The TED Interview

Exercising your generosity like a muscle with John M. Sweeney

5 snips
May 9, 2024
John M. Sweeney discusses the power of generosity with the Suspended Coffees movement, inspired by an Italian tradition. He shares how small acts of kindness can lead to global change and how gifting economies can create a ripple effect of positivity.
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ANECDOTE

Childhood Bullying

  • John Sweeney's early life was marked by bullying and trauma, starting in primary school with a teacher who physically harmed him.
  • This experience led to further ostracization and bullying from peers and even family, impacting his sense of belonging.
ANECDOTE

Suspended Coffees Origin

  • Unemployed and stressed, John Sweeney discovered the Neapolitan tradition of 'caffè sospeso' at 3 a.m.
  • Inspired, he created a Facebook page for Suspended Coffees, which unexpectedly gained 60,000 likes overnight.
ANECDOTE

Australian Barista Story

  • A barista in Australia gave a free coffee to a distressed man who had discovered his wife's infidelity.
  • Weeks later, the man sent the barista a $1000 check to pay forward, demonstrating the ripple effect of kindness.
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