Tiny NICU patients at UNC Health Rex got the full Halloween treatment with adorable costumes, a Wake County toddler's potty training bribe turned into a forever friendship with an orange tabby named Cheese, Emily Swanson gets recognized as Teacher of the Week at Salem Middle, the Mistletoe Market returns to Wakefield High with 200 vendors, and Glenwood South is adding a ping-pong bar. Starting your day with stories like these isn't just nice - it reminds you that kindness, community, and joy show up in unexpected places.
Stories in this episode:
- https://abc11.com/post/nc-unc-health-rex-nicu-nurses-share-baby-halloween-photos/18088001/
- https://hoodline.com/2025/10/wake-county-family-s-potty-training-bribe-blossoms-into-beloved-pet-adoption-tale/
- https://wral.com/video/teacher-of-the-week-emily-swanson/22220910/
- https://triangleonthecheap.com/mistletoe-market-wakefield-high-school/
- https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/10/30/see-inside-glenwood-souths-new-ping-pong-bar
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Tiny preemie babies dressed as Taylor Swift and Travis Kelsey.
Yeah, you heard that right. The NICU at UNC Health Recs went
full Halloween mode with their littlest patients.
Also, there's a Wake County family whose potty training
bride turned into a permanent orange tabby named Cheese who
(00:24):
crashes Zoom meetings, and a teacher who's been dreaming
about this job since she was a teenager.
Plus, ping pong and cocktails are about to become your new
Friday night on Glenwood S. Hey, I'm glad you're back with
me today. Stick around.
I got a dad joke for you at the end.
It will make you wince. OK, so imagine the smallest,
(00:48):
most vulnerable little humans you can think of.
Preemies in the NICU at UNC Healthrex in Raleigh.
Now dress them up as Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, Spider
Man and The Little Mermaid, tinylions and ladybugs.
That's what the nurses did this weekend.
(01:09):
And listen, it's not just cute, although it's absolutely
adorable. It's this whole moment of
normality for families who are spending weeks and sometimes
months in a unit not knowing who's coming next.
ABC 11 shared the photos. And I got to say, when you're in
(01:30):
the middle of something scary and uncertain and someone takes
the time to find your baby, a tiny Woody from Toy Story
costume, I mean, that's the kindof compassion that sticks with
you. You know, that's why I do the
podcast, by the way, because your morning sets the tone for
your whole day. My belief is, as long as I'm not
(01:51):
on fire, it's a good day. So why not start with evidence
that people show up for each other in the sweetest possible
ways? All right, Speaking of things
that make you smile, let me tellyou about a cat named Cheese.
All right, so picture this. Alice Avery, who works for Wake
(02:12):
County, was desperately trying to potty train her toddler's
son, Sam. She tried everything.
As parents, we've all been there.
And finally, she stuck a bribe out there.
If you do this, we'll get a cat.Spoiler alert, the potty
training didn't work. But the cat part, Oh, that
(02:35):
worked. They took Sam to the Wake County
Animal Center, thinking someday for a pet.
Oh my gosh, we know how that goes.
Oh, we're just going to go look.Mm.
Hmm, Sam spotted this orange tabby and that was it.
Decided right then and there, named her Cheese and a character
(02:56):
from The Wire because Alice and her husband are big fans of the
show. Now here's what I love about
this Cheese hid under the bed for exactly one day and then
made herself completely at home.Now she hangs out with Alice
during the work days when she's working from home and makes
(03:16):
regular appearances in Teams meetings.
Getting chased around by a nine year old boy just living her
best life. And Sam?
Well, the potty training eventually happened, it just
took longer than planned. Over at Salem Middle School in
Apex, there's a teacher named Emily Swanson.
(03:39):
She just got named Wral's Teacher of the Week.
Congratulations, Emily. And here's the thing, she's been
dreaming about teaching since her early teens.
Like, this wasn't some backup plan or I just figured it out in
college. She knew.
Now she's all in on making her classes both fun and meaningful
(04:02):
for her students. And honestly, that's the kind of
dedication that shapes kids entire lives and we don't talk
enough about it. So shout out to Emily Swanson
and every other teacher showing up every single day to do the
work and the work that matters. I see you.
(04:26):
My mom was a teacher for decades.
It is hard work and underappreciated.
OK, if you're looking to get a jump on holiday shopping and
support some local makers at thesame time, mark your calendar.
Drop it in your phone calendar. Because Friday, November 8th is
the day Wakefield High School istransforming.
(04:49):
And I mean, completely transforming their entire
building into this massive holiday market.
They're calling it the MistletoeMarket, and it's about 200
vendors all under one roof. I mean, that sounds pretty cool.
Triangle on the Cheap says you'll find handmade jewelry,
arts and crafts, baked goods, holiday decor, raffles,
(05:12):
basically everything you need toknock out your gift list while
supporting small businesses and local artisans.
The whole thing runs from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Admission is 6 bucks, but kids 12 and under get in free.
And here's the nice touch. Bring a canned food donation and
they'll knock a dollar off your admission.
(05:32):
All the money from the vendor tables goes straight back into
school programs, so you're shopping and supporting local
makers and helping the school. Not a bad way to spend a Friday.
And if you're into more competitive socializing with
your cocktails, heads up Glenwood S's getting a ping pong
(05:54):
bar. Yeah, ping pong.
Ping pong, I think was the original Pick a ball.
We should call it Olive Ball. Well, they're calling it the
Smash Ping Pong Bar, and Axios Raleigh says it's opening in
November in the old Carolina AleHouse spot.
We're talking 12 to 15 ping pongtables, a rooftop patio, full
(06:15):
kitchen, cocktails, shareable plates, basically everything you
need for a fun, interactive night out.
I kind of love this trend of places where you can actually do
something besides just sit, justdrink like you and your friends
can actually have a tournament going.
Talk trash, maybe discover you're way better at ping pong
(06:36):
than you thought. Should be a fun addition to the
Glenwood S scene. You know, I might just have to
check that out. I used to love ping pong.
All right, that dad joke I promised.
It's coming up. Hold on.
If you want more information about any of these stories, the
links to everything is in the description.
Just go take a look. And if you're into true crime, I
(06:59):
got a show for you. Listen to my other podcast and
you can go to truecrimeunheard.com.
You will love it. Be sure to follow the podcast on
whatever platform you're listening on right now.
And while you're there, hey, do me a solid.
Please leave a five star review.Not that I'm begging or
(07:20):
anything, but it sure sounds like it.
All right, before I let you go, why can't dogs operate MRI
machines? Well, CAT scan.
That's a really bad medical joke, but honestly made me
(07:41):
laugh. All right, I'll see you
tomorrow. I love you.
Bye.
Tiny preemie babies dressed as Taylor Swift and Travis Kelsey.
Yeah, you heard that right. The NICU at UNC Health Recs went
full Halloween mode with their littlest patients.
Also, there's a Wake County family whose potty training
bride turned into a permanent orange tabby named Cheese who
(00:24):
crashes Zoom meetings, and a teacher who's been dreaming
about this job since she was a teenager.
Plus, ping pong and cocktails are about to become your new
Friday night on Glenwood S. Hey, I'm glad you're back with
me today. Stick around.
I got a dad joke for you at the end.
It will make you wince. OK, so imagine the smallest,
(00:48):
most vulnerable little humans you can think of.
Preemies in the NICU at UNC Healthrex in Raleigh.
Now dress them up as Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, Spider
Man and The Little Mermaid, tinylions and ladybugs.
That's what the nurses did this weekend.
(01:09):
And listen, it's not just cute, although it's absolutely
adorable. It's this whole moment of
normality for families who are spending weeks and sometimes
months in a unit not knowing who's coming next.
ABC 11 shared the photos. And I got to say, when you're in
(01:30):
the middle of something scary and uncertain and someone takes
the time to find your baby, a tiny Woody from Toy Story
costume, I mean, that's the kindof compassion that sticks with
you. You know, that's why I do the
podcast, by the way, because your morning sets the tone for
your whole day. My belief is, as long as I'm not
(01:51):
on fire, it's a good day. So why not start with evidence
that people show up for each other in the sweetest possible
ways? All right, Speaking of things
that make you smile, let me tellyou about a cat named Cheese.
All right, so picture this. Alice Avery, who works for Wake
(02:12):
County, was desperately trying to potty train her toddler's
son, Sam. She tried everything.
As parents, we've all been there.
And finally, she stuck a bribe out there.
If you do this, we'll get a cat.Spoiler alert, the potty
training didn't work. But the cat part, Oh, that
(02:35):
worked. They took Sam to the Wake County
Animal Center, thinking someday for a pet.
Oh my gosh, we know how that goes.
Oh, we're just going to go look.Mm.
Hmm, Sam spotted this orange tabby and that was it.
Decided right then and there, named her Cheese and a character
(02:56):
from The Wire because Alice and her husband are big fans of the
show. Now here's what I love about
this Cheese hid under the bed for exactly one day and then
made herself completely at home.Now she hangs out with Alice
during the work days when she's working from home and makes
(03:16):
regular appearances in Teams meetings.
Getting chased around by a nine year old boy just living her
best life. And Sam?
Well, the potty training eventually happened, it just
took longer than planned. Over at Salem Middle School in
Apex, there's a teacher named Emily Swanson.
(03:39):
She just got named Wral's Teacher of the Week.
Congratulations, Emily. And here's the thing, she's been
dreaming about teaching since her early teens.
Like, this wasn't some backup plan or I just figured it out in
college. She knew.
Now she's all in on making her classes both fun and meaningful
(04:02):
for her students. And honestly, that's the kind of
dedication that shapes kids entire lives and we don't talk
enough about it. So shout out to Emily Swanson
and every other teacher showing up every single day to do the
work and the work that matters. I see you.
(04:26):
My mom was a teacher for decades.
It is hard work and underappreciated.
OK, if you're looking to get a jump on holiday shopping and
support some local makers at thesame time, mark your calendar.
Drop it in your phone calendar. Because Friday, November 8th is
the day Wakefield High School istransforming.
(04:49):
And I mean, completely transforming their entire
building into this massive holiday market.
They're calling it the MistletoeMarket, and it's about 200
vendors all under one roof. I mean, that sounds pretty cool.
Triangle on the Cheap says you'll find handmade jewelry,
arts and crafts, baked goods, holiday decor, raffles,
(05:12):
basically everything you need toknock out your gift list while
supporting small businesses and local artisans.
The whole thing runs from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Admission is 6 bucks, but kids 12 and under get in free.
And here's the nice touch. Bring a canned food donation and
they'll knock a dollar off your admission.
(05:32):
All the money from the vendor tables goes straight back into
school programs, so you're shopping and supporting local
makers and helping the school. Not a bad way to spend a Friday.
And if you're into more competitive socializing with
your cocktails, heads up Glenwood S's getting a ping pong
(05:54):
bar. Yeah, ping pong.
Ping pong, I think was the original Pick a ball.
We should call it Olive Ball. Well, they're calling it the
Smash Ping Pong Bar, and Axios Raleigh says it's opening in
November in the old Carolina AleHouse spot.
We're talking 12 to 15 ping pongtables, a rooftop patio, full
(06:15):
kitchen, cocktails, shareable plates, basically everything you
need for a fun, interactive night out.
I kind of love this trend of places where you can actually do
something besides just sit, justdrink like you and your friends
can actually have a tournament going.
Talk trash, maybe discover you're way better at ping pong
(06:36):
than you thought. Should be a fun addition to the
Glenwood S scene. You know, I might just have to
check that out. I used to love ping pong.
All right, that dad joke I promised.
It's coming up. Hold on.
If you want more information about any of these stories, the
links to everything is in the description.
Just go take a look. And if you're into true crime, I
(06:59):
got a show for you. Listen to my other podcast and
you can go to truecrimeunheard.com.
You will love it. Be sure to follow the podcast on
whatever platform you're listening on right now.
And while you're there, hey, do me a solid.
Please leave a five star review.Not that I'm begging or
(07:20):
anything, but it sure sounds like it.
All right, before I let you go, why can't dogs operate MRI
machines? Well, CAT scan.
That's a really bad medical joke, but honestly made me
(07:41):
laugh. All right, I'll see you
tomorrow. I love you.
Bye.
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