Today’s Solutions: March 18, 2024
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The Optimist Daily Weekly Roundup

With Arielle Tiangco and Karissa Garcia

Do you like the stories from around the world that recognize and celebrate the people and events making a positive change? Tune in to The Optimist Daily Weekly Roundup, where our solutions-focused stories continue, and hear behind-the-scenes discussions from the people bringing you the news.

Episodes

Boosting Girls' Confidence with Team Sports and 'March Meowness'

March 15, 2024

Boosting Girls' Confidence with Team Sports and 'March Meowness'

This week's positive news:

Arielle talks about a new report that explores the long-lasting positive impact team sports has on young girls. Then, Karissa shares a heartwarming story about one Massachusetts library's feline forgiveness campaign for overdue fees: March Meowness.

The Optimist Daily is a project of The World Business Academy.

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 PLAY   20:15 min

Celebrating International Women's Day and France's Move to Guarantee Abortion as Constitutional Right

March 08, 2024

Celebrating International Women's Day and France's Move to Guarantee Abortion as Constitutional Right

Happy International Women's Day!

Today Arielle and Karissa focus on the theme for International Women's Day 2024, ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.’ They discuss the history of this remarkable day as well as five strategies for combatting economic disempowerment among women globally. 

Then, they turn their attention to what's happening in France; The country has set a remarkable global precedent by guaranteeing abortion as a constitutional right, making it the only nation with such explicit protection.

 

The Optimist Daily is a project of The World Business Academy.

Donate link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/donate-to-support-the-optimist-daily/?gift=Y%20http://

 PLAY   15:35 min

US Finally Returns Asante Kingdom Artifacts to Ghana and The Power of Joy Lists

March 01, 2024

US Finally Returns Asante Kingdom Artifacts to Ghana and The Power of Joy Lists

This week's uplifting news:

Arielle shares exciting news about how UCLA's Fowler Museum is returning seven royal Ghanaian treasures to the Asante Kingdom, and launches into a discussion about the importance of the repatriation of cultural artifacts. Then, Karissa talks about the powerful practice of keeping "joy lists" and how you can incorporate them into your day-to-day life.

The Optimist Daily is a project of The World Business Academy.

Donate link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/donate-to-support-the-optimist-daily/?gift=Y%20http://

 PLAY   25:04 min

Taylor Swift's Lifesaving Songs and Diversity Training for AI

February 23, 2024

Taylor Swift's Lifesaving Songs and Diversity Training for AI

This week's solutions news:

Karissa gets to talk about one of her favorite artists: Taylor Swift! Turns out that over 50 of Swift's songs are the perfect BPM for administering CPR. This means millions of Swifties out there have an edge in terms of saving people from cardiac arrest. Then, Arielle takes on an emerging tech solution that aims to create an inclusive future by bridging cultural gaps in AI: diversity training for Large Language Models (LLM).

The Optimist Daily is a project of The World Business Academy.

Donate link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/donate-to-support-the-optimist-daily/?gift=Y%20http://

 PLAY   22:45 min

Whale Cultural Exchange and England's Biodiversity Net Gain Program

February 16, 2024

Whale Cultural Exchange and England's Biodiversity Net Gain Program

This week's positive news:

Arielle dives into a fascinating story about a number of Baird's Beaked Whales that appear to practice and share cultural traditions. Then, Karissa goes into an exciting article about England's new Biodiversity Net Gain program, an ambitious initiative for sustainable construction.

The Optimist Daily is a project of The World Business Academy.

Donate link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/donate-to-support-the-optimist-daily/?gift=Y%20http://

 PLAY   18:59 min

Mindfulness for Students and The Smileyscope

February 09, 2024

Mindfulness for Students and The Smileyscope

This week is all about kids!

Karissa shares how schools in the US are championing students' emotional well being with school-wide mindfulness practice. Then, Arielle explains the Smileyscope, a VR tool for young patients that transforms scary medical procedures (like getting a needle) into an immersive adventure.

The Optimist Daily is a project of The World Business Academy.

Donate link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/donate-to-support-the-optimist-daily/?gift=Y%20http://

 PLAY   20:43 min

Decode Chicken Language and Sleep Your Way to a Longer Life

February 02, 2024

Decode Chicken Language and Sleep Your Way to a Longer Life

This week's positive news:

Arielle talks about how artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to decode chicken language and how these developments can lead to improved animal welfare. Then, Karissa shares expert tips on how to prioritize sleep for longevity.

The Optimist Daily is a project of The World Business Academy.

Donate link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/donate-to-support-the-optimist-daily/?gift=Y%20http://

 PLAY   15:10 min

California's Sea Otters and Twilight Zone Fungi

January 26, 2024

California's Sea Otters and Twilight Zone Fungi

This week's solutions news:

Karissa shares a story about one of her favorite animals—sea otters—and their role in protecting California coastlines. Then, Arielle takes us into the ocean's "Twilight Zone" to discuss the potential antibiotic properties of all the fungi growing there.

The Optimist Daily is a project of The World Business Academy.

Donate link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/donate-to-support-the-optimist-daily/?gift=Y%20http://

 PLAY   17:26 min

Spain's First Parliamentarian with Down Syndrome and a Neuroscientist's Guide to Strengthening Your Brain

January 19, 2024

Spain's First Parliamentarian with Down Syndrome and a Neuroscientist's Guide to Strengthening Your Brain

This week's positive news:

Arielle shares exciting inclusivity and diversity news from Valencia: Mar Galcerán becomes Spain's first parliamentarian with Down Syndrome. Then, Karissa shares some expert tips on how to exercise key brain regions for a stronger brain in 2024.

The Optimist Daily is a project of The World Business Academy.

Donate link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/donate-to-support-the-optimist-daily/?gift=Y%20http://

 PLAY   16:32 min

Dry January and The Golden Gate Bridge's Life Saving Makeover

January 12, 2024

Dry January and The Golden Gate Bridge's Life Saving Makeover

Happy New Year! 

Arielle and Karissa catch up and talk about how they rang in 2024, then Arielle leads a conversation about the science behind Dry January. After, Karissa talks about a life-saving change on San Francisco's iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

Trigger Warning 

This episode involves discussions about suicide, which may be distressing for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please seek immediate support from a mental health professional or contact a crisis helpline.

The Optimist Daily is a project of The World Business Academy.

Donate link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/donate-to-support-the-optimist-daily/?gift=Y%20http://

 PLAY   15:52 min