# The Happy Pod: Inviting strangers round for dinner

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/global-news-podcast-204504/the-happy-pod-inviting-strangers-round-for-dinner.md
Podcast: [Global News Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/global-news-podcast-204504)
Published: 2026-07-11T11:00:00+00:00
Episode link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0ny41xs
Audio file: http://open.live.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/6/redir/version/2.0/mediaset/audio-nondrm-download-rss-low/proto/http/vpid/p0ny40m4.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/global-news-podcast-204504/episodes/the-happy-pod-inviting-strangers-round-for-dinner
Duration seconds: 1590

## Resource

When Nidhi and Vik moved to Northern Ireland, they came up with an unusual way to make new friends - hosting dinner parties made up of strangers. Now the couple, originally from India, have connected with 60 people and counting. Vik says he wants to make the whole world his friends. Plus, the Iranian father helping his blind son experience the football World Cup. He uses a makeshift football pitch to mimic what's going on. Also, a listener tells us about their chance encounter with a teacher they hadn't seen for 12 years. We go to a picnic where the only thing on the menu is unlimited cake, and the payphone in Washington DC that tells jokes. Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world. Presenter: Holly Gibbs. Music composed by Iona Hampson (Photo: Nidhi and Vik preparing for their Masala Talkies. Credit: Your Pal Moments.)

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## Transcript

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