Overview of 5 Good Things: A Love Story for the Record Books
This episode of CNN's 5 Good Things (hosted by Christobo Polanco) presents a collection of uplifting short features: a school’s “gratitude mic” project that surfaces meaningful student moments; a Purple Heart veteran using art to help other veterans heal; scientists racing to save the Great Barrier Reef; a grassroots community for very tall people; and a record-setting love story — the world’s oldest married couple. Interwoven are reminders to support CNN Heroes voting and other related initiatives.
Key segments and summaries
Monroe, Ohio — “gratitude mic” at school
- Initiative: Monroe Local Schools placed a tripod camera and a microphone in hallways with a simple prompt: “Tell us something good that happened to you today or recently.”
- Origin: Idea inspired by an Instagram post of college students sharing joyful moments.
- Outcome: Students shared surprisingly deep moments — improved family relationships, teacher recognition, new friendships, academic wins — rather than trivialities.
- Organizer: Adam Markham, PR & Communications Coordinator for Monroe Local Schools.
- Takeaway: Small prompts that invite gratitude can reveal meaningful personal stories and improve school climate.
CreativeVets and Richard Casper — art to heal veterans
- Profile: Richard Casper — 40-year-old Marine Corps veteran, Purple Heart recipient, artist; co-founder and executive director of CreativeVets in Nashville (founded 2013).
- Mission: Use art, music, and script writing to help wounded veterans process trauma and reduce isolation and suicide risk.
- Approach: Art education helped Casper remap memories after a traumatic brain injury; songwriting lets veterans tell stories they can’t say aloud.
- Impact: Success measured by veterans saying things they’d never shared before — Casper cites “at least 70%” report having never told another soul about certain experiences.
- Current project: Purchased an abandoned church to convert into a 24-hour art and music center for veterans to provide ongoing support and sustainable revenue.
- Recognition: Casper was a CNN Hero in 2022 and is featured in a CNN Heroes special (noted airing Nov 15); listeners encouraged to visit CNNHeroes.com and vote for finalists.
Great Barrier Reef — Finding and replanting “supercorals”
- Reporter/Scientist: Dr. Emma Camp, leader of Future Reefs team, University of Technology Sydney.
- Problem: The Great Barrier Reef (130,000+ sq miles; ~3,000 reefs) is suffering mass bleaching from rising ocean temperatures. Coral reefs support biodiversity and services for over one billion people.
- Research focus: Identify naturally heat- and stress-tolerant corals (e.g., from mangrove lagoons), study genetics and physiology, and cultivate these “supercorals” for outplanting.
- Coral Nurture Program: Since 2018 has outplanted more than 125,000 corals with ~85% survival so far.
- Other ideas: Explore nutrient or vitamin treatments to boost coral resilience.
- Message: Saving reefs requires both innovative science and broad collective action (including emissions reductions and behavioral change).
TallTour — community for tall people
- Founder: Tyler Burgantino, content creator (he’s 6'9").
- Concept: Free meetups nationwide for tall people to connect, trade practical tips (clothing, posture), build confidence, and normalize being tall.
- Ritual: Events often end with participants lining up shortest-to-tallest to crown a “tall king” and “tall queen.”
- Social aim: Offer belonging for people who often feel physically out of place and turn perceived differences into strengths.
Lyle and Eleanor Gittens — world’s oldest married couple
- Record: Guinness World Records named Lyle (108) and Eleanor (107) Gittens the world’s oldest married couple.
- Backstory: Met in 1941 at Clark Atlanta University; married June 2, 1942; Lyle drafted to Italy with the 92nd Infantry Division while Eleanor was pregnant; reunited after WWII and raised a family.
- Present: They live in Miami near family; have three children.
- Quote on longevity: Eleanor’s simple secret: “I loved him. He loved me. and that was it.”
Notable quotes
- Richard Casper: “If I can get them to say one thing they never said to anybody about their trauma, that's success.”
- Dr. Emma Camp: “No matter where you are in the world, you're connected to coral reefs.”
- Eleanor Gittens on their marriage: “I loved him. He loved me. and that was it.”
Major takeaways
- Small, low-cost interventions (a microphone with a gratitude prompt) can surface meaningful stories and strengthen community bonds.
- Creative, nonclinical supports (art, music, storytelling) can be powerful tools for veterans processing trauma and reducing isolation.
- Conservation work can combine in-the-field interventions (outplanting) with discovery of naturally resilient organisms (supercorals) — but long-term reef survival still hinges on global climate action.
- Niche communities (like TallTour) fulfill social and practical needs and can boost confidence and belonging.
- Long-lasting relationships often rest on mutual love and daily companionship; longevity stories can inspire but are also deeply personal.
Actions and resources (suggested)
- Visit CNNHeroes.com to learn about finalists and vote in the CNN Heroes campaign.
- Consider supporting local or national veterans’ art programs (e.g., CreativeVets) or volunteering time and skills.
- Learn and act on reef-friendly behaviors: reduce carbon footprint, support reef conservation NGOs, avoid purchasing coral-derived products that damage ecosystems.
- Try a simple “gratitude mic” or prompt activity in your workplace, school, or household to surface positive moments and improve connections.
- If you’re feeling isolated because of a physical difference, look for or start community meetups (in-person or online) that center your experience.
Closing notes
- Episode includes promos and sponsor messages (American Giant, Lowe’s) and brief previews for other CNN podcasts (The Assignment with Audie Cornish).
- Overall tone: optimistic and community-focused, highlighting practical initiatives and human stories that offer hope and actionable ideas.