The Squirrel News Podcast

In this episode, we're talking to two special guests, Becky Edwards and Darren Higginson. Becky has established a pioneering programme at the University of Chichester that opens up access to higher education for people who have experienced homelessness. Darren is one of her students and on the path to doing a sociology degree. Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Nina Bohlmann. Sto...

In our fourteenth episode, we're talking about New Zealand's unique plan to eliminate smoking, Michelin-starred chefs who are going meat-free, and how roundabouts in Indiana reduce both accidents and emissions. Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Nina Bohlmann. Stories discussed New Zealand unveils unique plan to eliminate smoking, New York Times Out with the meat, in with the pla...

In our thirteenth episode, we're talking to Sean Goode, director of the NGO 'Choose 180', who just increased all employee salaries to an annual minimum of $70,000. Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Nina Bohlmann. Stories discussed This nonprofit has introduced a $70,000 minimum wage for their staff, Seattle Times   Squirrel News Squirrel News is a free, curated news service...

In our twelfth episode, we're talking about a buddy system for homeless people via phone, an exchange programme connecting high schoolers from diverse backgrounds, and a new US Navy ship named after gay rights activist Harvey Milk. Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Nina Bohlmann. Stories discussed U.S. Navy names ship after assassinated gay rights activist Harvey Milk, NPR Suppo...

In this episodes, we're talking about solutions and progress for children worldwide: from the first malaria vaccine in Africa and a bill banning corporal punishment in Pakistan to mental health days for schoolchildren in Illinois and a partnership in the UK aiming to make school grounds greener and more animal-friendly. Stories discussed WHO gives the go-ahead for the first malaria vaccine in Afri...

In our tenth episode we're talking about some amazing ways animals can help humans and other animals. Besprochene Beiträge Vineyards in California substitute pesticides for owls, Bay Nature Pig patrol keeps Europe's busiest airport safe, BBC News   One dog rescues 100 koalas from the Australian bush fires , Good News Network   Sheep on seaweed diet can curb methane emissions , Euronews &...

In this episode, we're talking about the first female judges in Egypt's State Council, an Irish baron who rewilds his estate, and a dog rehabilitation program in California providing prisoners with hope, love and reduced sentences. Correction: One headline reported in the show is not quite correct. Instead of "Egypt swears in first female judges to judicial body" it should say "Egypt swears in fir...

In our eight episode, we're talking about a basic income scheme for artists and art workers in Ireland, a bold approach to treating drug addiction, and a surprising self-defense initiative in a Kenyan slum. Stories discussed Irish basic income scheme for artists and art workers set to be piloted in 2022, Irish Times California is paying drug addicts to stop using, NPR Philadelphia's neighbourhood...

In our seventh episode, we're talking about a new approach to tackling physical and mental health issues: social prescribing. Special guest Julia Hotz explains why more and more doctors in the UK are recommending outdoor pursuits or social activities instead of prescribing specific drugs or medications. Story discussed A radical plan to treat Covid’s mental health fallout, Wired Squirrel News Squi...

In this episode, we're talking about a library of "human books", the global trend towards parental leave for fathers, village women in India protesting for an alcohol ban in order to reduce cases of domestic violence, and how social media influencers in Lebanon use their outreach to mitigate ethnic conflicts. Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Nina Bohlmann. Stories discussed Hum...

In our fifth episode, we're talking about the planned transformation of Medellin into an eco-city, the introduction of news literacy as a subject in Illinois high schools; a simple approach to prevent eviction; and fast-seeling mooncakes that symbolize a shift in attitude towards mental health problems in Shanghai. Stories discussed Medellin reinvents itself as Latin America's first eco-city, Alja...

In our fourth episode, we're talking about Pakistan's plan to plant 10 billion trees, the impact of free primary education in Congo, and an organisation providing free instruments and music education for low-income families in St. Louis. Articles discussed Pakistan will plant 10 billion trees to cut pollution and bring fresh air to cities, Reuters Congo's free primary education results in falling...

In our first special episode, we're presenting amazing approaches like a prison model without wardens and guns in Brazil, and we're talking to Fritzi Horstman, the founder of the Compassion Prison Project . Further stories mentioned Brazil's jails reduce recidivism rates without wardens and guns, DW Reducing incarceration decreases number of violent crimes in the US, Reasons To Be Cheerful Prison...

In our second episode, we're talking about the four-day working week in Japan and Iceland, state-financed imam training in Germany, and a project that makes barbers mental health coaches. Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Nina Bohlmann. Stories discussed Japanese government proposes four-day working week, DW Four-day working week a huge success in Iceland, DW State financed imam...

In our first episode, we're talking about the prospect of a global minimum tax rate, a Dutch farmer who invented a unique "pig toilet", and a movement among young people in China who are highlighting the need for a lifestyle change by "lying flat". Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Nina Bohlmann. Stories discussed G7 agrees historic new global minimum tax rate for big businesses...