Optimistic Tales

Dr. Moody continues his conversation with Major Michelle Lovegrove-Huggins , Mission Director at Strawberry Field in Liverpool, on this, the 59th Anniversary of the Beatles live, global broadcast of “ All You Need Is Love ." The current mission at Strawberry Field strives daily to give young people with learning disabilities and barriers to employment the tools to succeed, and honour the site...

Dr. Moody talks with Major Michelle Lovegrove-Huggins , Mission Director at Strawberry Field in Liverpool. Strawberry Field has been in the care of The Salvation Army since the 1930s as a place that supports vulnerable young people and a site of spirituality and inspiration.  This legacy continues with the current mission at Strawberry Field, which strives daily to give young people with learning...

Dr. Moody presents the final installment of the Spring ’26 cohort of episodes in his “ Student Discovery ” series which highlights selected student interviews from his Community Development & Leadership course that stand out for their depth and alignment with the themes of community leadership and engagement. This episode is the optimistic tale of how empathy and social bonding on the softball...

Dr. Moody presents the next installment of his “ Student Discovery ” series which highlights selected student interviews from his Community Development & Leadership course that stand out for their depth and alignment with the themes of community leadership and engagement. This episode is the optimistic tale of how empathy and social bonding on the softball field translates to leadership in the...

Dr. Moody presents the fourth installment of his recently created “ Student Discovery ” series which highlights selected student interviews from his Community Development & Leadership course. The episodes chosen for the Student Discovery series stand out for their depth and alignment with the themes of community leadership discussed in his course. This episode is the optimistic tale of how the...

Dr. Moody presents the 3rd installment of his newly created “ Student Discovery ” series--highlighting selected student interviews from his Community Development & Leadership course. The episodes chosen for the Student Discovery series stand out for their depth and alignment with the themes of community leadership discussed in his course. This episode is the optimistic tale of humility, patien...

Dr. Moody presents the second installment of his newly created “ Student Discovery ” series which highlights selected student interviews from his Community Development & Leadership course. The episodes chosen for the Student Discovery series stand out for their depth and alignment with the themes of community engagement and empathy discussed in his course. This episode is the optimistic tale o...

Dr. Moody presents the inaugural episode of his newly created “ Student Discovery ” series which highlights selected student interviews from his Community Development & Leadership course. The episodes included in the Student Discovery series reflect unique understandings of what community engagement actually means and truly deserve a broader audience. This episode is an optimistic tale of an i...

Dr. Moody talks with Mike "Rizzo" Eruzione , the Director of Special Outreach at Boston University and the legendary Captain of the 1980 Winter Olympics US national hockey team . While Mike’s name is forever linked to one of the greatest moments in sports history, this conversation goes beyond the scoreboard.  Mike discusses his role in the iconic Miracle on Ice game against the Soviet Union team...

Dr. Moody talks with Mark Goodman, an original MTV VJ, and co-host of the podcast, Sound Up! .  This episode is the second installment of Dr. Moody’s “Beyond the Acts” series—a collaboration with Mr. Todd Shriver of North White Middle-High School in Moron, Indiana. “ Professor ” Goodman discusses his views about the unique, historical impact of MTV and how this new phenomenon changed the way we vi...

Dr. Moody returns from a short break to begin his fifth year as Host of Optimistic Tales . He begins the prologue with a review of several interesting analytics from Season 8 and then discusses what’s on the agenda for Season 9. Please remember to Follow the podcast as he takes the first steps into the fifth year of his continuing search for a more humbled and empathetic world.

In this special holiday episode, Dr. Moody welcomes back Ms. Joni Hendee , Director of Marketing & Public Relations at the Dumas-Wesley Community Center (DWCC). Together, they unwrap the quiet power of empathy that fuels DWCC’s mission to Educate, Empower, and Enrich the community—highlighting the Annual Toy Store , where families experience the dignity of giving, and the Senior Activities Indepen...

Dr. Moody talks with Lisa Geertsen , Co-Founder, Treasurer, and Governance Committee Member of the Society of Inclusive Blacksmiths . Lisa, an artist blacksmith and blacksmithing instructor with over two decades of experience, is also the owner of Firelight Forge in Seattle, WA.

Dr. Moody collaborates with Mr. Todd Shriver , to present their inaugural, cross-over episode of Dr. Moody’s newest “ Beyond the Acts ” series to mark the 40th anniversary of Live Aid , the global concert event that brought together the biggest names in music to fight famine in Ethiopia—and changed the way we think about music and activism forever. Their very special guest, who had a front-row sea...

Dr. Moody continues his talk with Jeremy Fogg, the Executive Pastry Chef for the French Truck Coffee Company in New Orleans, LA.  Jeremy shares more of the humble beginnings that led him to his unique and storied career in the Food Service industry.  [Introduction provided by Amanda Donaldson].

Dr. Moody talks with Jeremy Fogg, the Executive Pastry Chef for the French Truck Coffee Company in New Orleans, LA.  Jeremy shares the humble beginnings that led him to his unique and storied career in the Food Service industry.  [Introduction provided by Dr. Ahmet Hacikara].

Dr. Moody talks with Tamlin Allbritten, an Expressive Art Specialist and founder of the Art with a Purpose non-profit organization. Please visit their website at artwithapurpose.org to view the various works of art mentioned throughout this episode or to generously make a donation. [Introduction provided by Ms. J. Hendee]

Dr. Moody talks with a familiar guest of the podcast, Ms. Joni Hendee, Director of Marketing & Public Relations at the Dumas Wesley Community Center (DWCC).  Ms. Hendee once again discusses the continuing efforts of community engagement ongoing at DWCC.  Whether you wish to make donations or volunteer your time towards any of the numerous programs offered by DWCC, you can reach them at the fol...

Dr. Moody returns from a five-month hiatus to reflect on his rekindled vision and revitalized focus for the podcast. But no worries...his theme remains the same: searching for a more humbled and empathetic world, one "Optimistic Tale" at a time.

Dr. Moody talks with a familiar guest of the podcast, Ms. Joni Hendee, Director of Marketing & Public Relations at the Dumas Wesley Community Center (DWCC).  Ms. Hendee once again discusses the continuing efforts of community engagement offered by DWCC, such as their Transitional Housing programs, After School Achievement program, The Joseph Project Community Food Pantry , and the 50th Anniver...

Dr. Moody talks with Mr. Todd Shriver , teacher and instructional coach at North White Middle-High School in Monon, Indiana.  Mr. Shriver is the current Director of the North White Guest Speakers program, which was originally formed to bring “icons of the 80s” into the classroom, but has grown to include historical figures, various plebeian elite, and contemporary artists to directly mentor and co...

Dr. Moody talks with Mary Judd, co-founder and Honorary Director of SongwritingWith: Soldiers (SW:S), a non-profit organization that uses collaborative songwriting as a catalyst for positive change by offering veteran participants a unique way to tell their stories, rebuild trust, release pain, and forge new bonds. Mary’s optimistic tale is reflected in her personal mission to connect professional...

Dr. Moody talks with Dr. Helen Demetriou , a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Professor of Psychology & Education at the University of Cambridge (UK). She is also the author of the book, “ Empathy, Emotion & Education .” Dr. Demetriou’s unique, interdisciplinary research underscores her belief that ultimately, “ empathy is a seismic shift, a galvanising force and the oxygen that elicit...

Dr Moody concludes his talk with Anthony, Michael, and Jon in this final installment of their collective account of the magic of music and the social bonding that occurs through decades of friendship. 

Dr Moody concludes his “ five albums on a deserted island ” discussion with Anthony, Michael, and Jon in this intimate and warm-hearted coda. DISCLAIMER: All references to “ Sandy Allen ” are incorrectly referred to as “Sally,” apologies are extended.