PODCAST · society
Optimistic Tales
by Dr Eric M. Moody
Join your host, Dr. Eric M. Moody, in his continuing search for a more humbled and empathetic world. It's been said the key to the future of the world, is finding the optimistic stories and letting them be known. "Optimistic Tales" presents a medley of noteworthy and influential plebeian elite from around the world--from local and international community leaders to celebrity philanthropists. Dr. Moody's wide range of interdisciplinary insights, experience and expertise provides the background for his always rhapsodic and enthusiastic interviews.
Episodes
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S9 | E11 | Kindness Comes Down from the Ceiling at Strawberry Field..."and they're no longer alone in their Tree" [Part 2]
Dr. Moody continues his conversation with Major Michelle Lovegrove-Huggins, Mission Director at Strawberry Field in Liverpool, on this, the 59th Anniversary of the Beatles live, global broadcast of “All You Need Is Love." The current mission at Strawberry Field strives daily to give young people...
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S9 | E10 | Kindness Comes Down from the Ceiling at Strawberry Field..."John added the S" [Part 1]
Dr. Moody talks with Major Michelle Lovegrove-Huggins, Mission Director at Strawberry Field in Liverpool. Strawberry Field has been in the care of The Salvation Army since the 1930s as a place that supports vulnerable young people and a site of spirituality and inspiration. This legacy continues...
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S9 | E9 | Finding Beauty in the Struggle (the Student Discovery series)
Dr. Moody presents the final installment of the Spring ’26 cohort of episodes in his “Student Discovery” series which highlights selected student interviews from his Community Development & Leadership course that stand out for their depth and alignment with the themes of community leadership and...
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S9 | E8 | Superstars...on and off the Field (the Student Discovery series)
Dr. Moody presents the next installment of his “Student Discovery” series which highlights selected student interviews from his Community Development & Leadership course that stand out for their depth and alignment with the themes of community leadership and engagement. This episode is the...
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S9 | E7 | Partnering to Heal the Land with the Luxury of Time (the Student Discovery series)
Dr. Moody presents the fourth installment of his recently created “Student Discovery” series which highlights selected student interviews from his Community Development & Leadership course. The episodes chosen for the Student Discovery series stand out for their depth and alignment with the…
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S9 | E6 | Meeting People Where They Are (the Student Discovery series)
Dr. Moody presents the 3rd installment of his newly created “Student Discovery” series--highlighting selected student interviews from his Community Development & Leadership course. The episodes chosen for the Student Discovery series stand out for their depth and alignment with the themes of...
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S9 | E5 | Changing the Community thru Tough Love (the Student Discovery series)
Dr. Moody presents the second installment of his newly created “Student Discovery” series which highlights selected student interviews from his Community Development & Leadership course. The episodes chosen for the Student Discovery series stand out for their depth and alignment with the themes…
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S9 | E4 | Ripples in the Pond (the Student Discovery series)
Dr. Moody presents the inaugural episode of his newly created “Student Discovery” series which highlights selected student interviews from his Community Development & Leadership course. The episodes included in the Student Discovery series reflect unique understandings of what community…
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S9 | E3 | "Do you believe in miracles? YES!"
Dr. Moody talks with Mike "Rizzo" Eruzione, the Director of Special Outreach at Boston University and the legendary Captain of the 1980 Winter Olympics US national hockey team. While Mike’s name is forever linked to one of the greatest moments in sports history, this conversation goes beyond the...
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S9 | E2 | "I want my MTV...but, what's luck got to do with it?"
Dr. Moody talks with Mark Goodman, an original MTV VJ, and co-host of the podcast, Sound Up!. This episode is the second installment of Dr. Moody’s “Beyond the Acts” series—a collaboration with Mr. Todd Shriver of North White Middle-High School in Moron, Indiana. “Professor” Goodman discusses his...
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S9 | E1 | "I am because we are" (Prologue)
Dr. Moody returns from a short break to begin his fifth year as Host of Optimistic Tales. He begins the prologue with a review of several interesting analytics from Season 8 and then discusses what’s on the agenda for Season 9. Please remember to Follow the podcast as he takes the first steps…
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S8 | E8 | Unwrapping Empathy: How Dumas-Wesley Brings Joy to the Season
In this special holiday episode, Dr. Moody welcomes back Ms. Joni Hendee, Director of Marketing & Public Relations at the Dumas-Wesley Community Center (DWCC). Together, they unwrap the quiet power of empathy that fuels DWCC’s mission to Educate, Empower, and Enrich the community—highlighting the...
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S8 | E7 | SIBlings Forging Community
Dr. Moody talks with Lisa Geertsen, Co-Founder, Treasurer, and Governance Committee Member of the Society of Inclusive Blacksmiths. Lisa, an artist blacksmith and blacksmithing instructor with over two decades of experience, is also the owner of Firelight Forge in Seattle, WA.
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S8 | E6 | The Social Conscience of MTV
Dr. Moody collaborates with Mr. Todd Shriver, to present their inaugural, cross-over episode of Dr. Moody’s newest “Beyond the Acts” series to mark the 40th anniversary of Live Aid, the global concert event that brought together the biggest names in music to fight famine in Ethiopia—and changed…
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S8 | E5 | Legacy of a Grubmaster (Part 2)
Dr. Moody continues his talk with Jeremy Fogg, the Executive Pastry Chef for the French Truck Coffee Company in New Orleans, LA. Jeremy shares more of the humble beginnings that led him to his unique and storied career in the Food Service industry. [Introduction provided by Amanda Donaldson].
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S8 | E4 | Legacy of a Grubmaster (Part 1)
Dr. Moody talks with Jeremy Fogg, the Executive Pastry Chef for the French Truck Coffee Company in New Orleans, LA. Jeremy shares the humble beginnings that led him to his unique and storied career in the Food Service industry. [Introduction provided by Dr. Ahmet Hacikara].
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S8 | E3 | Sparkle In and Sludge Out
Dr. Moody talks with Tamlin Allbritten, an Expressive Art Specialist and founder of the Art with a Purpose non-profit organization. Please visit their website at artwithapurpose.org to view the various works of art mentioned throughout this episode or to generously make a donation. [Introduction...
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S8 | E2 | Good People Are Doing Good Things At Dumas-Wesley
Dr. Moody talks with a familiar guest of the podcast, Ms. Joni Hendee, Director of Marketing & Public Relations at the Dumas Wesley Community Center (DWCC). Ms. Hendee once again discusses the continuing efforts of community engagement ongoing at DWCC. Whether you wish to make donations or...
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S8 | E1 | Returning From Hiatus (Prologue)
Dr. Moody returns from a five-month hiatus to reflect on his rekindled vision and revitalized focus for the podcast. But no worries...his theme remains the same: searching for a more humbled and empathetic world, one "Optimistic Tale" at a time.
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S7 | E3 | Community Engagement and the Continuing Search for an Airplane to Pull
Dr. Moody talks with a familiar guest of the podcast, Ms. Joni Hendee, Director of Marketing & Public Relations at the Dumas Wesley Community Center (DWCC). Ms. Hendee once again discusses the continuing efforts of community engagement offered by DWCC, such as their Transitional Housing programs,...
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S7 | E2 | The Coolest Classroom in the Country
Dr. Moody talks with Mr. Todd Shriver, teacher and instructional coach at North White Middle-High School in Monon, Indiana. Mr. Shriver is the current Director of the North White Guest Speakers program, which was originally formed to bring “icons of the 80s” into the classroom, but has grown to...
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S7 | E1 | When Stars Align, Songs are Forged: Hope and Optimism Emerge
Dr. Moody talks with Mary Judd, co-founder and Honorary Director of SongwritingWith: Soldiers (SW:S), a non-profit organization that uses collaborative songwriting as a catalyst for positive change by offering veteran participants a unique way to tell their stories, rebuild trust, release pain…
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S6 | E12 | Balancing Education & the Value of Empathy
Dr. Moody talks with Dr. Helen Demetriou, a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Professor of Psychology & Education at the University of Cambridge (UK). She is also the author of the book, “Empathy, Emotion & Education.” Dr. Demetriou’s unique, interdisciplinary research underscores her belief...
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S6 | E11 | Let's Jump to the Sad Song
Dr Moody concludes his talk with Anthony, Michael, and Jon in this final installment of their collective account of the magic of music and the social bonding that occurs through decades of friendship.
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S6 | E10 | "Five Albums" on an Island (Coda)
Dr Moody concludes his “five albums on a deserted island” discussion with Anthony, Michael, and Jon in this intimate and warm-hearted coda. DISCLAIMER: All references to “Sandy Allen” are incorrectly referred to as “Sally,” apologies are extended.
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S6 | E9 | "Five Albums" on an Island (Part 2)
Dr Moody continues his “five albums on a deserted island” discussion with Anthony, Michael, and Jon. This “neo-Fab Four” further examines the magic of music as they dive deeper into back-catalogs, begging for box sets and exploring their own fanaticism with Pop Music.
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S6 | E8 | "Five Albums" on an Island (Part 1)
Dr Moody discusses with Anthony, Michael, and Jon the “five albums" they would want to have on a deserted island to keep from going insane.
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S6 | E7 | A Week's Worth of Hungry (Part 2)
Dr Moody continues his discussion with Anthony, Michael, and Jon about how the magic of music has impacted their lives over decades of friendship. As previously asked, “Have you ever had a special connection with someone through music?” This glory-dazed celebration of laughter, revelry, and...
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S6 | E6 | A Week's Worth of Hungry (Part 1)
Dr Moody talks with Anthony, Michael, and Jon to discuss how the magic of music has impacted their lives over decades of friendship. Have you ever had a special connection with someone through music? This fun-filled celebration of laughter, revelry, and musically-fueled mayhem will prove you’re…
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S6 | E5 | "Choose absolute peace at all costs," said the empathetic Old Soul
Dr Moody talks with Amber Dawn, a local musician and highly regarded voice coach and vocal consultant for creatives. She is also the founder of Amber Dawn Vocal Studio in Gulfport, MS. Amber Dawn’s optimistic tale began at a early age when she found that her passion and purpose in life was to…
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S6 | E4 | Clinical Improvisation and the Rhythm of Empathy
Dr. Moody talks with Mr. Ray Leone, a board-certified music therapist and Director of Medical Music Therapy at A Place to Be, a nationally recognized therapeutic arts organization creating community, belonging, and hope. As Director of Medical Music Therapy, Ray oversees and manages the music...
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S6 | E3 | Mirror Neurons and the Mapping of Empathy
Dr Moody talks with Dr. Marco Iacoboni, a neurologist, neuroscientist, Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, and the Director of the Neuromodulation Lab at the Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center at UCLA. He is also the author of the book, Mirroring People: The Science of Empathy and...
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S6 | E2 | Walking in the Shoes of a Jazz Man
Dr. Moody talks with Mr. Hosea London, leader & manager of the Excelsior Band©, a cultural and musical icon on the Gulf Coast since 1883. Hosea’s optimistic tale is rooted in an empathetic desire to share his passion for music with his community. Mr. London is the current music director of The…
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S6 | E1 | Mindfulness, Compassion, and the Practice of Empathy
Dr. Moody talks with Catharine Hannay, founder of MindfulTeachers.org, a website that features teaching resources on mindfulness, compassion, and social-emotional skills, as well as self-care resources for educators and other helping professionals. Backed up with 20 years of teaching experience,...
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S5 | E5 | Shouts into the Void (Part 2)
Dr. Moody continues his previous talk with Elizabet Elliott, Executive Director/Curator of the Alabama Contemporary Arts Center (www.alabamacontemporary.org). In this final episode of a two-part series, Dr. Moody and his guests “get weird and exercise some demons” through an exploration of what…
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S5 | E4 | Shouts into the Void (Part 1)
Dr. Moody talks with Elizabet Elliott, Executive Director/Curator of the Alabama Contemporary Arts Center (ACAC, www.alabamacontemporary.org). The ACAC is a non-collecting organization committed to providing living artists space for difference, empathetic communication of ideas, and diverse...
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S5 | E3 | Story-telling, Trick Shots, and a Bridge Too Far
Dr. Moody talks with Mr. David Dai, a Math Teacher at the Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies. His remarkable accomplishments include numerous Teacher of the Year awards; however, his most prestigious award to date is his recent Nappie Award as the Coolest Public School Teacher in Mobile....
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S5 | E2 | And Now, If She Could Just Find An Airplane To Pull
Dr. Moody talks, once again, with Ms. Joni Hendee, Marketing & Public Relations Director at the Dumas Wesley Community Center (DWCC). As Dumas-Wesley celebrates its 120th year of community service, Ms. Hendee discusses several of their signature programs, such as the Annual Toy Store, which...
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S5 | E1 | Three-oh? We Go!
Dr. Moody talks with Nicole Shakespear, a Registered Behavior Technician with 15+ years of dedicated service. She is fueled by a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the lives of other people. Nicole's passion for community service, steadfast commitment to social welfare, and strong...
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BONUS Episode 5 | Perfect Silhouette (Don't Run Away So Soon)
Dr. Moody commemorates his 35th wedding anniversary (a truly optimistic tale) with the first public release of a song he wrote for his wife, some many years ago. Perfect Silhouette (c) 1997 E.M. Moody. All Rights Reserved.
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S4 | E5 | Make Mistakes, Make Improvements...Never Make Excuses (Part 2)
Dr. Moody continues his talk with Mr. Terrance D. Smith, currently the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation Fellow (publicinnovation.jhu.edu) at John Hopkins University in Baltimore. The discussion for this episode takes place approximately seven years after the previous interview in Part 1.…
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S4 | E4 | Make Mistakes, Make Improvements...Never Make Excuses (Part 1)
Dr. Moody talks with Mr. Terrance D. Smith, founding Director of the Mayor's Office of Strategic Initiatives (osi.cityofmobile.org) for the City of Mobile and currently the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation Fellow (publicinnovation.jhu.edu) at John Hopkins University in Baltimore. Mr.…
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S4 | E3 | Dear Prudence, won't you show us the way?
Dr. Moody talks with Prudence Farrow Bruns, PhD, life-long practitioner, teacher, and scholar of Transcendental Meditation (tm.org). She is also the author of Dear Prudence: The Story Behind the Song. Dr. Bruns shares her personal experiences to find truth and inner peace, which freed her from…
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S4 | E2 | Is That a Witch Doctor in the Drive-thru?
Dr. Moody talks with Andrea Gellatly, co-founder of MakeMIA Makerspace (facebook.com/makemiamakerspace), a nonprofit organization that promotes education in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics [STEAM] through hands-on experience. Her collaboration with Magic Wheelchair...
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S4 | E1 | Because He Loves The World!
Dr. Moody talks with Mr. Orlando Armando, community activist and current Director of Educate Mozambique (facebook.com/educatemutua), a nonprofit and community-based organization which aims at promoting community development and social welfare through educational and social assistance programs for...
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S3 | E8 | Friends of Isaac's
Dr. Moody talks with Isaac Winfield and his mum, Claire Chapman, co-founders of the Friends of Isaac's Food Bank in Redditch, England. Isaac's optimistic tale begins with his heart-felt wish to put food on the table of those less fortunate by creating a simple and sincere means of collecting and...
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BONUS Episode 4 | The John B. Sails
Dr. Moody collaborates with LA Armour to present their moving and unplugged rendition of this classic Bahamian sea shanty. The John B. Sails [Arr. by Moody/Armour] (C) 2022 E.M. Moody and LA Armour; (P) 2022 Eric M. Moody. All Rights Reserved.
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S3 | E7 | HoundDogs, Hitchhikers, and Helping the Homeless
Dr. Moody talks with Laurie Anne Armour-Nix, singer-songwriter [laurieannemusic.com] and Senior Database Administrator for Housing First, Inc., a non-profit whose mission is to end homelessness in SW Alabama. Laurie Anne's optimistic tale is earnestly revealed through her personal journey to…
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S3 | E6 | From Tragedy To Blessing
Dr. Moody talks with Dr. Kenneth Rutherford, a Professor of Political Science at James Madison University. As co-founder of the Landmine Survivors Network (LSN), Dr. Rutherford is a co-recipient of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL). Ken is a...
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BONUS Episode 3 | When The Saints Go Marching In
Dr. Moody collaborates with Maura Hawkins and Luisa Salazar to present a uniquely-styled rendition of an old, traditional hymnal--confirming that music truly does shrink the gap between generations. When The Saints Go Marching In [Arr. by Hawkins, Moody, and Salazar] (C) 2022 Eric M. Moody, Maura...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Join your host, Dr. Eric M. Moody, in his continuing search for a more humbled and empathetic world. It's been said the key to the future of the world, is finding the optimistic stories and letting them be known. "Optimistic Tales" presents a medley of noteworthy and influential plebeian elite from around the world--from local and international community leaders to celebrity philanthropists. Dr. Moody's wide range of interdisciplinary insights, experience and expertise provides the background for his always rhapsodic and enthusiastic interviews.
HOSTED BY
Dr Eric M. Moody
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Optimistic Tales have?
Optimistic Tales currently has 68 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Optimistic Tales about?
Join your host, Dr. Eric M. Moody, in his continuing search for a more humbled and empathetic world. It's been said the key to the future of the world, is finding the optimistic stories and letting them be known. "Optimistic Tales" presents a medley of noteworthy and influential plebeian elite from...
How often does Optimistic Tales release new episodes?
Optimistic Tales has 68 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Optimistic Tales?
You can listen to Optimistic Tales on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Optimistic Tales?
Optimistic Tales is created and hosted by Dr Eric M. Moody.
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