Part 1: Esera Tuaolo on the importance of finding allies
Former NFL super star Esera Tuaolo believes, “blessings are everywhere. But you have to go out and get them.” Since coming out as gay in 2002 after retiring from football, he has dedicated his life to helping others and spoken out tirelessly against homophobia and bullying. In Part 1 of this episode, Tuaolo talks with host Sophie Grégoire Trudeau about the importance of finding allies. His advice to young men who are struggling is, “to hang in there, trust your heart, trust people who you love and who love you back.”
Part 2: Dr. Brian Goldman on the power of kindness
In Part 2 of this WE Well-being podcast, veteran emergency room physician Dr. Brian Goldman talks with host Leysa Cerswell Kielburger about how a transformative encounter with one patient’s family sent him on a journey to learn more about kindness and empathy. He shares how this brought him face to face with some of the kindest, most empathic people on the planet and taught him that in order to be empathic you need to make connections with other people. Plus, most importantly, it taught him that if you want to be kind to others, the first person you need to learn to be kind to is yourself.
WE Well-being tips and actions: Tips to Enhance Kindness to Yourself and Others
HOW TO PRACTICE SELF-KINDNESS
As odd as it sounds, being kind to yourself can take practice. Here is a little technique used by people all over the world. You will need a little quiet and a couple of minutes. 1. Find a safe place to sit. Get comfortable. 2. Start to pay attention to your breathing. Feel your breath move in and out. 3. In the quiet repeat a small wish for yourself. Meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg teaches people to use a phrase something like this: “May I be peaceful and happy.” You can use any words you like. Research shows even a few minutes of this practice can enhance your sense of daily joy, gratitude and hope.
HOW TO PRACTICE KINDNESS BY CREATING SPACE FOR THE FEELINGS OF OTHERS
The better you get at clueing into your own emotions, the more likely you are to notice the feelings of others. Think of something – or someone! – who recently got under your skin. Now replay it with the benefit of the tips below:
Perspective is everything If you see someone having a difficult time, try to imagine what they might be going through.
Assume positive intent Most of the time, you can’t know what someone else is thinking, or why they acted in a certain way. So why not assume they are acting with the best of intentions – at least until they give you reason to think otherwise.
Ask yourself, how would I feel if…? It’s the perfect question for every occasion. Imagining yourself in someone else’s shoes is often the first of many steps. Empathy and compassion will often inspire the desire to get involved.
Additional Resources
Featured Guests
Esera Tuaolo is a former NFL defensive tackle who made it all the way to the Super Bowl. But his greatest impact came after retiring from the world of sports when he announced to the world that he is gay, wrote the book, Alone in the Trenches: My Life As a Gay Man in the NFL, and became a strong advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Since then, he has launched a successful music career and earned the nickname Mr. Aloha because of his brilliant voice and kind spirit.
Dr. Brian Goldman has been an ER doctor for more than 30 years. He currently practices in the Schwartz Reisman Emergency Centre at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. He is also a medical journalist and the host of the award-winning current affairs radio series about modern medicine White Coat, Black Art on CBC Radio One. Dr. Goldman has written three books about the medical profession, including The Power of Kindness: Why empathy is essential in everyday life.
Are you experiencing a mental health crisis? Go to the nearest hospital or call 911.
WE Well-being podcasts are not intended as medical advice or treatment and should not be seen as a substitute for therapy or medication. WE Well-being is a program that empowers people of all ages with tools and resources to promote their own well-being and the well-being of their communities.