10 Upbeat Podcasts That Will Make You Worry Less About Existing in 2024
There are only a few months left until 2024, and things are going… poorly. Horrific wars, massive civilian casualties, the ever-growing specter of climate change, and so much more that can make one feel justifiably hopeless and helpless (and we’re not even in the midst of election season in the US yet). When things seem bleak (because they are), your best course of action is to find hope wherever you can, and these podcasts can help.
These shows remind us that even in times of great strife and suffering, there are good people in the world, and we can all do our part to make a difference, both for ourselves and for the world.
I am America
In I Am America , Tracee Ellis Ross presents portraits of ordinary people who make big changes in the world simply by living great lives. The storytelling is vulnerable, insightful and authentic as a family works together to support a young boy’s dream of becoming a baker. An immigrant woman finds freedom when she accepts her disability. A former businessman explains what he learned when he decided to volunteer at an elementary school in Harlem. These stories made me melt because they give me hope and because they are such a joy to listen to.
Everyone’s in the pool
It may seem impossible to be anything but nihilistic about climate change. Everyone in Poole is sharing reasons for hope. This show is all about climate solutions and the people who create them. Host Molly Wood talks about floating airships that can move cargo with zero emissions and perhaps even carbon negative, imagines a plastic-free sea and focuses on innovations that will help us adapt and become more resilient. It’s a reminder that paying attention to smart people who are eager to find solutions can be a better movie than wallowing in the mud.
Blue sky
If you need to find more positive aspects in your life, your best bet is to seek help from Bill Burke, founder of the Optimism Institute. On Blue Sky , he talks to inspiring leaders, authors, researchers and great thinkers who are thinking deeply about how to create positive change in everything from media to politics to big tech. Listening to these conversations will help you sleep better at night.
When people decide
Part storytelling, part civics lesson. “When the People Decide” is a podcast that provides rare evidence that our government can actually get something right by exploring the initiative and referendum process that allows citizens in some states to directly vote on policies and work together to address issues. that they care about are on the ballot. Host Jenna Spinel shares stories of citizens protecting libraries, advocating for the rights of the queer community, supporting local news and more. There are pros and cons to this process, but ultimately it is about living in a democracy and working together.
Make the world visible
The fear-mongering media knows that conflicts cause cliques, but there is peace all around us. “Making the world visible ” is a good reminder. Each episode features award-winning documentary filmmaker and peace activist Jamil Simon in thoughtful conversations with journalists and peacekeepers about the human side of war and ongoing peace efforts around the world.
Outrage + Optimism
If you’re angry about climate change, tune in to Outrage + Optimism , which will help you turn that rage into something positive. The show features encouraging conversations about the path to building a sustainable future. This is not about upending our grievances, but about using storytelling to show us that some of the innovations in energy, tree planting, shipping and more that are happening today give us reason to hope that our best the days are not over yet.
The future in retrospect
Future Hindsight will help you get off your butt and focus on civic action and making the changes you want to see in the world. This will help you understand the power of your voice and the importance of active participation in public life, and share big ideas about actions that ordinary people can take. Host Mila Atmos is smart and curious, and her conversations are uplifting, informative and inspiring.
What can go right?
What if, instead of teetering on the brink of disaster, we are standing on the threshold of a more promising world? We are exposed to daily news about pandemics, climate change and the rise of authoritarianism. Curling up in a ball on the floor is tempting, but too easy. About the book “What Can Go Right?” Zachary Karabell, founder of the Progress Network, and Emma Varvalukas, its executive director, bring together a diverse group of experts to dive into key issues such as sustainability, polarization, jobs, the economy and more, aiming to help you realize a future that isn’t filled with doom. and darkness.
Daily TED Talks
Perhaps the best way to combat doomerism is to listen to brilliant, curious people explain how they see the world as it is now.TED Talks Daily puts the microphone in the hands of everyone from speakers who have given viral TED Talks to seasoned podcast producers, doctors, and scientists so they can talk about what lights them up, inspires them to work for change, and keeps them up at night. both in a good and in a difficult sense. Find out how luminaries overcome political differences, turn pain into strength, fight hunger, create dignity, and more.
How my view grew
In an era when political discourse is more divided than ever, How My Mind Grew explores the power of nuanced thinking. Hosted by seasoned executive coach, author, and seasoned interviewer Amiel Handelsman, the show takes a deep dive into the challenges of humanity, looking at the stories of important people whose views have changed fundamentally over time, proving at least that change is possible, but we haven’t. we do. Not everyone will have to stay in the trenches and be afraid. Guests include essayist William Deresiewicz, who discusses the discoveries of unorthodox thinkers, and Yale historian Marcy Shore, who offers perspectives on the rise of democracy in Ukraine.