Start Your Day Positive

Will America elect a woman president in our lifetime? A new Pew Research Center survey finds Americans are growing more skeptical
Also today: TikTok is changing the comment section with voice comments, polls and photo carousels — including audio responses up to 60 seconds and as many as nine photos in one comment.
Could your favorite playlist actually help ease pain? We look at new research suggesting music — and even moving to the beat — may help the brain turn down the volume on pain.
Plus, what Americans love to grill, and an incredible story of perseverance: 91-year-old Dale “Gray Beard” Sanders hikes the entire 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail after 71 falls along the way.
And in Today in History: how “Uncle Sam” became an American nickname, plus the strange Mona Lisa investigation that led police to question Pablo Picasso.
A little news, history, inspiration and something to make you smile — it’s another Start Your Day Positive!

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce may be spending a little more time in Northeast Ohio after Kelce quietly purchased a $5.35 million lakefront mansion in Bratenahl. We’ll tell you about the historic estate and why the purchase is bringing some national attention to Cleveland.
Also today, a fascinating new study says people are talking a lot less than they used to. We’ll look at how texting, apps, remote work and self-checkout may be changing the amount of real conversation in our lives — and why that could matter for our brains.
Plus, if you love a good bargain, the 60-Mile Yard Sale is back for Labor Day weekend along Route 7 in Northeast Ohio.
In Today in History, we celebrate the incorporation of Google and share some fun facts about its unusual name, its original name, and how AI is changing the way people search. We also remember the canonization of Mother Teresa and explain what it actually takes for someone to be declared a saint in the Catholic Church.
And we took the show on the road to the Great Geauga County Fair, Ohio’s oldest continuously operating county fair. We share some incredible fair trivia — including the fact that Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Betsy Ross were still alive when the first fair was held in 1823 — and the amazing true story of human cannonball Hugo Zacchini, whose performance at the fair eventually became a U.S. Supreme Court case.
THANK YOU to our sponsors, Liberty Healthshare and Northeast Factory Direct

The new Dancing With the Stars cast is here... and Season 35 includes everyone from Julia Stiles and Giada De Laurentiis to Taylor Hanson and a Savannah Bananas player.
We’ll tell you about that, plus the unlikely comeback of Coyote vs. Acme ... a movie that was once shelved and is now earning huge audience and critic scores at the box office.
Then, new research suggests the things you do to keep your brain busy now... reading, learning, hobbies and mentally challenging activities... could help keep your mind sharper as you age.
Plus Today in History, and Sara shares an encouraging thought she remembered from Julia Roberts on the set of Steel Magnolias... a little reminder worth carrying into your day.
Thanks to our sponsors Universal Windows Direct and Liberty Healthshare and The Great Geauga County Fair

Winner, Winner, Chicken… Purse? 🍗👜
Walmart’s famous rotisserie chicken is getting carried away—literally! Meet the quirky $5.97 purse that proves dinner can also be a fashion statement.
 
Touchdowns & Tinsel 🏈🎄
We may have been broadcasting from the world’s largest Christmas store, but football stole the spotlight! Join us for touchdowns, team talk and a little Christmas cheer.
 
Snooze News: Sleeping In May Help Your Heart 😴❤️
Go ahead and hit that weekend snooze button! New research suggests a little extra sleep on Saturday and Sunday may lower your risk of high blood pressure—finally, a healthy habit we can all get behind.
 
Thanks to our sponsors...  Universal Windows Direct and Liberty Healthshare
 
 

BYOB… Bring Your Own BUCKET! 
Forget the small, medium, or large—Cinemark is letting movie fans bring their own bucket for a popcorn fill-up! Grab your most ridiculous container, head to the movies, and prepare to take snack time to blockbuster proportions. 🎬🍿
 
Walk This Way to Happiness 🚶😄
Feeling blah? Take a walk! An Iowa State study found that just 12 minutes of walking can give your mood a boost. We’re talking about why a few steps might be just what your day needs.
 
Bored? Imagine That! 💭✨
Who says you need a screen to beat boredom? From dreaming up stories to getting creative with the world around you, we’re sharing fun ways to pass the time using the best entertainment you already own—your imagination!
 
All that, plus a look back at Today in History, on today’s Start Your Day Positive!
 
Thanks to our sponsors Liberty Healthshare, Northeast Factory Direct
 

What kind of winter can we expect? We’ve got an early look at the Old Farmer’s Almanac forecast before it’s officially released tomorrow.
Plus, Lucky Charms and Trix are making a big change for the better, replacing artificial dyes with natural colors.
Sara just packed for our latest listener trip and shares the “Sudoku packing method” — pack just 9 pieces and you can create up to 27 outfits! And Len shares some wisdom from Mark Twain about why being a critical thinker can be a very good thing.
All that, plus a look back at Today in History, on today’s Start Your Day Positive!

Dolly Parton left behind one final song.... but nobody is supposed to hear it until what would have been her 100th birthday.
We’ll tell you about that, plus Pringles’ brand-new Dippers — and why your chips may finally survive the salsa bowl.
Then 2:48 p.m.... a survey of 2,000 Americans found that’s when our energy tends to crash. But the bigger wake-up call is how many of us say we’re moving through life on autopilot.
And Sara’s Go For It moment: why the quirky hobby or unusual thing on your résumé might actually help you stand out.
Plus Today in History, and something to send you into the day on the right foot.

A tropical system in the Atlantic could soon become Tropical Storm Dolly.... just as the world is remembering Dolly Parton.
We’ll tell you about that, plus Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu stepping away from competitive skating, and why she says she’ll be back.
Then 45% of adults 65+ improved physically, cognitively or both — in a Yale study following more than 11,000 people for up to 12 years. The surprising part? A more positive view of aging was linked to better outcomes.
And Sara’s Go For It moment, inspired by friends who are putting themselves out there even though it feels scary.
Plus Today in History, and something to send you into the day on the right foot.
The Monday Morning Boost lands at 6am every Monday — sign up at startyourdaypositive.com

Today’s episode is a special one as we remember Dolly Parton, the legendary entertainer whose music, movies, generosity, faith and kindness touched generations. Sara shares a personal celebration of Dolly’s life, along with a list of some of her favorite Dolly movies, documentaries and specials to watch as we remember her incredible legacy.
Also today:
Nate Bargatze makes comedy history, setting a Guinness World Record after selling more than 2 million tickets — while proving family-friendly comedy can be a huge success.
If someone handed you an unexpected $1,000, what would you do with it? A new survey reveals how Americans say they’d spend the money.
It’s Stump Day! We have a brand-new question for you!
Plus, encouragement, laughs and a reminder to bring a little more light into the world ...something Dolly did so beautifully.
Thanks to our sponsors... Northeast Factory Direct, Universal Windows Direct and Liberty Healthshare

America has a surprising new favorite dog — and the Labrador has officially been bumped from the top spot! We’re sharing the new Top Five breeds, plus why political ads are about to be everywhere as we head toward the midterms.
Also today: could a hatching baby Megalodon be the toy of Christmas 2026? Starbucks’ fall drinks are back with some new flavors, and we’re telling the fascinating story of how the Pumpkin Spice Latte almost never happened... and why there’s actually a pretty inspiring lesson behind it.
Thanks to our sponsors Liberty Healthshare, Northeast Factory Direct, and The Great Geauga County Fair