Welcome to the Ruthlessly Hopeful’s Profiles in Hope!

I hope the people, science and resources I write about inform, inspire and motivate you to be more hopeful and do more good. 

I profile people who are doing good and spreading hope. I highlight how they remain hopeful in the face of reality, overcome challenges, persevere and remain hopeful. Thank you for sharing these posts with others.

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Martha Lee Martha Lee

Changing the Narrative

An interview with Habon Abdulle, founder and executive director of Ayada Leads, about her journey to it, and the work they do to support women from the African diaspora to fully participate in political and civic life.

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Martha Lee Martha Lee

Survival, Healing and Peace

An interview with Lori Pappas, a successful entrepreneur, author and humanitarian, about her journey from survival to peace by dealing with the trauma that lived within her.

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Martha Lee Martha Lee

Burning Bright

An interview with Heather Boschke, the founder of Little Birdie Buddies. She shares how and why she forged a new career path that gives her time, energy and allows her to "spread joy one bird at a time."

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Martha Lee Martha Lee

A Different Calling

A conversation with Kevin Nye, writer, speaker and advocate. He calls on a mostly Christian audience to live their faith by protecting the unhoused and working to end homelessness.

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Martha Lee Martha Lee

As Herself

A conversation with Dana about how hope helped her stop living according to other people's expectations and start living as her true self.

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Martha Lee Martha Lee

Architects of A Better Future

An interview with Alex Briscoe, the executive director of California Children’s Trust, about giving kids the chance to heal and create their own better futures.

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Martha Lee Martha Lee

Superpower

An interview with Marcus Styles, co-founder of Heyven, an online business directory supporting the creators, small businesses and nonprofits that make Minnesota communities strong and more vibrant.

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Martha Lee Martha Lee

If People Knew

An interview with Monica Nilsson who works to move people who are homeless into homes and change public perceptions about homelessness.

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Martha Lee Martha Lee

Bonds of Hope

An interview with Gary Cunningham, a senior advisor at the Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy about Baby Bonds and the hope they give for a better future.

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Martha Lee Martha Lee

Mission Driven

An interview with Jordan Bartlett, co-founder of Doing Good Works, a mission-driven company dedicated to supporting young people impacted by the foster care system.

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Martha Lee Martha Lee

Hope Dealer

An interview with Nikolas Tsamoutalid, the Administrator of Student Supports and Wellness for the Bethlehem Area School District about their work to create a culture of hope and wellness.

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Martha Lee Martha Lee

Recipe for Hope

An interview with Sue Abderholden about her journey to becoming the executive director of NAMI MN, and the work they do to give hope to so many affected by mental illnesses.

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Martha Lee Martha Lee

A Smaller Carbon Footprint

An interview with Cody Fischer, the founder and president of Footprint Development, about the hope it takes to build climate-resilient, multi-family housing in transit-rich neighborhoods, especially in the face of resistance.

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Martha Lee Martha Lee

Getting There

An interview with Dr. Melanie Nadeau about her journey to becoming a public health researcher and teacher and the work she is doing to grow the community of Indigenous public health scholars.

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