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, real-world case studies, and stories of groundbreaking innovation, The Optimist Circuit delivers insights and inspiring narratives that highlight how technology and nature can work together to create a better future.

Join hosts Ellen Spooner and Francesca Fernandez as they spotlight the pioneers behind businesses, startups, and research, revealing the human ingenuity driving transformative ideas that connect communities and amplify human potential.

Ellen Spooner, co-founder and cohost of The Optimist Circuit, brings over eight years of strategic communication experience with organizations like NOAA, the Smithsonian, and the Waitt Institute. Her expertise in making complex science accessible to millions and her passion for AI and tech drive the podcast’s commitment to impactful storytelling.

Francesca Fernandez, co-founder and cohost of The Optimist Circuit, is a circular economy and sustainability strategist with over a decade of experience in circularity, decarbonization, and nature & biodiversity. She specializes in maximizing value and minimizing waste—whether in material flows, emissions, habitat loss, or social inequity. Francesca’s expertise in strategy, innovation, and human-centered research informs her passion for building a healthier planet and more equitable communities.

Our mission is to empower changemakers, innovators, and thought leaders with stories and strategies that prove optimism, collaboration, and innovation are the keys to solving global challenges.

Subscribe now and be part of the conversation shaping the future of tech, AI, and sustainability.