Overview of 5 Good Things: She Was Depressed for Decades Until She Tried This
This episode of CNN’s 5 Good Things (host Christophe Polanco) stitches together several short, uplifting stories: a father-daughter duo nominated for a Grammy, neighbors crowdfunding to help a 92‑year‑old retire, a promising brain treatment (SAINT) for treatment‑resistant depression, a new Los Angeles crew focused on wildfire prevention, and a moving underwater rescue of a mobula ray. Each segment highlights human connection, innovation, community action and conservation.
Grammy hopeful: a family album called Harmony
- Who: Harold “Fuch” Simmons (father, musician/educator) and his 8‑year‑old daughter Ora Valentina (Ora V).
- What: They recorded songs together starting when Ora was four and released a 13‑track children’s album, Harmony.
- Recognition: Nominated for Best Children’s Music Album at the Grammys—Ora could become the youngest Grammy winner ever.
- Themes: Music as family legacy (grandfather featured, multigenerational musicianship); songs aimed at kids and parents with aspirational, Stevie Wonder–inspired vibes.
- Notable line: Their songs reinforce self-worth — “I love me, I love me.”
A 92‑year‑old helped by strangers
- Who: Muriel Connick, 92, working at a Burlington store in Pompano Beach, Florida to make ends meet.
- What happened: Shopper April Steele posted Muriel’s story on a local Facebook group and started a GoFundMe to help her retire and repair her mobile home.
- Result: The fundraiser quickly grew from an initial $5,000 to more than $100,000.
- Human element: Muriel was deeply grateful and surprised by the generosity; the story is framed as a reminder that strangers can meaningfully change someone’s life.
New hope for treatment‑resistant depression: SAINT
- What SAINT is: Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy — an FDA‑cleared, personalized, noninvasive brain stimulation treatment for people whose depression hasn’t responded to conventional therapy.
- How it’s delivered: An individualized brain map identifies a precise target; electromagnetic energy (iTBS-style stimulation) is delivered in an accelerated schedule (protocols commonly involve multiple sessions per day over several days—e.g., 10 sessions per day over five days in SAINT trials).
- Why it helps: According to psychiatrist Dr. Brandon Bensley, depression can lock the brain into a single network (default mode network). Targeted stimulation can activate other networks and restore flexibility, reducing debilitating internal negative dialogue and decision paralysis.
- Clinical results: In a second clinical trial cited, more than 90% of participants went into remission.
- Patient story: Valerie Zico (Ventura, CA) had decades of severe, treatment‑resistant depression. After SAINT (Nov 2023), she described a profound lift — “peace and quiet in my brain” and a renewed sense of being alive. Relief lasted about 1.5 years before symptoms began returning; she’s pursuing a “tune‑up.”
- Limitations & access: SAINT isn’t a guaranteed cure; results vary in duration. Clinics offering SAINT exist in multiple states (the episode cites 17), and insurance coverage is growing but remains uneven. Dr. Bensley emphasizes shifting culture to treat mental health more proactively (akin to preventive care).
- Takeaway: SAINT is a promising, rapidly evolving option for treatment‑resistant depression, but broader access and long‑term data remain important next steps.
LA’s wildfire prevention crew
- Who: Crew 4 (Los Angeles Fire Department) led by Captain Travis Humphreys, >20 members.
- Mission: Not only to respond to wildland fires but to prevent them — vegetation management, clearing dry shrubs/trees, and bolstering city emergency response.
- Background: Builds on a volunteer program from 2006; now full‑time, paid, and trained intensively.
- Local emphasis: Crew members stress knowledge of city topography and community protection — “This is our city and we’re here to protect it.”
Underwater rescue: mobula ray freed in the Sea of Cortez
- Who: Photographer/videographer Andre Smits (Netherlands, traveling) and a dive team in Baja California.
- What happened: Divers found a large mobula ray badly entangled in fishing line. They carefully cut the ray free while monitoring nearby silk sharks; the rescue took about an hour.
- Emotional moment: After initially fleeing, the ray returned and circled the divers in what the team interpreted as a “thank you” display.
- Broader point: Andre hopes the story inspires better ocean stewardship — many entanglements are due to trash and discarded gear; reduce plastic/trash to protect marine life.
Other mentions & promos
- Ads and promo plugs included: Credit Karma sponsorship spot; promos for Anderson Cooper’s podcast “All There Is” (guest E‑Yoon Lee) and Audie Cornish’s “The Assignment.”
- Call to action: The show invites listeners to subscribe to the CNN 5 Good Things newsletter.
Key takeaways
- Small acts (a Facebook post, a free rescue effort) can produce outsized, life‑changing results.
- SAINT offers a potent new option for people with treatment‑resistant depression; promising remission rates but variable durability and access challenges.
- Prevention (whether in wildfire management or ocean conservation) complements emergency response and can mitigate future crises.
- Intergenerational creativity and family collaboration (Harmony) can gain mainstream recognition and spread positive messages to children and adults.
If you want the main facts at a glance:
- SAINT = Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy; personalized brain mapping and accelerated stimulation; high remission in trials but not a universal cure.
- Muriel Connick fundraiser → $100k+ to help a 92‑year‑old retire.
- Harmony (father + 8‑year‑old daughter) nominated for Best Children’s Music Album at the Grammys.
- LA Crew 4: full‑time wildfire prevention and response unit.
- Mobula ray rescue underscores the impact of human care and the need to reduce marine debris.