offiziell?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Talking about money shouldn't feel like emotional CrossFit, but for most of us it does. In this episode, Shar breaks down why money conversations get so charged—and why it's rarely about the numbers. You'll learn the difference between money values and money logistics, how childhood money wiring shows up in adult decisions, and how to stop trying to solve emotional issues with spreadsheets. Shari walks through four common money personalities (the Avoider, the Optimist, the Controller, and the Security-Seeker), explains what happens when they clash, and gives you practical timing rules, language swaps, and curiosity scripts that keep conversations from turning into fights, shutdowns, or silent scorekeeping. Be sure to grab Shari's Money Conversation Guide to learn how talk about money without spiraling, shutting down or starting a fight (with yourself or anyone else). Whether you're single, dating, partnered, married, cohabiting, or rebuilding after a breakup, this episode will help you communicate about money with more clarity, less defensiveness, and a lot more self-trust. If you're ready for personalized, judgment-free financial guidance, learn more about working with Shari. Shari Rash is the founder of GWA Wealth and the Host of Everyone's Talkin' Money. GWA Wealth is a virtual advisory firm helping women make confident, values-aligned decisions with their money. Visit GWA Wealth to explore your next step. Talkin' Points → where your money gets smarter. Real talk, practical tips, zero guilt straight to your inbox. Sign up here.  Be sure to like and follow the show on your favorite podcast app! Keep the conversation going on Instagram @everyonestalkinmoney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NB: Oops, I forgot about 2.5, which is the extremely brief wedding scene, which includes both R & J but which is also only barely a scene and which thus is very easy to forget.SLEERICKETS is a podcast about poetry and other intractable problems. My book Midlife now exists. Buy it here, or leave it a rating here or hereFor more SLEERICKETS, subscribe to SECRET SHOW, join the group chat, and send me a poem for Listener Crit!Leave the show a rating here (actually, just do it on your phone, it's easier). Thanks!Wear SLEERICKETS t-shirts and hoodies. They look good!SLEERICKETS is now on YouTube!For a frank, anonymous critique on SLEERICKETS, subscribe to the SECRET SHOW and send a poem of no more 25 lines to sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] com Some of the topics mentioned in this episode:– Pre-order Brian's book The Optimists! It's so good!– Let me know if you'd like a review copy of my forthcoming chapbook The Soft Black Stars: sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] com– Romeo and Juliet– A Midsummer Night's Dream– Macbeth– Hamlet– Twelfth Night– & Juliet– Romeo and Juliet (1996)– Romeo and Juliet (1968)– Ep 224: Broadway Omnibus– Grendel by John Gardner– Micah Mattix– Noises Off by Michael Frayn– Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett– Endgame by Samuel Beckett– Fargo (1996)– Barton Fink (1991)Frequently mentioned names:– Joshua Mehigan– Shane McCrae– A. E. Stallings– Ryan Wilson– Morri Creech– Austin Allen– Jonathan Farmer– Zara Raab– Amit Majmudar– Ethan McGuire– Coleman Glenn– Chris Childers– Alexis Sears– JP Gritton– Alex Pepple– Ernie Hilbert– Joanna Pearson– Matt Wall– Steve Knepper – Helena Feder– David Yezzi– Victoria Moul– Katie Dozier & Tim Green– Tristram Fane SaundersOther Ratbag Poetry Pods:Poetry Says by Alice AllanI Hate Matt Wall by Matt WallVersecraft by Elijah Perseus BlumovRatbag Poetics By David Jalal MotamedAlice: In Future PostsBrian: @BPlatzerCameron: Minor TiresiasMatthew: sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] comMusic by ETRNLArt by Daniel Alexander Smith

Daily Dad Jokes (05 Feb 2026) Christmas Joke Button - 101 eye rolling dad jokes for the festive season! Amazon. The perfect gift for Kris Kringle, Secret Santa and of course for dad! Click here here to view! The official Daily Dad Jokes Podcast electronic button now available on Amazon. The perfect gift for dad! Click here here to view! Email Newsletter: Looking for more dad joke humor to share? Then subscribe to our new weekly email newsletter. It's our weekly round-up of the best dad jokes, memes, and humor for you to enjoy. Spread the laughs, and groans, and sign up today! Click here to subscribe! Listen to the Daily Dad Jokes podcast here: https://dailydadjokespodcast.com/ or search "Daily Dad Jokes" in your podcast app. Jokes sourced and curated from reddit.com/r/dadjokes. Joke credits: Healthy_Ladder_6198, VERBERD, timthedriller, firestrike007, ngairejasminbarrett, PhilipWaterford, Money-Bodybuilder423, bmwrider2, madazzahatter, WaterRules, PKMKII, zwerfpoes, Spiritual_Ear_3456, Thug_Lawyer, , alfrodobaggins, CmorBelow, ChargingTiger, SoulSilver1712, zombiejesus1991, Healthy_Ladder_6198, pseudosecure, Present_Thought8867, ShivaKrishna999, SiD_-_-_, TRAKRACER, Freklred, TommehBoi, drmt23, Upvoter_NeverDie Subscribe to this podcast via: iHeartMedia Spotify iTunes Google Podcasts YouTube Channel Social media: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok Discord Interested in advertising or sponsoring our show? Contact us at mediasales@klassicstudios.com Produced by Klassic Studios using AutoGen Podcast technology (http://klassicstudios.com/autogen-podcasts/) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daily Dad Jokes (05 Feb 2026) Christmas Joke Button - 101 eye rolling dad jokes for the festive season! Amazon. The perfect gift for Kris Kringle, Secret Santa and of course for dad! Click here here to view! The official Daily Dad Jokes Podcast electronic button now available on Amazon. The perfect gift for dad! Click here here to view! Email Newsletter: Looking for more dad joke humor to share? Then subscribe to our new weekly email newsletter. It's our weekly round-up of the best dad jokes, memes, and humor for you to enjoy. Spread the laughs, and groans, and sign up today! Click here to subscribe! Listen to the Daily Dad Jokes podcast here: https://dailydadjokespodcast.com/ or search "Daily Dad Jokes" in your podcast app. Jokes sourced and curated from reddit.com/r/dadjokes. Joke credits: Healthy_Ladder_6198, VERBERD, timthedriller, firestrike007, ngairejasminbarrett, PhilipWaterford, Money-Bodybuilder423, bmwrider2, madazzahatter, WaterRules, PKMKII, zwerfpoes, Spiritual_Ear_3456, Thug_Lawyer, , alfrodobaggins, CmorBelow, ChargingTiger, SoulSilver1712, zombiejesus1991, Healthy_Ladder_6198, pseudosecure, Present_Thought8867, ShivaKrishna999, SiD_-_-_, TRAKRACER, Freklred, TommehBoi, drmt23, Upvoter_NeverDie Subscribe to this podcast via: iHeartMedia Spotify iTunes Google Podcasts YouTube Channel Social media: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok Discord Interested in advertising or sponsoring our show? Contact us at mediasales@klassicstudios.com Produced by Klassic Studios using AutoGen Podcast technology (http://klassicstudios.com/autogen-podcasts/) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3281: Sabrina shares ten calming techniques to help ease your body and mind into restful sleep, from simple breathwork and soothing visualization to acupressure and mindful journaling. These gentle, science-backed practices not only reduce stress and anxiety but also create a consistent bedtime routine that encourages deeper, more restorative sleep. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://buddingoptimist.com/relaxing-things-to-do-before-bed/ Quotes to ponder: "Pets can melt more than just our hearts, they can melt away our stress too." "With mindfulness meditation, you focus your attention on your breath and the present moment, what you experience with your senses and the feelings in your body and mind in the here and now." "Listening to music for 45 minutes at bedtime for about a month has been shown to positively impact sleep patterns." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Katie sits down with the Westworld showrunner, Jonah Nolan for a wide ranging conversation about what keeps him coming back to sci-fi storytelling about technology and human nature. After decades of writing about Ai, Nolan explains why Ai may be good for burgeoning filmmakers, but won't replace Hollywood as we know it.Nolan's past work includes Memento, The Prestige, The Dark Knight, Interstellar and Westworld. Join WIRED's best and brightest on Uncanny Valley as they dissect the collision of tech, politics, finance, and business, from Alexis Ohanian's newest tech venture to the effects of inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots on social protests. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3281: Sabrina shares ten calming techniques to help ease your body and mind into restful sleep, from simple breathwork and soothing visualization to acupressure and mindful journaling. These gentle, science-backed practices not only reduce stress and anxiety but also create a consistent bedtime routine that encourages deeper, more restorative sleep. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://buddingoptimist.com/relaxing-things-to-do-before-bed/ Quotes to ponder: "Pets can melt more than just our hearts, they can melt away our stress too." "With mindfulness meditation, you focus your attention on your breath and the present moment, what you experience with your senses and the feelings in your body and mind in the here and now." "Listening to music for 45 minutes at bedtime for about a month has been shown to positively impact sleep patterns." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3280: Sabrina shares hard-earned wisdom from years of battling insomnia, revealing how a calming bedtime routine transformed her nights and improved her well-being. She explains why structure matters, what habits sabotage sleep, and introduces gentle yet powerful rituals, like warm foot baths and deep breathing, that can help you drift off peacefully. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://buddingoptimist.com/relaxing-things-to-do-before-bed/ Quotes to ponder: "A relaxing bedtime routine not only prepares my body and mind for optimal sleep, but also gives me a reassuring sense of comfort." "Deep breathing that involves not just our chest, but our belly, has been shown to be effective in lowering our heartbeat and stabilizing our blood pressure." "Too many of us either don't have a bedtime routine, or engage in the wrong activities before bed, we do things that, instead of winding us down for a good night's sleep, have the opposite effect on us." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3280: Sabrina shares hard-earned wisdom from years of battling insomnia, revealing how a calming bedtime routine transformed her nights and improved her well-being. She explains why structure matters, what habits sabotage sleep, and introduces gentle yet powerful rituals, like warm foot baths and deep breathing, that can help you drift off peacefully. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://buddingoptimist.com/relaxing-things-to-do-before-bed/ Quotes to ponder: "A relaxing bedtime routine not only prepares my body and mind for optimal sleep, but also gives me a reassuring sense of comfort." "Deep breathing that involves not just our chest, but our belly, has been shown to be effective in lowering our heartbeat and stabilizing our blood pressure." "Too many of us either don't have a bedtime routine, or engage in the wrong activities before bed, we do things that, instead of winding us down for a good night's sleep, have the opposite effect on us." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SLEERICKETS is a podcast about poetry and other intractable problems. My book Midlife now exists. Buy it here, or leave it a rating here or hereFor more SLEERICKETS, subscribe to SECRET SHOW, join the group chat, and send me a poem for Listener Crit!Leave the show a rating here (actually, just do it on your phone, it's easier). Thanks!Wear SLEERICKETS t-shirts and hoodies. They look good!SLEERICKETS is now on YouTube!For a frank, anonymous critique on SLEERICKETS, subscribe to the SECRET SHOW and send a poem of no more 25 lines to sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] com Some of the topics mentioned in this episode:– Pre-order Brian's book The Optimists! It's so good!– Let me know if you'd like a review copy of my forthcoming chapbook The Soft Black Stars: sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] com– Only Sing by John Berryman, ed. Shane McCrae– New and Collected Hell by Shane McCrae– Dream Song 26 by John Berryman– Dream Song 14 by John Berryman– Dream Song 29 by John Berryman– Dream Song: For Louis MacNeice by John Berryman– A Most Marvelous Piece of Luck by Greg Williamson– Cynara by Ernest Dowson– Shadow of the Colossus– Fallout– Fallout (TV series)– Robert Frost's original inaugural poem, Dedication– Democracy and Poetry by Robert Penn Warren– Fall of the Star High School Running Back by The Mountain GoatsFrequently mentioned names:– Joshua Mehigan– Shane McCrae– A. E. Stallings– Ryan Wilson– Morri Creech– Austin Allen– Jonathan Farmer– Zara Raab– Amit Majmudar– Ethan McGuire– Coleman Glenn– Chris Childers– Alexis Sears– JP Gritton– Alex Pepple– Ernie Hilbert– Joanna Pearson– Matt Wall– Steve Knepper – Helena Feder– David Yezzi– Victoria Moul– Katie Dozier & Tim Green– Tristram Fane SaundersOther Ratbag Poetry Pods:Poetry Says by Alice AllanI Hate Matt Wall by Matt WallVersecraft by Elijah Perseus BlumovRatbag Poetics By David Jalal MotamedAlice: In Future PostsBrian: @BPlatzerCameron: Minor TiresiasMatthew: sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] comMusic by ETRNLArt by Daniel Alexander Smith

Government - Kathryn Anne Edwards and Robin Rauzi

SLEERICKETS is a podcast about poetry and other intractable problems. My book Midlife now exists. Buy it here, or leave it a rating here or hereFor more SLEERICKETS, subscribe to SECRET SHOW, join the group chat, and send me a poem for Listener Crit!Leave the show a rating here (actually, just do it on your phone, it's easier). Thanks!Wear SLEERICKETS t-shirts and hoodies. They look good!SLEERICKETS is now on YouTube!For a frank, anonymous critique on SLEERICKETS, subscribe to the SECRET SHOW and send a poem of no more 25 lines to sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] com Some of the topics mentioned in this episode:– Pre-order Brian's book The Optimists! It's so good!– Let me know if you'd like a review copy of my forthcoming chapbook The Soft Black Stars: sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] com– A Crown for the Kings by Zina Gomez-Liss– The things you've said and done: Jeremy Wikeley's review of Midlife– Limiting Poetry's Feedback Loop by Steven Searcy– Below the Brightness by Steven Searcy– On Fear by Alice Allan– The Christian Poetry Comeback by Paul J. Pastor– Can Poetry Matter? by Dana Gioia– Poetry as Enchantment by Dana Gioia– When I consider how my light is spent by John Milton– On first looking into Chapman's Homer by John Keats– Decorum by Stephen Dunn– Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll– The Little ReviewFrequently mentioned names:– Joshua Mehigan– Shane McCrae– A. E. Stallings– Ryan Wilson– Morri Creech– Austin Allen– Jonathan Farmer– Zara Raab– Amit Majmudar– Ethan McGuire– Coleman Glenn– Chris Childers– Alexis Sears– JP Gritton– Alex Pepple– Ernie Hilbert– Joanna Pearson– Matt Wall– Steve Knepper – Helena Feder– David Yezzi– Victoria Moul– Katie Dozier & Tim Green– Tristram Fane SaundersOther Ratbag Poetry Pods:Poetry Says by Alice AllanI Hate Matt Wall by Matt WallVersecraft by Elijah Perseus BlumovRatbag Poetics By David Jalal MotamedAlice: In Future PostsBrian: @BPlatzerCameron: Minor TiresiasMatthew: sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] comMusic by ETRNLArt by Daniel Alexander Smith

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3888: Angel Chernoff shares nine powerful strategies for cultivating a more optimistic mindset, emphasizing that optimism is a choice, not a fixed trait. From shifting your focus to what you can control, to surrounding yourself with positivity and living in the present, each practice is designed to help you build emotional resilience, reduce stress, and live more fully with hope and purpose. Read along with the original article(s) here: http://www.marcandangel.com/2012/05/30/9-ways-to-become-an-optimist/ Quotes to ponder: "Optimism does not mean ignoring the problem entirely, it means understanding that setbacks are inevitable, often temporary, and that you have the skills and abilities to combat the challenges you face." "LOVE: It's the greatest force in the universe. It's a treasure that people would give anything for, yet it costs nothing to give and receive." "Every minute spent worrying guarantees nothing but less time to enjoy what life has to offer." Episode references: Awareness: The Perils and Opportunities of Reality: https://www.amazon.com/Awareness-Perils-Opportunities-Reality-Anthony/dp/0385249373 The Happiness Project: https://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Project-Aristotle-Generally-Reminded/dp/006158326X Full Catastrophe Living: https://www.amazon.com/Full-Catastrophe-Living-Revised-Illness/dp/0345536932 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3888: Angel Chernoff shares nine powerful strategies for cultivating a more optimistic mindset, emphasizing that optimism is a choice, not a fixed trait. From shifting your focus to what you can control, to surrounding yourself with positivity and living in the present, each practice is designed to help you build emotional resilience, reduce stress, and live more fully with hope and purpose. Read along with the original article(s) here: http://www.marcandangel.com/2012/05/30/9-ways-to-become-an-optimist/ Quotes to ponder: "Optimism does not mean ignoring the problem entirely, it means understanding that setbacks are inevitable, often temporary, and that you have the skills and abilities to combat the challenges you face." "LOVE: It's the greatest force in the universe. It's a treasure that people would give anything for, yet it costs nothing to give and receive." "Every minute spent worrying guarantees nothing but less time to enjoy what life has to offer." Episode references: Awareness: The Perils and Opportunities of Reality: https://www.amazon.com/Awareness-Perils-Opportunities-Reality-Anthony/dp/0385249373 The Happiness Project: https://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Project-Aristotle-Generally-Reminded/dp/006158326X Full Catastrophe Living: https://www.amazon.com/Full-Catastrophe-Living-Revised-Illness/dp/0345536932 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are yoy a 'delusional' optimist? Joe found this study that has some very interesting finds about people and their 'optimistic' mindset. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friendship is vital for our health and happiness, but we don't always prioritize it. The Optimist's Maggie Penman goes on a journey to make new friends and learn why so many of us are craving connection.Today's show was produced by Maggie Penman, with help from Ted Muldoon, who also mixed the show. It was edited by Allison Klein. For more stories from The Optimist, subscribe to our newsletter. If you want to hear more stories like this on “Post Reports,” send Maggie an email at maggie.penman@washpost.com. If you want to check out Billy Baker's book, it's called “We Need to Hang Out: A Memoir of Making Friends.”Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

You can read today's edition of The 7 newsletter here. While The 7 podcast takes a break today, we wanted to share this episode from Post Reports about New Year's resolutions. Go to sleep earlier. Read more books. Eat better. Exercise. Changing our behavior is hard, but what if some simple – and dare we say fun – tricks could help us keep our resolutions for the new year?From temptation bundling to buddying up, Optimist reporter Maggie Penman shares the science on how to make your New Year's resolutions, whatever they are, stick in 2026. Plus, on the eve of national “Quitters Day,” we explore why making resolutions can actually be beneficial – even if you don't stick to them perfectly. Today's show was produced by Elana Gordon. It was edited by Dennis Funk and mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks to Allison Klein and Theresa Tamkins.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

At a time of year when many of us are reflecting on our lives and setting goals, we look at the research into what makes for a good life – and share some advice on how to get there.Here's what science considers a path to a good life. Plus, some tips and advice on how to get there.Are you living a good life? Take this quiz to find out.7 simple ways to be a bit happier each dayDoing good is good for you, research showsBoredom is a warning sign. Here's what it's telling you.If you want to hear more stories like this on “Post Reports,” please let us know. You can reach the whole team at podcasts@washpost.com or email Maggie at maggie.penman@washpost.com.The Optimist has a newsletter! Subscribe here.Today's show was produced by Maggie Penman with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy, who also mixed the show. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and Allison Klein. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Go to sleep earlier. Read more books. Eat better. Exercise. Changing our behavior is hard, but what if some simple – and dare we say fun – tricks could help us keep our resolutions for the new year?From temptation bundling to buddying up, Optimist reporter Maggie Penman shares the science on how to make your New Year's resolutions, whatever they are, stick in 2026. Plus, on the eve of national “Quitters Day,” we explore why making resolutions can actually be beneficial – even if you don't stick to them perfectly. Today's show was produced by Elana Gordon. It was edited by Dennis Funk and mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks to Allison Klein and Theresa Tamkins.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Today we share one of our favorite episodes, from Optimist reporter Maggie Penman about the new science of aging, and a hopeful research finding that getting stronger and healthier in old age is possible for many of us – even after a health setback. If you want to hear more stories like this, please let us know. You can reach the whole team at podcasts@washpost.com or email Maggie at maggie.penman@washpost.com.Today's episode was reported and produced by Maggie Penman. It was edited by Allison Klein and Ted Muldoon who also mixed the show.The Optimist has a newsletter! Subscribe here.And, subscribe to The Washington Post here.

FOUNDING OPENAI Colleague Keach Hagey, The Optimist. In 2016, Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, and Ilya Sutskever founded OpenAI as a nonprofit research lab to develop safe artificial general intelligence (AGI). Backed by investors like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, the organization aimed to be a counterweight to Google's DeepMind, which was driven by profit. The team relied on massive computing power provided by GPUs—originally designed for video games—to train neural networks, recruiting top talent like Sutskever to lead their scientific efforts. NUMBER 13 1955

THE ROOTS OF AMBITION Colleague Keach Hagey, The Optimist. Sam Altman grew up in St. Louis, the son of an idealistic developer and a driven dermatologist mother who instilled ambition and resilience in her children. Altmanattended the progressive John Burroughs School, where his intellect and charisma flourished, allowing him to connect with people on any topic. Though he was a tech enthusiast, his ability to charm others defined him early on, foreshadowing his future as a master persuader in Silicon Valley. NUMBER 14 JANUARY 1931

SILICON VALLEY KINGMAKER Colleague Keach Hagey, The Optimist. At Stanford, Altman co-founded Loopt, a location-sharing app that won him a meeting with Steve Jobs and a spot in the App Store launch. While Loopt was not a commercial success, the experience taught Altman that his true talent lay in investing and spotting future trends rather than coding. He eventually succeeded Paul Graham as president of Y Combinator, becoming a powerful figure in Silicon Valley who could convince skeptics like Peter Thiel to back his visions. NUMBER 15 SEPTEMBER 1952

THE BLIP AND THE FUTURE Colleague Keach Hagey, The Optimist. The viral success of ChatGPT shifted OpenAI's focus from safety to commercialization, despite early internal warnings about the existential risks of AGI. Tensions over safety and Altman's management style led to a "blip" where the nonprofit board fired him, only for him to be quickly reinstated due to employee loyalty. Elon Musk, having lost a power struggle for control of the organization, severed ties, leaving Altman to lead the race toward AGI. NUMBER 16 FEBRUARY 1955

SHOW 12-2-2026 THE SHOW BEGIJS WITH DOUBTS ABOUT AI --  a useful invetion that can match the excitement of the first decades of Photography. November 1955 NADAR'S BALLOON AND THE BIRTH OF PHOTOGRAPHY Colleague Anika Burgess, Flashes of Brilliance. In 1863, the photographer Nadar undertook a perilous ascent in a giant balloon to fund experiments for heavier-than-air flight, illustrating the adventurous spirit required of early photographers. This era began with Daguerre's 1839 introduction of the daguerreotype, a process involving highly dangerous chemicals like mercury and iodine to create unique, mirror-like images on copper plates. Pioneers risked their lives using explosive materials to capture reality with unprecedented clarity and permanence. NUMBER 1 PHOTOGRAPHING THE MOON AND SEA Colleague Anika Burgess, Flashes of Brilliance. Early photography expanded scientific understanding, allowing humanity to visualize the inaccessible. James Nasmyth produced realistic images of the moon by photographing plaster models based on telescope observations, aiming to prove its volcanic nature. Simultaneously, Louis Boutan spent a decade perfecting underwater photography, capturing divers in hard-hat helmets. These efforts demonstrated that photography could be a tool for scientific analysis and discovery, revealing details of the natural world previously hidden from the human eye. NUMBER 2 SOCIAL JUSTICE AND NATURE CONSERVATION Colleague Anika Burgess, Flashes of Brilliance. Photography became a powerful agent for social and environmental change. Jacob Riis utilized dangerous flash powder to document the squalid conditions of Manhattan tenements, exposing poverty to the public in How the Other Half Lives. While his methods raised consent issues, they illuminated grim realities. Conversely, Carleton Watkins hauled massive equipment into the wilderness to photograph Yosemite; his majestic images influenced legislation signed by Lincoln to protect the land, proving photography's political impact. NUMBER 3 X-RAYS, SURVEILLANCE, AND MOTION Colleague Anika Burgess, Flashes of Brilliance. The discovery of X-rays in 1895 sparked a "new photography" craze, though the radiation caused severe injuries to early practitioners and subjects. Photography also entered the realm of surveillance; British authorities used hidden cameras to photograph suffragettes, while doctors documented asylum patients without consent. Finally, Eadweard Muybridge's experiments captured horses in motion, settling debates about locomotion and laying the technical groundwork for the future development of motion pictures. NUMBER 4 THE AWAKENING OF CHINA'S ECONOMY Colleague Anne Stevenson-Yang, Wild Ride. Returning to China in 1994, the author witnessed a transformation from the destitute, Maoist uniformity of 1985 to a budding export economy. In the earlier era, workers slept on desks and lacked basic goods, but Deng Xiaoping's realization that the state needed hard currency prompted reforms. Deng established Special Economic Zones like Shenzhen to generate foreign capital while attempting to isolate the population from foreign influence, marking the start of China's export boom. NUMBER 5 RED CAPITALISTS AND SMUGGLERS Colleague Anne Stevenson-Yang, Wild Ride. Following the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown, China reopened to investment in 1992, giving rise to "red capitalists"—often the children of party officials who traded political access for equity. As the central government lost control over local corruption and smuggling rings, it launched "Golden Projects" to digitize and centralize authority over customs and taxes. To avert a banking collapse in 1998, the state created asset management companies to absorb bad loans, effectively rolling over massive debt. NUMBER 6 GHOST CITIES AND THE STIMULUS TRAP Colleague Anne Stevenson-Yang, Wild Ride. China's growth model shifted toward massive infrastructure spending, resulting in "ghost cities" and replica Western towns built to inflate GDP rather than house people. This "Potemkin culture" peaked during the 2008 Olympics, where facades were painted to impress foreigners. To counter the global financial crisis, Beijing flooded the economy with loans, fueling a real estate bubble that consumed more cement in three years than the US did in a century, creating unsustainable debt. NUMBER 7 STAGNATION UNDER SURVEILLANCE Colleague Anne Stevenson-Yang, Wild Ride. The severe lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic shattered consumer confidence, leaving citizens insecure and unwilling to spend, which stalled economic recovery. Local governments, cut off from credit and burdened by debt, struggle to provide basic services. Faced with economic stagnation, Xi Jinping has rejected market liberalization in favor of increased surveillance and control, prioritizing regime security over resolving the structural debt crisis or restoring the dynamism of previous decades. NUMBER 8 FAMINE AND FLIGHT TO FREEDOM Colleague Mark Clifford, The Troublemaker. Jimmy Lai was born into a wealthy family that lost everything to the Communist revolution, forcing his father to flee to Hong Kong while his mother endured labor camps. Left behind, Lai survived as a child laborer during a devastating famine where he was perpetually hungry. A chance encounter with a traveler who gave him a chocolate bar inspired him to escape to Hong Kong, the "land of chocolate," stowing away on a boat at age twelve. NUMBER 9 THE FACTORY GUY Colleague Mark Clifford, The Troublemaker. By 1975, Jimmy Lai had risen from a child laborer to a factory owner, purchasing a bankrupt garment facility using stock market profits. Despite being a primary school dropout who learned English from a dictionary, Lai succeeded through relentless work and charm. He capitalized on the boom in American retail sourcing, winning orders from Kmart by producing samples overnight and eventually building Comitex into a leading sweater manufacturer, embodying the Hong Kong dream. NUMBER 10 CONSCIENCE AND CONVERSION Colleague Mark Clifford, The Troublemaker. The 1989 Tiananmen Squaremassacre radicalized Lai, who transitioned from textiles to media, founding Next magazine and Apple Daily to champion democracy. Realizing the brutality of the Chinese Communist Party, he used his wealth to support the student movement and expose regime corruption. As the 1997 handover approached, Lai converted to Catholicism, influenced by his wife and pro-democracy peers, seeking spiritual protection and a moral anchor against the coming political storm. NUMBER 11 PRISON AND LAWFARE Colleague Mark Clifford, The Troublemaker. Following the 2020 National Security Law, authorities raided Apple Daily, froze its assets, and arrested Lai, forcing the newspaper to close. Despite having the means to flee, Lai chose to stay and face imprisonment as a testament to his principles. Now held in solitary confinement, he is subjected to "lawfare"—sham legal proceedings designed to silence him—while he spends his time sketching religious images, remaining a symbol of resistance against Beijing's tyranny. NUMBER 12 FOUNDING OPENAI Colleague Keach Hagey, The Optimist. In 2016, Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, and Ilya Sutskever founded OpenAI as a nonprofit research lab to develop safe artificial general intelligence (AGI). Backed by investors like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, the organization aimed to be a counterweight to Google's DeepMind, which was driven by profit. The team relied on massive computing power provided by GPUs—originally designed for video games—to train neural networks, recruiting top talent like Sutskever to lead their scientific efforts. NUMBER 13 THE ROOTS OF AMBITION Colleague Keach Hagey, The Optimist. Sam Altman grew up in St. Louis, the son of an idealistic developer and a driven dermatologist mother who instilled ambition and resilience in her children. Altmanattended the progressive John Burroughs School, where his intellect and charisma flourished, allowing him to connect with people on any topic. Though he was a tech enthusiast, his ability to charm others defined him early on, foreshadowing his future as a master persuader in Silicon Valley. NUMBER 14 SILICON VALLEY KINGMAKER Colleague Keach Hagey, The Optimist. At Stanford, Altman co-founded Loopt, a location-sharing app that won him a meeting with Steve Jobs and a spot in the App Store launch. While Loopt was not a commercial success, the experience taught Altman that his true talent lay in investing and spotting future trends rather than coding. He eventually succeeded Paul Graham as president of Y Combinator, becoming a powerful figure in Silicon Valley who could convince skeptics like Peter Thiel to back his visions. NUMBER 15 THE BLIP AND THE FUTURE Colleague Keach Hagey, The Optimist. The viral success of ChatGPT shifted OpenAI's focus from safety to commercialization, despite early internal warnings about the existential risks of AGI. Tensions over safety and Altman's management style led to a "blip" where the nonprofit board fired him, only for him to be quickly reinstated due to employee loyalty. Elon Musk, having lost a power struggle for control of the organization, severed ties, leaving Altman to lead the race toward AGI. NUMBER 16

Today, we revisit one of our favorite episodes from this past year, about super agers: people who continue to thrive into their 80s and 90s. One of them lives just down my block.Ednajane Truax, who is known to friends and neighbors as “E.J.,” can often be found on her hands and knees in the dirt, working in the garden at the Sherwood Recreation Center in Northeast Washington. She also has an impressive garden of her own and helps out with other neighbors' gardens. She works out several times a week, sometimes while wearing a shirt that says, “You don't stop lifting when you get old — you get old when you stop lifting.” She can bench press 55 pounds and leg press 250.Truax has never married — “just lucky, I guess,” she jokes when I ask her about that — but she has remained social her entire life. She volunteers, goes to the gym, throws parties, knows her neighbors and their children by name. Truax says her secret to thriving as she ages is simple: Be active.It turns out that research backs her up.If you're looking for more surprising, delightful stories about the best of humanity, check out The Optimist from The Washington Post. We also have a newsletter: Subscribe to get stories from The Optimist in your inbox every Sunday morning.Today's show was produced by Maggie Penman with help from Ted Muldoon, who also mixed the show. The Optimist's editor is Allison Klein. If you liked hearing this story on “Post Reports,” send us an email at podcasts@washpost.com. You can email Maggie directly at maggie.penman@washpost.com.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

More To The Story: Bill McKibben isn't known for his rosy outlook on climate change. Back in 1989, the environmentalist wrote The End of Nature, which is considered the first mainstream book warning of global warming's potential effects on the planet. His writing on climate change has been described as “dark realism.” But McKibben has recently let a little light shine through thanks to the dramatic growth of renewable energy, particularly solar power. In his latest book, Here Comes the Sun: A Last Chance for the Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization, McKibben argues that the planet is experiencing the fastest energy transition in history from fossil fuels to solar and wind—and that transition could be the start of something big. On this week's More To The Story, McKibben sits down with host Al Letson to examine the rise of solar power, how China is leapfrogging the United States in renewable energy use, and the real reason the Trump administration is trying to kill solar and wind projects around the country.Producer: Josh Sanburn | Editor: Kara McGuirk-Allison | Theme music: Fernando Arruda and Jim Briggs | Copy editor: Nikki Frick with help from Digital producer: Artis Curiskis | Deputy executive producer: Taki Telonidis | Executive producer: Brett Myers | Executive editor: James West | Host: Al LetsonListen: Will the National Parks Survive Trump? (Reveal)Read: Rooftop Solar Is a Miracle. Why Are We Killing It With Red Tape? (Mother Jones)Read: Here Comes the Sun: A Last Chance for the Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization (W.W. Norton & Company) Donate today at Revealnews.org/more Subscribe to our weekly newsletter at Revealnews.org/weekly Follow us on Instagram and Bluesky Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Once a month for 15 years, David Weiner has hosted a jazz party, inviting everyone he knows and many people he's never met over to his D.C. rowhouse. Today, we revisit one of our favorite episodes of the year and go inside the wildly welcoming ritual to understand how he's built this community — and kept it going.You can read more about Wiener's jazz party here.If you're looking for more surprising, delightful stories about the best of humanity, check out The Optimist from The Washington Post. We also have a newsletter: Subscribe to get stories from The Optimist in your inbox every Sunday morning.Today's show was reported and produced by Maggie Penman and Ted Muldoon, who also mixed the show. The Optimist's editor is Allison Klein. If you liked hearing this story on “Post Reports,” send us an email at podcasts@washpost.com. You can email Maggie directly at maggie.penman@washpost.com.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

In one of our favorite episodes of the year, a group of self-proclaimed “old ladies” dive for garbage — and unexpectedly find joy. This is a story from The Optimist, The Washington Post's section about the best of humanity. If you want more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter. If you love hearing these stories on “Post Reports,” please send us an email at podcasts@washpost.com. You can reach Maggie Penman directly at maggie.penman@washpost.com.Today's show was produced by Maggie Penman. It was edited and mixed by Ted Muldoon. Thank you to Allison Klein. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

The cafeteria at Ballard High School during lunch is a loud place. Students are talking and laughing, playing card games and going out to the courtyard for an informal recess. On Fridays, students have started playing bingo.It's a big change from the past couple of years — and it's not the only one. In the first month of school this year, students took out 67 percent more books from the school library than the same month last year.Today on the show, we interview psychologist Jean Twenge, author of the new book “10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World.” Listen to our episode about the young people giving up their smartphones.Today's show was produced by Maggie Penman and Rennie Svirnovskiy, who also mixed the show. It was edited by Allison Klein.Subscribe to The Optimist here. And if you want more optimistic stories in your podcast feed, write to us at podcasts@washpost.com. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Everybody’s always bagging on pessimists and telling everybody they should be more optimistic. Well, nuts to that! There are plenty of benefits from being a pessimist. Although being an optimist still wins in basically every category ☹See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.