Optimist Daily Weekly Roundup

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Welcome to our last episode of the year!

Karissa shares tips on how to truly cultivating connection at family gatherings. Then Arielle talks about social infrastructure and how certain design choices can help alleviate urban loneliness.

On behalf of the team behind The Optimist Daily, we thank you for supporting us and our mission to spread optimism. See you in 2024!

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

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This week's positive news:

Arielle highlights Sesame Workshop's efforts to help children navigate families with addiction problems with kid-friendly and accessible resources. Then, Karissa explains what Oxford University's Word of the Year, "Rizz," really means!

We want to hear from you. Send your nominations for top Optimist Daily stories of 2023 to solutions@optimistdaily.com

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

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This week's uplifting news:

Karissa talks about how yet another UK Company invites "nature guardians" into their boardrooms to speak for and vote on behalf of nature. Then, Arielle shares electrifying news from Detroit: the rolling out of stretches of road that wirelessly charge EVs on the go.

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

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This week's positive news:

Patagonia leads the way (again) in sustainable and circular fashion. Karissa highlights Patagonia's Stormshadow parker which is made of ocean waste. Then, Arielle talks about how a small Irish town's "smartphone code" is improving children's mental health and digital well-being.

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

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Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!

Arielle and Karissa talk about what they're grateful for this year and why we should practice gratitude all year round. 

They also extend their appreciation to you for being a part of The Optimist Daily community.

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://

This week's empowering solutions:

Karissa talks about how the 35-year-old song Fast Car wins Song of the Year at this year's Country Music Awards, making Tracy Chapman the first Black woman to receive this award. Then Arielle highlights a story about "Enough! Plays to Stop Gun Violence," an initiative that invites teens to write plays about the effects of gun violence.

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://

This week's artistic solutions:

Arielle shares the case for why film intermissions should be reinstated for a better movie-going experience. Then Karissa dives into how artists in the Himalayas are capturing their culture's endangered flora and fauna in their art in an effort to preserve and teach about these endangered species. 

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://

This week's solutions news:

Karissa shares perfect solo date ideas that inspires us to set aside more intentional "me-time." Then, Arielle discusses how we can tackle misinformation and disinformation during times of war and conflict.

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:// 

This week's hopeful news:

Arielle and Karissa highlight 12 well-established organizations that are working towards peace between Israel and Palestine.

Click here to find the websites of each organization mentioned in this episode.

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:// 

This week's good news:

Karissa is happy to share how a federal judge decided to overturn Galveston’s discriminatory electoral map in a voting rights victory. Then, Arielle reveals the surprising mental health benefits of watching horror films.

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:// 

This week's positive news:

Karissa highlights a lifestyle article about the power of hobbies in preventing depression as you age. Then, Arielle talks about why disco balls and science, specifically astronomy, go surprisingly well together.

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://