A Forgotten Young Man
When one woman runs into a childhood neighbor, she falls to tears after learning the hardships that have cast a shadow over his life. After his parents died, he lost two older siblings. He had become a husband and a father, but found himself lost for meaning. "Fighting back tears, I asked him if he needed some help getting back on his feet. He said he wanted to start a small business of his own. ... posted on Aug 20, 2595 reads

The Beautiful Brain
Elizabeth Jameson found her art when her own brain lost one of its most basic functions. After suddenly finding herself unable to speak, Jameson was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 1991. She soon came to know the geography of her own mind through countless MRI sessions. For the anxious patient, the black and grey pixels of MRI images can appear ugly and frightening. With a strong urge to... posted on Aug 12, 5834 reads

The Power of Trust
Many of us have conflicted responses when we are approached by a homeless person asking for change. Sometimes, we feel compelled to give. Other times, we are skeptical, or in a hurry. But for one woman in New York City, the power of trust in a fellow human being trumps all uncertainty. When recently approached by homeless Jay Valentine outside a restaurant one evening, Merrie Harris found herself ... posted on Aug 23, 3816 reads

Rappin' to Be the Change
How do you tell the story of one powerful man who moved a nation to independence, marched 241 miles (388 km) in a symbolic act of freedom, and brought violent conflicts to a screeching halt through fasting? How do you express the complexity of this shy and timid young man who grew into a fiercely gentle leader and pioneer of nonviolence? If you're MC Yogi, you rap about it. With smooth rhythm and ... posted on Aug 27, 9680 reads

Technology that Empowers
In today's era of high technology and endless information, in a culture where cell phones, computers and the internet seem to infuse every corners of our lives, "79 percent of the people on our planet digitally are excluded," reveals Ashoka Fellow Rodrigo Baggio. Armed with the vision to empower low-income youth with computer skills, Baggio founded CDI: The Center for Digital Inclusion. Starting f... posted on Sep 9, 2491 reads

A Transformative Moment
When we look back on our lives, sometimes the smallest gesture can have enormous effects. For George Hill, one man's act has made all the difference. Today, Hill works with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and studies computer information systems at Cal State University. But things weren't always so smooth. After leaving the Marines, Hill found himself homeless and addicted to drugs and alc... posted on Sep 1, 3956 reads

Boost Creativity with a Power Nap
If you see a co-worker catching 40 winks in her cubicle or a student dozing in the library, don't roll your eyes. New research from the University of California, Berkeley, shows that an hour's nap can dramatically boost and restore your brain power. Indeed, the findings suggest that a biphasic sleep schedule not only refreshes the mind, but can make you smarter. Conversely, the more hours we spend... posted on Sep 8, 5187 reads

A Sanctuary in Transit
Every year, 18 million passengers make transfers through the Netherland's Schiphol Airport, Europe's fifth-busiest airport. With hustling businesspeople and bustling vacationers, the airport's new library provides a quiet sanctuary for travelers of all paths. With no internet connection or permanent library staff, the library welcomes tired travelers to retreat and unplug in a space of trust. And ... posted on Sep 19, 1570 reads

A Quiet Savior
Though her story is nearly forgotten, she was once America's most admired civil servant. Dr. Frances Oldham Kelsey's journey - honored with the FDA's first Kelsey Award - has transformed medical safety in the US and throughout the industrialized world. Thanks to Dr. Kelsey, thalidomide - causing children to be born limbless or with flipper-like arms and legs - had a far more limited effect in th... posted on Nov 16, 2954 reads

Leadership Lessons from a Dancing Guy
Watch a movement happen, start to finish, in under 3 minutes, and glean some lessons: A leader needs the guts to stand alone and look ridiculous. The first follower is critical in showing everyone else how to follow. The second follower validates. A movement must be public. After the nth follower tipping point, it becomes risky not to follow, and more join in. And the commentators take-away from a... posted on Oct 7, 9367 reads

6 Ways Ants are Good For Business
When one finds food, others immediately gather to help bring it to storage. When one gets wounded, the rest evacuate, re-group, and pull the injured to safety. There's no formal supervision, yet ants somehow accomplish enormous tasks. That's right, ants. Sitting at a highway rest-stop one afternoon, nonprofit founder Ndubuisi Ekekwe discovered that the way ants work together has profound implicati... posted on Oct 11, 5404 reads

Soar High in Clean Skies
The time has finally come. We can not only create cars and businesses that let out zero-emissions, but airplanes as well. On September 21, 2010, a Swiss company flew its first solar powered plane from Payerne to Geneva. In a pioneering flight lasting almost four and a half hours, the solar plane was powered entirely by four electric motors and 12,000 solar cells. Scheduled to fly internationally b... posted on Oct 21, 2266 reads

Hire Just One
During hard economic times, most people and businesses focus on earning and saving money, not giving it away. But one Philadelphia philanthropist believes that donating to charity is the key to boosting the economy and getting Americans back to work. In an effort called "Hire Just One," Gene Epstein is promoting a $250,000 effort, which donates $1,000 to charity in the name of businesses that hire... posted on Oct 24, 4629 reads

Driver Thanks Man Who Hit Him on Purpose
Driving to a baseball game, Duane Innes saw a pickup truck ahead of him drift across lanes of traffic, sideswipe a concrete barrier and continue forward on the inside shoulder at about 40 mph. An engineer by training, Innes dodged the truck, then looked back to see that the driver was slumped over the wheel. He knew a busy intersection was just ahead, and he had to act fast. Without consulting the... posted on Oct 25, 5529 reads

The Burrito Man Who Changed Lives
For almost 20 years, he was there. A little guy in a metal cart, selling rice-and-bean burritos at 17th and K street. There in all weather, he became a dependable rock in the rapids of life in downtown Washington DC. He recalled not only his patrons' food preferences, but also the names of their children and standings of their sports teams. Workers who had been transferred away would come find him... posted on Oct 28, 15298 reads

7 Health Benefits of Sharing
A recent Harvard Business School study found that giving a sum of money to someone else lifted well-being than spending it on oneself. Preventative medicine professor Stephen Post writes that giving to others has been shown to increase health benefits in people with chronic illness. Neuroeconomics researcher Paul Zak found that people who share and experience gratitude release oxytocin, a hormone ... posted on Nov 8, 8324 reads

A Garden For Everybody
Alan Toy's carrots don't come out of the ground. Instead, you can find them sprouting out of fiberglass bins filled with compost and potting soil. They're propped on metal legs and have a cantilevered design that allows Toy to roll up his wheelchair and tend to plants more easily. With the success of his container plots, which are specifically designed for gardeners on crutches or in a wheelchair,... posted on Nov 7, 2065 reads

Exercise Helps Improve Memory
Memory loss is the single biggest fear for Americans over the age of 55. And it's understandable: over 4 million currently suffer from Alzheimer's disease, and those numbers are expected to quadruple by 2050, according to the Alzheimer's Foundation. That may be why memory-boosting products like Sudoku puzzles and ginko-infused soft drinks are lining storefronts. But beyond the marketing campaigns,... posted on Nov 19, 3867 reads

Engineering Solutions for Africa's Rural Poor
It's a question posed by many immigrants. "When you come here and are successful, you have this nagging feeling. What have you done for the people at home?" Born, raised, and educated in Uganda, William Kisalita is now a University of Georgia bioengineering professor. He designs three-dimensional cell-based biosensors, a promising new technology that could revolutionize how pharmaceutical companie... posted on Nov 22, 3074 reads

Bangladesh Prisoners Meditate
At first glance, a room filled with a group of people practicing meditation may not look unusual. But the men and women who are sitting calmly, trying to focus their minds, are a little different from most. They are prisoners in the central jail in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, serving sentences for committing violent crimes. Their objective? To reduce anxiety and make a new beginning. This is t... posted on Dec 1, 4104 reads

Gandhian on Wheels
Catch a rickshaw on the streets of Ahmedabad, and you might be lucky enough to encounter the smiling face of Udaybhai. Enter his vehicle and you are invited to browse an array of books and newspapers. An mp3 player offers a selection of songs, and if you're hungry, you can help yourself to some tasty snacks. On top of all this, your trip has already been paid for by grateful travelers who came bef... posted on Dec 22, 2599 reads

His Life's Calling is To Die Well
Jim Stanicki is at a party, where he's having a great time with his family and friends. But when it's time to go, he says he has to go, and his intention is to go well. Stanicki says it is his life that is the party. After being diagnosed with bronchoalveolar cancer almost four years ago, he has shared the highs and lows of his journey with friends online through Inspire.com, a health and wellness... posted on Feb 2, 3606 reads

Dance Class Helps Parkinson's Patients
An unusual dance class takes place in Kirkland: one taught by professional dancers and offered free of charge for people with Parkinson's disease and their caregivers. It's one of a small but growing number of such classes worldwide. At this dance class, the students walk in slowly, some rigidly or with a bit of a tremor. They take their places, not at a ballet barre or on the dance floor, but sit... posted on Jan 18, 3050 reads

Squeeze Out Your Creative Juices
John Cleese, a humorous and wise personality, discusses how to unleash the creativity that every individual possesses. Among his witty and insightful points include shifting activities when we get stuck, staying clear of distractions, and carving out space and time away from the daily to-do list to just explore. Ultimately, he notes, tapping into our unconscious mind may be the key to unraveling i... posted on Mar 10, 7162 reads

8 Weeks to a Better Brain
A pause in a busy day, meditation can be like the eye of a storm. For centuries, there's been no logic to it. Yet more and more, researchers are beginning to map its effects on the brain. In a recent study, a team led by Harvard-affiliated researchers become the first to document meditation-produced changes over time in the brain's gray matter. Their conclusion? Participating in an eight-week mind... posted on Mar 7, 13039 reads

Solar Power Keeps Animals Comfy
The streetlights blink on. A warm glow wafts through the kitchen windows, infusing the friendly night air. It's evening at the Prince of Wales Zoological Garden, the first solar-powered zoo in India. Inspired by the 'sky's the limit' philosophy of Zoo Director Renu Singh, the entire zoo infrastructure--from electricity to water systems to even zoo vehicles and wheelchairs--is run completely on eco... posted on Apr 2, 3301 reads

Go Easy on Yourself, New Research Says
Do you treat yourself as well as you treat your friends and family? That simple question is the basis for a burgeoning new area of psychological research that looks at how kindly people view themselves. New research suggests that giving ourselves a break and accepting our imperfections may be the first step towards better health. Those who score high on tests of self-compassion have less depressio... posted on Mar 26, 6299 reads

Football and Meditation with Running Back, Ricky Williams
Picture one of the NFL's most spellbinding figures sitting serenely in a room, meditating. Every Wednesday, Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams leads an open meditation session in a quiet college classroom where he's working on his degree. Williams meditates every morning, before practices, and before he heads into the stadium on game day. "For me, [meditation] is like food. It's spiritual ... posted on Mar 18, 2912 reads

Thank You for Doing the Most Important Job
While sitting on the bus one day, I took a book out and was about to read. But I was distracted by a young woman behind me who was speaking on her cell phone. She was talking to her brother. She wanted to know where he was, why he wasn't where he was supposed to be, why he had lied to their mother again and did he know that their mum had broken down in tears that morning because of him. I never lo... posted on Mar 28, 4426 reads

Our Mentors Are Where We Are
Have you ever heard the phrase, "Wherever you go, there you are"? The same could be said for our mentors. Shannon Cutts spoke to a crowd of several hundred students at Truman State University about body image and eating disorders. The truth she shared with students is that most of us simply don't have time to stop and analyze all of the messages that come at us each day. Most of us don't even have... posted on Apr 16, 4625 reads

I Wish This Was ...
At first glance, it looks like someone plastered "Hello, My Name is" name tags all over the city. Take a step closer, and the tag reads, "I Wish This Was..." A public installation artist, designer, and urban planner, Candy Chang likes to make cities more comfortable for people. She came up with the project, ideal for its super low barrier of entry, to allow her fellow citizens to express their ide... posted on Apr 25, 3781 reads

Sidewalks: The Way They See It
Every Tuesday volunteers serve more than 100 Chicago homeless people with food from fine dining restuarants -- all with dignity and grace. Here they are not faceless and referred to as "Guests," and sometimes even as "Artists:" for the last eight years, some of them have received inexpensive disposable cameras and have gone about the adventure of capturing their lives. This work culminates with a ... posted on Jul 31, 3577 reads

5 Powerful Tools for Reflection
"Reflection is actually one of the secrets to my success. At least once a day, and more often several times a day, I reflect on my day, on my life, on what I've been doing right, and what isn't working. I reflect on every aspect of my life, and from this habit of reflection, I am able to continuously improve. Reflection is what gave me the topic of this post, and the tips that are to follow. Refle... posted on May 8, 21990 reads

How Aging is Changing
"The job of any doctor, Bludau later told me, is to support quality of life, by which he meant two things: as much freedom from the ravages of disease as possible, and the retention of enough function for active engagement in the world. Most doctors treat disease, and figure that the rest will take care of itself." In this in-depth New Yorker article, celebrated author Dr. Atul Gawande reflects on... posted on May 11, 4522 reads

Genius of the Fold
People who think of origami as simple paper playthings may be surprised to know of a professional origami artist, much less one who's a Caltech physicist. Robert Lang walked away from a successful career in lasers and opto-electronics to fold paper full time. Now widely regarded as a legend in the field, Lang has published more than 500 original origami designs, with some of his work exhibited at ... posted on May 16, 5097 reads

Retirees Volunteer to Tackle Japan's Nuclear Crisis
The radiation leak from the Fukushima power station has been off the front page news for a while now but the problem persists nevertheless. Post tsunami, there were countless stories of bravery and selfless acts and here is one more that is downright inspiring. A group of more than 200 older Japanese pensioners are volunteering to tackle the crisis. Yamada-san, a 72-year old retired engineer is wr... posted on Jun 1, 3356 reads

A School for the Homeless In Las Vegas
Principal Sherrie Gahn knew she had a problem that a traditional public school could not fix. Inside Whitney Elementary School in East Las Vegas, nearly 85 percent of the children are homeless. That's 518 kids out of 610. "When I saw the children eating ketchup for lunch, and wanting to take it home," she says, "it just crushed me," says Gahn. So she came up with a plan involving the kids, their p... posted on Jun 18, 6304 reads

From Vacant Lots to Urban Gardens
A berry garden now sits at the center of Richmond, CA, an area known for its high crime rate. Once a month, Latino and African American families -- often people who live just a few blocks from each other but rarely had a chance to meet in the past -- gather at the garden and have a barbecue. The garden is the work of Urban Tilth, one of the dozen or so groups at the center of Richmond's urban gard... posted on Jul 20, 9142 reads

7 Must-Read Books on Education
Education is something we're deeply passionate about, but much of today's dominant formal education model is in need of a paradigm shift. While lots has been said and written about education reform over the past couple of years, the issue and the public discourse around it have been going on for decades. So how does the free speech movement of the 1960s relate to digital learning and The Beatles? ... posted on Jul 6, 41734 reads

Food Abundance from Food Waste
Every week they provide food for as many as 1,500 households in Marin County (CA). They don't charge for the food. Nor do they get paid themselves. Who are these people and why do they do this? They are two community elders, Ruth Schwartz and her husband Curt Kinkead, supported by a team of about 100 volunteers. They do it because Curt "gets fed by the joy he sees in the people who come to collect... posted on Sep 21, 10140 reads

The Beauty in Each Grain of Sand
When you take a moonlit stroll on the beach, how often do you think about the tiny grains of sand creeping in between your toes? From above, sand seems like a bunch of tiny brown rocks, perhaps peppered with occasional shells or beach miscellany. But sand has a far more fascinating story to tell. Composed of the remnants of volcanic explosions, eroded mountains, dead organisms, and even degraded m... posted on Jul 16, 9141 reads

29 Lessons From Travelling the World
"Eight years. That's 416 weeks, or almost 3,000 days. This is the amount of time that I have not had a fixed home; moving to a new country, culture and language every few months and taking absolutely everything I own with me. In 2003, on the week of my 21st birthday, I left Ireland for good. I had graduated university a few days before, and knew that I'd only be coming back "home" for visits. But ... posted on Jul 17, 62751 reads

Lighting the Way in Slums
Plastic bottles jut from the roofs in a Manila slum neighborhood. But these bottles have an important purpose: they contain bleach and water and are placed snugly into a purpose-built hole in the roof. Designed by students at MIT, they reflect sunlight, spreading 360 degrees of 55-watt-light through the room beneath. Using the simplest of technologies, these bottles brighten dim and dreary shantie... posted on Jul 30, 4744 reads

The Inner Landscape of Beauty
For the late Celtic mystic John O'Donohue, the visible world isn't all there is -- it's "the first shoreline of the invisible world." The question of what should I do, is secondary to the question of "how should I be?" In short, spirituality isn't an esoteric notion, but an accessible, natural response to the landscapes of beauty around us, and within us. His unique perspective, captured in this r... posted on Aug 25, 6580 reads

The Pay-It-Forward Little Libraries
Bigger than a breadbox, homier than a newspaper box and more surprising than a bookmobile, the Little Library is popping up all over town. On bike paths. Outside coffee shops. In the front yards of private homes. Stocked with books ranging from academic texts to children's classics, music instruction and gardening magazines, each two-by-two-foot Little Library bears the same simple message: "Take ... posted on Aug 12, 18186 reads

Study, Practice and Serve: Peter Senge
Peter Senge is a senior lecturer at MIT, and the author of The Fifth Discipline: the Art and Practice of the Learning Organization. The Journal of Business Strategy named Senge one of the greatest influences on business strategy over the last 100 years. In this dialogue with Dr. Prasad Kaipa, Senge talks about how his own internal development helped him develop a perspective on systems theory: "I ... posted on Aug 28, 11812 reads

How To Build A Beautiful Company
In the early 1970s, Bill Witherspoon lived for months in a school bus parked in the Oregon desert. A hundred miles from the nearest town, he spent day after day painting the sky and the clouds. He later sold his work for tidy sums. Witherspoon would spend the rest of his life alternating between painting and launching companies. When Witherspoon, then 60, launched The Sky Factory in 2002, he wonde... posted on Sep 14, 11439 reads

Time is Precious: Dr. BJ Miller's Journey
Dr. BJ Miller is only 40 but he thinks about death a lot. He is the new executive director of the Zen Hospice Project in San Francisco and a palliative care specialist at UCSF Medical Center. He is also a triple amputee, co-founder of a tea company, owner of a farm in Utah and a newlywed who still looks like the Ivy Leaguer he once was. "I have no fear of death," Miller said. "I have a fear of not... posted on Oct 17, 44608 reads

The World's Greatest Business Case for Compassion
It's called one of the greatest stories in medicine, but it's more than that. Its approach has impressed the world's top design-thinkers, and yet, it's more than a paragon of innovation. For the last 17 years every MBA student at Harvard has studied a business case on it, but it's more, even, than a model social enterprise. This is the story of Dr. V -- a retired surgeon with crippled fingers who ... posted on Dec 7, 6171 reads

The Free Farm
The Free Farm in San Francisco, run fully by volunteers, is dedicated to bringing fresh, local, organic produce for free to under-served communities in the San Francisco area. In 2009 alone, they gifted over 20,000 lbs of produce. A remarkable activist describes his experience in serving at the Free Farm. "We are not growing fruits and veggies. We are facilitating the growth of soil and community.... posted on Dec 5, 9140 reads