The Happy Pod: Learning to read in your 30s

This episode explores themes of personal growth, community support, and the impact of inclusive research. It begins with Oliver James's journey of learning to read as an adult, highlighting his decision to share his experiences on TikTok and the unexpected support he received, emphasizing the transformative power of facing vulnerability. The conversation transitions to the benefits of laughter yoga, where Kerry Sanson explains how faking laughter can lead to genuine joy and improved health, even across language barriers, and encourages listeners to embrace playfulness. Against the backdrop of Liberia, the narrative shifts to the story of chimpanzees rescued from a research lab, now receiving dedicated care and facilities, underscoring the importance of compassion and sanctuary. More significantly, the podcast addresses global health disparities through Dr. Yao Bidiako's work on cancer research in Africa, advocating for diverse genomic data to create more effective treatments for all populations. The episode concludes with Edwina Brocklesby, an 81-year-old athlete, who shares her inspiring journey into extreme sports, demonstrating that age is no barrier to achieving fitness goals and encouraging social activity for well-being.