Making the lemonade

During our last episode of the season, we slightly regret the commitment to festive stories only, (stocking) fill the rest of the episode with Christmas cracker jokes and Abbie asks if it's possible to eat a cardboard gingerbread house. We really end the season on a high, as you can tell. Enjoy! Christmas office cubeGiving vending machines Rudolph the red phone box reindeer honours delivery driversRestaurant chefs are reinventing school dinnersEdited and produced by Charlotte TrickMusic Birds of Paradise by Ennio Mańo See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

During the penultimate episode of season two, Lottie raves about Glasgow on her return from COP26, they both make their feelings about shopping on Boxing Day very clear and Abbie tries to sell us on Netflix for dogs.Expedia stop flights to SeaWorldUNESCO design the world's first biosphereTV for dogsMissing teddy bearSharks, seals and seahorses were found in the ThamesHealthy diet against dementiaInjustice advent calendarEdited and produced by Charlotte TrickMusic Birds of Paradise by Ennio Mańo See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week Abbie is joined by guest host Jess, during which they get confused over what a Twitch community is, discuss an inclusive cafe and hairdresser concept and Jess tries to describe a new way to collect plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Find details on all the stories below:Sands United PatronForest forms a smiley faceZ EventMan who made a million mealsUniversity for InmatesOcean Clean upHaircuts for allInclusive CafeEdited and produced by Charlotte TrickMusic Birds of Paradise by Ennio Mańo See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week Abbie reveals her new obsession with Norway and Lottie tells tales of her town crier role on a bus replacement service. We learn about Columbia's innovative approach to the nation's staggering domestic abuse statistics, the UK's new low carbon, low price train routes and cover New Zealand new law to force finance companies to act on climate risks. Learn about all of this week's stories below: The UK gets low-cost railNew Zealand becomes the first country to force finance companies to act on climate risksEngland tweaked blood donor rules to tackle discriminationWhy this teen set up a prize-winning fake cosmetics shopNorway to hit 100 per cent electric vehicle sales early next yearThe Free Hotline That's Saving Women's Lives by Disarming Dangerous MenEdited and produced by Charlotte Trick Music Birds of Paradise by Ennio Mańo See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week we cover Switzerland's legalisation of same-sex marriage, a groundbreaking experiment that could have a major impact on those suffering from debilitating depression, discuss how Wales is making Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic histories part of its national syllabus, Lottie talks about a tree planting initiative (again) and we can't decide if domestic bees are a thing...Woman successfully treated for depression with an electrical brain implantBee Population growingSwitzerland says resounding ‘yes' to same-sex marriageWales make Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic history in schools mandatory UK jobseekers are offered six months of free broadbandWorld's first malaria vaccine given out to all The plan to create a 50 million-tree forest in the north of EnglandShort story stationsEdited and produced by Charlotte TrickMusic by Music Birds of Paradise by Ennio Mańo See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We are thrilled to be joined this week by Sara Cox, who made history last week as the first woman to referee a men's Premiership rugby match. We learn how she got into the profession, why this is such a big deal and the nuances between reffing 15s and 7s games. We cover a few other positive stories including China's commitment to stop funding coal power projects abroad and we discuss if animal Tinder is all it is cracked up to be.Animal TinderChina stopping coal power abroadHomes for the homeless100 portraits of Hackney Edited and produced by Charlotte Trick Music Birds of Paradise by Ennio Mańo See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week we are joined by guest host Jess Trick who is covering for Abbie whilst she leads team GB in Canada- but don't worry she'll be back. During this episode, we cover everything from a whimsical story of a girl and a bee, a bicycle library, realise we don't know enough about the Pope and throw in a really rogue reference to the Mindy Project- which will only land with a very small proportion of the world's population let alone the listenership of this podcast...We hope you enjoy it!GameZeroBicycle libraryEdible cupsSalonga National Park removed from danger listBumblee palIce creams for allMap of dreamsMusic Birds of Paradise by Ennio MańoProduced and edited by Charlotte Trick See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Annddddddd we're back. Abigail has returned from the Olympic games and Lottie has, well, survived a British "summer" - a feat in itself. We catch up on the latest travel woes and get the inside scoop on the way Tokyo Olympic volunteers waved to the athletes- groundbreaking stuff. Of course, we top it all off with a scattering of some of the most recent positive news stories from across the globe. Music Birds of Paradise by Ennio Mańo Produced and edited by Charlotte Trick See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

During the last episode of the season, we talk artificial diamonds, national Bee-lines and go off on a tangent about helicopters. Also included in this episode, if you make it to the end, is a gift for Abbie in the form of a short (clean, which was a challenge in itself) blooper reel. Enjoy!Airbnb for gardens Patients find solace in dancing Great grandmother gets degreeB-lines around the UKConversion therapy banArtificial diamondsPlastic waste innovation SA big cat hunting banMusic Birds of Paradies by Ennio MańoProduced by Charlotte Trick See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hot off the press, Abbie has finally purchased and sold something on Deopop- her blue tick is pending. We cover a novel way that PPE is being recycled in Cornwall, go off on a bit of a tangent about archaic marriage traditions and Lottie finally gets to channel her inner 65-year-old as she tries to convince us that train travel isn't just for visiting our parents at Christmas. Malaria breakthrough3D home inhabitantsTrain travel is backEdible plasticMothers officially recognisedHouse plant happinessPPE to litterpickerThe magic of musicShould we shower less?Produced by Charlotte TrickMusic Birds of Paradise by Ennio Manó See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Nowwwww it's episode eight. During this episode, Abbie continues to try to convince us to pee in the shower, Lottie tries (and fails) to explain how loneliness and wisdom are connected to our gut and one of the stories sparks a million-dollar film script idea- stay tuned as we hit the big time on the silver screen. Wisdom, loneliness and gut healthSojo AppNot for profit IVF centreSuper SapiensColorado mental health servicesTurning PPE into mattressesFood waste into fuelCarbon negative spiritsA serendipitous encounterProduced by Charlotte TrickMusic Birds of Paradise by Ennio Mańo See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We confused ourselves but it is indeed episode seven. In this ep we cover community land buy outs, the continued benefits of coffee and Abbie tries to convince us all to pee in the shower...Scotland's community nature reserveManchester community farmGive a braPeeing in the showerTyres for swingsBe more SusanRecycling hotel soapCoffee powering up rain forestsNetflix net zeroProduced by Charlotte TrickMusic Birds of Paradise by Ennio Máno See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

During episode six we inadvertently start a campaign to bring back Just Dance- and we think we've found the poster boy for the job. We fangirl Jacinda Ardern for the 789th time this year and celebrate multiple wins for the environment

The last week has weighed heavily for a lot of us. We hope this week's episode provides a little bit of a respite, including Abbie's coffee update featuring an absolute pronunciation corker, a bird that is flouting the laws of menopause, we look back at International Women's Day by the celebrating the first female director-general of the World Trade Organisation and being uncharacteristically nice to each other and come to terms with tooth fairy inflation rates. You can read about all the stories covered in this episode below: Change of law to protect young athletes70 year old Albatross gives birth Free food forest in AtlantaPositive billboards in the big smokeFirst African Women leads the WTOLaw changes for electronic repairs Vibrant colours back in Fiji's reef Biodegradable masks Bags of love given to homeless and the Just Giving pageProduced by Charlotte TrickMusic Birds of Paradise by Ennio Máno See See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Between our thrilling takes on the recent sunshine and an inability to say palpitations, it's a surprise we are still going- but nevertheless here we are with episode four. If you need a few stories to keep you going until June 21st or is it April 12th (I mean who the hell knows anymore) we've got you covered. If you think someone else needs little injection of something positive then please do spread the word, to if nothing else, break up hearing that anxiety inducing BBC news app jingle.This week we cover stories on:Free period products rollout in New Zealand Turning leftover oranges into electricityApparently coffee could be good for our heartsFree toy swapping AppTeens design award winning appBlind fox befriends dog and deer Saving Texan turtles during winter stormJim 'Mattress mack' McIngvale provides shelter once againThe 'Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful' doing exactly what it says on the tin'Born in Lockdown' an ebook capturing mothers experiencesProduced by Charlotte Trick Music Birds of Paradise by Ennio Máno See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We have made little ground on the pizza investigation, but we have plenty of other positive stories to keep you going. In episode three we covered: Sri Lanka period products rollout Ikea group buys over 10,000 acres in USA for conversationSchwam leaves nest egg to lifesaving village Turning plastic waste into bricksRenewable energy overtakes in EU Another wild cat mistake Bernie Sanders getting metaMuslim council elects first female leaderProduced by Charlotte TrickMusic Birds of Paradise by Ennio Máno See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On day 5578 of lockdown we bring you episode two of Making the Lemonade. If you can keep up with the sea shanty history lesson you deserve a prize, or at the very least, a pat on the back. During this episode we cover:Wild cats in the CairngormsWidowed penguinsA thousand years of musicBreast cancer screening inventionCriminalising child marriageAnonymous pizza surprise A walkers tube mapSea shanty craze We live in hope that one day Abbie will be able to pronounce Tibetan or Cairngorms, in the mean time, maybe offer to tie a stranger's shoe or order pizzas for front line staff- but we'd like to make it very clear we are not responsible for any reactions to the above suggestions. Happy listening pals! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's stilllllllll January. But hey, we found some positive news stories from the last two weeks for you to enjoy. During our first episode we highlight the following topics: COVID 19 vaccinations The eradication of wild polioLiving Memories websiteHIV drug PrEPArctic reindeer Abortion law in Argentina Our bi weekly podcast aims to bring a little bit of light in a dark time. We look forward to bringing you more positive news soon. Produced by Charlotte TrickMusic Birds of Paradise by Ennio Máno See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Need a break from overwhelming headlines? Making the lemonade will do just that. Every two weeks Abbie and Lottie highlight the positive stories from around the world and hear directly from the individuals doing good.After ten months of uncertainty, it is so easy to become engulfed by what can feel like constant negative headlines. We hope this podcast will bring some light relief; proving that when life gives you lemons there's always an opportunity to make lemonade. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.