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

Ever Wondered Why You Always Have Room for Dessert?
Why is it that after even the biggest meal you still have room for dessert? You may not have two stomachs, but you do have an evolutionary trick that has helped to keep us alive for thousands of years!

What Would You Do If You Stumbled Across This Person on Your Daily Commute?
Looking to add a bit of joy to your day? Here's a surprising artist that'll have you rethinking how you can turn the most ordinary moments into extraordinary ones!

How Mullets Saved This Australian Town!
How can a hairstyle straight out of the 80s save an entire town? Well, just look at what happens when 200 people proudly sporting mullets all come together! This is how some creative thinking brought a town back from the brink.

Where Do Birds Really Go When They Migrate?
If you've ever watched a mother bird raise a nest of babies, you've probably wondered where they all go come fall. One feather has now answered our curiosity!

Passion Knows No Age: The 97-Year-Old Artist Painting Pixel by Pixel
When we're faced with uncontrollable circumstances that make doing what we love difficult, the only thing left to do is get creative! For Hal Lasko, who began losing his sight from an incurable disease, that came in the form of painting intricate pieces of artwork in an unexpected way!

What Some of the Most Successful People (and Animals) Have in Common
There's a skill—an instinct that's millions of years old—that can assure your success in the future! It's not complicated to master, in fact, it's something we teach kindergartners and love our dogs for! Maybe we just need a refresher on ourselves...

Paddle Down the River in this Giant Pumpkin Race!
If our crazy times are leaving you overwhelmed and itching for something to do, here are some folks who can inspire you to have a look around and see what you can get into for some big fun!

Are Clowns Making Us Healthier?
Could a clown actually improve your health? For thousands of people in hospitals around the globe, these funny characters are their ticket to success! With a surprising range of benefits, medical clowns are improving how we approach healthcare. Check it out!

Find Calm at the Tip of Your Fingers!
In the last few challenging months, have you noticed any activities that bring a sense of delight and wonder to your day? Something that quiets your mind and brings you joy? Here's a little inspiration to get you started from one artist and her unique craft!

Here’s Why We Should All Consider the Wonder of the Fig
Can we learn a new life-hack from how figs have managed to survive for millions of years? These inside-out-flowers (that's right), have had to forge a unique relationship with tiny wasps to help species thrive! Inside this delicious, jammy, culinary delight is a wild world you would never expect!

Discover the Problem-Solving Power of Poo
Could a toilet help us solve some of our biggest problems? This organization is bringing lasting health to India's poorest communities with clean water and sanitation, all powered by poo! It's an ingenious approach to problem-solving that we can all adopt. Just take a look!

The Surprising Benefits of Being a Fish Out of Water!
Whether they're ditching gills for lungs or using their fins to walk across the land, these fish are about to have you seeing new possibilities all over the place! These fish out of water will have you looking at your unusual talents with a whole new appreciation.
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