--- title: A Fork in the Road? description: Anne Boland and Stephen Berkeley help people on the fork in the road and find optimism in life's pivotal moments. image: https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Forks%20in%20the%20Road.jpeg --- ###### [Check out Our latest insights on Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog) [![Centre for Optimism_Logo](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Centre%20for%20Optimism_Logo.svg)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com?hsLang=en) - [Home](https://www.centreforoptimism.com) - [Subscribe](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/subscribe) - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - [The Optimism Principle](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/theoptimismprinciple) - [Need Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/services-and-workshops) - [The Optimism Workshop](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/workshop) - [Victor Perton - That Optimism Man](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/victorperton) - [Magnetic Optimism for Organisations](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/magnetic-optimism-workshops) ![Close Icon (3)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Close%20Icon%20(3).svg) ![Search (2)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Search%20(2).svg) ###### [Infectious Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/infectious-optimism) , ###### [Sassy Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/sassy-optimism) # A Fork in the Road? A Fork in the Road? By [Victor Perton](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/victorperton?hsLang=en) I have booked in to attend the Melbourne leg of my friends [Stephen Berkeley](https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorperton/recent-activity/all/#) and [Anne Boland's "World Tour." They ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorperton/recent-activity/all/#)host the ["Forks in the Road](https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/forks-in-the-road-a-podcast-exploring-dilemmas/id1759480342)["](https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/forks-in-the-road-a-podcast-exploring-dilemmas/id1759480342)[podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/forks-in-the-road-a-podcast-exploring-dilemmas/id1759480342), which explores dilemmas in everyday leadership. Book in to join Stephen and Anne in Brisbane on 26 September - https://events.humanitix.com/a-conversation-forks-in-the-road-with-stephen-berkeley-and-anne-boland Book in to watch Stephen and Anne in Melbourne (Carlton) on 1 October. Book at [https://events.humanitix.com/forks-in-the-road-exploring-life-s-turning-points-a-conversation-with-stephen-berkeley-and-anne-boland](https://events.humanitix.com/forks-in-the-road-exploring-life-s-turning-points-a-conversation-with-stephen-berkeley-and-anne-boland) Subscribe to [The Forks in the Road Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/forks-in-the-road-a-podcast-exploring-dilemmas/id1759480342](https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/forks-in-the-road-a-podcast-exploring-dilemmas/id1759480342). I was so curious that I invited them to [join me on my podcast t](https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/that-optimism-man-victor-perton/id1758198708?i=1000669198294)o discuss the Forks in the Road and what makes them optimistic.   I asked what the Fork in the Road is and what makes them optimistic. A *fork in the Road* refers to a pivotal moment where individuals must make significant decisions that shape their future. For Anne Boland and Stephen Berkeley, co-hosts of the *Fork in the Road* podcast, these moments often appear unexpectedly, altering personal and professional paths. Whether planned or spontaneous, these choices can lead to growth, change, or even uncertainty, but they are always transformative. The podcast explores these critical junctures, sharing stories of how people navigate such moments and the lessons learned. What makes Anne and Stephen optimistic is deeply rooted in their life experiences and cultivated connections. Stephen's optimism comes from the diversity of the people he interacts with, whether through casual conversations or global dialogues. He finds hope in hearing others' stories of resilience, which keeps him grounded and reminds him that there is always potential for positive outcomes. Anne's optimism is inspired by her father's unrelenting curiosity and love for learning, a trait she carries forward by maintaining an eager and open mindset toward life's opportunities. Their *optimism superpowers* reflect their unique approaches to life's challenges. Stephen's "sassy optimism" combines humour, confidence, and determination, helping him stay positive even when facing difficulties. His ability to use wit to lighten heavy situations keeps him moving forward, confident that things will improve. On the other hand, Anne describes herself as an "infectious optimist" with a quiet, calming presence. Her inner optimism, though gentle, radiates outward, providing comfort and stability to those around her and allowing her to navigate negativity with grace and strength.  Stephen describes Anne as a Gentle Optimist. [![What's Your Optimism Superpower?](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/3f8035eb-9a9f-49df-846d-a89cddc4fc17.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/3f8035eb-9a9f-49df-846d-a89cddc4fc17) [Written by Victor Perton](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/author/victor-perton) ##### Keep up to date with the latest from Centre for Optimism ##### We appreciate any contribution you can make to help us spread optimism with the world [![Give Today](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/daed54ec-1173-4b99-9390-e69152e87436.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/daed54ec-1173-4b99-9390-e69152e87436) #### Here are some similar articles ###### [Obituary](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/obituary) , ###### [Happiness](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/happiness) , ###### [Courage](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/courage) , ###### [Faith](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/faith) , ###### [Infectious Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/infectious-optimism) , ###### [Genuine Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/genuine-optimism) , ###### [Magnetic Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/magnetic-optimism) , ###### [Peace](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/peace) , ###### [Stubborn Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/stubborn-optimism) #### [Optimists’ Eulogies and Obituaries](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/eulogies-2?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/eulogies-2?hsLang=en) ###### [Smile](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/smile) , ###### [Infectious Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/infectious-optimism) , ###### [Magnetic Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/magnetic-optimism) #### [Magnetic Optimism: An Optimism so Tangible and a Vision so Compelling](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/magneticoptimism?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/magneticoptimism?hsLang=en) ###### [Australian Leadership](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/australian-leadership) , ###### [Infectious Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/infectious-optimism) #### [People Want Optimistic Leaders: They Find Them in the Family](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/galluponleadership?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/galluponleadership?hsLang=en) ## Connect With Us ##### We love to connect with everyone who is ready to open up and share their optimisim. - [![Facebook 2](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Center%20of%20Optimism%20Assets/Facebook%202.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/optimistsvoices/) - [![instagram (6)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/instagram%20(6).svg)](https://www.instagram.com/centreforoptimism/?hl=en) - [![linked in 2](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/linked%20in%202.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/centreforoptimism/) - [![youtube (3)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/youtube%20(3).svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFd4GnToz3WLasQSfsz_z8w) - [![twitter](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/twitter.svg)](https://twitter.com/Centre4Optimism) #### Keep up to date with the latest from The Centre for Optimism ##### Contact Us Call Us: [+61 417 217 241](tel:+61%20417%20217%20241) (Australia) PO Box 5081, Garden City, Victoria 3207, Australia ##### [The Centre for Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com?hsLang=en) - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - Why be Optimistic? 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