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, our hosts are both feeling a little blah, but still try to bring the joy for you. Michael plugs Good Hang with Amy Poehler once again and shares two recent movie-going experiences. Jasmine brings us good news of free child care, a mental health awareness trek, NYC’s production of “black gold,” and students rallying for gun reform. Michael tells us about a wildlife overpass and then does a This Day in History.

The Wheel of Topics asks us what always makes us laugh. The hosts swap out Ashes & Embers for what’s bringing them joy right now and end with the weekly affirmation and pleasantries.

So, instead of feeding the plants, grab yourself a big ol’ mug of what makes you feel better when you’re under the weather and join us for some pleasant conversations.

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Email us: ⁠pleasantconversationspodcast@gmail.com⁠

Good News Links:

New Mexico set to become first US state to guarantee free child care: https://www.kob.com/news/top-news/new-mexico-governor-announces-launch-of-universal-free-child-care-program/

Man walks from Grand Haven to Miami to raise awareness about mental health: https://www.woodtv.com/news/ottawa-county/man-walks-from-grand-haven-to-miami-to-raise-awareness-about-mental-health/

New York City is turning millions of pounds of food waste into ‘black gold’ to improve the city’s soil health (How New York turns millions of pounds of food waste into 'black gold'): https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/how-new-york-turns-millions-pounds-food-waste-into-black-gold-2025-09-11/

Denver metro area high school students rally for gun safety 1 week after Evergreen High School shooting: https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/denver-area-high-school-students-rally-gun-safety-evergreen-shooting/

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 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

This week, our hosts are heading into the holiday weekend, talking plans and Michael’s birthday. In world news, will beer save our watersheds? Also, Princess Week brings the magic, listener Anna (Gold Star Submitter) shares hopeful trans support news from Michigan, and global environmental activists get their flowers!

The Wheel of Topics has our hosts dive deep into the world of Overrated vs Underrated (where Michael brings his best “Get off my lawn” energy). We fly through Ashes & Embers right into the weekly affirmation and pleasantries.

Pull out your favorite cassingles, grab some deliciousness from your local tacqueria, and join us for some pleasant conversations.

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Email us: ⁠pleasantconversationspodcast@gmail.com⁠

Good News Links:

World Water Week: How Heineken is Improving Watershed Health: https://sustainabilitymag.com/news/how-heineken-is-improving-watershed-health

World Princess Week 2025 is Here: How to Join the Royal Celebration: https://disneyparksblog.com/disney-experiences/world-princess-week-2025-how-to-join-the-royal-celebration/

As Trump admin axes LGBTQ+ crisis support, ally parents are offering support for trans youth: https://michiganadvance.com/2025/08/01/as-trump-admin-axes-lgbtq-crisis-support-ally-parents-are-offering-support-for-trans-youth/

Goldman Environmental Prize Honors Seven Outstanding Defenders of the Earth: https://www.goldmanprize.org/press_releases/2025-press-release/

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/

The finale of Pleasant Conversations: the Game Show! Join us for the second half of our special game night celebration for Jasmine’s birthday. It all comes down to fate! As we enter the early morning hours of recording, the snark gets strong with our contestants. Who will make it to the end intact? Will someone claim the ultimate prize trip to Planet Spaceball? You’ll have to tune in to find out…

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Email us: ⁠pleasantconversationspodcast@gmail.com

That’s right, we have a two-parter! In these next two episodes, we celebrate the birth of one of our hosts in such a way, we had to split the event. Join Jasmine, Michael, and some guests as they transform the studio into a flashy Hollywood soundstage to play some games!

Grab your buzzers and hope for no whammies, as we proudly present, live from Burbank (not really), Pleasant Conversations: The Game Show!

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Email us: ⁠pleasantconversationspodcast@gmail.com⁠