____________________________________________
Today's Daily Dose of Hope is sponsored by 1440, the free daily newsletter for the insatiably curious. In about five minutes each morning, it gives you a fact-driven rundown of the day's news from 100+ sources, without the clickbait. If you believe, as I do, that hope grows best on a foundation of clear eyes and good information, give it a try.
____________________________________________
On August 11, 2025, I wrote a post entitled, “The Songs That Give Us Hope.”
Today, I found myself thinking about that post and the music which you in our hopeful community sent to me to be a part of the compendium. Here goes:
Music is not just as something we enjoy, but as something that actively gives us hope — and that certain songs might inspire different types of hope.
What better way to find out than to ask all of you?
I posed a quick poll to member of our hopeful community on Substack… and the response?
Let’s just say it struck a chord (pun intended).
At first, I thought I’d listen to each and every song you sent in — partly to make sure they had no political overtones. But after hours of listening, I realized: this is the point. Music is meant to be experienced. So I decided to just go for it, and to share not only your song choices, but also your beautiful reflections.
What You Said
Every single person who responded agreed: music gives them hope.
But the ways it does so? Wonderfully diverse.
One member of our hopeful community wrote:
“Music is a way that some people are in touch with their soul, similar to how poetry or meditation or nature might do the same. If our soul is that part of us that cannot be ignored, that asks us to live the way we were really meant to, then hope and faith are part of that mix.
When we were in Spain, we stopped in a 13th-century church with a 9th-century baptismal font. A local fireman, who opened the doors for us, put on Cantus Firmus Monks. That music, in that setting, was transcendent and hopeful.”
Another shared:
“It allows me to transcend pain and chaos in a healthy way… maybe even heals me some.”
One friend, fresh from a mountain climb in Alaska, said:
“This has been playing in my mind since I came off the mountain: Maggie Rogers – Alaska.”
A person very close to me reflected:
“Creativity and vulnerability in music show incredible hope — a risk-taking kind of hope that your message will come across and impact others. And for some reason, when artists harmonize, it really gives me hope for the future.”
Their pick: I’m Still Standing – Elton John.
Others shared everyday moments:
“Music is my go-to when I’m making dinner. It always puts me in a good mood. My latest hopeful discovery: Heaven Is Here – MC YOGI and Matisyahu.”
One member of our hopeful community connected music to memory and inspiration:
“Music with or without words can spark emotion, and that definitely includes hope. Just think of John Williams’ Star Wars: A New Hope soundtrack… or St. Elmo’s Fire – Man in Motion. I don’t even know why it came to mind, but it still speaks to me.”
And finally:
“I find spiritual music the most hopeful. Amazing Grace is my favorite.”
🎵 Your Hope Playlist
The diversity of songs was amazing — from gospel to rock, pop to indie, and everything in between. Here’s your collective Hope Playlist:
Conclusion?
Music is a universal language of optimism.
So today, maybe play one of these songs — or one of your own favorites — and let hope fill the room.
Question
What’s your hopeful song?
Daily Dose of Hope Mug
$24.00
Start your day with a sip of Hope. Every mug supports Bernard’s mission to find and share the stories that prove hope is alive and well. Keep one for yourself, or give it to someone who needs the reminder.
Buy now
A Daily Dose of Hope — one short reflection each day about where hope lives in our world. Read in 50 states in the US and 157 countries of the 195 countries throughout the World.
Members of our community in 80% of the countries in the World!
