“It Always Works Out”
From Alcatraz to happiness data to a “full circle moment” for one NCAA basketball coach, here’s what to know heading into the weekend ...👇🏽
“It always works out.”
An unexpected job loss led Jolene Babyak to revisit her childhood on Alcatraz — ultimately writing a book about her experience and becoming one of the nation’s leading experts on the prison.
Today, on the 63rd anniversary of Alcatraz closing as a federal prison, we’re resharing Jolene’s interview with Jenna from last May. She describes what life on the island was really like — and how the experience continues to shape her perspective today.
WATCH ABOVE OR BY CLICKING HERE. You can also listen on podcasting platforms everywhere (Apple, Spotify).
🗣️ Your Conversation Starters:
🚫 Blocked: The ruling from a federal judge regarding recent changes to U.S. vaccine policy, finding the decision to replace the vaccine advisory panel “undermined the integrity of its actions.” Some health groups applauded the ruling, while the Health and Human Services plans to appeal. The ruling delayed a meeting of the advisory panel this week, where members expected to examine COVID-19 vaccines.
📊 Unchanged: The Fed announced no change to interest rates on Wednesday, with Chair Jerome Powell saying he plans to stay on the board until the DOJ investigation of him is “well and truly over.”
🤗 #23: How the U.S. ranked on the World Happiness Report, released this week. Nordic countries dominated the top 10, and Finland came out on top for the ninth straight year. One startling find? “In North America and Western Europe, young people are much less happy than 15 years ago.” One possible reason cited: social media.
☄️ Meteor Hunting: NASA says meteorite pieces from Tuesday’s fireball might lie scattered across Medina County, Ohio, though they may appear small and inconspicuous.
📈 20th Largest: Poland’s economy now tops $1 trillion in annual output, placing it among the world’s 20 largest and marking a dramatic rise since the fall of communism in 1989. One key driver: “rapidly building a strong institutional framework for business.”
🏀 March Madness: The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament tipped off this week, launching three-weeks' worth of buzzer-beaters, bracket-busters, and “Cinderella” stories as 68 teams chase a national title. One hill this USA Today columnist is willing to die on? Don’t use AI to fill out your bracket.
🐒 “Fairytale Ending”: Viral sensation "Punch the Monkey," a young macaque at a Japanese zoo who gained attention for clinging to a stuffed orangutan after being rejected by his mother, was recently seen “canoodling” with a female macaque. Early signs of bonding — along with less reliance on his stuffed toy — suggest improving socialization as he begins to integrate into the troop.
🐋 Ocean Time Capsule: Scientists identified what may be the earliest preserved whale recording — captured in 1949 near Bermuda during early sonar experiments and only recently recognized in archival audio. The recording could help researchers track how whale communication has changed over time, including the impact of growing ocean noise from human activity.
🏃 Wellness Takeover: Recent data cited by The Wall Street Journal reveals that service-based businesses — like gyms, spas, and salons — now outnumber traditional retail shops in the U.S. for the first time. Why the shift? Consumers are increasingly choosing experiences like fitness and self-care over physical goods.
🤳 “From Pikachu to pizza delivery”: A throwback to 2016 — the game that drew millions to point their phones at building and landmarks to catch virtual Pokémon. Now, a tech company is using those images to train AI systems to pinpoint locations more precisely on maps for uses like food delivery.
🎙️ This Week From Jenna:
The Supermarket Guru on Why Grocery Prices Aren’t Coming Down: Chocolate, Beef, Coffee, and Dynamic Pricing
Jenna interviews supermarket expert Phil Lempert, the “Supermarket Guru” on the latest on food prices AND trends in good shopping that may change your next trip to the grocery store.
WATCH ABOVE OR BY CLICKING HERE. You can also listen on podcasting platforms everywhere (Apple, Spotify).
Who Is The New Ayatollah? What Every American Should Know
Benham Ben Taleblu, Senior Director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Iran program, joins Jenna for a look at Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, and what his rise could mean during wartime.
WATCH ABOVE OR BY CLICKING HERE. You can also listen on podcasting platforms everywhere (Apple, Spotify).
🙌🏽 What We Found SmartHER This Week:
I found a great deal on two of my go-to Tarte products that I use every day. This Tartelette tubing mascara seriously stays put all day (even through workouts), doesn’t smudge, and comes off easily with just water. It reminds me of the fake lashes I used to wear during my studio days — but way less upkeep. 😉
Right now, you can get THREE mascaras plus an eyeliner for just $40 (they’re usually $28 each).
Also on sale: my go-to Juicy Lip Plumps — the ones I keep in every bag. You can grab a 4-pack for 30% off right now.
And if you’re new to HSN, you can take an extra $15 off a $35+ purchase with code WELCOME2026.
“If you use those negative experiences to grow and better yourself, use them as a ladder, you’re going to be successful.”
South Florida Coach Bryan Hodgson on making his NCAA tournament debut in Buffalo, near his childhood hometown — a place tied to both hardship and happy memories. The 38-year-old was placed in foster care at the age of two and later adopted by a family that supported his strong passion for basketball. "It's (an) unbelievably full circle moment for me. I'm guessing very low odds for this to happen. But I think it's all part of God's plan, to be honest with you,” Hodgson said.
And that's The Weekend Digest!
❤️,
Jenna and the SHN Team
Daily news, interviews, our latest podcasts and more at www.SmartHERNews.com.
