Hopebeat Weekly: September 18, 2024
New Studies on The Science of Hope
In this issue of the Hopebeat Weekly, we’re diving deep into stories, strategies, and the science of hope.
Understanding Hope Science
Did you know that hope is more than just a feeling? It’s backed by science. For decades, researchers have studied the transformative power of hope, revealing that it’s essential for our mental health and well-being. Hope isn’t just something we talk about—it’s something we can learn, measure, and teach, making it worth sharing far and wide.
We recently received feedback from one of our readers who shared that our newsletters bring them hope every week. Each testimonial from you all reminds us that HOPE is spreading. Your feedback keeps us working and innovating, as based on the statistics we know more people need to know about hope, understand it, and learn how to activate it in their lives. Read more about General Hope Science.
I’ve had the honor of studying hope and our programming around the world, publishing research on the efficacy of our work. If you haven’t seen our studies, you can check them out here. Every time we do a study, we learn, update our programming to reflect feedback to make our programs more effective. If you still don’t know your hope score, be sure to measure it today, so you understand what we mean when we say those ‘higher in hope’.
The coolest thing I’ve learned about hope in Suriname, Northern Ireland, Malaysia, Chicago, Reno, Arizona, and more, is that it is a universal construct understood by all. In a world that often creates separation, Hope is a unifier. My work in the integrated schools reminded me of that, and that if there is one thing that can bring us together, it is hope.
Updates on Hope Science
This week, we’re excited to feature Dr. Matthew Gallagher on The Hope Matrix Podcast. As a clinical psychology professor at the University of Houston, Dr. Gallagher shares his research on hope and its impact on mental health.
He discusses how hope is measured using the Hope Scale, how it works across different groups, and its effectiveness in predicting mental health outcomes like depression and anxiety. He also looks ahead at the future of hope research, including the potential of digital tools and hope-based interventions.
Tune in to learn why hope matters more than ever—and how we can all play a role in spreading and activating it. Listen to the full podcast episode here.
Do you want to write your own Shine Hope™ Story?
If you haven’t yet, we invite you to sign up for the My Shine Hope™ Story Course today! This mini-course offers easy-to-follow videos and a fillable template that guide you step-by-step in crafting a powerful narrative. My Shine Hope Story™ helps you reflect on the challenges you’ve faced and how you overcame them using hope skills—turning your experience into a tool to inspire and equip others.
By sharing your Shine Hope Story, you normalize experiences of hopelessness and empower yourself and others with the skills to navigate future challenges. We all have a story to tell—start yours today. So again, if you haven’t taken the course yet, sign up now!
Featured Reels
Cool Reads:
The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness
Co-authored by our Hopeful Mindsets Expert, Dr. Robert Waldinger, this book reveals invaluable insights from the Harvard Study of Adult Development, which has followed participants for their entire adult lives. The Good Life provides examples of how to strengthen relationships—one of the keys to a happier, healthier life. It’s never too late to start building meaningful connections. Get your copy today.
Team Updates:
We aim to continue advancing our knowledge, publishing and improving. If interested, please reach out to us and partner on a research project to help advance hope science globally. Reach out to Veronica O’Brien, our Research Analyst at veronica@theshinehopecompany.com.
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!)