Blue Sky The Optimism Institute

Squash – the game, not the vegetable – has long been seen as a “country club” sport.  But Barrett Takesian is on a mission to transform the sport’s reputation while building community in his adopted hometown of Portland, Maine.  For the past 11 years, Barrett has worked to create and build Portland Community Squash, a unique gathering place for people of all ages, backgrounds, and income levels.  While squash is in the organization’s name, and the sport at the center of much of its activity, Portland Community Squash (PCS) includes numerous non-school hours programs, as well as opportunities for adults and families to gather, share, and learn about each other while building a stronger community.  As Portland’s demographics continue to change (PCS now has members from 27 different countries with 17 different native languages) Barrett’s organization continues to meet their constituents’ needs and is not only thriving, but in the process of starting new construction to increase both in physical size and community impact. 

Daniel Stone explains that today’s politically-polarized environment began taking shape way back in the 1980’s.  Today, he says, we have an increase in what’s been described as “affective biases,” in which people move from disagreeing with the ideas of another, to disliking the person themselves, for having these beliefs.  It’s a dangerous trend, he believes, and among other things, Daniel Stone recommends an “Anti-Polarization Manhattan Project,” and idea that many Blue Sky listeners might want to get behind! 



Links:

Order Daniel's book, Undue Hate

One of our most popular episodes of 2023 is back, with this encore presentation, just in time for Earth Day! 

Dan Reicher’s interest in and advocacy for environmental protection and clean energy began when he was a child and has continued throughout his life.  In addition to teaching at Stanford University, has served three U.S. presidents, testified before the U.S. Congress more than 50 times, led the launch of Google’s pathbreaking climate and clean energy work, oversaw a $1.2 billion annual clean energy R&D budget as U.S. Assistant Secretary of Energy, and co-founded the nation’s first investment firm focused exclusively on renewable energy project finance.  In this Blue Sky episode, Dan provides his take on potential climate change solutions; from hydro, solar, wind, and nuclear power, to conservation and reforestation.  He explains that while he’s realistic about the massive amount of work and resources that will be required to solve the climate crisis, he’s optimistic about our ability to get it done. 

Marko Cheseto left his home in Kenya to travel all the way to, of all places, Anchorage, Alaska, where he attended college on a track and field scholarship.  A gifted runner, he achieved many accolades before experiencing a tragedy that resulted in the amputation of both of his legs, below his knees.  He says that as he lay in his hospital bed, he thought, “it was my feet that brought me to America, and now I’ve lost my feet.”  In this Blue Sky episode, Marko tells the remarkable story of how he turned his life around in that same bed, deciding that rather than giving up, he’d spend the rest of his life serving as an example and inspiring others.  And in the years since his amputation surgery he has done just that, and he currently holds the record for the fastest marathon ever by a double amputee, with a time 2:35:55 in the 2021 New York City Marathon! 

Nathalie Laidler-Kylander has a long and distinguished career working in the non-profit, social entrepreneurship and international development sectors.  Since 2021 she has been CEO of Trickle Up, an organization that partners with women in extreme poverty to build economic opportunity and drive inclusion.  On this Blue Sky episode, Nathalie describes the remarkable work of Trickle Up while sharing her optimism for the future of women around the world and her infectious enthusiasm about the power of social entrepreneurship and value and impact of international philanthropic efforts. 

This episode is a master class on sticking with it, no matter what. From our friend Dan Harris on the Ten Percent Happier podcast, we’re joined by Bryan Stevenson, who is a public interest lawyer who has dedicated his career to helping the poor, the incarcerated, and the condemned. He is the author of the bestselling memoir “Just Mercy,” which was made into a feature film, and the subject of an HBO documentary, “True Justice.” In this episode they talk about: 

• Bryan’s “non-negotiables,” including exercise, music, and mindfulness 

• The necessity of “proximity” 

• How he manages fear, anger, and hatred 

• How he cultivates hope and faith in the face of overwhelming odds 

More on the Ten Percent Happier podcast:  

A skeptical journalist, Dan Harris had a panic attack on live TV that sent him on a journey that led him to try something he otherwise wouldn't have considered: meditation. He went on to write the best-selling book, 10% Happier. The show features interviews with top scientists, celebrities and experts in the field of mindfulness. And Dan's approach is seemingly modest, but secretly radical: happiness is a skill you can train, just like working your bicep in the gym.  

Listen to more Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris