Stay ConnectedStarting August 8, 2026 all new episodes can be found over in the CNN 5 Things feed. Search “CNN 5 Things” wherever you get your podcasts.
How about a break — for your ears? At CNN, we know the news can be a lot to take in. So each week, 5 Good Things offers you a respite from the heavy headlines and intense news cycle. Treat yourself to something fun and uplifting every Saturday as we share the bright side of life from all over the globe.
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These athletes from all over the world have something in common: an organ transplant and a new shot at greatness. After nearly eight decades and a daughter’s determined search, two siblings reconnect. A 4-year-old called 911 to chat and the police showed up with some sweet surprises. This couple from Wisconsin set a world record at the annual wife-carrying contest. Plus, this town in Sweden put their church on wheels.
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Host/Producer: Krista Bo
Producer: Eryn Mathewson
Showrunner: Faiz Jamil
Special Thanks: Muhammad Darwish, Max Burnell, Bryce Urbany, Boglarka Kosztolanyi and Jamie Barton
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The “Parody Principal” remixes the morning announcements. New research breaks down the amount of dance moves cockatoos have up their wings. This CNN Hero is feeding thousands with free meals that were going to be thrown out. One musician’s loss sparked a creative solution to help others facing the same thing. Plus, getting your spouse’s attention is an art form at this beloved Iowa State fair contest.
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This club is going viral and helping members relieve stress, one scream at a time. A veteran umpire is making history on the pro baseball field. Meet the world-class chef that’s running a plastic-free restaurant in hopes others will do the same. Thousands in Michigan play their library’s reading game that goes way beyond books. Plus, this isn’t your average summer camp – it’s where wisdom meets curiosity.
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A pilot surprises his grandmother with the flight of a lifetime. The rivers in this nation are so clean, locals utilize them for their commute. This group helps visually impaired people ride bikes through New York City. Creative writing classes are helping incarcerated people process their pasts and imagine new futures. Plus, this remote surgery didn’t just connect two countries – it could close healthcare gaps worldwide.
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The newest member of the Philadelphia Phillies is training to save a veteran's life. This century’s old tradition helps protect one of the world’s most beautiful birds. A documentarian broke a Guinness World Record and captured moments of happiness worldwide. Indigenous youth kayak 310 miles to honor the restoration of a beloved river. Plus, meet the real-life superhero who has helped thousands of people in need of a pick-me-up.
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A frequent flyer needed a kidney transplant to live, and an airline employee gave him one. Inspired by pinecones, this new tech could change how we fight wildfires. After disaster strikes, these volunteers make sure kids get their lost stuffed animals back. New research suggests chimpanzees follow trends like humans. Plus, from Cape Town to London, this runner’s journey was powered by purpose.
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A shelter dog in Virginia finds a forever home after revealing a lifesaving skill. Comedian Roy Wood Jr. shares why the home run is so special. We salute the search and rescue teams in central Texas after the devastating floods. How groups in West Virginia are cleaning up river streams contaminated from coal mines. Plus, a small town in Nebraska opens up a time capsule once dubbed the world’s largest 50 years later.
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As the US approaches its 250th birthday, thousands of people are putting their hopes for the future on colorful wish walls across the country. This pilot flies at-risk shelter animals to places where they have a better chance of getting adopted. In St. Louis, Missouri, this all-Black swim team and their parents are diving into more than the deep end. Plus, the top five best towns to visit in America, per CNN’s readers and contributors – what towns should be on next year’s list?
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Color-changing paint could reduce CO2 emissions and slash your energy bill. This Hong Kong native started on the keys at three-years-old and now, he’s the top pianist of his generation. How some random meet-cutes ended up at the alter. Costa Rica’s biggest natural export might surprise you and its local environmental impact might inspire you. Plus, CNN dropped this year’s list of America’s Best Towns to Visit – have you been yet?
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We tell you why a group of dads are playing catch and giving hugs at Pride. A paleontologist has discovered a new dinosaur species 86 million years in the making. One mom is sharing her inspiring survival skills, after a scary car crash. A postal worker finds a forever friend on his mail route. Plus, the heartwarming hometown contest that’s keeping ‘Old Blue Eyes’ voice alive in Hoboken.
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