Better Place Project with Steve Norris

Melissa and Chris Bruntlett are Canadian authors and urban mobility advocates who strive to communicate the benefits of sustainable transport and inspire happier, healthier, more human-scale cities. Their first book, Building the Cycling City: The Dutch Blueprint for Urban Vitality, explored the urban and transport planning decisions that established the Netherlands as a bicycle paradise, and how...

In this episode, Steve shares some good news about things we humans are doing right as a species. Credit and Special thanks to Johan Norberg and Tony Morley for their article " Reasons to be optimistic in 2022" which was the resource for this episode. To stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media: Website: https:/...

Today’s story brings together NFL star Anthony Harris and a grieving 11-year-old girl named Audrey Soape.  Unfortunately, Audrey lost both her father and her grandfather in the months leading up to her church’s father-daughter dance. In an inspiring act of kindness and compassion, Harris flew to Texas to give young Audrey a night she will never forget! To become a Better Place Project Member (and...

Today’s story was submitted by Joseph J. Mazzella to Sunnyskyz.com and reminds us to cherish every moment we have while we’re still here.   Mazzella reflects on his childhood growing up across the road from a 4-H Camp where he would swim, play basketball, ride his bike, play in the woods, and above all, get a quarter from his Nana and buy himself, as he describes it, "a sweet can of Coca Cola...

We go back to Baltimore for this week's Feel Good Friday Episode, where we tell the story of Brandon Jones' quest to cook his dying mother-in-law's favorite broccoli tempura, that she used to order from Ekiben restaurant every time she came to town. Brandon sent an email to the Chef and Co-Owner of the restaurant, Steve Chu explaining the situation and asking for the recipe.  Steve...

In this tear-jerker of an episode, Steve tells the story of soccer star Ian Wright's surprise meeting with a long-lost teacher who had meant the world to him, and who he thought had died.  Ian describes him as the first positive male role model he had had in his life. His teacher, Sydney Pigden, was an ex World War II fighter pilot who had flown over Buckingham Palace at the end of the war.  ...

Believing in the "Transformative power of the ocean," Dan Fischer sought solace surfing the waves of Newport, Rhode Island after the death of his father and a close friend.  After one of those surf sessions where he had written his father's name on his surfboard, he decided to do a Tiktok video inviting others who had lost someone, to send in their names, he'd write it on his b...

Dr. Rich Blundell is an ecologist working at the interface of art, science, nature and culture. His research examines how transformation happens across the scales of person, place and planet. As a cultural communicator, Rich tells a scientific story of the universe that includes art and human creativity as natural phenomena. Dr. Blundell’s research and work has received numerous grants and awards...

This week’s story shine's a light on one of the most courageous humans you will ever come across, Nathan Ogden.  Back in December 0f 2001, Nathan, an accomplished snow skier, accustomed to catching big air, was hauling down the mountain and launched himself off a huge jump soaring more than 30 feet in the air.  But this particular jump went horribly wrong and Nathan crashed, crushing his spin...

Encore Presentation of this Better Place Project Global Storytelling Series! Irmela Mensah-Schramm is a 75-year-old activist who set out to erase symbols of hate in the world. Often referred to as “Graffiti Grandma”, she’s spent the last 3 decades removing and covering up Nazi imagery and racist graffiti in Berlin, Germany. She’s removed 88,300 Neo-Nazi stickers since 2007 and continues to fight a...

This week's 7-minute feel-good short story is about the NHL Hockey Coach, Brian Hamilton who was working on the bench of the Vancouver Canucks and Seattle Kraken's match when I determined young medical student named Nadia Popovici, who was sitting right behind the bench, noticed a peculiar mole on the back of his neck that she thought might be cancerous.  So, she decided to type him an u...

In this episode, Steve and Erin share their New Year's Resolutions for the year, chat about why it can be so hard sometimes to stick to these goals, and they go over 5 science-based tips to help you keep your New Year's Resolutions. A resolution has a far greater chance of being a success if it meets the following criteria: 1) Cue-based plan 2) Has a penalty clause 3) It's Fun 4) Al...

This week’s 6-minute Feel Good Friday Episode tells the story of Emily Delfavero, a very unique chair, and a very special Facebook Group that brought them all together. Emily, an auto mechanic from Syracuse, New York spotted a chair posted to a Facebook group that happened to be the exact fish chair that inspired her to get an image of it tattooed on her leg a couple years earlier. She had not onl...

At the end of every episode, Steve and Erin ask each guest "What advice do you have for us and our listeners on how we can help make the world a better place?" In this inspiring WOW (Words Of Wisdom) episode, they revisit and play back past guests' answers to this question. Hear perspectives and advice from world-renowned thought-leaders, a psychologist, 3-Time Cancer Thriver,  best...

Hear the story about a small town in Southern Indiana named Santa Claus and the "elves" who volunteer each year to respond to the 20,000+ letters that Santa receives each year! To become a Better Place Project Member (and receive free BPP Merch) and support our show, please visit:: https://www.patreon.com/Betterplaceproject To stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and...

Barry is a fierce advocate of well-being to be able to chase down life’s sought after moments. His ability to unlock and define corporate Inspiration, purpose, gratitude and drive led him to his #1 Best-Selling book: The 11 Master Secrets to Business Success and Personal Fulfillment in 2015. Barry’s national talks, keynote addresses, webinar presentations, and workshops work to deconstruct the unt...

This week’s feel good story is about a company called Second Chance, in Baltimore, Md. Second Chance offers 2nd chances for materials and 2nd chances for people.  Second Chance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides people, materials and the environment with a second chance. They deconstruct buildings and homes, salvage usable materials, and make those and other donated items available to the publ...

In this Special Edition Holiday Episode, we compiled responses from 18 different guests of the podcast this year who answered the question "What is your favorite holiday tradition?" We received so many wonderful answers from all across the board, and even a few holidays and traditions that we've never heard of, from different cultures around the world. You'll here answers from...

Steve tells the story of how a very special Santa Claus saved not only Christmas, but the innocence of a small child who never forgot. To stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:    Website: BetterPlaceProject.org  (Leave us a voice message directly from the home page of our website) Instagram: @BetterPlaceProj    To fol...

Mark Bunn has spent the last 30 years studying the ancient wisdoms of health, transcendence, higher consciousness, dharma (natural purpose) and the deeper mysteries of life. Drawing primarily on the timeless Vedic tradition of India (including Ayurveda) and the teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, he discovered how numerous cultures throughout history have known of a great secret to life – that hid...

This week’s 5-Minute feel good story is about internet sensation Trashaun Willis, who due to a rare disorder called Amniotic Band Disorder Syndrome, was born with only one arm.  But not only has that not stopped him, he has gone on to accomplish remarkable things, going on to become a standout basketball and football player.  But as you will hear in this story, he's also become a great human...

Once again, it’s time for Better Place Badasses of Season 4, where Steve and Erin each shine a light on 5 Badasses that are making a positive difference in the world. Featured on this episode: Amy Wright of Bitty and Beau’s Coffee - Amy and her husband started this coffee shop as a safe place of children and young adults to find employment.  As advocates for the value, acceptance, and inclusion of...

In this episode, Steve tells the story of Betty Jenkins and the inflatable Bra.  Betty, in her own words, describes what happened to her when she was just a skinny teenager, was wearing an inflatable bra given to her by her mother, and took a flight over the Andes Mountains. As the non-pressurized plane increased altitude, her bra started to expand, leading to an embarrassing, but hilarious story...

Linda Bjork is a best selling author, speaker, host of "Linda's Corner" podcast, and founder  of Hope for Healing non-profit charity.  Some of her books include “Crushed: A Journey Through Depression,” and Amazon best seller “You Got This! An action plan to calm fear, anxiety, worry, and stress.”  Linda’s personal mission is to empower people to become their best selves. In this epi...

In this episode, Steve tells the heartwarming Thanksgiving story of Jamal Hinton and Wanda Dench.  Wanda went to send a Thanksgiving Dinner Invitation text to her grandson, but unbeknownst to her, he had a new phone with a new number.  Hence, her text went to a complete stranger, Jamal Hinton.  What happens next, set the stage for a unique friendship and a new tradition that has lasted six years a...