Welcome to a brand-new season of This is My Silver Lining!

As we step into the new year, host Ingrid Busson-Hall reflects on the journey of creating this podcast, its mission to inspire hope and resilience, and the exciting plans ahead. This season will feature more extraordinary stories of courage, kindness, and gratitude—reminders that even in life’s toughest moments, there’s always a silver lining to embrace.

In this episode, Ingrid shares a special update about Co-Host Kathleen Merrigan, who is stepping away from the podcast to pursue new opportunities. Though Kathleen will no longer be behind the mic, her spirit and support will always be part of the show’s DNA.

Thank you for joining us on this journey, and here’s to starting the year with optimism, fresh perspectives, and inspiring conversations!

Links and Resources

This is My Silver Lining: Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Website

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Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Audio Blocks.

Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.

© 2025 Silver Linings Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

In this thought-provoking episode of This is My Silver Lining, I sit down with Dan Kowalski, founder of Plan A Thinking and author of W.I.S.E. Choices at Work: Go From Doubting to DECISIVE When the Clock is Ticking.

Dan's mission is to empower individuals and teams to make better decisions through deliberate and disciplined thinking. From his humble beginnings to navigating career transitions and founding his own consulting firm, Dan shares how curiosity, resilience, and a framework for decision-making have shaped his journey.

We explore the importance of creating space for reflection, asking the right questions, and understanding the downside of every choice. Dan also shares his insights on the evolving role of technology—especially AI—in decision-making and how to strike a balance between speed and thoughtful consideration in a fast-paced world.

Whether you're a leader, a professional facing tough decisions, or simply someone striving to think more effectively, Dan's wise and practical approach will leave you inspired.

Episode Links and Resources

Plan A Thinking

W.I.S.E. Choices at Work: Go From Doubting to DECISIVE When the Clock is Ticking

Dialogue Mapping: Building Shared Understanding of Wicked Problems, Jeff Conklin

Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions, Temple Grandin

Think Again, Adam Grant

I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times, Mónica Guzmán

Support this podcast by subscribing and reviewing.

Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Audio Blocks.

Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.

© 2025 Silver Linings Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

In this inspiring episode, we speak with Bill Burke, founder of the Optimism Institute and host of the Bluesky podcast, about the powerful link between optimism and gratitude. Bill shares his perspectives on how life’s toughest challenges ultimately shape us into better, more empathetic people, and how being grateful for these experiences opens us up to new relationships and greater possibilities in the future.

We dive into the importance of optimism—not as a naive perspective, but as a grounded, realistic outlook that fuels resilience, deepens connections, and helps us embrace the good in life.

Bill discusses his transition from being a high-powered media executive at Turner Broadcasting where he served as the first General Manager of Turner Classic Movies to relocating his family to Portland, Maine. Ironically, it was getting off the corporate merry go round that created the opportunity for Bill to serve as Ted Turner’s ghost writer on his highly anticipated biography, Call Me Ted.

Bill reflects on the importance of gratitude and how cultivating a mindset of optimism can transform not only your life but also the world around you. Tune in for a dose of inspiration on living with optimism, curiosity, and gratitude!

Episode Links and Resources

Optimism Institute

Bluesky Podcast

Call Me Ted

How to be an Optimist in a Turbulent World, Dr. Sue Varma

The Effects of Optimism on Health, Dr. Nicola Williams

Support this podcast by subscribing and reviewing!

Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Audio Blocks.

Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.

© 2024 Silver Linings Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Support this podcast by subscribing and reviewing.

Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Audio Blocks.

Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.

© 2025 Silver Linings Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.