Episode Description:

This week Arielle and Karissa are exploring solutions both personal and global—from Rocky Mountain National Park’s inspiring accessibility upgrades to playful ways adults can tap into back-to-school energy. They also take time for an I’m an Optimist, But… reflection on women’s safety, a reminder that optimism doesn’t ignore hard truths. Tune in for thoughtful stories, practical tips, and a big dose of hope.

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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:

Welcome back, everyone. We’re here again to share the solutions from Optimist Daily this week and looking forward to sharing all this positive news.

Arielle:

Yes, definitely. We also have a free daily newsletter in case you want to start your day off right with some great news in your inbox.

Karissa:

Yeah. And if you want your news in a different way—perhaps on your social media feeds—we are on every channel @OptimistDaily, except on X, where we are @OdeToOptimism.

Arielle:

Now, as usual, we’d like to say thank you to our Emissaries—optimists who support what we do with financial donations. We are hugely appreciative of them. There’s a link in the show notes so you can find out how to become an Emissary, should you want to do that!

Karissa:

Of course, we could use your support in any way. You can share this podcast or send an email to a friend, engage with our social media posts—anything to get these solutions out there and really get the optimism up in the world.

Arielle:

All right, well, with all of that said, Karissa, how are you doing this week?

Karissa:

I’m doing well this week—looking forward to a three-day weekend. It’s the unofficial-slash-official end of summer this week. Although the warm weather will definitely continue, that’s a given. But yeah, it has me a little bit nostalgic. Everyone’s going back to school, the kids are around, and even though I’m not in school anymore, it just gives me this sense of renewal. I’ll talk about that later in my solution a bit. But how are you doing, Arielle?

Arielle:

I’m intrigued. I’m also feeling the end of summer coming. This was a really fun season. There were so many transitions people around me were going through, and apparently that has something to do with, like, Lions Gate? I don’t really know.

Karissa:

Ohh yeah—some astrology.

Arielle:

Yeah, all my astrology girlies and all my astrology friends are always like, “Oh, Lions Gate, Lions Gate. This is why everyone’s going through transitions.” And after that certain date, which I think was earlier this month, things started to calm down. And I will say, I don’t fully subscribe to all that stuff, but I have felt a little bit more calm. So I’m happy about that.

Karissa:

Me too. I’m a loose subscriber to astrology as well, and I’ve definitely heard people talking about this. And I think there is just that overwhelming sense in the world of change going on. Maybe it’s just confirmation bias, but yeah, I’m totally on the same page with you there.

Arielle:

Yeah. Despite the calmness, I do have an I’m an Optimist, But… this week. Do you mind if I share that?

Karissa:

Yeah. What’s on your mind, Arielle?

Arielle:

This week—and actually the past couple of weeks—I’ve been sitting with some really heavy news coming out of the Netherlands, which is where I live. There have been recent reports of women experiencing assault, and most tragically, the murder of a 17-year-old Dutch girl, which is really gut-wrenching.

Karissa:

Yeah.

Arielle:

She was just cycling home on her own after being out with friends in Amsterdam. Anyone who’s living here has done that many times, and it makes me pause. Because I’ve always felt that the Netherlands is one of the safest countries I’ve ever lived in. And still, that doesn’t mean harassment doesn’t happen, and it certainly doesn’t mean tragedies like this don’t occur. In fact, there’s been a general uptick of women experiencing things like catcalling and getting groped by guys—especially young men—on what are known as “fat bikes” here, which are basically really thick electric bikes. Actually, it’s the same kind of bike I was telling you about on last week’s episode that hit my partner and sent him to the ER with a broken pinky.

Karissa:

Oh. Ohh yeah. Those fat bikes seem a little problematic then…

Arielle:

Yeah. But then on top of this, there’s another layer of complexity that makes this news about the 17-year-old girl so painful to talk about. And it’s that the person most suspected of being responsible is a young refugee man. That just adds a whole other dimension because we know how quickly these things become politicized, and some groups will seize on incidents like this to stoke fear, resentment, and xenophobia.

Karissa:

Mm-hmm.

Arielle:

And suddenly, it’s not just about one horrific act—it becomes weaponized and used against entire communities of people who are also vulnerable.

Karissa:

Totally.

Arielle:

So yeah, I’m an optimist, but I’m also disheartened. Disheartened that violence like this is still happening here, in a place that is considered safe in comparison to other countries. Disheartened that women are still fighting for their right to return home safely, which I think should just be a given. And disheartened for the refugee plight, which already faces so much misunderstanding and hostility, and now is probably going to be even harder to defend in the public eye in the Netherlands because of something like this. So that’s me being Debbie Downer!

Karissa:

Right now, actually, I mean, I’m all too familiar with this, and that’s what we see honestly across the world—in the United States as well.

Arielle:

I wish I had an actual solution for this, but I don’t. I’m just bringing it up because that’s why we have this segment. It’s also important to talk about the issues that are challenging our sense of optimism, because sharing our burdens makes them lighter, and we can help each other find hope. That’s what optimism is about!

Karissa:

Exactly. And you know, Arielle, that kind of reminds me—we have had some stories that address part of this. I know that the other week we were talking about how, in Germany, they’ve been offering taxi vouchers for women. And we also kind of—spoiler alert—have a solution this week that’s about undercover cops disguising as joggers and looking for street harassment.

Arielle:

Oh yeah. Cool.

Karissa:

Yeah, you can check it out on Optimist Daily.

Arielle:

Definitely. If you don’t have an I’m an Optimist, But… then maybe that’s enough negativity? (laughs)

Karissa:

Yeah! I do have an optimistic solution that’s kind of whimsical in a way.

Arielle:

OK!

Karissa:

So I’ll just jump into it. The title is Reignite your spark: 6 playful ways to channel back-to-school energy as an adult.Like I said, this time of year, back-to-school makes me reminisce about that flood of excitement before the first day: the smell of new books, that carefully chosen outfit, and the sense that anything could happen. I don’t know—what about you, Arielle? Does this back-to-school feeling ever come back to you?

Arielle:

Ohh… I’ve been out of school for a while now, and I have to say, I don’t really get that buzzy feeling anymore.

Karissa:

Yeah, well, that’s OK. But the back-to-school buzz doesn’t have to be just for kids if you want to feel it a little bit more, because with a little creativity, you can capture it right now, even if your school days are far behind you.

Arielle:

All right. Well, let’s get into it. What’s the first step?

Karissa:

The first step—or tip, or whatever you want to call it—is to turn your meal prep into a creative ritual. So, Arielle, do you ever meal prep for your week?

Arielle:

I wish I had a more responsible answer for this (laughs), but no. I say I’m going to do it and then I never do it.

Karissa:

Absolutely. I’m the same way. But it turns out that we can think of meal prepping as lunch box fun.

Arielle:

Ohh. OK, well, I guess you could really get creative with it.

Karissa:

Yeah, you definitely could. And we have a suggestion here from Kevin Curry of FitMenCook. He preps versatile basics like chickpeas, chicken, jasmine rice, and leafy greens, and then mixes them into new combinations daily. By switching up the sauces—from a tangy tahini to smoky BBQ—you can give yourself a quick mood lift. It’s just one fun way to plan out your lunches for the week.

Arielle:

OK, well, I think I can… I can get into that.

Karissa:

Uh-huh.

Arielle:

You know, one of the perks of being an adult is we can make tasty lunches that we actually want, instead of something our parents might have packed us—or whatever the school cafeteria was offering that day.

Karissa:

Yeah, exactly. So this is just one fun little thing. And one trend I’ve noticed is “adult Lunchables.” I don’t know if you’ve ever seen that. I used to love Lunchables as a child. One idea is to make a version that’s a little more elevated. That’s another fun meal-prepping tip.

Arielle:

Lunchables. OK, cool. I’ll keep it in mind.

Karissa:

The other little thing we can do is curate your closet with intention, because a closet revamp is often in the cards when it comes to back-to-school. As an adult, instead of impulse shopping, give your wardrobe a thoughtful edit. I know I need to do this—I get the itch around this time of year anyway—but I don’t have to go on a full shopping spree.

Actor and YouTuber Asia Jackson suggests asking yourself, when you go through your closet: Do you feel good in this item? Do you look good in this item? The pieces that pass the test can serve as anchors for your personal style refresh.

Arielle:

Yeah, those are great tips. I think I also need to get rid of a bulk of clothes in my closet. There are just so many things that I don’t feel good in, but I still keep…

Karissa:

Yeah, exactly. There are so many pieces you just don’t need.

And another pointer here is to start your mornings with a book. Lately I’ve been talking about how my attention span feels really short—I can barely read a book. This is top of mind for me because I’ve been actively trying to read more lately. I miss the days when I could zoom through books like I did in school.

Arielle:

Yeah, I get what you mean. I feel the same way sometimes. We even had designated time during the school day for reading, and it’s something we may have taken for granted as kids. You know what they say—youth is wasted on the young. And now all I want is a designated time and space to read.

Karissa:

Yeah, exactly. Starting the day off with thought-provoking reads is something we often leave behind with our school days. A solution could be to trade the common sleepy bedtime read—where you’re nodding off with your book—for an energizing morning chapter. NPR culture correspondent Lynn Neary recommends weekend mornings especially, saying it’s a nice way to start your day.

Arielle:

Yeah. And then you definitely know you’ve gotten it in.

Karissa:

Absolutely. So the next tip is to make to-do lists that actually work. If you miss writing out daily tasks in your school agenda, then the adult equivalent is an efficient to-do list. I usually do this with my planner, on a weekly and daily basis, or just in my phone/computer notes. There’s something so satisfying about mapping it all out.

Arielle:

Yeah. This past year, I’ve been on top of my to-do lists, and I keep myself really organized with them.

Karissa:

Yeah? How do you organize your to-do list, or what do you use?

Arielle:

Honestly, I just use my notes app. They have this little bullet point thing where you can check things off, and every night before I start getting ready for bed…

Karissa:

Mhm.

Arielle:

…I just take a look at what I need to do the next day and try to chunk it out into periods, I suppose.

Karissa:

Hmm.

Arielle:

And yeah, it’s adjustable throughout the day, but if I do it the night before, then I don’t have to waste brain energy figuring out what to do when I wake up.

Karissa:

Yeah, that’s a great way to go about it, Arielle. And in the solution we actually had a tip from Angel Trinidad, founder of Passion Planner. She says the secret to to-do lists is making sure they’re comprised of tasks that are clear, short, and doable. To cut the fat, she swears by the two-minute rule: if it takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. That’s definitely something I should apply to my own to-do list.

Arielle:

Yeah, that’s a good one.

Karissa:

Yeah. And once you’ve identified the bigger tasks, Oliver Burkeman, author of Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, suggests breaking them down into more specific steps. According to Burkeman, to-do lists often don’t work because they’re too vague. We don’t get them done because they’re not expressed in a doable form. Breaking them down makes all the difference.

Arielle:

I’ll keep that in mind when I’m working on future to-do lists… or, well, I’ll do it right after this pod record (laughs).

Karissa:

It’s on my to-do list to add this to my… to-do list. (laughs)

Perhaps my favorite little pointer from this solution is to rediscover the joy of play. Play doesn’t have to be a grand gesture, and we often lose that when we’re out of school. Stuart Brown of the National Institute for Play says even noticing the shapes in clouds counts as play and leisure.

Arielle:

Hmm.

Karissa:

If you’re struggling to figure out what kind of play will work for you as an adult, ask yourself what you loved to do at recess as a child—and bring a slice of that into your life.

Arielle:

Hmm. Well, at recess I remember really enjoying catching grasshoppers or little frogs.

Karissa:

Uh-huh.

Arielle:

So maybe I’ll try to incorporate that into my routine a little more—or at least take photos of them, because I don’t want to hurt… yeah, I don’t want to hurt little bugs anymore.

Karissa:

Exactly. I think that’s great because appreciating nature and the little bugs around you is definitely something whimsical.

Arielle:

What did you like to do during recess?

Karissa:

Honestly, I used to like to play pretend—certain situations and stuff, kind of like role play based on whatever books we were reading. I don’t know if you ever read the Warrior Cats series.

Arielle:

Ah. No, I don’t think I did.

Karissa:

It was about wildcats in different clans, and a lot happened. My whole grade was obsessed with this book series, and we’d act like the cats—be the healers and whatever.

Arielle:

Ah, that’s cool.

Karissa:

So that’s one thing I did. And even before that we’d play house, kitchen, office—whatever.

Arielle:

Maybe you should join an improv group or something.

Karissa:

Yeah, exactly. I’ll have to consider that.

The last pointer here is to build friendships with bold kindness. Meeting new friends as an adult can be pretty challenging, honestly.

Arielle:

It was so much easier to meet friends when we spent entire days with the same groups of people—whether we liked it or not.

Karissa:

Absolutely. And as an adult, it’s easy to think everyone already has their friends. But according to advice columnist Heather Havrilesky, the best thing to do is assume exactly the opposite. We have to remember that friendship starts with vulnerability. That awkward first text inviting someone out is actually the first step to building something meaningful.

Arielle:

Yeah, that’s a nice reminder to take that leap of faith for connection. Bids for friendship can definitely be scary. I just asked someone to hang out for the first time a couple weeks ago, and you never know. Our first hangout was a success, and maybe this leads to a life-changing relationship or a lifelong friendship or something like that.

Karissa:

Yeah, exactly. You never know! This point really emphasizes just doing it—being vulnerable and making those friendships, even though it’s hard. I think these solutions for adding a little back-to-school restart to our lives are such great suggestions overall.

Arielle:

Mm-hmm. Yeah, it’s a great idea.

Karissa:

It offers the perfect backdrop for reinvention. By blending the curiosity of youth with the agency of adulthood, you can make every season feel like a fresh start. I think that’s a great solution and message.

Arielle:

Ah, yeah, that’s nice. It’s important to not lose sight of those sparks of joy we maybe had more naturally when we were kids.

Karissa:

Well, Arielle, what solution do you have to share today?

Arielle:

OK, so I was really excited about this one, especially because it’s about nature and national parks. So I’m just going to jump into it.

Karissa:

Yeah!

Arielle:

Exploring America’s national parks is supposed to be one of those quintessential adventures, right? Especially in the summer. And I know you’ve been very outdoorsy this summer, Karissa.

Karissa:

Yeah, absolutely. I’ve been out camping and just taking hikes and such. Lots of outdoors time. It’s so important for the human spirit, in my opinion.

Arielle:

Yeah—the big skies, rugged trails, the smell of pine trees.

Karissa:

Yeah.

Arielle:

All that nature to admire, respect, and enjoy. But for millions of disabled visitors, that promise often falls short.

Karissa:

Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. I’ve noticed that so many trails and facilities were never built with accessibility in mind.

Arielle:

Exactly. But here’s some good news from the article How Rocky Mountain National Park is making trails more inclusive for all visitors. It’s inspiring to read how Rocky Mountain National Park is stepping up in a big way to improve access—despite the budget cuts across the National Park Service. They’ve been adding adaptive equipment and mobility tools to make sure more people can experience the outdoors. In fact, they’re now one of about 28 park sites nationwide offering these.

Karissa:

Oh, OK, that’s really cool. But I’m curious—what kind of tools are we talking about? Like paved trails, or more hands-on equipment?

Arielle:

Both, actually. Thanks to support from the Rocky Mountain Conservancy, the nonprofit that partners with the park, they’ve launched a handful of upgrades. There’s a brand-new wheelchair-accessible Field Institute bus, upgraded accessible picnic tables, and even an expanded fleet of all-terrain wheelchairs.

Karissa:

Ohh, all-terrain wheelchairs. That sounds like a game-changer—and much needed, because not everyone has one they can bring with them.

Arielle:

Totally. Visitors can actually borrow them for free through the Estes Park Mountain Shop. And these aren’t just for the park itself—you can use them in the nearby Estes Park area as well. It really expands access and helps people experience nature in a way they hadn’t been able to before.

I was curious to see more about these all-terrain wheelchairs, so I looked up the GRIT Freedom Chair. I just got lost for a while watching videos of people riding them around. It’s really cool—they’re pumped with your arms, and they can handle so many types of terrain. Definitely worth checking out.

Karissa:

Ah, that’s incredible. Because usually accessibility equipment comes with a price tag that just isn’t feasible for a lot of people.

Arielle:

Right. And on top of the wheelchairs, the Field Institute bus now has room for two wheelchairs plus 12 standard seats. So groups can ride together and learn about the park’s wildlife and geology without anyone being left behind. The Conservancy had been dreaming of this bus for years, and a grant from the R.C. Kemper Charitable Trust finally made it possible.

Karissa:

That’s awesome. And I love that it’s not just about physical access—it’s about social access too. No one has to sit out.

Arielle:

Exactly. And they didn’t stop there. The park swapped out 130 aging picnic tables with new, accessible concrete ones that comply with modern standards. That may sound small, but it’s a huge quality-of-life improvement. And when you think about people eating together, they just want to be at the same table. That’s a really meaningful change.

Karissa:

Yeah, because accessibility doesn’t just happen on the trail. It’s at lunch, at the campgrounds—it’s everywhere.

Arielle:

And for the winter months, they even introduced a wheelchair sledge—a ski-like frame that lets people stay in their wheelchairs while moving safely over snow.

Karissa:

Yeah. That’s genius, because snow is one of those things that can make mobility extra complicated.

Arielle:

Mm-hmm. Yes, snow is tricky—I know that pretty well from living in Canada! But they tested it on Conservancy-funded snowshoe field trips last winter, and it worked beautifully.

Karissa:

Uh-huh. It sounds like this is more than just a few upgrades—it’s a shift in philosophy and mindset.

Arielle:

And they’re thinking long-term too. By 2026, the park plans to roll out a comprehensive accessibility guide. It’ll cover amenities, locations, and resources tailored to disabled visitors, and it will be available in braille, large print, PDF, audio, and standard print.

Karissa:

That’s really thoughtful. They’re not just making the park more accessible—

Arielle:

They’re making the planning process accessible too.

Karissa:

Exactly.

Arielle:

One of the biggest champions of these changes is Quinn Brett, a former climbing ranger who was paralyzed after a fall in 2017. She’s been really vocal about the need for mobility devices and inclusive access.

Karissa:

Yeah, I’ve heard her speak before—she’s really passionate.

Arielle:

Yeah. She told Outside magazine that after her injury, she wanted to open doors for others to explore as well. And in a more recent interview, she said: “I’m gonna be an advocate louder than I can be for people with disabilities recreating in our national parks and in our public lands… Let’s amp it up, man. We got places to go, things to do.”

Karissa:

Well, I love that energy. That’s great.

Arielle:

Me too. And the Conservancy really sees that advocacy as fuel for their work. As communications manager Kaci Yoh put it: “Our job is to steward the park for everyone. Forever.”

Karissa:

Yeah. That’s the heart of it right there. Because these aren’t just upgrades—they’re reminders that nature should be for all of us. No exceptions.

Arielle:

I’m really craving some national park action—especially the landscapes of the States and Canada, the Americas in general. So beautiful. And there’s so much variety, which I guess is exactly why we need all-terrain wheelchairs. The Netherlands is just so flat!

Karissa:

Yeah.

Arielle:

So that’s why I was drawn to this article. Hopefully this inspires other places to make similar changes.

Karissa:

Yeah. And hopefully you’ll get a visit in soon, Arielle—if things aren’t defunded completely!

Arielle:

Exactly. OK. Well, we had a bunch of other uplifting solutions published on Optimist Daily this week, and they include…

Karissa:

The slow demise of fur: how fashion, policy, and activism helped millions of animals, How to prepare for a hard conversation when you hate conflict, Why fewer Americans are drinking alcohol—and what’s replacing it, and Why your lunch is making you sleepy (and how to stop the slump).

Arielle:

We also have This Jamaican student’s invention is reshaping hygiene in hospitals. Oh, this is the one you mentioned earlier, Karissa—UK police go undercover in Surrey as runners to crack down on street harassment. Also, How pollinator pathways are turning city alleys into thriving insect havens, and Keep urinary tract infections away with these 6 foods.

Karissa:

Check out those articles if you haven’t already.

Arielle:

Hopefully they’ll make you feel a little bit better in some chaotic and dark times. All right, Karissa, thank you so much for spending time with me and sharing solutions from Optimist Daily.

Karissa:

Yeah, it was a pleasure as always. And we’ll be back with more solutions and optimism next time. Bye.

Arielle:

Bye.