The Happy Pod: A gift that reopened the world

Summary

The Happy Pod: A Gift That Reopened the World – Detailed Summary

Released on March 15, 2025 by BBC World Service

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Introduction to Uplifting Stories

The Happy Pod, a segment of the BBC World Service's Global News Podcast, delivers heartwarming and inspiring stories from around the globe. Hosted by Alan Smith, the podcast aims to uplift listeners with narratives that showcase human resilience, innovation, and joy. This episode, titled "A Gift That Reopened the World," features multiple stories that exemplify triumph over adversity and the positive impact of creativity and community.

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1. Innovating Accessibility: The Nelsons' "Rig"

Zach and Cambry Nelson's story is a testament to the power of love and ingenuity. Zach, inspired by his passion for outdoor adventures, sought to include his wife, Cambry, who uses a wheelchair due to a spinal cord injury, in his activities. Existing off-road wheelchairs were prohibitively expensive, costing up to $20,000. Determined to make outdoor exploration accessible, Zach ingeniously welded two electric bikes together to create the first prototype of what they now call "the rig."

Creation and Impact of the Rig

• Cambry Nelson shares her experience:

  “I was just kind of blown away. Like, I just kept smiling. It was so fun... It just kind of felt like the world reopened because I just got used to... being in accessible places.” (00:26)

• Zach Nelson discusses the practicality and affordability:

  “Everything about accessibility is just super, super expensive... so I decided to weld two electric bikes together to make that first prototype.” (03:10)

The couple founded their company, Not a Wheelchair, aiming to reduce costs and eliminate delays associated with custom mobility equipment. Their mission resonates deeply within the disabled community, providing hundreds with affordable and fun alternatives to traditional wheelchairs. The Nelsons have sold hundreds of rigs, enabling users to explore terrains previously inaccessible to them.

Customer Testimonials and Satisfaction

Cambry emphasizes the emotional and social benefits:

“Seeing people out and enjoying life and the outdoors, knowing that they didn't break the bank to get there, like, that's super satisfying.” (04:19)

Zach highlights memorable customer experiences:

“There's a girl up in Canada who bought one and she just goes to like, the craziest national parks... crossing this rope bridge in one of our off-road wheelchairs.” (04:25)

Philosophy Behind "Not a Wheelchair"

Zach explains the name's significance:

“It's not a wheelchair... it didn't make me look more disabled. Our rigs are kind of souped up and fun.” (05:57)

This approach has not only empowered Cambry and Zach but also inspired others, including their friends who enjoy taking the rigs for races, further promoting inclusivity and joy in mobility.

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2. Edwin Rayner: A 92-Year-Old TikTok Sensation

Edwin Rayner’s journey from heartbreak to social media stardom exemplifies never being too old to embrace new platforms and share one's passion. After losing his wife of 60 years, Edwin felt devoid of purpose until his granddaughters introduced him to TikTok.

From Grief to Global Audience

• Edwin Rayner shares his initial skepticism and eventual success:

  “I never heard of TikTok... We put a song on TikTok... I think we got about 8,000 likes, which was unbelievably.” (07:22)

Encouraged by the positive response, Edwin continued to post musical renditions, amassing millions of views. His cover of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" marked the beginning of a new chapter, allowing him to connect with a global audience and inspire countless others.

Cambry and Zach's Reflection on Edwin's Impact

Cambry observes the broader impact of Edwin’s performances:

“Some of the people that comment on me were in despair. And my singing my songs have brought back life to them.” (09:10)

Edwin’s story underscores the transformative power of creativity and the importance of intergenerational support in overcoming personal challenges.

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3. Crufts Triumph: The Success of Whippets Mucha and Lola

This segment celebrates the first-ever win by an Italian whippet, Mucha, at the prestigious Crufts Dog Show, alongside a heartwarming story of Lola, a rescue dog who won the Scruffs Family Cross Breed of the Year.

Mucha’s Historic Win

• Giovanni Liguri, Mucha’s handler, expresses his pride:

  “She's a sweetheart... When she's in the ring, she's like, look at me.” (10:11)

Mucha, a four-year-old whippet from Venice, not only secured Best in Show but also highlighted the breed's grace and athleticism on an international stage.

Lola: A Rescue Dog's Heroic Impact

Lola’s story is particularly moving as her presence helped her owner, Bex Hall, overcome a traumatic childbirth experience:

“Lola came to me at a really tough time in my life... it was really nice.” (12:20)

Judges recognized Lola’s profound impact, awarding her for giving Bex a new lease on life. Giovanni adds:

“I would definitely say go for it. It's the most rewarding thing.” (13:25)

Lola exemplifies how rescue animals can transform lives, offering emotional support and companionship that surpasses traditional expectations.

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4. Veronica Chick: Young Climbing Prodigy Overcomes Fear

At just nine years old, Veronica Chick from Hong Kong has already achieved significant milestones in climbing. After developing a fear of falling during outdoor climbs, Veronica took a break but made a remarkable comeback, conquering the challenging 31-meter China Climb and winning gold at her first national championships.

Journey of Resilience and Determination

• Vivian Wan, Veronica’s mother, shares the emotional roller coaster:

  “It’s a roller coaster of emotions... if this is what she wants, we will go for it.” (15:31)

Veronica's determination is fueled by support from her family and her own unwavering spirit. After overcoming her fear, she set new records and aspires to become an Olympian, inspiring other young athletes to pursue their passions despite obstacles.

Training Commitment and Future Aspirations

Vivian highlights the dedication required:

“Each week either me or my husband take her to training in China... it's a huge commitment.” (17:05)

Veronica looks forward to tackling more challenging routes:

“My dream is to become an Olympian and inspire other people to like, climb.” (18:08)

Her story emphasizes the importance of family support and personal perseverance in achieving extraordinary goals.

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5. Hannah Studley: Overcoming Chronic Pain Through Mindset

Hannah Studley’s narrative is a powerful example of how changing one's mindset can lead to overcoming chronic pain. After surviving two attacks in her early twenties and living with chronic pain for 25 years, Hannah discovered a transformative psychological approach that eliminated her pain and enabled her to help others.

From Pain to Empowerment

• Hannah Studley recounts her struggle and breakthrough:

  “When I stopped trying to fix and change how I felt, the pain went away.” (19:32)

Trained in London, Hannah now runs a coaching practice, helping clients worldwide tackle physical issues, trauma, and anxiety by altering their mental frameworks. Her methods focus on the belief that the mind’s perspective shapes physical experiences.

Client Success Stories

Hannah shares a notable transformation:

“One of my very first clients had fibromyalgia... after a few sessions, she started to feel better.” (21:02)

Her approach has consistently proven effective, providing relief and renewed hope to individuals grappling with chronic conditions.

Challenges and Recognition

Despite skepticism from traditional healthcare professionals, Hannah remains steadfast in her mission:

“I work with people with physical issues because that's my experience... it's been amazing.” (20:56)

Her dedication underscores the potential of alternative therapies in addressing chronic pain and mental health challenges.

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6. The King's Music Room: Modernizing the Royal Image

In a unique blend of tradition and modernity, The Happy Pod features a special segment on King Charles’ favorite music, curated to mark Commonwealth Day. This initiative aims to humanize the monarchy by showcasing the King's diverse musical tastes.

Curating a Modern Playlist

• Alan Smith introduces the segment:

  “This program called the King's Music Room, made with Apple Music, is thought to be the first time a British monarch has appeared on a podcast.” (23:36)

The playlist, featuring artists like Kylie Minogue and Diana Ross, reflects the King's broad appreciation for both classical and contemporary music. This fusion highlights his exposure to various cultures during his Commonwealth trips, influencing his musical selections.

Insights from the Royal Correspondent

• Daniela Rel, BBC's royal correspondent, explains:

  “The King listened and made his own shortlist... He talks really movingly about meeting Bob Marley and the impact of meeting him decades ago.” (24:01)

The playlist not only serves as a musical journey but also as a narrative of the King’s personal connections and historical moments, such as his interactions with Bob Marley and performances by Kylie Minogue.

Modernizing the Monarchy

Cambry Nelson and Giovanni Liguri discuss the implications:

“Attempts to modernize the royal family's image?” (24:12)

The segment suggests a deliberate effort by Buckingham Palace to reach new audiences and soften the often formal perception of the monarchy. The inclusion of danceable tracks like "Locomotion" and "Upside Down" exemplifies this shift towards a more relatable and contemporary image.

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Conclusion: Embracing Happiness and Community

The Happy Pod wraps up by reiterating the theme of finding joy in diverse forms—from innovative mobility solutions and unexpected social media fame to overcoming personal fears and chronic pain. The episode encourages listeners to share their own happy sounds, fostering a community of positivity and support.

Interactive Engagement

Alan Smith concludes with an invitation:

“Is there a sound that makes you happy? Send it to [e-mail]...” (26:02)

This call to action invites audience participation, enhancing the podcast’s interactive and inclusive spirit.

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Production Credits

• Mixed by: Nicola Bruff
• Producers: Holly Gibbs and Rachel Bulkley
• Editor: Karen Martin

Closing Remarks

Alan Smith signs off with warmth and anticipation for future episodes:

“Until next time, it's goodbye.” (26:02)

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Final Thoughts

This episode of The Happy Pod masterfully intertwines stories of personal triumph, innovative solutions, and cultural celebrations, all unified by the pursuit of happiness and community. Through detailed narratives and heartfelt quotes, listeners are left inspired by the resilience and creativity showcased by individuals from different walks of life.

Transcript

[Zach Nelson]

My name is Zach Nelson. And I'm Cambria Nelson. And you're listening to the Happy Pod on the BBC World Service.

[Alan Smith]

Hello, it's Alan Smith with you for half an hour or so of uplifting stories from around the world. This is the Happy Pod from the BBC World Service. And in this edition, how one couple's love of outdoor adventures inspired an invention that helped hundreds of people.

[Zach Nelson]

So just riding the rig has opened my world, and yeah, I love it. Seeing people out and enjoying life and the outdoors, that's super satisfying.

[Alan Smith]

Why? You're never too old to succeed at something new.

[Cambry Nelson]

Even Laura came to me and said, granddad, you're gonna go on TikTok. I said, you're gonna go what?

[Alan Smith]

Or too young to inspire others.

[Zach Nelson]

I was so scared of falling from so high up. I need some time to step back and reflect.

[Alan Smith]

Plus, we've Italy's top dog.

[Giovanni Liguri]

She likes to cuddle, but she loves to run and to have fun on her favorite beach. When she's in the ring, she's like, look at me.

[Alan Smith]

The Whippets who secured the country's first ever win at the world's biggest dog show. To start though, a question. I wonder how good you are at identifying sounds. One of the things that makes me happy is collecting sounds on my phone. So just for fun, I thought I'd set you a Happy Pod challenge. Can you work out what sound this is? I'll give you three options. Is it A, rain, B, something in a frying pan, or C. Static crackles on an old style radio. I'll tell you the answer and why it makes me happy at the end of the podcast. Our first story is about the extraordinary lengths one man went to for a woman he just started dating. Something that ended up changing both their lives and helping hundreds of people. When Zach Nelson met Cambry six years ago, he wanted to share his love of hiking and the great outdoors. But the wheelchair she used because of a spinal cord injury wasn't up to going off road, and they couldn't afford those that were. So instead, he invented and built something just for her called the rig. The couple, who are now married and live in Utah, went on to set up their company, Not a Wheelchair, to try to reduce the costs and delays others face getting custom made mobility equipment. Zach and Cambry Nelson have been talking to Harry Bly, starting with the moment Cambry tried out the very first version of the rig.

[Zach Nelson]

I was just kind of blown away. Like, I just kept smiling. It was so fun, like I could go on grass and not have any issues because in my manual wheelchair, like, I can't get very far on gravel and grass and dirt. And so it was really fun to just go. I don't know. The first day we went a few miles, it just kind of felt like the world reopened because I just got used to, like, the pavement and being in accessible places. So just riding the rig has opened my world. And there's just a feeling you get when you feel like, yeah, I love it, it's really fun to ride. Getting outside was something that I enjoy doing and I wanted her to come with me. And so that was the goal, to get her outside. But also, like, the more I got to know Cambry, the more I realized that, like, everything about accessibility is just super, super expensive. Like, there was other off road wheelchairs out there that cost, you know, 10 or $20,000. But like, when you're dating, that's not, that's not a good day date, you know, price point. So I decided to weld two electric bikes together to make that first prototype. I don't know. I think Zach is very, like, practical and logical and he wants everybody to be on the same playing field. And so I see that being really rewarding. But I think also when we get videos of people enjoying their rigs, like, it hits a deeper level that sometimes we forget about the impact it really has on people's lives. And that's really fun. So the whole thing is just fun for us because, like, we've sold, you know, hundreds of these active wheelchairs. Seeing people out and enjoying life and the outdoors and knowing that they didn't break the bank to get there, like, that's super satisfying, I think.

[Alan Smith]

Tell me about some of these videos that you've received from customers who've bought your, your products.

[Zach Nelson]

There's been a lot. I mean, some. One of my favorites is there's this girl up in Canada actually, who bought one and she just goes to like, the craziest national parks. Like, there's a video of her, like, crossing this rope bridge in one of our off road wheelchairs. And like, I never really expected it to be in that kind of extreme scenario. We also have a kid version and like, seeing the little kids just out spinning donuts in the snow is like, sometimes it's surreal because I, I lived with my injury for 15 years and just navigating this world, you know, all the ups and downs that come with sustaining a disability and then, and dating and just like all aspects of a disability because I, I walked for 18 years and then I became a wheelchair user and I just kind of saw the world a little bit more black and white. I feel like until I met Zach. And it's just been really rewarding to not only, like, have some of my barriers removed. It's been really rewarding to see it affect other people's because I know what it's like being in a wheelchair and I know how frustrating it is from a lot of different standpoints. And so just it's nice to be able to, I guess, share the wealth of the Zach's incredible brain and drive and the team that is supporting really a large part of the disabled community.

[Alan Smith]

I feel like your company is called Not a Wheelchair.

[Giovanni Liguri]

Why is that?

[Zach Nelson]

Well, I think part of the name of Not a Wheelchair came because, like, I would drive it on the trails and people would stop us and be like, what is that? And I just think it was kind of fun to be like, well, it's not a wheelchair. And there was a lot of people that were like, oh, when can I get myself one of those? Like, that looks really fun. And I really enjoyed that about the rig is that it didn't make me like, maybe this is vain, but it didn't make me look more disabled. And I feel like sometimes there's medical equipment out there that just kind of looks like rickety and old. And I feel like our rigs are kind of souped up and fun. That it entices more than maybe just the disabled community to want to hop in. Like, I know I have friends that will hop on one of them with me, and it's one of their, you know, favorite pastimes, is to go race.

[Alan Smith]

Rigs around with me, Cambry and Zach Nelson. We're talking to Harry Bly now. Here's a story that proves it's never too late to follow your dreams or to try something new, for that matter. When lifelong singer Edwin Rayner lost his wife of 60 years, he felt there was no reason to carry on performing. That was then. Now, almost a decade on, the 92 year old's musical renditions have been viewed by millions of people on Tick Tock. His latest success is this cover of Chapel Roan.

[Cambry Nelson]

I'm gonna Keep on dancing at the Pink Pony Club.

[Alan Smith]

Sally Nugent and John K. Caught up with Edwin, the social media star.

[Cambry Nelson]

I'm very lucky, aren't I? You know, at my age, I suppose. But then I don't think age comes into it, does it? If you've got ability, you should. No matter how old you are, it's not important you can be like some of the kiddies going in, singing at school or whatever. And then when you get a bit older like me, you still keep singing. And I'm very, very fortunate. Yeah, I'll be 93 on the 31st of March. But I'm. I'm so lucky. I had a wonderful wife. Unfortunately, I lost my Margaret 10 years ago and miss her terribly. She was a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful woman. And it's because the way she looked after me is that I'm 93 and I can do what I can do. I can still drive my car and I can still do my housework and I can look after myself. I've got two wonderful daughters, of course, who magnificent help me and some wonderful grandchildren and two of them. It's their fault that I'm on TikTok because one day Liv and Laura came to me and said, granddad, you're going to go on Tick Tock. I said, you're gonna go what? I never heard of TikTok. Anyway, we put this song on Tick Tock. I think it was one from the wizard of Oz, Somewhere over the Rainbow. Yeah, we put it on and we thought we might get a couple of hundred likes on it. I think we got about 8, 6 or 8,000 likes, which was unbelievably. Didn't think it was possible. Anyway, so we went on and I began to put more songs on. I be to get a magnificent following. I've got.

[Alan Smith]

What does it mean to you that.

[Giovanni Liguri]

You know, you said numbers and age.

[Alan Smith]

Doesn'T matter, but, but likes and hits and shares, I mean, it's extraordinary.

[Cambry Nelson]

Well, it is absolutely extraordinary and there's no doubt about it. And I get thousands and thousands of comments and I try and read them all. It takes me ages and ages and ages, but it's so gratifying because some of the people that comment on me were in despair. And my singing my songs have brought back life to them and it's so pleasing to know I've done this and I can do this and I've been a singer and entertainer all my life. I'm very lucky to be able to do it. And I thank God that I'm able to do. To do these things.

[Alan Smith]

What an inspiring chap. Edwin Rayner speaking to Sally Nugent and John Kay. Now, when it comes to being Top Dog, winning Crufts really does take some beating. It's the biggest dog show in the world with more than 18,000 entrants from around the globe. And this year it's been won by an Italian Dog for the first time. 4 year old whippet Mucha from Venice was named best in show last weekend. Her handler is Giovanni Liguri.

[Giovanni Liguri]

She's a sweetheart. She's truly a sweet dog. She always want to be super close to me. She likes to cuddle, but she loves to run and to have fun on her favorite beach. Also, the other aspect of her personality is that she's very alert and very happy to be shown. So when she's in the ring, she's like, look at me. It's been an amazing journey. It's been fantastic to attend crafts. It's been my first time there and the results couldn't be better than this. I couldn't believe it actually. So for me it was like the epitome of my careers. It's really hard to describe the emotion you are like feeling in that exact moment, but I can guarantee that is super nice feeling.

[Alan Smith]

Much as proud handler Giovanni Liguri. And Mucco wasn't the only whippet winning prizes. A one year old whippet saluki Collie Cross, who was a rescue dog, claimed a top award after judges heard she gave her owner a new lease of life after a traumatic childbirth left her unable to leave the house. Lola, owned by Bex hall from the southeast of England won the Scruffs family Cross Breed of the year title. Stephanie Prentice spoke to Bex.

[Giovanni Liguri]

The judge didn't actually announce Lola straight away. She basically said that she thought that the worthy winner was the dog that saved the human because it could have gone completely the other way. And while she was saying all of this, I was thinking, oh my gosh, that's me. I just couldn't believe it. I felt so overwhelmed.

[Alan Smith]

Scruffs James well beloved Scruffs Crossbreed dog of the year Lola and Be.

[Giovanni Liguri]

I was just so happy and just so surprised that this little lurcher that nobody wanted could come this far, beat hundreds of dogs in the qualifiers and win. And you mentioned that the judge said.

[Alan Smith]

That Lola had saved you.

[Giovanni Liguri]

Would you mind telling us what Lola did for you? Lola came to me at a really tough time in my life. I had a three month old son and I'd had a traumatic birth and I didn't feel like I wanted to leave the house. Getting Lola just meant that, you know, I had to leave the house to take her for a walk around the block. And then suddenly I was putting things in the diary that I wouldn't have even thought about before. And slowly I was getting back to being an actual person, an actual human being and just Being a mum that sits inside the house all day worrying about everything, I felt a little bit of me return. It was really nice. And you mentioned there that Lola was a little dog that nobody wanted. But it sounds like her character had such a positive effect on you as well. She came, she was this confident little puppy, and it just gave us like a whole different energy in the house, that the whole house just sort of came alive, if that makes sense. You were always going, oh my gosh, where is she? What's she doing? Oh my gosh.

[Alan Smith]

What would you say to anyone that's thinking of getting a rescued dog?

[Giovanni Liguri]

I would definitely say go for it. It's the most rewarding thing. Essentially, I wanted a pedigree whippet. I wanted to go to compete at Crufts. And then this little lurcher came and I can't imagine having any other dog. I can't imagine having a pedigree whipper at all. I think it's just really rewarding. And a rescue dog is just as good as any pedigree dog. What a worthy, worthy winner. And a big thank you to the judge as well.

[Alan Smith]

That's the way to do it.

[Giovanni Liguri]

Congratulations to Bex hall and Lola.

[Alan Smith]

Bex hall, whose rescue dog ended up rescuing her. Still to come in this podcast, I always recall his words. The people have a voice inside of them. He gave the world that voice in a way that no one who heard can ever forget. A rather unusual broadcast from King Charles. Now to a remarkable story about someone who's overcome her fears and set a new record. And she's still only nine years old. Veronica Chick began climbing at the age of five and was soon winning indoor competitions. But after switching to outdoor climbing, she developed a fear of falling and had to take a break. Then she overcame that fear, became the youngest person from Hong Kong to complete a challenging 31 meter route called the China Climb and won gold at her first national championships. Veronica and her mom, Vivian Wan, have been speaking to Nishtatlada.

[Zach Nelson]

When I was small, I saw those monkey bars and then I want to climb them and then like I really.

[Giovanni Liguri]

Like it so much.

[Zach Nelson]

And then my grandfather, he brought me to climbing and then I like it so much. I like to climb everywhere and it's like very happy and calm and then it's like a sense of joy.

[Giovanni Liguri]

After a year she started to do competition and has. She has been reading all the competition and all of a sudden she, she told me she wants to be an Olympian. And so I started to look into it and then try to Find her national coach and you know all that. What's it like as a mother to watch her go through it? Do you feel the fear as a mother when you watch her climbing? Yes. Well, it's a roller coaster of emotions. I feel scared. At the same time, I feel very proud. We were like, should we continue or not? Should we give up or not? And then performance will surprise you. And it makes me feel there is a hope. I told her, do you want to give up? No. Okay. So I asked her many. Veronica is shaking her head. She does not want to give up. If this is what she wants, we will go for it. I know you then took a little break from climbing, didn't you, last year. Why was that? Tell us about that.

[Zach Nelson]

I was so scared of falling from so high up. I need some time to step back and reflect. Very scary.

[Giovanni Liguri]

How did you get over what you'd been feeling? How did you find that strength to go back and resume outdoor climbing? My parents took me to Paris to watch the Olympic Games.

[Zach Nelson]

I found my climbing passion again and helped me overcome the fear of falling.

[Giovanni Liguri]

And I know you climbed the very famous China climb, didn't you? Which is extraordinary. What was that like?

[Zach Nelson]

It was like mix of happiness and disbelief. It felt surreal to achieve something I have worked so hard for. And I couldn't believe I was finally standing at the top.

[Giovanni Liguri]

When she finished China Climb, I wasn't there. Her father called me and she was like, mommy, Mommy, Mommy. What happened? I thought she had an accident, you know, and he was like, she finished. I burst into tears and I cannot believe she can finally get it done. It was unbelievable. You must be so proud of her. Yes, very proud. Each week either me or my husband take her to training in China and it's like five to six hours each way on high speed train. It's a huge commitment and you've already achieved so much. What are the big goals for you? What would you like to do?

[Zach Nelson]

I want to do some harder routes to prove myself that I can do challenging routes and stuff. My dream is to become an Olympian and inspire other people to like, climb.

[Giovanni Liguri]

I always tell her, you can be what you want to be. So no matter what you said you want to be, and I will fully support you.

[Alan Smith]

Vivian Wan and her daughter, the nine year old climbing star, Veronica Chick, talking to sportshour, which you can find wherever you get your BBC podcasts. Now here's a fascinating personal story of triumph over adversity. Hannah Studley, who lives in Israel, was attacked and badly injured twice in her early 20s and experienced chronic pain for decades. But then a psychologist suggested she might be able to tackle that pain by changing the way she thought about it. And she says that for her, it worked. Hannah now has her own coaching practice and she says she's helped hundreds of clients around the world. She spoke to Richard Hamilton.

[Hannah Studley]

I got very messed up in my head. I was terrified to leave the house. I wasn't eating properly, I wasn't sleeping. The doctor just kept asking me to tell the story again. But I remember screaming in my head thinking, I do that all day at home. I need you to help me not do that. So I never went back. That was the only treatment I ever got.

[Giovanni Liguri]

But you lived for many years with chronic pain?

[Hannah Studley]

Yes, I had chronic pain for about 25 years and so bad that there was a couple of times I was paralyzed and rushed into the emergency room. It was agony. I had a walking stick by the time I was 27 years old. About 10 years ago, I came across a new understanding of how the mind works and I went to London to train as a practitioner. And when I finished the six month course, all my pain had gone away. It was amazing. I learned about it from a friend. And as soon as I heard that I didn't have to do all these techniques and activities to control my thinking anymore, I fell in love with it. Because I now see that's why my body was screaming at me. Because I was constantly trying to fix and change how I felt. And when I stopped doing that, the pain went away. And the basic idea for me was that I wasn't broken and didn't need fixing. Yes, my body had gotten damaged, but really the inner part of me can never be broken. Everything from the pain to being anxious or fearful, we're feeling that thinking and that's what's creating our experience. I didn't know that my pain could go away. I thought because of the damage that I had experienced that it would be with me for the rest of my life. So when I got excited about these ideas, it wasn't to fix the pain, but as my mind slowed down, as I started to understand and I had more and more insights, my body didn't need to scream at me anymore, so the pain went away.

[Giovanni Liguri]

Have you come across a lot of.

[Alan Smith]

Skepticism from traditional psychotherapists and counselors and medical experts?

[Hannah Studley]

Yeah, they kind of see me as an amateur. I work with people with physical issues because that's my experience. I work with people with trauma and anxiety. I work with people with all kind of mental health issues. And I haven't found any situation where this hasn't been helpful. It's been amazing. One of my very first clients had fibromyalgia, and she'd had it for five or seven years. She was in so much pain, she couldn't sit in a restaurant to eat a meal because the chair was uncomfortable. Her husband couldn't even give her a hug. After a few sessions, she started to feel better. She started to have her own insights. And by the time we finished our group of sessions, she ended up flying from Germany, where she lived, to Miami for a vacation, a dream holiday. And she's doing great, and we're still in touch. And I know she's still doing wonderfully. I've seen all kinds of situations where people feel like their world is very small and things are hopeless. And when they understand that they were just feeling some really horrible negative thinking and that thought has passed, they're free. And their bodies get free, too.

[Alan Smith]

Hannah Studley, who found a new way to overcome her chronic pain and rebuild her life. Of course, we recommend consulting your doctor before trying any new treatments. Now, if you're looking for some music to make you happy or even get you dancing, how about some royal recommendations? Britain's King Charles has drawn up a list of his favorite tracks from around the Commonwealth and presented them in a special podcast to mark Commonwealth Day. I always recall his words. The people have a voice inside of them. He gave the world that voice in a way that no one who heard can ever forget. Kylie Minogue came to St. James's palace to perform this song in 2012 in advance of the Diamond Jubilee visit to Australia. We had a large reception for Australians in the United Kingdom. And as Kylie is an ambassador for my Now Kings Trust, she very generously agreed to come and perform. The song is the Locomotion, and this is music for dancing again. It has that infectious energy which makes it, I find, incredibly hard to sit still. This very last song is one of my particular favorites. It is Upside down by Diana Ross. When I was much younger, it was impossible not to get up and dance when it was played. And I wonder if I can still just manage it.

[Giovanni Liguri]

I said, upside down, you're turning me.

[Alan Smith]

The program called the King's Music Room, made with apple music, is thought to be the first time a British monarch has appeared on a podcast. Will chalk asked the BBC's royal correspondent, Daniela Rel, what was behind the idea.

[Giovanni Liguri]

It was something they very much wanted to do because of its connection to the Commonwealth. That was the big push for them but it is something new in terms of what the King has done before.

[Cambry Nelson]

Yeah, I think when most of us.

[Alan Smith]

Picture a stereotypical royal, they're probably listening.

[Cambry Nelson]

To classical music or a string quartet or something. Clearly from this program, that's not the case.

[Alan Smith]

So what does this say about, like.

[Cambry Nelson]

Attempts to modernize the royal family's image?

[Giovanni Liguri]

Look, I think we should first say that, you know, the King is an expert on classical music, so I think that is probably his comfort zone. But he does like more modern music, we're told, especially because on all those trips that he does around the world, he is exposed to the music of those countries. And clearly some of them have had a real impact on him. But a long list was drawn up where his family, friends, people he worked with were consulted. That long list was taken up to the King at Sandringham one weekend a few weeks ago where he listened and made his own shortlist. And it's interesting what he says during the program about the choices that he has made. He talks really movingly about meeting Bob Marley and the impact of meeting him decades ago and subsequently the contact he's had with the Marley family and the visits to Jamaica that. That really moved him. And it was a voice that he said was hard to forget. And then, you know, a recent times. He clearly knows and likes Kylie. I don't think there's any question about that at all. You know, Kylie Minogue on this program representing Australia, she's played in front of the King a number of times. There is this common theme, actually, when you listen to what he says about dancing.

[Alan Smith]

I was gonna bring.

[Cambry Nelson]

I was gonna bring that up because again, you don't. You don't often picture a king dancing. But then does that feed into.

[Alan Smith]

Is this an effort from Buckingham palace to kind of.

[Giovanni Liguri]

To humanize maybe a bit, 100%. I mean, you know, he. He obviously is an incredibly formal figure in public life. And I think any attempt there is to reach new audiences to perhaps take the edges, the formal edges off the King, they will try to do. It also gets people thinking about the Commonwealth countries and where he is working and where he's visited. But the dancing thing is a common theme. Diana Ross, Kylie, it's all there. Ray, Michael Buble, Beyonce. Crazy. And Love Makes a Cut as well. So it's a really eclectic list, very much focused on modern music.

[Alan Smith]

That was Daniella Relf, and that's all from the Happy Pod for now. But just before we go, here's that happy sound I played you at the start. Did you work out what that was. Well, the answer is rain. I recorded it in the Lake District in the northwest corner of England, which is the place that I grew up. So from the. From a very young age, I was taught to love the rain because without it, we wouldn't have the lakes that the region is famous for. I still like the sunshine mind. And this got us thinking. Is there a sound that makes you happy? If there is, we'd love to hear about it. Why not send us a voice note to tell us about the sound that's special to you. Send it to globalpodcastbc.co.uk and you might like to know that you can now watch some of our interviews on YouTube. Just search for the Happy Podcast. Odd. This edition was mixed by Nicola Bruff and the producers were Holly Gibbs and Rachel Bulkley. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Alan Smith. Until next time, it's goodbye.