Episodes

  • A medical breakthrough for Africa, a floating garden cleans a canal, and now a girl with one arm can play the violin better than you can. This is the Mood Elevator, brought to you by Podiant.World’s first malaria vaccine to help prevent deaths in 3 African countriesGermans Switch on ‘World’s Largest Artificial Sun’This tiny floating garden is successfully cleaning the most polluted waterway in the USUniversity students use 3D printer to make prosethetic arm for young violin playerGenerous customer gives waitress $500 after learning she needs new hearing aidYou can find the show on Twitter and Facebook, and you can find Mark at @iamsteadman. Don't forget to check out Podiant to get your next podcast project off the ground for free.

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  • A 12 year-old thwarts a carjacker, a man saves up to buy an apartment for the homeless, and a student is marrying her medical degree. This could only be the Mood Elevator, brought to you by Podiant.Med student is marrying her diploma in an awesome ‘graduwedding’Rick Steves sacrifices nest egg to house dozens of homeless women and kidsWorld’s first crowdfunded hospital opens its doors to patients in AleppoThe newscaster who wouldn't give up on a foster child12-year-old girl outsmarts carjacker and saves little sisterYou can find the show on Twitter and Facebook, and you can find Mark at @iamsteadman. Don't forget to check out Podiant to get your next podcast project off the ground for free.

  • An unplanned jewellery heist goes wrong, a delivery-driving superhero, and a man wets himself to save embarrassment. This is the Mood Elevator, brought to you by Podiant.Doctors said this teen would never run a marathon. They were wrongHis daughter peed her pants at school. This is how he looked to pick her upBrave UPS driver rushes into burning home to save familyThis corporate professional quit his job to ensure that nobody in his city goes hungry or homelesshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVxNV0-VckcYou can find the show on Twitter and Facebook, and you can find Mark at @iamsteadman. Don't forget to check out Podiant to get your next podcast project off the ground for free.

  • A blind couple gets a 3D-printed ultrasound, doll beds beds for kittens and the cutest joyride you've ever come across. This is the Mood Elevator, brought to you by Podiant.Orphan cats get purr-sonal bed from IkeaBeryl Good donates ambulance - and ends up being rescued by itWhale rescued from fishing nets puts on beautiful show for tourists off the coast of CornwallLove at first touch: blind couple gets 3D-printed ultrasound to help them feel their unborn baby8-year-old 'borrows' dad's car and drives to McDonald's for cheeseburgerYou can find the show on Twitter and Facebook, and you can find Mark at @iamsteadman. Don't forget to check out Podiant to get your next podcast project off the ground for free.

  • A young man makes random acts of kindness his calling, a cop saves a lift on the way to his wedding, and a poop-themed birthday party. This is the Mood Elevator, brought to you by Podiant.This little girl wanted a poop-themed birthday party, so her parents threw her onehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoPQABljd-QOff-duty cop saves 3-year-old girl on the way to his weddingStranger helps amputee up the stairs, then returns the next day and builds him a ramphttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STKf_n6LHaoThis teacher raised enough money to buy a bike for every kid at schoolYou can find the show on Twitter and Facebook, and you can find Mark at @iamsteadman. Don't forget to check out Podiant to get your next podcast project off the ground for free.

  • Two kids save their mothers' lives, a miraculous plane crash, and the cutest dog video you'll see all week. This is the Mood Elevator, brought to you by Podiant.Boy saves mum’s life by doing the opposite of what she saidA boy saved his mum by using Siri to call an ambulance‘Brave Gowns’ let kids in the hospital dress like superheroes and rock starsSurprise! Your cat probably likes you more than foodPassenger plane crashes and burns – but every single person aboard survivedhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YO3MljpKWEYou can find the show on Twitter and Facebook, and you can find Mark at @iamsteadman. Don't forget to check out Podiant to get your next podcast project off the ground for free.

  • A dog saves a toddler's life, if you've got a problem, yo, this doctor will solve it. This and much more coming up in the Mood Elevator, brought to you by Podiant.Catherine Constantinides – a superhero without a capeBlack fraternity helps to clean up mess after "spring break" party on South BeachHistoric black church receives $3 million gift to pay off mortgageSuper-grateful teen gives most of $500,000 lottery win to his parentsFormerly abused dog saves 3-year-old girl she finds naked and shivering in a ditchhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMFRM1bkEDgMark is very sad that he didn't get to use his line "reports of the doctor waxing chumps like a candle have yet to be substantiated"... because he totally forgot. But he wanted you to know that he thought of it.You can find the show on Twitter and Facebook, and you can find Mark at @iamsteadman. Don't forget to check out Podiant to get your next podcast project off the ground for free.

  • An 80 year-old mother to 800 kids, a 70 year-old marathon runner, and a ticket home for a beloved janitor. This is the Mood Elevator, brought to you by Podiant.Vancouver bans the use of dolphins and whales in aquariumsM&S host mental health drop-ins as part of Ruby Wax’s Frazzled Café projectCounty in Texas is helping veterans pay their utility billsShe lost a daughter. Today she shelters 800 girlsHockey team sends beloved janitor home to see family for the first time in 30 yearsThis 70-year-old woman ran a marathon on every continent in 1 weekYou can find the show on Twitter and Facebook, and you can find Mark at @iamsteadman. Don't forget to check out Podiant to get your next podcast project off the ground for free.

  • A vertical forrest in China, Abraham Lincoln gets the rap treatment and the sweetest proposal you'll hear all week. This is the Mood Elevator, brought to you by Podiant.China replacing 70,000 petrol-fueled taxis with electricTrees growing out of buildings could help heal China’s air pollution problemhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYqhyzk2744Baltimore facility wants to destigmatise mental health care among low-income residentsWorld’s oldest golfing club to finally admit womenhttps://youtu.be/kOkSMv-fmZQThis guy hid a secret proposal message in love letters to his girlfriendYou can find the show on Twitter and Facebook, and you can find Mark at @iamsteadman. Don't forget to check out Podiant to get your next podcast project off the ground for free.

  • Iceland mandates equal pay for women and a stroke victim raises $400k from scrap. This is the Mood Elevator, brought to you by Podiant.Woman searches for boy who left sweet note and money on her doorStranger buys $749 plane ticket for distraught father's toddlerIceland to become first country requiring equal pay for womenMan saves scraps for decades to raise $400k for children’s homeGene therapy in a patient with sickle cell diseaseYou can find the show on Twitter and Facebook, and you can find Mark at @iamsteadman. Don't forget to check out Podiant to get your next podcast project off the ground for free.

  • The oldest surgeon in the world, a 10 year-old on strike, and a heart-wrenching dating profile. This is the Mood Elevator, brought to you by Podiant.10-year-old explains to principal why she’s joining a ‘day without a woman’Six-year-old girl declines birthday gifts, feeds homeless insteadPittsburgh restaurant gives female staff paid day off for ‘a day without a woman’I competed in a beauty pageant with facial paralysisAlla Ilyinichna Levushkina, the oldest surgeonDying writer pens heartfelt plea for someone to marry her husbandYou can find the show on Twitter and Facebook, and you can find Mark at @iamsteadman. Don't forget to check out Podiant to get your next podcast project off the ground for free.

  • A stranger builds a house for a fast-food worker, goldfish get a viking funeral and the Robin Hood of cookery wins all the karma points. This is the Mood Elevator, brought to you by Podiant.Customer admires Chick-fil-A employee so much, he built him a new homeNBA player to donate $1,000 for every point he scores at next gameWashington governor bans employees from helping Donald Trump's immigration crackdownYou’ll want to steal the ‘pick-up lime’ this teen used to ask a girl outPrimary school gives honourable viking funerals for class goldfishGenerous chef gets paid back for kindness after his restaurant burns downYou can find the show on Twitter and Facebook, and you can find Mark at @iamsteadman. Don't forget to check out Podiant to get your next podcast project off the ground for free.

  • Iceland solves teen drunkenness, a homeless man gets a bus ride home and North Korea invents the Braille smartwatch. This is the Mood Elevator, brought to you by Podiant.One of the world’s best restaurants just promoted dishwasher to partnerGarbage collector rescues books from the trash for low-income kidsAfter random meeting with homeless man, youth surprises him with ticket homeIceland fixed its teen substance-abuse problem by giving them something better to doThis 100-year-old woman got arrested to fulfil her bucket listBraille smartwatch lets users feel time, texts and GPS directionsYou can find the show on Twitter and Facebook, and you can find Mark at @iamsteadman. Don't forget to check out Podiant to get your next podcast project off the ground for free.

  • Marriage equality could lead to lower suicide rates, and save a dog, get some free beer in return. This is the Mood Elevator, brought to you by Podiant.Same-sex marriage linked to decline in teen suicidesBrewery gives free case of beer to anyone who adopts abused dog at local shelterMan drives hours to provide drought stricken wildlife with waterDeputy responds to girl, 19, who 'stole' his bike to get home safely: 'It had to be scary for her'Teen who walked 5 hours to work now drives, thanks to policeYou can find the show on Twitter and Facebook, and you can find Mark at @iamsteadman. Don't forget to check out Podiant to get your next podcast project off the ground for free.

  • Vandalism of the Statue of Liberty, police called to maths emergency, and a dog is elected as mayor, again. This is the Mood Elevator, brought ot you by Podiant.‘Refugees Welcome’ sign unfurled on the Statue of LibertyMeet the subway guitarist who gives all of his earnings awayRaising Elaan: Profoundly disabled boy's 'co-mommas' make legal historyFifth grader asks Marion police for help with math homeworkDog elected as Cormorant town mayor in Minnesota for third term in a rowYou can find the show on Twitter and Facebook, and you can find Mark at @iamsteadman. Don't forget to check out Podiant to get your next podcast project off the ground for free.

  • A girl with a glitter-shooting arm, Tiny Trumps make us laugh, and a cat saves a sleeping family of five. That's all coming up on the Mood Elevator, brought to you by Podiant.A girl and her glitter-shooting prosthetic: 'You can do anything'Brewery offers paid 'paw-ternity' leave for employees with new puppiesThis small city is setting aside 1,000 acres for bees and butterfliesTiny Trumps is a breath of sheer laughterWorkmen's cafe overwhelmed with customers after it is accidentally awarded a Michelin starHero cat saves sleeping family of 5 from fireYou can find the show on Twitter and Facebook, and you can find Mark at @iamsteadman. Don't forget to check out Podiant to get your next podcast project off the ground for free.

  • It's Friday, and would you believe it, I'm here with my hand on the buttons to operate the Mood Elevator and take us through to the weekend. All aboard? Let's get moving.Teacher creates chairs from tennis balls to soothe autistic studentsA primary school teacher in Illinois is doing that little bit extra for her autistic pupils. She's modified chairs with paint, glue and tennis balls, for kids with Down syndrome, autism, or sensory processing disorders. “Sensory seating is used for students who may have difficulty processing information from their senses and from the world around them,” wrote the school on Facebook. “Tennis balls on the seat and backrest provide an alternative texture to improve sensory regulation.”Guard squirrel pet goes nuts on burglarJoey is a squirrel on a mission. When his owner was out, a burglar came in to try and, well, burgle the place. But Joey had other ideas. He set about attacking him until he left. The culprit got away with some loot, but when he was arrested, the police officer who'd met Joey's owners asked where he'd got the scratches on his hands. "Yeah" he said, "damn thing kept attacking me and wouldn’t stop until I left". Joey's now been awarded with treats and national praise for his good deed, so says the Good News Network.Atlanta Zoo loses Super Bowl bet, names cockroach after Tom BradySticking with the animal theme, the Atlanta Zoo recently lost a bet with their rivals Rhode Island. The forfeit? To name a Madagascar hissing cockroach after Tom Brady. According to the Huffington Post, they've kept up the naming convention with his siblings, Mike, Carol, Greg, Peter, Bobby, Marsha, Jan and Cindy.Abandoned dog leads rescuer to rabbit friend Read more at http://www.9news.com.au/good-news/2017/02/15/10/08/abandoned-dog-leads-rescuer-to-rabbit-friend#ZxImzwLTqIskfEme.99Now if you've been listening long enough, you'll know I'm a sucker for a good animal rescue story. Well, this one has a bit of a twist. A Jack Russell terrier caught the attention of a driver in Florida. The dog looked in pretty bad shape, but seemed to want the driver's attention not for himself, but for his friend. A rabbit. The driver fed the pair his lunch, then drove the dog to the local dog shelter and the rabbit to the Humane Society, who look after small animals.Coeur d’Alene hospital’s cuddle support has babies at heartAnd we close out with the expansion of a service provided by an Idaho hospital. Baby cuddlers are on staff at this hospital's neonatal intensive care unit, providing round-the-clock cooing, gurgling and snuggles for premature and at-risk babies. It was a programme that started in 2011, to help give much-needed skin-on-skin and verbal contact to kids who need it. They're trained and doctors decide whether babies are in need of the service, and surprisingly enough they're pretty overstaffed.And that, my dear friend, is all I have for you. Have a magnificent weekend, and I'll see you on Tuesday. Remember you can find the show at moodelevator.org and follow me on Twitter @elevatorpod.

  • Welcome once more aboard the Mood Elevator. Here's some stories that have fallen down the back of the Internet for Tuesday 14th February.Westdale students create "ring of peace" around school to promote inclusionThe CBC in Canada has a story about pupils creating what it calls a "ring of peace" around a school to promote inclusion.Still reeling from the Quebec mosque shooting and the climate following travel restrictions imposed by the US, many sought solidarity from their communities.You can see photos of find out more about the story by checking out the show notes or going to moodelevator.org.Stephen Colbert shocks South Carolina schools by funding every single teacher-requested grantDailyKos.com shares a story from one of the USA Today websites, about comedian Stephen Colbert, who isn't massively well-known in the UK, but who now heads one of the big nightly talk shows in the States.He  announced on Thursday via live video, that he would fund every existing grant request South Carolina public school teachers have made on an education crowdfunding website. He's partnering with Share Fair Nation and ScanSource to fund nearly 1,000 projects for more than 800 teachers at over 375 schools, totalling $800,000.Youth team forfeits season over excluding girlsESPN have a story about a youth basketball team in New Jersey decided it would rather give up the rest of its season than play without its two female teammates. The Catholic Youth Organisation league recently notified officials at St John's in Clark, New Jersey, that their fifth-grade team should never have been mixed-sex and their girls wouldn't be permitted to finish the season. The squad unanimously decided to not take to the court without their full team in a vote Friday taken before a game.Young neighbour invites ailing 89 year-old woman to move inEven though 31-year-old Chris Salvatore and 89-year-old Norma Cook are vastly different ages, they are the perfect roommates for each other – and the best of friends.So says this article from the Good News Network, about a California actor called Chris, who decided he didn't want his neighbour to have to live alone.“I would help her cook meals, drive her to the doctors, banks, pharmacies and even just recently I got the amazing experience to accompany her to vote. We had such a blast these past few years filled with so much joy and laughter” says Chris.After doctors said she'd need round-the-clock care, Chris decided to provide that himself, and invited Norma to move in.Single Utah mum dresses up as man to take child to father-son eventAnd finally, Whitney Kittrell is a single mother to a young boy whose nursery was holding a "Dads and Doughnuts" day. She asked her son if he wanted to bring his grandfather along, and he said he wanted her because he was her "mother and father". So, she drew on a moustache and a beard, donned a baseball cap and went out to breakfast with her son. After the event, he ran up to her and whispered "Mom, I know that you'll always be there and do anything for me. Thank you. I love you".And there you go. If you want to help me out, and keep this rickety show on the rails, send me your stories to [email protected], or find me on Twitter @elevatorpod. If Valentine's Day means anything to you, I hope you have a nice one. Either way, I'll see you in a few days.

  • Here's some (belated) good news for Tuesday 7th February.Flight attendant 'saved girl from human trafficking by leaving note in plane toilet'I am indebted to Kim Gregory (@StrengthsAtWork) for pointing me in the direction of this first story, which has made quite a few ripples across the web in the last couple of days. It's the story of a flight attendant, who saved a girl from human trafficking. Shelia Frederick was working on  flight from Seattle to San Francisco when she noticed a girl travelling with a man. She looked the worse for wear while he was smartly dressed. "Something in the back of my mind said something is not right” she later told the news, so she left a note for her on the mirror of the plane's toilet. The girl replied with “I need help" so Shelia arranged for the guy to be arrested when the plane landed.New Yorkers unite to scrub off hateful graffiti on subway carWe take you now to a subway car in Manhattan. The doors open and everyone boards in silence, looking at each-other uncomfortably. This is all due to the fact that the walls are plastered with swastikas and racist slogans. One enterprising commuter said "Hand sanitizer gets rid of Sharpie. We need alcohol". He found some tissues and, as a team, the passengers cleared the graffiti in around two minutes.In the Netherlands, empty prisons become homes for refugeesOver in the Netherlands, the crime and drug rate has declined for so long that their prisons are going empty and unused. Dozens of correctional facilities have already closed, so the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers  - and, frankly, hats off for having an agency with that name - got to work retooling the prisons as a way to house those seeking asylum.The random act of kindness that led to a homeless man being reunited with his family... thanks to BevA woman in Manchester came across a homeless man, so she popped into a local baguette shop and gave the guy behind the counter £15 to feed this gent for a week. On the way out she thought she recognised the homeless man's face. Turns out he was the brother of a former work colleague. Ciaran at the baguette shop, whose post about Bev's random act of kindness had attracted thousands of shares, managed to find the relevant contact details, and although we don't know the homeless man's name, he's now been reunited with his brother and is sleeping at his house.After much effort, Springfield woman finally coaxes dog to come inside HIDE CAPTION Terri Pellman said it took six weeks of coaxing and patience before the stray dog she has named Sandy felt comfortable enough to let her get close. Ted Schurter/The StateTerri Pellman is from Illinois. She has four dogs, but when she saw a local stray who was well-known to the neighbourhood, she decided to try and do what nobody else had managed: she wanted to catch him and find him a home. For weeks she'd go and sit in the same spot and try and inch her way closer to the dog. Finally she built up enough trust to get close to her, but the dog still wouldn't be petted, until one day when Terri decided it was now or never. She made a grab for the dog, and was able to bring her home. She's named the dog Sandy, and she's now joined the Pellman family, and has a favourite spot on the sofa in the front room.https://twitter.com/FluffSociety/status/826955766066192384And to say sorry for being late and missing last week, here's a little bonus courtesy of @probablydrunk, who sent me a photo, captioned "This pitbull wouldn't leave the shelter without the chihuahua he was protecting, so the owner adopted both!". Follow the link in the shownotes, or head to moodelevator.org to see the photo.And that's your lot. I'm hoping to be bakc with you on Friday morning, all being well. Thanks so much for listening, and do keep your stories coming in. You can find me on Twitter @elevatorpod or email [email protected]. See you in a few days.