Episode Description:

This week, Arielle spotlights the return of our Local Changemakers Series! From food justice in Olympia to climate activism and dog rescue in Thailand, last year’s nominees inspired us with their creativity and compassion. Now we’re inviting you to nominate the people and projects making a difference in your own backyard. Plus, every nomination enters you to win a cozy Optimist Daily mug! Tune in to hear inspiring stories from last year and learn how to share yours.

Click here to nominate your Local Changemaker of 2025.

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Transcript:

Theme music

Arielle:

Hello Optimists! It’s Arielle of The Optimist Daily Weekly Round-up! Our regular listeners know that usually, Karissa and I get together to talk about our favorite solutions of the week, but today I’m interrupting our regular programming to spotlight something really special we’re rolling out again this year.

It’s the return of our Local Changemakers Series!

Last year, we asked our Optimist community to nominate the people and projects sparking real change in their communities—and you did not disappoint. The stories we received were powerful reminders that optimism takes root close to home.

For example, in Olympia, Washington, a nonprofit called GRuB—Garden Raised Bounty— is transforming food and farming into tools for healing and connection. From youth programs to veteran beekeepers, they’re proving that a garden can be more than soil and seeds—it can grow resilience, community, and hope.

We also celebrated Third Act, a movement of older Americans, founded by Bill McKibben, who are channeling their wisdom and resources into climate action and protecting democracy. With campaigns targeting big banks that fund fossil fuels and efforts to safeguard voting rights, they’re showing the world that activism doesn’t have an age limit.

And across the globe in Chonburi, Thailand, we highlighted The Man That Rescues Dogs. It all started out with just one guy, Michael Baines, feeding a few strays near his restaurant. Now, it has grown into a sanctuary for more than a thousand dogs. With everything from vet care to wheelchairs for disabled puppies, it’s a story of compassion in action—and proof that one person really can change an entire community.

Those are just a few of the incredible changemakers we were honored to spotlight last year, and now it’s your turn. We want to know about the difference-makers where you live. Who’s organizing cleanups? Who’s creating safe spaces? Who is inspiring you to believe in a better tomorrow?

And here’s a little bonus—every nomination you send in enters you into a raffle to win a cozy Optimist Daily mug in our signature red. 

Nominations are open now through September 26th, and the selected changemakers will be featured in their very own article published in the run-up to Thanksgiving. This is your chance to shine a light on the good happening in your corner of the world!

So take a moment, think of that person, group, or initiative that makes you proud to be part of your community, and send in your nomination. The link is in the show notes!

Let’s keep proving, together, that we’re never powerless in creating a better future.

Speaking of which, the amazing solutions featured on the Optimist Daily this week include:

Could space-based solar panels power Europe’s clean energy future?
How to eat late at night without ruining your sleep
5 warm, creative ways to spark better conversations with your kids
How a beneficial bacteria could help save Florida’s coral from devastating disease
Spacey September: 10 dazzling night sky events you won’t want to miss
Cross-border conservation: Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize unite to protect Great Mayan Jungle
Japan’s first osmotic power plant shows how salt and fresh water can fuel renewable energy
How to revive your work mojo after a vacation

That’s all for today! Karissa and I will be back next week with more solutions, but for now I wish you all a wonderful weekend. 

Bye!