Holly Gibbs

How one simple appeal on social media helped hundreds of lonely people.

A man from Belgium has just completed an amazing seven-year expedition from northern Canada to the southern tip of Argentina. Arnaud Maldag travelled 35,000 kilometres through 17 countries by skiing, cycling, horse riding, hiking, kayaking... sailing and, of course, walking.

A man from Belgium has just completed an amazing seven-year expedition from northern Canada to the southern tip of Argentina. Arnaud Maldag travelled 35,000 kilometres through 17 countries by skiing, cycling, horse riding, hiking, kayaking... sailing and, of course, walking.

A man from Belgium has just completed an amazing seven-year expedition from northern Canada to the southern tip of Argentina. Arnaud Maldag travelled 35,000 kilometres through 17 countries by skiing, cycling, horse riding, hiking, kayaking... sailing and, of course, walking.

Arnaud, who's now 35 years old, spent two years training before starting his seven-year trek in the northern Canadian province of Nunavut back in January 2018. The Happy Pod's Harry Bly spoke to him and started by asking him why he'd wanted to do this.

Arnaud, who's now 35 years old, spent two years training before starting his seven-year trek in the northern Canadian province of Nunavut back in January 2018. The Happy Pod's Harry Bly spoke to him and started by asking him why he'd wanted to do this.

Arnaud, who's now 35 years old, spent two years training before starting his seven-year trek in the northern Canadian province of Nunavut back in January 2018. The Happy Pod's Harry Bly spoke to him and started by asking him why he'd wanted to do this.

Arno Moldag talking about his epic expedition. Now, if you've ever felt lonely or wished you had more people to meet up with, how about just asking strangers to be your friend? Laura Cooper posted on social media about wanting to start a friendship group after being ill and feeling lonely. And within the hour, she was inundated with messages.

Arno Moldag talking about his epic expedition. Now, if you've ever felt lonely or wished you had more people to meet up with, how about just asking strangers to be your friend? Laura Cooper posted on social media about wanting to start a friendship group after being ill and feeling lonely. And within the hour, she was inundated with messages.

Arno Moldag talking about his epic expedition. Now, if you've ever felt lonely or wished you had more people to meet up with, how about just asking strangers to be your friend? Laura Cooper posted on social media about wanting to start a friendship group after being ill and feeling lonely. And within the hour, she was inundated with messages.

Within a month, Laura, a 42-year-old care worker from Scunthorpe in England, had formed a group with more than 300 other members aged from 16 to 75. Simon Spark went along to one of their parties.

Within a month, Laura, a 42-year-old care worker from Scunthorpe in England, had formed a group with more than 300 other members aged from 16 to 75. Simon Spark went along to one of their parties.

Within a month, Laura, a 42-year-old care worker from Scunthorpe in England, had formed a group with more than 300 other members aged from 16 to 75. Simon Spark went along to one of their parties.

And that report was by Simon Spark. Now, let's end this podcast in Malaysia, where efforts are being made to breathe new life into indigenous musical instruments. One of them is a sundetang, a wooden stringed instrument with a long neck. It looks a bit like a guitar, but it only has two strings, traditionally made out of tree fibre, and the neck only has six frets or metal strips.

And that report was by Simon Spark. Now, let's end this podcast in Malaysia, where efforts are being made to breathe new life into indigenous musical instruments. One of them is a sundetang, a wooden stringed instrument with a long neck. It looks a bit like a guitar, but it only has two strings, traditionally made out of tree fibre, and the neck only has six frets or metal strips.

And that report was by Simon Spark. Now, let's end this podcast in Malaysia, where efforts are being made to breathe new life into indigenous musical instruments. One of them is a sundetang, a wooden stringed instrument with a long neck. It looks a bit like a guitar, but it only has two strings, traditionally made out of tree fibre, and the neck only has six frets or metal strips.

Thune Sundertang, a six-piece band named after the instrument, are on a mission to revive their cultural heritage from the verge of extinction, fusing traditional music with contemporary rock to attract a younger generation. Nikki Beatty spoke to lead singer Dabra Sia and founder Gindung McFreddy-Symond.

Thune Sundertang, a six-piece band named after the instrument, are on a mission to revive their cultural heritage from the verge of extinction, fusing traditional music with contemporary rock to attract a younger generation. Nikki Beatty spoke to lead singer Dabra Sia and founder Gindung McFreddy-Symond.

Thune Sundertang, a six-piece band named after the instrument, are on a mission to revive their cultural heritage from the verge of extinction, fusing traditional music with contemporary rock to attract a younger generation. Nikki Beatty spoke to lead singer Dabra Sia and founder Gindung McFreddy-Symond.

To a new Sundertang, performing their single Tangon on the Arts Hour. You can catch the whole programme wherever you get your BBC podcasts. And that's all from the Happy Pod for now. If you'd like to share a story that's made you happy, the address is globalpodcast at bbc.co.uk. This edition was mixed by Adrian Bargova. The producers were Holly Gibbs and Harry Bly. The editor is Karen Martin.