Episode Transcript
Peter: [00:00:00] Hey guys, welcome back to Sort of Sophisticated. Amanda and Pete here, as always, grinding away at the microphones. Um, Amanda, can I make an announcement? Yeah, always. Okay. After 28 weeks, we have finally hit number one on the list of America's Greatest Podcasts. What you're so full of it. Oh, maybe I don't know if there's a thing called America's greatest podcast I totally just made that up.
But if there was I bet we'd be number one. What do you think?
Amanda: I thought you actually had a real list or something going on there
Peter: I'm a level 3 liar. You know me. I never have any lists.
Amanda: That's an exaggeration. That's just like you made it up.
Peter: Okay. I'm a level 7 liar.
We'll adjust. I'm doing the best I can here. I'm just trying to get traction. Okay, this is about, this is about traction, subscribers, calls to action, right? I mean, we want people listening to Sort of Sophisticated. We do. We gotta get smarter.
Amanda: We do. I'm not gonna lie. I did use a lot of what we use on the, uh, Last [00:01:00] episode about democracy very recently, but so well at least came in handy again
Peter: Here we are the two of us being sort of sophisticated together.
I don't know if everybody else is listening
Amanda: You know what what I bet there are people all right fine. They appreciate it. I'll stop
Peter: being what is the word? I'm looking for when you're a
Amanda: Self deprecating .
Peter: Deprecating, yes. I'm self deprecating. Here. All right, fine. Sorry.
All right.
Well, what's our topic today?
Uh, you're going to like our topic today. I am? Actually, yes, because we're going to talk about something that's going to make us feel good about humanity.
Amanda: Can we, though?
Peter: We can. Well, we're going to. I feel like a lot
Amanda: of people in this moment in time are having a moment with humanity.
Peter: Here we go, then. This is perfect for us. Okay. Great. World Kindness Day.
Amanda: Oh. That's so cool.
Peter: Yes. It may be a top
Amanda: five.
Peter: Well, just like that, it just moved into your top five?
Amanda: I mean, kindness. Let's go.
Peter: It's a, it's a real thing. Um, it's coming up like next week. I think it's on November 13th to be exact.
Amanda: So you're not level 7 lying right now?
Peter: I am not. Okay. I figured it was time to do something like [00:02:00] fun, upbeat, like talk about something awesome, philanthropic even. Oh. And here we are. Look at you. World Kindness Day.
Amanda: So how do we celebrate World Kindness Day? Uh, I have Would you just be nice to everyone and hand out like hundred dollar bills along the way?
Okay, wow, if
Peter: you have a hundred dollar bill Yes, I want to be your friend. Thank you for being kind to me. Uh, I'll take one. Um, yeah. That's it. You celebrate acts of kindness, foster positivity in the greater world. Amanda,
Amanda: how do you do that in the greater world? Because like at the age of 38, it's the first time I've ever hearing about this.
Peter: How is this the first time you're hearing about this? If you are always kind to people, you live World Kindness Day. Oh,
Amanda: that's very sweet. But I I don't know if that's always true.
Peter: Well, thank God for this podcast, because this is how people are going to hear about World Kindness Day.
Amanda: All right. All
Peter: right. Um, but it's the
Amanda: actual thing.
Peter: Yeah, totally. It's a total thing on the
Amanda: calendar.
Peter: Oh, we're gonna get into this. Okay. Yes, it's been around. It's not new Amanda
Amanda: All right. Let's bring all these good vibes around. Let's go. It ain't new.
Peter: All right
Amanda: So how does kindness though tie into being cultured and curious?
Peter: Oh, because [00:03:00] kindness is awesome, right? Well, it is
Amanda: awesome, yes, but Let's start
Peter: with that.
Amanda: Cultured? Curious?
Peter: Huh. Well, I always have to like come up with this like on the fly, and I don't know if I'm good at it. Um, let's talk about our values. Okay. Right, so I think when we think about like what we stand for, our humanness, and how Small intentions make big difference like the butterfly effect.
Yes, every day. I think that is how it makes us more cultured because we're super self absorbed. I guess I should talk for myself. I'm super self absorbed and I think if we get out of our box and sort of think more globally and think how to be kind, then we're going to be better people. We're going to certainly have better perspective and be way more cultured.
Amanda: The next best part? I
don't know. What's
Of the day?
Peter: Oh, word of the day. Oh, you're even gonna like word of the day today. Are you ready? I
Amanda: am.
Peter: Our word of the day today is crapless.
Crapless.
Amanda: Crapless.
Peter: Like
Amanda: taking a big crap. . Yeah, [00:04:00] absolutely. Lots of crap.
Peter: Okay. That's not what it means, but that is when it came up. No, you cannot. I laughed out loud. Um, it is excellent. It has to mean
Amanda: something with crap.
Peter: No, it's in the name. No. Crapless means to be sick from excessive indulgences in liquor.
Amanda: No, dude. That's just like being drunk or No,
Peter: but like drunk. Like drunk, drunk.
Amanda: Yeah, but that's alcoholic intoxication. Yes, but like,
Peter: but way better, like throwing up drunk, like crap, intoxicated, like terribly. Yes. So we have to work.
Amanda: Crapulous.
Peter: Yes. Crapulous is like, do you remember on my 50th birthday party when I decided to cut my entire head open because I was so shit faced, I fell into my mirror?
Amanda: No, cause you didn't invite us to that.
Peter: Okay. Uh, I was, I was crapulous. Oh, okay. That's pretty crap tastic
Amanda: though that you didn't invite us. It's totally crap tastic. Uh,
Peter: wait about 30 more minutes and I will be crapulous. So here we go. Oh, here we go. Okay.
Amanda: All right. Let's go.
Let's go. So what's the origin story?
Peter: The origin story of Crapless or the origin story of World Kindness Day.
Amanda: Mm. Because
Peter: there's two very different origin stories here.
Amanda: Fair World Kindness [00:05:00] Day.
Peter: World. Kindness day. All right, let's go.
Do you have crapless locked and loaded? Are you ready?
Amanda: Figure this out. It's gonna come out.
Peter: Okay, good. First of all, it's kind of new, so there's not like this huge history behind it, like it's been around for a while, but not like a hundred years or anything like that. It was invented, um, can I even say invented?
Are, like, are holidays or national days invented? It was like thought up, I don't know. It was manifested by this, a group called the World Kindness Movement.
Amanda: So the movement started the day,
Peter: Yeah.
Cause it was a big movement. Sometimes I have big movements.
Amanda: Oh my god, you're so gross. Stop it. Get back on topic.
Sometimes twice a day. Oh my gosh.
Peter: Um, okay, so anyway, the movement started with just like a handful of people way back in 1997. So what is that? 30 years ago?
Amanda: Oh my gosh.
Peter: Basically deciding they're gonna fix the world.
Amanda: By being nice to each other?
Peter: Totally. What else would you expect, right?
No,
Amanda: no, no. Like, that was the whole movement. Yeah, this is, this is the whole movement. We are a group of people and we're gonna be nice to each other, not to others.
Peter: Yes, there's, it's, we're gonna get there. Okay. Totally. Okay. Um. [00:06:00]
Amanda: It just seems a little self indulgent, that's all.
Peter: No, I don't think so.
Oh, by the way. Okay, fun fact. I'm already into fun facts. Uh, you could actually argue it all started, Amanda, because somebody got mugged.
Amanda: Like, mugged mugged? Like, stole their wallet mugged?
Peter: Yes. Like, mug mugged. Check this. Go ahead. Okay. So, the president from Tokyo University at the time. Hmm. Kaya, if I said that right, I probably butchered it. So he's minding his own business in the subway station, like way back in 1963, and some a hole just mugs him out of nowhere, Amanda.
Like, just ran up to him and just mugged him. That was it. So a couple months later, the Small Kindness Movement was born, which one could argue, was the precursor to the current World Kindness Movement and World Kindness Day.
Amanda: I mean, I guess I like the idea that he was just fed up with all the bad people in Tokyo at the time.
So they created this movement. But.
Peter: So actually, no. Believe it or not. He wasn't even mad.
Amanda: What?
Peter: So I read about this. Okay. So he wasn't pissed about the mugging. Okay, so like, I'm sure he was like, sort of pissed about the mugging. [00:07:00] But, he was more pissed that everybody in the subway station didn't bother to try to intervene or help him out.
Nobody came up to him afterward to see if he was okay. That's why he started the movement.
Amanda: Well, that sucks.
Peter: Yeah, so the whole idea of small kindness movement came from like him being pissed that nobody helped him.
Amanda: But this is also a whole psychological thing, right, of like when people won't interject themselves or step in when they see something that
Peter: Groupthink.
Mm. Totally. I'm with you completely.
Amanda: So then how does this movement combat that?
Peter: Uh, the idea was it would create like this wave of kindness through Japanese society and that was sort of the impetus behind it all. So one man started the whole thing. He didn't know it at the time, right?
His was called Small Kindness Movement, which was different. But that was the precursor. That's how it started. So how
Amanda: does it go from Small Kindness Movement to World Kindness Day? Uh,
Peter: One Small Act of Kindness? Stop it. Okay, fine. Touche, touche. Okay, fine. So Seji is just hanging out with other [00:08:00] Japanese people and he's got this movement cooking for like 30 years and like more People just keep getting on board and in 1997 Tokyo's hosting a conference on kindness and this small kindness movement Invites all these other movements from all over the world so they can all hang out and like Brainstorm how to be excellent to each other and spread goodwill and stuff So they're a bar one night probably drunk and crapulous.
Thank you very much Yes, and so they decide hey like we have all these different movements Like can't we just make like one big movement and we will call it the world Kindness movement and voila just like that the movement was born
Amanda: and then just point of clarification So this all was still in Japan
Peter: This was all in Japan, but they it was a conference.
Yes. It was a summit in in Tokyo. They invited people from all around the world So they had these little like small kindness movement. Maybe or maybe there were different names. I don't know at the time, right? And yeah, they decided to make one big one called world kindness movement
Amanda: So they thought all the [00:09:00] paperwork and all the stuff did everything how made it official and it does that work?
Yes
Peter: That's basically, that's what happened. Did you file paperwork to make it official? With God. You file, it's kindness. So you just, you file paperwork with God. And then, uh. But how
Amanda: do you get all the countries to recognize it as a day?
Peter: It's very important. Not all the countries did.
There's not. We have a fun fact. We have a fun fact later on about how many countries are recognizing and some countries are still. Do
Amanda: we recognize
Peter: it? They're all Grinches. The United States of America recognizes World Kindness Day. Thank you very much. So like, actually in 2000 is when it became totally and completely official.
Like worldwide
Amanda: or in the U. S.?
Peter: Probably because of all the paperwork you just talked about. Um, I'm gonna go U. S. I didn't look that up, but we're gonna say U. S. since we're a U. S. based podcast. How's that? Okay. Fair and we're celebrating World Kindness Day Which is of course a subset of the World Kindness Movement on November 13th.
Yay right around the corner
Amanda: All right, but wait
Peter: what
Amanda: I've heard of National Random Acts of Kindness Day.
Peter: Whoa. Whoa, you're throwing me for a loop here
Amanda: Yeah, that's like the one where you [00:10:00] You pay it forward, right? So you pay for the person behind you in the drive thru.
Peter: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Yes I know what you're talking about,
Amanda: but how does world kindness day then fit in with that?
Peter: Can't we just have two days where we're just kind
Amanda: really we can we have to absolutely do you have to worry about how they fit? It feels like they're this kind of saying
Peter: they're totally not the same thing.
Amanda: Okay
Peter: You know what? I knew you were gonna ask me this question because I because being a kind hearted person the kind hearted person that you are I knew you knew all about Me Kindness in general and random acts of kindness day.
So are you ready for this?
Amanda: I'm ready
Peter: random acts of kindness day is celebrated on February 17th each year and you're absolutely right the whole idea behind it is like Spontaneous like unplanned acts of kindness like the whole go in the Starbucks line and like, you know, oh, I'm gonna pay for that person behind me or whatever Pay it forward or pay it backward.
Is it
Amanda: pay it backwards? it's pay it forward But it's
Peter: pay it forward, but you pay it backwards That's very interesting. Why do we say that? Okay. Anyway, um, whereas world kindness day is celebrated, of course, on November 13th and [00:11:00] promotes the whole broader, more intentional effort to be kind.
Like we're emphasizing kindness in general, in your life, imagine you did random little acts every single day, made it a habit for your whole life. Then you would have world kindness day. Like how you live your life. Make sense. Like, you're living your life like World Kindness Day, I'm barely trying to live my life with like National Random Acts of Kindness Day.
Amanda: So then, it's a day for us to remember to perpetually show kindness.
Peter: Yes. It is a day for us to reflect on our ability to know how to be kind hearted humans, not necessarily just do a small deed.
Amanda: Gotcha. So National Random Acts of Kindness Day then is kind of like the gateway drug to world kindness.
Peter: Thank you.
So well done.
Amanda: Got it. Well wait one more question.
Yeah, talk to me. What is National Philanthropy Day then?
Peter: Oh my God, I don't know. GTSI didn't get that far. When is that one?
Amanda: Oh, I don't [00:12:00] know when it is, but I've heard of it.
Peter: Okay, well get on it. Google that.
Amanda: Okay. Okay. Okay. I'll Google it
Peter: while you're Googling. I'm gonna keep going.
So if we're gonna celebrate World Kindness Day, people. We gotta go big. You gotta aim higher on the good ol kindness food chain.
Amanda: Like what? What's an example?
Peter: Like taking more time to be like intentional and like really plan shit out. Like volunteer a whole day at a shelter. Or visit sick kids at a hospital.
Or help at your church. Like, on the regular. Like real, like real shit. Alright, hold on, what, what?
Amanda: So I found it. National Philanthropy Day is actually two days after World Kindness Day. So that's already confusing. And I feel like really packed into one week. Seems like overkill. But, anyway, so November 15th, and it celebrates philanthropy's charitable contributions and impact on communities through donations, volunteerism, and advocacy. It focuses on the large scale charitable efforts versus personal kindness initiatives. So I guess there is a difference.
Does that make sense?
Peter: I feel a little more sophisticated. Um, okay, wait, but before we keep going, cause I know you're a philanthropist at [00:13:00] heart. Um, can you do me a favor? Can you give me a little bit of the science behind kindness?
Amanda: I'm sorry, what? Science? Science. Science.
Peter: Yeah, like, like, how does it help us?
Like, why is it so important? I know there's a, I know there's a whole science component to kindness and I have a feeling you already know, like, all of the good shit about, like, how it makes us feel better and healthier and all that stuff.
Amanda: I guess you're talking about the psychology part of it then.
Peter: I'm talking about the friggin physiology.
Amanda: Oh.
Peter: I'm talking about the real stuff.
Amanda: Okay. Okay. So not the psychology, but the physiology.
Peter: Yes.
Amanda: Okay. Did you know it's a proven scientific fact that kindness is beneficial for our health and happiness.
Peter: You're going to nerd out right now. I
Amanda: am because it's, you know, it's all connected.
Peter: Go. I do think
Amanda: physiology and psychology is connected, but anyways, so in the late nineties, a bunch of psychologists started studying this stuff and it took them about 10 years.
Or, until maybe around like 2003 when a landmark study through the University of Michigan and the University of North Carolina proved that Wait a
Peter: second. Can, can we trust studies from the University of Michigan and North [00:14:00] Carolina?
Amanda: Yeah, they have a really great research department.
Peter: Okay, okay, excuse me.
Alright, go for it. What did they prove?
Amanda: Well, they proved that people who engage in kindness have lower stress levels, they have lower blood pressure, and an overall improved better well being. And then from there, it's kind of game on.
Peter: I like this.
Amanda: Yeah, I think you probably need some more candidates in your life so we can lower your blood pressure and your stress levels. Wow, okay, yes,
Peter: totally. Oh, by the way, I am so crappiless right now, it's not even funny.
Amanda: You're crazy. Ha ha ha.
First. You have the impact that's on your brain, right?
So when we do something kind your brain will release a bunch of chemicals like Dopamine , oxytocin, and serotonin and that'll make us feel really happy connected and relaxed, right?
Peter: Who wouldn't want that feeling all day long, right?
Amanda: Yeah, that's why we should all just be kind.
Peter: Okay.
Amanda: Okay But then you have the positive impact on stress and anxiety.
Peter: Oh, I'm gonna I'm gonna love Positive impact on stress. Let's go.
Amanda: You are. Listen up. Okay. Kindness is known to reduce the level of cortisol, which is the hormone in your [00:15:00] body that is responsible for stress.
And studies show that people who frequently engage in acts of kindness experience less anxiety and are more resilient to stress. And catch this, even just witnessing acts of kindness from other people, it has been shown to reduce stress levels.
Peter: Wait a second. Seriously?
Amanda: Yeah. Just like
Peter: watching somebody?
Amanda: Yeah. That's wild. Seeing it and like taking it in. Your brain just, I don't know, releases everything.
Peter: Okay. That's interesting because I think I'm going to hell.
Amanda: Well, I don't think you're going to hell.
Peter: Okay, like, when I see people, being kind to one another, I immediately think there's, like, they have an ulterior motive. Like, they want something. I have a problem problem. No! I
Amanda: don't think it's a problem problem. I think it's because it's so Not natural in our society. No,
Peter: I'm mirror, I must be mirroring.
Amanda: What are you mirroring?
Peter: I don't know, that's my point, but like, you know how you mirror, like everything's a mirror, right?
So if I'm watching people be kind, then I'm like, oh, they must be up to something because if I'm being kind then maybe [00:16:00] I won't stop. Or,
Amanda: or there's a traumatic experience that you had when someone was kind in order to get something
Peter: from you. I have PTSD. I'm freaking out right now. Okay.
Amanda: Well, I guess that kind of rolls into like the whole social connection thing.
Peter: What are you talking about now?
Amanda: Kindness is known to foster stronger social connections and promote better mental health and physical health.
Peter: Wait a second. Are you trying to tell me, like, are you trying to help me right now or even make it worse?
Amanda: Well, I think it's helpful to know, right, that even though you think that people are out to get something from you, it could just be trying to make a better social connection with them.
Peter: no, no, no, no, no. So then you'll feel
Amanda: more connected.
Peter: You're not, you're not following me. I'm saying I think I must be trying to get something from them if I'm being kind. So you're only
Amanda: nice?
Peter: I'm literally having a meltdown about this right now.
Amanda: Whale? Holy crap! Maybe it's just a, a change in your outlook, your mental outlook.
Peter: I need a therapist. You're gonna need to recommend me a therapist after this episode, please.
Amanda: We do.
Peter: Okay.
Amanda: For lots of reasons. Continue. But we'll, [00:17:00] we'll start with kindness. Okay,
Peter: that's fine. That's a good place to start.
Amanda: Fair. Okay. Uh, did you know kindness also helps anti aging?
Peter: Yeah, I hate you
Amanda: see so you'll be mentally healthy and you'll not look like you're 80.
Peter: I think you're crappy list now
Amanda: Oh my gosh I'm not vomiting anywhere
Peter: But I think crappy list like in my defense I feel like that's the wrong definition of the word.
Amanda: I Agree, this is why at the very beginning I said that I was not true fine.
Peter: Okay, but we're not counting that one But you already got it ahead.
So it's fine.
Amanda: Yeah, and you're just Being Billy ous. It's okay.
Peter: i'm being Billy ous? Billy ous. you're throwing Out Billy ous. Yeah. We're so s Look at us. Whipping out words of the day everywhere.
Amanda: Okay back to it. Yes, focus focus.
Peter: Okay, go
Amanda: It's been scientifically proven that acts of kindness can actually slow the process of aging.
So remember how being kind releases oxytocin. So high levels of that stimulate the release of nitric oxide.
Peter: Oh, of course it does. Right? What? What?
Amanda: Do you know what it does? You should know what it does.
No,
Peter: I do not.
Amanda: Well, it dilates blood vessels. So it reduces blood pressure. So then [00:18:00] you won't die and stuff.
Peter: Oh my God. I need this.
Amanda: You do. I need to be kind. I need to be kind. Other studies show that being kind reduces inflammation, which is also linked to aging and Also linked to other chronic illnesses, heart disease, diabetes So one way or another you got to start being kind or she's gonna be dead.
Peter: I mean you just threw the gauntlet at me
Amanda: Yeah, okay. It's like not just a mental like way to look at it right to be kind as just a mental thing It has physical You
Peter: So people don't, so people don't need blood. So Western medicine sucks. We don't need blood pressure.
Amanda: I'm not saying you wouldn't need it, but it would be interesting to see.
Peter: Okay, so wait, so we don't even need like blood pressure medicine or anything?
Amanda: Well, it's not that I'm saying we don't need medicine. I'm just saying it would be interesting to see if people lived more kindly, like from a genuine place of kindness, if Our need for those types of things would go down.
Peter: I feel like you just topsy turvy this whole episode. Like, I, prepared, World Kindness Day, and
you are, like, preaching it right now. No, but I think
Amanda: [00:19:00] it's a great thing to talk about, because kindness has so many, like, positive attributes that we don't attribute to it.
Peter: No.
Amanda: Another one self esteem.
Peter: What there's there's more. Yeah, okay. You
Amanda: feel good about yourself, right? And so it boosts your self esteem and it gives us a sense of purpose and I quote People who engage in regular acts of kindness report higher levels of life satisfaction and overall happiness So like it or not, it does sound like helping other people makes a positive difference in our lives, which ultimately gives us longterm fulfillment. So like, it's not just in that moment either.
Peter: Okay, so, um, basically what I'm hearing is, number one, I'm going to hell.
Amanda: You're not going to hell.
Peter: Uh, two, I'm going to hell in a hurry because I'm not doing anything to lengthen my life by being kind hearted, and I'm going to die of high blood pressure poisoning.
Is that a thing? High blood pressure poisoning. I think I might have it.
Amanda: Okay.
Peter: Okay. Uh, so basically I need to change my ways If I want to make any sort of a lasting impact on my physical or mental health
Amanda: Maybe baby steps not just like change your [00:20:00] ways, but just try it here and there sprinkle it in
Peter: Okay, but wait, um speaking of all this kindness crap.
Have you heard of Lady Gaga's born this way foundation?
Amanda: I have not But it's an awesome song. Okay. So, right.
Peter: So there's a song. Yes. Okay. So she released that song in 2011. And of course, it was immediately awesome. Thank you very much. Go Lady Gaga. And then the following year in 2012, she started the Born This Way Foundation, like based on the song.
And I'm bringing this up because one, I have ADD and I have to change the subject or else I'm going to lose interest. And two, I think it's a good way to explain World Kindness Day and the whole World Kindness Movement in general.
Amanda: All right. I'll give it to you. Go ahead.
Peter: So like as you just said doctors and therapists and stuff have already run like thousands of studies Proving like kindness is all linked to our well being, right? Yep.
Okay, so Lady Gaga and her mom Cynthia Germanotta start to yeah start doing research on all this and if you remember Um, I don't know if you remember Lady Gaga was sexually assaulted when she was 19 years old And had to live her whole life [00:21:00] working through this like whole disgusting terrible experience and in 2012 They end up starting the whole born this way foundation sort of as a result
Amanda: So I love that she started something that's so good.
I hate why she had to create it, but I mean, she's awesome for, I think, being forward thinking and, like, taking that trauma and making it into something good.
Peter: Totally. I love it. And the whole idea, of course, of this foundation is based on kindness. So it's a non profit about mental health and wellness and connecting our younger generation, like the Gen Z ers, to strong support systems.
Because the Gagas. Can I, well, I guess a Gaga and a German, I can't say Gagas like, so the, the G squares, right. They wanted to help create and live in a world where young people could feel accepted and safe.
Amanda: And proud to be themselves too.
Peter: Uh, totally. Good point. Thank you. And fun fact, I know Lady Gaga is like this big celebrity name behind it and everything, but her mom, Cynthia. Wasn't gonna let this whole thing turn into a celebrity fad So she was the one who [00:22:00] actually made sure the foundation was structured in a way that required real Actionable programs for mental health like support.
Amanda: That's awesome. That she was all in. Oh, totally. It's not through
Peter: Yeah, okay. And so one main initiative of born this way is called channel kindness
Amanda: I see where you're going here.
Peter: Right So channel kindness is actually a digital platform that serves as sort of a safe space For Gen Zers to share their personal stories or like interviews or even articles in like some way shape or form to demonstrate acts of Kindness and community building efforts and I quote channel kindness is a platform highlighting individuals and organizations Making positive impacts and contributing to a kinder and braver world end quote.
Amanda: Yeah, but wait
Peter: what?
Amanda: They also help work on mental health training and resilience programs.
Peter: Oh yeah. Yeah, totally.
Amanda: So then are they basically creating an all around culture where kindness is just cool and not just a tick tock trend?
Peter: Yeah, exactly to so well put and so Gen Z of you Uh, [00:23:00] it also offers resources not a
Amanda: Gen
Peter: Z.
Well, but you but you knew what they were talking about. Like that's cool They also offer resources and opportunities for people to find ways to engage in their own Own acts of kindness which ultimately builds like a way more supportive and inclusive community So they're badasses for sure. Okay. So wait a second.
There's more to this So in 2020 channel kindness goes and publishes its first book because why wouldn't they channel kindness? Stories of kindness and community Super innovative title Amanda. I know I mean,
Amanda: they're just cutting to the point.
Peter: They totally were and It basically took a bunch of those inspirational stories written by all those young people and jammed them together with personal notes of strength and awesomeness from Lady Gaga herself.
And the whole idea behind the book was to show how kindness can transform lives
And communities through the power of storytelling. So get the book.
Amanda: It's a little weird. If you think about it, like Lady Gaga isn't not exactly your conventional charity figurehead, which honestly might be why the whole thing works in the first place.
[00:24:00] And she is definitely living authentically, which in the world of kindness means her foundation is more about having a genuine impact and less about all the PR fluffy fluff, you know, but
Peter: She don't do any PR fluffy fluff.
Amanda: How do we then get her to be seen more as a philanthropist than as just a big.
Music star.
Peter: Uh, we support the Born This Way Foundation. There are so many ways. I
Amanda: guess we just gotta get the word out.
Peter: Oh, we do, totally. Right? I mean, let's start by, uh, Googling this and donating or, um, Being
Amanda: a part of the movement. Being
Peter: a part of the movement. Absolutely. Yeah. Um, there's way more to Born This Way than just channel kindness.
Oh, really? Yeah. No, no, no. They're doing more stuff. I'm gonna, I'm gonna rattle off a few more here. So there's one called the Be Their Certificate. And this one's a free online mental health course designed in collaboration with jack. org. Another awesome platform. I may add Google that one.
And the whole idea behind the program is that it teaches people how to support someone struggling with mental health. Cause who are we kidding? It's not like we all know what to do. I have no idea. I got my own issues.
Amanda: Yeah, [00:25:00] we know.
Peter: Thanks. Uh, since it's inception. The Be There Certificate has already expanded and is available in three different languages and has reached and helped over 25, 000 young people worldwide. So before this episode I went online, I looked this whole thing up It's a totally amazing platform.
It's super interactive, super easy to use. And the thing that's cool about it is the Be There Certificate already existed and the fact that jack. org and this whole concept existed and then she brought it together with Born This Way and they created the be there Certificate like just makes it so much better because like she's using her name for all the right reasons
Amanda: And I would assume by the name of the be there certificate.
It's about it's for the people who Show up for others. Yes that have mental. Yes, not just let's talk about mental health and Individualize it but it's about showing up for people.
Peter: It's about showing up. It's how to show up for people Yeah, absolutely like whatever like I'm a mess right now right with everything went on with Gabby like People [00:26:00] don't know how to show up for me all the time.
So, isn't it awesome that there'd be a platform to like, learn how to show up for someone like me? Yeah. Like, and then, of course, I'm just dealing with, like, grief and death, but like, then there's folks that have other mental health issues, and you're like, I don't know how to, I don't know how to show up for them, like, what do they need from me, That's the whole give back, like they're teaching, it's like a, I don't want to say a training program,
Amanda: but it's
Peter: totally awesome.
Totally awesome. Okay, wait, so there's more. So then she teams up with another org called Timely Care. Timely Care. Timely Care. So this one's all about improving mental health and well being on college campuses. And it's already helped get mental health resources, Amanda, 1. 5 million college students nationwide.
In a year and a half.
Amanda: How has she done so much of it? You don't hear this in like, mainstream media.
Peter: I think it's because we're not like, I know, I'm
Amanda: like,
Peter: I'm aging out, right. I'm not , trying to figure out what Lady Gaga's like, shame on me, like the whole idea of self awareness and like perspective and like, you know, stepping into another person's shoes, I should [00:27:00] do more, like, look up more of this stuff.
This is totally amazing stuff. I mean, I got kids in college, for crying out loud. So, the whole idea of this program, it's a virtual platform , that makes counseling and mental health support accessible anytime, anywhere, drunk or sober. Just butt dial, and you're on with someone.
Bam. That easy. Just like that.
Amanda: So basically then Lady Gaga's foundation,
Peter: and timely care, and timely care, Yes.
Amanda: Is kind of like the go to on call helpline for students who need mental health resources? Because if so, that sounds like it's a total game changer on college campuses.
Peter: Check and check.
Yes. And yes, it's amazing. And it's working. And again, Gaga using her name to be excellent. Okay. And finally, they also start something called kindness in community fund.
Amanda: There's a whole another one.
Peter: Yes, there is. What do you want me to say? She's awesome. So kindness and community basically gets together with the Australian born apparel company.
I don't know if you've heard of them. I had not cotton
Amanda: on. I love their product. Okay. So soft. Okay.
Peter: So cotton on started the cotton on foundation.
Amanda: Yeah.
Peter: And then they Go ahead and partner [00:28:00] with kindness and community. Thank you very much. Born This Way Foundation. And they provide mental health resources worldwide now, including some of the hardest to reach, most vulnerable youth in both the United Kingdom and Australia, because of course that's where they, are starting from.
Right base camps, uh, and then they're going to expand from there So like I hope you're getting the idea that the born this way foundation isn't just like this Lady gaga led charity like it is a full on friggin movement. And again, shout out to cynthia I don't want to make this all about lady gaga.
We're using lady gaga's name, but cynthia her mom is amazing Totally awesome totally committed to like destigmatizing mental health and spreading kindness worldwide period Mic drop. They're putting their money where their mouth is.
Amanda: Well, I guess the next time that we hear, uh, born this way on the radio, we're gonna dance in out. Because we got to remember how awesome she is all the good that she's doing
Peter: I'm always dancing when I'm in the car. Anyway, so this just better.
Let's go
Amanda: Now you can blast it. I wasn't when you get out and sounds like that's Lady Gaga You'd be like, I know but did you know but there's
Peter: a story to tell here people, right? I brought all [00:29:00] that up because like I think that's a good way to explain like World Kindness Day You know, of course, it's all about right.
Yeah, but I mean that's it because it's not just one small thing She's like she's making it real. So it's not about when it's convenient for you It's about kindness as a way of life
Amanda: Right, she's giving you the resources to be able to be kind and
Peter: be intentional. Yeah.
Amanda: So I know that we were talking about how it's like, not about an act, right? But it's about how you live your life. But really, I mean, if you just got to start in one place, just start with that random acts of kindness day, right?
Because you got to start somewhere, right? To
Peter: steal ideas from Born This Way. Yeah. Whatever. Right. Anything. Try
Amanda: to implement one little thing of kindness that you can. And don't worry so much about the day's meaning. You know,
Peter: because ultimately one will turn into two turn into ten turn it like that's the whole concept
Amanda: And I think you kind of get like on one of those like highs Right, like your runner high when you're running and then you just keep doing it and then you feel so good, right?
It's kind of the same thing. You just kind of keep living kindness Okay,
Peter: so how am I gonna do this since I'm an asshole to begin with like I think I I have [00:30:00] an idea What if I just stop making a bunch of snarky comments? Does that count?
Amanda: I think that's impossible.
Peter: Does it just count if I'm quiet? Am I kind if I'm just quiet?
That's really what I'm asking.
Amanda: No.
Peter: That might be a start.
Amanda: Okay. Or
Peter: do I have to go, like, further than that?
Amanda: Maybe instead of being snarky you make a kind comment so every time you want to use your snark you can make a Kind that pen that
Peter: pendulum swing is way too far
Amanda: We gotta go with this stop talking All right,
Peter: you know, we've been at this for like 30 minutes, yes, we have you know what that means, right?
Amanda: It's time for fun facts
Peter: fun fact fun. Hey, can we all
Amanda: can smile? Yeah,
Peter: we did fun facts make a smile.
Amanda: I love well, we've
Peter: had some episodes where fun facts weren't fun facts They were just like
Amanda: that's true.
Peter: Remember Nagasaki and Hiroshima day one fun facts Day was facts member indigenous people day. Not good [00:31:00] facts Can we have a jingle for fun facts? Do you remember blues clues? I don't know. You probably don't know blues clues
Amanda: 1 800 CARS FOR KIDS.
Peter: No. Uh, Blue's Clues was an Oh my god, what is that?
You just decided to go with a random car jingle. Okay. Blue's Clues was a kids show that every time the I do know what Blue's Clues is. You do? Okay. You know Blue's Clues. Okay. So when the mail would show up I just
Amanda: wanted you to explain the Yes. Okay. Like the
Peter: mail Oh, it's mail time! Like, I don't know why I just did Pee Wee Herman from Pee Wee's Playhouse. Oh, boys and girls. Um. My point of all this is, there was a jingle before the mail showed up for Blue's Clues. We should have a jingle. For fun fact that we should start working in so when we hear the jingle, we know it's fun fact time
Amanda: Okay, and what should this jingle?
I have no idea
Peter: figure it out. You're like the audio Do you know
Amanda: who actually made jingles in their career
Peter: who
Amanda: drew Houston?
Peter: Let's go. I Want a jingle? All you'll do is hit the button audio engineer. It'll jingle and I'll know. [00:32:00] Oh, it's time for fun back. Okay? Okay, that's what we're doing for now.
It's beautiful. I love it. Okay Also, we didn't TM anything. I usually TM something in every we have too many teams Too much
Amanda: money at this point.
Peter: All right, fine fun fact one. We ready? So we talked all about World Kindness Day, obviously, but did you know it's actually celebrated Ready? Twenty eight countries on all six habitable continents. Some countries even organize, check this, kindness flash mobs, seriously, where people, like, spread positivity through random acts, so they dance, and then they just, like, go out after they are done dancing and just do random acts of kindness to everyone around them, right?
I love it. They
Amanda: get people all hyped up and then they just go out into the world. I'm here for it.
Peter: Right. Let's go. Um, but they have to do that every day to make it a habit or else it's not World Kindness Day.
Okay. Anyway, uh, number two. Ready? Uh, in honor of World Kindness Day, some cities plant something called kindness gardens where people can write kind messages on rocks or plant flowers as symbols of goodwill. It's like a community art [00:33:00] project meets like a good vibe garden. Super fun fact. I would go to the city of Hope with Gabby.
There was a man there, he was one of the security guards there, and he started a kindness garden. No, no bullshit. It was a bunch of rocks, and literally, picked one up one day, painted it, and put it down there. And then as people would walk by, patients or folks, he would always try to put a smile on their face and say, Hey, pick up a rock, take it home, paint it, and bring it back and add it to my kindness garden.
We were there for three years, Amanda. This went from one rock to a thousand rocks in this garden. That's
Amanda: incredible.
Peter: All because of the security guard who, mind you, made my wife's day. Every time she walked past him. See? One person. One dude. It was amazing. Transforms your day. He was like, it was a total and complete vocation.
He loved his job. All he was doing was ushering people across the street. And he was doing it in the most excellent way I would challenge you. I would challenge
Amanda: you. I don't know if he loved his job, or if he loves people.
Peter: Solid point. Even better. [00:34:00] What an attitude. Dude attitude of gratitude. This guy was amazing.
I don't know his name. Shout out to nameless dude at City of Hope I love you. Okay,
Amanda: if you're a kind person you would have learned his name.
Peter: Thank you very much for that You're absolutely right. I am again
Amanda: going to hell
Peter: I'm going at this point I think I'm going to like the seventh circle of hell
Amanda: No,
Peter: you podcast episode and then this one Do me a favor when I die, please.
I Like pray for the repose of my soul like desperately I'm gonna I'm gonna change my ways like right now like when I leave here I'm gonna change my ways. Okay, but just like still pray, but
Amanda: also I don't believe in purgatory So
Peter: what do you believe in? I'm going straight to heaven or hell.
Amanda: Well, why would you stay in purgatory?
Peter: Why do you think I'm going straight to heaven Amanda? You know me.
Amanda: Well, you die and you immediately meet Jesus
Peter: Okay, cuz you're assuming I'm a good person.
Amanda: No you die and you immediately meet Jesus.
Peter: So you don't believe in hell
Amanda: No, I do. But I think
Peter: Do I see Jesus from far away [00:35:00] when I'm in hell? Like, how does that go?
Amanda: No, I think like you meet him, whether it's like at the pearly gates, or if it's like Cause what do you do, in purgatory, how do you work your way to heaven? Never let go. Jesus no, okay.
Peter: Right number three. Did you know there's an actual symbol for kindness?
Amanda: There is
Peter: so have you ever seen a A heart with an infinity loop through it. So that is the global symbol of kindness. And it was of course, created by the World Kindness movement to represent the infinite potential for good deeds.
Amanda: Huh. That's not what I thought that heart represented,
Peter: what does it represent?
Amanda: I don't know. Like love forever. Love you forever. Forever. Love,
Peter: like eternal love.
Amanda: Oh yeah. Like eternal love. Like eternal love. Yeah.
Peter: Oh shit, I think kindness and eternal love have the same symbol.
GTS that right now, let me know. I'm moving on to number four, you look it up, I think we have a stolen symbol. Alright, um, number four, in certain cities people set up kindless walls, where strangers can leave notes [00:36:00] of encouragement, free supplies, or small gifts.
For anyone who needs them. It's like a free feel good vending machine.
Amanda: Like what kind of free stuff?
Peter: Like, I don't know. I would guess like books or toys or clothes. Maybe condoms? Like, I don't know. Stuff like that. Right?
Amanda: I mean, those are all good things.
Okay. Sorry. I was distracted. Um, the infinity sign in a heart means everlasting love.
Peter: Okay, everlasting love, but it's also, it's also the symbol of kindness. So did they, are we gonna get to the bottom of this? Did they steal it? Or is it just the same thing? I mean,
Amanda: maybe it's promoting? Love eternal
Peter: I guess they're kind of the same thing.
Yeah. All right. We're going with kindness and love you They get to share they get to share the symbol. Number five. Okay, so we already learned that scientific studies show that like practicing kindness releases Oxytocin endorphins all those like mood boosters, but did you know that perpetually kind people On average, have 25 percent less cortisol, that's the stress hormone, and actually age two times slower than the average [00:37:00] population.
Amanda: I'm never going to age.
Peter: You're never aging for different reasons.
Amanda: Oh yeah?
Peter: You're Asian. Asian never raising. You know the drill. Right? It's true. It's true. Yeah.
Amanda: So then I'm just going to look like I'm 12 for the rest of my life.
Peter: Um, pretty much, because
you pretty much have the combo plate. I mean, I gotta get something else. You have the Asian plate, and you have the kindness plate. So you're like, yeah, you're pretty much going to look 12 the rest of your life. I
Amanda: mean, but I am also a woman, a driver, blind, and short. So I can't see over the steering wheel.
I don't know, I'd argue
Peter: you're a lethal combo. Okay, fair. And you're going to be around forever. Okay,
Amanda: go.
Peter: Right? What is that? What was that movie called?
Amanda: I will live for eternal. You what? I'll eternally live. Maybe that's why there's an infinity symbol because the more kindness you do, the longer you live.
Peter: That could be it. That's probably why they did it. Good point. Okay. Oh my God. Let's get to the end of these fun facts. . Did you know that kindness deepens friendships? Especially friendships between podcast co hosts.
Amanda: Well, there you go. You have found the way. I want you to
Peter: know that I've spent the last 30 episodes getting to this [00:38:00] point so I could have a deeper, kinder, stronger relationship with my podcast co hosts.
Amanda: Love you
Peter: That's how I got
Amanda: Well, I guess we can wrap up, uh, World Kindness Day, because
Peter: Because I'm crappiless and it's time to wrap it up?
Amanda: No, I think we just maybe have beaten the horse a few times, that's all.
Peter: I think, I think you're right.
Amanda: I'm just kidding. But, before we close out, can you give us three or four things so we can make sure we got the most out of the episode?
Or can we beat the horse another one or two times just so we, you know, get it through our thick skulls on how to be kind?
Peter: If you don't remember anything, let's do this. First check out acts of kindness from good intentions to lasting impact on NPRs life kit podcast. People look at, look at us promoting another podcast on our podcast. How kind are we?
Amanda: So kind, right?
Peter: Okay. Like the first episode is only 30 minutes long.
Relax. It's going to be great. Um, totally easy to listen to. The whole series is only five episodes. They're totally worth it. If you're a more visual person, check out. The kindness diaries on Netflix. [00:39:00] It follows a guy who travels the world, relying solely on the kindness of strangers, crazy stuff, super inspiring.
Amanda, it's got no money. He literally just travels around the world relying on people. It's a whole project. The Kindness Diaries. Get on it, people. Okay. Second, how about, like, we take action by supporting local businesses, like, with a mission for social impact that focus on kindness and inclusivity for once?
There's a ton in our area. No excuses. I'm sure there's a ton everywhere. But let's get on it. Third, um, alright, back to this whole thing, right? Let's contribute to Born This Way. Or another great one is random acts of kindness foundation. Both provide a ton of resources to inspire kindness everywhere.
So let's get on it. No excuses. Consider contributing people. And finally share these interesting and relevant details to seem sort of kind. Can we say, sort of sophisticated, sort of kind? All right. Um, World Kindness Day was first introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement, a coalition of kindness NGOs.
The day's purpose is to promote kindness as [00:40:00] a fundamental part of human interaction and societal growth, bridging divides and encouraging empathy in everyday lives. Two, Day aims to challenge The everyday rush and our individualism by making us pause and reconsider how we interact with others.
It's a call to celebrate kindness as a powerful tool to improve relationships and foster a culture of care. Three, although it's not a global holiday, World Kindness Day is growing in recognition around the world from schools to workplaces, people and organizations are using the day to reinforce the importance of kindness, empathy, and community spirit.
And finally, remember. Kindness isn't about grand gestures. Even a small act, like a compliment or a helping hand, can create a ripple effect. It may seem like a small thing, but it can change someone's entire day, or even their outlook on life.
Amanda: Preach it. I think that's a nice way to end.
Peter: Beautiful.
Amanda: Alright, well let's wrap up on World Kindness Day then.
We hope you're feeling a little more inspired to spread a little more kindness even if that means just offering up that slice of pizza to your [00:41:00] buddy.
Peter B: I would never. I know. I would never. But that's why you gotta try. Again, I'm bringing this right back down that rabbit hole. If it's the last pepperoni pizza, I am not offering it to my friend.
Amanda: Well,
Peter: I'm eating it.
Amanda: I'm going to remind you to be like Pete, give it up. Fine.
Peter: That's because you're just a nice human.
Amanda: Well, let's not forget. There's also Lady Gaga. She's also a nice human and her born this way. Foundation is out there every day pushing for a braver, kinder world. So maybe today's a good day to channel your inner little monster and do something kind.
Peter: I like what you did right there. You went with that song and she, you're good. You like you're a Lady Gaga fan. Apparently. I like this back
Amanda: in the day. Yeah. But also, who knows, right? You might just start a ripple effect of kindness that'll keep going long after World Kindness Day has passed. We'd like to think we've shared just enough information to make you either a flaming nuisance or a little more sophisticated to your fellow humans.
Mm, sort of. Well, thanks for tuning in, and go be the reason someone believes in the goodness of humanity today. And if you enjoyed this episode and found it particularly interesting, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with your peeps. Until next time, remember to be kind, [00:42:00] but if you can't, at least just stay quiet like Pete.
