Top Instagram reels from Goats and Soda in 2025: Plumpy’Nut, aid cuts, soccer grannies

Instagram reels are reely … er … really popular. (Editor’s note: It turns out that “reely” is really an alternate spelling for “really” from long ago — way before reels were invented.)

Is there data to back this up? Mark Zuckerberg says so. The CEO of Meta, which owns Instagram as well as Facebook, reports that in 2025 reels have reached new heights on these platforms: 200 billion plays a day.

NPR’s global health and development blog was responsible for millions of those views. Here are our biggest Instagram reels this year.

 

‘The Rest of Our Lives’ takes readers on a midlife crisis road trip

America's literary highways may be plenty crowded with middle-aged runaways fleeing lives that increasingly feel like a bad fit. But Ben Markovits adds a moving tale to the collection.

Hunker down with these 13 mysteries and thrillers from 2025

Mysteries and thrillers are enjoyable no matter the season, but there's something extra satisfying about curling up in the winter with a warm drink and an all-engrossing read. Here's what we suggest.

Should the U.S. model its vaccine policy on Denmark’s? Experts say we’re nothing alike

The Trump administration wants to revamp U.S. childhood vaccination recommendations to align with some other peer nations, including one tiny country in northern Europe.

Marijuana rescheduling would bring some immediate changes, but others will take time

President Trump set the process in motion to ease federal restrictions on marijuana. But his order doesn't automatically revoke laws targeting marijuana, which remains illegal to transport over state lines.

Amanda Seyfried’s tally for 2025: 3 starring roles, 2 Golden Globe nominations

Amanda Seyfried is up for a Golden Globe for her performance in The Testament of Ann Lee, a movie musical about the leader of the Shakers, the 18th-century religious movement that preached celibacy, gender and racial equality, and pacifism.

Christmas is over. Here’s what to do with your holiday trash

Household waste increases by 25% between Thanksgiving and New Years. Rules vary by municipality on what you can recycle and what needs to go into the trash.

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