by Rebecca Ferman, Staff-Writer
As the spring semester comes to a close, it’s good to take some time to relax and unwind from all the schoolwork. Maybe you’ll open up a new book, take a walk in the park, or call a friend to chat.
Or maybe you’ll simply go to YouTube and see what’s new and trending on the homepage… which could be a mixed bag of topics. With all the crazy stuff going on in the world, why not take a look at YouTube channels that are drama-free and wholesome?
In no particular order, here are seven feel-good YouTube channels to check out:
1. SaveAFox
About: SaveAFox Rescue is located in Minnesota and run by Mikayla Raines, who devotes her time to saving foxes and other similar exotic animals from fur farms or bad living situations. These are animals that unfortunately can’t be released back to the wild, so Mikayla makes sure to give them the best life possible at her rescue. The videos on the channel focus on the daily lives of the foxes – and the silly antics they get up to. Any video featuring the foxes Finnegan and Dixie is sure to be cute!
Video to Watch: The foxes that say HEHEHE
About: If you’ve ever wanted to try a food from your favorite television show, this channel (also known as “Binging with Babish”) is the place to go. Chef Andrew Rea creates videos detailing how to cook all sorts of delicious foods and drinks made famous by fiction, from the coveted Krabby Patty in SpongeBob SquarePants to Uma Thurman’s five-dollar milkshake in Pulp Fiction. In addition, he also provides how-to cooking videos for simpler dishes. It’s a tasty must-see!
Video to Watch: Binging with Babish – Shawarma from The Avengers
About: Overly Sarcastic Productions takes classic mythology, books, and historical events and sums them up in a funny but educational manner. It’s geared towards teenagers and adults, but it makes learning about literature like Dante’s Inferno or The Iliad a lot easier than sitting through a high school class, mainly by putting it all in simpler terms. Animation, music, and artworks combine for a concise and easy retelling of timeless tales. You may learn about a new myth or two thanks to this YouTube channel!
Video to Watch: Miscellaneous Myths – Pygmalion and Galatea
4. StoryCorps
About: While this is definitely a heartwarming channel, it’s also a tear-jerking one as well. StoryCorps uses beautiful animation to illustrate different stories recorded and sent in by people all across the nation, usually to memorialize loved ones. The artwork wouldn’t look out of place at a major animation studio, which helps draw you into the story being told. Family is usually a big topic covered, as well as the perseverance and strength of the human spirit. Be sure to bring the tissues with you to this one.
Video to Watch: Sundays at Rocco’s
About: This one… is definitely an odd one on the list. It’s literally just a man who loves making sausage links out of nearly anything edible and then ranking on a 0-5 scale on how good it tastes. He’s made it from candy corn, a KFC meal, a Caesar salad and even reluctantly made “water sausage” when hilariously pressured by subscribers. This cooking channel is bizarre and unconventional – but sure to get more than a few laughs.
Video to Watch: Sushi Sausage
About: You’ll see various talented musicians cover popular songs from over the years – but with a very retro twist. Maybe you’ve wanted to hear Lady Gaga as if she was performing in a 1920’s speakeasy, or Katy Perry in the 1950’s “doo-wop” style. You’ll find no shortage of fun, eccentric musical arrangements on Postmodern Jukebox’s channel. They’ve even become popular enough to the point where they went on a worldwide tour!
Video to Watch: Seven Nation Army – Vintage New Orleans Dirge White Stripes Cover ft. Haley Reinhart
7. stlzootube
About: Again, though these channels aren’t listed in any specific order, it felt right to end this list on one that takes place in the hometown. On the Saint Louis Zoo’s official YouTube channel, you’ll find livestreams of animal enclosures, educational videos from staff members, and advertisements for past and future events. There’s a reason that this zoo is consistently ranked as one of the top zoos in the country, and this channel confirms just why!
Video to Watch: Penguins weigh in at the Saint Louis Zoo