Although these links go to videos, most of them depend on sound rather than visuals, such as readings of literature or short talks. They’re meant for people who may not have the time or energy to read, but would enjoy having something soothing and encouraging to listen to while driving, doing dishes, or just sitting with your eyes closed. Ideally, it might provide a short mental vacation, a few moments of ordinary humanity amid chaos, fear, and exhaustion.

A Good Day, by Kait Rokowski (poem on overcoming depression, read by the author, 3 minutes)

How the Story Transforms the Teller, by Donald Davis (TEDx talk on the importance of shaping one’s personal story, 18 minutes)

Hope is the thing with feathers, by Emily Dickinson, read by Julie Harris (poem on hope, 2 minutes)

Be a Rainbow in Someone Else’s Cloud, by Maya Angelou (remarks on helping others, 2 minutes)

Life Advice, by Denzel Washington (graduation speech on recovering from failure, 10 minutes)

The Road Not Taken, by Robert Frost (poem on making choices, 2 minutes)

Never Give In, by Winston Churchill (speech on persevering against great odds, 4 minutes)

Prayer About Growing Old, by Mary Maxwell (witty speech about aging, 8 minutes)

Singing Dog Contest, 1980, Johnny Carson (TV clip just for mindless fun, 12 minutes)

I Dreamed a Dream, sung by Susan Boyle (TV clip on unexpected success, 6 minutes)

1918 Flu Epidemic Memories, by Annie Laurie Williams (interview with a 1918 flu survivor, 7 minutes)

Aerial Display, Italian Air Force (re-broadcast of an air show recorded before the pandemic, singing by Luciano Pavarotti, 1 minute)

Italian Mayors Passionately Enforcing Lockdown (video compilation with subtitles, 2 minutes)