Antidote to the Daily Headlines: Good News Network
WLT Perspective — December, 2001

Sick of the bad news barrage? Ever imagine someone sending you only good news?

Geri Weis-Corbley did more than imagine it. Since August 1997, she has found positive, inspiring stories and spread the word — in print, on-line, through public speaking, and on the radio.

A former TV news producer, Weis-Corbley left a lucrative career to raise three children and create the Good News Network (GNN) Web site (www.goodnewsnetwork.org) and newsletter. Today thousands visit her Web site while her newsletter reaches readers in 15 states and several foreign countries. She donates hundreds of copies of her bimonthly newsletter to people who need it more than most, those living in our shelters and prisons.

"If you look for it, there really is good news everywhere," says Weis-Corbley. "But you usually don't see it on TV." After nine years of viewing bad news close-up, she dreamed of spreading good news. In 1997 she made her dreams reality. "If it's good deeds, it leads," says Weis-Corbley, who runs the entire operation from her home, posting no ads and remaining profitless. She refers to the project as "moderately costly" without revealing details.

So what sort of good news are we talking about? Well, reports range from local to international stories. For example, there's the story about a businessman who sold his corporation for $422 million, splitting $128 million among his employees. Or the story about a group of teens who cycled across America to raise money to build homes for the needy. And a story about Patch Adams, the inspirational MD who promotes free medical care, appeared in GNN more than a year before the movie hit box offices.

Visitors to the Good News Network Web site can select news from categories including Global, National, Local, Business, Earth, and Life. There's an opinion section and another devoted to Good Samaritans. Visitors are encouraged to pass along their own good news. A brief primer instructs them how to write a news story.

Creating a Network

After graduating from college in 1981, Weis-Corbley began a career encompassing a decade in television news and video production. As a news freelancer covering Capitol Hill and the White House, she developed her talents working with a camera, editing and producing. Weis-Corbley created and produced media campaigns in 1986 and 1988 for US Congressman Terry Bruce (IL). Both victories were achieved within budget.

"Today's news reports actually create a false impression of what's really going on by focusing on a fraction of the truth," explains the former TV and PR producer. In 1990, disillusioned with the media, she left her flourishing career to raise three children while nurturing a plan to develop the Good News Network.

Her first issue came out the week Ted Turner donated a billion dollars to the UN. But there was other good news to report: the taxi driver who returned the bag of cash left in his cab; the woman who dove into icy waters to rescue a child; the man who opened his house every Thanksgiving to strangers. She even found a heartwarming story about a group of lawyers who represent low-income kids in court pro bono.

The response? Among other influential figures, General Colin Powell sent a note to the Good News Network: "Thank you for writing your newsletter, Some Good News! I enjoyed reading the positive stories... keep up your good work."

"Whenever people are told about my newsletter or Web site, they say something like, 'We all sure need that,"' says Weis-Corbley. "Living in today's society, it's natural to develop a desire for more positive stories about proactive citizens. Good news is happening everywhere, if we look for it-and have a media source to look to.

"People have not been given real choices in their media consumption," she continues. "They need a daily broadcast of positive news to provide a balanced view of society. And if they could experience the benefits of positive thinking as I have — good health, fewer problems attracted to oneself, 'luck' and serendipity flowing into their lives — they would surely embrace it."

Weis-Corbley writes more than half the articles published on the Network, which she gathers from several sources including those sent by those who know her work, or from the American News Service, a Vermont-based wire that focuses on solution-based news.

Living the Philosophy

The Good News Network philosophy carries over into Weis-Corbley's daily life. "I believe this is my path in life," she explains. "All guidance and inspiration I attribute to my Soul's Proprietor." She believes that others can, and should, take action. "I especially want to tell new mothers who want something more, and workers in jobs that bring them no joy, there is always time, indeed, one must claim the time, to pursue a dream or fulfill a passion."

This writer-broadcaster meditates every morning to quiet her mind and to affirm what she believes: "I am a source of creative energy," and "I am love flowing — part of God/love/good, like a wave within the ocean," she says. "This helps me to focus on my abilities and abundance rather than the obstacles I face in pursuit of my dream, which is to make good news a part of everyone's daily life," She also does yoga to detoxify stress.

Geri Weis-Corbley's enthusiasm, humor, and selfless efforts personify a message for us all: the good news is there, if we seek it out.

— Bill Asenjo, Ph.D., CRC is a freelance writer, consultant and college instructor. His writing has appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul and numerous other publications and websites.

— Write to Geri Weis-Corbley at PO. Box 2636, Manassas, Virginia 20108

© 2009 Bill Asenjo

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