Michaela Haas
@michaelahaas.bsky.social
Award-winning reporter. Author of 5 non-fiction books, incl. Bouncing Forward. www.michaelahaas.com
The satellite is up!
ICARUS 2.0 is go! Recently, we published a story on the satellite system that enables researchers to monitor everything from animal migration to species endangerment by equipping creatures large and small with smart tags. Today, SpaceX launched it!
reasonstobecheerful.world/internet-of-...
reasonstobecheerful.world/internet-of-...
'In Goats We Trust'
A new satellite-based system enables researchers to monitor animal migration, species endangerment and biodiversity across the globe.
reasonstobecheerful.world
November 30, 2025 at 5:40 PM
The satellite is up!
I wrote about shit2power, which is the actual name of a German company and does exactly what the name says.
Every time somebody flushes a toilet in Mannheim, Germany, they contribute to ecological shipping.
reasonstobecheerful.world/city-turning...
reasonstobecheerful.world/city-turning...
November 30, 2025 at 5:40 PM
I wrote about shit2power, which is the actual name of a German company and does exactly what the name says.
I wrote about a fantastic initiative that converts guns into garden tools - but the physical act of transformation is only the beginning of a deeper conversation.
The U.S. has more guns than people, and it’s easier to buy a gun than to get rid of one. That’s why a nonprofit has repurposed more than 6,000 guns, turning them into garden tools and art.
reasonstobecheerful.world/nationwide-m...
reasonstobecheerful.world/nationwide-m...
November 25, 2025 at 10:41 PM
I wrote about a fantastic initiative that converts guns into garden tools - but the physical act of transformation is only the beginning of a deeper conversation.
Did you know you could save the Vietnamese Newt in your living room?
As scientists, environmentalists and politicians gather for CITES CoP20 this week, we explore how some hobbyists are fostering endangered species in their own homes.
reasonstobecheerful.world/foster-endan...
reasonstobecheerful.world/foster-endan...
November 25, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Did you know you could save the Vietnamese Newt in your living room?
I wrote about the Internet of Animals, new tracking that has the potential to revolutionize tracking and protection of animals worldwide.
When we step back and look at wildlife as it behaves without humans present, a hidden world opens up –– one filled with animal intelligence and insight that a new satellite-based system is allowing us to truly see for the first time.
reasonstobecheerful.world/internet-of-...
reasonstobecheerful.world/internet-of-...
November 25, 2025 at 10:39 PM
I wrote about the Internet of Animals, new tracking that has the potential to revolutionize tracking and protection of animals worldwide.
Next week, a satellite will launch that has the potential to revolutionize animal protection: ICARUS 2.0
I spoke with the man behind the innovation. If you follow me on Substack, you get the news first.
michaela.substack.com/p/in-goats-w...
I spoke with the man behind the innovation. If you follow me on Substack, you get the news first.
michaela.substack.com/p/in-goats-w...
🐐 In Goats We Trust (Yes, Really)
Plus a personal book recommendation
michaela.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Next week, a satellite will launch that has the potential to revolutionize animal protection: ICARUS 2.0
I spoke with the man behind the innovation. If you follow me on Substack, you get the news first.
michaela.substack.com/p/in-goats-w...
I spoke with the man behind the innovation. If you follow me on Substack, you get the news first.
michaela.substack.com/p/in-goats-w...
Reposted by Michaela Haas
What are animals doing when nobody is watching?
A new satellite-based system is enabling researchers to monitor animal migration, species endangerment and biodiversity across the globe. It could change animal research and conservation forever.
reasonstobecheerful.world/internet-of-...
A new satellite-based system is enabling researchers to monitor animal migration, species endangerment and biodiversity across the globe. It could change animal research and conservation forever.
reasonstobecheerful.world/internet-of-...
November 11, 2025 at 5:27 PM
What are animals doing when nobody is watching?
A new satellite-based system is enabling researchers to monitor animal migration, species endangerment and biodiversity across the globe. It could change animal research and conservation forever.
reasonstobecheerful.world/internet-of-...
A new satellite-based system is enabling researchers to monitor animal migration, species endangerment and biodiversity across the globe. It could change animal research and conservation forever.
reasonstobecheerful.world/internet-of-...
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🍄 For Fans of Fungi
From mushroom boats to luxury handbags, fungi are taking over — stylishly.
michaela.substack.com
October 8, 2025 at 1:50 AM
What? You're not getting my monthly newsletter yet? Check it out here: michaela.substack.com/p/for-fans-o...
Did you know boats and bags are being made from fungi?
From Hermès to Cadillac, manufacturers are replacing plastics and leathers with mycelium, a material so sustainable it can actually make the environment healthier.
reasonstobecheerful.world/mushroom-kin...
reasonstobecheerful.world/mushroom-kin...
October 8, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Did you know boats and bags are being made from fungi?
I wrote about the godfather of fungi!
No one on Earth has done more to promote the power of fungi than Paul Stamets, whose mycology work has earned him nine patents, millions of followers and a Star Trek character.
reasonstobecheerful.world/paul-stamets...
reasonstobecheerful.world/paul-stamets...
October 8, 2025 at 1:35 AM
I wrote about the godfather of fungi!
Reposted by Michaela Haas
Imagine back-to-school season… with no “teachers,” no curriculum, no rows of desks, no hallway passes and no bells.
A San Francisco school is letting students shape their own education, guided by “collaborators” and an ethos of trust: reasonstobecheerful.world/brightworks-...
A San Francisco school is letting students shape their own education, guided by “collaborators” and an ethos of trust: reasonstobecheerful.world/brightworks-...
September 2, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Imagine back-to-school season… with no “teachers,” no curriculum, no rows of desks, no hallway passes and no bells.
A San Francisco school is letting students shape their own education, guided by “collaborators” and an ethos of trust: reasonstobecheerful.world/brightworks-...
A San Francisco school is letting students shape their own education, guided by “collaborators” and an ethos of trust: reasonstobecheerful.world/brightworks-...
Reposted by Michaela Haas
No, damnit, #BrokenTimes, this is not "reality TV." It is our democracy. You trivialize and normalize fascism. "Mr. Trump, a pop culture maven, had relatively little to say about what was arguably the biggest news of the day: the engagement of Taylor Swift." Fuck off, Times.
August 26, 2025 at 11:53 PM
No, damnit, #BrokenTimes, this is not "reality TV." It is our democracy. You trivialize and normalize fascism. "Mr. Trump, a pop culture maven, had relatively little to say about what was arguably the biggest news of the day: the engagement of Taylor Swift." Fuck off, Times.
Reposted by Michaela Haas
From the edge of rural Germany, the village of Etteln is offering the world a new matrix for what a smart city can be — one rooted in connection, not just connectivity.
reasonstobecheerful.world/etteln-smart...
reasonstobecheerful.world/etteln-smart...
August 13, 2025 at 11:29 AM
From the edge of rural Germany, the village of Etteln is offering the world a new matrix for what a smart city can be — one rooted in connection, not just connectivity.
reasonstobecheerful.world/etteln-smart...
reasonstobecheerful.world/etteln-smart...
Reposted by Michaela Haas
Using the DNA of the world’s mightiest trees, a tree grower in Michigan aims to replenish old-growth forests, one sapling at a time.
reasonstobecheerful.world/detroit-sequ...
reasonstobecheerful.world/detroit-sequ...
July 22, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Using the DNA of the world’s mightiest trees, a tree grower in Michigan aims to replenish old-growth forests, one sapling at a time.
reasonstobecheerful.world/detroit-sequ...
reasonstobecheerful.world/detroit-sequ...
Giant sequoias in Detroit? You read that right. I reported on David Milarch's initiative to reforest the world with champion trees.
Using the DNA of the world’s mightiest trees, a tree grower in Michigan aims to replenish old-growth forests, one sapling at a time.
reasonstobecheerful.world/detroit-sequ...
reasonstobecheerful.world/detroit-sequ...
July 22, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Giant sequoias in Detroit? You read that right. I reported on David Milarch's initiative to reforest the world with champion trees.
Reposted by Michaela Haas
Small-group storytelling circles are helping older adults share their lives and build lasting bonds through weekly themed conversations.
reasonstobecheerful.world/older-adults...
reasonstobecheerful.world/older-adults...
June 14, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Small-group storytelling circles are helping older adults share their lives and build lasting bonds through weekly themed conversations.
reasonstobecheerful.world/older-adults...
reasonstobecheerful.world/older-adults...
Reposted by Michaela Haas
Devastating California wildfires have brought renewed attention to a simple, disaster-resilient construction method that combines old and new. It’s called “SuperAdobe.”
reasonstobecheerful.world/the-whimsy-a...
reasonstobecheerful.world/the-whimsy-a...
June 16, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Devastating California wildfires have brought renewed attention to a simple, disaster-resilient construction method that combines old and new. It’s called “SuperAdobe.”
reasonstobecheerful.world/the-whimsy-a...
reasonstobecheerful.world/the-whimsy-a...
Reposted by Michaela Haas
The story explores how traditional methods, used for thousands of years, can offer real solutions to modern problems like drought: reasonstobecheerful.world/growing-corn...
Growing Corn in the Desert, No Irrigation Required
The surreal sight of squash, melons and corn sprouting from the sandy ground reflects an ancient farming technique that’s newly relevant.
reasonstobecheerful.world
June 25, 2025 at 1:02 PM
The story explores how traditional methods, used for thousands of years, can offer real solutions to modern problems like drought: reasonstobecheerful.world/growing-corn...
Reposted by Michaela Haas
As California communities rebuild from wildfire, some residents are looking to SuperAdobe, which shows that the future of fire-proofing can be beautiful.
reasonstobecheerful.world/the-whimsy-a...
reasonstobecheerful.world/the-whimsy-a...
June 26, 2025 at 2:53 PM
As California communities rebuild from wildfire, some residents are looking to SuperAdobe, which shows that the future of fire-proofing can be beautiful.
reasonstobecheerful.world/the-whimsy-a...
reasonstobecheerful.world/the-whimsy-a...
Reposted by Michaela Haas
Welcome back to #StatsSunday — your statistical fix, pulled from this week’s stories. Read this stat’s story here: reasonstobecheerful.world/the-whimsy-a...
June 29, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Welcome back to #StatsSunday — your statistical fix, pulled from this week’s stories. Read this stat’s story here: reasonstobecheerful.world/the-whimsy-a...
I wrote about people bicycling out of homelessness to independence.
Through Southern California’s largest homeless services provider, San Diegans can join a weekly bicycling group — and eventually receive a bike of their own.
reasonstobecheerful.world/homeless-san...
reasonstobecheerful.world/homeless-san...
July 14, 2025 at 9:36 PM
I wrote about people bicycling out of homelessness to independence.
Reposted by Michaela Haas
Welcome back to #StatsSunday — your statistical fix, pulled from this week’s stories. Read this stat’s story here: reasonstobecheerful.world/homeless-san...
July 13, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Welcome back to #StatsSunday — your statistical fix, pulled from this week’s stories. Read this stat’s story here: reasonstobecheerful.world/homeless-san...
Reposted by Michaela Haas
Congratulations to RTBC Contributing Editor @michaelahaas.bsky.social! Her story about how the Hopi grow crops without irrigation has won the solutions journalism category in the Los Angeles Press Club’s 67th Southern California Journalism Awards.
June 25, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Congratulations to RTBC Contributing Editor @michaelahaas.bsky.social! Her story about how the Hopi grow crops without irrigation has won the solutions journalism category in the Los Angeles Press Club’s 67th Southern California Journalism Awards.
Don't these look fabulous? I took a trip to Hesperia to check out the climate-resilient SuperAdobe at CalEarth.
Devastating California wildfires have brought renewed attention to a simple, disaster-resilient construction method that combines old and new. It’s called “SuperAdobe.”
reasonstobecheerful.world/the-whimsy-a...
reasonstobecheerful.world/the-whimsy-a...
June 18, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Don't these look fabulous? I took a trip to Hesperia to check out the climate-resilient SuperAdobe at CalEarth.
Why are hundreds of veterans traveling to Mexico and other countries to seek treatment with psychedelics? Because they've tried everything else to cope with their posttraumatic stress.
Though not legal in the U.S., medically responsible treatment with ibogaine — a potent, naturally occurring alkaloid — has helped hundreds of veterans recover from the trauma of war.
reasonstobecheerful.world/veterans-pts...
reasonstobecheerful.world/veterans-pts...
June 18, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Why are hundreds of veterans traveling to Mexico and other countries to seek treatment with psychedelics? Because they've tried everything else to cope with their posttraumatic stress.