The Happy Pod: From a Small Town, to the Moon
Global News Podcast – BBC World Service
Date: April 11, 2026
Host: Holly Gibbs
Episode Overview
This special edition of the Happy Pod explores uplifting and inspiring stories from around the world. The show’s central narrative is the historic Artemis 2 mission, with a unique focus on astronaut Jeremy Hansen, who grew up in the small Canadian town of Ingersoll. The episode also highlights how local communities, creative projects, acts of resilience, and emerging sports are making a difference in people’s lives.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Artemis 2: Going Further Than Ever Before
- Timestamps: 01:17 – 09:39
- Focuses on the Artemis 2 mission, with astronauts traveling further from Earth than ever before.
- Special attention on Jeremy Hansen’s roots in Ingersoll, Canada, and how his journey inspires both his hometown and people everywhere.
Notable Moments:
- Interview with Brian Petrie, Mayor of Ingersoll
- Reflects on the pride of having an Ingersoll native on the Artemis 2 crew.
- “When you look up there, you can see that there’s a piece of Ingersoll up there.” (03:02, 04:17)
- The Artemis 2 club at the local high school is engaging students and celebrating their alum’s achievement.
- “Stories like this show that it doesn’t matter where you grow up, if you have big dreams, you can go all the way to the moon.” (04:42)
- Reflects on the pride of having an Ingersoll native on the Artemis 2 crew.
- NASA Astronauts Nicole Stott and Steve Swanson
- Discuss the spirit of exploration, inspiration, and inclusive representation on the Artemis 2 crew.
- Nicole Stott: “I’m hoping we get to the point where we’re not even talking about it anymore, right? Where it just is... But I think it’s worth mentioning, just like it’s worth mentioning that we have the first international partner traveling to the moon on this mission and the first person of color.” (07:47)
- Steve Swanson: “We need to take care of it (Earth), and two, we need to treat each other as sisters and brothers…” (09:15)
- Both astronauts reflect on the awe of seeing Earth from space and how these shared experiences ripple outwards to inspire people on the ground.
2. A Garden for Parkinson’s: Healing Spaces through Design
- Timestamps: 09:39 – 16:40
- Highlights a garden project for people living with Parkinson’s disease, designed by Aret Anderson and shaped by input from Parkinson’s patients and their loved ones.
- “I really want the garden to convey the power of how a garden can help people with, you know, longstanding conditions. And I want it to convey it in a way that is still full of joy…” – Aret Anderson (10:46)
- Incorporates wide paths, sensory features, and emotional triggers to aid specific symptoms like freezing and anosmia.
- Emotional inspiration drawn from Aret’s sister and a community of gardeners living with Parkinson’s.
- “It’s going to be sort of emotional, but I’m incredibly proud of my sister.” (13:39)
Anna Edwards, Participating Gardener:
- Shares her journey with Parkinson’s and the importance of healing gardens in physical and mental well-being.
- “As I got better again and was able to garden again... I’m sure that is part of the picture of staying well is being outside.” (15:20)
- The garden will find a permanent home serving patients and carers after its display at the Chelsea Flower Show.
3. The Rescue of Molly the Dog: Triumph Against the Odds
- Timestamps: 16:40 – 20:12
- Dramatic story from New Zealand about Jessica Johnson, who survives a 50m fall, and the subsequent rescue of her missing dog, Molly, after a volunteer-led, crowdfunded helicopter search.
Lillian Newton, Precision Helicopters:
- Led the rescue mission, inspired by a community that raised over four times the needed budget overnight.
- “I looked at the account at nine o’clock at night and there was eleven and a half thousand dollars… I removed the bank account and told everyone to please stop donating.” (18:28)
- Describes the nation’s and world’s interest in the rescue and the emotional payoff for Jessica and her beloved dog.
- “For Jessica, Molly was her life… You could see.” (19:22)
4. Memorial Bench for a Survivor: Faith Harrison’s Second Chance
- Timestamps: 21:35 – 24:49
- Focus on Faith Harrison, who survived a seven-hour heart attack at age 22. A memorial bench is dedicated not to a life lost, but to a life reclaimed.
- “My outlook was, don’t care what anyone’s got to say, do whatever feels good for you, try your best, and you’ll never know if it’s going to work unless you give it a go… There is always a light at the end of the tunnel.” (23:53)
- Faith now uses her experience to promote awareness around heart health and the preciousness of every day.
5. A Wedding for Sustainability
- Timestamps: 24:49 – 26:55
- A Dutch couple celebrates their wedding at Utrecht Central Station, focusing on sustainable practices:
- All attire is secondhand, the meal is vegetarian, and all guests arrive by bike or public transport.
- Matthias (Groom): “Weddings are the ideal moment to raise awareness of overconsumption… This is a good sign to also spread the word that it is possible to do it with all clothes. No new clothes to do a whole wedding.” (26:03)
- Inspires others to choose greener options in their own milestone events.
6. Power Chair Football: Fast-Growing Inclusive Sport
- Timestamps: 26:55 – 29:14
- Features players and coaches from the world of power chair football, including insights from athletes and a firsthand experience by Nikki Fox, BBC Disability Correspondent.
- Greg Baxter: “My disability has taken me to places that I couldn’t have imagined.” (27:29)
- Faith Harrison (player): “There’s no other feeling in any other part of my life that you get from scoring a match changing goal. You know, that euphoria. I don’t think there’s anywhere else where I’d feel that.” (27:43)
- England is preparing to compete as one of the best teams in the world at the upcoming World Cup.
Memorable Quotes & Moments
-
On Small Town Dreams and the Moon:
- “When you look up there, you can see that there’s a piece of Ingersoll up there.” – Brian Petrie (03:02)
- “Stories like this show that it doesn’t matter where you grow up, if you have big dreams, you can go all the way to the moon.” – Brian Petrie (04:42)
-
Inclusion and Representation in Space:
- “I’m hoping we get to the point where we’re not even talking about it anymore, right? Where it just is...” – Nicole Stott (07:47)
- “We need to take care of it, and… treat each other as sisters and brothers.” – Steve Swanson (09:15)
-
On Perseverance and Community in New Zealand:
- “I looked at the account at nine o’clock at night and there was eleven and a half thousand dollars.” – Lillian Newton (18:28)
- “For Jessica, Molly was her life… and I could understand how she felt.” – Lillian Newton (19:13)
-
On Second Chances and Mindful Living:
- “There is always a light at the end of the tunnel. I want people to realize that living is a luxury.” – Faith Harrison (23:53)
-
On Adaptation and Euphoria in Sport:
- “I get to compete in a sport that I actually want to be in… I can’t imagine my life without it.” – David D, Power Chair Footballer (28:14)
- “There’s no other feeling… like a match changing goal.” – Faith Harrison (27:43)
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Segment | Time (MM:SS) |
|-----------------------------------------|:---------------:|
| Artemis 2 & Ingersoll’s Pride | 01:17 – 09:39 |
| Parkinson’s Healing Garden | 09:39 – 16:40 |
| Molly the Dog’s Rescue | 16:40 – 20:12 |
| Survivor’s Memorial Bench (Faith H.) | 21:35 – 24:49 |
| Dutch Sustainable Wedding | 24:49 – 26:55 |
| Power Chair Football | 26:55 – 29:14 |
Tone & Style
Throughout the episode, the conversations are warm, reflective, and gently inspirational, capturing the sense of wonder and possibility inherent in each story—whether it’s going to the moon, healing through gardening, surviving a health crisis, or coming together as a community for a good cause. The speakers share personal experiences and hopes, inviting listeners to see their own potential for joy, impact, and resilience.
This summary distills all major narrative threads and highlights the most resonant moments and voices from the episode, providing a seamless and insightful overview for those unable to listen firsthand.