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
5 min read
It’s True, We Don’t See the World the Same. Here’s Why
Our own perception of the world differs greatly from those around us. We've all had different experiences, and like it or not, they shape us. Let's explore why and how that might make us more tolerant of others.
The Choir That’s Leading the Way to a Better World
Have you had a "goose-bump moment" yet today? Here's your chance! From South Africa to the stage of America's Got Talent, the Ndlovu Youth Choir is sharing their dynamic performances and uplifting stories with the world.
5 min read
Symphony of Broken Instruments Raises Money for Philadelphia Music Programs
What do you do with a gymnasium full of broken instruments? Play them! Check out how this symphony of broken instruments repaired a community.
Saving Endangered Lives in the First Sea Turtle Hospital
We've all been hearing that sea turtles need help... so, who's been helping them? Some really inspiring people you'll want to meet yourself! This fantastic video brings us into a sea turtle clinic to give us a look at what's being done to save these ancient creatures from the injuries and diseases they've picked up as they go about. It's a truly amazing place.
The Bread as Unique as the Place You Make It
There is a revival happening. And it's coming in the form of something we all love: bread! Sourdough has been a connection to the bread ovens of our ancestors for more than 5000 years, and now you can travel the kitchens of the world from a unique library in Belgium!
Walk Through the City You Didn’t Know You Were Smelling Everyday!
Perfume has influenced our lives for more than 4000 years! But did you know many of the perfumes we know best today have their origins in the fields and flowers of one city in France? Let's travel to this city behind some of the most iconic smells in history to learn how perfume has shaped our cultures.
Combing Caves for a Cure to Deadly Bacterial Infections
We've been able to protect ourselves from most bacterial infections for decades now, but that's changing. Deadly bacteria are catching onto our tactics and antibiotic resistance is on the rise. Here's how some scientists are working to stay one step ahead of this problem by exploring the depths of caves and the bacteria that call them home!
Are Video Games Bad for You, Really?
On the quest to find out the effect that video games have on the brain, researchers may have stumbled into something that could change the nature of medicine. We're on the verge of prescribing video games, and these awesome creators walk us through it!
5 min read
What if Art Was Meant to be Touched?
Ever wanted to touch the art in a museum? Artists like these fellows are encouraging all of us to! Here's a touching story about the power that tactile art can have across many communities.
5 min read
Fixing Pollution Through Fun! How a Googly-Eyed Innovation is Cleaning Baltimore Harbor
With googly eyes and a beloved twitter account, Mr. Trash Wheel has become an icon in Baltimore Harbor. His story is helping us rethink the important role fun has in tackling some of the biggest problems we face!
Can You Compost Dog Poop? Reducing Your Dog’s Environmental Paw-Print
Every day, millions of little bags filled with dog waste make their way into landfills, releasing methane into the atmosphere and potentially harming our waterways. But a new program in NYC is turning this problem into a solution with the power of compost!
5 min read
What is a Mangrove and Why Are They One of The World’s Most Important Trees?
When you feel like you're in a hard situation, can you adapt to make it better for yourself and others? The remarkable mangrove trees do just that, making homes in salt water and saving the environments around them. They're living proof that when we find ways to thrive despite our challenges, we can make life better for everyone around us.
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