Nice News Today

There have long been two ideas about what makes for a "good life" — a happy life, prioritizing comfort and joy, or a meaningful life, which is all about making the world a better place. But lately, a third framework has been gaining steam: a psychologically rich life. Learn about what it entails in today's podcast episode.

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Spotify

Must Reads

• ​Some advice on navigating aging in parent-child relationships

​

• In Berlin, "The Monk Garden" contains rare herb varieties with roots in centuries-old health traditions

Tech

Meet the Adorable App Helping People Stay Focused in a Distraction-Filled World

What better motivation to stay off your phone than knowing that the longer you keep away, the more a bean-shaped friend can keep knitting scarves and socks? This is the premise of Focus Friend, an app designed to help people overcome digital distractions via an adorable gamified experience.
​
It turns out, a cute knitting cartoon can have quite a mighty impact. Focus Friend launched in July, but has been gaining traction more recently — last week, the platform hit No. 1 on Apple's top free apps chart, surpassing ChatGPT, Google, and Threads, NBC News reported. And for millennials, the app may double as a delightful trip down memory lane, bringing back all the Tamagotchi vibes (minus the stress of keeping a digital pet alive).
​
The stakes are more personal: "It's about letting people be in control of their attention, not selling their attention to someone else," co-creator Hank Green, a popular internet educator, said in a TikTok video. Focus Friend rewards reduced screen time, as the longer a user stays focused (i.e. off their phone), the more the bean friend knits — and those knitted goodies can be traded for decorations to deck out the bean's digital room.
​
Like other productivity apps, Focus Friend also allows users to set timers and temporarily block distractions, such as social media apps. But the unique digital companion aspect makes focus feel less like a chore and more like caring for a friend. As social media creator Hannah Rae said: "It does tend to be easier for the majority of us to do the 'right thing' for something else we want to care for, rather than just doing it for our own benefit in the first place."

Together With Timeline

Researchers Tackle a Root Cause of Skin Aging

Many serums and skincare products promise to fight aging, but fail to deliver noticeable or lasting effects, leaving you feeling frustrated with the time and money wasted. Fortunately, a group of Swiss scientists has discovered a skin care breakthrough that delivers real, visible results.
​
The Serum, powered by Mitopure®, is clinically proven to combat biological and environmental skin aging at its source: your skin cells. Clinical studies show topically applied Mitopure provides results comparable to retinol, but with a formula that is gentle on skin. Reduce the appearance of wrinkles and increase firmness and elasticity with visible results starting within 15 days.
​
Ready for results you can see and feel? Get 30% off for a limited time, while supplies last.

Environment

Pollen Could Be the Future of Eco-Friendly Products — From Paper to Wearable Tech

Here's a plot twist for pollen: The same fine powder that triggers allergies for many is being harnessed by scientists to create eco-friendly materials.
​
Rather than viewing the substance as just a source of sneezes, scientists in Singapore have developed a process to soften pollen's outer shell — dubbed "the diamond of the plant world" — into a Play-Doh-like microgel. This durable material can then be molded into an array of products, including paper, sponges, and even wearable health trackers, per Smithsonian Magazine.
​
Pollen is not only an abundant, biodegradable, and renewable resource, but the process of converting it into a gel also requires less energy and generates fewer greenhouse gases compared to conventional paper manufacturing.
​
While pollen-based products are still in early development, experts say the allergen holds great potential: "Pollen is a very, very interesting biomaterial," said researcher Noemi Csaba, who wants to turn hollowed-out pollen shells into protective vehicles for delivering drugs to the eyes, lungs, and stomach. All that's to say, the culprit behind your springtime sneezes could one day actually help your health (and the planet).

Humanity

Chosen Family: How Kiddos Are Adopting "Surrogate Grandparents"

When it comes to finding love from a romantic partner, there's no shortage of dating apps and websites to turn to. But what about the intergenerational love of a grandparent? That's where Surrogate Grandparents steps in.
​
The wholesome platform connects "grandparents who are missing having grandchildren in their lives and families whose children are missing having grandparents in their lives." One of those grandparents is Janet Firestein Daw, whose search led her to the Turners, a family with two young boys living about 100 miles away in Southern California.
​
Two years later, Firestein Daw (affectionately known as "Nana J") has become an integral part of their family, joining them for library outings, holiday celebrations, and even family trips. "It's indescribable for me," Firestein Daw told CBS News. "I haven't had that experience before, to be that grandparent. And I love it." The feeling is mutual, said mom Anteres Anderson Turner: "By adding her in, it's like we feel complete." See Nana J with the Turners.​

In Other News

1. More than 1,000 acres of ancestral land is being returned to an Indigenous tribe in San Diego County (read more)
   ​
2. This vest-like wearable robot uses balloons to help stroke survivors regain mobility — see how it works (read more)
   ​
3. The WNBA broke its single-season attendance record, drawing 2.5 million fans to games so far this year (read more)
   ​
4. Giraffes in Africa have been classified into four species, paving the way for more targeted conservation (read more)
   ​
5. Newly found stone tools, dating back over 1 million years, are shedding light on ancient human migration (read more)

Something We Love

Cuyana Mini Heart Case
​
​I'm a sucker for heart-shaped things, so I couldn't help but smile when I saw this little case — the perfect makeup bag. Cuyana is a local (to me) and women-run brand, and the "Classic Easy Tote" has been a staple for years. I bring it everywhere!
​
​– Marika Spitulski, Writer

Thank You From the Nice Book Club

Last week's Nice Book Club event with author Case Kenny was a smashing success — and we couldn't have done it without this engaged community. "Thank you for having me," Case said. "This was a joy, and thank you, everyone, for being here, and thank you for picking up a copy of the book."
​
Click here to check out a recording of the event and head to the link below to order your copy of The Opposite of Settling.

Inspiring Story

Perfect match

Lillian Johnston, an Illinois art teacher, heard her fellow teacher's husband needed a kidney transplant — and she answered the call. After finding out that she was a match, the two underwent successful surgeries in Chicago earlier this month and have since grown from strangers into family. See the forever-bonded duo. ​

Photo of the Day

Last week, the 2025 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, marking the first time the tournament was held in South America. The event brought together more than 300 gymnasts representing nearly 80 nations — including Rin Keys of the United States (pictured), who put on quite a spectacular show.

The Apothekary Tincture Trio for the Sober Curious

Thinking of going sober-ish? Meet Apothekary's Sober Curious Trio: Your all-day ritual for mood, stress, and sleep — without a drop of alcohol. Rosé-Tinted Glasses™ supports a balanced mood, mental clarity, and healthy-looking skin; Take The Edge Off® supports the body's natural response to stress; and Wine Down™ promotes relaxation and restful sleep.* Nice News readers get 15% off their first order over $45 with code HERBAL15.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, and prevent any disease.

Please support our sponsors! They help us keep Nice News free. ♡

Odds & Ends

⌨️ A keyboard for Severance fans
​
💧 New restaurant role just dropped: water sommelier
​
🌊 Get a $100 credit (plus perks) at a top San Diego waterfront resort*
​
🏈 The Fighting Irish have a fresh logo
​
​*Indicates a Nice News brand partnership or affiliate

Quote of the Day

"When we first fall in love, we feel that we know all there is to know about life, and perhaps we are right."

– MIGNON MCLAUGHLIN