 Hello! And Good News! Another long break between episodes brings us together once again. This month’s good news guest is Casey Margaret Craig. Casey is a very funny lady who works in film and television here in Los Angeles on shows you probably know like Workaholics, Silicon Valley and Ghosted. Casey and I sit together on the true blue couch and talk about:        3D printed houses! ICON has developed a method for printing a single-story 650-square-foot house out of cement in only 12 to 24 hours. If all goes according to plan, a community made up of about 100 homes will be constructed for residents in El Salvador next year                 Parley, a global cleanup organization that works internationally to develop solutions to current and future pollution problems within our oceans. Parley is currently partnering with Adidas by releasing shoes made from Parley Ocean Plastic™ - materials created from upcycled plastic waste intercepted on Maldivian beaches and in coastal communities before it reaches the ocean. Parley also has many other creative collaborations in the works to prevent ocean pollutants and cut down on plastic manufacturing  that Hannah attempts to tell Casey about.         A new documentary, Even When I Fall, brings awareness to human trafficking in Nepal by following the story of Circus Kathmandu, a troupe founded and comprised of trafficking survivors. As children they were kidnapped and sold into a travelling circus, and now they use their unique skills as an educational artform to share their own story. In animal corner we talk about the city of Toronto and how it has changed it’s architecture to become “bird friendly”.      Casey is from Sayre Pennsylvania and we talk about her hometown and the nearby Wounded Warriors, a bereavement group in Horsehead that holds support meetings. counseling, and family support for those experiencing death or a life-threatening illness. Follow Casey on instagram @caseymarg Follow Hannah on instagram @cannongatorFollow Hannah on twitter @cannongator For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Hello! And Good News

Helping The Birds and Ghostnets and Stuff with Casey Margaret Craig

Hello! And Good News! This weeks good news guest is Peter Banifaz. Peter is an an actor and an improviser. So insanely funny and wonderful. If you live in Los Angeles you can see Peter on Harold Night at the UCB Theater with the team Queen George. They knock it out of the park on a regular basis. You can also catch him on Season 8 of Shameless. I have a new couch, and it’s blue, but Peter and I hang out on it and talk about:       Jahmal Cole, who started the non-profit My Block, My Hood, My City which works to provide underprivileged youth in the Chicago area with opportunities and education beyond their neighborhoods.       Clean Slate a program in the Presbyterian Night Shelter in Fort Worth Texas that provides the homeless with the opportunity for paying work through the shelter and eventually successful job placement.         Salvador Gomez Colon- a fifteen year old who is delivering 100’s of solar lamps to those in Puerto Rico who are still without power.       Peter was originally born in Tehran, Iran. We talk about some of the protests currently going on there against the current regime specifically the women who have been standing up and are currently known as The Girls of Revolution Street.       Peter’s own story is amazing and we wrap up the episode talking about finding the light despite living through negative experiences.Follow Peter on Instagram @pbaniFollow Hannah on instagram @cannongatorFollow Hannah on twitter @cannongator For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Jazz, The Greatest Teenager, and How to Close a Tab with Peter Banifaz.

Hello! And Good News! This week I have on guest Nina Concepción. Nina is an actress, writer and comedian. She is so hilarious. If you live in Los Angeles you can see her on Harold Night at UCB Theater with the team Crush. Join Nina and I as we sit on the big red couch and discuss:A young boy on Halloween who filled up an empty candy bowl left on a porch with his best loot for other children after him to find. 200 Universities just released 600 free online courses. An online magazine, Foreigner, is redefining the stigma associated with being a “foreigner” by highlighting stories of entrepreneurship and challenges, inspiration and creativity, alternative takes and cultural diversity, to give an honest representation of what being a foreigner is really about.Fire Department Coffee, a coffee company that donates a portion of its sales to support firefighter and military charities is currently putting all of their charitable funds towards helping the firefighters of Northern California who lost their homes in the recent blazes. The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development is installing "colorblind-less" viewfinders at scenic overlooks in the state. People affected by red-green color deficiencies may now see the fall foliage for what may be their very first time.Thomas Panek is training guide dogs to guide visually impaired runners so that they may independently be able to participate in road races. Nina is from Philadelphia where they recently unveiled a statue of black civil rights activist Octavias Catto. We wrap up the episode talking about establishing healthy habits and self care and the work and time that it takes to have a good relationship with food, exercise, and mental health.  Check out Nina’s Collection of Essays The Good-ish Girl on amazon! Follow Nina on twitter @ninamconcepcion Follow Nina on instagram @nina_concepcion Follow Hannah on instagram @cannongatorFollow Hannah on twitter @cannongator For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

54. Halloween Happiness, First Fall Colors, and Fire Fighting Coffee with Nina Concepción

Hello! And Good News! This week I have on guest PJ McCormick. PJ is an improviser (and former Pro Wrestler!) in Los Angeles. He was most recently on the UCB Mess Hall team Bomb Pop. PJ is one of my favorite performers here in LA, and I have never had a dull conversation with him. This week we discuss the light and the dark side of life, both in the stories we touch on and PJ’s own life experience, and how ultimately empathy and appreciation for living in the moment are lessons that lot of us humans learn the hard way. Don’t worry we also talk about J. Lo and the timeline of her career. So join us as we sit on the big red couch and discuss:A grandfather in New Jersey who forgot he bought a lottery ticket and then a year later realized he had the winning numbers!The world’s first negative emissions plant that is turning Carbon Dioxide into stone instead of emissions. A man who found a missing teenage girl, who had been kidnapped from her house, and gave the reward offered to him back to her. Positive News put out a great article on the idea of ageing and some of the people defying it’s stereotypes.  A young man from PJ’s hometown is setting out on a worldwide motorcylcle journey following the death of his close friend, while raising money and awareness from Crohn’s Disease in honor of her. PJ and I wrap up the episode talking about his own story and how tragedy can also lead you to empathy and gratefulness. We talk, as I do every week, about living in the now. Follow PJ on instagram @peejmccormick Follow Hannah on instagram @cannongator Follow Hannah on twitter @cannongator For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

53. When Bad News Reminds Us To Find The Good With PJ McCormick

Hello! And Good News! This week I have on guest Joseph Kibler who is an actor, producer and improviser. Joseph also has a feature length documentary entitled Walk On, which follows Joseph's own story having been born disabled and HIV positive. He was told he would never walk or live past four years old and Walk On follows him training, at age 21, to walk 6.2 miles in the LA AIDS Walk. Joseph is an incredible person and performer we sat on his big red couch and talked all about:  Julio Canales, a Delta pilot who is using his own plane to fly to Puerto Rico and deliver care packages and aid as well as medical evacuation flights for those affected by Hurricane Maria. The city of San Diego just reached it’s goal of housing 1,000 homeless veterans. They are now focussing on finding long term housing for another 1,000 homeless in the next 15 months. Restoration Station, is more than just an upcycled furniture store. It a non-profit social enterprise run by an addiction recovery charity that helps those recovering learn new skills, establish a routine and have a creative outlet. They are showcasing furniture designed by recovering addicts at The London Design Festival this month. Animal Corner features a giant puppy mill rescue! 117 animals were rescued from a puppy mill warehouse that was shut down in Dallas. Joseph is from Brooklyn, NY and his hometown was the first home base of Fighting Pretty, a non-profit started by cancer survivor Kara Skaflestad. Kara puts together inspiring care packages and sends them cost free to women who are currently fighting cancer. Joseph and I wrap up the episode talking about his own very inspiring story from his childhood, to making the documentary, to present day living. We also talk about overcoming obstacles and living in the now. Two of my favorite themes on the podcast.  You can find Josephs documentary on Amazon Prime or itunes. Also, look out for him on an upcoming episode of Criminal Minds! Follow Joseph on instagram @jkibler17 Follow Jospeh on twitter @josephkibler Follow Hannah on instagram @cannongator Follow Hannah on twitter @cannongator For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

52. Good Pilots, Creative Recovery, And Overcoming Obstacles with Joseph Kibler

Hello! And Good News! This week I have Charlie Mihelich back on the ‘ol pod to talk good news. Charlie is an improvisor, writer, and actor. Charlie and I get back on the big red couch and talk all about: Montana Brown a childhood cancer survivor who now works as a nurse at the center she was once a patient at. We touch on some celebrities who have donated to disaster relief in Puerto Rico. Which leads us into talking about doomsday prepper, Joseph Badame, who after learning his house would be foreclosed, donated everything (40 years worth of survival prep)  to hurricane relief. Animal corner features Frida, a 7 year old search-and-rescue labrador who has helped find 52 people in her career. Frida is currently in Mexico aiding the Mexican Navy as they search for earthquake survivors. This leads us into a discussion about emotional intelligence in animals and whether it is instinctual or a learned trait. Charlie is from Riverside, and Riverside County is home to one of the largest solar farms in the country. California is working towards becoming 100% renewable energy based in the next 30 years and Riverside County is one of the biggest providers of solar and wind power in the state. We wrap up the episode talking about Charlie’s good news, living in the moment, enjoying the people you are with, and saying yes to things when you have an opportunity! If you live in Los Angeles you can see Charlie performing around town! His upcoming shows in October are: Catharsis: Dramatic Improv - UCB Sunset 7pm, 10/23Purgatory - Every 2nd and 4th Monday on The Clubhouse Mainstage 8:30pm Every 3rd Wednesday at The UCB I.S. Stage 7pm Follow Charlie on instagram @mihelicopter Follow Charlie on twitter @charlesmihelich Follow Hannah on instagram @cannongator Follow Hannah on twitter @cannongator For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

51. Disaster Relief, Emotional Intelligence, and Living In The Moment with Charlie Mihelich

It’s Hello! And Good News’ 50th Episode! This week's episode features Veronica Gruba! Check out her blog at veronicagruba.com, and if you live in Los Angeles you can see her around town performing at The Clubhouse and other indie shows with her team Rebel Without Applause, Totally Heather, and Tyrant.Hannah and Veronica hang out on the big red couch and talk about:The Flying Seagull Project, a group of performers, musicians, and artists who travel around the world to refugee camps, hospitals, shanty towns and classrooms to bring entertainment and happiness to children undergoing difficult times.  Check out this video featuring them on BBC, it might make you cry. The Shoe That Grows, an organization that provides shoes to children in need. One thing that makes this shoe special is that it is adjustable and can grow up to five sizes and lasts for several years. Aeric McCoy, a heroin addict who was living on the streets of Baltimore who found a woman’s purse and wanted to return it. He travelled all the way across the city on foot to bring it to her and, when he did, Kaitlyn Smith rewarded him with some new clothes, a sleeping bag, and a ride home. During the car ride he told her his story, and she vowed to help him get to a recovery center in Florida. She paid for his plane ticket and now he is celebrating over 100 days sober. Kaitlyn also put together a gofundme to help Aeric get re-started on his landscaping business once he has successfully finished his outpatient program.  Animal corner features a horse in a hospital! North Devon Hospice Center, brought in a horse as a surprise for one of their patients in his final days at their center. Veronica is from Enumclaw, WA and this summer the school district provided free lunches to children who needed them even when school was not in session. Follow Veronica on instagram @vtown Follow Veronica on twitter @vtown Follow Hannah on instagram @cannongator Follow Hannah on twitter @cannongator For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

50. Smiles, Shoes, and Horse Visits With Veronica Gruba

This week's episode features another favorite recurring guest, Matt Apodaca! Matt is an improvisor and comedian here in Los Angeles. You can see him on Harold Night at the UCB Theater and around town doing other sketch and improv shows. Matt and Hannah will both be performing in the Seattle Sketch Fest on September 23rd. If you live in Seattle, get tickets to Totally Real Friends! Hannah and Matt hang out on the big red couch and talk about nonesense, Apple products and really good news:The cruise ships are killing it again this week in terms of good samaritanism. Carnival Cruise Lines gave 2 Million Dollars to support Hurricane Harvey recovery and just pledged another 10 million to support Hurricane Irma victims. Humble Bundle, a game content provider, donates part of its proceeds to charities. The cool part is that it lets the consumer decide how much of their money goes to the content creators, host site, or charity. The second cool thing is that they just reached a benchmark of 100 million dollars donated to charities, a number they said they hope in the future will seem small. An orthodontist in Vermont is giving away free braces to children who show involvement in their community and schools. Animal Corner starts with the news that the Snow Leopard has been taken off of the endangered species list and moved to vulnerable. We also talk about Cashnip Cat, an office cat who snatches dollar bills from behind a glass doors. The office than donates the money to the Tulsa Center For The Homeless. Matt is from Downey, CA where the organization Drumming For Your Life was created. This organization uses drumming, music and rhythm as a new approach for teaching children to read. It boosts self esteem and  focus by teaching them to trust in their creativity and natural abilities. Follow Matt on instagram @mattapodaca Follow Matt on twitter @mattapodaca Follow Hannah on instagram @cannongator Follow Hannah on twitter @cannongator For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

49. A Humble Bundle of Good News With Matt Apodaca

Episode Title: 47. Hurricane Help, Solar Power, And Reincarnation with Charles Mockler This week's episode features one of Hannah’s all time favorite recurring guests, Charles Mockler!Hannah and Charles hang out on their big red couch and talk about:The hurricanes. Ways people can help, how cruise lines are sending ships to help assist/evacuate victims in the caribbean islands, and a touching story of people coming together to rebuild a texas man’s home for his 100th birthday.The UK will be providing free solar power to 800,000 low-income homes in the next five years.Los Angeles has renounced Columbus Day and replaced it with Indigenous Peoples DayAnimal Corner features a dog that rescues earthworms! Follow Hannah on instagram @cannongator Follow Hannah on twitter @cannongator Follow Charles on instagram @charles.mocklerFollow Charles on twitter @charlesmockler For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Hurricane Help, Solar Power, And Reincarnation with Charles Mockler

This week's episode is a palette cleanser solo episode. Hannah has been traveling and so this episode slows things down with a few short good news blips to get you through the week, some interviews about staying grateful and positive, as well as where to donate to Hurricane Harvey Relief and Montana Fire Relief. Good News Later!Follow Hannah on instagram @cannongatorFollow Hannah on twitter @cannongator For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

47. Little Bit of Gratitude: A Minisode with Hannah

This week’s episode features standup comedian and improvisor Noah Findling. (What Now, Hollywood Improv) We sit on the big red couch and discuss:Hurricane Harvey and the 29 year old screenwriter, Zachary Dearing, who stepped into a leadership role to help people in a small coast town. Ira Campbell, a trashman in Albers, IL. who is so beloved by his community for his positive attitude and helpfulness that he is being awarded the key to the city. The humanitarian charity, Muslim Aid, that knocked out two great birds with one stone by making the world's largest samosa for the Guinness Book of World Records and feeding it to the homeless community in need. Noah is from Fair Lawn New Jersey, where Laura Oblitas just turned 110 years old. Naturally Noah and I discuss the meaning of life, getting old, funeral plans, and what happens when you die.Also in Fair Lawn, high school students came together with stylists from the Bellezza Salon to raise money for the Children's Therapy Center Academy, a non-profit school for children with developmental disabilities. Animal corner features two sheepdogs who protected their flock for 20 days alone in a Canadian wildfire! Rachel and I wrap up the episode talking about how excited she is to go on a Disney Cruise with her Grandmother!  It’s real good news! Follow Noah on twitter @NoahBuiltTheARK Follow Noah on instagram @NoahBuiltTheARK Follow Hannah on instagram @cannongator Follow Hannah on twitter @cannongator For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

46. Potlucks For World Peace With Noah Findling

This week’s episode features improvisor and writer Rachel Chapman (UCB Theater, The Telephone Show, Inside The Disney Vault) We sit on the big red couch and discuss:Combatting hate. Last week’s events in Charlottesville lead us into a great conversation with the help of a resource guide from Southern Poverty Law Center about combatting hate and unifying communities. Another amazing organization, Life After Hate, a nonprofit created in 2011 by former members of the American violent far-right extremist movement that works to combat hate by working individuals who wish to leave a life of hate and violence and helping organizations (community, educational, civic, government, etc.) grappling with the causes of intolerance and racism.Rachel is from Merritt Island, Florida where an osprey was stranded in a canal after being pelted with torrential rain. The osprey was successfully rescued after it made it to shore, and the footage of it swimming to shore reminds Hannah of a Disney character.Also in Florida is an awesome non profit organization, It’s a Girl Thing, an empowerment group in Jacksonville for ages 11-18 that works to encourage and motivate young girls by providing them with life tools that will ensure they lead productive and successful lives.Animal corner features a Golden Retriever that was digging up what seemed to be treasure in the backyard. What the family thought was a time capsule turned out to be 85,000 dollars of black tar heroine!Rachel and I wrap up the episode talking about how excited she is to go on a Disney Cruise with her Grandmother! It’s real good news! For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

45. Combatting Hate and Finding Treasure with Rachel Chapman

Episode Title: 44. Cats Are Great And Goats Are Kings, With Cara Meyers.This week’s episode features improvisor and writer Cara Meyers (Sleepover Party Moving Arts Theater , UCB Theater) We sit on the big red couch and discuss:A Police office in Toronto, Niran Jeyanesan, who ended up buying a shoplifter the clothes that he was attempting to steal instead of arresting him. When the officer realized that the 18 year old was trying to steal clothes for a job interview in order to help provide for his family, he decided to give him a second chance. Niran bought him a shirt and tie and the young man ended up landing the job!A 23 year old who has been working for years to come up with a solution to cleaning up the massive amount of waste that has accumulated in our ocean. What started as a school science project when he was 16 has now developed into The Ocean Cleanup, a foundation dedicated to using advanced technologies to rid the world’s oceans of plastic waste.The federal government in Canada has just reached an agreement to create a national marine conservation area in Lancaster Sound. This will be the country’s largest and most diverse protected marine area.Cara is from Skokie, Illinois and her former high school has teamed up with the Allow Good Organization. Allow Good is a program that educates students about the social challenges facing their communities, equips them with the tools to effect change and engages them in taking action for social good.Animal corner features a festival in Ireland that Kings a wild goat each year. Cara and I wrap up the episode talking about the unexpected paths in life that result in positive change. It’s real good news!Follow Cara on Instagram @carameyersFollow Hannah on instagram @cannongatorFollow Hannah on twitter @cannongator For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

44. Cat's Are Great and Goats Are Kings With Cara Meyers

This week’s episode features improvisor and actress Michelle Thompson (UCB Theater-Mess Hall, Purgatory)  We sit on the big red couch and discuss:A father who built an entire theme park for his daughter. When Gordon Hartman realized that there were no theme parks for children with disabilities he decided to build one for his daughter Morgan. Gordon was a former property developer who sold his homebuilding business in 2005 to set up a non-profit organization that seeks to help those with disabilities. His next step was to develop the world's first “ultra-accessible theme park.” After consulting with doctors, therapists, parents and those with and without disabilities, he developed a 25 acre theme park fully accessible to all. He named it “Morgan’s Wonderland” after his daughter who was the inspiration for his entire project. For many visitors it is the first time they themselves or members of their families have been able to experience traditional theme park rides such as the ferris wheels and water parks. A woman from Central Long Beach who has fed the hungry in her community for 14 years using funds from her own social security pension. Alice Robinson just received a “Lara’s Excellence Award” from her Senate District for the 14th anniversary of her “Friends of Alice” program. She has served free meals to those in need every Wednesday in Martin Luther King Jr. Park since 2003. A group of anonymous volunteers in Beirut built several “walls of kindness” – public spaces filled with donations for the taking. This is simple and easy way to provide helpful items to many of the refugees who are living below the poverty line. Anyone is welcome to take what they need from the wall. This “Wall of Kindness” idea has also started to take off in India. Michelle is from Winter Haven, Fl. Her hometown is about an hour away from Tampa, where a formerly homeless mother of three has recently opened her very own salon, Giving Hands Hair Salon with a mission to give back to the community. Once a month she gives free haircuts to the homeless. Animal Corner this week features a chicken who walked into a garage and got stuck in the door, and the police officer who rescued it. Lucky for those of us who have ten full minutes to watch the action, all of it is caught on tape with his body cam.  Michelle and I wrap up the episode talking about internet bullying and learning from past mistakes.  It’s real good news! Follow Michelle on twitter @ellehcimt Follow Michelle on Instagram @micthom Follow Hannah on instagram @cannongator Follow Hannah on twitter @

43. Theme Parks, Giving Back, And Terrific Trolling With Michelle Thompson

This weeks episode features actress and improvisor Lauren Holt (UCB Theater, Maude Night) We sit on the big red couch and discuss:35 Police officers who came together to honor a fallen state trooper by finishing the tree house he was building for his daughter.  The sword of civil war hero, Robert Gould Shaw, which had been missing for decades was found in an attic this month. Shaw led the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, one of the first official black military units in the United States. The sword is now on display at the Massachusetts Historical Society along with other Civil War Memorabilia. A ten year old boy who noticed a labelling mistake in one of the Dinosaur Exhibits in the Natural History Museum. Nearly 100k dollars was raised in a local charity fundraiser for the program Camp Hope, a nonprofit that helps veterans suffering from PTSD receive treatment free of charge. Lauren is from Charlotte, North Carolina and just outside of her hometown is a farm program called Mitey Riders. Mitey Riders is a therapeutic riding program for children with disabilities that has offered comprehensive equine therapy sessions to special needs children at no cost to their families for twenty years. The founder, Harry Swimmer, is now 87 years old. Himself, a staff of seven, and about 200 volunteers hold more than a dozen classes a week for children who are 5 to 17 and have a range of disabilities, autism to cerebral palsy to Down syndrome.Animal Corner this week features a golden retriever puppy that was born Green! Lauren and I wrap up the episode talking about friendships, kindness, and that dang social anxiety that we all do our best to combat. It’s real good news! Follow Lauren on twitter @holtlauren Follow Lauren on Instagram @holtlauren Follow Hannah on instagram @cannongatorFollow Hannah on twitter @cannongator For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

42. Swords, Dinos and Equine Therapy, With Lauren Holt

A podcast highlighting the people, places, and current events that are affecting the world in a positive way. Each week Hannah sits down with a different performer/comedian and unveils to them all of the best (and silliest) news she's discovered. Let’s be honest, the bulk of our news tends to highlight the absolute worst dang stuff going in the world. A lot of it is fear based, repetitive, and goes straight bummer-town. This is not to say that being aware of these events isn't valid or important, but it is just as important to acknowledge that, most of the time, when bad shenanigans are happening there are also people out there working to make it better. So join Hannah and her comedic guest as they discuss those positive rays of sunshine that are making a difference in the world.

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Hello! And Good News

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