Can we learn to be optimists? Maggie Smith wrote her best-selling book of quotes and essays, “Keep Moving,” to move forward through the grief, anger, and uncertainty of divorce. For Barbara’s final episode of 2020, a CEO and poet explore how crisis presents an opportunity to shape the future we want, as Smith shares how she came to embrace an optimistic outlook. 

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock joins Barbara to discuss a U.S. Conference of Mayors survey examining mayoral infrastructure priorities in facing an unprecedented health, economic and societal crisis due to COVID-19. They highlight how infrastructure and technology investments can generate new jobs and economic recovery while forging a new path for urban resilience.

Show notes: “Infrastructure, Technology and Mayors’ Priorities for Confronting a Health, Economic and Societal Crisis” https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/topic-areas/critical-infrastructure/us-conference-of-mayors.html

This unprecedented healthcare, economic and societal crisis won’t be the last; the future promises an exponential increase in unpredictable threats. Peter Willis, who led the recent Resilient Leadership Project, joins Barbara to discuss how society should respond, by leaning in, and the power of intentional listening.  

Show Notes: 

Resilient Leadership: https://www.resilienceshift.org/resilient-leadership/ 

Transportation is often described as the backbone of America’s economy. Looking towards the future, former U.S. Transportation Secretary and Lyft Chief Policy Officer Anthony Foxx shares his views on how transportation can also be the backbone for social equity, fighting climate change and addressing growth in our cities. 

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United for Infrastructure is a nonpartisan organization that brings together businesses, workers, elected leaders and citizens to advocate for the renewal of America’s infrastructure. CEO and Co-Founder Zach Schafer shares key takeaways from the organization’s recent week-long virtual gathering of experts focused on how to #RebuildBetter.

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Sustainability, consumer choices and pure economics are all coming together to support a renewable future. But first we need to bring this energy onto the power grid. To learn how, Barbara talks to Sonja Glavaski, Chief Scientist for Energy Digitalization in the Energy & Environment Directorate at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

Resilience. In the wake of today’s crises, we now hear it all the time. But what it does really mean, and what will be the benefits of having more resilient infrastructure? To answer that question, Barbara talks to Seth Shultz, Global Executive Director of The Resilience Shift.

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One of the biggest trends impacting infrastructure actually started in the consumer world: a Fourth Industrial Revolution. Elise Neel, Vice President of New Business Incubation at Verizon, joins Barbara to share its potential and the impact of 5G to infrastructure and industry.

A rare upside to a global pandemic? Less driving helped to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality. Vic Shao, CEO, Amply Power, outlines how we can continue to accelerate climate action even while restarting the economy by focusing on the immediately actionable opportunity to scale the use of electric mobility.

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A big challenge in co-existing with the COVID-19 pandemic is understanding how to create safe indoor spaces. Scott Rechler, CEO of New York City-based RxR Realty, shares technology solutions being used to reinvent buildings and offices.