The Goats and Soda blog at NPR highlighted a selection of its most compelling global stories from 2025, focusing on global health, poverty reduction, and daily life in the Global South. These stories, published throughout the year, offered readers insights into diverse experiences and challenges faced by communities worldwide.

Among the featured narratives was a look at the lives of Rohingya refugee children in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, who found spaces to play amidst the ongoing construction of refugee camps. This story shed light on the resilience and adaptability of displaced populations in the face of adversity.

Another story explored the world of chess clubs in Chennai, India, examining how these clubs provide educational and social opportunities for young students. The piece detailed the dedication of instructors and the enthusiasm of students as they engaged in the strategic game.

The blog also featured a story about a kindergartener in Maryland, whose first day of school triggered a flashback for his Ugandan-born father, highlighting the intergenerational and cross-cultural dimensions of the immigrant experience. This narrative connected personal experiences with broader themes of identity and belonging.

A report from the Uganda-Kenya highway examined the impact of U.S. aid cuts on vulnerable populations, specifically focusing on the loss of free condoms and PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) for sex workers in Uganda. This story underscored the critical role of international aid in public health initiatives and the potential consequences of reduced funding.

Goats and Soda, known for its in-depth coverage of global issues, aims to connect readers with stories that often go unreported in mainstream media. The blog emphasizes human-centered narratives, providing context and understanding to complex global challenges. The selected stories from 2025 reflect the blog's commitment to highlighting the experiences of marginalized communities and fostering a greater awareness of global interconnectedness.