The Optimist Circuit Podcast

At The Optimist Circuit Podcast, we're building the circuit connecting AI, tech, nature, and people to spark optimism and power solutions for society. This episode is exactly that circuit in action. Peter Gilmer spent a decade at Web Summit helping scale one of the world's most influential tech gatherings to 70,000 attendees. When a Sylvia Earle documentary moved him, he walked away and...

The Optimist Circuit Podcast returns with Season Two, where we are Building the Circuit Connecting AI, Tech, Nature, and People to Spark Optimism and Power Solutions for Society. Season 2 features the pioneers and optimists driving real change at the highest levels of the tech industry. This season, we're diving into the minds of those turning ambitious climate goals into tangible solutions,...

Ever wondered why some brilliant startups never get funded? The answer might lie in unconscious biases that plague investment decisions. In this eye-opening conversation, we explore how Illumen Capital is revolutionizing access to capital through their innovative bias reduction program. 🔍 What you’ll learn in this episode: The research behind bias in investing : How identical profiles with only t...

What happens when communities invisible to the digital world suddenly appear on a map? Lives change. Resources flow. Possibilities emerge. Rebecca Firth, Executive Director of Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT), leads a global movement that’s reshaping how we think about maps, data, and community agency. With 750,000 volunteer mappers across 90 countries, HOT has illuminated regions home to nea...

🎧 Building Health & Wealth Equity with Sydney Thomas of Symphonic Capital What does it take to close the gaps in health and wealth access—and build a future where equity isn't just a buzzword, but a business model? In this episode of The Optimist Circuit , we sit down with Sydney Thomas , founder of Symphonic Capital , a trailblazing venture firm backing health tech and fintech companies...

Season 1, Episode 2 – Informed Optimism: Harnessing AI for Sustainability and Social Good Ellen Spooner and Francesca Fernandez welcome you to The Optimist Circuit podcast, where they explore the powerful intersection of technology, sustainability, and social impact. This episode takes you behind the scenes of their vision for the podcast and introduces the co-hosts' impressive backgrounds. E...

In this episode of The Optimist Circuit , we sit down with Cheryl Goodman , a trailblazing tech executive and founder of Goodtech. With a career spanning Qualcomm, Sony, and Startup San Diego, Cheryl shares her insights on navigating the AI revolution, building influence in tech, and the power of strategic communications in emerging industries . From AI's role in reshaping brand storytelling...

Welcome to The Optimist Circuit podcast where we are Building the Circuit: Connecting AI, Tech, Nature, and People to Spark Optimism and Power Solutions for Society. The Optimist Circuit podcast is your gateway to exploring how human ingenuity—combined with AI, technology, and nature—is solving society’s most pressing challenges. Through compelling interviews with AI, tech, and business leaders, r...