Cook, Connect, and Create Change
From kitchens stirring up creativity to cities rewriting their future, and from music festivals to virtual conversations that change lives—this week’s Hopebeat Weekly is a celebration of how Hope shows up in the most unexpected places.
Hope isn’t just a feeling—it’s a skill we can teach, practice, and share. And right now, the world needs it more than ever.
- #CreateSparks to #ShineHope: Walmart Recipe Remix
- Spotted at Lollapalooza: Shining Hope in Style
- Hopeful Cities Feature: Reno
- Be Part of the Conversation: Cultural Wisdom, Connected Care: Negotiating Crises and Challenge in the Pacific Region
- Join us for a virtual session: The Biggest Little Book About Hope with Kathryn Goetzke, presented by UCLA Friends of the Semel Institute – Open Mind Series
- Keep the Movement Going: IDOH2026
#CreateSparks to #ShineHope: Join the Walmart Recipe Remix Challenge
Fuel your Hope journey through fun in the kitchen! The Walmart Recipe Remix Challenge is your chance to spark creativity, support well-being, try new recipes, and spread Hope—one healthy meal at a time.
Choose one of our featured recipes, benefit from food that supports your goals, and share your creation for the chance to win a Walmart Gift Card!
Here’s how to join:
- Choose a recipe from our collection
- Recreate it your way—add your own flavor, story, or style
- Share it on social media using #CreateSparks, and tag @Walmart + @TheShineHopeCompany
On November 30, we will choose 6 Winners of $100, 50, and four $25 Walmart Gift Cards.
Let your kitchen be a place of inspiration—and help us Shine Hope through every meal!
Spotted at Lollapalooza: Shining Hope in Style
Meet Mary—radiating joy and carrying Hope right through the heart of Lollapalooza!
Amidst the music, crowds, and vibrant energy of Chicago, Mary stood out with her Shine Hope tote bag—a reminder that wherever you go, you can carry Hope with you.
Our tote isn’t just a bag—it’s a statement. A symbol. A spark. And in moments like this, it becomes part of a movement that’s all about spreading light, joy, and resilience.
Want to Shine Hope wherever you are? Grab your tote and more at www.theshinehopestore.com
Hopeful Cities Spotlight: Reno
In 2020, in the midst of global uncertainty, Reno, Nevada made history—becoming the first official Hopeful City in the world.
By embracing Hope as a public health strategy, Reno boldly committed to equipping its community with tools to build resilience, emotional regulation, and a brighter future. Through Hopeful Minds in schools, city-wide messaging, and cross-sector collaboration, Reno sparked a movement—showing that when a city leads with Hope, real change is possible.
Today, Reno continues to Shine Hope, setting an inspiring example for cities across the globe.
Reno didn’t just talk about Hope.
They built it into the heart of their city.
“Hope is like a muscle. Think of it like a muscle, something that we can grow and expand on.” “We’re doing whatever we can to activate hope around the city, and we’re really excited about it.”
-Mayor Hillary Schieve, Reno, NV
If you’re from Reno, access Hope resources at no cost today.
International Day of Hope: Still Time to Activate
July 12th marked the first-ever International Day of Hope, with participants across the globe planting sunflowers, teaching Hope, and creating Sparks in their communities.
- Did you do something to honor IDOH?
- Plant sunflowers?
- Teach a lesson?
- Host a local event?
We’d love to include your work in our 2025 Impact Report.
Be Part of the Conversation: Cultural Wisdom, Connected Care: Negotiating Crises and Challenge in the Pacific Region
What happens when centuries of cultural wisdom meet modern approaches to mental health?
The result: stronger communities, deeper resilience, and care that truly connects.
On Tuesday, 7 October 2025, you’re invited to a powerful 90-minute online event —
Cultural Wisdom, Connected Care: Negotiating Crises and Challenge in the Pacific Region — where leaders from across the Pacific will share how tradition, connection, and innovation are transforming crisis response and community well-being.
Why attend?
- Discover how Pacific cultures use storytelling, music, and tradition to navigate life’s toughest moments.
- Learn practical, culturally grounded strategies you can apply in your own community or work.
- Hear directly from experts representing Fiji, Aotearoa/New Zealand, Kiribati, and Tonga.
Your guides for the journey:
Dr. Jiang Long (WHO Technical Officer, Fiji)
Phyllis Tangitu (Mana Whakahaere, Aotearoa/New Zealand)
Dr. Arite Katherine Torote (Kiribati)
Dr. Sulia Asikia (Tonga)
Maisey Rika (‘Tangaroa Whakamautai’, Aotearoa/New Zealand)
Moderated by Dr. Sheetal Kumar, Fiji
Date: Tuesday, 7 October 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM (AEDT)
Online Webinar
Organised by the Oceania Mental Health Advisory Committee with support from WFMH, SPCNMOA, UTS, and Fiji National University.
Join us for a virtual session: The Biggest Little Book About Hope with Kathryn Goetzke, presented by UCLA Friends of the Semel Institute – Open Mind Series
Join Kathryn Goetzke on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 | 5–6 PM PT for a moving virtual discussion about her journey through hopelessness and loss—and the birth of a global movement to teach Hope as a life skill.
This candid conversation is part of the Open Mind Series and will include insights from top researchers on the science of Hope and mental health.
Keep the Movement Going
Hope can be taught. Hope must be taught.
If you haven’t yet, there’s still time to do something in your school, workplace, or community to Shine Hope.
Tell us what you’re doing—we’ll feature it.
Keep Shining Hope,
Kathryn
Kathryn Goetzke, MBA
CEO & Chief Hope Officer, The Shine Hope Company
Author of The Biggest Little Book About Hope
Founder of International Foundation for Research and Education on Hope (iFred)
Creator of Hopeful Cities, and Hopeful Minds
Creator of Hopeful Mindsets Overview, Hopeful Mindsets in the Workplace Overview, and Hopeful Mindsets on the College Campus Course
Podcast host of The Hope Matrix
Chief Mood Officer, The Mood Factory (taking a break, for hope!)
