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

Alaffia: Proof that Traditions are a Global Resource We Can All Enjoy!
Does economic prosperity always have to come at the cost of tradition? Or can tradition help us create an even better business model? Let us introduce you to Alaffia, a company that has found a way to harness centuries of knowledge to empower a new generation of skilled craftswomen.

Use Your Love for Eating to Save the Coral Reef!
Love food? This is one way you can use that love for good. Lionfish populations have gone out of control in areas that these fish were never meant to be and they're endangering coral reefs. But we can use our stomachs to help!

The Extinction of Silence and the Man Who is Saving It
Modern noises find us almost everywhere we go, and it's having an impact on our health! But Gordon Hempton is leading the charge to protect and preserve the places we have left. (Make sure you have your headphones when you pop into this)

The Unexpected Ways Surfing is Helping Youth Heal
Life is tough, but it's a whole lot easier when we're around people who share similar experiences in a no pressure environment. Waves for Change is one of the organizations out there harnessing the power of sport and play to create environments where children are able to open up and heal!

Travel to the Land Where Real Wasabi Grows!
Yes, it's true, the "wasabi" you know is most likely not actually wasabi! We're traveling into Japan to meet one of the people growing the real deal to learn more about the cultural impact of this product and why it's so precious and pricey. It may remind us of a few of our own treasured treats!

Artificial Intelligence Meets Black Soldier Flies and Farming!
When it comes to saving the resources of our planet, we are all hoping for the next big idea to come along. Well, this one involves a very tiny creature that brings an amazing resume to the task. Let's meet them!

What Happened to Your Blueberries?
They've been growing in North America for thousands of years but we were not able to tame them up until very recently. This fruit has quite the rich history, so let's dive in...

The Sneaky Smarts of Sea Slugs
From sporting bright colors to a touch that really stings, sea slugs have adopted quite a few interesting traits to keep them out of the mouths of predators. Our world only gets more interesting the more we know about our fellow inhabitants, so let's spend a moment with these unique ones!

A River of Raptors
If we are looking for inspiration and hope these days, we may only have to look up to find it! There is a river of wonder going unnoticed above us, showing us how the health of our planet is holding up. And thankfully, there's an amazing group of people bringing us these insights.

Insects as Inspiration? The Photographer Finding Beauty in Unexpected Places
The amazing, intricate structures of insects are something that belongs in museums—oh wait, they're already there! Photographer Levon Biss has teamed up with one exhibit to bring us closer than we've ever been to these tiny creatures with his Microsculptures. You'll never look at a bug the same way after you see these.

Your Spare Hair Could Clean the Ocean!
Did you know you are growing a way to combat oil spills? Every day, hairdressers are throwing out pounds of hair that can be used to help clean up the environment! Clean Wave is putting that hair to good use, keeping the oceans safe and protecting wildlife.

What Happens When Athletes and Scientists Team Up?
To put it simply: breakthroughs. This nonprofit is making it possible for scientists to get the data they need from every corner of the planet by teaming them up with the adventurers who are already there.
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