Authors

Image: Samantha Burns

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.

By my booth at my first craft fair!

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
Image: two cars racing in the 24-hours of lemons

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
Image: Jeffrey (middle) with his grandparents!

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! 
Image: Green door in the sandstone—an entrance to an underground home in Coober Pedy

Human Ingenuity Never Fails: The Town Built Underground!

What do you get when you combine resilient people, extreme weather conditions, and a former mining town?  In Coober Pedy, residents live, work, grocery shop, and do everything else... underground. This unique and fascinating lifestyle is a great look into how humans can learn to thrive, no matter the challenges we face. They give a whole new meaning to the term "down under"!
5 min read
Image: David Zinn sitting on his front porch steps with his little creations gathered around him

Obstacles Can Be Inspiration—Just Look at This Chalk Artist! 

If you've ever felt stuck, held back, or like you just couldn't make sense of the task in front of you, here's an interesting place to start: your limitations. Using your obstacles for inspiration is just what chalk artist David Zinn does when he needs to break through his creative block. His story proves that perhaps, your roadblocks could be just what you need to create something amazing. 

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