Optimistic Outlook

How do we prepare today’s workers for the jobs of the future and ensure no one is left behind? In this episode of Optimistic Outlook, Barbara Humpton sits down with Guild CEO Bijal Shah to explore ho…

Barbara sits down with U.S. Congressman Jay Obernolte, who serves on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and led the House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, for an insightful discussion o…

A college degree and economic mobility often go hand in hand. A bachelor’s degree can lead to higher earnings over a lifetime. But as technologies like AI impact the job market, how do academic insti…

AI is reshaping how we live, learn, and work. But no matter how powerful the technology becomes, there’s one skill it will never replicate: being human.

In this special episode of The Optimistic Ou…

We’re halfway through 2025—and what a year it’s been. In this special mid-year check-in, Barbara revisits the bold predictions she made back in January and asks: Are we delivering on the promise of I…

What does a futurist see when they look ahead—not just to next year, but to 2050 and beyond? In this episode, Barbara sits down with Brian Comiskey, Senior Director of Innovation & Trends at the Cons…

Barbara returns to a theme she’s been hearing more and more from policymakers, educators, and industrial leaders alike: how to truly bring back American manufacturing. While much of the attention is …

MIT professor, entrepreneur, and manufacturing visionary Dr. John Hart joins the show to continue the podcast’s focus on what it will really take to bring back American manufacturing. Together, John …

In the latest episode of Optimistic Outlook, Barbara dives into the heart of America’s manufacturing revival, drawing parallels from the high-octane world of IndyCar racing to the industrial tech sec…

In this episode of the Optimistic Outlook, Barbara reflects on insights from the inaugural AI for Real event in New York City, featuring insights from top economists and innovators. This episode dive…

A quiet revolution is reshaping how we build, work, and compete at the intersection of AI and American manufacturing. Recorded live at ITI’s Intersect Summit in D.C., this episode explores how breakt…

What does it take to power the future of transportation, industry, and infrastructure? In this electrifying episode, we’re joined by Jennifer Mefford, National Co-Chair of the Electric Vehicle Infras…

What if the key to a stronger, more inclusive workforce starts before college? In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Taylor White, Director of Postsecondary Pathways for Youth at New America’s …

As industries electrify—from EVs to critical infrastructure—the demand for skilled talent is skyrocketing. But how do we break down barriers to entry and ensure that the workforce of tomorrow is read…

How is clean technology transforming American manufacturing? In this episode, we explore a groundbreaking industrial microgrid project at Siemens’ Wendell, NC factory that’s rewriting the rules of ho…

AI copilots have changed a range of professions, from healthcare to finance, by automating tasks and enhancing productivity. But can copilots also create value for people performing more mechanical, …

In this special episode recorded live at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, Barbara sits down with Siemens CTO Peter Koerte to explore groundbreaking technologies shaping a new industrial tech sector. Tune in to…

As we close out 2024, we’re reflecting on the incredible transformations shaping our cities and economies. In this special year-end episode, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens shares his bold vision for mak…