Society

Ancient technology that was centuries ahead of its time

These forward-thinking inventions are often called “ahead of their time.” They are reflections of the ingenuity of their civilizations.

Tim Brinkhof

Building Community

More Americans than ever have no friends. Here are 5 steps to make more friends.

The last decade has seen a steep drop in adult friendships and a worrying increase in loneliness. Is this the cost of our modern life?

Elizabeth Gilbert

Psychology

The secrets of cooperation

Most people care what others think of them. In many situations, that can be leveraged for the common good — cooperation.

Bob Holmes | Knowable Magazine

Building Community

Diversity in the outdoors: bridging the adventure gap

This DC nonprofit is defying statistics by promoting diversity in the outdoors and connecting people from all walks of life with the wonders of nature.

Teresa Carey

Chefs work together to end child hunger.

Food

Chefs fight child hunger with No Kid Hungry

A group of culinary professionals in Chicago is volunteering their talents to end child hunger in the US, and some are going all the way to Capitol Hill.

B. David Zarley

Building Community

Old Skool Café provides an alternative to gangs and violence

In partnership with Stand Together

As a former prison guard, Teresa Goines watched kids drift in and out of the justice system. Now she runs a jazz-themed eatery that hires at-risk youth and gives them a place to learn and grow.

Esther Landhuis

Female Leaders

Female scientists were written out of history books. margaret rossiter changed that.

Margaret Rossiter has made it her lifework to spotlight female scientists who were written out of history books through systematic censorship. Read our Q&A with this groundbreaking historian.

Teresa Carey

Activism

This nonprofit gives bikes and people new life

Working Bikes has spent nearly two decades rescuing bicycles from the waste cycle to give people purpose, access to jobs, and independence.

B. David Zarley

Series| Catalysts

Investing in families to escape poverty

3:38

In partnership with Stand Together

The greatest investment of all may be in people’s strengths and initiative. This nonprofit is doing just that, and it’s working.

Female Leaders

The guardian angel for separated families

4:52

What happens to children of immigrants when their parents are deported out of the United States? This woman is stepping in, and is now the legal guardian of 1500 immigrant children. Watch now to see the incredible efforts of Nora Sandigo.

Building Community

This social enterprise is cleaning up Chicago one street at a time

This nonprofit is not only polishing the streets of Chicago, but providing a "clean slate" for its interns. Those with a criminal background, dealing with addiction recovery, or domestic violence, are welcome to take part in job training and counseling.

B. David Zarley

Global Development

Life jackets are used to create jewelry, opportunity for refugees

Hordes of bright orange lifejackets are strewn across the rocky beaches of the Greek island of Lesbos. Discarded...

Teresa Carey

Urban Living

The future of micromobility in Africa

In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, improvements to infrastructure shift focus from cars to micromobility. The city’s transportation plan calls for hundreds of kilometers of bike lanes and pedestrian pathways for increased safety.

B. David Zarley

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