Totally Booked with Zibby — Episode Summary
Guest(s): Sarah Scheerger & Brent Camalich | Book: DUDE. BE NICE
Aired: December 12, 2025
Host: Zibby Owens

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the launch of the picture book DUDE. BE NICE, co-authored by Sarah Scheerger (author and mental health clinician) and Brent Camalich (founder of the DUDE. BE NICE platform). The conversation explores the origin of the DUDE. BE NICE initiative, the journey of adapting its ethos into a children’s book, and what it truly means to be “nice” in today’s world. Zibby dives into the book’s development, the power of community kindness, and the potential for expanding DUDE. BE NICE into new formats.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Origin & Evolution of DUDE. BE NICE

• Brent’s Motivation (03:45): Left corporate America to create a brand that inspires people to treat themselves and others better, aiming to tell uplifting stories instead of “sad” news.
• The Platform’s Impact: The DUDE. BE NICE YouTube videos, celebrating unsung heroes in schools and communities, have now amassed over 80 million views. The stories focus on custodians, crossing guards, and other everyday heroes, with students taking an active part in the celebrations.
  • “I love telling stories... but I was sick of telling the sad stories. So can we tell stories that are uplifting?” — Brent Camalich (03:50)
• Genesis of the Book: Sarah discovered the platform as a school counselor seeking inspiring content for students. Moved by Brent’s videos, she reached out to him about creating a picture book.

Why DUDE. BE NICE Works for Kids (and Adults)

• Sarah’s Perspective: The book allows discussions about kindness and empathy from a child’s developmental viewpoint, acknowledging that kids are often “egocentric” but well-intentioned.
  • “He just sees the world through his own eyes... but he’s not thinking about how things might land on somebody else.” — Sarah Scheerger (08:40)
• Book’s Central Character — The ‘Dude’: A well-meaning bear who sometimes oversteps or misunderstands what kindness really looks like—emphasizing that being nice isn’t always about doing everything, but often about listening, collaborating, and considering others’ perspectives.
  • “Sometimes being nice is listening. Sometimes being nice is teamwork or asking questions.” — Brent Camalich (07:26)

Teamwork, Self-Awareness, and Broader Relevance

• The book concludes with an image of everyone piling together to help, reinforcing the message that collaboration makes kindness effective (10:42).
• Zibby and guests discuss the parallels between the book's narrative and real-life situations, including marriage and professional goals, highlighting the importance of paying attention to those journeying with you as you pursue your aims.

The DUDE. BE NICE SEL Guide

• Free Social Emotional Learning (SEL) educator guides are available to prompt discussions on empathy, friendship, consent, responsibility, and more (08:40).
  • “We actually have a free SEL educator guide on both of our websites... multiple entry points for teachers for discussions about empathy, friendship, consent, active listening...” — Sarah (08:40)

The Need for Positive, Hopeful Media

• Brent discusses efforts (and obstacles) to bring the DUDE. BE NICE concept to television, noting that studio executives sometimes resist because it is “too earnest,” despite high demand from teachers and families for content with heart (18:19).
  • “There’s this terminology in TV... people are like, I get it, I love it, but it’s too earnest. In other words, it has too much heart.” — Brent (18:19)

Kindness in Daily Life: Practical Advice

• Sarah’s Tip (22:31):
  • Find one person each day you wouldn’t normally connect with and offer a compliment or positivity, without expecting anything in return.
  • Teachers are encouraged to “detour” from curriculum for teachable moments related to SEL.
• Brent’s Approach:
  • Show up for others, especially when it’s unexpected and outside your comfort zone.
  • Shared a personal story about joining the high school musical to support a new community.
  • “Showing up for people... being a part of things that aren’t necessarily your thing is a really powerful way to show kindness.” — Brent (23:43)

Future of DUDE. BE NICE

• Possible expansion into sequels like “Dude, Be Braver” or an animated series, pending the book's success (26:30).
• The goal is to keep enriching classrooms and families with tools and stories that foster kindness.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Why ‘Dude’:
  • “Dude can be used in so many contexts... It’s universal. And the message, I think, is universal.” — Sarah Scheerger (06:30)
• On Collaboration:
  • “It’s nice to have a sidekick to help get back on track. That’s what friends, partners, and coaches are for.” — Brent Camalich (10:17)
• On Positive Storytelling:
  • “We’re probably a channel that gets, like, the least negative comments in America. And I’m proud of that.” — Brent Camalich (13:18)
• The Importance of Heart:
  • “We need to stand up and say, ‘No, this is the type of stuff we want [on TV].’” — Brent (19:05)
• On Cultural Need for Kindness:
  • “There’s nothing more important than this message right now... get back to basics. Be nice to each other.” — Zibby Owens (27:13)
• On Practical Kindness:
  • “Find one human... to connect with every day that you wouldn’t normally.” — Sarah (22:31)
  • “Show up for other people... that’s one of the most impactful ways to show kindness.” — Brent (23:43)

Important Timestamps

• [03:45] — Brent tells the story behind DUDE. BE NICE’s founding
• [05:29] — Sarah shares how DUDE. BE NICE videos support her work in schools
• [07:12] — Discussion of the book’s protagonist and central lesson
• [08:40] — SEL Guide and educational applications
• [10:42] — Teamwork themes in the book’s ending
• [18:19] — TV adaptation challenges and the “too earnest” dilemma
• [22:23] — Simple ways to be nice; advice for teachers and parents
• [26:30] — Hopes for future books and an animated adaptation

How to Connect & Get Involved

• Book: Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and independent bookstores.
  • Ask local shops to order if they don’t stock it.
  • Also available at Zibby’s own shop, Zibby’s Bookshop in Santa Monica.
• Platform & Resources:
  • Website: dudebenice.com
  • Instagram: @dude.benice
  • YouTube: Search “Dude Be Nice”
  • SEL guide: Free download from their site and the Penguin Random House website

Final Notes

The episode is a heartfelt, fun, and practical look at kindness and its ripple effects—encouraging both personal acts and collective engagement, with genuine warmth and humor from all participants. The message: being nice isn’t just simple but foundational for healthier, happier communities.