At her Web site, darynkagan.com, former CNN reporter/anchor Daryn Kagan invites readers to “Show the world what’s possible.” Every page of the site invites readers to “tell me your story,” and shares others’ inspirational stories from around the globe.

Kagan, best known for her coverage of major world events such as the wars in Kuwait and Iraq, and her live coverage of the September 11, 2001 terrorists attacks, has worked to retain a positive outlook during her more than 20 year tenure as a reporter. She’s done it by living the adage, “Create what you seek.” Because she was seeking inspiration, she created a home on the Web “where those stories could live,” she states on her site.

One consistent and common complaint of college journalism students is the lack of positive news stories. The journalism professors who teach their courses often admit they started out with the same complaints, then became desensitized or complacent as they spent time in the business. Newspapers, television news, and Internet news present a daily barrage of disasters, scandal, war, and death. Kagan seems to be in the blessed minority who did not stop searching for the good in the world; rather she has created a home to host and share good news, inspiration, and hope with millions. With class and panache, she’s created a Web site that avoids the cheesiness of the Delilah radio show, or the preachiness of a religious site, while presenting positive news of those who have faced adversity and overcome it.

She’s not limiting herself to the Internet though. Kagan’s first book, "What's Possible! 50 True Stories of People Who Dared To Dream They Could Make a Difference," came out last month. Her 2007 PBS documentary, “Breaking The Curse,” examined an American woman’s community education efforts in India regarding leprosy and the acceptance of patients of the disease in society. Kagan’s working on a second documentary, "Solartown USA," which tells the story of Soldiers Grove, America's first solar town where residents first began incorporating solar energy 30 years ago. Readers won’t find hype and advertisements for her projects on the site though. Instead, there’s only a quick mention on the “About” page because Kagan devotes the site to others and their stories.

Launched in November 2006, the site provides a daily Web cast of stories in the categories of: “Animals,” “Artists,” “Business,” “Celebrities,” “For Charity,” “Heroism,” “Kids,” “Love,” “Over 60,” “Overcoming Obstacles,” “Sports,” and “World Events.” Kagan says it’s not a "happy news" site, but a "hopeful" news site. On every page she encourages viewers to submit their own stories or those of their friends and neighbors.

For instance, ulcerative colitis patients will find hope and inspiration in firefighter Scott Ellis’ story. His UC, diagnosed when he was 11 years old, necessitated the removal of his large intestine in his teens. The surgery requires an external pouch for waste processing, and Ellis worried that the disease and surgery would preclude him from entering the family profession – firefighting. Through hard work and physical training, he did show doctors and the city’s fire department that he could capably fulfill the duties of a firefighter. He’s now a full time firefighter, and active in efforts to educate the public on ulcerative colitis.

Animal lovers will enjoy the story of Izzy, the poodle who keeps pediatric patients company during tough treatments such as dialysis at University of California at San Francisco Children’s Hospital. She’s considered an employee of the hospital, and doctors must write an order to have her consult on a patient’s treatment, but for some, she’s the best medicine. In fact, Izzy’s done such a fine job at the hospital, it’s looking to expand its canine staff and hire Izzy a partner.

And with all the villains of the world receiving daily news coverage, why not give equal time to the heroes? Kagan does. In an uncommon gesture of kindness, Tacoma, Washington barista Sandy Sanderson gave her customer, Anna Marie Ostis, a kidney with her morning cup of coffee. When Ostis, one of Sanderson’s regular customers, talked about how her kidneys were failing and none of her family had tested positive as a donor match, Sanderson had herself tested. She’s a match, and offered Ostis one of her kidneys. Sanderson’s generous gift will allow Ostis a “long life” without weekly dialysis and the ability to watch her infant grandchild grow up.

When one needs to be reminded there’s still good in the world, there’s now a place to go to hear a constant feed of inspiring true stories. Put down that newspaper and surf over to darynkagan.com because, really, who couldn’t use a little more hope in their life?

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Carlie Lawson is our guest-writer on this post...