Welcome to the community! Before we get to our regularly scheduled programming, we're providing some background on how the podcast came to be and what you can expect to hear every week!

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Send us an email: pleasantconversationspodcast@gmail.com

Jasmine is about to go on her much-needed vacation, so what better conversations are there for our hosts to have than about politics and animals! Don’t worry, the animals always outweigh the politics.

After some political griping, our hosts delight in some banter about 90s TV shows, good news in both the animal and environmental worlds, an educationally fun topic, Ashes & Embers, the weekly affirmation, and some pleasantries about being a responsible adult.

Now put down that fourth shrimp cocktail and go meet your activities director down on the poop deck, but watch your step, as they welcome you to join our pleasant conversations!

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Email us: ⁠pleasantconversationspodcast@gmail.com⁠

Good News Links:

Sea turtle nests hit a new high on the Texas coast: https://www.chron.com/life/wildlife/article/sea-turtles-nests-texas-20379265.php

World's oldest climate fund targets wildlife bonds for every country in Africa: https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/cop/worlds-oldest-climate-fund-targets-wildlife-bonds-every-country-africa-2025-07-17/

A new Trump policy asked national park visitors to report 'negative' content. They're writing compliments to rangers instead: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/national-park-trump-feedback-forms

Conservation Jobs Corps gives Midland teens hands-on STEM experience at I-20 Wildlife Preserve: https://www.mrt.com/news/education/article/conservation-jobs-corps-midland-stem-20775607.php

5,000 people express interest in running for office following NYC mayoral primary: 'Change is coming': https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/new-york-city-primary-zohran-mamdani-run-for-something

Gorillas return to San Antonio Zoo for first time in 30 years, featuring largest gorilla tower in the world: https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2025/07/17/gorillas-return-to-san-antonio-zoo-for-first-time-in-30-years-featuring-largest-gorilla-tower-in-the-world/

This week, Jasmine isn’t really feeling the joy, so Michael tries to help out by bringing some extra smiles and positivity. He recaps his birthday weekend, his return to the paranormal, and his love for Spooky Season!

The news brings us stories about first responder mental health, LGBTQ+ pilgrims in the Vatican, content creators for clean water, PBS’s celebration of food by state, and This Day in History. The Wheel of Topics has our hosts talk about their favorite fictional universe to live in.

As always, we end the show with Ashes & Embers, our weekly affirmation, and pleasantries.

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Email us: ⁠pleasantconversationspodcast@gmail.com⁠

Good News Links:

Portland Street Response grows, thanks to city funding: https://katu.com/news/local/portland-street-response-grows-thanks-to-city-funding

LGBTQ+ Catholics make Holy Year pilgrimage to Rome and celebrate a new feeling of welcome: https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-lgbtq-197507e47890e2e5115a7f784d0bef04

MrBeast, YouTubers surpass $40M goal in global clean water fundraiser: 'We're just getting started': https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/mrbeast-team-water-fundraiser

Our hosts are basking in their post-Halloween glow and marching forward into autumn. Jasmine and Michael have big news for the upcoming holiday season and want YOU to join them for an episode!

The news brings good stories about Alaskan pet rescue, climate talks with indigenous South Americans, Bon Jovi helps feed federal workers, eyesight being brought back to the blind through scientific advances, allergy prevention in infants, and Ireland ensuring art still thrives by actually helping artists afford to live while creating.

The Wheel of Topics has our hosts having a spontaneous wild card discussion about snacking. They wrap everything up with joys, an affirmation, and pleasantries (and lots of laughter about Michael’s run-in with an AI bot).

Get those big scarves out, enjoy all the pumpkin flavors before they turn to mint whilst walking through the falling leaves, and join us for a pleasant conversation.

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Email us: ⁠pleasantconversationspodcast@gmail.com⁠

Good News Links:

The other Alaska airlift: Volunteers save dogs from a flooded Alaska village, 1 tiny plane at a time: https://apnews.com/article/alaska-dog-rescue-typhoon-2025-kipnuk-82692b1d80db519b5eca33a1f41a7e36

Furloughed federal workers eat for free at Bon Jovi's 'pay it forward' restaurant: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/bon-jovi-soul-kitchen-government-shutdown

Tiny AI-powered eye implant helps the blind see again: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251020092818.htm

Advice to feed babies peanuts early and often helped thousands of kids avoid allergies: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/advice-to-feed-babies-peanuts-early-and-often-helped-thousands-of-kids-avoid-allergies

Ireland Makes a Program Offering Basic Income for Artists Permanent: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ireland-makes-a-program-offering-basic-income-for-artists-permanent-180987523/

It’s a complete energy shift from last week! In this episode, Jasmine and Michael carry on, no matter the incompetence of Velda Johansson or the government. Michael shouts out Illinois Zoomers and forgets the delightful Tony! Tony, you will have to join us at Judy’s!

The hosts talk smiles and recent joyous occasions. Our news hounds bring positive stories of solar power, gene therapy, tortoise safety, koala conservancy, free public transportation for kids, street safety, and wildlife wonders.

The Wheel of Topics has our hosts talking about their bucket lists (though it’s pretty much one broad item for both Jasmine and Michael). The segment concludes with Michael looking for someone to take care of him without a tether. We end the episode, as always, with what is currently bringing joy, a hilarious weekly affirmation, and pleasantries.

So, if you are in the giving mood without wanting anything in return, hit up that email and join us for this week’s pleasant conversation.

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Email us: ⁠pleasantconversationspodcast@gmail.com⁠

Meet Bernd das Brot, a depressed German loaf of bread that’s spent 25 years as a TV cult classic: https://apnews.com/article/bernd-das-brot-germany-582397aa7e741b56f0228feeece35a0d

Good News Links:

California’s first solar-covered canal is now fully online: https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/solar/california-first-canal-array-project-nexus

Breakthrough Gene Therapy Slows Huntington's Disease by 75%: https://www.sciencealert.com/breakthrough-gene-therapy-slows-huntingtons-disease-by-75

Drivers kept hitting tortoises at a Florida state park. Then one woman took action.: https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2025/09/16/honeymoon-island-state-park-dunedin-florida-gopher-tortoise/

NSW locks in great koala national park and brings in immediate ban on logging: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/sep/07/nsw-locks-in-great-koala-national-park-and-brings-in-immediate-ban-on-logging

Children aged eight and below now eligible for free public transport: https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025/09/03/children-aged-eight-and-below-now-eligible-for-free-public-transport/

These Residents Built a $10,000 Bike Lane in Atlanta: https://nextcity.org/urbanist-news/these-residents-built-a-10000-bike-lane-in-atlanta

Species hybrids, creatures once thought extinct and 3 more wildlife stories: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article312276861.html

Passengers shell-shocked after crab pinches seat: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjr51n3q28wo

This week, Jasmine and Michael take a break from the normal programming to have another co-host interview.

Of course Jasmine’s questions are a little more professional than Michael’s off-the-wall ones (there is a question about which color food would you eat for the rest of your life if you could only pick one). Our co-hosts really enjoy the fun banter and hope this episode will take your mind off of everything else going on in the world.

So fix yourself a plate and a drink (but both can only be one color) and join us for our very special and pleasant conversation.

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Email us: ⁠pleasantconversationspodcast@gmail.com⁠

This week, Jasmine and Michael start off strong with talk of textbook cover designs and allergies. After a fun two-parter full of games, it’s back to business with smiles and positive news stories from around the world.

The Wheel of Topics dives into weird purchases. Michael uses his Ashes & Embers to share his thoughts on the finale of “And Just Like That”, while Jasmine keeps hers short and sweet and then gives us our weekly affirmation.

Grab a drink (but not the Cognac, just in case), pull up a comfy seat, and join us for this week’s pleasant conversations!

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Email us: ⁠pleasantconversationspodcast@gmail.com⁠

Good News Links:

A science museum is using its 100-acre forest to support mental health: https://www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2025-08-12/montshire-museum-norwich-healing-forest-to-support-mental-health

Reef regeneration trial underway on the Great Barrier Reef: https://www.australiantimes.co.uk/news/reef-regeneration-trial-underway-on-the-great-barrier-reef/#

Solar panels that fit on your balcony or deck are gaining traction in the US: https://apnews.com/article/balcony-plug-solar-climate-energy-renewable-trump-c162abf520da0fa155dc971270b8684a

African SCENe: bringing clean energy to low-income communities in Nairobi: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/vision/vision-african-scene-project-brings-clean-energy

At this Vermont summer camp, kids with incarcerated parents ‘don’t have to hide’: https://www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2025-08-19/at-this-vermont-summer-camp-kids-with-incarcerated-parents-dont-have-to-hide

Neb. inmates train dogs with help of partner program: https://www.corrections1.com/treatment/articles/neb-inmates-train-dogs-with-help-of-partner-program-IAa4d4REOBNuxODm/

Michael complains about the heat (again), but the mood in the studio is a hell of a lot lighter than last week. Jasmine is going on vacation, and our hosts talk roller coasters and rides that are duds.

BREAKING NEWS: Michael didn’t update his script. After this delightful fumble, we get into Good News and a Muckles at the Movies. We end the episode with our spin around The Wheel, an affirmation, and pleasantries!

Pull down your lap bars and shoulder restraints as we prepare to launch in 3…2…1…and join us for our pleasant conversations.

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Email us: ⁠pleasantconversationspodcast@gmail.com⁠

Good News Links:

Kids across Texas raise thousands for flood relief with lemonade stands: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/texas-floods-camp-mystic-lemonade-stand

Parisians take a historic plunge into the River Seine after more than a century: https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/07/05/parisians-take-a-historic-plunge-into-the-seine-after-more-than-a-century

This state is now home to one of the biggest populations of bald eagles in the US after years of recovery: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/bald-eagles-endangered-status-recovery

First malaria treatment for babies approved for use: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c89e872jdjxo