Optimist Economy Co-Host Kathryn Anne Edwards on Why America's Best Economy Is Still Ahead

Kathryn Anne Edwards, a labor economist and co-host of Optimist Economy, discusses economic optimism, career paths, and the impact of policy on the American economy. She shares her insights on the job market and AI, and explains how her work is motivated by a belief in the importance of investing in children and families to build a stronger economic future… More

Dr. Adam Mastroianni Explains How Your Brain Has Tricked You Into Thinking That Everything Is Worse

Adam Mastroianni says he likes to "study how people perceive and misperceive their social worlds, from the person sitting across the table to the whole country buzzing around them." In this Blue Sky conversation, Dr. Mastroianni describes research he and a colleague conducted that demonstrates that human beings falsely assume that the world used to be better, and that we continue to decline in terms of moral standards and civil behavior… More

Risa August Describes Her Path From Perfectionist to Patient, and How She Faced a Devastating Diagnosis With Grit, Resilience, and Optimism

Once an ironman athlete and perfectionist, Risa August faced a devastating diagnosis that stripped away her former life. This is the story of how she found new purpose and adventure, transforming her approach to life, from rigid achievement to joyful discovery, even with her unexpected companion,“Bubba,”her brain tumor… More

Dr. Robert Soiffer on His Career at the Leading Edge of Cancer Care at Dana-Farber and Reasons to Be Optimistic the Future of Oncology

Dr. Robert Soiffer took an interest in medicine at an early age when he played a physician in his first-grade play. Today, he is a leading physician, researcher, and teacher at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a world leader in oncology… More