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  • Bats and the Night Shift: Pollinators That Work in the Dark

    Bats and the Night Shift: Pollinators That Work in the Dark

    · Good News from Planet Earth

    Hey everyone, it’s Brandon Perry — normally behind the soundboard at Good News from Planet Earth at Soundnectar Studios. But today, stepping out from the shadows to talk about one of his absolute favorite creatures: bats.

    Bats are spooky, mysterious, and completely misunderstood — but they’re also essential night-shift pollinators keeping ecosystems alive. Over 500 plant species worldwide rely on bats for pollination or seed dispersal, from bananas and mangoes to figs and agave. While bees sleep, bats swoop through the night, pollinating flowers that bloom only in the dark and even helping regenerate forests.

    Here’s a spooky-good twist: without bats, your mezcal and tequila could disappear. Agave plants evolved to bloom at night, feeding the migratory lesser long-nosed bat. No bats, no pollination. No pollination, no agave reproduction — and that’s scarier than any Halloween tale! Thankfully, conservationists and farmers are protecting bats with “bat-friendly tequila,” letting them feed and pollinate naturally while supporting biodiversity.

    Bats face serious threats, from habitat loss and pesticides to white-nose syndrome, but long-term monitoring, federal pollinator strategies, and protected migratory corridors are helping. Every bat that makes it through the night shift is quietly saving forests — and our favorite foods and drinks.

    Of course, bats have a PR problem. They’re symbols of vampires, Halloween, and spooky nights. But in reality, they’re more like essential workers — the graveyard shift keeping ecosystems and human treats alive.

    And since bats keep mezcal alive, Brandon is sharing his personal Spooky Pollinator Mezcal Cocktail at the end of the episode. Pour yourself a drink, and let’s toast to these incredible, misunderstood night-shift heroes.

    So next time you see a bat silhouetted against the moon, don’t think bloodsucker. Think pollinator, forest gardener, and mezcal guardian. Cheers to the bats!

    Narrated by Brandon Perry from Voiceover for the Planet.

    Support the show

    Good News from Planet Earth is brought to you by Voiceover for the Planet, proud members of 1% for the Planet.

    Produced by Ally Murphy and Anne Cloud

    Sound Designed and Mixed by Brandon Perry at Sound Nectar Studios

    If you'd like a member of Voiceover for the Planet to narrate your project, email [email protected]

  • Coffin Cave Bugs: The Underworld’s Tiny Guardians

    Coffin Cave Bugs: The Underworld’s Tiny Guardians

    · Good News from Planet Earth

    You’re listening to Good News from Planet Earth.

    For this Spooky Season of Good News, we’ve explored haunted forests and rotting pumpkins. Now, we’re going deeper — into the caves. It’s cold, damp, and dark. Drips echo in the silence, and somewhere beneath your feet, tiny pale creatures crawl through the soil. They look like something from a nightmare — but their story is surprisingly hopeful.

    Meet the Coffin Cave mold beetle, one of the rarest insects on Earth. Smaller than a grain of rice, ghost-white, and eyeless, it lives deep in the limestone caves of central Texas. It feeds on tiny bits of organic matter — fungal threads, leaf litter, and droppings from other cave creatures — playing a vital role in the underground food web.

    These karst caves are delicate ecosystems, home to specialized species like eyeless spiders, crustaceans, and microbes that survive only in constant darkness and stable temperatures. Even minor disruptions — filling entrances, diverting groundwater, or introducing pollutants — can threaten the entire system.

    In the late 20th century, rapid suburban expansion near Austin destroyed cave entrances and changed water flow. By the 1990s, scientists feared the Coffin Cave mold beetle could vanish. It was listed on the U.S. Endangered Species List in 1988, a sign of how precarious its existence had become.

    But conservation work made a difference. Today, key caves are protected, developers collaborate with conservationists, and preserves ensure karst ecosystems and groundwater remain intact. Ongoing monitoring shows the beetle is still hanging on — a reminder that even the smallest, strangest creatures matter.

    Why care about a sightless beetle most people will never see? Because these cave ecosystems filter and store groundwater, recycle nutrients, and keep the land and water aboveground healthy. Protecting these tiny guardians ensures the hidden systems that sustain life remain strong.

    So yes, the Coffin Cave mold beetle is pale, eyeless, and lives in darkness. It may be spooky or creepy at first glance — but it’s also a quiet, essential guardian of the underworld, keeping the planet alive in ways most of us never see.

    This has been another story from our Spooky Season of Good News. Share this episode with someone who loves the hidden wonders of nature — and celebrate the tiniest heroes beneath our feet.

    Narrated by Anne Cloud from Voiceover for the Planet

    Support the show

    Good News from Planet Earth is brought to you by Voiceover for the Planet, proud members of 1% for the Planet.

    Produced by Ally Murphy and Anne Cloud

    Sound Designed and Mixed by Brandon Perry at Sound Nectar Studios

    If you'd like a member of Voiceover for the Planet to narrate your project, email [email protected]

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  • Pumpkin Rot — From Jack-O’-Lantern to Climate Hero

    Pumpkin Rot — From Jack-O’-Lantern to Climate Hero

    · Good News from Planet Earth

    Welcome back to Good News from Planet Earth!

    For this Spooky Season of Good News, we’re digging into the afterlife of one of Halloween’s most iconic symbols: the jack-o’-lantern. Carved into grinning faces, lit with flickering candles
 and then left to slump, sag, and rot.

    At first glance, that post-Halloween pumpkin seems like nothing more than trash. But in reality, how we handle pumpkin rot can have a big impact on the planet. In landfills, rotting pumpkins produce methane, a greenhouse gas about 80 times more powerful than carbon dioxide in the short term.

    Here’s the good news: communities across the U.S. are turning pumpkin rot into climate heroes. Enter Pumpkin Smash events — parks, farms, and schools host gatherings where kids (and adults!) hurl old pumpkins into bins. Instead of releasing methane, the pumpkins are composted, breaking down into nutrient-rich soil that feeds worms, microbes, and future plants.

    From Illinois to Massachusetts, these programs have diverted thousands of tons of pumpkins from landfills. Some farms go even further, feeding leftover pumpkins to goats and pigs, turning Halloween leftovers into a seasonal feast.

    And you don’t have to wait for a community event: backyard composting, garden burial, or local farm drop-offs all give your jack-o’-lantern a good afterlife. Let it rot in a way that feeds life, not methane.

    So yes, your porch pumpkin may look like a creepy mess, but handled the right way, it nourishes soil, supports future harvests, and keeps a potent greenhouse gas out of the atmosphere. Sometimes the creepiest mess can be some of the planet’s best news.

    This has been another story from our Spooky Season of Good News. Share this with someone who still has a pumpkin on their steps — and help turn spooky rot into life-giving compost.

    Narrated by Todd Stark from Voiceover for the Planet

    Support the show

    Good News from Planet Earth is brought to you by Voiceover for the Planet, proud members of 1% for the Planet.

    Produced by Ally Murphy and Anne Cloud

    Sound Designed and Mixed by Brandon Perry at Sound Nectar Studios

    If you'd like a member of Voiceover for the Planet to narrate your project, email [email protected]

  • Ghost Forests: The Haunting That Brings New Life

    Ghost Forests: The Haunting That Brings New Life

    · Good News from Planet Earth

    Welcome! You’re listening to Good News from Planet Earth.

    For this Spooky Season of Good News, we’re venturing to some of the eeriest places along the U.S. coastline: ghost forests. Imagine rows of pale, lifeless trees standing knee-deep in saltwater, their trunks bleached and skeletal, branches bare, rattling in the wind like a forest of bones. Creepy, right?

    Ghost forests form when rising seas or storm-driven saltwater push into coastal woodlands. The salt poisons trees that once thrived in freshwater soils. Their leaves drop, bark peels, and the trees die standing — sometimes for decades. You can spot these haunting landscapes along the mid-Atlantic coast, from North Carolina’s Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsula to New Jersey’s Pine Barrens.

    At first glance, it doesn’t sound like good news. Ghost forests mean lost habitat for birds and mammals, less carbon stored in living wood, and fewer roots stabilizing the shoreline. For nearby communities, it can feel like the land itself is vanishing.

    But here’s the hopeful twist: ghost forests are nature in transition. When freshwater forests die back, salt marshes often move in. Fiddler crabs dig their burrows, herons and egrets find new feeding grounds, and juvenile fish get nursery habitats. Salt marshes store carbon deep in their soils, buffer coastlines from storms, and support countless species of life. What looks like death can quietly become a cradle for new life.

    Researchers at North Carolina State University and the U.S. Geological Survey are using satellite data to track stressed forests and predict transitions before trees die. Communities can then act strategically — whether planting salt-tolerant Atlantic white cedar, letting marshes advance naturally, or restoring former wetlands. In New Jersey, for example, there’s a plan to restore 10,000 acres of Atlantic white cedar wetlands on land that was once drained for farming.

    Ghost forests are haunting — but they also remind us that ecosystems are resilient. Even in the most ghostly-looking landscapes, life adapts and continues.

    So next time you see a stand of silvered, lifeless trunks against the horizon, remember: you’re witnessing nature’s ability to shift, transform, and give new life — one eerie, beautiful step at a time.

    This has been another story from our Spooky Season of Good News. Share this one with a friend who loves a ghost story — especially one with a hopeful ending.

    Narrated by Kenita Hill from Voiceover for the Planet

    Support the show

    Good News from Planet Earth is brought to you by Voiceover for the Planet, proud members of 1% for the Planet.

    Produced by Ally Murphy and Anne Cloud

    Sound Designed and Mixed by Brandon Perry at Sound Nectar Studios

    If you'd like a member of Voiceover for the Planet to narrate your project, email [email protected]

  • The Fungus That’s Saving Forests (and Might Outlive Us All)

    The Fungus That’s Saving Forests (and Might Outlive Us All)

    · Good News from Planet Earth

    Welcome to Good News from Planet Earth! In this Spooky Good News episode, we’re uncovering a secret network beneath our feet that’s silently saving the world.

    Close your eyes
 Imagine a web stretching across a forest. A living, breathing network hiding in the dark soil, whispering between roots. Sounds like Stranger Things? Maybe — but this isn’t the Upside Down. It’s fungi. Spooky. Silent. Essential.

    Fungi don’t just break down dead stuff. About 80–90% of land plants rely on them in a partnership called mycorrhizae — tiny filaments wrapping around roots, exchanging nutrients and sugars. This underground network is a carbon powerhouse, storing an estimated 13 billion tons of carbon annually — roughly equal to China’s emissions.

    Scientists are now harnessing fungi to heal damaged forests. In Scotland’s Hebrides, reintroducing fungal networks helped seedlings survive where trees had previously failed. In Colombia, endangered black oak trees are thriving thanks to fungi that boost resilience and nutrients. Mycorrhizal fungi are the ultimate “networkers” of the forest, connecting species, recycling life, and forming the backbone of soil health.

    Sure, if you’ve watched The Last of Us, you might think fungi are terrifying zombie-makers. Cordyceps hijack insects — shudder! — but forest fungi? They connect life rather than destroy it. Scientists even call this vast underground web the “Wood Wide Web.”

    Yet fungi are under threat. Pollution, deforestation, and climate change are pushing many species toward extinction. Nearly a third of fungi are on the Red List. Most fungal hotspots have zero protection. Conservationists are now recognizing fungi’s importance, restoring soil, and helping ancient forests thrive again.

    Next time you spot a toadstool on a walk, remember: it’s the fruit of an underground civilization — one that came before us, may outlive us, and quietly keeps the planet alive.

    Spooky things aren’t just in haunted houses. Sometimes, they’re beneath your feet — silent, unseen, and saving the world. Fungi aren’t just decomposers. They’re connectors. They’re healers. And in the grand story of Earth, they might just be its quiet heroes.

    If you loved this episode, share it with someone who appreciates the wonderfully weird and sometimes spooky planet we call home — and help spread the word about our forgotten fungi!

    Narrated by Ally Murphy from Voiceover for the Planet

    Support the show

    Good News from Planet Earth is brought to you by Voiceover for the Planet, proud members of 1% for the Planet.

    Produced by Ally Murphy and Anne Cloud

    Sound Designed and Mixed by Brandon Perry at Sound Nectar Studios

    If you'd like a member of Voiceover for the Planet to narrate your project, email [email protected]

  • Spooky Season Trailer

    Spooky Season Trailer

    · Good News from Planet Earth

    It's the time of year when things get darker in the Northern hemisphere of Planet Earth, and on Good News from Planet Earth, we're shining a light in that darkness to tell you all of the good, yet spooky news that is happening all around us at this time of year!

    From fungi that communicate underground, to smashing pumpkins, it's time to get snuggled under that blanket and listen to some spooky good news!

    Anne and Ally from Voiceover for the Planet are here to give you a glimpse into next month's season of Good News from Planet Earth.

    Support the show

    Good News from Planet Earth is brought to you by Voiceover for the Planet, proud members of 1% for the Planet.

    Produced by Ally Murphy and Anne Cloud

    Sound Designed and Mixed by Brandon Perry at Sound Nectar Studios

    If you'd like a member of Voiceover for the Planet to narrate your project, email [email protected]

  • Anne, Joe and Ally talk Walking and Writing

    Anne, Joe and Ally talk Walking and Writing

    · Good News from Planet Earth

    Can simple practices like walking and free writing boost mental health? In this final episode of Good News from Planet Earth’s Mental Health Awareness series, Anne Cloud, Joe Passaro, and Ally Murphy share how these everyday habits support their wellbeing. From the clarity that comes with moving your body outdoors to the release of putting thoughts on paper, they explore the connection between movement, creativity, and mental wellness. And find out what a "wouldn't it be lovely" walk is all about!

    Good News from Planet Earth is brought to you by Voiceover for the Planet, proud members of 1% for the Planet.

    Produced by Ally Murphy and Anne Cloud

    Sound Designed and Mixed by Brandon Perry at Sound Nectar Studios

    If you'd like a member of Voiceover for the Planet to narrate your project, email [email protected]

  • Diana and Dustin talk Meditation Apps

    Diana and Dustin talk Meditation Apps

    · Good News from Planet Earth

    How can meditation apps support mental health? In this episode of Good News from Planet Earth’s Mental Health Awareness series, Diana Holguin and Dustin Ebaugh explore the role of mindfulness technology in daily self-care. Dustin shares how using meditation apps has become an important part of his own mental health routine, while Diana offers a unique perspective as a voice actor who narrates guided meditations. Together, they reflect on how digital tools can make mindfulness more accessible, personal, and effective.

    Good News from Planet Earth is brought to you by Voiceover for the Planet, proud members of 1% for the Planet.

    Produced by Ally Murphy and Anne Cloud

    Sound Designed and Mixed by Brandon Perry at Sound Nectar Studios

    If you'd like a member of Voiceover for the Planet to narrate your project, email [email protected]

  • Grounding with April Watts

    Grounding with April Watts

    · Good News from Planet Earth

    In honor of Mental Health Month, April Watts shares a simple yet powerful ritual that helps her reset, reconnect, and lower stress: grounding. Through a personal story, she explains how walking barefoot on the earth and tuning into the sounds of nature has improved her mental and physical well-being and how you can try it too.

    What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
    -Why mental health matters to April
    -How grounding and mindfulness became part of her daily life
    -The surprising benefits she’s experienced — from stress relief to back pain improvement.

    -A short, soothing guided meditation you can follow right now
    An encouraging reminder to prioritize your own well-being

    Takeaway:

    Sometimes, the simplest practices can bring the deepest peace. Give yourself five quiet minutes today.

    Support the show

    Good News from Planet Earth is brought to you by Voiceover for the Planet, proud members of 1% for the Planet.

    Produced by Ally Murphy and Anne Cloud

    Sound Designed and Mixed by Brandon Perry at Sound Nectar Studios

    If you'd like a member of Voiceover for the Planet to narrate your project, email [email protected]

  • Tapping for Mental Health with Charlie Albers

    Tapping for Mental Health with Charlie Albers

    · Good News from Planet Earth

    Can Tapping be a part of your Mental Health Self Care routing? Voice actor and licensed Rapid TappingÂź PRO Practitioner, Charlie Albers walks us through this fascinating practice.

    Rapid TappingÂźïžis an innovative mind-body wellness method created by renowned thought leader, energy psychology pioneer, & global EFT tapping author, Poppy Delbridge.

    This neuroscience practice is used worldwide to release stress prevent burnout and manifest success. It’s fast, safe and designed for daily use to raise your positive energy frequency shifts.

    Clinical studies have shown it offers a measurable reduction in cortisol, improved emotional regulation and nervous system support plus significant relief from anxiety, depression and PTSD.

    Proudly endorsed by Elle, Marie Claire, Financial Times & British Vogue to name but a few; Rapid TappingÂźïžbuilds on these principles with faster access to a better mood shift and as it is rooted in self administered acupressure using affirmation techniques, it makes us feel connected & rooted to our own self.

    Rapid TappingÂźïžis available as an app to unlock healthier happier and higher frequency in minutes not months.

    It’s a personal transformation method in your pocket that rewires your thoughts emotions and energy in under 10 minutes.

    To find out more go to www.rapidtapping.com

    Follow @rapidtapping and @poppydelbridge on social media and head to the APP store to download the app for your own personal daily wellness companion.

    Charlie Albers is a Multi Award-Winning actor & ex-scientist with a background in Consumer Behavior and Psychology. She is also a licensed Rapid TappingÂź PRO Practitioner. And has worked for many of the largest blue-chip companies in the world, as well as running her multi-award-winning creative studio Apple Tree Audio Creative Studios near NYC.

    For daily wellness posts & energy boosts, follow Charlie and her online sacred wellness space @theorchard_retreat on Instagram

    Support the show

    Good News from Planet Earth is brought to you by Voiceover for the Planet, proud members of 1% for the Planet.

    Produced by Ally Murphy and Anne Cloud

    Sound Designed and Mixed by Brandon Perry at Sound Nectar Studios

    If you'd like a member of Voiceover for the Planet to narrate your project, email [email protected]

  • How Trees help our Mental Health

    How Trees help our Mental Health

    · Good News from Planet Earth

    Soraya Butler, Erika Ward and Ally Murphy from Voiceover for the Planet talk about how trees have helped them look after their mental health.

    From quiet walks in nature to the calming presence of green spaces, they reflect on the restorative power of the natural world. If you’ve ever felt lighter, calmer, or more grounded around trees, you’ll connect with this heartfelt conversation.

    Support the show

    Good News from Planet Earth is brought to you by Voiceover for the Planet, proud members of 1% for the Planet.

    Produced by Ally Murphy and Anne Cloud

    Sound Designed and Mixed by Brandon Perry at Sound Nectar Studios

    If you'd like a member of Voiceover for the Planet to narrate your project, email [email protected]

  • Mental Health Awareness Month Trailer

    Mental Health Awareness Month Trailer

    · Good News from Planet Earth

    This season on Good News from Planet Earth, we are sharing our ways of looking after our mental health. Because to experience the joy that this beautiful planet offers us, we need to be in a good space mentally.

    Member of Voiceover for the Planet will share their tips for staying mentally healthy. From Tapping, to Journalling, from Walking to Grounding. We hope that these bite sized episodes will help inspire you to take care of yourself, so that you can help take care of Planet Earth.

    Season 4 will start October 6th 2025

    Support the show

    Good News from Planet Earth is brought to you by Voiceover for the Planet, proud members of 1% for the Planet.

    Produced by Ally Murphy and Anne Cloud

    Sound Designed and Mixed by Brandon Perry at Sound Nectar Studios

    If you'd like a member of Voiceover for the Planet to narrate your project, email [email protected]