Episode Description:

This week’s good news:

Arielle kicks things off with an inspiring story about California’s new Southeast Asian curriculum, which celebrates the histories and resilience of Hmong, Vietnamese, and Cambodian Americans. Karissa follows up by exploring the science behind small acts of kindness and how these tiny gestures can create meaningful change in our communities and beyond.

The Optimist Daily is a project of The World Business Academy.

Donate link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/donate-to-support-the-optimist-daily/?gift=Y%20http://

Transcript

Theme Music

Arielle:

Hello and welcome to The Optimist Daily’s Weekly Roundup. I’m Arielle.

Karissa:

And I’m Karissa, and we’re working hard to put solutions in view and optimism in movement.

Arielle:

Hello! We’re back with another episode of our pod to share the solutions from the Optimist Daily this week. How are you doing, Karissa?

Karissa:

I’m doing well. I’m glad to be back this week because we kind of took a little sneaky break last week due to some illness on your side, but I’m glad to hear you’re feeling better.

Arielle:

Yeah, I had lost my voice completely, so it was pretty impossible to do the podcast recording. But I’m happy to be back in working order—I missed sharing the good news that we all love and need.

Karissa:

Yeah, exactly. I mean, the holiday season is in full swing, and as we’re kind of looking towards the end of the year—which is coming up so, so soon.

Arielle:

I know.

Karissa:

That being said, we will only have one more podcast episode of the year, which will be airing next Friday. Then, we’ll take a little two-week break until January 10th, I believe, for the next episode. We’ll take that time off to enjoy time with families and friends, and I’m sure all of you are going to be doing the same.

Arielle:

So then we can start the new year with fresh eyes and a lot of excitement, because I have a good feeling about 2025.

Karissa:

I do too. But back to the present, Arielle, should we dive into our solutions for the day?

Arielle:

Yeah. Do you mind if I go first this time?

Karissa:

Let’s hear it!

Arielle:

OK, so today I’m going to dive into the article titled California Introduces Groundbreaking Southeast Asian Curriculum in Schools, which is all about how the Golden State—your state, Karissa—and our state as the Optimist Daily—is implementing a new curriculum for K–12 schools, and it’s turning heads nationwide.

Karissa:

That’s fantastic. What exactly does this curriculum cover?

Arielle:

It’s all about celebrating the rich histories and contributions of Hmong, Vietnamese, and Cambodian Americans. Teachers now have a treasure trove of lesson plans that delve into refugee experiences and cultural resilience from all of these communities.

Karissa:

Oh, that’s really interesting. And it’s definitely time that we see such representation in our classrooms. I know thinking about my California education growing up, I feel like this definitely wasn’t something we saw. I didn’t really learn about Asian American history until I was in college and took a couple of courses on it. How did this initiative come to life, Arielle?

Arielle:

So the curriculum was a labor of love, developed collaboratively with input from the communities it represents. Marika Manos, the History and Social Sciences Manager for the Orange County Department of Education, emphasized the importance of centering the voices of those who have actually lived these histories.

Karissa:

Yeah, definitely, that’s super powerful. How does this curriculum fill the gaps in our current history education?

Arielle:

Well, traditionally, Southeast Asian American histories have been somewhat overshadowed, and when they are talked about, it often focuses solely on war and conflict.

Karissa:

Mm-hmm.

Arielle:

So this curriculum broadens the narrative to include stories of migration, rebuilding, and community contributions in the U.S. Khatharya Um, an ethnic studies professor at UC Berkeley, pointed out that many Americans are unaware of the deep connections between U.S. foreign policy and the displacement of Southeast Asian populations. This is kind of what you were talking about, Karissa.

Karissa:

Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. And it’s very enlightening to see these stories being told for sure. How has the community reacted to this initiative?

Arielle:

The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Educators and community members appreciate that the curriculum was built by and for the community, ensuring authenticity and relevance. Tori Phu, a curriculum specialist, mentioned that these lessons resonate deeply, often reflecting the personal stories of students’ families.

Karissa:

That’s really heartwarming and so inspiring to see. Does the curriculum have relevance beyond Southeast Asian students?

Arielle:

Absolutely. The themes of resilience and cultural identity are universal. For instance, teacher Tauheedah Graham found that learning about the traumas faced by Southeast Asian refugees opened her eyes to shared experiences across different cultures—including her own, as she is a Black American.

Karissa:

It’s amazing to see how education can bridge cultural gaps. What kind of impact does this have on future generations?

Arielle:

By integrating these stories into the curriculum, younger generations gain a deeper understanding of their own heritage. Students like Savannah Thy hope that this will help peers connect with their roots and also bridge generational divides.

Karissa:

Yeah, it sounds like a very significant step forward. Are other states taking note?

Arielle:

Yes, indeed! So, inspired by California’s initiative, states like Wisconsin have enacted legislation to include Hmong American and Asian American studies in schools, indicating a growing recognition of the importance of these stories. And honestly, I would have loved to have had a curriculum like this growing up too, because I’m not American.

Karissa:

Mm-hmm.

Arielle:

I’m a Filipina Canadian, but there are some parallels there—the migration stories, rebuilding community, resilience—and trying to piece together all the parts of your identity while growing up with one foot in one culture and the other in Canadian culture. It would have been really helpful to hear and learn about families and communities going through something similar.

Karissa:

Absolutely. And it’s just really encouraging to see this movement gaining momentum. I hope curricula like this can expand all over the world.

Arielle:

Yeah. This move not only enriches education, but it also fosters empathy and understanding among students of all backgrounds. It’s a testament to the resilience and contributions of Southeast Asian communities in the U.S. So I was really, really happy to see this story pop up.

Karissa:

Yeah, I really like this story too. Thank you so much for sharing it today with all of us.

Arielle:

Of course! When people have more empathy for each other, it’s also easier to be kinder to each other, which I think has something to do with your story.

Karissa:

Yeah, I didn’t expect such a seamless transition into my story, but…

Arielle:

I know! Usually they’re clumsier.

Karissa:

My solution today is called Science Backs Up How Small Acts of Kindness Can Create Global Change. As we say all the time on the Optimist Daily, these small acts around the world are really what create the biggest difference. Especially in a society fraught with political divisions, global crises, and seemingly insurmountable obstacles, it’s easy to believe that individual efforts are insignificant. However, research increasingly shows that tiny acts of compassion and connection can have far-reaching societal repercussions. Psychologists and human connection researchers have discovered that these tiny acts, whether it be a kind remark or even a gesture of solidarity, can promote empathy, dispel preconceptions, and even challenge large-scale social challenges such as discrimination.

Arielle:

Wow. I know we always say that small acts can make a huge difference, but it’s really cool to see that science backs this up.

Karissa:

Exactly. The idea that tiny interpersonal contacts can lead to larger changes has its roots in psychology—namely cognitive dissonance theory. Cognitive dissonance occurs when a person’s actions and beliefs conflict, causing discomfort and encouraging them to reconcile the two.

Arielle:

That’s really interesting. So how have cognitive dissonance and other psychological concepts shown up in studies backing this idea of small acts creating change?

Karissa:

Numerous studies have confirmed the real-world effectiveness of tiny acts of connection in driving meaningful change. In one study of the political divide in the United States, researchers observed that self-identified Democrats and Republicans commonly disliked members of the opposing party based on their assumptions about others’ moral ideas. However, both groups emphasized values like justice, respect, and a desire to avoid harm.

So small, persistent acts of compassion that demonstrate these shared ideals may eventually reduce large-scale political animosities.

Arielle:

That’s definitely relevant to this moment in history.

Karissa:

Absolutely. Another study looked at ethnic tensions between Hungarian and Romanian students—two groups with a long history of social conflict. It found that students who had good relationships across ethnic lines were more likely to hold positive sentiments toward the other group as a whole. In contrast, negative interpersonal ties exacerbated tensions, demonstrating that the quality of minor connections is extremely important.

The impact of these small acts extends beyond individual relationships, resulting in what psychologists refer to as an “upward spiral.” This is a positive feedback loop in which compassionate behaviors encourage social growth. Social ecologies—or the networks of relationships each person is part of—play a significant role here. Compassionate changes at any level, whether personal, interpersonal, or structural, can cause long-term alterations.

Arielle:

Well, that’s thought-provoking. Do you have an example of a social ecology at play?

Karissa:

For example, anti-discrimination programming in schools and peer support among students work together to increase inclusivity. These efforts create situations in which students from underrepresented groups feel valued, demonstrating how institutional and individual acts of kindness reinforce one another.

Karissa:

This principle is also relevant to therapeutic treatments. A therapy strategy known as “social practice,” or intentional community building, has helped people recover from serious mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia.

Arielle:

So, it sounds like if purposeful community building can address deeply personal psychological concerns, it can also address societal issues.

Karissa:

Precisely so. The bottom line is that acts of compassion and connection aren’t just good intentions—they’re scientifically proven agents of transformation. Building relationships through understanding and empathy can help minimize bias, promote dialogue, and establish communities that confront broader societal challenges.

Arielle:

All of this is such a great reminder that simple acts of kindness and connection can certainly create impactful change.

Karissa:

Absolutely. So get out there and show that kindness—in the name of science and optimism for a better world!

Arielle:

And there’s no better time to start than around the holidays.

Karissa:

I think that was a really great roundup of solutions, Arielle.

Arielle:

Yes, me too. We have some other great solutions from this week that you can find on our website, optimistdaily.com, and they include:

Karissa:

9 Therapist-Supported Tips for Maintaining Mental Health During the Holidays, Over 75% of UK Universities Vow to Divest from Fossil Fuels, Christmas Tree Syndrome: How to Keep Your Holidays Allergy-Free, and London Fashion Week Will Banish Exotic Animal Skins by 2025.

Arielle:

We also have Namibia Elects Its First Female President: Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Makes History, AI to the Rescue: How Technology Slashes Stillbirths and Saves Lives in Malawi, Save the Spirit Guardians: Hawaiian Crows Get a Fresh Start on Maui, and 6 Drinks That Will Help You Digest Festive Feasts with Ease.

Karissa:

Sounds like we have a nice, diverse selection this week of solutions.

Make sure to check those out. And if you want to start your day off right, don’t forget to subscribe to our free daily newsletter to get our solutions straight to your inbox.

Arielle:

We also have so much more on our social channels. You can find us at @OptimistDaily on all platforms, including Threads and Pinterest. The only different one is on X—there, we are @OdeToOptimism.

Karissa:

And we’re a small team of optimists working hard to bring you positive news. If you want to support our mission of putting optimism into the world, click on the link in the show notes to find out how.

Arielle:

And remember, support doesn’t always have to be financial. Recommending our podcast to a friend, leaving a positive review on Apple or Spotify, forwarding a link to a loved one, or sharing a solution on your socials would be a huge help!

Karissa:

Well, Arielle, as always, it was great to share these solutions with you. And I’m looking forward to next week—our last episode of 2024—and rounding out the year with some optimism, of course.

Arielle:

Until then, I hope you and our listeners have a wonderful weekend.

Karissa:

Yes, me too. Bye, everybody.

Arielle:

Bye!