inspired

Inspired by a Simon & Garfunkel song, two old friends travel the world to sit on a bench together

Old friends Tom Edelstein and Larry Bans took a seat at St. Paul’s Highland Park Junior High where they met in 1964.

After a decade of trips, these pals from St. Paul will turn 70 on a New York park bench — just like the song says.

Author-coach encourages us to broaden our definition of happiness

Pamela Gail Johnson started her career working in the mental health and substance abuse field at Hazelden Foundation.

Founder of the Society of Happy People believes that all of us can create habits to feel better more often.

People with autism speak through poetry

Alternative communication methods allow neurodivergent people to show that an inability to speak does not mean an inability to think.

'Stray' cat video game brings some benefits to real cats

Art from the “Stray” video game, developed by BlueTwelve Studio.

A virtual orange tabby is encouraging gamers to raise money for animal shelters and other cat-related charities.

How Sweden sends just 1% of its trash to landfills

High recycling rates help, and non-recycled waste is burned to generate electricity and heat.

You can help

Get involved.

Tribal pharmacy dispenses free medications for Native Americans in Minneapolis

Care offered is no-cost and conscious of cultural traditions.

Saints players, people with disabilities team up for baseball fun at CHS Field

"I wanted to help people with disabilities be able to live their dreams," said Bryce Weiler, co-founder of the Beautiful Lives Project.

Plymouth woman uses her art to educate about rare pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis

Twenty-seven-year-old May Ling Kopecky was 15 when she was diagnosed with MS. She places her art at the intersection of creativity and disability identity.

She's 37. A mom of two. And America's fastest female marathoner.

Fourteen years after being forced from the sport by injury, Keira D'Amato finished the Houston Marathon and toppled a U.S. record that had stood since 2006.

Minneapolis performer explores circus history, finds community at Circus Juventas

Twenty-year-old Rose Dunn-Wright has found inspiration in two legendary ringmasters.

In Mankato, matching meals to mouths means more for all

Natasha Frost returned to her hometown to promote efforts to reduce food waste and improve nutrition.

One roommate is 85, the other is 27. Such arrangements are growing, including in Minnesota

Online home-sharing agency matches young renters with older people looking to supplement their incomes and share their space.

Biking helps Minneapolis family travel happier, feel better

The Bellemares got rid of a car when they started using bikes more often.

Maplewood attraction lets you meet animals you've never seen up close (and maybe never even heard of)

At Sustainable Safari at Maplewood Mall, visitors see, hold and feed animals — and, its founders hope, come away wanting to protect their cousins in the wild.

Who inspires you? Minnesotans share tales of kindness

A doctor whose kindness was acknowledged after 40 years, a couple who clean up for good, and the mobilizer of self-care kits for shelters are featured in our monthly reader-driven feature.