Where Has All The Kindness Gone? Can Empty Nesters Bring It Back? E160

Acts of kindness are the small, observant choices that take about 30 seconds and can turn someone's day around. So why do they feel so rare right now? On Clancy's morning walks, only about 60 percent of people wave or say hello back. Commutes turn into races, a friendly note on a windshield feels like a scam, and the algorithm keeps feeding us the worst of each other. If you've been wondering where all the kindness went, especially in this empty nest season, you're not imagining it. We're Clancy and Rick Denton, empty nesters and co-authors of The Loud Quiet: Love, Laughter and Life in the Empty Nest, and in this episode we trade the stories that restored a little of our faith in people. A stranger who waved Clancy ahead in the checkout line. A fulfillment center worker who mailed back the truck keys Rick accidentally returned. A quick DM reply from a podcast host that ended with a compliment. We also get honest about how hard it is to be kind to the person you live with, especially during a sick week, and why scheduling kindness works better than waiting to feel it. Clancy reads a passage from Theo of Golden by Allen Levi, and we leave you with a real question: with World Kindness Day coming up on November 13, what could empty nesters do together to bring kindness back? In this episode, you'll learn: Why acts of kindness feel so rare right now, starting with Clancy's morning walk count, where only about 60 percent of people wave or say hello back How the commute became the place many of us fall short on kindness, and why turning the other cheek on the road could stop most road rage moments Why it can be hardest to be kind to the person you live with, and what a sick week and a 5:40 a.m. alarm taught us How small acts of kindness start with being observant, from a stranger offering her spot in line to a warehouse worker mailing back lost truck keys Whether social media and the algorithm push us toward negativity, and how a 30 second DM reply proved kindness online still exists Why scheduling kindness works, from a family day of kindness to serving with your life group, plus the easiest daily habit: thanking your server What Theo of Golden by Allen Levi shows about quiet kindness, and our question for you about what empty nesters could do together Mentioned in this episode: Theo of Golden by Allen Levi https://link.amazon/B08aGbrkl (affiliate link) 📖 Our book is here! The Loud Quiet – Love, Laughter and Life in the Empty Nest https://www.theloudquiet.com Got an idea for an act of kindness empty nesters could do together? Tell us in the Facebook group or leave us a voicemail on our website. https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet 🎧 Find all episodes, podcast apps, and YouTube links here:  https://www.theloudquiet.com CHAPTERS 00:00 Where has all the kindness gone 00:46 Why only 60 percent of people wave back 02:14 Commute kindness and turning the other cheek 06:54 Being kind to the person you live with 10:28 Small acts of kindness in the checkout line 11:29 A company mails back lost truck keys 14:59 Social media, the algorithm and negativity 17:58 A DM reply that made Clancy's day 21:04 Should you schedule kindness 22:02 Why you should always thank your server 27:18 Theo of Golden by Allen Levi 29:30 What can empty nesters do together Want to be a guest on The Loud Quiet - Empty Nest Living? Send Rick and Clancy Denton a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theloudquiethost Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be taken as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding your specific situation. The opinions expressed by guests are solely theirs and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of the host(s).