Authors

Sam wrote and edited hundreds of articles during her time with the Goodness Exchange team from 2016-2021. She wrote about topics from the wonders of nature to the organizations changing the world and the simple joys in life! Outside of the office, she’s a part-time printmaker, collector of knick-knacks, and taster of cheeses.
Sam Burns
Former Editor-In-Chief
Hi! I’m Sam.
Over the course of my four years working at the Goodness Exchange (formerly Ever Widening Circles), I wrote 350+ articles on a wide range of topics, from adorable stinging slugs to the power of ballet in favelas, not to mention the countless stories celebrating the work people are doing in science and technology that can enhance all of our lives. (You can browse my articles if you scroll down!)
My time at the Goodness Exchange began in 2016 during a bi-annual hygiene cleaning (as most good stories do) at Lynda and Chuck’s dental practice. I was your typical wandering senior in undergrad with no clue what they wanted to do next, so when they offered me the opportunity to write a few articles a month for “the website Lynda just started” while I finished my degree, I jumped on it. For 4 years I was the Chief Curator and Editor. With different possibilities coming at me daily, showing me the world that existed entirely outside of my bubble, my view of what can be shifted entirely.

But even with all of this writing, it’s still hard for me to write about myself. So, here’s what my boss had to say about me:
“Sam brought a mastery of connection to the Goodness Exchange that is celebrated in every article she touched, and in every aspect of our visitor experiences. She is exceptionally gifted at wearing many hats, fluidly moving through every day from writing, research and business decision making, to diving deep into conversations with the thought leaders in our orbit. Most importantly Sam is an expert in going from “mind & heart”—on any topic—to the printed word that makes us all soar!
Sam is also a superlative “shape-shifter”, so open to everything that she seems always in the process of becoming something radiant and new. The sparkle she brought to every new person she met was a gift we are inspired by every day and we are proud to see all the ways it has infused GE with that same light for 3 years. She had been instrumental in our quest to find the common threads that connect us all.”
Dr. Lynda
Now, you can find me hunched over a table working on a new carving, printing and covered in ink, walking in the woods, at a show, dancing, building a meditation practice, eating bagels, or getting lost on a long drive.
If you see me at a party, ask me about:
- The two times I’ve fallen through a floor
- My grandmother and the raccoons
- The book I’m reading
Check out my artwork and connect with me on Instagram @somethingsburning.ink
Author's Articles

Why Some Doctors Are Using VR Instead of Anesthesia!
Could virtual reality be a form of medicine? For patients who are using VR to help manage their pain and discomfort during minor surgery, it already is! Take a look at the amazing way this technology, originally popular for gaming, is getting a new life in hospitals.

How to Grow Your Own Bowls, Lamps, and Baskets!
Can we seriously grow everything we need in our backyard? To explore this question, on this edition of Saturday's Around the World we're traveling to an enchanting land to meet a woman who can transform plants into almost any object you desire!

Hunting Down the World’s Most Brilliant Colors!
Have you ever wondered where colors come from? Who collects them? And how did they end up in the world's most famous paintings? We're discovering the magical world of pigments and the lengths we will go to bring colors into our lives!

The Fascinating History Behind Some of Your Favorite Movies!
What do giant stag beetles have to do with Wallace & Gromit, King Kong, or The Nightmare Before Christmas? The answer is a surprising trip down memory lane to the wonderful land of stop motion animation! Trust us, you'll want to hear this wild tale!

Do You See the Ancient Superhero In This Photo?!
Want to get a dose of wonder 5 or 6 times a day, while doing something you have to do anyway? You have an element in your home right now that is critical to human history and you probably wouldn't even be here without it!

You’re Never Too Old to Dive into Your Dreams!
Have you ever seen a 90-year-old do a flip? The team members of the Harlem Honeys and Bears are reminding us that we're never too old to find a passion in life, and certainly never too old to try something new!

Why is This Busker Giving All of His Money Away?
Can a street performer change the way we think about helping our neighbor? Well, in the subways of New York City, one musician's experiment in kindness has spread to a global movement to do good with whatever talents we have!

How You Can Use Your Own Hobbies to Positively Impact Others!
What can you do for hours that makes the stress of the world melt away? For Ed Nicholson, the answer was fly fishing, and now his passion is helping veterans combat the effects of PTSD. Check out his story and you might be inspired to help people in your own way!

Dive into a Pool of Grits at South Carolina’s World Grits Festival!
When your town is known for eating the most grits in your area, why not roll around in them? On this edition of Saturdays Around the World, we're getting an exclusive view of what it's like to be a contender in the amazing Rolling in the Grits contest in South Carolina!

Asking This Question Can Help Us All Feel Less Lonely!
With just one question and five words, we can change somebody's day for the better! Here's the quickest, easiest, least expensive, and most powerful way to be #HelpfulNow at a time when everyone is under so much stress. Let's all give it a try and watch as the magic happens!

Welcome to the Earthship—The Future of Living Well and Doing Good!
Can a house made from old tires, recycled beer bottles, and detached from water and electricity be a luxurious answer to sustainable housing needs? Well, for those who have discovered the magic of Earthships the answer is "Yes!" Find out how people are creating the buildings of the future with surprisingly low-tech innovations!

The 14-Year-Old Entrepreneur Bringing Sweetness to Everyone!
14-year old Michael Platt is making life a little better for someone in need, one cupcake at a time. For every dessert he sells through his business, he's donating one to shelters in his community—bringing some sweetness to those who could most use it. Here's his amazing story!
Follow Us
Positive news for curious people.
There is a wave of goodness and progress well underway, all around the world.