John explains which tools he uses to create his marvellous sand sculptures, and why the finished works of art need protecting from the people who come to see them! Further north, at Toms River, we meet Lindsay Harrington, who works for a museum’s insect zoo, and is on the beach with colleagues trying to net a big catch of invertebrates.

At the zoo, Lindsey carries out her daily tasks and presents spiders, scorpions, and millipedes to fascinated visitors. She hopes that by introducing people to insects and bugs at a young age, they won’t grow up afraid of the creatures she loves.

The Last Dinner Party are an indie rock band from London, England. "Nothing Matters” is the debut single from the group’s first album, Prelude to Ecstasy.

Heading north towards New York, we pass the Twin Lights lighthouse and, overlooking the Hudson River, perhaps the most famous statue in the world, the Statue of Liberty. The city’s skyline has another iconic feature: the wooden water tanks perched on its rooftops. We meet Clive Bushy, a veteran installer who risks life and limb to keep the city’s water flowing.

The song “Christmas Saves The Year” was written by American songwriting duo Twenty One Pilots during the Covid-19 pandemic. It sends a message of hope and optimism that hardship can be overcome, and all will be well again at this special time of the year.

Clive repurposes spare materials from his work, crafting doors and tables from the high-quality wood he salvages. Today, he’s hosting a party for friends and family in his Brooklyn backyard. Next, we head to Ground Zero, the former site of the World Trade Center.

Gwen Stefani worked with Akon to write “The Sweet Escape,“ with its characteristic catchy hook and bouncy chorus. The lyrics form an apology for a lovers’ tiff, and express a wish for a better life together.

In New York, Austin works as a bicycle messenger, weaving through the city’s relentless traffic to make urgent deliveries. He’s good at his job too, having recently won the world championship for couriers! He explains what he enjoys about his work, and why the bridges are significant to the city’s cyclists.

Austin’s passion for cycling doesn’t stop when work ends. As a bike messenger, he’s found a freedom few city jobs can offer. Across town on Coney Island, we meet another New Yorker with a creative streak: photographer Nigel Morris, who scouts the boardwalk for spontaneous open-air portraits of people who catch his eye.

This catchy Chainsmokers track sees the American electronic duo joined by frequent collaborator Emily Warren in a nostalgic reflection on youthful romance.

Photographer Nigel has fond childhood memories of New York's Coney Island amusement park. His subject today—a woman recently returned from traveling the world—shares that same sense of nostalgia. New York draws dreamers, and Nigel is no exception, aiming to make his mark in the upper echelons of photography.

“Chasing Cars” is a hit love song from the UK-based band Snow Patrol. The band's singer Gary Lightbody got the title from his father's warning about being infatuated with a girl: “You’re like a dog chasing after a car. You'll never catch it and you just wouldn't know what to do with it if you did."

Long Island’s beaches attract vacationers and New York City residents, and the seabed supports healthy stocks of oysters, both farmed and wild. They are ready to be collected by dedicated oyster divers and supply the restaurants of New York.

Blue Point Oyster Farm on Long Island provides oysters for restaurants and special events like parties and weddings. Kevin grew up in the area, and it was his love for the sea that brought him back. In this video, he explains some of the process involved in raising oysters.

Alternative rock band Soul Asylum formed in Minneapolis, USA in the early eighties and found fame with their emotional hit song "Runaway Train." The music video featured photographs and names of missing children, which resulted in several children being reunited with their families.