Conversations That
Advance the Science of
Resilient Optimism
A former national CBS News anchor and positive psychology researcher, Michelle Gielan is as comfortable on camera as she is in the data — turning the latest research into timely, practical insights your audience can use right away.
Michelle’s Background
At a Glance
- Positive psychology researcher and founder of the Institute for Applied Positive Research
- Former national CBS News anchor
- Bestselling author of Broadcasting Happiness and Resilient Optimism (Harvard Business Review Press, 2026)
- Master of Applied Positive Psychology, University of Pennsylvania
- Research collaborations with Harvard and Penn
- Keynote speaker to leading organizations, from Google and Meta to Bank of America
- Featured across national media
Topics Michelle Can
Discuss
- Resilient optimism: how to stay positive, focused, and effective when life feels uncertain
- Societal trends related to AI anxiety and declining societal well-being
- Beating burnout: how to rethink stress so it fuels you instead of draining you
- Leading through change and uncertainty — including AI anxiety — with confidence
- Staying hopeful in a heavy news cycle: how to protect your outlook without tuning out
- The science of happiness at work: how a positive brain drives performance and leadership
- Simple daily habits to reset your mindset and lift your mood
- The health and financial benefits of a resilient, optimistic mindset
See the research come to life
The Today Show
Shawn Achor and Michelle Gielan on simple, science-backed habits for more resilience day to day.
The Today Show
Why social connection is one of the strongest predictors of well-being — and how to strengthen it.
Ideas That Help Leaders Work Better
Bring the Research to Your Audience
Whether through a keynote, interview, podcast, or panel discussion, Michelle helps audiences put the science of resilient optimism into practice