Nice News Today — September 8, 2025

Host: Case Kenny
Episode Title: Benefits of rewatching your fave shows, the sleepiest states, and how to spot the northern lights

Episode Overview

This uplifting episode of Nice News Today delivers a dose of optimism by sharing recent positive stories and insights around health, environment, social initiatives, and natural wonders. Case Kenny touches on the mental health benefits of rewatching favorite TV shows, examines sleep trends across the United States, highlights a creative college waste-reduction program, unpacks shifting attitudes toward affordable housing, offers practical tips on catching the Northern Lights in 2025, and spotlights a story of remarkable teamwork in pursuit of a lifelong dream.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Mental Health Benefits of Rewatching Favorite TV Shows

[00:01–02:30]

• Trend Observed: Despite the endless options in the streaming era, people often revisit beloved TV series.
• Why So Comforting?
  • Rewatching provides a predictable, comforting escape from the unpredictability and mental exhaustion of daily life.
  • Behavioral scientist Clarissa Silva (via Verywell Health) notes:

    “The daily grind can be mentally exhausting, which is why nostalgic shows feel so comforting. Instead of adding to our mental load, they give us a much needed escape.”

  • Clinical psychologists add that known narratives help viewers feel safe and stable, especially in tough times.
  • Predictability and a lack of surprises (no shocking plot twists) can be a calming influence.
• Conclusion:
  • Case validates the positive mental health effect:

    “So if the weather changing to fall has you itching to queue up Gilmore Girls for the millionth time, lean into it and know that rewatching can be a useful tool in your mental health toolbox.” ([02:27])

2. America’s Sleepiest States and Bedtime Habits

[02:31–04:08]

• Study Overview: Apple’s Heart and Movement Study analyzed sleep data from 61,000+ adults (17 million records).
  • National average sleep duration: 6 hours, 40 minutes.
  • Earliest bedtime: Hawaii residents at 11:06 pm (also shortest duration: 6 hours, 31 minutes).
  • Latest bedtime: Washington, D.C. at 11:56 pm; New Yorkers close behind at 11:53 pm.
• Sleep Consistency Pays Off:
  • Those with regular bedtimes sleep longer (by 40 minutes), wake less during the night, and exercise more.
  • Case observes:

    “Maybe our parents were right about going to sleep on time.” ([04:05])

3. NYU Students Tackle Campus Waste with a Swap Shop

[04:09–05:39]

• Waste Issue: College students generate an average of 640 pounds of trash each annually (Planet Aid).
• NYU Solution:
  • Students set up a swap shop distributing tens of thousands of pounds of gently-used donated items for free to students.
  • Resulted in over 1,800 students participating; most items found new homes, reducing waste significantly.
• Social Impact:
  • The initiative helps students with financial constraints.
  • NYU student Haneen Amer explained:

    “Not all NYU students are coming from the same context, the same economic backgrounds, and so there are a lot of students and families that really appreciate initiatives like the swap shop because it’s alleviating a lot of the stress that comes with higher education already.” ([05:29])

4. Positive Movement on Affordable Housing Attitudes

[05:40–06:42]

• Poll Results (Talker Research):
  • 63% of respondents view “affordable housing” positively, even split across political alignments.
  • Two-thirds would live in or next to affordable housing; over half would feel positive if a neighboring building converted to affordable housing.
• Changing Perspectives:
  • Built CEO explains growing empathy:

    “…as more people experience the challenges of affordable housing, more people understand that it’s not about charity, it’s about, keeping the American dream within reach.” ([06:33])

5. Preparing to View the Northern Lights in Autumn 2025

[06:43–08:13]

• Why Now?
  • Solar maximum (11-year sun activity peak) predicts the strongest aurora season in decades.
• How-to Tips:
  • Use aurora tracking apps or check NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center for forecasts.
  • Head to the darkest possible spot with minimal light pollution and stay patient.
  • Lights chaser Melissa Kalin advises:

    Cameras often capture more vivid colors than what’s visible to the naked eye. In the northern U.S., the lights may look more white or silver—so keep your camera ready and watch for subtle sky movement. ([07:55])

• Encouragement:
  • Case wishes listeners:

    “Happy lights chasing!” ([08:08])

6. Inspiring Humans: Teamwork Takes Phil to the Summit

[08:14–09:25]

• Phil Thompson’s Dream: To summit Mount Snowden in North Wales, something he considered impossible after a motorcycle accident left him in a wheelchair.
• Teamwork Makes a Dream Work:
  • Bangor Rugby Club builds a special wheelchair frame and carries Phil up the 3,650-foot peak.
• Community Focus:
  • Club member explained:

    “Bangor Rugby Club is very community focused and Phil hasn’t missed a game in over a year, come rain or shine.” ([09:15])

  • Beautiful example of collective determination and support.

Notable Quotes

• On Comfort TV:

  “Instead of adding to our mental load, they give us a much needed escape.” – Clarissa Silva ([01:48])

  “…rewatching can be a useful tool in your mental health toolbox.” – Case Kenny ([02:27])

• On Student Initiatives:

  “There are a lot of students and families that really appreciate initiatives like the swap shop because it’s alleviating a lot of the stress that comes with higher education already.” – Haneen Amer, NYU ([05:29])

• On Affordable Housing:

  “…it’s not about charity, it’s about, keeping the American dream within reach.” – Built CEO ([06:33])

• On the Summit Climb:

  “Bangor Rugby Club is very community focused and Phil hasn’t missed a game in over a year, come rain or shine.” – Bangor Rugby Club member ([09:15])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Rewatching Favorite Shows & Mental Health: 00:01 – 02:30
• America’s Sleep Trends: 02:31 – 04:08
• NYU Swap Shop & College Waste: 04:09 – 05:39
• Affordable Housing Attitudes: 05:40 – 06:42
• Tips to See the Northern Lights: 06:43 – 08:13
• Inspiring Story: Phil’s Summit Climb: 08:14 – 09:25

For more inspiring news, visit nicenews.com. This episode is a wonderful reminder that positive change and human kindness are happening all around us.