Medal of Honor: Stories of Courage The Impact of Kindness: A Giving Tuesday Special from The Happiness Lab
Dec 3, 2025
In this special Giving Tuesday discussion, J.R. Martinez, an Army veteran and actor, shares how a service dog changed his life and supports fellow veterans. Economist Tim Harford recounts a moment of unexpected kindness in Cameroon that reshaped his view on trust. Dr. Maya Shanker reflects on childhood bullying and the power of peer kindness, demonstrating how small acts can create lasting positive impacts. Together, they explore the economics of altruism and the importance of giving.
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Small Kind Acts Create Big Ripples
- Small acts of kindness produce outsized psychological ripples for both giver and receiver.
- Laurie Santos frames cash transfers and tiny gestures as powerful drivers of mutual happiness.
Small Donations Solve Big Barriers
- Collective small donations can fund life-saving access by solving logistical barriers.
- The GiveDirectly-funded transfer let a TB patient pay for transport and start treatment, restoring hope.
Passport Returned By Strangers
- Tim Harford recounts losing his passport in Cameroon and strangers chasing him down on a motorbike to return it.
- They handed it back without asking for money or praise, defying his distrustful expectations.
