The Lighter Side
The Lighter Side

The Lighter Side

@thelighterside

Reba Shows How She Gets Ready For Work, and Fans Giggled to Tears
Favicon 
www.inspiremore.com

Reba Shows How She Gets Ready For Work, and Fans Giggled to Tears

Reba McEntire’s newest show, Happy’s Place, has been a huge success on NBC. The cast includes Reba alum Melissa Peterson, Belissa Escobedo, Rex Linn, Pablo Castelblanco, Tokala Black Elk, and Cheri Oteri. The comedy revolves around Reba’s character, Bobbie, and her sister, Isabella, whom she never knew she had until after their father’s death. Now they’re all getting to know each other and having a lot of laughs while working at Happy’s Place Tavern. Reba recently dropped an Instagram reel showing how she and the cast get ready for work, and it’s totally hilarious. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Reba McEntire (@reba) We Think Getting to Work with Reba is More Play than Actual Work Sure, Reba gets her work done, but she also has a lot of fun. The video shows the Happy’s Place cast warming up for work as “Teach Me How to Dougie” plays in the background. Reba, Melissa, Cheri, Rex, Tokala, and Pablo get ready as Belissa naps on a golf cart. They all looked warmed up and ready to hit the set. Happy’s Place fans love seeing Reba back to work with the rest of her equally hilarious cast. “Keep Up your Great Show HAPPY EASTER,” a fan wrote. This fan saw a bit of themselves in the warm-up video. “Love it that would be me asleep on the golf cart. LOL,” they wrote.” Reba and the gang at Happy’s Place bring people a lot of joy, and seeing these reels makes them smile. “I love you all so much…I needed this at this very moment,” a fan shared. This person wants to see more of the characters they love. “We need more funny interactions with the customers,” they suggested. You can watch Reba get to work at Happy’s Place on Fridays on NBC. This story’s featured image is by Todd Williamson/NBC via Getty Images.

9 reasons the Artemis II space mission keeps bringing people to tears
Favicon 
www.upworthy.com

9 reasons the Artemis II space mission keeps bringing people to tears

Since the Orion spacecraft launched, sending the four astronauts of the Artemis II mission around the Moon, people have been grabbing tissues left and right. This particular space mission has evoked profound emotions in us collectively, but why? What is it that has us feeling it all so deeply? I’m not a psychologist or a sociologist; I’m just a human joining my fellow humans in the cryfest. But that human identity sits at the heart of the why question, so here are nine reasons I’ve observed that people are getting emotional over Artemis II. “A Setting Earth” taken on the Artemis II mission. (Photo credit: NASA) We desperately need something good and wholesome right now Let’s just acknowledge this one upfront. In too many ways, the world has felt like a horror circus in recent years, and many people have lost a bit of faith in humanity. We need some solid reminders that we’re actually okay, and Artemis II is full of them. Apollo and Artemis unite our past with our future The name Artemis holds poetic significance. In Ancient Greek mythology, Artemis was Apollo’s twin sister as well as the goddess of the moon, the hunt, wild places, and childbirth. The original lunar missions being named Apollo and the modern missions being named Artemis is a beautiful hat-tip to that ancient history, as well as a nod to this mission carrying the first woman to circle the moon. The Artemis II mission feels like a bridge between our past and our future. “The pairing of Apollo and Artemis is more than poetic,” writes Samantha Mathewson for Space.com. “In mythology, the twins balance day and night, or sun and moon. In spaceflight, Apollo represents what humanity has already accomplished, while Artemis represents what comes next.” @chelsfriz1 Cause ya know, we have war to fund! #artemis #nasa #space #spaceprogram ♬ original sound – Chelsfriz It reminds us of how far we’ve come, both literally and figuratively Like others before them, the astronauts of Artemis II took some legacy keepsake items into space. Among them is a one-inch square piece of fabric from the Wright Flyer, the plane the Wright brothers used in their first successful flight in 1903. The significance of that tiny piece of fabric can’t be overstated. To fly through the air above Earth’s surface was a major milestone in human history. Did the Wright brothers imagine us going this far from Earth when they had just figured out how to get us off the ground? Innovation and progress require imagination, so they probably did imagine it. Just as the women who worked on the Apollo lunar program probably imagined women becoming astronauts one day. Christina Koch becoming the first woman to fly around the Moon isn’t the only sign of progress for women in the Artemis mission, though. Women played critical roles in the Apollo program as well, but they were smaller in number and not really visible to the public. Now we have this: LOOK AT HOW MANY WOMEN THERE ARE https://t.co/wdNVWNvTFo— Jasmine (@astro_jaz) April 7, 2026 It reminds us how small but special we are Earth may feel big to us, but in the context of the universe, our planet is infinitesimally tiny. And yet, we are here, eight billion individuals making our home on this little blue marble. Pilot Victor Glover delivered an impromptu message on Easter that reminds us of the unique reality of being human on planet Earth: “You guys are talking to us because we’re in a spaceship really far from Earth. But you’re on a spaceship called Earth that was created to give us a place to live in the universe, in the cosmos. Maybe the distance we are from you makes you think what we’re doing is special. But we’re the same distance from you, and I’m trying to tell you—just trust me—you are special. In all of this emptiness—this is a whole bunch of nothing, this thing we call the universe—you have this oasis, this beautiful place that we get to exist together.“ Shifts the perspective a bit, doesn’t it? The naming of the Moon crater ‘Carroll’ hit us right in the heart If someone were to cry over just one part of this mission, it would likely be this moment when the astronauts asked Mission Control to name a Moon crater after Commander Reid Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll, who died of cancer in 2020: View this post on Instagram Crater Carroll. A bright spot on the Moon that her kids can look up to and see Mom. What an incredible tribute. Historic space missions are big deals. These astronauts represent all of humanity as we collectively breach new frontiers. And yet, it’s the personal relationships, our individual loved ones, the bonds of family and friendship that make us what and who we are as humans. This moment just beautifully highlighted the human in humanity, forever linking the personal with the universal. It’s healing something in Gen X kids who watched the Challenger disaster live There have been many space shuttle launches since 1986, but few have seen the widespread excitement and attention that Artemis II has received leading up to it. Perhaps that’s why so many Gen Xers who remember watching the Challenger explode as children were nervous to watch the launch and held our breath until the astronauts were safely out of the atmosphere. OMG, you get it. I was watching with my son and almost started crying when the two boosters separated cleanly. I had tears well up. I told him I have serious PTSD when it comes to red rockets with boosters. — Mr. Texas (@Agisuticaeagis) April 2, 2026 It may sound like an overstatement to call it PTSD, but watching a school teacher and astronauts we’d all been following on TV for months blow up on a live broadcast had an impact on our psyches. The shock and horror of it all, with none of the adults prepared to handle it, left a mark. I was a news photographer in Lake Charles, La., on my day off, watching it on TV. I spent the rest of the day chasing debris and stories throughout East Texas. I didn't breathe until after the first separation.Until now, I didn't realize how deeply that scarred me.— Zedediah Grimm (@ZedGrimm) April 2, 2026 Seeing a hyped launch become a successful launch and watching all the heartwarming footage from the shuttle feels healing in some way. It taps our sense of awe Being amazed by something outside ourselves is one of the best parts of being human. (It also happens to be incredibly good for our mental health.) Awe comes in many forms. At the launch of Artemis II, we saw it in the childlike excitement of BBC Science Editor Rebecca Morelle as she witnessed the shuttle take off firsthand. @bbcnews Nasa’s first crewed mission around the Moon in more than 50 years has taken off from Florida. #Nasa #Artemis #Rocket #Space #Moon #ArtemisII #USNews #BBCNews ♬ original sound – BBC News – BBC News But awe is often quiet and introspective. The photos we’ve seen from the astronauts on board the Orion have provided a view that we rarely get to see. Only when courageous humans launch themselves into space and look out a window do we get to see our world and our Moon this way. Hello, Moon. It’s great to be back. Here’s a taste of what the Artemis II astronauts photographed during their flight around the Moon. Check out more photos from the mission: https://t.co/rzM1P0QbOl pic.twitter.com/6jWINHkDLh— NASA (@NASA) April 7, 2026 Taking a few moments to sit in awe of space and our place in it can be an emotional experience. Awe-inspired existential tears are good tears. It reminds us of what we’re capable of Humanity has always had its ups and downs, and they often happen at the same time. But science advancements, when done for the greater good and collective progress, are some of our biggest ups. This mission is a reminder of what we can do when we work together on innovating and creating instead of conquering and destroying. It reminds us we are one “This is an opportunity to remember where we are, who we are, and that we are the same thing,” Victor Glover said in his Easter message. “And that we got to get through this together.” There are no words. pic.twitter.com/W7JRAN8JeJ— Reid Wiseman (@astro_reid) April 5, 2026 We really are the same thing. Looking at Earth from space, there are no neatly drawn lines. There are no borders, no nations, nothing actually dividing us but rivers, oceans, and mountains. Of course, we are complex people with diverse cultures, languages, and identities. But seeing Earth from afar makes these differences seem far less significant. Certainly, they don’t seem worth killing one another over. Do you ever wonder how future history books will treat this time period we’re living in? What will they teach and what will they leave out? How will they analyze us? How will we be remembered? Will they know how we collectively wept over the naming of a Moon crater? Or will that detail—the one that defines us more than any war or conflict ever could—be omitted? I hope the beauty and humanity we’ve witnessed in this mission are remembered in the story of who we were, because it really is the best of who we are. The post 9 reasons the Artemis II space mission keeps bringing people to tears appeared first on Upworthy.

Newly Discovered Fish Species Has Uncanny Resemblance to Trump, and We Can’t Unsee It
Favicon 
www.inspiremore.com

Newly Discovered Fish Species Has Uncanny Resemblance to Trump, and We Can’t Unsee It

If you ever sit back and think about how vast the ocean waters really are, it’s mind-boggling. Ocean waters cover more than 70% of the Earth’s surface and are home to hundreds of thousands of species, some of which we’ve never even seen. Animal World recently shared a photo of a new fish species found near Venezuela on Instagram. It does not yet have a name, but it most definitely has caught the attention of many people. “The ocean has just surprised the world with something truly extraordinary. A new fish species discovered off the coast of Venezuela is going viral for its striking, almost unbelievable appearance — a look unlike anything most people have ever seen,” an Instagram post explains. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Animal World (@animalworldus.1) The New Fish Species Certainly Stands Out from Other Ocean Creatures We’ve Seen “With its unusual features and unique texture, this fish has captured attention across social media and sparked curiosity everywhere,” Animal World wrote of the new fish species. The comment section immediately went to President Donald Trump, and we have to agree, this resemblance is uncanny. “Looks like Donald Trump. I’m sure he’s going to want to name it,” someone wrote. “When you open the front camera by accident,” an Instagrammer joked. “The Donald Trish,” another zinger reads. “The fish is the best fish.. no fish has ever seen anything like it. Quite frankly the best in the world some say. This fish has achieved more than any other fish in the history of fishes . Everyone is proud .. I think they are proud .. well some aren’t .. but most are,” someone trolled. The new fish species brought some much-needed comic relief. “Immediately went to the comments and am not mad at it!” A reader admitted. This story’s featured image can be found here.

Pepsi Launches 4 New Exclusive Flavors!
Favicon 
www.inspiremore.com

Pepsi Launches 4 New Exclusive Flavors!

If you love Pepsi and you live near a Saucy! by KFC restaurant, you are in for something huge. The brand announced DRIPS by Pepsi, crafted beverages available exclusively at Saucy! The four beverages are now available at all 10 Saucy! restaurants with plans to add the lineup to five additional restaurants opening in 2026. QSR Magazine reported. In addition, a drink called Tropical Energy Escape will be available exclusively at the Carrollwood flagship Saucy! in Tampa, Florida. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Saucy by KFC (@saucybykfc) DRIPS by PepsiCo Takes Pepsi to a Whole New Level According to QSR, the five new DRIPS have something for everyone.                 Pepsi Zero Sugar Salted Caramel Fizz- Pepsi Zero Sugar with a touch of salted caramel, chocolate, and cold foam Tropicana Rainbow Splash Lemonade– A Tropicana Lemonade and Starry mix with pineapple, passionfruit, and blue raspberry boba Mountain Dew Chili Chill– Tropicana Lemonade mixed with Mountain Dew, jalapeño, mint, and Tajín PynkRaze Pop– Passionfruit blended with pineapple, Tropicana Lemonade, and Starry over dragon fruit boba Tropical Energy Escape– Orange pineapple energy, blackberry, passionfruit, coconut water, and coconut cream PepsiCo is super excited about the New DRIPS. “DRIPS by Pepsi was built to redefine what a crafted drink experience looks and tastes like, and we’re thrilled to bring that vision to life on Saucy! by KFC’s bold, flavor-forward menu,” Scott Finlow, Global Chief Marketing Officer, PepsiCo Away from Home shared in a release obtained by QSR. “Saucy! is the perfect partner to debut these beverages and deliver a flavorful, share-worthy experience.” Saucy! also looks forward to adding the new Pepsi DRIPS to the lineup. “With DRIPS by Pepsi, we’re extending that creativity to beverages with bold, playful combinations that elevate every bite-and-sip experience,” Andrew Grosshans, General Manager at Saucy shared. This story’s featured image is by Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Pepsi.

Marriage counselor uses viral ‘Love on the Spectrum’ moment to explain triggers in relationships
Favicon 
www.upworthy.com

Marriage counselor uses viral ‘Love on the Spectrum’ moment to explain triggers in relationships

During an episode from the latest season of Love on the Spectrum, Netflix’s heartwarming, critically acclaimed reality series that follows autistic individuals navigating the complexities of relationships, two fan favorites—Madison Marilla and her now fiancée, Tyler White—shared a moment that many couples face regardless of neurodivergence: emotional triggers.  As the two approached their date location, a fan can be heard saying, “Maddie! I love you!” This visibly affected Marilla, who explained that her autism causes “black and white thinking.” So hearing a nickname, like “Maddie,” causes her to feel “anxious and thrown off.” In fact, she noted it’s one of her “biggest sensitivities.”  In an Instagram post, marriage counselors Chris & Jamie Bailey break down how the couple’s handling of the situation was a prime example for anyone who witnesses their significant other getting triggered.  View this post on Instagram Chris and Jamie noted that in the clip, White stayed calm, moved towards Madison, validated her feelings without judgment, stayed present in the situation, listened to understand, and then, after Madison was able to express herself, he reassured her that they are a team and that he is there for her. And for her part, Madison “chose to process what was happening instead of reacting.” She also reminded herself that “it was going to be ok” and “moved forward” rather than ruminate.  All relationships deal with triggers While relationships involving autism or other forms of neurodiversity have their own unique set of challenges, Chris and Jamie noted that every couple will at some point face triggers. When that happens, each partner has a “responsibility.” The triggered person is responsible for their emotional regulation, while the non-triggered person is responsible for offering support. Both Tyler and Madison exemplified what can go right when each partner takes on their individual responsibility—especially staying present.  “What couples often miss is the simplicity of just remaining with your spouse during a trigger, “ Chris and Jamie added.  Judging by the comments, the Baileys were clearly not the only ones who felt Madison and Tyler offered a “masterclass in emotional regulation and communication.” “This was incredibly impressive. The way she worked through a trigger, the way he supported her and validated it. Well done everyone. We could all learn from this. ” “Responding before reacting is something every single person I’ve ever met has struggled with. I love how hard she’s working to stay aware of her mind, heart and body and how best to keep them regulated in these really difficult situations. View this post on Instagram “This was such an incredible thing to witness. I’m so grateful for Madison’s ability to be vulnerable through this and to allow the world the opportunity to learn from her I needed this today! “These two humans are pure good. They totally get each other and provide such a safe space.” “I love that Tyler didn’t even try to hug her or touch her and he let Madison’s nervous system calm down first. Full respect!!” Expert-backed methods for dealing with emotional triggers in a relationship For your own triggers, awareness is the first step. Many people notice physical cues before anything else. It might be a racing heart, a tight chest, or a sudden urge to withdraw or lash out. Naming what is happening, even silently, can help create space between the feeling and the reaction. Simple grounding techniques, like slowing your breathing, focusing on your senses, or giving yourself permission to pause, can make a meaningful difference. Just as Madison demonstrated, reminding yourself that the moment will pass can help shift your nervous system out of alarm mode. When it comes to supporting a partner who is triggered, the goal isn’t to fix the feeling, but to help create safety. That often looks like staying calm, listening without interrupting, and validating what they are experiencing, even if you do not fully understand it. Avoid rushing them, minimizing their reaction, or immediately offering solutions. Instead, gentle reassurance and presence can go much further than advice. Of course, this kind of mutual support works best when both people are willing to take ownership of their emotional patterns over time. Conversations outside of triggered moments can help partners learn each other’s sensitivities, boundaries, and preferred ways of being supported.  As Madison and Tyler remind us, when both people are willing to meet each other with awareness and care, even the most uncomfortable moments can become opportunities for deeper connection. The post Marriage counselor uses viral ‘Love on the Spectrum’ moment to explain triggers in relationships appeared first on Upworthy.