Stars: 5/5

This year, I’ve tried to simplify my New Year’s resolution into one premise: be more positive. For the first time, it’s one that I haven’t given up in the first few weeks of the year, and I can thank a little podcast by the name of “Wonderful!” for most of that.

“Wonderful!” is a fairly new addition to the world of podcasts, having once been a fan-cast for shows like “The Bachelor.” Just last year, the podcast creators — long-time podcaster of “My Brother, My Brother, and Me” fame Griffin McElroy and his wife Rachel McElroy — decided to take turn their show in a new direction, one full of pure and wholesome positivity.

Both Griffin and Rachel pick three things per episode to talk about — things that they think are, well, “Wonderful!” Thus far, the utterly charming husband-and-wife duo have talked about their love of Carly Rae Jepsen, wombats, the St. Louis Blues Towel Man, Boston Dynamics’ BigDog robot and so much more.

It may not seem like the most likely place to go for suggestions on your next favorite artist, movie or other hobby, but “Wonderful!” provides such a wide range of topics that it’s impossible not to find something you’ll love. Without Griffin’s segment about him on the show, I would have likely never discovered Nick Drake, a singer and guitarist who has quickly become one of my new favorites.

“Wonderful!” not only will add to your list of favorite things, but it also can help remind you of some of the things you already love that you’ve let fall to the background of your life. Rachel, for example, talks about the smell of books, her love of “Fraggle Rock” and some of her favorite poems — all of which are things that have brought a smile to my face — just at the reminder that they exist.

Part of what can make anyone’s day far too droning and monotonous is forgetting about the little things that make them happy. “Wonderful!” is an excellent remedy for a humdrum day. The episodes are short and easy to listen to, acting as the perfect soundtrack for whatever break you might have in your day.

It’s the comfortable and loving relationship between the hosts that makes “Wonderful!” such a delight to listen to. Rachel and Griffin are a calming force in an increasingly chaotic world and play a major role in keeping me sane throughout life’s many speed bumps.