Global News Podcast The Happy Pod: The joy of chasing a giant cheese
May 31, 2025
Dixon Chibanda, a psychiatrist from the University of Zimbabwe and creator of the Friendship Benches project, discusses the whimsical tradition of cheese rolling, captivating crowds worldwide. The conversation highlights a heartwarming story of a cancer survivor saved by a stranger's bone marrow donation, showcasing the power of community and storytelling. Chibanda also emphasizes the role of grandmothers in mental health, alongside a humorous exploration of Brazil's beatboxing nuns, bringing joy amidst life's challenges.
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Thrilling Ancient Cheese Rolling
- Competitors throw themselves down Cooper's Hill chasing a 3kg cheese wheel reaching 100 km/h.
- Joshua Ravenscroft described it as tumbling uncontrollably, highlighting the sport's thrilling and brutal nature.
Stem Cell Donor Meets Recipient
- Luke Melling met his stem cell donor Alistair Hawken after receiving a life-saving transplant.
- Alistair joined the UK registry after learning about it via leaflets and donated stem cells to Australia.
Community-Based Mental Health Support
- Friendship Benches offer community mental health support via trained grandmothers.
- They provide hope and reduce loneliness, improving mental wellbeing for 80% of over 300,000 users.