Podcast Summary: "Good People with Lucia Knell and Gabriel Reilich"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Here's Where It Gets Interesting
• Host: Sharon McMahon
• Episode: Good People with Lucia Knell and Gabriel Reilich
• Release Date: December 2, 2024
• Description: Host Sharon McMahon engages with Lucia Knell and Gabriel Reilich, the minds behind Upworthy and their book Good People. They delve into the importance of sharing positive stories, the impact of social media on human perception, and the creation process of their uplifting book.

Introduction

Sharon McMahon opens the episode with excitement about her guests, Lucia and Gabriel Rilich, the creators behind the popular Instagram account Upworthy and the forthcoming book Good People. She sets the stage for a conversation focused on the positive narratives that often go unnoticed in mainstream media.

Meet the Guests: Lucia and Gabriel Rilich

Lucia and Gabriel introduce themselves, sharing their journey from building Upworthy on Instagram to authoring Good People. They emphasize their mission to highlight the "best of humanity" by showcasing stories of compassion, kindness, and decency that counterbalance the typically negative content prevalent on social media.

[03:00] Gabriel Rilich: “We are a brand and a company and an outlet dedicated to sharing good things happening in the world. We call it the best of humanity.”

Upworthy’s Mission and Impact

The Riliches discuss the genesis of Upworthy, born from a desire to catalog and share acts of human decency. They highlight how during the pandemic, their platform became a beacon of hope, providing uplifting content amidst widespread fear and uncertainty.

[04:37] Lucia Rilich: “We believe we're providing a service… it's becoming a beautiful movement towards engaging with content that makes you feel more uplifted and more optimistic about the world.”

Gabriel adds that sharing positive stories not only uplifts others but also benefits the sharers by fostering empathy and compassion.

[06:28] Gabriel Rilich: “Stories about compassion and decency can be just as engaging as the more dramatic elements… they have health benefits, you feel better, it raises oxytocin.”

The Role of Social Media and Media Diet

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the concept of a "media diet"—the idea of consciously selecting the content we consume to maintain a balanced perspective of the world. The Riliches express concern over decreasing attention spans and the overwhelming influx of information driven by algorithms designed to capture attention through dramatic and often negative content.

[06:57] Nell Rilich: “The latest stat on an adult attention span is eight seconds, which is one less than a goldfish… it's our responsibility to be conscious of what we're feeding our minds.”

They argue that while social media has the potential to spread negativity, platforms like Upworthy can harness it to promote positivity and meaningful human connections.

Creating Good People: From Social Media to Book

Sharon steers the conversation towards the Riliches’ book, Good People. Lucia explains how the idea evolved from capturing fleeting positive comments and stories on social media into a tangible, lasting format—a book.

[21:12] Lucia Rilich: “We set off on a mission to start kind of gathering them with more intention and to give them the kind of spotlight that they deserved and come up with a format that they could live forever.”

Gabriel details the meticulous process of interviewing followers, collecting personal stories, and compiling them into a comprehensive volume that celebrates human kindness.

[23:01] Nell Rilich: “We interviewed hundreds of our community members, worked with them hand in hand to put these short stories together… it took over two years.”

They emphasize that Good People is not just a collection of feel-good stories but a testament to the enduring impact of small acts of kindness.

The Power of Small Acts and Ripple Effects

A recurring theme is the profound effect that seemingly minor gestures can have on individuals and communities. Lucia shares a poignant story about a janitor who provided a hungry soldier with lunch, an act remembered decades later.

[37:56] Lucia Rilich: “It's an arrogance to presume… you don't know what your small gesture for another person is going to do.”

Gabriel expands on this, discussing the "triple ripple effect" of kindness: benefiting the receiver, benefiting the giver, and inspiring observers to act positively.

[44:58] Gabriel Rilich: “Doing something for someone else makes them feel better, it makes you feel better, and just observing it elevates you as well.”

Key Takeaways and Takeaways

The episode concludes with the Riliches sharing their hopes for Good People:

1. Understanding Possibilities for a Better World:

   • Demonstrating that positive actions are happening and can be amplified to foster a more compassionate society.

2. Valuing Small Gestures:

   • Encouraging individuals to recognize and perform small acts of kindness, reinforcing that these can have significant impacts.

3. Finding Peace and Calm:

   • Promoting the idea of slowing down, either through engaging with the book or practicing mindfulness, to better absorb and emulate positive interactions.

[33:25] Nell Rilich: “Don't overlook the small things… it could be something as simple as just smiling at someone on the street.”

Gabriel emphasizes the importance of shifting the narrative from negativity to positivity to inspire real-world change.

[42:40] Gabriel Rilich: “If we think that people are bad… but if we allow ourselves to have a bit of a softer interaction with people, it can help create the world that we want to see.”

Empowering Individuals for Collective Good

Lucia and Gabriel advocate for individual actions within one's sphere of influence, dispelling the myth that only grand gestures can effect change. They inspire listeners to redefine their communities and understand their potential to contribute positively, no matter the scale.

[40:29] Lucia Rilich: “Each one of us is meant to change the world… within their own spheres of influence… redefine what community means to you.”

Gabriel adds that fostering a culture of kindness and empathy online can translate into more meaningful and cooperative real-world interactions.

[44:58] Gabriel Rilich: “Encouraging people to engage from a place of feeling energized and believing in each other increases the probability of solving extraordinary difficulties.”

Conclusion

Sharon wraps up the episode by highlighting the significance of Good People as a holiday gift and a source of inspiration for those seeking positivity. She encourages listeners to support the book, available wherever books are sold, and to continue fostering kindness in their daily lives.

[49:43] Lucia Rilich: “Something that feels like an exhale in a world that seems wound ever more tightly… something everybody can enjoy receiving and enjoy having out on their coffee table.”

Notable Quotes:

• Sharon McMahon [02:17]: “I just can't wait to share it with you. We all need more of that at this moment in time.”
• Gabriel Rilich [05:03]: “People are looking for that in the world… stories about compassion and decency can be just as engaging as the more dramatic elements.”
• Lucia Rilich [16:32]: “What wouldn't most of us do for $10 million… how do you resist the siren song of vast personal fortunes to build a different kind of legacy?”
• Gabriel Rilich [17:04]: “It may seem like it's going to work and people are feeling this way has been such a wonderful validation.”
• Lucia Rilich [37:58]: “You're choosing how you want to interact with the world, whether you want to be a positive force for good…”

Final Thoughts: This episode serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of kindness and positive narratives. Through the Riliches' experiences with Upworthy and their new book Good People, listeners are encouraged to seek out and contribute to the good in the world, fostering a more empathetic and connected society.