Shows
The Squirrel News Podcast#38: The Connection CureIn a new medical trend, more and more doctors are prescribing outdoor pursuits and social activities instead of drugs and medication. Solutions journalist Julia Hotz has spoken about this topic on our podcast before. In this episode she returns to talk with us about the book she has written on the subject in the meantime: "The Connection Cure: The Prescriptive Power of Movement, Nature, Art, Service, and Belonging."
Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Leon Wolf
Links
Julia Hotz, The Connection Cure: The Prescriptive Power of Movement, Nature, Art, Service...
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The Squirrel News Podcast#37: Meet a JewPrejudices about Jews are still widespread today. Yet many young people in Germany have never consciously met a Jew. The project ‘Meet a Jew’ aims to change this by bringing Jewish volunteers together with school classes and clubs. In this episode, project coordinator Masha explains what the encounters achieve and why many participants are amazed by them.
Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Leon Wolf
Links
Project website
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2024-05-1444 min
The Squirrel News Podcast#36: Rediscovering the past to shape the future – with special guest Jim KleinIn this special, personal episode, we continue our conversation about history with a special guest and a special project in which Jonathan's father recently rediscovered the story of Kurt Klein and Gerda Weissmann Klein: two Jews who left Germany during and after World War II, married and became very well-known in the US due to Gerda's book "All but my life" – but remained almost unknown in Germany. In this episode, we speak with their son Jim Klein about how his father Kurt saved Oskar Schindler, lessons from his mother for politics today, and the meaning of re-establishing contact with a...
2024-04-2355 min
The Squirrel News Podcast#35: Personal notes on current events and the pastIn this episode, Ed and Jonathan, a Jew in LA and Jonathan a German in Berlin, reflect on current political events and their personal relation and experience with it: The rise of the far-right AfD in Germany, mass protests against it, and how Germany deals with the past in general; and on the other hand, the possible comeback of Donald Trump, racism and antisemitism in US history.
By the way, we’re just getting started. Much more to come in our next episodes.
Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Leon Wolf
...
2024-02-1355 min
The Squirrel News Podcast#34: MDMA and social changeCan psychedelics like MDMA drive positive social change? Journalist Rachel Nuwer wrote a book on "MDMA and the Quest for Connection in a Fractured World", and in one chapter she describes how taking the drug in a scientific study seems to have helped a former white nationalist leader change his extremist beliefs. In this episode, Rachel explains how this could be possible, how MDMA could have similar effects on others and where the limits are.
Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Leon Wolf
Photo: Gil Gonzalez
Stories discussed
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The Squirrel News Podcast#33: Why toilets are a key to progressWhen thinking about global development, toilets are not the first thing that comes to mind. But facilitating access to toilets for everyone has surprising benefits for health, nutrition, safety, education and the economy. In this episode, Sarika Saluja, General Manager of the World Toilet Organisation, explains why universal access to toilets is more important than we'd think, why even governments are not sufficiently aware of that and how the situation has been improving over the last years.
Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Mathias Warzecha
Questions:
(00:4:17) Introduction of Sarika
2023-05-2531 min
The Squirrel News Podcast#32: The benefits of the four-day work weekA popular saying goes: “nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come,” and the four-day work week (without any salary cuts) seems to be exactly such an idea. More and more companies around the globe are introducing it. In the UK, the world's largest trial so far has just ended with positive outcomes regarding health, productivity, revenues, job satisfaction and more. In this episode, Dale Whelehan, a behavioural scientist and the new CEO of the NGO 4 Day Week Global, tells us why he wasn't surprised about the results and how the positive outcomes are interconnected.
Ho...
2023-03-3035 min
The Squirrel News Podcast#31: The 'Solar Punks': Bringing power to the peopleWhat can citizens do to contribute to halt global warming? Dan Edelstyn and Hilary Powell set out their plan to turn their London street into a community solar power station. In this episode, Dan tells us why they use art and filmmaking to promote their project, how they crowdfunded the necessary money and how the couple is inspiring more and more neighbourhoods and public institutions to follow their model.
Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Nicolas Antochewicz
Photo: Peter Searle
Links
The ‘solar punks’ turning their Lond...
2023-03-1734 min
The Squirrel News Podcast#30: Zero-interest loans for Black homebuyersClassical reparations may be a good idea, but financially such one-off payments are not very sustainable. That's why a congregation from the Bay Area came up with another idea and introduced a zero-interest loan programme for Black homebuyers. In our new episode, Susan Russell from the Black Wealth Builders Fund explains to us how it works and how it can drive change in the future.
Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Jens Krijger.
Stories discussed
‘This is not charity’: A predominantly white congregation attempts reparations, Prism
Blac...
2023-02-2331 min
The Squirrel News Podcast#29: 'You can't be what you can't see': How to connect low-income kids with natureNot long ago, nature was our natural environment. Nowadays, more and more children grow up in cities without much contact to trees, hills, meadows and animals. For kids from low-income families it can be even more difficult to spend time outside their towns. And sometimes transport poverty can even prevent necessary hospital visits. San Francisco based non-profit Yoots has taken up the challenge to connect these children with the outside natural world. In our new episode, Yoots founder Craig Flax tells us how they do that and why free public transport would be a good help, but not enough.
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The Squirrel News Podcast#28: How to tackle food poverty with the tools of a modern start-upMillions of American families depend on food banks, but why until recently has nobody come up with a better solution? Dion Dawson realised that something is wrong with food banks when he had to wait in the rain with his family for hours only to obtain expiring fruits and some unlabeled can goods. Today he's the founder of Dion's Chicago Dream, a non-profit that delivers free healthful, nutritious food to families in need – an approach that solves multiple problems at once. In our new episode, Dion talks about the advantages of his programme and explains why some people need go...
2022-11-1035 min
The Squirrel News Podcast#27: Walking clubs for better mental healthAfter having dealt with anxieties for years, Scott Oughton-Johnson created a walking group for men with similar issues. Now more and more of such groups are starting in the UK. In our new episode, Scott tells use why the idea works so well and how it could develop in the future.
Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Maris Keller.
Links
The man who set up a mental health walking group for ‘blokes’, The Guardian
Website: theproperblokesclub.co.uk
Squirrel News
Squi...
2022-10-1231 min
The Squirrel News Podcast#26: Humor for HumanityCan humour help solve social problems? Comedian Jimmy Tingle thinks it can. With his project "Humor for Humanity" he aims to raise spirits, funds and awareness for non-profits and social causes. In our new episode, Jimmy explains to us how that works and shares impressing anecdotes on the President of Moldova and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Leon Wolf & Jens Krijger
Links
Humor for Humanity, Website
Squirrel News
Squirrel News is a free, curated news service.
2022-09-1545 min
The Squirrel News Podcast#25: India's open prisonsA few years ago, authorities in the Indian state of Rajasthan faced a unique problem: inmates who had served their sentences did not want to leave prison. They had done time in open prisons without wardens or guards, but with their familes instead. Since that moment, researcher and activist Smita Chakraburtty has studied Rajasthan's open prisons and contributed to their spreading in India. In our new episode, Smita explains to us how the systems works, what benefits it has and how she effects reforms in an industry dominated by men.
Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder...
2022-08-251h 01
The Squirrel News Podcast#24: Free pianos for disadvantaged kidsThe positive benefits of playing music are well known. But instruments are expensive and courses even more so. St Louis based non-profit Pianos for People aims to eliminate these barriers by providing both free pianos and free lessons to children of low-income families. In this episode, executive director Matt Brinkmann tells us how the concept works and what impact it has on the children.
Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Leon Wolf.
Stories discussed
In the key of joy: Pianos for People gives instruments to St. Louis children...
2022-08-0527 min
The Squirrel News Podcast#23: Standup comedy for men at risk of suicideSevere depression is a taboo, and when people talk about it, they usually do it with utmost seriousness. Angie Belcher, founder of Comedy on Referral, has another approach: She teaches men at risk of suicide standup comedy – and has just won NHS funding for it. In this episode, Angie explains to us how she came up with the idea and how using self-satire on stage makes people stronger and more self-confident.
Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Thomas Barth.
Stories discussed
Standup comedy course for men at ri...
2022-07-2135 min
The Squirrel News Podcast#22: The Good NewspaperThere are several online magazines covering exclusively "good news", but hardly any newspaper. Interestingly, Branden Harvey, the man who founded one of them, had never purchased a printed newspaper in his life before. In this show, Branden tells us why he did it anyway, what kind of impact their stories have, and what the difference is between feel good news and real good news.
Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Leon Wolf.
Links
Good Good Good website
Squirrel News
Squirrel News is a...
2022-07-0846 min
The Squirrel News Podcast#21: Rehearsal for LifeIn our daily lives, we prepare for almost everything, but not for communication about our thoughts and feelings. The organisation Rehearsal for Life prepares young people for crucial situations in daily life using improvisational theater. In this episode, Ed talks with their artistic director, Faith Soloway, associate director and co-writer of the hit Amazon series Transparent, Jackson Jirard, as well as troupe leader Holly Zarnower about how the approach works and what kind of impact it has.
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Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Thomas Barth.
2022-06-2324 minThe Squirrel News Podcast#20: People WalkingLoneliness is now considered a public health issue. Is there a cure? Chuck McCarthy may have invented one by chance, when he started a service that connected people who didn't know each other before to talk a walk together. In our new episode, we're talking to Chuck about the great potential of common walks and the suprising outcome of scheduled conversations with strangers.
Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Thomas Barth.
Story discussed
The loneliness problem in L.A. starts with traffic. Could it end with a walk? Los...
2022-06-0848 minThe Squirrel News Podcast#19: The unknown advantages of playfulnessPlayfulness is a quality most adults don't think about, let alone as something desirable or even a skill. Yet, recent research suggests exactly that. In this episode, we talk with René Proyer, a professor for psychology from Austria who has studied playfulness in depth and explains to us why playfulness can be part of the solution for many problems.
Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Thomas Barth.
Stories discussed
Why adults should embrace their playfulness, BBC
Guest: Professor René Proyer
Squirrel News
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2022-05-1246 minThe Squirrel News Podcast#18: The Confess Project – A Mental Health Barbershop MovementMillions of people struggle with mental health issues, especially in the Black community. So Lorenzo Lewis, founder of The Confess Project had a unqiue idea. He brought mental health to where people go and talk about life; the barbershop. The team trains barbers to become mental health advocates for black men, boys and their families across the country. In this episode, the project's Chief People Officer, Darnell Rice explains to us why and how a haircut can be much more than just a haircut.
Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Jens Krijger.
2022-04-2444 minThe Squirrel News Podcast#17: Cities owned by locals – or how to become a landlord with little moneySocial inequality is one of the major problems of our times, and housing is one of the areas where you can feel that immediately. In a movement called incremental development, people who would usually not be able to afford it and sometimes not even think about it help each other aquire residential property, often very successfully. In this episode, we spoke with Mike Keen, a sociology professor who is part of the movement in South Bend, Indiana, and Mary Hall, a journalist who covered the approach.
Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Nina Bohlmann.
2022-03-2136 minThe Squirrel News Podcast#16: Empowerment Avenue – bringing solutions journalism into prisonsThere are few places where it is more difficult to be heard than in prison. One of our guests in this episode, Emily Nonko helps incarcerated people to publish stories on solutions by pairing them with outside editors – while our second guest, Ryan Moser is serving a ten year sentence in prison himself, and tells us what writing in prison means to him, things that he's learned and how he is preparing for a well-paying job in sustainable industries.
Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Nina Bohlmann.
Resources
St...
2022-03-0349 minThe Squirrel News Podcast#15: Adversity to University: degrees for homeless peopleIn 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.
Story discussed
The pioneering university project helping homeless people get degrees, The Big Issue
Toolkit to implement the programme elsewhere
Squirrel News
2022-02-0847 minThe Squirrel News Podcast#14: New Zealand's plan to end smoking, top chefs offer vegan menus, roundabouts saving livesIn 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 plants as world’s top chefs offer vegan menus, The Guardian
How roundabouts reduce carbon emissions as well as accidents, New York Times
Squirrel Ne...
2022-01-2725 minThe Squirrel News Podcast#13: The NGO that introduced a $70,000 minimum wageIn 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.
Find our more about Squirrel News on our website or read our latest news.
Download our app or subscribe to our n...
2021-12-2131 minThe Squirrel News Podcast#12: Changing lives by phone, exchange programme across states, US Navy ship named after Harvey MilkIn 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
Support system via phone changes lives of homeless people in US, Reasons to be cheerful
The Exchange Program Sending American Teens Across State Lines, Next...
2021-12-0626 minThe Squirrel News Podcast#11: Special: Solutions for childrenIn 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 Africa, BBC News
Pakistan passes historic bill banning corporal punishment of children, The Guardian
Schoolchildren in Illinois will be able to take 5 mental health days off school, N...
2021-11-2230 minThe Squirrel News Podcast#10: Owls replacing pesticides, dogs saving koalas, airport pig patrol, sheep on seaweed dietIn 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
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2021-11-1024 minThe Squirrel News Podcast#9: Female judges in Egypt, death metal eco-baron, rehabilitation through dogsIn 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 first female judges to State Council".
Stories discussed
Egypt swears in first female judges to State Council, AP News
Lord of the plants: Irish baron...
2021-11-0528 minThe Squirrel News Podcast#8: Basic income for Irish artists, paying addicts to stop using, Taekwondo for grandmothersIn 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 tree ambassadors are facilitating climate action, Next City
Not absolutely sure about this one, Africa News
Squirrel News
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2021-10-2930 minThe Squirrel News Podcast#7: Special – Social prescribingIn 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
Squirrel News is a free, curated news service.
Find our more about Squirrel News on our website or read our latest news.
Download ou...
2021-10-0848 minThe Squirrel News Podcast#6: Human library, paid parental leave for fathers, influencers fighting conflictsIn 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
Human library helps people challenge prejudices, BBC Sounds
Working fathers push for paid parental leave, 19th News
Protests in India: Could bans on...
2021-09-3035 minThe Squirrel News Podcast#5: Eco-city Medellin, news literacy in Illinois high schools, mooncakes destigmatizing mental health issuesIn 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, Aljazeera
Illinois high schools will be required to teach news literacy, NPR
Eviction alert prevents tenants from becoming homeless, High Country News
How mooncakes help to destigmatize mental...
2021-09-1033 minThe Squirrel News Podcast#4: 10 billion trees in Pakistan, Congo's children Bearbeitenswap mining for education, free pianos for St. Louis childrenIn 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 numbers of child miners, Reuters
Connecting ranchers with land stewards might be the answer to less intense wildfires, Civil Eats
Pianos for People provide free instruments and...
2021-09-0330 minThe Squirrel News Podcast#3: Special – Prison reform and the Compassion Prison ProjectIn 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 with no fence helps women readjust to life in the community before their release, Charlotte Observer
Fitness entrepreneurship course offers a second chance to the formerly incarcerated, Next City
2021-08-1336 minThe Squirrel News Podcast#2: Four-day working week, state-financed imam training in Germany, mental health barbershop projectIn 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 training starts for the first time in Germany, DW
Mental health barbershop project is changing the way we look at therapy, The Denver Channel
2021-07-0929 minThe Squirrel News Podcast#1: Global minimum tax rate, pig whisperer, lying flat in ChinaIn 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, DW
The pig whisperer: the Dutch farmer who wants to end factory farming, The Guardian
The tang ping trend...
2021-06-1826 min
Mental Health ComedyJonathan Katz – Imagination, Using Your Inside Voice-OverJonathan has always been an inspiration to me. One of the most creative comedy thinkers of all time, just the funniest. In this episode Jonathan talks about dealing with MS and where Dr. Katz’s therapy stylings came from. Jennifer shows us how to practice imagining the best and change our inner voice-over when listening to … Continue reading Jonathan Katz – Imagination, Using Your Inside Voice-Over →
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2020-07-1444 min
The Self Help Comedy Hour with ED CRASNICKThe Self Help Comedy Hour with Ed Crasnick #16 Jonathan KatzThe Self Help Comedy Hour with Ed Crasnick #16 Special Guest: Jonathan KatzThere is only one Jonathan Katz; supremely funny and insightful! Love talking with him and I apologize for talking like Larry King. He has his own style, rhythm, the sharpest timing on the planet. And even though he felt displaced in comedy early on, his audience found him. A great talk! Jonathan introduced himself to my folks years ago by saying "Ed is a very funny comedian, but why does he have to work so blue?"
2013-05-2757 minThe Self Help Comedy Hour with ED CRASNICKThe Self Help Comedy Hour #12 Pre-Anniversary Special with David Cross, Margaret Cho, Greg Proops and many othersPre-Anniversary Special!!!
This one of a kind compilation show includes conversations and performances with all the people below, who are amazing!
David Cross, Margaret Cho, Greg Proops, Kevin Pollak, Karen Kilgariff, Andy Kindler, Todd Glass, Eddie Pepitone, Jonathan Katz, Phil Rosenthal, Geoff Bolt, Jason Nash, Tom Dimenna, Alie Ward, Georgia Hardstark, Samm Levine, Pete Bumgarner!!!
2013-04-0452 min