I have spent a lot of time covering psychiatric drugs like SSRIs. The problem with these drugs is that they’re incredibly potent, potentially dangerous, and they effect the mind in ways that the doctors prescribing them don’t fully understand. And all of these problems are compounded by the fact that they are increasingly easy to obtain. In fact, as the problems with psychiatric medications become more evident, the barriers to access them only become lower. It seems that things should be working the opposite way. But that’s how it goes now. If you want to get a highly potent, dangerous, mind altering drug, you can. In fact, you probably don’t even have to leave your house. This trend is becoming more and more common with an ever increasing array of drugs. They are very easy to get, there is very little oversight, and you don’t have to leave your house to obtain them. This is a major problem that will require all kinds of legislation to fix. But there are some steps we can, and must, take immediately to address the problem of fraudulent, life-altering drugs being handed out in large quantities to young people, basically on demand. One of those steps is to defund some of the largest distributors of these life-altering drugs, which is something that should’ve happened a long time ago. If we can’t ban these people from operating outright, then at the very least, we should stop giving them money and tax breaks. What’s happening is a genuine crisis — and it’s not limited to SSRIs. It extends to a whole host of other drugs as well. And a new investigation by Live Action, the pro-life nonprofit, has just brought renewed urgency to this crisis, and how completely out-of-control the problem really is. Here is part of an undercover investigation by Live Action, where they contacted various Planned Parenthood locations posing as a 16-year-old girl. And in these conversations, Live Action’s 16-year-old girl requests “gender-affirming care,” including cross-sex hormones. And Planned Parenthood responds by saying this is completely fine. They say they’ll do it virtually, over Zoom or something like that. And then they suggest that, if the girl goes to a clinic in-person, she doesn’t need to be accompanied by her mother in the examination room. Watch: BREAKING: New investigation from @LiveAction exposes Planned Parenthood for prescribing cross-sex hormones to MINORS using virtual appointments Planned Parenthood needs to be investigated and defunded NOW.pic.twitter.com/QsLTPIsQgj — Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) May 7, 2025 This footage is part of an extensive investigation by Live Action into Planned Parenthood. The full report was just released this week. To put things in context, Planned Parenthood is the leading abortion mill in the country. They commit roughly 40% of the abortion in this country, all by themselves. And they receive something like $700 million from taxpayers every year. WATCH: The Matt Walsh Show So what exactly is that money buying, aside from abortions and irreversible drugs for children? According to Live Action, citing various investigations, it’s allowing Planned Parenthood to traffic in human body parts, commit all kinds of health code and privacy violations, and engage in anti-white racism at all levels of its operation. The entire report is available online if you want to view it, and you should. I will simply highlight this one section in particular: At least 40,000 patients went to Planned Parenthood for ‘gender affirming care’ in 2023 alone, a number that has risen tenfold since 2017. The largest proportion, about 40 percent, were 18-to-22-year-olds. According to Live Action, 45 out of Planned Parenthood’s 49 affiliated facilities provide this so-called “care,” and Planned Parenthood is now the second-largest provider of so-called “gender-affirming hormones” in the United States. The report continues: Planned Parenthood targets minors for gender-affirming care by disseminating pro-transgender ideology online and in schools. It has also stated that it would like to expand its gender-affirming care to a greater number of minors. The report cites a video from Planned Parenthood, in which the organization claims that puberty blockers are, “like a stop sign” that pauses puberty without any potential side-effects. Planned Parenthood also provides sex education materials to elementary schools, according to this report, including, “information about puberty blockers and graphics of pubic hair art.” In some cases, Live Action notes that Planned Parenthood was caught referring a 14-year-old undercover actor for “gender-affirming” treatments at another organization, so that he could hide his so-called “transition” from his parents. It goes on and on. Every page of this report is extremely difficult to read, and it’s all very damning. Even if you put all of the baby murder to the side — which you can’t, because that’s still obviously the most evil thing this organization does — but even if you did somehow forget about that, Planned Parenthood still remains one of the most evil organizations in the country. Their explicit goal is to permanently alter the lives of young people with surgeries and hormones, long before they’re able to consent to anything like this. And as the report outlines, half the time, they don’t even follow their own protocols, as limited as they are. What’s left unanswered, in all of this, is why Planned Parenthood still receives hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding. Republicans control Congress and the White House. So why the hell are we still sending so much money to these butchers? To be clear, as Live Action’s report outlines, you probably don’t even need legislation to stop this funding. There are dozens of violations listed in this report, which documents Planned Parenthood’s issues with patient privacy, fraud, trafficking of fetal remains, and so on. All of these problems, by themselves, are grounds for an executive order shutting down the funding immediately. But that hasn’t happened yet. And Congress hasn’t done anything either. Nor have they done anything about the mass prescription of SSRIs. To be clear, Planned Parenthood should be forcible shut down, by law. The whole organization should be banned and all of its executives and employees at every level of the company should be put on trial for crimes against humanity. There should be a Nuremberg for Planned Parenthood executives. But that is not likely to happen any time soon. There are a lot of things that should happen but won’t, and this is number one on that list. So defunding them is the bare minimum. It’s not even close to the full extent of what should be done to shut down these butchers and child abusers and bring them to justice. It’s just the most meager first step. It’s the step where we at least stop forcing Americans to fund these psychopaths. And yet we haven’t even done that. Republicans control the federal government and yet somehow we are still sending hundreds of millions of dollars to Planned Parenthood. Why? What is the reason? What is the negative consequence of defunding them? The Left will be mad? The media will complain? The activists will shriek and sing protests songs in the street? That last thing is pretty painful, I admit. But is in any of that enough to override the great moral necessity of defunding an organization that kills and castrates children? Obviously not. Especially because the protesters will be shrieking anyway. The media will complain regardless. The Left will stay mad no matter what. They’re going to cry. We might as well give them something real to cry about. That’s not to say the Republicans in Congress haven’t done anything at all. They’re technically showing up to work even though it’s not exactly ground-breaking stuff. But it’s well past time for elected Republican representatives, along with the White House, to take decisive action on the ghouls and butchers who call themselves healthcare providers. If we can defund NPR — and the White House says we can — then we can defund these abortionists too. And we can stop corporations from distributing psychoactive drugs like they’re candy, while we’re at it. This is what we voted for.

Actress and singer Mandy Moore complained that the process of rebuilding the parts of Los Angeles destroyed by wildfires in January has been a nightmare of red tape. The “This Is Us” star expressed her frustration in an Instagram story earlier this week, according to US Weekly. “Thanks, LA County for making it as frustrating and impossible to rebuild after the fires as possible,” Moore shared at the time. “Shouldn’t be surprised but it’s mind boggling the red tape and hoops they’re putting us all through,” she added. “It’s maddening and heartless … the endless hoops and meaningless protocol LA County is asking of fire victims who want to rebuild and get their lives back. Wasn’t California going to make this as easy as possible?” The “A Walk to Remember” star brought up the situation again on Thursday. “6 permits issued in Altadena. 10,000 structures burned down. The pace is glacial. The nonsensical red tape they have in place that prevents those of that are ready to rebuild is just mind boggling,” Moore seethed. “And I say this as someone with privilege: we have insurance, plans, a contractor, etc… everyone deserves an advocate and a system that is streamlined and supports success. People want to get the ball rolling and start to piece their lives back together.” “We JUST finished building one of the structures that burned down [this past] November. We have all the plans and permits ready to go and we were just told we have to resubmit everything and start over,” Moore continued. “For no reason. LA County should want success stories right now but instead, they’re focused on antiquated protocol. This is why people are leaving California in droves. They make it impossible.” Moore’s home in Altadena was partially destroyed. She was one of many celebrities to have property damage as the uncontrolled fires devastated the area at the beginning of this year. “Miraculously, the main part of our house is still standing. For now. It’s not livable but mostly intact,” the actress shared on Instagram in January alongside a photo carousel of the damage.  “We lost Taylor and Griffin’s studio with every instrument and piece of equipment they’ve ever owned,” Moore said. Her husband Taylor Goldsmith and his brother Griffin are members of the band Dawes.  “We lost our garage and back house. Everyone we know lost everything. Every house on our street is gone.” She concluded the post, “Feeling weird survivors guilt. We love this community and will do everything we can to help rebuild and support. Thanks for everyone for checking on us and offering us help. Altadena strong.”

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp just signed the Riley Gaines Act, a powerful new law that bans biological males from competing in female sports. Backed by overwhelming public support and named after former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines, this bold legislation puts women first and political ideology last. A Clear Victory for Common Sense The Riley Gaines Act, passed as Senate Bill 1, mandates that all Georgia K-12 schools, colleges, and universities classify sports teams by biological sex only—not gender identity. It applies to both public and private schools when competing against state-funded teams. Beyond athletics, the law also safeguards restrooms, locker rooms, and overnight accommodations, ensuring that girls aren’t forced into uncomfortable or unsafe situations. Governor Kemp said the law is “about fairness, safety, and protecting opportunities for girls and women in Georgia.” With this signature, Georgia becomes one of over 25 states standing up to protect women’s sports from being erased by woke gender policies. Riley Gaines: From NCAA Swimmer to National Advocate Riley Gaines, who made headlines after tying with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas in 2022, has emerged as a leading voice in the fight to keep women’s sports for biological women. “Such a tremendous honor,” Gaines said in response to the law being named after her. “There are few causes more worthy than protecting opportunities for the next generation.” Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines is getting a bit of a Minnesota Capitol tour before speaking to the crowd rallying to support the GOP House bill to ban transgender athletes from school sports. pic.twitter.com/qzOnorEvTR — Corin Hoggard (@corinhoggard) March 3, 2025 Lawmakers like House Speaker Jon Burns and Lt. Governor Burt Jones made it clear: Georgia won’t back down to radical activists. “Biological men are not welcome in girls’ sports or spaces here in Georgia,” said Burns. The message was made even louder by passing the bill on Transgender Day of Visibility, underlining that Georgia stands with science, not slogans. Georgia Joins Trump in Fighting for Title IX Integrity The law’s passage also aligns with President Trump’s February executive order, which directs the U.S. Department of Education to investigate schools that allow biological males in female sports. Those institutions could now face Title IX violations and lose federal funding. Georgia’s move reinforces that commitment at the state level, adding muscle to the national effort to defend Title IX’s original intent: protecting women’s athletic opportunities. Polls show over 70% of Georgia voters support the new law, despite angry protests from left-wing activists. As Senator Greg Dolezal stated, “When you allow males to participate in female sports, it ceases to become female sport.” On July 1, 2025, Georgia will officially enforce these protections—ensuring that girls across the state have a level playing field, free from unfair biological advantages. The message is clear: Georgia is choosing fairness over fiction. Sources: Kemp signs bill banning transgender girls, women from playing on female sports teams Governor Kemp Signs ‘Riley Gaines Act’ Banning Trans Athletes from Girls’ Sports

Jeff Bezos has officially entered the satellite race, launching Amazon’s first 27 Project Kuiper satellites into orbit. This opening salvo signals a direct challenge to Elon Musk’s Starlink, which currently rules the skies when it comes to satellite internet. Amazon’s Space Offensive Begins Launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station aboard a ULA Atlas V rocket, Amazon’s satellites are the first wave in a planned constellation of 3,200 low-Earth orbit satellites. Flying at 630 kilometers above Earth, these satellites are designed to deliver global broadband internet, especially to rural and underserved areas. Unlike earlier commercial satellite launches, Amazon made tweaks to its satellite design, including a sunlight-reflecting mirror coating to ease concerns from astronomers worried about cluttered night skies. After years of delays, the successful launch marks a massive leap in Bezos’ billion-dollar quest to reshape global internet access—and potentially undercut Musk’s dominance in the process. Musk vs. Bezos: The Billionaire Battle for Orbit Amazon is stepping into a fight where SpaceX’s Starlink already has over 7,000 satellites in service, providing real-time internet to customers around the globe—including remote areas, military operations, and even warzones. Musk’s head start gives him not only a tech advantage, but also lucrative government contracts and strong brand awareness. Amazon launches first internet satellites to rival Starlinkhttps://t.co/XPF5pvHF8N pic.twitter.com/M8rcnTys2X — AFP News Agency (@AFP) April 29, 2025 Still, Bezos isn’t coming unarmed. Amazon has signed multiple rocket launch deals—including with Bezos’ own Blue Origin—and has committed billions in infrastructure. Project Kuiper isn’t just about satellites—it’s about control of the future’s most vital utility: global internet access from space. Space Race Heats Up, Benefits Americans Analysts are calling it America’s private sector space race, and it’s picking up fast. Project Kuiper’s latest deployment follows two test launches in 2023. Rajeev Badyal, VP of Technology for Kuiper, emphasized, “There are some things you can only learn in flight… this is just the start of our journey.” The consumer impact could be huge: competition means better service and lower prices. While Starlink currently leads, Amazon’s entry introduces serious muscle to the market. In a nation built on free enterprise, the battle between Starlink and Kuiper is the kind of bold innovation Americans expect—two tech titans pushing the boundaries, and the public stands to win. Sources: Amazon launches first batch of internet satellites in race to rival Musk’s SpaceX | Euronews Amazon launches first Kuiper internet satellites, taking on Starlink | Reuters Amazon launches its first batch of satellites in bid to compete with SpaceX’s Starlinks – Washington Times

President Donald Trump has tapped Andrew Giuliani to lead America’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup—sending a clear message that the U.S. intends to host the most secure, seamless, and spectacular tournament in the event’s history. Trump’s Trusted Team Takes the Field President Trump named Giuliani as Executive Director of the President’s Task Force on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a high-profile role coordinating the entire federal response to the global tournament. The task force, created in March, is responsible for overseeing everything from stadium security and fan transportation to emergency response and international coordination. Giuliani, the son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, brings deep ties to the Trump administration and sports diplomacy. He previously served as Special Assistant to President Trump, helping reopen U.S. sports during the COVID-19 lockdowns. He’ll work alongside Carlos Cordeiro, former U.S. Soccer President, who joins the task force as Senior Advisor—bringing championship-level leadership to the table. 11 American Cities, 78 Matches, One Unifying Moment The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest ever, and the United States will take center stage, hosting 78 of the tournament’s 104 matches, including the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Cities like Dallas, Miami, Los Angeles, and Atlanta are preparing for over 450,000 visitors per city and local economic windfalls estimated at nearly $500 million. Thank you President Trump, I am honored to serve as the Executive Director for the White House Task Force on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Led by President Trump in his first term, America secured the bid to host the 2026 World Cup and it will be an incredible opportunity to unite the… pic.twitter.com/4COm8OAGUb — Andrew H. Giuliani (@AndrewHGiuliani) May 6, 2025 The White House task force recently held its first high-level meeting, attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Vice President JD Vance, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. The goal: full coordination to secure venues, streamline fan travel, and ensure America’s infrastructure shines for a global audience of billions. Jobs, Security, and American Pride on the Line President Trump emphasized the economic and patriotic impact of the World Cup, calling it “a once-in-a-generation opportunity to show the world what America can do.” Hosting the tournament is expected to create tens of thousands of jobs, bolster small businesses, and promote U.S. tourism at record levels. Homeland Security Secretary Noem pledged to secure the event with robust protections, including enhanced screening, cyber defense, and international visitor controls—all while maintaining strong border enforcement. “The world will see American hospitality and American excellence,” said Vice President Vance. “This isn’t about politics—it’s about patriotism.” With trusted allies at the helm and Trump’s leadership steering the mission, the 2026 World Cup promises to be more than a tournament—it’s shaping up to be a global showcase of American strength, unity, and spirit. Sources: Trump taps Rudy Giuliani’s son to head World Cup task force Son of former New York mayor to lead Trump’s FIFA World Cup task force | Reuters Trump Appoints Rudy Giuliani’s Son to Lead 2026 FIFA World Cup Task Force | The Epoch Times

The United States has just taken a bold leap into the future of warfighting with the unveiling of AeroVironment’s Red Dragon—a blazing-fast autonomous drone designed for precision strikes with minimal human oversight. This is not just another weapon; it’s a game-changer that could redefine combat worldwide. America’s New AI-Driven Arsenal of Destruction The Red Dragon is a one-way kamikaze drone capable of reaching speeds up to 100 mph and traveling nearly 250 miles to hit a target with lethal force. It carries 22 pounds of explosives, needs only ten minutes to launch, and can be deployed at a staggering rate of five drones per minute. This isn’t just about speed or power—it’s about autonomy. The Red Dragon is equipped with SPOTR-Edge and AVACORE, cutting-edge software that enables it to hunt, identify, and destroy targets independently, even without GPS or live communications. That means it can operate behind enemy lines with zero support—a deadly ghost in the sky. US unveils Red Dragon suicide drone with 248-mile-range, autonomous targeting | Chris Young, Interesting Engineering The new system reflects the increasing demand for attack drones as the technology becomes increasingly ubiquitous on modern battlefields. US-based defense… pic.twitter.com/9EuAkxVBPz — Owen Gregorian (@OwenGregorian) May 8, 2025 Air Superiority Without Pilots According to Lt. Gen. Benjamin Watson, the era of guaranteed air superiority is over. The Red Dragon represents a shift toward unmanned dominance, where the U.S. can strike fast and hard without risking American lives. “We may never fight again with air superiority in the way we have traditionally come to appreciate it.” – Lt. Gen. Watson Red Dragon doesn’t wait for orders. It hunts in silence. No GPS. Comms denied. No escape. This is battlefield autonomy—on our terms. https://t.co/7lA4JBUzNw #FearTheDragon #AV #AllDomainDominance pic.twitter.com/jYMDCWdkp2 — AV (@aerovironment) May 6, 2025 Unlike traditional drones that require human piloting or approval, Red Dragon can act independently, choosing targets based on real-time battlefield data. This gives U.S. forces the ability to overwhelm enemies with speed, precision, and unpredictability—all while minimizing risk to our own troops. The Double-Edged Sword of AI Combat While the Red Dragon is a triumph of American innovation, its autonomy raises critical questions. What happens when a drone makes a mistake? Who is responsible if a bad actor repurposes this technology? Craig Martell, a leading voice on AI ethics, insists there must be clear accountability: “There will always be a responsible party… who takes responsibility for deploying that technology.” The Pentagon has vowed to keep humans in the loop, but the global AI arms race is heating up. Adversaries like China and Iran may not follow the same ethical rules, meaning Red Dragon-style weapons could soon be used without restraint or remorse. As America pushes the boundaries of autonomous warfare, we must lead by example—pairing strength with principle. The Red Dragon makes one thing clear: the battlefield of tomorrow won’t wait for rules to catch up. Should the U.S. set global standards now—or risk letting our enemies write the rules of autonomous war? Sources: Terrifying footage reveals US military’s new suicide drone that creates its own kill list Red Dragon Highly-Autonomous One-Way Attack Drone Unveiled

Episode Description: Is an average life a failure—or a hidden strength? In this episode of The Optimist Daily’s Weekly Round-up, Arielle spotlights The Herds, a stunning climate art project featuring life-sized animal puppets parading through cities to raise awareness. Then, Karissa explores the beauty of embracing ordinary moments, with insights from psychologist Sam Goldstein on why a meaningful life doesn’t need to be extraordinary. Plus, they share other uplifting stories—from butter made from air to Kenya’s clean energy transformation. Watch The Herds behind-the-scenes magic on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the_herds 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 Karissa: Hello and welcome to The Optimist Daily’s Weekly Round-up. I’m Karissa. Arielle: And I’m Arielle, and we’re working hard to put solutions in view and optimism in motion. Karissa: All right! Well, welcome back. We are here with another episode to share the solutions from Optimist Daily this week. How are you doing today, Arielle? Arielle: I’m doing well. It’s been a little bit cooler in Amsterdam, but I’m not complaining at all. It’s just been a gorgeous spring, so I’m really happy about that. And yeah, just keeping busy with life. How about you? Karissa: Well, it’s been fluctuating a lot—between rain and then jumping up into very hot temperatures. So that’s kind of a little weird, I guess, but all good over here. Do we have anything to say for our “I’m an optimist, but…”? Arielle: Yeah! I think I’m going to keep it pretty simple and relatable this week. I’m an optimist, but I feel like I just don’t have time for everything I want to do. There are so many things I want to learn and participate in. I’m in a book club, I still want to keep on top of my crochet, I’d like to do more creative things—but yeah, there’s just no time for it all. Karissa: Absolutely. I feel that. By the time I get to the end of the day after working, and then usually I try to get in at least a workout… and eating… it’s just like, where did the time go? And there are people with the same 24 hours in the day, and they seem to be doing so much. Arielle: Yeah. It’s hard to keep the comparisons at bay, too, because a lot of my friends—I admire them so much—they’re doing a lot, they’re very accomplished. And it could just be the glossy sheen of highlights from social media. You know, not everyone shows what’s really going on in the background. But yeah, it’s hard to keep that comparison monster away. Karissa: That’s kind of similar to what I’m feeling this week, because I’m an optimist, but it’s hard not to try to be a perfectionist when it comes to showing the people you love how much you care about them—and going over the top sometimes. Because this weekend is Mother’s Day, you see all these glorious brunches on social media… Arielle: Mm-hmm. Karissa: …that are served, and these great Mother’s Day experiences like taking your mom on a trip or something. So it’s hard not to feel like a perfectionist when I’m planning how to celebrate my mom and my grandma, because I’m close to both of them. But our feelings kind of go with our solution about making a meaningful life out of the average. So I’m excited to talk about that a little bit later, but I want to hear about your solution first today, Arielle. Arielle: Yeah, OK. I’ll go ahead and jump into it. Today I’m going to be talking about an article titled Life-sized animal puppets lead a global climate call. Karissa: Wow. Arielle: Yeah, the imagery just in the title is enough to pull me in—but let’s just imagine what it would be like to witness this whole spectacle. Imagine you’re walking through your neighborhood and suddenly a herd of life-sized zebras and giraffes and other animals turns the corner. They’re not actual animals, of course, but giant puppets made of recycled materials, being guided by local volunteers. Karissa: Oh, wow. And they’re life-sized, in the middle of the street?! Arielle: Yeah, exactly. It’s part of a project called The Herds—a moving public art installation that’s traveling over 12,000 miles across Africa and Europe. It started in Kinshasa in early April and it will end all the way up in the Arctic Circle this August. Karissa: Wow, that’s an incredible route. And I assume, like the title suggests, this is to shine a spotlight on climate change and conservation? Arielle: Mm-hmm. Yes, exactly. At its core, it’s a climate awareness campaign—but not the kind packed with graphs or doom-filled headlines. It’s about pulling on people’s heartstrings. The idea is to get people to feel the urgency of the climate crisis by witnessing something completely unexpected and beautiful take over their streets. Karissa: Yeah, that’s a really great idea because sometimes data—no matter how important—can be just boring. Graphs and statistics just don’t cut through a lot. But emotions really can. So this is really cool to hear. Arielle: Yeah, that’s what I thought too. One of the producers in Senegal, Sarah Desbois, said it’s about showing people there’s an emergency, but without lecturing them. And the good news is—it’s working. In each city, the animals parade through public spaces and communities are invited to be a part of it. So they’re not just spectators—they’re welcome to build puppets and also perform. Karissa: Oh, that’s really cool. So you can participate in it too, which is a really interesting twist. I imagine it creates a totally different connection to the message. Arielle: Totally. In Lagos, over 5,000 people came out, and in Dakar the streets of Médina filled with over 40 puppet animals. Then the show continued into a nearby fishing village the next day. Karissa: Yeah. Well, it’s kind of brilliant—merging art, activism, and local collaboration like that. Arielle: Yeah, it builds on another project you might have heard of called Little Amal—that was the 12-foot puppet of a Syrian refugee girl who walked across 17 countries since 2021. She represents stories of displacement and resilience. The Herds is the next chapter—so it goes from human migration to environmental migration. Karissa: Yeah, and I mean, using animals makes a lot of sense. Migration, climate disruption—it’s all connected. Arielle: Right. And unlike so many campaigns that can feel kind of removed from people’s day-to-day lives, this one is literally walking down your street. Amir Nizar Zuabi, one of the creators, described it as a “living, breathing call to action.” Karissa: Yeah, exactly. I love that, because like you said, you can feel pretty disconnected from these animals that won’t necessarily be in your backyard—or on your street, I guess—but now they will be. And it’s definitely a conversation starter. And because it’s co-created with the communities it visits, it doesn’t just land somewhere—it belongs there. That’s awesome. Arielle: Yeah, exactly. As The Herds makes its way through Spain, France, Italy, the UK, all the way to Norway, it’s collecting stories, building connections, and hopefully sparking a deeper kind of engagement around climate and community. Karissa: Yeah, it’s really rare to see something this ambitious that also feels this personal. And honestly, I’d love to see a giant giraffe puppet taking over my street! Arielle: Yeah, same! Unfortunately, The Herds won’t make it to Amsterdam, but they’ll be close by in the coming months—so perhaps I’ll be lucky enough to see it in person, and I’ll report back. Also, while preparing for this recording, I looked up The Herds on YouTube and was absolutely captivated by their behind-the-scenes video. Karissa: Mm-hmm. Arielle: You can see all the puppeteers and artists working on every little aspect of the prototype animal featured in the video, which was a kudu. Karissa: Yeah? Wow. Well, it sounds like it’s such an intricate process. But wait—what’s a kudu? Arielle: Oh yeah, let me paint a bit of a picture. A kudu is a species of antelope, and it’s the one with those really impressive curly antlers. I don’t think I’m doing it justice, so I highly recommend checking it out for yourselves. We’ll link The Herds’ YouTube channel in the show notes just in case. But if you watch the behind-the-scenes video, you can see how every detail is considered—from their wiggling ears to even a breathing tube. And if you click through some of their most recent videos, you can see the drama of the parade in real life against all the different backdrops of the places they visit. The animals look impressively alive. And yeah, if seeing all these artists at work for the climate doesn’t move you, then I’m not sure what will. Karissa: Well, I love this. I saw the pictures in the story we shared this week, but I definitely want to go check out the video and see them in motion. Arielle: Yeah, it’s really cool. But yeah, I guess we should move on to your solution—because I’m pretty curious about what it is, since you mentioned it at the top of the episode. Karissa: Yeah. As we were talking earlier about all these aspects of our lives that maybe we feel aren’t extraordinary or perfect or whatever… my solution is how to tackle the actually not-so-big goal of having a meaningful life. It’s titled The beauty of being average: why a meaningful life doesn’t need to be extraordinary. Arielle: Interesting. Karissa: And I really enjoyed seeing this headline because I definitely would say I am average. I’m sure a lot of people feel that way too. In today’s world, being average can feel like a subtle failure—from grade school gold stars to social media highlight reels. The cultural script suggests that to matter, we must shine. It feels like success is measured not just by achievement but by applause. And if you’re not optimizing, striving, or self-actualizing before breakfast… are you even trying? But in this solution, as psychologist and author Sam Goldstein, PhD, reminds us, this constant push for the extraordinary can come at a cost. He says, “We’ve created a culture where being ordinary is seen as something to overcome.” But maybe it’s something to celebrate! Arielle: Yeah. Yeah, I agree. And like you said, this expectation to be extraordinary starts so early. I remember how important it was as a kid to get those “good job” stickers in class and things like that. Karissa: Yeah. Kids are expected to be high achievers from the start—with packed schedules and pressure to excel. Arielle: And when you add social media’s curated perfection into the mix, it’s easy to feel like simply showing up isn’t enough. Karissa: Yeah, definitely. I mean, I open up my Instagram and see someone having the perfect moment—like an acceptance to a great school, or a graduation from said great school, or a big job promotion. If you go on LinkedIn, you’ll see a fancy wedding—all the time. So it’s easy to feel like you… Arielle: Mm-hmm. Like you’re falling behind. Karissa: Falling behind, for one—yeah. Or like you’re not being extraordinary and having this perfect life. But Goldstein invites us to reconsider this. Because what if the life you have is not something to optimize, but something to inhabit? In a world of chasing viral moments and visionary legacies, there’s a quiet power in being dependable, kind, and present. And he has this great quote where he says, “Being average doesn’t mean you lack ambition. It means you value the here and now. It means you recognize that being a human being every day matters more than being dazzling once.” Arielle: Yeah, you don’t need a memoir deal or a side hustle empire to live a good life. Karissa: There are so many other simple ambitions you can seek—which actually aren’t so simple in the grand scheme of things. I mean, you can be a great friend, a reliable coworker, a person who remembers birthdays and makes a strong cup of coffee. And maybe these titles aren’t headline-worthy moments, but they are the backbone of human connection. Arielle: And I would argue that all these moments are headline-worthy in a way—at least here at Optimist Daily. This week we have a great solution on how to listen to others like a therapist. And just the other week, we also had a solution on how to make a great pour-over coffee. Karissa: Yeah, exactly. It’s so true. The beauty of an average life—it’s a great reminder that small steps to change your life or the life of others are a solution. And it makes the world a better place. Arielle: There really is so much dignity in the day-to-day. Karissa: Yeah. And if we look around, we’ll see ordinary people holding up the world—teachers, caregivers, bus drivers, sanitation workers, nurses. Arielle: And their names may not be trending globally, but their contributions are invaluable. Karissa: Definitely. And as Goldstein points out, when we glorify only the exceptional, we overlook the very people who keep our society functional and compassionate. There’s a certain beauty in repetition and in doing what needs to be done—even when no one is watching. Just folding the laundry, showing up to work, listening to a friend like a therapist—these moments may not earn awards, but they build a life worth living and something to be grateful for. I love to say that gratitude is especially important for even just the little things. If you look around, you’ll realize that all these small things really do make a great life. Arielle: Hmm. This is a great reminder that as a society, we need to rewrite what success really means. Karissa: Yeah, because the pursuit of greatness can quickly turn toxic. Perfectionism often leads to paralysis, and comparison can turn self-worth into a moving target. But the truth is—we just can’t all be above average. Arielle: That’s just not how math works. Karissa: But we can be fully human—and that’s no small thing at all. A meaningful life doesn’t demand a spotlight. It welcomes presence over prestige and kindness over clout. Goldstein notes that there’s nothing wrong with wanting to grow or improve—but if you believe you’re only worthy when you’re winning, you’ll miss the joy that comes from simply being. So maybe a successful life is one where your dog is really happy to see you when you come home, or your friends feel safe with you, and your home has a lot of laughter. Arielle: Yeah, I love this. Let’s stop glorifying burnout and start celebrating contentment. Karissa: In the end, we don’t need to be exceptional to live meaningfully. We need connection, purpose, humor, and rest—and a little compassion for ourselves and for others as well. Arielle: This is really sweet, and it actually makes me feel a lot better about not having all the time in the world to do everything I want to do. Karissa: Yeah, me too. But we had some other solutions that had me really optimistic. Arielle: Mm-hmm. And they include: Bartering is back: how to trade your skills and goods without spending a dime, Butter made from air? This startup is spreading carbon-conscious innovation, How to listen like a therapist with four ways to build deeper connection and trust, and Kenya on track for universal electricity access by 2030, powered by clean energy and community reach. Karissa: And we also have How middle-of-the-night wake-ups might unlock your most creative ideas, Wildlife returns to Eaton Fire burn area, offering a symbol of hope and resilience, An expert’s tips for coping with Mother’s Day after losing your mom, and Daily peanut doses may help adults with allergies build tolerance, new study finds. Arielle: If you want to start your day off right next week, make sure to subscribe to our free daily newsletter to get our solutions straight to your inbox. Karissa: Yeah, and we also have more on our social channels. You can find us at @OptimstDaily on all of our platforms, including Threads, Pinterest, and Bluesky. The only difference is on X, where we are @OdeToOptimism. Arielle: We’re a small team of optimists working hard to bring you positive news. If you want to support our mission of putting optimism out into the world, click the link in the show notes to find out how. Karissa: And support doesn’t always have to be financial. Even just recommending our podcast to a friend, leaving a positive review on Apple or Spotify, forwarding a link to a friend, or sharing a solution on social—anything would be a big help. Arielle: It was lovely being here with you today, Karissa, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend—and that all mothers, mother figures, bonus mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers… all mothers have an amazing Mother’s Day. Karissa: Yeah, absolutely. I’m looking forward to being back next week with more solutions. Both: Bye!The post Podcast Transcript May 9, 2025: The quiet power of being average + life-sized animal puppets for climate action first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

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