# Topic: "HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL"

Meetup is in our Living Room in West Orange, NJ
We gather at 7:30 for 30 min of refreshments (and wine), and chit chat, and then spend 90 min in an informal, facilitated discussion based on the assigned podcasts

CONSIDER:
1. Having hope is a healthy mindset, but how difficult is it to find hope when problems (eg, medical, financial, family, employment) seem insurmountable?
2. If one has clung to hoe in the past and things did not work out, how does one find hope in the future?
3. How can one turn hope into more than "just a feeling" or a nice word?
4. How does religion approach the concept of Hope?

# Please listen to the 3 podcasts below before the meetup
[1] TED
The Science and Power of Hope (20 min).
A lot of people want to change their lives, but they are not quite sure how. They think of hope as a magic wish, or an ideal that is out of reach. In this talk, Dr. Chan Hellman shares there is both science and power in hope to help people create the change they want in life. Chan M. Hellman is a professor of social work at the University of Oklahoma and Director of The Hope Research Center. He has written more than 150 scientific publications and has presented at numerous national and international conferences worldwide. Chan’s research is focused on hope as a psychological strength helping children and adults overcome trauma and adversity.
https://www.ted.com/talks/chan_hellman_the_science_and_power_of_hope

[2] TED
IT all Begins With Hope (10 min).
Founder of a mission-driven cookie company, Junita Flowers challenges her audience to move away from defending our own perspectives and instead embrace the power of hope to break down barriers, change perspectives, mend hearts and unify people for common good. Junita Flowers, known as the Hope-Muncher-in-Chief for her hope-filled messages inspiring women to live their best lives, is an entrepreneur and inspirational speaker. Over two decades of work with nonprofit organizations, she has advocated for families and equipping youth to lead fearlessly. She built upon her experiences from the nonprofit sector to found Junita’s Jar, a mission-driven cookie company. Committed to inspiring the courage needed to conquer limiting fears and challenges, Junita continues to empower young adults as leaders by fostering open dialogue and increasing awareness of the need to reduce relationship violence against women. Junita’s personal mission statement is, “pursue purpose, create change and make an impact.”
https://www.ted.com/talks/junita_flowers_it_all_begins_with_hope

[3] Aspen Ideas to GoHope in Troubling Times (55 min).Hope seems like a simple concept, but the feeling can be difficult to hold onto. And when times are difficult and chaos swirls around us, it’s more important than ever. How do we find and practice hope when it’s elusive? Spiritual and religious leaders rely on centuries of experience and wisdom to continually guide people back to hope, and this episode’s discussion from the 2024 Aspen Ideas Festival draws from these experts. Lutheran pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber founded the House for All Sinners and Saints in Denver, and doesn’t shy away from unorthodox methods of ministry. Rabbi Sharon Brous is the founder and leader of IKAR, a nondenominational Jewish congregation in Los Angeles. Humanist chaplain Greg Epstein works with the populations at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Union Theological Seminary professor and the former director of the Religion and Society Program at the Aspen Institute, Simran Jeet Singh, introduces and moderates the conversation.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aspen-ideas-to-go/id702896920?i=1000738520388