Today we visit with filmmaker/comedy writer Eric Appel about his new movie “Breadwinner” with Nate Bargatze. WATCH IT NOW: https://amzn.to/4aF72Ev
TODAY'S REASON TO PARTY! (special thanks to ListOfNationalDays.com)
Garfield Day
https://exotic.ninja/garfields-revenge/
SURVEYS, STUDIES & SUCH
It turns out that when you cause your kids to break out in fits of laughter, it’s actually good for them. New research suggests laughter may play a major role in helping children learn, grow, and handle stress. Early childhood expert Jacqueline Harding says shared laughter and playful moments help calm children’s nervous systems, strengthen emotional bonds, and make young brains more open to learning. Her book “The Brain That Loves to Laugh”, explains that laughter boosts “happy chemicals” like dopamine and serotonin, while lowering stress hormones. Studies also suggest humor improves memory, creativity, and social skills. Harding says parents don’t need to be comedians – simple playful moments, eye contact, smiles, and joyful interaction can help children feel safe, resilient, and emotionally connected.
BIG SCREEN-LITTLE SCREEN
Zendaya recently made an unexpected stop at a Northern California bookstore – and had some fun with a pair of familiar titles while she was there. Rakestraw Books posted a pic of Zendaya posing inside the store, and wrote: “Zendaya stopped by to shop and chat books with us! We were thrilled to help her find some good reads and loved getting some recommendations from her!” In the snapshot, Zendaya can be seen holding copies of Frank Herbert’s “Dune: Messiah” and Homer’s “The Odyssey”. The titles are a nod to 2 upcoming film projects tied to Zendaya and her partner, Tom Holland. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/2uavurby
Sydney Sweeney did some very physical prep for the final season of HBO’s “Euphoria”, that audiences never had a chance to see. Sydney quote: “I did lessons for pole dancing, and it was so much fun.” She elaborated, saying: “Imagine crazy Cassie on a pole, which was hilarious. But man, these girls are strong.” After being informed by creator Sam Levinson that the scenes didn’t “make sense” for the episode, Sweeney responded: “Totally get it”, but Levinson suggested: “Maybe we should release it as like behind-the-scenes footage or deleted scenes.” Sweeney agreed, saying: “Please do, because I put a lot of hard work into that.”
Audiences are still intrigued by Michael Jackson’s high-profile criminal trial, even more than 2 decades later. Netflix’s latest docuseries on the topic “Michael Jackson: The Verdict” topped the streamer’s English TV list last week with 17.8M views. It was the most-watched title on the series side by a wide margin, with second place going to The Witness, with 13.2M views. Season 2 of “The Four Seasons” came in a distant third.
DID YA KNOW!?
DID YOU KNOW… There are fish that can survive without oxygen for hours. Some species slow their metabolism drastically. This allows them to endure extreme conditions.
JOKE OF THE DAY
(FROM
HEIDI)
SCOOP
OF THE DAY
13% of pet owners say they’ve celebrated their pet’s birthday with a cake or party.
If you’d like to know something, ask Reddit. That’s what researchers did who wanted to find out more about unexpected side effects of popular GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy — that might have gone largely unreported in the media. A University of Pennsylvania team analyzed more than 410,000 Reddit posts over 6 years, and found frequent mentions of potential reproductive health issues, including menstrual changes, as well as temperature-related symptoms such as chills and hot flashes. While the findings do not prove the drugs cause these effects, researchers say social media can help identify possible concerns more quickly than traditional clinical trials.
THE MOVIE QUOTE OF THE DAY
If you have a favorite quote.... you can send it to us at the bottom of the page at JohnAndHeidiShow.com
“I coulda been a contender.” — On the Waterfront — Terry Malloy (Marlon Brando) — 1954
NEWS TO ME
(FROM HEIDI)
FUN
FACT FOR YOU:
Share
this with your friends... they'll think you're really smart!
✓ People who regularly play video games are faster at making real-life decisions.
✓ A study found that people spend more time searching for lost items in uncluttered areas than in messy areas.
✓ The first Ford cars had Dodge engines.
✓ Of all UFOs that are investigated, 98.2% are ultimately explained.
✓ Camels originated in North America.
WEIRD NEWS
South Africa has withdrawn its national AI policy after officials discovered that parts of the document appear to have been generated…by AI. Communications Minister Solly Malatsi said at least 6 of the policy’s 67 references were “AI hallucinations,” pointing to journal articles that do not exist — and fake academic citations. He called the failure a serious blow to the policy’s credibility, not just a technical error. The draft had aimed to position the country as a leader in AI innovation, but instead triggered embarrassment after media reports exposed the fabricated sources.
QUESTION OF THE DAY
1 in 5 people find THIS sound annoying, while others find it soothing. What is it?
Answer: Wind chimes
SOMETHING SPECIAL WITH HEIDI SMALL
(FROM HEIDI)
THE LIST
BEST COUNTRIES TO RETIRE TO:
According to the Retirement Abroad Index 2026 from Expatriate Group, based on healthcare access, visa requirements, living costs, and the ease of settling into a new country…
1. Philippines
2. Thailand
3. Colombia
4. Portugal
5. South Africa
6. Sri Lanka
7. Dubai (UAE)
8. Malaysia
9. Mexico
10. Indonesia
GOOD NEWS
Two Teen Out for a Summer Bike Ride End Up Saving Elderly Woman Trapped Outside for 16 Hours. https://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news
