As we say goodbye to 2025, our reporters are looking back at some of the most memorable international stories they covered in the last year.

From a city in Africa emerging from war to resilient Indian turtles, liberated refugees to defiant Austrian nuns.

Global favorites from the last year.

Listen to State of the World on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you're feeling stress, let's pause and take a listen to this soundscape and take some deep breaths.

Thank you. Let's pause and take a listen to this soundscape and take some deep breaths. How do you feel? Maybe a little more revived, more focused.

Our next guest has made a career out of understanding exactly how nature affects our well-being.

He found that just listening to nature sounds can lead to cognitive benefits.

Mark Berman is the pioneer of environmental neuroscience, and he's out with the new book,

Nature and the Mind, The Science of How Nature improves cognitive, physical, and social well-being.

Berman wanted to know exactly how our physical environment affects us and why.

Through his research, he found how nature improves our focus, reduces depression,

and even improves our physical health.

But you don't have to move to a scenic home in the country for all these advantages.

Mark Berman joins us after the break to talk about his findings.

I'm Jen White.

You're listening to the 1A podcast.

Back with our guest in just a moment.

Stay with us.

On Wait, Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me, Famous actors remember their days of obscurity, like when Pedro Pascal remembered the stress of being a waiter.

The logistical labor of meeting everyone's needs in the right manner. You know, the act one, water. Act 2, the drink.

Listen to Wait, Wade in the NPR app or wherever you get your podcast.

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