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
Why Are These Fridges Mysteriously Appearing on Street Corners?
Could a fridge on a curb change the lives of an entire community? In places where getting access to fresh healthy food is nearly impossible, neighbors, restaurants, and friends are teaming up to support and nourish each other. Here's how it works and how you can get involved!
5 min read
Why You Should Thank Bats for Your Next Margarita!
Do you hate mosquitos but love tequila? Your new favorite animal may be a bat! These flying mammals may get a bad rap, but they are actually some of nature's most important species and are responsible for some of our favorite foods.
5 min read
Embracing the Spice of Life: Why Grow the World’s Hottest Pepper?
Can following our passions lead to a world-wide phenomenon? When Smokin' Ed Currie invented the Carolina Reaper, he was driven by curiosity and creativity, inspired by one question: how hot can a pepper get?
5 min read
What Happens When Lion Hunter Becomes Lion Protector?
Could the Kenyan warriors who once hunted lions actually be the best ambassadors to protect them? Here’s how Warrior Watch is taking skills honed over generations and using them for good to save this amazing species!
5 min read
Hungry Goats: The Unlikely Heroes Preventing Wildfires!
Goats combating wildfires? In Australia, communities are teaming up with these hungry helpers to restore their forests. And we’re finding inspiration to solve problems in our own lives along the way!
5 min read
The Secret for Success Hidden in a Paper Cut
Could there be a secret to success so easy that anyone of us can use it no matter our talent or or skill level? This artist may have stumbled upon a recipe for success that any one of us could start on right this moment. Here's how to "just do it" with the Tiny Blades Project!
5 min read
A True Chain Reaction: Linking People with Gum Wrappers!
Clocking in at over a hundred thousand feet, this staggeringly long chain was created by one man over almost 6 decades, with a bit of heartwarming help along the way. Here's the story of Gary Duschl, a very unique Guinness Book of World Record holder who will inspire us all!
5 min read
How This Little Town Survives without Roads or Cars
What if you never had to hear the sound of cars outside of your window again? For the residents of this Netherlandish town, that's reality: most of Giethoorn isn't accessible by four wheels, but rather by canal boat! Here's a lovely look at a world without roads.
Making Your Own Groove: What Happens When Ballet and Hip-Hop Combine?
What happens when you take the soul of hip-hop and combine it with the grace of classical ballet? Here’s how a group of classically trained ballet dancers are turning the future of dance on its head. Meet Hiplet!
5 min read
Welcome to Burning Man for Car Geeks!
Taking creativity to whole new levels is even more fun in a crazy community! You won't see shiny cars or world-class engines at this car race, no, but you will see some of the craziest Frankenstein-like cars around. Best thought of as "Burning Man for car geeks," the 24 Hours of LeMons shows there is no end to possibility!
5 min read
Meet the Teenager Teaching Karate to Your Grandma
Can you imagine your grandma learning karate? 15-year-old Jeffrey Wall can teach her! He's bringing joy and movement to the lives of seniors all around the world, just by sharing what he loves. Here's the heartwarming tale of how sharing joy and giving back to your community can take the same form. Presenting, Golden Age Karate!
5 min read
Bugs Raining from the Sky?! They’re Strawberry Superheroes!
Do you like strawberries? You have a little red bug to thank for their safety! Each year, millions of crops (including strawberries) are under threat of being destroyed by spider mites. But farmers and scientists have once again teamed up with nature to solve the problem. Here's the story of persimilis—a surprising hero on the agricultural stage!
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