Blue Sky Podcast Por Bill Burke arte de portada

Blue Sky

Blue Sky

De: Bill Burke
Escúchala gratis

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.2025 Ciencias Sociales Higiene y Vida Saludable Psicología Psicología y Salud Mental
Episodios
  • Heidi Johnson on Loss, Grief, and the Transformative Power of Giving

    Heidi Johnson on Loss, Grief, and the Transformative Power of Giving
    Jul 23 2025
    Heidi Johnson was in a great spot in life. She had a great family, good job, all she could reasonably ask for. But when her mother was killed in a shocking accident, that all changed. After suffering from intense grief, Heidi’s life changed when she was asked to start a new initiative at her local children’s hospital. This led her to create and lead her own nonprofit and to a life today of service and also shining a light on other nonprofit leaders, through both a book and hosting her podcast, Charity Matters. Chapters: 00:30 Heidi Johnson’s Journey Begins Heidi Johnson shares her life story, detailing her upbringing in a large Irish Catholic family and the unexpected tragedy that altered her life’s path, leading her to a deeper exploration of grief and purpose. 04:11 The Tragic Accident Heidi recounts the harrowing details of her parents’ vacation in Costa Rica, where a devastating accident claimed her mother’s life and left her father in a coma, profoundly impacting her family and her outlook on life. 07:29 The Revelation of Grief Heidi reflects on how her grief revealed her inner strength and fueled her desire to help others, transforming her pain into a powerful catalyst for change in her life. 10:34 A Call for Help A pivotal moment arises when a priest at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, reaches out to Heidi for assistance in establishing a nonprofit to provide emotional support to families, marking the beginning of her new mission. 12:56 Establishing the Nonprofit Heidi discusses the formation of the Spiritual Care Guild, detailing the challenges and triumphs of starting a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing chaplains for families in need at the hospital. 17:28 The Impact of Service Through her work at the Children’s Hospital, Heidi discovers the profound personal health benefits of service, illustrating how helping others can lead to healing and meaning in one’s own life. 18:14 The Birth of Charity Matters Heidi shares the inspiration behind her blog and podcast, Charity Matters, which highlights the stories of nonprofit founders and the impact of their work, showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit in the nonprofit sector. 23:24 Lessons from Nonprofit Founders In this segment, Heidi reflects on the commonalities she has observed among nonprofit founders, emphasizing their resilience, optimism, and the transformative power of personal experiences that drive their missions. 27:38 Finding Growth in Loss Heidi articulates her belief that loss can lead to personal growth, sharing insights on how adversity can pave the way for new beginnings and a deeper understanding of purpose. 31:47 The Journey from Corporate to Nonprofit Heidi reflects on her transition from a successful corporate career to running a nonprofit, sharing the challenges and rewards of this significant life change. 35:41 Igniting Passion in Others Heidi shares insights on the importance of building community as a nonprofit founder and the necessity of igniting passion in others to join the cause. She emphasizes the contagious nature of enthusiasm and how it helps in forming a supportive network. 38:08 Philanthropy in America The conversation shifts to the philanthropic spirit of Americans, with Heidi noting that a significant percentage of the population volunteers. She discusses the importance of focusing on local communities and how small acts of kindness can create a ripple effect. 40:07 The Good in the World Heidi and Bill conclude with a discussion about the prevalence of good deeds happening around the world, countering the negativity often portrayed in the media. They celebrate the resilience and positivity that nonprofit work embodies, encouraging listeners to contribute to their communities.
    Más Menos
    43 m
  • Wounded Warrior Tom Deierlein’s Remarkable Story of Grit, Resilience, Service, and Optimism

    Wounded Warrior Tom Deierlein’s Remarkable Story of Grit, Resilience, Service, and Optimism
    Jul 16 2025
    As a West Point graduate who had completed his required service, Tom Deierlein was well into a successful career in digital advertising when he was called up once again to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom. There, while working to help struggling Iraqi families meet their basic needs, a sniper’s bullet would change his life’s trajectory. In this Blue Sky conversation, Tom shares his remarkable life story, on that is marked by inspiring grit, resilience, service, and optimism. Chapters: 02:11 Tom Deierlein’s Background Tom Deierlein shares insights about his upbringing as the eighth of nine children and his early influences that led him to West Point. He reflects on the values instilled by his parents and his initial motivations for joining the military. 05:24 Military Service and Leadership Development Tom discusses his military training and the leadership development he experienced during his service, emphasizing the structured professional growth within the Army. He explains his transition from active duty to civilian life and the decisions that led him to the reserves. 08:45 Return to Service and Civil Affairs After a 12-year hiatus, Tom is called back to active duty and deployed to Iraq, where he serves in civil affairs. 12:31 Humanitarian Efforts in Iraq Tom recounts his experiences providing aid to local children and families in Iraq, driven by the dire conditions he witnessed. He shares how he mobilized support from friends and colleagues back home to send supplies and assistance. 16:47 Life-Changing Injury Tom shares the harrowing details of being shot by a sniper in Iraq, describing the severity of his injuries and the immediate medical response he received. He highlights the critical moments that followed and his journey to recovery. 22:41 The Birth of the TD Foundation While recovering at Walter Reed, Tom’s friends and supporters continue to fundraise for his humanitarian efforts, leading to the establishment of the TD Foundation. He explains the foundation’s mission to support children of wounded warriors and families in crisis. 25:51 Resilience and Recovery Tom reflects on his emotional journey during recovery, including moments of doubt and the importance of maintaining a positive attitude. He discusses the role he played in supporting other wounded veterans and the lessons learned from his experiences. 30:06 The Growth of the TD Foundation Tom Deierlein shares the evolution of the TD Foundation, highlighting its mission to support families of wounded warriors and fallen heroes. 36:09 Navigating Challenges with Gratitude In this chapter, Tom reflects on the importance of gratitude in overcoming life’s challenges, drawing inspiration from his personal journey. He emphasizes how the TD Foundation’s quick response to urgent needs helps families regain hope. 37:15 Entrepreneurial Spirit: Thundercat Technology Transitioning to his entrepreneurial journey, Tom introduces Thundercat Technology, a company he founded that focuses on data center technology and government contracts. He discusses the company’s growth and its mission to enhance national security. 41:40 The Role of Optimism and Grit in Business Tom elaborates on the significance of optimism and grit in entrepreneurship, sharing his pragmatic approach to goal-setting and resilience. He explains how these qualities have shaped his leadership style and the culture at Thundercat. 49:02 A Journey of Growth and Inspiration Wrapping up the conversation, Tom reflects on the importance of maintaining a positive outlook despite life’s inevitable challenges. He encourages listeners to embrace optimism and resilience as essential tools for personal and professional growth.
    Más Menos
    52 m
  • Jodie Jackson on How to Manage Our News Consumption to Preserve Our Mental Health and Well-Being

    Jodie Jackson on How to Manage Our News Consumption to Preserve Our Mental Health and Well-Being
    Jul 9 2025
    Many years ago, Jodie Jackson found herself in a deep depression. As she worked to identify the causes her deteriorating mental health, she realized it had a lot to do with her excessive and indiscriminate consumption of news and information. In the years since, she’s become a recognized expert on media literacy and a passionate advocate for understanding and managing our intake of news to protect our mental health. Chapters: 01:12 Introducing Jodi Jackson Jodie Jackson, an expert in the psychological impact of news on mental health, shares her background and the motivation behind her work in constructive journalism. 02:27 The Personal Journey to Understanding News Impact Jodie recounts her personal experience with anxiety and panic attacks, linking them to her news consumption, and how she sought out positive stories to shift her perspective. 05:39 Understanding Negativity Bias The conversation shifts to the concept of negativity bias, exploring how media exploits our natural inclination towards negative news and its effects on our perception of reality. 10:15 Historical Context and Perspective Jodie and Bill discuss the importance of historical context in understanding current events, emphasizing that our perception of the present can often be skewed by the news. 13:01 The Power of Positive News Jodie highlights the transformative power of focusing on positive news, drawing parallels between news consumption and dietary habits for mental health. 14:29 Exploring Cognitive Biases The discussion delves into cognitive biases like availability bias and confirmation bias, illustrating how they shape our beliefs and perceptions based on the information we consume. 20:15 The Role of Media Algorithms Jodie explains how modern media algorithms reinforce our biases by curating content that aligns with our existing beliefs, making it crucial to be aware of our media consumption habits. 25:31 Staying Informed Without Overwhelm Addressing concerns about staying informed, Jodie offers strategies to consume news mindfully, balancing negative and positive content to foster resilience. 30:00 The Importance of Staying Informed Jodie emphasizes the need to stay informed while maintaining mental resilience against negative news. 31:20 Batching News Consumption The discussion shifts to effective news consumption strategies, distinguishing between ‘just in time’ and ‘just in case’ information. Jodie advises focusing on relevant news that one can take action on, rather than overwhelming oneself with constant updates. 33:44 Navigating Information Overload Jodie shares insights on balancing positive and negative news, highlighting the dangers of excessive exposure to distressing events. She encourages listeners to engage with news that resonates with their interests and values. 36:00 Understanding News in the Digital Age The conversation explores how today’s youth consume news differently, primarily through social media, and the challenges this presents in discerning credible information. 39:10 The Role of Parents in Media Literacy Jodie discusses the crucial role parents play in modeling healthy news consumption behaviors for their children. 42:25 Mastering Your Mind Jodie introduces her ‘Master Your Mind’ program, designed to help individuals train their brains for better emotional regulation and resilience. She explains how this program empowers participants to create a positive mindset intentionally. 46:30 Closing Thoughts and Resources In the final segment, Jodie reiterates the importance of viewing news as an invitation to knowledge rather than complete understanding. She encourages listeners to explore her resources, including her TED Talk and the ‘Master Your Mind’ course.
    Más Menos
    49 m
Todavía no hay opiniones