In a time of sociopolitical upheaval and the unraveling of long-standing institutions, optimism has emerged as a cultural force. From music to memes, from viral trends to everyday moments of joy, communities are choosing levity over heaviness. Optimism today is creativity, resilience, and a radical refusal to be defined by struggle alone.

This session celebrates and unpacks the rise of “the new optimism” with audio creators and cultural visionaries who are shaping it every day. They ask: Is this wave of joy a survival tool, an act of resistance, or the spark of something transformative? And most importantly, what role do brands have to play?