Thursday Apr 01, 2021
Why the pandemic has changed how we build things
Optimistic Outlook
The Optimistic Outlook explores the rise of a new industrial tech sector—the transformation reshaping American industry, infrastructure, and transportation. Each episode looks beyond today’s challenges in sustainability, workforce development, and digital transformation to highlight practical solutions powered by technologies available now.
Featuring thought leaders and industry experts, the podcast examines how technology, leadership, and workplace dynamics intersect to shape the future. Episodes tackle urgent questions: How can America reindustrialize? How do we modernize the grid to support the data center boom? How can Industrial AI transform the way we design, build, and operate the physical world? And how do we inspire the next generation of skilled leaders?
More than a podcast, The Optimistic Outlook is a platform for meaningful dialogue and inspiration. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an aspiring leader, you’ll gain insights and advice for navigating the complexities of a rapidly changing world. Join us in imagining a future where optimism and bold ideas shape how technology builds a better tomorrow.
Listen on:
Episodes
Episodes
Monday Mar 22, 2021
Monday Mar 22, 2021
In this series, Barbara looks at what it takes to bring back in-person learning across schools, colleges and universities. In Part 1, Molloy College President Dr. James Lentini joins the podcast alongside Siemens’ Fred James and David Santo to talk about the air purification and technology partnership helping Molloy College expand in-person learning with confidence in 2021.
Show Notes:
Reopening Education: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/products/buildingtechnologies/markets/education.html
Air purification solution: https://assets.new.siemens.com/siemens/assets/api/uuid:91e4900b-7cb4-4382-b51e-f5ea39560f51/siemens-o2prime-highered.pdf
Reopening America: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/about/covid-19-coronavirus.html
Monday Feb 22, 2021
Monday Feb 22, 2021
In 2020, the pandemic accelerated the adoption of new cloud technologies. Where do we go from here? Stephen Orban, General Manager, Amazon Web Services (AWS) Data Exchange, joins Barbara to discuss the cloud’s potential for helping America reopen, helping organizations thrive in the new normal, and more.
Show Notes:
Reopening America: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/about/covid-19-coronavirus.html
Smart building solutions: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/products/buildingtechnologies/smart-buildings/iot-smart-spaces.html
Stephen’s book, “Ahead in the Cloud”: https://www.amazon.com/Ahead-Cloud-Practices-Navigating-Enterprise/dp/1981924310
Wednesday Feb 10, 2021
Wednesday Feb 10, 2021
As vaccines shine a bright light through the darkest days of the pandemic, Barbara shares her thoughts on how we can begin the work of reopening America and building a more resilient future. Listeners will learn practical ways that technology can help us take steps and potential opportunities in 2021 to launch large-scale action to reinvent America’s infrastructure.
Show Notes:
Resources: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/about/covid-19-coronavirus.html
Tuesday Dec 15, 2020
Tuesday Dec 15, 2020
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.
Monday Dec 07, 2020
Monday Dec 07, 2020
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
Tuesday Nov 24, 2020
Tuesday Nov 24, 2020
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/
Friday Oct 23, 2020
Friday Oct 23, 2020
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.
Show notes:
Beyond Traffic report
Tuesday Oct 06, 2020
Tuesday Oct 06, 2020
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.
Show Notes:
United for Infrastructure
Wednesday Sep 30, 2020
Wednesday Sep 30, 2020
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.
Wednesday Sep 30, 2020
Wednesday Sep 30, 2020
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.
Show notes:
Resilient Leadership Project: https://www.resilienceshift.org/resilient-leadership/
International Coalition for Sustainable Infrastructure: https://www.sustainability-coalition.org/