Resilience isn’t just about surviving life’s hardships—it’s about thriving because of them. It’s the ability to adapt, grow, and flourish when faced with adversity. While everyone experiences challenges, not everyone learns how to use them as stepping stones for personal growth. If you’ve faced and overcome these 9 challenges, you’ve cultivated a level of resilience that sets you apart. Resilience isn’t innate; it’s a skill developed through experience. According to Dr. Lucy Hone, co-director of the New Zealand Institute of Wellbeing and Resilience, “Resilient people don’t bounce back from adversity; they move through it with purpose and strength.” Let’s explore how these 9 challenges can shape you into someone more resilient than most. You’ve Learned to Forgive Someone Who Hurt You Forgiveness is one of life’s greatest emotional challenges, but it’s also one of the most liberating. The American Psychological Association found that forgiveness improves mental health, reduces stress, and even contributes to better heart health. Forgiveness isn’t about excusing someone’s actions—it’s about reclaiming your emotional freedom. Dr. Fred Luskin, director of the Stanford Forgiveness Project, explains, “Forgiveness is about taking control of your emotions by releasing grievances and choosing peace over resentment.” Imagine a friend who betrayed your trust years ago. Instead of harboring anger, you decide to let go—not for their sake, but for your own peace of mind. That choice frees you to move forward without carrying the weight of the past. Practical Steps: Reflect on how holding onto anger impacts your well-being. Write a letter expressing your feelings, even if you never send it. Seek support through forgiveness workshops or therapy. Who or what have you been holding onto, and how can forgiveness bring you peace? You’ve Let Go of a Dream That No Longer Serves You Letting go of a dream can feel like failure, but it’s actually an act of courage and self-awareness. Psychotherapist Dr. Andrea Bonior emphasizes, “Sometimes, we cling to outdated goals because they’re tied to our identity. Letting go can feel like losing a part of ourselves, but it opens the door to something more aligned.” A corporate professional transitions into creative entrepreneurship after realizing their current career no longer fulfills them. Letting go wasn’t giving up—it was making space for something more aligned with their values. How This Builds Resilience: Teaches you adaptability. Helps you redefine success on your own terms. Strengthens your connection to your values. Practical Steps: Reevaluate your goals regularly. Ask yourself, “Does this still bring me joy?” Allow yourself to grieve the dream while celebrating the lessons it taught you. Write a new vision statement that reflects where you are now. You’ve Rebuilt Your Life After Loss Loss—whether it’s of a loved one, a job, or a relationship—forces us to confront what matters most. According to grief expert David Kessler, co-author of On Grief and Grieving, “Grief isn’t about moving on. It’s about finding a way to hold the love you have while moving forward.” Dr. Alan Wolfelt, a renowned grief counselor, explains, “Healing doesn’t mean the pain disappears. It means you integrate the loss into your life in a way that allows you to continue living fully.” After losing her husband unexpectedly, a woman begins volunteering at a local support group for widows. In helping others, she finds a renewed sense of purpose and community. Practical Steps: Create a memory ritual to honor what you’ve lost. Find meaning by engaging in acts of service or creating something inspired by your loss. Seek professional support through grief counseling. What new purpose or lesson has your loss taught you? You’ve Confronted a Fear That Held You Back Fear is a natural response to uncertainty, but facing it is what builds courage and confidence. A study in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders shows that gradual exposure to fears reduces their power over time. Dr. Susan Jeffers, author of Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, says, “Fear will always exist as long as we grow. The key is learning to live with it and act in spite of it.” A man afraid of public speaking joins a local Toastmasters group. His initial terror transforms into confidence after several months of practice. Practical Steps: Write down your fear and break it into small, actionable steps. Practice visualization: imagine yourself succeeding in the face of fear. Celebrate every small victory to build momentum. You’ve Taken Responsibility for Your Mistakes Accountability is an essential life skill that strengthens your ability to grow. Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck, known for her research on the growth mindset, explains, “People with a growth mindset see mistakes not as failures but as opportunities to learn.” Diane Barth, psychotherapist, says, “Taking responsibility is about acknowledging your actions and using that awareness to make better choices in the future.” Apologize when needed, but focus on what you can change moving forward. View mistakes as data points: what can they teach you about yourself? You’ve Set Boundaries to Protect Your Peace Boundaries are a sign of self-respect. Dr. Brené Brown states, “Clear boundaries are kind. They allow us to protect our energy while respecting others.” Practical Tips: Start by identifying what drains you emotionally. Use “I” statements to communicate your needs without blame. Remind yourself that boundaries are about self-care, not selfishness. You’ve Learned to Be Present in the Moment Mindfulness reduces stress and increases resilience by helping you focus on the here and now. A Harvard study found that people spend 47% of their waking hours thinking about something other than the present, which contributes to unhappiness. Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, creator of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, explains, “Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment.” How to Practice: Try a 5-minute breathing exercise each morning. Take “mindful breaks” during the day to reconnect with your surroundings.  8. You’ve Cultivated Meaningful Relationships The longest-running Harvard study on happiness concluded that strong relationships are the biggest predictor of a fulfilling life. Dr. Robert Waldinger, director of the study, notes, “Good relationships keep us healthier and happier. Period.” A woman prioritizes quality time with her aging parents, creating memories that sustain her after they pass. Practical Steps: Schedule regular time with loved ones, even during busy weeks. Practice active listening and empathy in conversations. Invest in relationships that nurture you, and release those that drain you. You’ve Embraced Vulnerability Vulnerability isn’t a weakness—it’s the foundation of genuine connection and personal growth. Dr. Brené Brown calls it “the birthplace of courage and resilience.” Practical Application: Open up about your struggles with someone you trust. Acknowledge that imperfection is part of being human. Resilience isn’t just about overcoming challenges; it’s about using them as opportunities to grow stronger, wiser, and more compassionate. By facing these 9 challenges, you’ve developed emotional strength and self-awareness that set you apart. Celebrate your journey and continue building the resilience that will carry you through whatever lies ahead.

The House Homeland Security Committee plans to interview fired FEMA supervisor Marn’i Washington about her instructions to relief workers in Florida to skip homes displaying Trump signs or flags, according to a letter first shared with The Daily Wire. Committee Chair Mark Green (R-TN) requested Friday that Washington appear for a transcribed interview to discuss her recent claims that FEMA has a widespread policy of avoiding “politically hostile” homes. Washington made the comments after The Daily Wire reported that she instructed federal relief workers in Lake Placid, Florida, to “avoid homes advertising Trump.”  Green wrote that the interview was part of the committee’s investigation into “potential discrimination against disaster victims based on political affiliation” and wanted to schedule the interview by November 25. He said the interview would help lawmakers as they seek “to uncover the complete nature and extent of FEMA’s misconduct in withholding federal assistance from Americans based on political affiliation.” The letter was also signed by Reps. Dan Bishop (R-NC) and Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY).  “Natural disasters don’t consider a person’s political beliefs when devastating homes, businesses, and livelihoods,” Green told The Daily Wire. “Alleged guidance within FEMA to discriminate against fellow Americans in their time of need represents an unacceptable failure to fulfill the agency’s vital mission and a betrayal of the public trust that deserves oversight.” He added that the committee plans to uncover whether Washington’s instructions were isolated or “systemic practice” at the Department of Homeland Security. If systemic, Green said “it would mean an unknown number of vulnerable Americans have been passed over for necessary resources simply because of their protected speech.” Whistleblowers assigned to Washington’s relief team told The Daily Wire that they skipped at least 20 homes in Lake Placid due to the guidance. FEMA fired Washington on November 9, calling the guidance an “isolated” incident that did not reflect the agency.  CHECK OUT THE DAILY WIRE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE “Government discrimination against American citizens based on a political sign or flag promoting a particular candidate is not only an outrageous abuse of power and a serious betrayal of the public trust, but a direct violation of the First Amendment,” Green wrote. “This discrimination has no place in our government, and the Committee is determined to ensure that such actions do not occur again in any of FEMA’s operations.” In an interview after she was fired, Washington told Roland Martin that FEMA’s suggestion that she made an independent decision to avoid certain homes is a mischaracterization, stating that it is agency policy and likely happening in the Carolinas. Green referenced this interview in his letter to Washington on Friday and encouraged her to cooperate with their investigation.  “While FEMA may maintain that this was an isolated incident, you suggested in a recent interview that this practice of discrimination was widespread throughout FEMA, including in disaster response efforts in North Carolina,” he wrote.  The House Oversight Committee grilled FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell about the guidance on Tuesday.

American consumer sentiment is on the rise, especially among Republicans, following Donald Trump’s landslide victory over Vice President Kamala Harris earlier this month. The University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index rose to 71.8 in November, which marks the highest point since April, Reuters reported. Consumer sentiment was rising before the election, but the latest report shows a massive spike among Republicans who are more optimistic about the economy following Trump’s win. “Overall, the stability of national sentiment this month obscures discordant partisan patterns,” said Surveys of Consumers Director Joanne Hsu. “In a mirror image of November 2020, the expectations index surged for Republicans and fell for Democrats this month, a reflection of the two groups’ incongruous views of how Trump’s policies will influence the economy.” “Ultimately, substantial uncertainty remains over the future implementation of Trump’s economic agenda, and consumers will continue to re-calibrate their views in the months ahead,” Hsu added. Among Republicans, consumer sentiment shot up by 15.5 points, while it dropped among Democrats by 10.1 points. Consumer sentiment also slightly ticked down among independents. Future expectations also increased among Republicans by nearly 30 points while falling among Democrats by more than 18 points, the Washington Examiner reported. The report comes as shoppers head to stores and look online for Black Friday and Christmas deals. In the final weeks before the election, the consumer price index, which measures the general cost of goods and services across the country, increased 0.2% when seasonally adjusted. Eggs were 8.4% higher, nearly 40% more expensive than a year ago. Butter was 2.8% higher, almost 8% more expensive than a year ago. Americans look forward to potentially lower inflation, with year-ahead inflation expectations falling to 2.6% this month. Inflation under President Joe Biden reached 9.1% in June of 2022 after Americans grew accustomed to an inflation rate of less than 2% when Trump was in office. Trump made the economy and inflation major issues of his campaign, promising to address them mainly by lowering energy prices. In September, during a town hall meeting in Flint, Michigan, Trump was asked how he would “bring down the cost of food and groceries” as many families struggle to pay their bills. CHECK OUT THE DAILY WIRE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE “We have to start always with energy,” Trump replied. “I don’t want to be boring about it, but there’s no bigger subject that covers everything. If you make donuts, if you make cars, whatever you make, energy is a big deal.” “And it’s my ambition to get your energy bill within 12 months down 50%,” he added. “If I can do that, we’ve done a hell of a job … [and] interest rates are going to follow.” Mairead Elordi contributed to this report. 

The judge overseeing President-elect Donald Trump’s hush money case in New York has postponed the sentencing in the case and is giving his lawyers the chance to argue now that the conviction should be thrown out because he won the election. New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, who Trump’s team tried to have removed form the case over allegations of bias, did not schedule a future sentencing date in Friday’s one-page order canceling next week’s sentencing hearing. BREAKING: It’s official. Trump’s sentencing in New York is canceled indefinitely. pic.twitter.com/PL45QlCrGO — Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) November 22, 2024 “In a decisive win for President Trump, the hoax Manhattan Case is now fully stayed and sentencing is adjourned,” said Steven Cheung, Trump’s Communications Director. “President Trump won a landslide victory as the American People have issued a mandate to return him to office and dispose of all remnants of the Witch Hunt cases.” “All of the sham lawfare attacks against President Trump are now destroyed and we are focused on Making America Great Again,” he continued.  The Washington Post reported that Merchan is allowing Trump’s lawyers to make their case for why the conviction should be thrown out now in light of his re-election due to the interference that it would cause in his ability to execute his role as president. CHECK OUT THE DAILY WIRE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE “Just as a sitting President is completely immune from any criminal process, so too is President Trump as President-elect,” Trump’s lawyers wrote in a letter filed this week. The case, which was filed by George Soros-backed Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, was always considered by far the weakest that Trump faced as many Democrats even voiced serious concerns about it, noting that it likely never would have been brought if Trump was not running for president. The two federal cases that Trump faced from special counsel Jack Smith are rapidly coming to an end since the Department of Justice is not able to prosecute a case against a sitting president.

Episode Description: This week’s good news: Arielle begins by bringing us to the Solomon Islands, where The National Geographic Pristine Seas team accidentally discovered the world’s biggest coral. Then, Karissa shares how programs like Dorot and Eldera are helping youth and elders create intergenerational friendships, and why these relationships are so important, especially in this day and age. 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:// Transcript: Theme music Arielle:  Hello and welcome to The Optimist Daily’s weekly roundup. I’m Arielle.  Karissa:  And I’m Karissa, and we’re working hard to put solutions in view and optimism in movement.  Arielle:  All right. Hello! We are back with another episode of our pod to share some of the solutions from the Optimist Daily this week. Karissa, how are you doing?  Karissa:  I’m doing well this week. I’m feeling very grateful because Thanksgiving is coming up here in the United States next week, so definitely already in the gratitude mindset, even though we should be, of course, all year long. How about you?  Arielle:  Yeah, we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving here in Europe, but maybe I will just go ahead and whip up some Thanksgiving dishes. We’ll see.   Both:  (Laugh)  Arielle:  But on that note, I guess we should mention that we will be taking a break from the pod for Thanksgiving, so that we can really focus on—well, for you, Karissa—celebrating with everyone, and for me, maybe trying out some Thanksgiving dishes.  Karissa:  Yeah! Might as well!  Arielle:  And that also brings us to our Changemaker series, which we have been doing for Thanksgiving. This week we are covering GRuB, which stands for Garden-Raised Bounty, and that’s based in Olympia, WA. It’s an organization that transforms agriculture into a tool for empowerment and healing, cultivating healthy food, resilient communities, and equity through programs that build gardeners, support veterans, and nurture youth leadership.  Karissa:  We also covered this week SparkNJ, which builds bridges of trust and equity in northern New Jersey by offering unrestricted funding to Black-led organizations, empowering them to create transformative change and fostering unity through visibility and collaboration. So, super cool organizations that were nominated by our fellow optimists this week. Sadly, next week is our last edition of the Changemaker series already.  Arielle:  Mm-hmm.   Karissa:  I’m a little bit sad to wrap it up.  Arielle:  I know, it was really fun.   Karissa:  Yeah!  Arielle:   I hope listeners and readers also enjoyed it as much as we did. Based on the feedback, I think they did (laughs).  Karissa:  Yes, yeah, definitely. We’ll be talking a little bit more about the highlights for us of the Changemaker series in our next podcast episode, so I’m looking forward to that and revisiting some of the stories that we didn’t really go into here on the podcast. But Arielle, I guess we do have some solutions that we want to share today.  Arielle:  Yes. Do you mind if I go first this time?  Karissa:  Yeah, let’s hear it.  Arielle:  OK, so today I’m diving—literally and figuratively—into some huge news from the ocean. The article that I’m talking about is titled The giant beneath the waves: world’s largest coral found in the Pacific.  Karissa:  How giant of a coral are we talking about here?  Arielle:  Yeah, so this coral is 34 meters wide, and for a visual, that’s about the length of a basketball court. It’s over 5 meters tall. It’s so massive that it’s apparently visible from space.  Karissa:  Oh, OK, that’s just wild. How does something that gigantic just go unnoticed?  Arielle:  Yeah, it was a bit of a lucky find. The National Geographic Pristine Seas team was exploring the waters around the Solomon Islands when they spotted what they thought was a shipwreck. They sent a diver down to investigate, and the diver was surprised to see that it was not a shipwreck—it was not a big rock—it was actually the world’s largest coral.  Karissa:  That’s so crazy—to expect to find an old ship in this dive and instead find a living, breathing ocean giant.  Arielle:  Exactly. And it’s not just any coral. This species is called Pavona clavus, and it’s estimated to be about 300 years old. So, it’s not just big—it’s also packed with history. Enric Sala, the expedition leader, described it as a “mass of coral made of nearly 1 billion little polyps, pulsing with life and color,” which is such a poetic way to put it.  Karissa:  OK, so Arielle, why is this coral such a big deal beyond its ginormous size?  Arielle:  Yeah, that’s a great question. The coral isn’t just a giant ocean marvel—it’s also basically a time capsule. It holds an invaluable historical record of ocean conditions over the last three centuries. One of the team members, Manu San Félix, called its genetic code “an enormous encyclopedia of survival strategies.”  Karissa:  Yeah, survival indeed—because 300 years is a long time for anything to survive.  Arielle:  To be alive, yeah (laughs).  Karissa:  So, it’s kind of sounding like this is, you know, the ocean’s survival guide in a sense.  Arielle:  Exactly. And it’s not just about its data either. Corals like this are vital to marine ecosystems. I was kind of poking around the interwebs for more on this topic, and I found another article from ABC News. It quoted Ronnie Posala from the Solomon Islands Ministry of Fisheries, who pointed out that corals act as the first line of defense for coastal communities, buffering against waves and storms.  Karissa:  That’s super cool. Did you find out why the Solomon Islands? Is it kind of, you know, like a coral hotspot?  Arielle:  Yes, totally. The Solomon Islands, where this coral was found, are a global hotspot for coral biodiversity. They’re home to more than 490 species of hard and soft coral, which support an abundance of marine life.  Karissa:  So, it’s not just the biggest coral—it’s also in the perfect place to really shine.  Arielle:  Yeah, the conditions are perfect. Eric Brown, a coral scientist with the expedition, pointed out that this particular coral acts as a safe haven for marine life, including reef fish, crabs, and shrimp. And even though warmer seas have damaged nearby reefs, this coral thrives in slightly deeper waters, where conditions are more stable.  Karissa:  But what are scientists doing with this discovery? Because it’s awesome, of course, but I’m sure there’s more they can learn from it.  Arielle: Yes. So, the Pristine Seas team is studying it to understand how corals like this can adapt to changing climates. Their hope is to use this knowledge to help other reefs survive global warming. And here’s the thing—this coral isn’t just a huge scientific discovery; it’s also a living monument. Manu San Félix described it as a natural monument that’s witnessed centuries of human history. He said, “Illustrious figures of humanity have coexisted with this colony: Newton, Darwin, Curie, Gandhi, Einstein… and it has survived them.” It now stores information on how to survive throughout the centuries.  But, as you might guess, not everything is sunshine and rainbows—well, in this case—healthy coral polyps. Coral reefs worldwide are under serious threat from climate change.  Karissa: Yeah.  Arielle: Rising ocean temperatures lead to coral bleaching, which can devastate entire ecosystems. UNESCO even warned that all 29 reef-containing World Heritage sites could disappear by the end of the century if we don’t curb greenhouse gas emissions right now.  Karissa: And even though this mega coral has survived for so long, I can imagine it’s not completely safe.  Arielle: Yeah, unfortunately, it’s not. Enric Sala said that despite its remote location, this coral isn’t immune to global warming or human activity. But there is a silver lining. Eric Brown, a coral scientist on the expedition that I mentioned before, called it a “beacon of hope.” Discoveries like this remind us of what’s possible. The Pristine Seas team is now studying this coral to understand how it’s survived so long and what it can teach us about protecting other reefs.  Karissa: Yeah, absolutely. And it’s not just about this one coral—it’s about giving reefs worldwide a fighting chance.  Arielle: Exactly. This discovery also highlights the importance of protecting marine ecosystems. Currently, only 8.4% of the world’s oceans are protected, but findings like this show us why conservation matters—not just for biodiversity, but for the resilience of our entire planet.   Karissa: Definitely such a good point, and it’s a great reminder that nature is full of surprises, even in places we think we know.  Arielle: This coral has been quietly growing for 300 years, surviving waves of human history. It’s basically a symbol of resilience—but also a call to action.  Karissa: So, what can we do to help?  Arielle: I guess the first step would be to learn more about organizations like the National Geographic Pristine Seas team, because they’re doing incredible work to protect our oceans. And second, just be mindful of your own impact—whether it’s reducing your carbon footprint or supporting marine conservation efforts, or any conservation efforts that resonate with you.  Karissa: This coral is definitely a reminder of how amazing and fragile our planet is.  Arielle: Yeah, it really is. But that’s basically all I have for today. So, thanks for joining me on my deep dive (laughs).  Karissa: Yeah, I enjoyed this deep dive into exploring this giant coral. Thank you for sharing, Arielle! I guess on that note, we should really try to be friends with the planet, of course. And friendship kind of brings me—ungracefully—to the solution I wanted to cover today.  Arielle: Yes, of course.  Karissa: So, this week, I chose the solution: Cross-generational friendships: How teens and elders are transforming their lives. This one is just a very heartwarming solution at its core, because loneliness is more than just an unpleasant feeling—it’s a public health issue.   According to U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s 2023 advisory report, loneliness raises the risk of death to the same degree as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The pandemic really exacerbated the situation, leaving many elders even more alone. Arielle: Wow. Fifteen cigarettes a day? I had no clue the effects of loneliness were so severe.  Karissa: Yeah, me neither. This severe issue definitely needs a solution. Programs like Dorot, which is the Hebrew word for “generations,” address this issue straight-on. For decades, Dorot has brought together young people and older folks, fostering partnerships that benefit both parties.  For instance, we shared a story about Andrea Levitt, who’s 82. This organization filled a void created by her family relocating. She was feeling super lonely until she met Angelo Williams, who was 16 at the time, at a cookies-and-tea gathering in New York hosted by Dorot. Her son and his family had moved away, leaving her days quieter than she wanted. But Angelo’s sense of humor instantly lifted her spirits and even brought her out of depression—which is just so cool.  Arielle: That’s really cute.  Karissa: The best part is that they discovered a shared passion for basketball, which rapidly bridged the decades between them. Angelo was also impressed. He said, “We really just hit it off.” Their conversations covered everything—from Andrea’s stories about meeting celebrities in her youth (which is so cool to hear about) to Angelo’s anecdotes about his family.  Arielle: This is so lovely. I really enjoy this unexpected friendship, and I can imagine the benefits of this connection go far beyond just having someone new to chat about basketball with.  Karissa: Totally. Spot on. The benefits really extend beyond just a simple friendship. Donna Butts, the executive director of Generations United, highlights the importance of developing intergenerational ties to bridge societal differences. She says, “When you think about the way we create communities—policies, services, infrastructure—they’re often segregated by age.” She calls this “artificial silos” that separate generations. Breaking those barriers is essential, especially as U.S. demographics shift.  While in-person activities like Dorot’s cookies-and-tea parties foster connection, technology is also helping bridge generations.  Arielle: Technology… How exactly is technology helping?  Karissa: Well, for example, Dana Griffin founded Eldera in 2020, which is a platform where older people tutor children ages 6 to 17 via weekly Zoom sessions. The initiative originated as a response to COVID-19 isolation, but it has since evolved into a meaningful opportunity for the elderly and children to interact. Griffin explains how virtual meetups provide older people with a sense of purpose. She says that when they feel valuable to a kid, it often changes their whole day, which I think is just so heartwarming.  And according to Eldera’s findings, these relationships can grow to be incredibly significant. Many teenagers maintain mentorship relationships throughout college, spending an average of two hours each week consulting their elder advisors about anything from roommates to dating.  Arielle:  Aww (laughs).  Karissa:  It’s super cute and such a meaningful connection. Griffin also points out that youth benefit greatly from having someone other than their family to confide in, saying, “They really need to talk about everything.”  Arielle: Mm-hmm. Oh yeah, that’s so cool. From in-person to virtual relationship building, these connections do so much more than just relieve loneliness or provide mentorship. They really offer opportunities to learn from each other.  Karissa: Absolutely. Angelo, for example, acknowledges that when he first joined Dorot’s summer internship program, he thought he’d be the one delivering assistance. Instead, he finds himself learning from Andrea and others. He says, “You get to learn a lot about somebody else and also keep their stories with you,” which is just so beautiful.  Arielle: Mm-hmm.  Karissa: And Andrea, the elder in this relationship, agrees. She says, “I find that I have things in common with them, and we can have some really good discussions.” Griffin believes these ties remind older people of their significance in a world that often underestimates them.  Arielle: Yeah, that’s such an important issue to tackle. I’m so glad there are people out there working to bridge these divides.  Karissa: Me too. Programs like Dorot and Eldera are really developing new kinds of communities, challenging old concepts of age segregation. And they show that uniting generations isn’t just heartwarming—although it absolutely is—it’s revolutionary. These partnerships alleviate loneliness, encourage empathy, and create spaces where wisdom and youth can coexist and thrive.  Arielle: Yes, I can definitely get behind that.  Karissa: We’ve shared a lot of articles on the Optimist Daily about the benefits of these relationships. Not too long ago, we highlighted how communities focused on bringing elders, youth, and all generations together are starting to pop up across the world. It’s really hopeful. And, as Griffin says, “These relationships remind older adults of their worth and teach younger generations lessons that they can carry forward.”  Arielle: Yes! I’m interested in getting to know… what’s her name? Andrea. She was meeting celebrities back in her day—that sounds so cool.   Karissa:  Yeah!  Arielle:  Well, that was such a great roundup of solutions, as usual. We have some other great solutions from this week that you can find on our website, optimistdaily.com, and they include:  Karissa:   We have, Rat Patrol: African rodents trained to sniff out smuggled wildlife products—that one was fascinating—Women in New Mexico make history with legislative majority, and Get more rest: wake up earlier and change your night owl habits in eight simple steps. And a new CAR T-cell therapy for lupus brings hope for a cure.  Arielle:   We also have Three essential exercise tips every woman should know, according to a sports journalist, Five pre-holiday decluttering tips for a stress-free season, Outlawing child marriage: Colombia’s landmark step towards protecting girls, and, of course, our Changemakers of the week. This week we are covering GRUB and SparkNJ.  Karissa: If you want to start your day off right, make sure to subscribe to our free daily newsletter to get our solutions straight to your inbox.  Arielle: We also have a lot more solutions on our social channels. You can find us @OptimistDaily on all platforms, including Threads and Pinterest. The only different one is on X—there we are @OdeToOptimism.  Karissa: And we are a small team of optimists working hard to bring you positive news. If you want to support our mission of putting optimism into the world, click the link in the show notes to find out how.  Arielle: And remember, support doesn’t always have to be financial. You can recommend our podcast to a friend, leave a positive review on Apple or Spotify, forward a link to a loved one, or share solutions on your socials. Anything like that would be a huge help.  Karissa: Well, Arielle, as always, it was great to share these solutions with you today. And for all of our listeners in the United States—have a very nice Thanksgiving next week. But in general, I am very grateful for you, Arielle. I guess I’ll end on that note.  Arielle: Aww.  Karissa:  And sharing these solutions with our optimist readers and listeners and making this movement happen.  Arielle:  Aww, I really appreciate you as well, Karissa, and all of our listeners and readers and the Optimist Daily community as a whole. So, yeah, we will see you in two weeks with more solutions.  Karissa: Until then, have a good one, everyone.   Both:  Bye! The post Podcast transcript November 22, 2024: The World’s Largest Coral and Life-Changing Intergenerational Friendships first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

Pew: Public Feeling Pretty Good About Trump Right Now

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Oh how quickly folks in the liberal media forget their own misdeeds when it’s time to fling mud at the other side. That hypocrisy was again on full display during the Friday edition of ABC’s The View, when cloudy co-host Sunny Hostin lashed out at U.S. Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi. Hostin called Bondi an “election denier” when Trump was her client in 2020, that’s despite the fact that for six years, Hostin had maintained that President-elect Trump was an “illegitimate president” after his 2016 victory. “I agree with you, Alyssa [Farah Griffin], [Matt Gaetz] would have been a very dangerous pick for the Department of Justice. But his new pick, Trump's new pick, Pam Bondi. I believe she's a dangerous pick, as well,” Hostin proclaimed. “She supported Trump's false election claims. She was involved the efforts to overturn the results.” Her evidence? Video of Bondi defending Trump’s candidacy the first two days after the election when many states had not finalized their vote counts. “We are thrilled to have won Pennsylvania with 87 percent of the vote in and we're up almost 400,000 votes. So we're thrilled,” Bondi said in a soundbite The View played from November 4, the day after the election. The other soundbite was from November 5. Anti-Trumper Ana Navarro actually stuck up for Bondi, drawing on their years of friendship and nights at the bar: I have known Pam Bondi for many, many, many years. I will tell you, I don't want to ruin her reputation with MAGA people but Pam Bondi and I hung out a lot when she was attorney general of Florida and she would come to Miami. We drank a lot together. I liked her a lot. She's not a kook. What's a lite election denialism between friends when at least – Listen, everything in life is relative. “Election denialism is a very big deal, Ana,” Hostin chided. And that’s where the hypocrisy comes in.     As NewsBusters reported back in September of 2022, Hostin finally apologized for denying the results of the 2016 election, which she suggested was stolen by Trump and Russia, for which she called Trump an “illegitimate president.” In response to her apology at the time, moderator Whoopi Goldberg and co-host Joy Behar were up in arms and told her she didn’t have to and that she was in the right from the beginning: HOSTIN: I should not have said that. He was not an illegitimate president. GOLDBERG: But that's how you felt! You had every right to say it! (…) BEHAR: You were not wrong. They said this wall also defending White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s 2016 election denialism. Hostin’s history of election denialism was not brought up by any of the cast members on Friday. It’s [D]ifferent when they do it. “Everything in life is relative. There is no accusation of sexual harassment or assault against her. There’s no accusation of sexual misconduct with a 17-year-old,” Navarro continued to defend Bondi. “She hasn't beheaded a whale. She hasn’t stabbed a dead bear cub. I mean, my God.” Hostin accused Navarro and pretend independent Sara Haines of “minimizing” Bondi’s transgressions because they would take her over Gaetz. “I would take the dead bear cub over Matt Gaetz,” Navarro quipped. The transcript is below. Click "expand" to read: ABC’s The View November 22, 2024 11:09:15 a.m. Eastern (…) SUNNY HOSTIN: Let me say this, we're all thrilled that Matt Gaetz – I agree with you, Alyssa, he would have been a very dangerous pick for the Department of Justice. But his new pick, Trump's new pick, Pam Bondi. I believe she's a dangerous pick, as well, because she is -- during her -- she supported Trump's false election claims. She was involved the efforts to overturn the results. And so, that is now the person that's going to be chief law enforcement – [Crosstalk] JOY BEHAR: But she's on TV, that’s the primary prerequisite [Crosstalk] ANA NAVARRO: I have known Pam Bondi for many, many, many years. I will tell you, I don't want to ruin her reputation with MAGA people but Pam Bondi and I hung out a lot when she was attorney general of Florida and she would come to Miami. We drank a lot together. I liked her a lot. She's not a kook. What's a lite election denialism between friends when at least – Listen, everything in life is relative. HOSTIN: Election denialism is a very big deal, Ana. [Crosstalk] ALYSSA FARAH GRIFFIN: Sunny, we have to take the wins where we can find them. NAVARRO: Can I continue saying this? Everything in life is relative. There is no accusation of sexual harassment or assault against her. There’s no accusation of sexual misconduct with a 17-year-old. BEHAR: She is a woman. FARAH GRIFFIN: She’s also qualified. She was a the Florida attorney general. HOSTIN: There’s also accusations – [Crosstalk] BEHAR: One at a time. [Claps her hands to get their attention] NAVARRO: She hasn't beheaded a whale. She hasn’t stabbed a dead bear cub. I mean, my God. HOSTIN: You can't minimize some of the things that she has done and I think we have a clip of some of her former comments. Why don’t we take a look. [Cuts to video] PAM BONDI (as Donald Trump’s lawyer) (November 4, 2020): We are thrilled to have won Pennsylvania with 87 percent of the vote in and we're up almost 400,000 votes. So we're thrilled. [Transition] (November 5, 2020): We do have evidence of cheating. [Transition] We are not going anywhere until they declare that we won Pennsylvania. [Transition] These fake ballots that are coming in late. And back to observation, they're not letting us watch the process STEVE DOOCY: Pam, did you just say fake ballots? BONDI: There could be. That's the problem. [Cuts back to live] [Laughter] HOSTIN: So, I don't want -- I don't think we need to minimize someone like that being who is supposed to be the people's attorney. She's going to be Trump's attorney. [Crosstalk] SARA HAINES: I would still take her over Matt Gaetz. HOSTIN: You can take her over Matt Gaetz, but you cannot minimize – HAINES: I'm not minimizing. NAVARRO: I would take the dead bear cub over Matt Gaetz. BEHAR: Robert Kennedy would also. (…)

Of the television commentators who routinely disparaged, attacked, demeaned, and mocked former President Donald Trump and his supporters, Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, co-hosts of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” belong to the “A” team. Yet, after Trump’s extraordinary victory two weeks ago, including a sweep of all seven swing states and becoming the first Republican presidential candidate to win the popular vote in 20 years, Scarborough and Brzezinski visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago after the election, spending a reported 90 minutes with the president-elect. As for why they made the trek, Brzezinski said: “For those asking why we would go speak to the president-elect during such fraught times, especially between us, I guess I would ask back, ‘Why wouldn’t we?’ Joe and I realized it’s time to do something different, and that starts with not only talking about Donald Trump but also talking with him.” Neither Brzezinski nor Scarborough mentioned the most likely reason: ratings. Since Trump’s victory, which several MSNBC hosts predicted would not happen, the channel’s primetime viewership is down a whopping 53%. By contrast, Fox’s ratings are up 38%. The MSNBC pundits largely failed to prepare their viewers for Vice President Kamala Harris’ defeat. Host Rachel Maddow, for example, all but predicted a humiliating loss for Trump. Two days before the election, Maddow devoted several minutes to the “gold standard” of polls: an Iowa poll showing Trump down three points in the Hawkeye State, where no Democratic presidential candidate has won since 2012. Gosh, Trump is down even in Iowa! Maddow gushed: “The prototypical example of a gold standard poll is the Iowa poll done by J. Ann Selzer in Iowa. ... (H)er poll has accurately predicted the winner of the Senate and presidential races in Iowa within one or two points every time. ... (Y)ou have seen Ann Selzer basically as a living bullseye.” Trump won Iowa 56% to Harris’ 42.7%. MSNBC News wrote about historian and election predictor Allen Lichtman, who supposedly has correctly predicted eight out of the last nine presidential contests. He uses “13 keys” to determine the result, eight of which he said pointed to Harris. But back to the “Morning Joe” hosts. Roll tape: — May 2017 Scarborough: “And I’m not being hyperbolic when I say that if there are articles of impeachment ever drawn up, the first article of impeachment drawn up against Donald Trump will be the first article of impeachment drawn up against Richard Nixon and that is obstruction of justice, because I could find you 1,000 Republican criminal defense lawyers across America who could say what Donald Trump has admitted already on national television could rise to the level of obstruction of justice.” — May 2017 Scarborough described to me Trump’s visit to Europe with leaders as a “disaster” and said Trump looked like a “thug, goon and an idiot.” — June 2018 Scarborough: “... (W)ho in the world would be so cruel, so hateful, who would be so despicable, who would be so utterly lacking in character, to suggest, to — to make something up about someone having a facelift for the sole purposes of trying to damage or humiliate them. ... You would have to be utterly despicable, a classless man, to say that about a woman.” — May 2020 Scarborough: “But there are these bizarre disconnects and they’re showing up in campaign ads. There are these weird things he’s saying off the cuff. Again, it’s so - it is so ironic that Trump’s campaign team actually go after Joe Biden for non sequiturs, for stumbling, for getting lost halfway through his sentence when —“ Brzezinski: “Or a decline.” Scarborough: “— that’s what Donald Trump has been doing now, in a very public way, for 3 1/2 years.” — April 2024 Scarborough: “They voted for Trump in ‘20, they knew exactly what they were doing. If they vote for Donald Trump in 2024 ... they’re knowingly voting for a fascist, they’re voting for a racist ...” Question: What’s it like spending 90 minutes with a “fascist,” a “thug” and a man who is “utterly despicable”? Did they bring along a food taster? But most importantly, for these Trump-hating hosts turned Mar-a-Lago guests, will their ratings improve? Regarding declining ratings, Joe and Mika know how to turn on a dime — to make a dime.

Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy said the undemocratic appointment of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democrats' 2024 presidential candidate was ultimately what pushed him into voting for Donald Trump.Portnoy said that if broken down, most of his views likely lean liberal, but as Harris' positions and inability to answer questions became clear, he decided to vote for Trump.Portnoy admitted that at one point he considered voting for Harris because he is pro-abortion but added that the Democrats not having a primary for their candidate "really drove me nuts."The Barstool boss also told former ESPN host Sage Steele on her podcast that he found it insulting when mainstream media tried to convince the public that President Joe Biden was not in mental decline. Portnoy said his decision to vote for Trump was cemented when Harris claimed that she was involved in all of Biden's decisions yet also wanted to "turn the page" with her new administration.Despite being registered as an independent and aligning mostly with left-wing values, Portnoy discussed frequent criticisms of him from the left that seemingly stemmed from an interview he did with Trump in 2020."I have been a target of the left." "They hated me, and they'd come after me. ... Trump started doing all his interviews with all media; I was kind of the first one to do it. I did it when he was a sitting president," Portnoy continued. "People came after me. ... People just assume you're a Nazi or whatever, so I really got skewered for that."'You hate me so much I'm going to start hating you.'The CEO said that before his Trump interview, his Barstool Sports outlet was occasionally smeared as "sexist," but the interaction with the president "amped it up."Portnoy said that enduring these constant attacks from liberal outlets made him "hate the left" as a natural reaction to the consistent negativity."You hate me so much I'm going to start hating you," the 47-year-old explained.Portnoy's image with liberals only worsened as he began appearing on Fox News shows with personalities like Tucker Carlson. Even though he was willing to go on almost any program in order to promote his brand, Portnoy claimed he was rarely given the opportunity by left-wing media outlets to state his case.He was able to recall at least one appearance on a liberal program: a spot on CNN with former anchor Chris Cuomo. Portnoy described the interview as "a little bit antagonistic." He concluded that leftists seemingly want no part of real conversations, and even after years of provable lies by outlets across the board, some people are still making up their minds without doing any research."They don't listen to anything you say. It's just appearance, and then their mind is made up."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!