Today’s Solutions: May 20, 2026
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The Optimist Daily’s 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’s Weekly Roundup, where our solutions-focused stories continue, and hear behind-the-scenes discussions from the people bringing you the news.

Episodes

Summer Youth Employment Programs and Bid Binge Watching Goodbye

May 26, 2022

Summer Youth Employment Programs and Bid Binge Watching Goodbye

Summers and Kristy begin today's episode by sharing their shock and sadness about yet another mass shooting at yet another school. 

Then, they turn their discussion to the uplifting news that we all need, especially when the world feels like a dark place. Summers speaks about the benefits of summer employment for young people and Kristy gets into why we should try to limit our daily TV time to an hour or less.

If you'd like to nominate someone you know who's doing good in this world, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com.

Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!

 PLAY   17:27 min

Everything You Need To Know About Heatstroke

May 25, 2022

Everything You Need To Know About Heatstroke

Today, Kristy and Arielle address a hot topic: heatstroke. As the temperatures continue to climb, experts are predicting an incredibly hot summer this year, especially across the western and central areas in the US and Canada. Heatstroke is a serious condition that can even lead to death, so this episode is all about how to identify heatstroke, what to do about it, and how it can be prevented.

If you'd like to nominate someone you know who's doing good in this world, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com.

Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!

 PLAY   16:59 min

Resilient Redwoods and Conserving the Belize Barrier Reef

May 24, 2022

Resilient Redwoods and Conserving the Belize Barrier Reef

Today's inspirational nature news: Arielle and Summers talk about the remarkable Redwoods and how they're adapting to climate change, and also an exciting conservation project around the Belize Barrier Reef led by non-profit Fragments of Hope.

If you'd like to nominate someone you know who's doing good in this world, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com.

Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!

 PLAY   15:05 min

US Soccer to Close Gender Pay Gap and Contact Lenses Treat Glaucoma

May 23, 2022

US Soccer to Close Gender Pay Gap and Contact Lenses Treat Glaucoma

Today's good news: Arielle and Kristy discuss the exciting med-tech advancement involving contact lenses that release glaucoma treatments, then they celebrate how US Soccer and both the men's and women's national teams have come to a historic collective bargaining agreement to finally close the gender pay gap.

If you'd like to lend your voice to the Optimist Daily Update, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com.

Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!

 PLAY   13:48 min

Positive Labor Trends in the Trucking and Architect Industries

May 20, 2022

Positive Labor Trends in the Trucking and Architect Industries

Today we're chatting about some positive labor news! US trucking shortages might be at an end, and architects are redesigning their industry labor model. 

 

Listen to The Optimist Daily Update with Summers and Kristy -- Making Solutions the News!

 PLAY   18:26 min

US Job Market Bounces Back and Drown Out Toxic Diet Culture

May 19, 2022

US Job Market Bounces Back and Drown Out Toxic Diet Culture

Today's good news: Here's a positive reality check about how the job market is actually doing much better than we think it is! Then, Arielle and Summers talk about the MET gala and what we can do to drown out toxic messaging about diet culture.

If you'd like to lend your voice to the Optimist Daily Update, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com.

Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!

 PLAY   14:35 min

Tips for Supporting Someone with Bipolar Disorder and What to Do at a Professional or Personal Fork in the Road

May 18, 2022

Tips for Supporting Someone with Bipolar Disorder and What to Do at a Professional or Personal Fork in the Road

Today's mental health news: Today Karissa gives helpful tips for supporting a loved one with bipolar disorder, and Summers shares advice on what to do when faced with a personal or a professional fork in the road.

If you'd like to lend your voice to the Optimist Daily Update, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com.

Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!

 PLAY   18:36 min

Rescuing Lithium and Algae-Powered Computing

May 17, 2022

Rescuing Lithium and Algae-Powered Computing

Today's good news: Summers and Arielle dive into alternative energy stories with a new method that rescues lithium from wastewater and a basic computer that's been powered by algae for over half a year!

If you'd like to lend your voice to the Optimist Daily Update, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com.

Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!

 PLAY   16:09 min

The Orbex Rocket and A Record Smashing Jumping Robot

May 16, 2022

The Orbex Rocket and A Record Smashing Jumping Robot

Happy Monday! Summers and Kristy start the week off with spacey solutions: Summers talks about the Orbex rocket prototype and how it could make space travel greener. Kristy then highlights a robot that's smashed records to become the highest jumper to date, engineered or biological. 

If you'd like to lend your voice to the Optimist Daily Update, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com.

Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!

 PLAY   15:16 min

Medicinal Tattoos and Portugal's Floating Solar Park

May 13, 2022

Medicinal Tattoos and Portugal's Floating Solar Park

Woohoo! It's Friday! We've got some great forward-thinking stories on The Optimist Daily today. Karissa is talking about how medicinal tattoos are tracking a patient's oxygen levels and more, and Summers is telling us how Europe's largest solar park will open this summer in Portugal (and how she gets to see her puppy today!). 

Listen to The Optimist Daily Update with Summers and Kristy -- Making Solutions the News! 

 PLAY   12:05 min