Why sharing good news matters (fireside chat with Branden Harvey, founder and CEO of Good Good Good)
- Date
- 2023-12-08
- Host
- Soapbox Project
About this event
Good news can feel surprisingly hard to talk about in public. In a media environment that rewards outrage, speed, and constant crisis, it takes intention to make space for stories that are hopeful, honest, and actually useful. This fireside chat with Branden Harvey, founder and CEO of Good Good Good, is a chance to explore why sharing good news matters, how it shapes communities, and what it looks like to do it well. About the Event This event is an in-person fireside chat focused on the role of positive storytelling in a noisy, skeptical world. Rather than treating good news as fluff or escape, the conversation will dig into the deeper question behind the title: what happens when we consistently highlight progress, generosity, and meaningful action? Branden Harvey has built his work around the idea that hopeful stories can be both credible and catalytic. That makes this session especially relevant for people who care about community-building, communication, media, social impact, and the kinds of stories that influence how people show up for one another. Expect a conversational format rather than a formal lecture. Fireside chats work best when they feel direct, grounded, and human, so this event is designed to create space for thoughtful ideas, real examples, and practical reflection instead of polished talking points. Because the event is in person, it also creates a different kind of energy than a virtual talk. You will be in a room with other people who are thinking seriously about how stories spread, how communities form, and how optimism can be expressed without ignoring reality. What to Expect The core of the event will be a live conversation with Branden Harvey about the value of sharing good news and why that work resonates right now. The discussion may touch on how people engage with hopeful content, what makes positive stories feel trustworthy, and how media can contribute to a healthier civic and social culture. You can expect the session to balance ideas with application. That means the conversation should be useful whether you are building a company, running a community, creating content, leading a team, or simply trying to communicate in a more constructive way. Likely themes include: Why good news is often underestimated The difference between shallow positivity and meaningful hope How storytelling influences communities and relationships What people are actually hungry for in the content they consume How to share encouraging stories without losing honesty or nuance As an in-person meetup-style experience, there is also a strong social dimension to the event. If you enjoy meeting people who care about media, community, culture, and the impact of ideas, this setting should give you natural opportunities to connect before or after the conversation. Why Attend If you work in tech, community, media, or social impact, this event offers a useful lens on a question that affects nearly every kind of organization: what do you choose to amplify? The stories teams and communities tell about themselves shape morale, trust, participation, and the kinds of actions people believe are possible. This is also a valuable event for anyone who feels caught between two unsatisfying extremes: toxic positivity on one side and relentless negativity on the other. A thoughtful conversation about good news can help clarify how hope, honesty, and responsibility can coexist. You should leave with more than inspiration. The real value is in sharpening your instincts about communication: how to tell stories that energize people, how to build credibility while staying encouraging, and how to create spaces where people feel motivated instead of depleted. There is also something powerful about discussing this topic in a room full of others who are asking similar questions. Whether you attend for the ideas, the networking, or the perspective shift, the event is likely to give you language and examples you can bring back to your own work and relationships. Practical Details This is an in-person event taking place on Friday, December 8 at 12:00 PM PST. The in-person format makes this especially appealing if you value being part of the room, hearing the conversation live, and meeting other attendees face to face. The event is well suited to people who like thoughtful midday programming: focused enough to offer substance, but accessible enough to fit into a workday schedule. If this topic intersects with your professional work or personal interests, it is the kind of session that can give you a meaningful reset in the middle of the day. A few reasons this format works well: The fireside chat structure keeps the conversation engaging and easy to follow The in-person setting supports stronger networking and more organic discussion The timing makes it practical for local attendees to drop into a high-value session without committing an entire day If you have been looking for an event that blends conversation, ideas, and community around a topic that genuinely affects how people think and act, this is a strong one to put on your calendar.
Who should attend
This event is for people who care about how stories shape culture, teams, and communities, and who want a more thoughtful approach to optimism than empty positivity. - You work in **content, media, marketing, or communications** and want to better understand why hopeful stories resonate and how to share them credibly. - You are a **community builder, organizer, or meetup regular** who believes the tone of a group matters and wants to create spaces that feel energizing, honest, and connected. - You are in **tech or startup environments** where attention is limited, morale can shift quickly, and the stories people tell internally and externally have real impact. - You care about **social impact, civic engagement, or mission-driven work** and want to explore how good news can motivate action rather than distract from hard problems. - You are someone who feels worn down by constant negativity and wants a smarter framework for talking about progress, possibility, and real-world change. - You enjoy **meeting thoughtful people in person** and want a conversation that can lead to both useful ideas and strong new connections.