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The Optimist Daily

Five solutions-focused stories a day, from a team that has been running this beat since the mid-nineties.

Opens in a new tab. We do not control this site and it may have changed since we catalogued it.

How to get the most from it

The Optimist Daily sits in Good News under Unwind, filed as coffee break.

  • Set aside five to fifteen minutes and give it your proper attention.
  • It works on a phone or a desktop, so open it on whatever is nearest.
  • It works with the sound off, so it is fine on a train or in a quiet office.
  • No account needed — you can start without signing up.
  • Go in expecting something wholesome and brainy.

About this category: Newsrooms with a constructive brief. Not a denial that the world is difficult, just a correction to a feed that only reports one direction.

Good for

  • Filling a coffee break properly
  • Something kind-hearted
  • Giving your brain a workout
  • A quiet break at your desk
  • Killing time on your phone
  • Trying it with zero commitment

The Optimist Daily: quick answers

Is The Optimist Daily free?

Yes. The Optimist Daily is free to use and needs no account.

Do I need an account to use The Optimist Daily?

No. You can use The Optimist Daily without signing up for anything.

Does The Optimist Daily work on a phone?

Yes. The Optimist Daily works on phones as well as desktop browsers.

Is The Optimist Daily safe for work?

Yes, we file it as safe for work. It also works muted.

How long does The Optimist Daily take?

We file it as "Coffee break": Five to fifteen minutes of proper attention.

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  • A fortnightly digest of measurable global progress on disease, energy and conservation, with a source for every claim.

  • Good news with a nudge attached — every story arrives alongside something you could actually do about it.

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