5 Good News Stories - happiness and fun

Caloroga Shark Media / Happiness Good News Lab

Every day the news feels heavy. 5 Good News Stories is your daily antidote — five short, uplifting stories about human kindness, scientific breakthroughs, unexpected heroes, and moments that remind you the world isn't as broken as the headlines suggest. Hosted by John McDermott, each episode is under 10 minutes and designed to start your morning right or reset your afternoon. If you're looking for a positive news podcast, a feel-good daily listen, or just five minutes of happiness — this is your show. New episode every day. Follow wherever you listen to podcasts.

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614 episodes
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Episodes614

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Dec 8, 2025 · 6 min
Warning - Christmas Music Can Make YOU Drive Fast!
A study by Barber Law Firm reveals how Christmas music tempo impacts driving behavior. Secondly, Japan's unique KFC Christmas tradition and festive celebrations are discussed. Thirdly, a survey by Exotica highlights charming towns that could inspire...
Dec 7, 2025 · 5 min
The Santa Claus Biker Parade
Johnny Mac shares five heartwarming and humorous Christmas stories. The main story centers around Pat, born in 1931, who, along with her family and volunteers, answers thousands of letters to Santa, continuing a tradition started by her father. Other...
Dec 6, 2025 · 5 min
Christmas Stories - Is The Thing A Christmas Movie? Plus McDonald's goes Grinch
Fans of John Carpenter's 'The Thing' are campaigning to have it recognized as a Christmas classic. The Grand Central Mall hosted a pet night with Santa, with proceeds supporting local animals. McDonald's has launched a Grinch meal in the U.S., while...
Dec 5, 2025 · 5 min
A visit to North Pole, New York
First, a new board game, 'Christmas Union,' highlights elves unionizing against Santa for better working conditions. Next, Oyster Bay, Long Island, aims for a record 50,000 toy donations with their annual Toy Drive. North Pole, New York, a year-round...
Dec 4, 2025 · 5 min
Chicago's Rat Hole? It was never a rat! This is what it was...
First, Chicago's viral 'rat hole' turns out to be an eastern gray squirrel fossil. Next, a Roman tombstone, thought lost after WWII, was discovered in a New Orleans backyard. Natalie, an 80-year-old from New Jersey, becomes the oldest woman to finish...
Dec 3, 2025 · 5 min
The husband who fell through the ceiling
Starting with a viral TikTok video where a husband falls through the ceiling while retrieving Christmas decorations, leading to lighthearted online reactions. Next, Prince William and Princess Catherine's new home causes local Christmas tree shoppers...
Dec 2, 2025 · 3 min
The Coffee Strealing Parrot and Farewell to Gramma, the 141 year old tortoise
Police in South Korea were called to a coffee shop to handle a friendly, coffee-stealing parrot, which is an endangered species not legal to own without a permit. In another story, Kathy Leslie's Sugar High Bakery and Cafe served hot Thanksgiving...
Nov 30, 2025 · 4 min
Christmas Stories - Luke Wilson and The Hollywood Christmas Parade
The 93rd Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade features Grand Marshall Luke Wilson, with hosting by Eric Estrada, Laura McKenzie, Elizabeth Stanton, and Monte Williams. Anthony Anderson receives the Humanitarian Award. The USPS promotes its Operation...
Nov 29, 2025 · 4 min
Good Things for people who kind of look like Timothee Chalamet
A brotherhood of Timothy Chalamet lookalikes forms in New York's Washington Square Park, calling themselves the 'Brothers Chalamet.' A runaway flamingo prompts a search effort in England, likened to a rebellious teenager. A Chihuahua missing for five...
Nov 27, 2025 · 6 min
The terrifying tale of Gerald The Turkey
Johnny Mac shares five uplifting Thanksgiving stories. Chuck's Fish in Madison offers a free Thanksgiving meal to all, continuing a 30-year tradition. Firefighters caution against kitchen fires and deep-frying turkeys indoors. Dallas' Feed the Streets...
Nov 25, 2025 · 3 min
What time should you serve Thanksgiving Dinner? 2pm
Johnny Mac shares five uplifting stories, including Martha Stewart's recommended Thanksgiving dinner time of 2:00 PM, Olive Garden closing for Thanksgiving and Christmas to allow employees family time, Reno's law on parking in front of homes, a...
Nov 23, 2025 · 4 min
The best Christmas Books for 2025
Johnny Mac shares five uplifting Christmas-themed stories. Firstly, Brooke and her rescue dog Dray overcame obstacles with help from Chewy Claus, enabling them to enjoy walks together again. Chewy Claus also made a charitable donation and continues to...
Nov 22, 2025 · 4 min
Giant great white shark off the coast of New Jersey!
A 416-year-old grapevine in Tibet is the oldest in the world. The second story recounts a 77-year-old man from Chile returning a marble fragment his father took from the Parthenon nearly a century ago. Scientists have created the most detailed digital...
Nov 20, 2025 · 5 min
Air Force Base told to take down Christmas decorations
Johnny Mac shares five feel-good news stories starting with a roundup of Thanksgiving meal deals from national chains like Cracker Barrel, Boston Market, and Popeye's. Next, a gym teacher in Maine sets a new record by sinking 1,516 three-pointers in...
Nov 18, 2025 · 4 min
Sea Lion blocks the road
Johnny Mac shares five feel-good news stories including a kite surfer in New Zealand finding a long-lost surfboard from Tasmania, which traveled 1500 miles. An Austrian surfer breaks a world record, surfing for over eight hours on a manmade wave. A...
Nov 16, 2025 · 5 min
Even More Christmas Movies for your to watch
Johnny Mac presents five uplifting Christmas stories, starting with Operation Evergreen, which sends Ohio-grown Christmas trees to US military personnel in Kuwait, fostering a sense of home for the troops. He highlights various global Christmas...
Nov 15, 2025 · 3 min
Cow escapes slaughter, hides out in flock of 200 sheep
Johnny Mac shares five uplifting news stories: a World War II veteran's Purple Heart is returned to his family in Illinois after decades in a safe deposit box; 374 bagpipers in Melbourne set a world record; scientists in England develop a...
Nov 13, 2025 · 4 min
How to tell you're not dead PLUS Ireland catches its wild "lion"
Maine Health apologized for mistakenly sending death notices to 500 living people due to a system error. In Nova Scotia, Mark and Grant saved three stranded pilot whales by guiding them back to the sea. Hungarian gamer Grasshopper broke the Guinness...
Nov 11, 2025 · 4 min
Texas Tech Tortilla Throws Tossed! PLUS 95 year old Taylor Swift Fan
Texas Tech fans face new rules after tortilla-throwing leads to fines; Spanish police bust a gang stealing restaurant chairs; a woman reunites with her father and 11 half-siblings after decades apart; the American Museum of Natural History resumes...
Nov 9, 2025 · 5 min
The best Christmas Markets to check out this 2025 season
In this festive roundup, Johnny Mac shares five uplifting Christmas stories. Country legend Willie Nelson releases a new holiday single, 'Christmas Love Song,' part of his latest album 'Working Man, Willie Sings Merl.' Kevin the Carrot, Aldi's mascot,...

5 Good News Stories - happiness and fun

Support the show

Warning - Christmas Music Can Make YOU Drive Fast!

The Santa Claus Biker Parade

Christmas Stories - Is The Thing A Christmas Movie? Plus McDonald's goes Grinch

A visit to North Pole, New York

Chicago's Rat Hole? It was never a rat! This is what it was...

The husband who fell through the ceiling

The Coffee Strealing Parrot and Farewell to Gramma, the 141 year old tortoise

Christmas Stories - Luke Wilson and The Hollywood Christmas Parade

Good Things for people who kind of look like Timothee Chalamet

The terrifying tale of Gerald The Turkey

What time should you serve Thanksgiving Dinner? 2pm

The best Christmas Books for 2025

Giant great white shark off the coast of New Jersey!

Air Force Base told to take down Christmas decorations

Sea Lion blocks the road

Even More Christmas Movies for your to watch

Cow escapes slaughter, hides out in flock of 200 sheep

How to tell you're not dead PLUS Ireland catches its wild "lion"

Texas Tech Tortilla Throws Tossed! PLUS 95 year old Taylor Swift Fan

The best Christmas Markets to check out this 2025 season