Episode Description:

In this week’s round-up, Karissa and Arielle dive into the mighty chia seed’s digestive benefits and Cadence’s push to make emergency contraception as accessible as a pack of gum. Join them as they explore real-world solutions making a difference.

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Transcript:

Theme music

Karissa

Hello and welcome to the Optimist Daily’s Weekly Roundup. I’m Karissa.

Arielle

And I’m Arielle, and we’re working hard to put solutions in view and optimism in movement.

Karissa

Well, welcome back. We are here again with another episode of the pod to share the solutions from the Optimist Daily this week. How are you doing over there, Arielle?

Arielle

I’m doing pretty well. It is a little bit gloomier this week in Amsterdam, but I was asking for it because it was way too sunny and all of our plants and grass were going all dry and yellow. So we’re happy about that, even though I did notice a little bit of a dip in my mood. How about you, Karissa? How are you doing?

Karissa

Doing well! It was a shorter work week this week since Memorial Day was on Monday here in the United States, so that was nice to have that extra day of leisure. I had a lot of fun eating a lot of good food, which brings me to my “I’m an optimist, but…” segment.

Arielle

OK, go for it.

Karissa

I am an optimist, but sometimes I am not so optimistic about my bowel movements. (laughs)

Arielle

We’re getting very personal here on the podcast. (laughs)

Karissa

Yes! And especially after a three-day weekend like this where, for me personally, I like to indulge in a lot of yummy foods and BBQ… had some tacos, lots of good stuff. But definitely feeling a little backed up… I don’t know, so… (laughs)

Arielle

Yeah. (laughs)

Karissa

It’s hard to control, I guess, like the whole digestive system. So that kind of brings me to my solution of the day, too.

Arielle

I’m… I’m interested in what the solution is. (laughs)

Karissa

I saw this solution and thought: well, this is perfect. It’s titled “Tiny seeds, big impact: why chia belongs in your daily diet.” Arielle, do you eat chia seeds at all? Is it in your diet?

Arielle

I used to work at a smoothie shop.

Karissa

Oh, OK.

Arielle

It was my first job in high school, and they had chia seeds in a lot of the protein shakes and things like that. I don’t really know exactly what the benefits are, but I do know it’s a superfood, and I’ve just had the habit of sprinkling chia seeds in my breakfast almost every day.

Karissa

I love chia seeds myself. I feel like I haven’t been using them as much… When I do eat chia seeds, I feel like everything’s flowing pretty well. They’re a tiny but mighty little superfood.

Registered dietitian Marisa Moore says they’re packed with fiber, omega-3s, and protein to help support heart health, digestion, and satiety. That trio alone is enough to grab attention, but chia seeds bring even more to the table.

Arielle

This is really interesting because I’ve just been eating chia seeds knowing they’re good, but I had no idea exactly what they’re good for.

Karissa

Yeah, so let me explain a little more for you and our listeners. According to nutritionist Laura Iu, chia seeds are rich in key minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus—all of which play vital roles in keeping bones strong, muscles functioning, and your body balanced. And studies from around the world support their benefits as well. Research from Iraq and Iran points to chia’s ability to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, while Chinese scientists have been investigating how the seeds’ unique bioactive compounds help reduce inflammation and regulate glucose.

Arielle

One thing I do remember from my smoothie-making days is that chia seeds are great for getting your fiber in as well.

Karissa

They are definitely a great source of fiber, and I feel like fiber has been—well, I don’t even want to say a buzzword, but a trend on the internet lately for good reason. Because fiber is so important for many different things. One, of course, being bowel movements. (laughs)

Chia seeds may also play a proactive role in cancer prevention, which I didn’t know. Their antioxidants and polyphenols have been linked to lower risks of breast, colorectal, liver, and pancreatic cancers.

Arielle

Well, that is quite an impressive résumé for something smaller than a grain of rice!

Karissa

Absolutely. It’s really fascinating.

Arielle

So how much chia should we be eating to reap all of these great benefits?

Karissa

Well, dietitian Anita Mirchandani suggests starting with a single tablespoon daily. “A little goes a long way,” she says. Too much too soon can lead to bloating or gas, especially for those sensitive to fiber or managing conditions like IBS. The Mayo Clinic notes that 2.5 tablespoons of chia seeds contain around 10 grams of fiber, which is almost half of your daily recommended intake. So, start small and pay attention to how your body feels.

Arielle

OK, I did not know that too much could lead to bloating and gas, so I’m happy that I’ve always just stayed with a little sprinkle.

Karissa

Yeah.

Arielle

But how else can we eat these tiny seeds?

Karissa

Well, there’s no need to overhaul your diet to incorporate them. Try soaking the seeds overnight in your milk of choice to make chia pudding, which I really like doing. Maybe I’ll get back on that wave. Or, as you said, mix them into smoothies. You could put them in oatmeal or even into cooked rice dishes.

Arielle

Ah, I never thought of that.

Karissa

Me either. Lots of ways to sneak chia seeds in. And I’d say chia seeds are pretty flavorless for the most part, so they’re easy to incorporate. They can also add a satisfying crunch to yogurt and salads. You can stir them into anything, really.

Arielle

Mm-hmm. Well, all of these sound like pretty good, tasty suggestions.

Karissa

One small tip this article does mention is to keep added sugar to a minimum when you’re using chia seeds. So things like chia pudding or if you make a chia jam—let the natural nutrition of chia shine.

Arielle

Hmm, OK.

Karissa

While chia seeds are safe for the most part, there are exceptions. People with swallowing issues should be cautious, and chia seeds should be introduced slowly to young children.

And though rare, allergies to chia seeds do exist. One study says that allergies are more common among people with sesame allergies, particularly Hispanic women. So that’s definitely something to be aware of.

Also, in extreme cases, chia seeds could cause anaphylaxis. So speak with your healthcare provider if you have concerns. But overall, this little seed is small in size but big in benefits. Whether you blend, soak, sprinkle, or stir—these little seeds are a great way to nourish your body from the inside out.

Arielle

All right. Well, I’ll make sure to keep them in my rotation!

Karissa

Yeah. And I’m going to be putting them back in my rotation in a more serious manner now.

Arielle

Mm-hmm. Yeah. OK, well, great. I hope that helps your movements. (laughs)

Karissa

Me too. (laughs)

Arielle

My solution also has to do with health, although maybe in a slightly different way. As usual, I’m going to start off with a question for you Karissa. Why can you buy gum and milk and condoms and lottery tickets at like 2:00 AM at any 7/11 but not emergency contraception?

Karissa

I know! I mean, sex will happen off hours, so why shouldn’t we have access to this kind of protection?

Arielle

Yes, that’s what the article that I chose is all about. It’s titled emergency contraception just got a lot more convenient.

Karissa

Ohh, OK well that’s great.

Arielle

The logic behind convenient contraception is what’s behind a move from Cadence, a health company out of Oakland, CA. Over the past year, they’ve placed their emergency contraception, just called the Morning After Pill, in over 11,000 convenience stores, gas stations, and delis across 48 states.

Karissa

OK, wow, that’s actually really brilliant. And it sounds like it’s kind of quietly revolutionary because I haven’t really heard about this.

Arielle

For too long, condoms have been at every checkout counter, and emergency contraception has been treated like a secret mission. Hard to find, easy to judge.

Karissa

Yeah. And for what? The Morning After Pill isn’t controversial, or at least it shouldn’t be. It’s a time-sensitive medication that delays ovulation. That’s it.

Arielle

Yeah, exactly. It has levonorgestrel, which is FDA approved, safe, and it does not end a pregnancy. It doesn’t mess with fertility. None of that. But misinformation is everywhere, especially in states where abortion is banned. A recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll found that half of women in those states either wrongly believe emergency contraception is illegal or they just don’t know.

Karissa

Yeah, and it’s definitely essential to note that this confusion is not without consequences, because it leads to fear, hesitation, and lost time.

Arielle

And time is kind of the point. Emergency contraception is most effective within 72 hours, so making it available in 24-hour spaces–places people already go without needing an appointment or anything—could make a real difference.

Karissa

And especially in places where clinics have closed and options are limited. Since the fall of Roe over here, we’ve definitely seen ripple effects because there’s fewer providers, less access and more barriers.

Arielle

Luckily, Cadence isn’t stopping with just this. They’re also seeking FDA approval for a regular over-the-counter birth control pill. Because access really shouldn’t be a luxury.

Karissa

Yeah, exactly. And no one should have to run into all these obstacles and jump through so many hoops to protect their own body.

Arielle

Yes. Let’s be clear. Emergency contraception has been the target of misinformation campaigns. It doesn’t interrupt a pregnancy. It prevents one, which is a huge difference.

Karissa

Yeah, all facts what you just said. But unfortunately, facts rarely stop a culture war. But normalizing access just might.

Arielle

And that’s what this move does. By placing the Morning After Pill next to your snacks and soda, Cadence is reframing the conversation. It says this is health care. This is normal. This should be easy to get.

Karissa

Yeah. And it’s not just about the convenience either. It’s about making sure people can take care of themselves without shame, panic, or delay.

Arielle

In the end, reproductive rights aren’t abstract. They’re about real people making real decisions in real time. To echo what you said, it’s really not just about convenience. It’s about equity. And that’s why I thought that it was important to talk about this solution today.

Karissa

Well, I really like that. I didn’t know this was going on, kind of in the backyard to me over in Oakland.

Arielle

Yeah. So whenever you need it… (laughs),

Karissa

Yeah (laughs)

Arielle

…you can go ahead and get it (laughs).

Karissa

Exactly! So that’s really cool to hear. And I also hope this inspires, you know, just ongoing discussion, because I know emergency contraception could also be pretty expensive too.

Arielle

Yeah, lower prices and just lowering all the barriers to reproductive health care.

Karissa

But it’s a good step in the right direction, so thanks for sharing this Ariel. We also had some other really great solutions on the Optimist Daily this week and they include:

Arielle

Spain strengthens housing access with removal of nearly 66,000 unlicensed Airbnb listings. Why using your dishwasher is the laziest way to help the planet.

Karissa

Yay!

Arielle

How to remove grass stains from clothes and save your spring and summer wardrobe. What else do we have?

Karissa

The surprising power of penguin poop. How guano-made clouds may help cool the planet. That one is super interesting. Definitely go check it out. We also have Breathing in biodiversity: how DNA in the air could help track life on Earth, and Are your pillows past their prime? Here’s what the experts say.

Arielle

Oh no! I’ve had my pillow for a long time, but I’m just so attached to it (laughs)

Well, if you would like to start your day off with some positive optimistic solutions, make sure to subscribe to our free daily newsletter so you can get them straight to your inbox.

Karissa

Absolutely. And we also have some more solutions on our social channels. We’re on basically everything @optimistdaily. The only difference is on X where we are known as @odetooptimism.

Arielle

Our team works really hard to bring you positive news. And we would really appreciate some support, whether that be financial or just spreading the optimism around. You could tell friends and family about our podcast and maybe even drop a five star review if you feel like it.

Karissa

We definitely appreciate the support. And you can click on link in the show notes to find out just how.

Arielle

Karissa, thank you so much for being here with me today and sharing that fabulous solution about chia seeds.

Karissa

Yeah, and thank you so much, Arielle, for sharing that solution on emergency contraception. Very important indeed. And I’m looking forward to being back with you next week to share even more positive, uplifting solutions from the Optimist Daily.

Arielle

Until next week…

Karissa

Bye everyone.

Arielle

Bye.