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Blue Sky

Blue Sky

By: Bill Burke
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 Hosted by Bill Burke, founder of The Optimism Institute, this weekly podcast will feature inspiring leaders, authors, researchers, and big thinkers who are taking on some of our world’s toughest challenges with an infectious sense of optimism. Blue Sky takes its name from the meditation reminder that there’s always blue sky above, sometimes you just have to get your head above the clouds to see it.2025 Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Mike Goodwin on the Power of Humor and “The Comedian’s Mindset”

    Mike Goodwin on the Power of Humor and “The Comedian’s Mindset”
    Aug 20 2025
    Mike Goodwin grew up with a difficult and volatile father. As a child, he decided that one way he could help his mom would be to help make her laugh. He soon realized he had a talent for humor, but it wasn’t until after time in the US Army and a career in higher education that Mike made comedy his career. Host Bill Burke and Mike Goodwin share a lot of laughs and life lessons in this fun episode of Blue Sky. Chapters: 02:27 Meet Mike Goodwin Bill introduces Mike Goodwin, a comedian, humor coach, and keynote speaker known for his clean comedy style. Mike shares his background, including his upbringing in South Carolina and his journey through comedy. 03:06 Comedy as a Coping Mechanism Mike discusses his challenging childhood and how he used humor to cope with family dysfunction. He reflects on the role laughter played in his early life and its therapeutic benefits. 06:07 Military Life and Humor Mike shares his experience in the Army and how his sense of humor both helped and got him into trouble. He recounts funny moments during basic training and the importance of camaraderie. 10:00 From Educator to Comedian Transitioning from a career in education, Mike talks about his time as a college counselor and how he began pursuing comedy. He reflects on the blend of humor and education in his past roles. 12:45 The Start of Stand-Up Comedy Mike reveals how he began his stand-up career in an unexpected venue: his church. He shares the pivotal moment that led him to perform on stage and embrace his comedic talent. 14:34 The Art of Clean Comedy Mike explains his choice to avoid blue humor and the challenges it presents. He likens performing clean comedy to running a marathon with added difficulty, emphasizing authenticity in his style. 18:30 Navigating Sensitive Topics Mike discusses how he tackles sensitive subjects in his comedy, aiming for honesty and surprise. He shares insights on how to engage diverse audiences while maintaining a positive message. 25:50 Laughter in Leadership Shifting gears, Mike talks about his work in corporate speaking and how he combines humor with leadership themes. He shares the evolution of his keynote presentations and the importance of engaging his audience. 30:01 The Balance of Content and Comedy Mike discusses the importance of blending strong content with humor in professional settings, emphasizing how a refreshing approach can enhance the overall experience for audiences. 31:43 Laughter as a Leadership Tool The conversation delves into the relationship between humor and leadership, highlighting how authenticity and appropriate humor can foster better connections in the workplace. Mike explains the pitfalls of trying to be funny without establishing rapport first. 34:09 Humor in Everyday Interactions Mike shares anecdotes about using humor in everyday situations, such as hotel check-ins, to break the ice and alleviate tension. He emphasizes that humor doesn’t have to be stand-up level; simple, relatable interactions can make a significant impact. 36:01 The Hard Work Behind Humor The discussion shifts to the dedication required to master humor, with Mike referencing comedians like Jerry Seinfeld and Kevin Hart who put in years of effort to hone their craft. He stresses that achieving comedic success is not as effortless as it may seem. 39:42 The Comedian’s Mindset Mike introduces the ABC method of the comedian’s mindset, which involves being aware, breathing, and being curious in challenging situations. 46:36 Pursuing Happiness and Positivity In the concluding segment, Mike reflects on the importance of actively pursuing happiness and spreading positivity in society. He shares his mission to leave people better than he found them and encourages listeners to embrace optimism.
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    51 mins
  • Kristine Michie on Stirring Up Impactful Change Through Joy and Optimism

    Kristine Michie on Stirring Up Impactful Change Through Joy and Optimism
    Aug 13 2025
    In this Blue Sky conversation, Kristine Michie describes her path to a career marked by sparking joy in people and organizations to facilitate positive and impactful change. Earlier this year, she hosted Bill Burke on her PlayFull podcast and with this episode, the tables are turned and the result is a fun, inspiring conversation on the power of fun, joy, and optimism. Chapters: 02:05 Meet Kristine Michie Kristine Michie, founder of Impactfull, Inc. and host of the PlayFull podcast, joins Bill to discuss her journey and the importance of joy in making a difference. They delve into Kristine’s background and her unique approach to change-making. 04:00 Stirring It Up: Kristine’s Early Activism Kristine shares her early experiences in activism, starting from her first political campaign at the age of four. She reflects on how her family influenced her commitment to social justice and making a difference. 08:29 From Journalism to Philanthropy Kristine recounts her transition from journalism to the nonprofit sector, highlighting her disillusionment with traditional politics and her desire to make a meaningful impact. She discusses her journey into grant writing and philanthropy. 10:34 The Power of Joy in Change-Making Kristine explains how her focus has shifted towards incorporating joy and play into serious work. She discusses her podcast and retreats that emphasize the importance of joy in fostering effective change. 16:00 Integrating Joy into Nonprofit Work Bill and Kristine explore the skepticism some organizations may have towards integrating joy into their work. They discuss how shared laughter and play can enhance productivity and create a positive work environment. 20:38 Redefining Productivity and Community Kristine shares insights on redefining productivity and the importance of community-building over traditional metrics. She emphasizes the value of joy and connection in achieving meaningful outcomes. 24:03 Innovative Retreats and Team Building Kristine describes her unique approach to retreats and team-building exercises, incorporating creative activities like typewriting and cooking classes. She illustrates how these experiences foster collaboration and innovation. 30:03 Imagining the Unimaginable Kristine and Bill delve into the importance of imagination in activism, discussing generational differences in receptivity to change. They explore how joy and play can break down barriers and foster collaboration across age groups. 32:15 The PlayFull Podcast Journey Kristine shares her journey into podcasting, highlighting her background in journalism and her desire to create meaningful conversations. She reflects on the ease of starting a podcast compared to publishing a book and the excitement of connecting with new voices. 36:01 Finding Inspiring Voices The conversation shifts to how Kristine sources guests for her podcast, emphasizing the abundance of good people working to make a difference. They discuss the joy of discovering new stories and the interconnectedness of those in the social sector. 40:12 Looking Ahead: New Ventures Kristine outlines her upcoming projects, including a new camp for nonprofit leaders and her aspirations for future books. The discussion reflects her commitment to uplifting others and the joy she finds in her work. 43:39 A Sweet Conclusion As the episode wraps up, the host expresses gratitude for Kristine’s insights and the playful nature of her podcast. They share a light-hearted moment talking about ice cream, reinforcing the theme of joy in their conversation.
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    46 mins
  • Curiosity + Resilience: A Formula for Optimism

    Curiosity + Resilience: A Formula for Optimism
    Aug 6 2025

    Bill Burke reflects on an idea presented by Niren Chaudhary in episode 107. Niren described curiosity and resilience as two master skills required to successfully run the marathon of life. In this "A Bit of Blue Sky," Bill underscores Niren's belief and relates these qualities to optimism, providing examples through past Blue Sky guests.

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    11 mins
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