Saturdays are for sunshine — especially for your ears. With another election, ongoing wars and natural disasters, we know the news can be a lot to take in and we’re determined to share the bright side of humanity. Every Saturday, take a breather from the headlines and hear all the uplifting happenings across the world with 5 Good Things from CNN.
The host of CNN's "Searching for Spain" shares why Americans should try to live life like the Spaniards do. A rare record collector reunites a woman with a Voice-o-Graph she recorded 70 years ago. How this record-setting rodent is saving lives with his sense of smell. From deception to acceptance, a female magician's decades-long journey into the world's most prestigious magic club. Plus, scientists may have found the first signs of life on a planet outside our solar system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A doctor in Florida is using art to honor his cancer patients' recovery. A ranch dog rescues a lost toddler in the Arizona desert. A new museum in south Jersey lets visitors dig for fossils on a mass extinction site. Thanks to a young fan, a first-time author's book is now a best seller. Plus, this public safety power couple retires after a combined 72 years in service. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
An NHL star makes history and for a good cause. Two tortoises become first-time parents in their late nineties. Scientists say they've revived the extinct dire wolf and used the same tech to help save a critically endangered one. Going offline is a requirement to join this social club. Plus, a frat reunites a woman with her dog 300 miles away. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Chicks of America's favorite bald eagle couple have been named. How a school superintendent in PA gets stringed instruments in students' hands for free. A teen heart transplant recipient's push for organ donation awareness. These 90-somethings found a new way to fight loneliness and stay connected. Plus, lost wedding photos took an incredible journey back home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A barbershop in Pennsylvania is boosting reading levels and confidence. Millions around the world are hooked on a Dutch city's fish doorbell livestream. The National Cherry Blossom Festival in DC kicked off with a new activity for a good cause. Researchers in the UK are using AI to understand the emotions of a farm animal better. Plus, a former race driver lost his legs, but broke a world record in a different kind of race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A world-first in Sydney could offer a lifeline for those waiting for a heart transplant. A high school teacher in Pennsylvania created a kindness challenge for her students. The Sports Bra bar is attracting major attention as March Madness kicks off. A New Jersey woman returned a library book that's nearly a century overdue. Plus, local police and a four-year-old struck a plea deal in Wisconsin after his mom ate his ice cream. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A three-year-old boy conquered his fears and saved his great-grandmother. The Montana Bar Fairies are turning grief into action in a state plagued by drunk driving. A college student in Boston helps women in need feel seen and beautiful. Actor Michael Sheen paid off $1.3 million worth of debt for his neighbors. Plus, this guy has been diving for lost golf balls for 30 years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
We're celebrating International Women's Day with five stories about women making a difference around the globe. Pumpspotting helps breastfeeding moms connect virtually and physically. Artists in this market have been doing better than men at auctions. A woman-led tribe is on a mission to protect salmon and the rivers they live in. This network's helping to close the gender gap in venture capital. Plus, these female athletes are paving the way for the next generation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Doctors had to get crafty to save a three-month-old's life. A retired ocean liner is embarking on its final journey with a new mission for the record books. A dog lover left the corporate world and found his calling behind a camera. A new study pinpoints where massive sources of clean energy could exist. Plus, why a family cat is living her best ninth life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A California woman who lost her home in the Eaton Fire has a 3D plan to rebuild. When a father couldn't find toys and apparel featuring Black historical figures, he created his own. We'll tell you why a London youth group is on a mission to create emojis with Black and mixed-race hairstyles. A space robotics engineer is helping make farming easier in a country with an aging workforce. Plus, the poem – I Met My Younger Self for Coffee – has inspired millions to do the same. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this special edition of CNN 5 Good Things all about love for Valentine's Day, volunteers in every state are delivering roses and heartfelt cards to senior citizens. An animal shelter is playing matchmaker across the country. The psychologists behind the famous "36 Questions That Lead to Love" are celebrating 50 years of marriage – they share their secrets. A couple bonded over their love of this romantic comedy, so the proposal had to be perfect. Plus, at this Chicago flower shop, every purchase helps people flourish. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Super Bowl may be the main event this week, but flag football is quickly becoming the next big thing. New research is advancing what we know about ape intelligence. A remote cottage in Ireland is one of the world's top Michelin-starred restaurants. A young boy's bravery in a moment of crisis is earning him the title of a real-life superhero. This concert series invites people to turn off their phones, breathe deeply, and let the music do the healing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A 21-year-old piano tuner brought music and joy back to a busy airport. We'll tell you how researchers are working to protect bees from pesticide poisoning. Tossing food in the air is a Lunar New Year tradition these chefs won't miss. Scientists are studying a 1.2-million-year-old piece of ice to learn about climate change. Six months ago, a preschool teacher gave part of her liver to a 5-year-old boy – we check in on them both. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Thailand became the first south Asian country to recognize marriage equality. How a high school basketball player's quick thinking on the court saved a life. This start-up makes special backpacks that turn into a reading light for places with no electricity. The Golden State Warriors make a superfan's day. Plus, a tiny French town just got 10 million euros richer from a man who'd never even visited. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A seafood restaurant in California rallied volunteers and donations to support those impacted by the LA wildfires. Scientists uncovered a nearly 500-foot-long dinosaur highway in England. Researchers test if fairy tales can inspire kids to make healthier food choices – the results are pretty magical! Robots dive into action to restore a key component of the ocean floor. Meet the innovators making Dry January easier. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
We'll tell you about some good Samaritans who are helping feed and protect their neighbors impacted by the wildfires in Los Angeles. Volunteers distribute thousands of free winter clothing items across parks in the Twin Cities. A veteran judge in North Carolina has a new colleague – his daughter. A Virginia Zoo selects a name for its new baby pigmy hippo. Plus, how a “smart cow” can change the farming game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A nonprofit in Boston is giving free access to education, playtime and meals to kids who have experienced homelessness. A 23-year-old runner shares why he's taking on the 183.4 mile World Marathon Challenge. Ready to chuck your Christmas tree? Let these farm animals in Massachusetts take it off your hands. Rats love to take some joy rides. Plus, a New Year's resolution that prioritizes your happiness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A self-proclaimed street librarian has a new way to deliver free books to kids in Baltimore. A high school student's dream of treating skin cancer is getting closer to coming true. A nonprofit in Phoenix helps those experiencing homelessness unwrap a little happiness this holiday season. A filmmaker who's collecting stories about happiness hits more countries. Plus, we share some of our listeners' highlights from the year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Meet the Traveling Piano Man spreading joy across the US through music. People with memory loss disorders are getting sound prescriptions. The youngest-ever World Chess Champion returns home to a hero's welcome. A beloved local Santa in New York passed away, but his son is carrying on his legacy. Plus, could mouse sperm orbiting Earth be the future of humanity? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A new, rare exhibit is bringing a 150-million-year-old dinosaur to life. Women will get the chance to play pro baseball again. A catastrophe on a couple's wedding day turned into a beautiful memory. How a Dutch recycling company is tackling footwear waste. Plus, the 2024 CNN Hero of the Year and Young Wonders have been chosen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A treasured gothic architectural gem reopens to the public five years after a fire. Bike Buses put a fresh spin on the commute to school for kids and parents across the US. A 11-year old lead the charge for cleaner air in Connecticut classrooms. A woman saved her twin sister's life in a rare organ transplant. AI is helping farmers speed up crop breeding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A choir helps people with Alzheimer's and dementia find joy and purpose. A formerly unhoused New Yorker helps feed people on the city's streets. People from all over North Carolina came together to feed Hurricane Helene survivors on Thanksgiving. A coffee shop in Massachusetts went viral for giving away free coffee on one groovy condition. Plus, there's still time to vote for the CNN Hero of the Year – we highlight the honorees. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A 17-year-old girl won a prestigious award this week advocating for the rights of girls in Afghanistan. Scientists have discovered the world's largest stretch of coral. A TV legend is getting her own stamp next year. A society of magicians wants to welcome back a member who tricked them. Plus, this 31-year-old woman smashed the record for hiking the entire Appalachian Trail. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A legendary freedom fighter is honored for her military service 160 years later. We tell you why a 19-month-old bloodhound is the ultimate hero. A library book is finally returned over five decades late. A tall, stinky flower draws a huge crowd in Australia. Plus, the official Moo Deng anthem just dropped, just as another baby pygmy hippo makes her debut. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Kids in South Carolina got an important civics lesson at their local library. Against all odds, an athlete with a terminal cancer diagnosis completed one of the most grueling races in the world. Classic music lovers are inspired by newly-discovered music an iconic composer left behind. A nonprofit is training giant rats in uniform to sniff out illegal wildlife contraband. Plus, an beloved character just turned 50! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A teen from Georgia is named America's Top Young Scientist for his invention. A beloved school custodian got an amazing retirement gift from her colleagues. A start-up in Ireland is revolutionizing how cancer patients experience treatment. Hikers, bikers, and horseback riders can soon traverse a new trail across a big state. Plus, a woman didn't think twice about donating one of her organs to save her wife's life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
An 18-year-old mountain climber became the youngest ever to summit the world's highest peaks. The slime in your home could be the key to helping fight climate change – send these scientists a picture. Food insecurity is a problem for some Los Angeles residents, so this nonprofit is crop swapping. A cello-playing robot made musical history. Plus, an 81-year-old makes finishing the New York City Marathon look easy – he shares some tips ahead of Sunday's race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this special episode of CNN 5 Good Things, hear about the people who are making the world a better place. We're highlighting the Top 5 CNN Heroes of 2024 and the good work they do. Click here to learn more about their stories and to vote for the 2024 CNN Hero of the Year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
An off duty lifeguard rescued a 17-year-old lost at sea. Some people experiencing homelessness in California now have a place they can call their own. How a crossword editor is using his love for puzzles to aid his stroke recovery. Dog Tag Bakery helps veterans rediscover their identity with a fellowship program. Plus, the good work a street veterinarian has been able to do since being named the 2023 CNN Hero of the Year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What's the happiest moment of your life? A filmmaker wants to know. How a breast cancer survivor is supporting women battling the disease. The longest running contest of its kind dares amateur filmmakers to create very short horror films. A New Jersey based arts foundation honors the past and future of the Cherokee Nation. Plus, a Canadian native makes history on the ice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
We'll tell you about a dad who trekked almost 20 miles during Hurricane Helene to walk his daughter down the aisle. A Kentucky doctor shows us how trees might help prevent chronic disease. Mozart fans have new music, thanks to a recent discovery. A 75-year-old poet gets a big surprise — and shares why he writes about kindness and joy. Plus, we learn why dolphins “smile” when they play together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
We're following Pesto, a baby penguin that's turning heads and charming hearts in Australia. One man is running coast to coast to honor a veteran's last wish. Leaf peeping season is here, and Virginia state parks are making it easier for colorblind visitors to enjoy it. A Miss Universe contestant breaks through an age-old barrier. Plus, this performer is taking the mascot experience to a whole new level. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Some new research might convince you to try dabbling in arts and crafts. Scientists have learned that the swirls in Vincent Van Gogh's ‘Starry Night” painting don't appear to be random. A pet cat wandered almost 1,000 miles back home. Why conservationists brought huge elephant sculptures to New York City. Plus, school is back in session, we're revisiting why some parents of elementary school kids in upstate New York like getting calls from the principal's office. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Students at a Kentucky high school that wouldn't have been interested in band before now play in the state's first mariachi band. Nora Langdon is considered one of the best senior powerlifters in the world and wants to inspire others to keep exercising. An Arizona woman is named a CNN Hero for supporting Native American foster youth and families. A team of student engineers in Zurich have developed a robotic fish that can help scientists study ocean ecosystems in a new way. Plus, how astronauts can vote in space. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A woman went on a 700-mile bike ride to raise awareness about substance abuse after her brother died from fentanyl poisoning. Scientists have figured out a way to turn banana waste into denim and clean energy for rural communities in Pakistan. A stay-at-home mom in Michigan dresses up like a clown to pick up trash and her neighbors love her message. The San Diego Zoo is celebrating the birth of an endangered tiger cub. Plus, a Chicago man takes a more scenic route to work downtown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
We'll highlight some extraordinary accomplishments from Team USA athletes at the Paralympics. A six-year-old boy couldn't wait to tell everyone at a hospital in Ohio that he was getting a new heart. Hear what some football teams are doing that could help protect players from concussions. Patients with the most common and deadly form of brain cancer can soon seek more affordable treatment. Plus, how a school in Wisconsin made their students feel like movie stars on their first day back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Two male flamingos coupled up and achieved a rare feat: successfully hatching an egg together. An MLB catcher made some kids' days by showing up to play wiffle ball. The FDA just cleared a new device that could stop severe bleeding in seconds and potentially save countless lives. The world's oldest man celebrated his birthday this week. Plus, eight marching bands from HBCUs showcased their skills at the 10th annual National Battle of the Bands. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
TIME's 2024 Kid of the Year invented a potential treatment for skin cancer. A mother delivered her baby on the side of a highway in Colorado with help from 911. Scientists developed a new light-absorbing material that can turn everyday objects into solar panels. Thousands of people showed up to an open casting call in New Jersey for Happy Gilmore 2. Plus, the city that has so many street cats, adoring locals have set up a museum dedicated to them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Our latest CNN Hero is an orchestra conductor, who's helping more than 300 refugees and immigrants find purpose and hope through music. Dogs are spreading seeds at an urban nature reserve in the UK. Scientists are floating a new theory about how Egypt's oldest pyramid may have been built. A 12-year-old boy in Massachusetts got his ice cream stand shut down, so the community stepped up to help him raise money for his brother's special needs hockey team. And, a new village in Tanzania for vulnerable young people will be built using a 3D printer and soil. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A community in South Carolina rallied together to make sure every single animal at a local shelter had a foster home as Tropical Storm Debby approached. You could see new wild fruits in the grocery store soon since researchers cracked an ancient mystery about thorny plants like roses. A family in Massachusetts going through a tough time was surprised by an act of kindness and a heartfelt note. As the Paris Olympics comes to a close, some exceptional athletes share what it feels like to live out their dreams. Plus, a giant statue of a New York City critter will tower over a park on the west side. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
TikTok thinks these two employees at a New York car dealership deserve Emmys for their viral parodies of the sitcom “The Office.” Recent studies highlight how dementia and Alzheimer's disease can be prevented, diagnosed and treated. New York City wants to form a new ‘rat pack.' A history buff took a chance and bought a piece of tent that supposedly belonged to George Washington—and he was shocked it was the real deal. Plus, two US women's sports teams have a rapper and a former NFL player as some of their biggest fans at the Olympics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Summer Olympics happening now in Paris marks a new milestone for gender equality in sports. A Parisian amateur chef whips up free meals and viral videos to help feed people living on the streets. Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton used AI to reclaim her voice after a degenerative disease took away her ability to speak. A high school cross country team gives shelter dogs some exercise while they train. Plus, a taco stand in Mexico City earned one of the most prestigious culinary honors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Payton McGriff is one of CNN's Heroes for her work providing girls in Togo with the uniforms and supplies they need to transform their lives with education. Boston commutes got a little more whimsical after two friends lobbied for some googly eyes on the city's trains. Breakdancing is making its Olympic debut this summer – meet the athlete that's representing Team USA. Two stay-at-home moms in Virginia turned their love for flowers into a project that spreads joy and prevents waste. Plus, the planet Venus recently got to jam out to one of hip-hop's greats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The first CNN Hero of 2024 founded a nonprofit that teaches kids with troubled pasts how to train homeless dogs to help get them adopted. Quincy Wilson is making history ahead of the Paris Summer Olympics. In Maine, a children's clothing store buys back its clothes and repurposes them, so they don't end up in landfills. Divers and a marine biologist are helping save sharks from the two issues that threaten their existence. Plus, how the demise of the dinosaurs may have helped grapes thrive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
CNN Travel has released its list of America's Best Towns to Visit – and we're spotlighting local legends, unique attractions, and innovative food that make the top five places stand out. Dasha – a rising country music star – performed at spots all over her hometown of San Luis Obispo, California that's considered a throwback West Coast paradise. No. 4 Portland, Maine is known for its fresh seafood, and no one knows its seafood like Virginia Oliver—the state's oldest lobster trapper. A unique partnership between the Puyallup Tribe and a Puget Sound seaplane operator offers visitors scenic views of third-ranked Tacoma, Washington. If you don't want to leave the US, but want to visit Italy, consider a trip to Providence, Rhode Island. Plus, how artists in CNN Travel's No. 1 city, Richmond, Virginia are transforming their city with thought-provoking murals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A dad's offer to be a stand-in parent for LGBTQ couples has grown into a global network of allies. A family of Taekwondo athletes sprang into action to save a woman from being assaulted. In Missouri, a small-town fire department's bank account was running out, until a 91-year-old man gave them a game-changing donation. Visitors with disabilities can explore the Great Smoky Mountains in new ways. Plus, what are the best US towns to visit this summer? We'll share some of CNN Travel's top 10. For some more goodness on Saturdays, sign up for CNN's The Good Stuff newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A 5-year-old superhero fan born without a left hand now has a bionic arm that looks like Iron Man's. “Grandmother of Juneteenth” Opal Lee moved into her new house on the lot of her childhood home she had to flee over 80 years ago. A wildlife photographer snapped the first photo of a newborn white bison calf that fulfills a hopeful Lakota prophecy. A potentially habitable planet the size of Earth has been discovered. Plus, the world's largest 3D printer is building homes made from wood fiber in Maine. For some more goodness on Saturdays, sign up for CNN's The Good Stuff newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Creative kids in Ireland are celebrating a holiday by performing their viral rap song. A World War II veteran marries his bride in a special place. A Tiktoker surprises immigrant workers with free trips to Disneyland. In Oregon, a man was stranded in a ravine after his truck crashed, until his dog saved the day. Plus, a campus legend with whiskers has a doctorate degree. For some more goodness on Saturdays, sign up for CNN's The Good Stuff newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A 5-year-old boy gets a second chance at life, after his former preschool teacher decided to donate part of her liver to him. A nonprofit that wants to rid the oceans of plastic marks a major milestone. Kids experiencing homelessness get to celebrate their birthdays with epic parties. Neighborhoods across North America are using old newspaper boxes to swap free movies. Plus, would you eat chocolate that's more nutritious and sustainable to make? For some more goodness on Saturdays, sign up for CNN's The Good Stuff newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Two young pandas are coming to DC's National Zoo from China. A local news anchor shares his journey as a Black gay man in the news industry during a live broadcast. Divers help a couple find a wedding ring that was lost for 25 years. Mount Everest climber sets record for fastest ascent by a woman. Hear why a Coldplay fan will never forget the lead singer's random act of kindness. For some more goodness on Saturdays, sign up for CNN's The Good Stuff newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A Chicago teenager became the youngest person in her university's history to earn a doctorate degree. The discovery of a long-lost branch of the Nile River could help solve a mystery of the pyramids. Think you could win a ‘do nothing' contest? CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta gives us advice on the keys to happiness. Plus, a 90-year-old man becomes the oldest person to reach the edge of space—and accomplishes a goal he's had for more than 60 years. For some more goodness on Saturdays, sign up for CNN's The Good Stuff newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices