The Transformative Play 'An Act of Kindness in the Bu', by Carl Stillitano, focuses on the challenges of racism, suicide, and the pressures of success. Alesia, a biracial entrepreneur, crosses paths with Kevin, a former athlete struggling with depression. “Even the smallest act of kindness makes you more beautiful than any expensive dress ever could.” This is one of Gran’s pearls, which are loving refered to throughout the play… Through sharing each others pasts, the play’s characters create a strong vulnerable relationship that is captivating to watch unfold. This play offers a sweet, relatable, experience of compassion, humanity and the power of kindness. An Act of Kindness in the Bu is a heartwarming play that centers around the enduring wisdom and legacy of Gran, as passed down to her granddaughter, Alesia. As Alesia shares Grand’s pearls of wisdom with Kevin, a downtrodden, former athlete, their chance encounter blossoms into a profound exploration of humanity, and the power of kindness. The play delves into topics of racial discrimination and ignorance. Beginning with a single act of kindness, the narrative unfolds to reveal the profound impact such gestures can have. Kevin and Alesia’s bond deepens as they share past experiences and vulnerabilities. Both characters agree that the one thing that transcends all prejudice is love. Through Grand’s pearls of wisdom, the play delivers a message of hope, compassion, and the enduring power of love to transform lives. Kindness knows no boundaries of age, race, or gender, and serves as a universal language. "I recommend reading 'An Act of Kindness in the BU' for college students as a tool for balance. I've never read a play like this. It was more like an experience than reading. It was easy to comprehend and connect to. I felt a sense of growth after reading 'An Act of Kindness in the BU'. I've read Shakespeare for school, but never appreciated a play like this. The way it is written is very modern, and references social issues that are relevant right now. It is so easy to get caught up in the stress and anxiety of college pressures; when reading this play it reminds us that we are not alone, and there are support systems of people who can help you." - Rin Takahashi "It is so profoundly important that everything we do, everything we absorb has a healing effect, especially in today’s climate as the world changes at a frenetic speed. “Act Of Kindness” was such a refreshing read with life lessons woven into the fabric of the play. It reminded me of the bedtime stories that I would improvise for my daughter, intentionally creating hidden gems that hopefully taught her life lessons that would nourish her subconscious. Even at 28 years old, she still remembers them. Hey, that was my intention. I hope these plays become an indelible part of every reading list for kids and young adults. What a gift of healing that would be.” - Kudisan Kai “I was touched at the tenderness of humanity and understanding of a stranger. May we all take a pause to offer help when it’s needed. May we all take a pause to accept help when we need it.” - Julie Avila "I think this play would be a great read for anyone to read. Kindness can be given and received by any age, race or gender. It’s universal. The more we are reminded of its importance, the better off mankind will be." - Rebecca Spina

"The Mental Health Monologues" is a poignant collection of transformative plays written by acclaimed playwright Carl Stillitano. Each play delves into the complexities of the human psyche, exploring themes of resilience, healing, and self-discovery. Through a series of captivating monologues, the characters share their personal journeys, offering insight into the profound impact of mental health on their lives. As readers immerse themselves in these compelling narratives and read the monologues aloud, they embark on a therapeutic journey of self-reflection and empathy. The act of vocalizing the words brings a sense of catharsis, allowing emotions to surface and be acknowledged. Through the shared experience of reading, individuals find comfort in knowing they are not alone in their struggles. Furthermore, the act of reading these monologues aloud fosters a deeper understanding of mental health issues and promotes open dialogue. By giving voice to the characters' experiences, readers break down barriers and stigma surrounding mental illness, fostering a sense of community and support. “Each time I read Mental Health Monologues I’m absorbed by the powerful messages that give me insights through the characters’ stories. Reading the monologues on the podcast was such a rush! …It was empowering to bring the words to life, it got me out of my head & I felt much lighter afterwards. I encourage everyone who wants to grow as a person to read Transformative Plays. I read 6 of them in a month & I am not a “reader!” Lately when I have tough times, I find myself thinking about the plays & then remember something that helps.” - Anita Sreckov "These monologues provide a platform for individuals to share their personal experiences with mental health challenges, reducing the feelings of isolation and offering valuable insights into these issues. They inspire hope and resilience as individuals share their recovery journeys, fostering empathy, connection, and empowerment. It's comforting to know that others share these feelings and experiences. This book should be a staple in every home and school for parents, teachers, and students alike." - Shayla “This is such a beautiful movement. It's a great tool & it will help a lot of kids all over the world! There are so many applications: you can read it, act it, experience with a group, you can be alone, or in a formalized setting, like stage readings for fundraisers. This is a dream come true for high-school therapists & counselors... I love these plays because if you're going through something, whatever it is, when you have Mental Health Monologues then you will transform. It makes it easier to express yourself & understand you are not alone.” ​​​​​​​ - Ellen Shane “Mental Health Monologues is a healing game-changer that transcends traditional modalities of therapy. It’s fun, it makes you smarter & when read out loud the monologues become a vehicle to help release pain, re-pattern trauma & empower independence. I am in awe witnessing the power of the monologues in action. No matter your age, race, sexual preference, these monologues relate to everyone... & help us relate to one another.”​​​​​​​ - Lenise Sorén

The original collection of inspirational true stories about acts of kindness and generosity of spirit—with suggestions for living more compassionately. The unprecedented success of Random Acts of Kindness has not only inspired many individuals, but also led Congress to declare a National Random Acts of Kindness Week in February 1995. The inspiration for the kindness movement, Random Acts of Kindness is an antidote for a weary world. The true stories, thoughtful quotations, and suggestions for generosity in this book will inspire you to live more compassionately and experience the joys of sharing and kindness. What if everyone started performing good deeds every day? This inspiring collection presents many true stories of people who’ve committed, received, and observed voluntary acts of kindness—and seen for themselves how small acts of goodness can make a big difference in people’s lives. A USA Today Best Bet for Educators

Kindness is essential in helping heal a world that is more divisive, lonely, and anxious than ever. Kraft believes it is time to reinvent how we talk about it, exercise, and bring kindness into our daily lives. Here he shares anecdotes and actions that can help bring change to our lives, our relationships, and the world.

"A collection of ten short stories that all take place in the same day about kids walking home from school"--

This book explores the capacities and desires of academic women to reimagine and transform academic cultures. Embracing and championing feminist scholarship, the research presented by the authors in this collection holds space for a different way of being in academia and shifts the conversation toward a future that is hopeful, kind and inclusive. Through exploring lived experiences, building caring communities and enacting an ethics of care, the authors are reimagining the academy’s focus and purpose. The autoethnographic and arts-based research approaches employed throughout the book provide evocative conceptual content, which responds to the symbolic nature of transformation in the academy. This innovative volume will be of interest and value to feminist scholars, as well as those interested in disrupting and rejecting patriarchal academic structures.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • OPRAH’S BOOK CLUB PICK • “An instant American classic and almost certainly the keynote nonfiction book of the American century thus far.”—Dwight Garner, The New York Times The Pulitzer Prize–winning, bestselling author of The Warmth of Other Suns examines the unspoken caste system that has shaped America and shows how our lives today are still defined by a hierarchy of human divisions—now with a new Afterword by the author. #1 NONFICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR: Time ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The Washington Post, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, O: The Oprah Magazine, NPR, Bloomberg, The Christian Science Monitor, New York Post, The New York Public Library, Fortune, Smithsonian Magazine, Marie Claire, Slate, Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews Winner of the Carl Sandberg Literary Award • Winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize • National Book Award Longlist • National Book Critics Circle Award Finalist • Dayton Literary Peace Prize Finalist • PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award for Nonfiction Finalist • PEN/Jean Stein Book Award Longlist • Kirkus Prize Finalist “As we go about our daily lives, caste is the wordless usher in a darkened theater, flashlight cast down in the aisles, guiding us to our assigned seats for a performance. The hierarchy of caste is not about feelings or morality. It is about power—which groups have it and which do not.” In this brilliant book, Isabel Wilkerson gives us a masterful portrait of an unseen phenomenon in America as she explores, through an immersive, deeply researched, and beautifully written narrative and stories about real people, how America today and throughout its history has been shaped by a hidden caste system, a rigid hierarchy of human rankings. Beyond race, class, or other factors, there is a powerful caste system that influences people’s lives and behavior and the nation’s fate. Linking the caste systems of America, India, and Nazi Germany, Wilkerson explores eight pillars that underlie caste systems across civilizations, including divine will, bloodlines, stigma, and more. Using riveting stories about people—including Martin Luther King, Jr., baseball’s Satchel Paige, a single father and his toddler son, Wilkerson herself, and many others—she shows the ways that the insidious undertow of caste is experienced every day. She documents how the Nazis studied the racial systems in America to plan their outcasting of the Jews; she discusses why the cruel logic of caste requires that there be a bottom rung for those in the middle to measure themselves against; she writes about the surprising health costs of caste, in depression and life expectancy, and the effects of this hierarchy on our culture and politics. Finally, she points forward to ways America can move beyond the artificial and destructive separations of human divisions, toward hope in our common humanity. Original and revealing, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents is an eye-opening story of people and history, and a reexamination of what lies under the surface of ordinary lives and of American life today.

Praise for Practicing Compassion Everybody believes in compassion, but nobody tells you how to practice it. Until now. Frank Rogers turns compassion into a doable, daily practice—as simple as catching your breath and taking your pulse. If you want to read a book that actually has the capacity to change your life (and the world), beginning today, this is the book to read. —Brian D. McLaren Author/speaker/blogger/activist (brianmclaren.net) If you want clear, practical guidance on how to cultivate the inner resources to become a healing presence and force of good for the world, there is no better book than this and no better guide than Frank Rogers. —John Makransky Professor of Comparative Theology, Boston College Author of Awakening through Love Compassion is more than a sympathetic feeling—it's the bond of human connection. Most religions lift up compassion, yet few people actually teach how to practice it. Through rich and moving stories of people from various faiths, Frank Rogers shows ways to incorporate compassion in our daily lives. His interfaith perspective on mercy, kindness, and caring for one another trains us to Pay attention, Understand empathically, Love with connection, Sense the sacredness, and Embody new life (PULSE).

The first book by the creator of the Kindness Boomerang video (more than 20,000,000 views on YouTube) shows readers how to make kindness something they can practice every day.

Children are already learning at birth, and they develop and learn at a rapid pace in their early years. This provides a critical foundation for lifelong progress, and the adults who provide for the care and the education of young children bear a great responsibility for their health, development, and learning. Despite the fact that they share the same objective - to nurture young children and secure their future success - the various practitioners who contribute to the care and the education of children from birth through age 8 are not acknowledged as a workforce unified by the common knowledge and competencies needed to do their jobs well. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 explores the science of child development, particularly looking at implications for the professionals who work with children. This report examines the current capacities and practices of the workforce, the settings in which they work, the policies and infrastructure that set qualifications and provide professional learning, and the government agencies and other funders who support and oversee these systems. This book then makes recommendations to improve the quality of professional practice and the practice environment for care and education professionals. These detailed recommendations create a blueprint for action that builds on a unifying foundation of child development and early learning, shared knowledge and competencies for care and education professionals, and principles for effective professional learning. Young children thrive and learn best when they have secure, positive relationships with adults who are knowledgeable about how to support their development and learning and are responsive to their individual progress. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 offers guidance on system changes to improve the quality of professional practice, specific actions to improve professional learning systems and workforce development, and research to continue to build the knowledge base in ways that will directly advance and inform future actions. The recommendations of this book provide an opportunity to improve the quality of the care and the education that children receive, and ultimately improve outcomes for children.