The Happy Pod: Filling the empty chair left by my best friend

Loading player...
We meet the man helping to tackle loneliness by offering strangers somewhere to sit and chat. Dean Perryman started the Empty Chairs project, honouring the memory of his best friend. After he posted the concept online, it has been replicated around the world.

Also: How technology has allowed a dancer with a muscle-wasting disease to see herself performing on stage again. A headset allowed Breanna Olson to control a digital avatar with her brainwaves in real time. Plus, we meet the 95-year-old swimmer still breaking records and showing no signs of slowing down. Brazil gets its own tartan. And we introduce you to Marcus, the black labrador too friendly to be a guide dog, but who's found his calling supporting cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world.

Presenter: Holly Gibbs. Music composed by Iona Hampson

Photo: Dean Perryman hosting an Empty Chairs event in his distinctive orange hoodie. Credit: @EmptyChairsUK
18 Apr 3PM English United Kingdom News

Other recent episodes

Donald Trump evacuated from dinner after shots fired

A person is in custody after shots fired at event with President Trump. He praised the secret service operative who'd intercepted him. The US president and the first lady were unharmed. Also with Mr Trump was the US Vice-President, JD Vance, the Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, and other members of…
26 Apr 12AM 28 min

The Happy Pod: I invented a way for my brother to communicate

Ari wanted to help his brother Ben engage with the world after he lost the ability to walk, talk or move his hands. So he designed and built him a bespoke communication and entertainment system - allowing him to chat, go online, watch TV or play video games with just…
25 Apr 3PM 26 min

US and Iran travel to Pakistan for peace talks

US and Iran delegations are travelling to Pakistan for further peace talks - but there might not be a direct meeting between the two sides. We ask our world affairs editor about the likelihood of progress in Islamabad, and what a deal to end the war might look like. Also:…
24 Apr 11PM 31 min

Spain dismisses reports US wants it suspended from Nato

Nato says there is no provision for members to be suspended - after reports the US is considering trying to suspend Spain over its stance on the Iran war. Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez has dismissed the reports. Also, the BBC has uncovered evidence that women who were abused by…
24 Apr 11AM 34 min

The Lebanon ceasefire is 'extended by three weeks'

President Trump says the Lebanon ceasefire has been extended for another three weeks, after hosting talks with diplomats from Israel and Lebanon at the White House, but insisted he won't "rush" a deal with Iran. Also: the Kremlin battles to control cyber space. The tech giant Meta plans to cut…
24 Apr 12AM 29 min