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Radical Kindness: The Life-Changing Power of Giving and Receiving
The beloved creator of Blues Clues and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and protégé of Fred Rogers explores the importance of kindness and how it can change your life in this essential guide and tie-in to the PBS special, “The Power of Radical Kindness.”
Angela C. Santomero, the creator, executive producer, and head writer of many of today’s most popular educational children’s shows believes in the radical power of kindness, on her shows, and in her life. Inspired by her mentor Fred Rogers, beloved host of the classic, award-winning PBS show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Angela has dedicated her life to teaching others that when you treat yourself and others with warmth, empathy, and respect, life changing benefits follows.
From the true meaning of self-care and the gift of vulnerability, to the importance of active listening or the magic of asking for help, Radical Kindness goes beyond The Golden Rule and entreaties to “be nice,” contending that kindness is the key to recognizing others, and ourselves, as worthy of love and understanding.
Much like gratitude, Angela contends we need a kindness practice. A practice in which we learn to see with our hearts and act from a place of compassion. As the Dalai Lama says, “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” Through practicing radical kindness—toward ourselves, with loved ones, and to the world at large—we can transform ourselves, our neighborhood, and our world for the better.
Angela C. Santomero, the creator, executive producer, and head writer of many of today’s most popular educational children’s shows believes in the radical power of kindness, on her shows, and in her life. Inspired by her mentor Fred Rogers, beloved host of the classic, award-winning PBS show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Angela has dedicated her life to teaching others that when you treat yourself and others with warmth, empathy, and respect, life changing benefits follows.
From the true meaning of self-care and the gift of vulnerability, to the importance of active listening or the magic of asking for help, Radical Kindness goes beyond The Golden Rule and entreaties to “be nice,” contending that kindness is the key to recognizing others, and ourselves, as worthy of love and understanding.
Much like gratitude, Angela contends we need a kindness practice. A practice in which we learn to see with our hearts and act from a place of compassion. As the Dalai Lama says, “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” Through practicing radical kindness—toward ourselves, with loved ones, and to the world at large—we can transform ourselves, our neighborhood, and our world for the better.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2019
182 people are currently reading
1439 people want to read
About the author
Angela C. Santomero
74 books36 followersAngela Santomero is television producer and creator of such children's shows as Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Wishenpoof, Super Why!, and Blue's Clues. She is a graduate of Columbia University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
June 8, 2019
How do you stay immune to people’s unkind, dismissive and rude words and actions? Kindness. Kindness is contagious, as they say. I have to be honest with you, I hate rude and dismissive people. I can’t stand it when someone is rude and I almost always have to say something. But recently I decided I need to step back, not react, and teach my children a lesson on how to navigate the world with difficult people: kindness.
I just loved this new little book on kindness. Not only does it ask us to be as kind as possible but it enlightens us of better ways of being. “Heart seeing,” listening with your heart and giving someone your presence when they are talking, is one of the biggest principles I took away from this book. “Giving someone your undivided attention is a sign of respect and admiration,” the author writes. Another idea I also loved was assuming the best of another person, despite any conflict you may be having with them— giving them the benefit of the doubt and keeping an open heart and mind, even if they slight you. These are very, very hard things to do, but I believe they work in making us happier. The author is a creator of famous children’s programs and has spent most of her life with children, whom she has learned from!
I highly recommend this book as it taught me many things and I felt it was exceptionally well written!
“Giving someone your full attention, concentrating on what they’re saying, and meeting what they say with genuine curiosity and attentiveness is one of the greatest kindnesses you can perform for another person, and all it takes it making the time to be in the moment.”
I just loved this new little book on kindness. Not only does it ask us to be as kind as possible but it enlightens us of better ways of being. “Heart seeing,” listening with your heart and giving someone your presence when they are talking, is one of the biggest principles I took away from this book. “Giving someone your undivided attention is a sign of respect and admiration,” the author writes. Another idea I also loved was assuming the best of another person, despite any conflict you may be having with them— giving them the benefit of the doubt and keeping an open heart and mind, even if they slight you. These are very, very hard things to do, but I believe they work in making us happier. The author is a creator of famous children’s programs and has spent most of her life with children, whom she has learned from!
I highly recommend this book as it taught me many things and I felt it was exceptionally well written!
“Giving someone your full attention, concentrating on what they’re saying, and meeting what they say with genuine curiosity and attentiveness is one of the greatest kindnesses you can perform for another person, and all it takes it making the time to be in the moment.”
August 3, 2020
Nothing especially new or groundbreaking here but some good reminders in these stressful times.
March 21, 2019
3.5* In the second chapter of this book there is a quote by Paramahansa Yoganada that I find strikingly poignant: "Kindness is the light that dissolves all walls between souls, families, and nations. The ugliness of unkindness to others impel me to make myself beautiful with loving kindness. May harsh speech from my companions remind me to use sweet words always. If stones from evil minds are cast at me, let me send in return only missiles of goodwill". Beautiful, right?! I've been exploring the concept of radical kindness for a while and this book would be great for someone who is just getting started. It's divided in two parts. The first half is how to nurture oneself with kindness and the second half is about how to spread kindness. I was much more interested in the latter half. Parts of it felt a little self-help(y) and that's just not my jam. There are A LOT of quotes and musings from Mister Rogers and those were by far my favorite part of this book. As soon as i finished this, I put a biography of Fred Rogers on hold at the library. Oh! and there's also an amazing list in the final chapter of this book of ways to be kind to oneself and others that I loved.
April 20, 2020
This book kind of changed my life. The audiobook is so so good!
June 10, 2025
Hoping to implement this in my day to day! Really easy tips on how to make others day and put others first which I have been working on! Super cute and easy read
May 12, 2021
The authors of How To Be Fine: What We Learned by Living by the Rules of 50 Self-Help Books say books about kindness and compassion really improve your life, so I gave this one by the creator of Blues Clues & Daniel Tiger a try. I think the problem with books about kindness is that they’re by already kind people. I found this book basic and not radical at all—it doesn’t discuss race, trauma, socio-economic factors, just “see with your heart.”
August 23, 2024
There is nothing totally groundbreaking in this book. However, as I read it and took notes, it made me deeply reflect about myself and the world. It’s definitely a book that everyone should read a some point, as everyone can get at least one thing from the book. We all have a little something to learn no matter how kind we might already be! It’s an uplifting book about how to center our lives around radical kindness rather than simply being a kind person.
November 6, 2019
So good! This book is chock full of ways to be kind to yourself and to others. The author focuses in on the art of being able to 'heart-see which is key, she offers, as the basis for kindness. Her mentor, Mister Rogers, is an example of someone who used this way of seeing people and in turn, the people he encountered were rewarded because of this sincereness. Santomero states that being kind to ourselves is foremost and similar to the idea of loving oneself and then being able to love others, being kind to oneself also enables the freeing of being truly kind to others, minus the ego and distractions that can get in the way. There were numerous ideas to take away from this book and while it shouldn't be radical to be kind to someone, it is in the manner we need to do it - in order to make it an habitual action on our way. At the end of the book, she gives 32 ways the reader can bring kindness in and out - such a useful book and delivered in a brilliant way without bring preachy or judgemental.
June 6, 2019
I loved this book. It's a great reminder about how we need to consciously learn the habit to be kind to ourselves and others. There is so much darkness in the world that we cannot control but this book teaches us how we can work on ourselves to help shed a little light on that darkness. By practicing the art of radical kindness towards ourselves and others we can help make the world a better place one kind act at a time. Kindness is contagious and just might make someone's day.
Choose kindness my friends!
I had to read it again... I still love this book, June 2019.
Choose kindness my friends!
I had to read it again... I still love this book, June 2019.
October 14, 2019
I did not like this book at all. Like a Cliff Notes version of the combined work of Deepak Chopra and Brené Brown, this book breaks no new ground while oversimplifying the work of better authors. The author constantly uses "being nice" and "being kind" interchangably. But they are not the same. Being nice means people pleasing, telling people what they want to here and adhering to cultural manners. Being kind means drawing appropriate boundaries, which sometimes means not being "nice" at all. Ironically, this book wasn't about either of these concepts, but instead about the most basic definition of empathy.
Save your time. Read Brown and Chopra instead.
Save your time. Read Brown and Chopra instead.
May 2, 2021
I didn’t dislike the message or anything, there was just nothing new or inspiring here. Pretty basic human behavior that should be expected anyway.
August 22, 2019
The concept of radical kindness really intrigued me. I know that I benefit from reminders to be more kind, more present, and more at peace with the crazy world we live in.
And t's always a good practice to remember that even if someone behaves like a complete jerk (in traffic, in a meeting, in politics, etc.), that doesn't mean that he is a bad person. Sometimes kindness, and trying to see things from his perspective can really make a difference.
Considering the number of Blues Clues episodes I watched with our girls when they were very young, I can appreciate where Ms. Santomero is coming from.
But in the end, all I can really say about this book is that it really is a load of self-help mumbo jumbo. Not terrible, but not that engaging, from my point of view.
I liked her references to the philosophies of Mr. Rogers, and I understand that given the recent release of the movie about his life, it's timely. But I have to admit that I found Mr. Rogers and the puppets on his show to be creepy and more than a little patronizing. I never liked watching him on television.
interesting quotes (page numbers from edition with ISBN13):
"Fred Roger's placed kindness at the root of all he said and did." (p. )
"Practicing radical kindness reminds us of what is essential in our own lives: our families, our work, our friendships, our communities. It helps us see every man, woman, and child we meet the way Mister Rogers did: as individuals possessing great richness, as embodiments of love." (p. )
"Radical kindness means rooting all you say and do in kindness, being unconditionally kind all the time, to everyone. It means going beyond situational niceness or merely “doing the right thing” and, instead, living from a place of compassion." (p. )
"Of course you don't have to give up an organ to make an anonymous impact on someone's life." (p. )
And t's always a good practice to remember that even if someone behaves like a complete jerk (in traffic, in a meeting, in politics, etc.), that doesn't mean that he is a bad person. Sometimes kindness, and trying to see things from his perspective can really make a difference.
Considering the number of Blues Clues episodes I watched with our girls when they were very young, I can appreciate where Ms. Santomero is coming from.
But in the end, all I can really say about this book is that it really is a load of self-help mumbo jumbo. Not terrible, but not that engaging, from my point of view.
I liked her references to the philosophies of Mr. Rogers, and I understand that given the recent release of the movie about his life, it's timely. But I have to admit that I found Mr. Rogers and the puppets on his show to be creepy and more than a little patronizing. I never liked watching him on television.
interesting quotes (page numbers from edition with ISBN13):
"Fred Roger's placed kindness at the root of all he said and did." (p. )
"Practicing radical kindness reminds us of what is essential in our own lives: our families, our work, our friendships, our communities. It helps us see every man, woman, and child we meet the way Mister Rogers did: as individuals possessing great richness, as embodiments of love." (p. )
"Radical kindness means rooting all you say and do in kindness, being unconditionally kind all the time, to everyone. It means going beyond situational niceness or merely “doing the right thing” and, instead, living from a place of compassion." (p. )
"Of course you don't have to give up an organ to make an anonymous impact on someone's life." (p. )
September 24, 2020
This book popped up in my daily recommendation email as I was pondering what could be done to make the world a better place. So I checked it out from the library. I didn't find it to be life-changing but there were definitely some good reminders about the simple ways we can all be kinder to others - starting with ourselves.
The author has spent most of her career working in children's television and there were times where I felt she was speaking as if her audience is children rather than adults, though that didn't take away from the book but rather made me think that perhaps she should write a children's version of this if she hasn't already.
I did really like the last chapter, which was 32 ways to practice kindness - some small and doable on a daily basis like smiling at a stranger, asking others if they need something when you're running errands; others larger like becoming more involved with your immediate community or using vacation for a mission trip (already on my bucket list!). Some of the items, like volunteering, are already a part of my day-to-day life. I jotted down the list, however, so I can print it out and have it as a handy reference guide/reminder how easy it is to practice kindness to both myself and others as it's something easily neglected in times such as those in which we currently live.
The author has spent most of her career working in children's television and there were times where I felt she was speaking as if her audience is children rather than adults, though that didn't take away from the book but rather made me think that perhaps she should write a children's version of this if she hasn't already.
I did really like the last chapter, which was 32 ways to practice kindness - some small and doable on a daily basis like smiling at a stranger, asking others if they need something when you're running errands; others larger like becoming more involved with your immediate community or using vacation for a mission trip (already on my bucket list!). Some of the items, like volunteering, are already a part of my day-to-day life. I jotted down the list, however, so I can print it out and have it as a handy reference guide/reminder how easy it is to practice kindness to both myself and others as it's something easily neglected in times such as those in which we currently live.
December 5, 2019
“Mister Rogers once said, “There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.”
This was a fast read and part of my ongoing efforts to better myself by reinforcing some of the traits that I like and admire in other people. I think that there's a tendency in vast parts of our culture to want to downplay the importance of books that fall into the realm of self improvement, but the older I've gotten the more I've learned that I have plenty of room for improvement. Only in the last five years or so do I really feel like I've started to nail down what my particular flavor of weaknesses are. This is one of them.
I'm a grump. I know it. I didn't used to think that was the case, but moving from the military to the civilian workforce really highlighted that the military is filled with bad attitudes and I soaked up more than my fair share of them.
“Radical kindness means rooting all you say and do in kindness, being unconditionally kind all the time, to everyone. It means going beyond situational niceness or merely “doing the right thing” and, instead, living from a place of compassion.”
Anyone that knows me knows I'm not unconditionally kind. But I wish I was. I wish I could be. Maybe one day.
This was a fast read and part of my ongoing efforts to better myself by reinforcing some of the traits that I like and admire in other people. I think that there's a tendency in vast parts of our culture to want to downplay the importance of books that fall into the realm of self improvement, but the older I've gotten the more I've learned that I have plenty of room for improvement. Only in the last five years or so do I really feel like I've started to nail down what my particular flavor of weaknesses are. This is one of them.
I'm a grump. I know it. I didn't used to think that was the case, but moving from the military to the civilian workforce really highlighted that the military is filled with bad attitudes and I soaked up more than my fair share of them.
“Radical kindness means rooting all you say and do in kindness, being unconditionally kind all the time, to everyone. It means going beyond situational niceness or merely “doing the right thing” and, instead, living from a place of compassion.”
Anyone that knows me knows I'm not unconditionally kind. But I wish I was. I wish I could be. Maybe one day.
April 7, 2021
One of my good book club friends read Radical Kindness and gave it an excellent review. When she passed it on to me, I knew I would be able to take away at least one thing from this book that aims to inspire kindness. Once I learned the author was the creator of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, a cartoon mirrored after Mr. Rogers that my son watches all the time, I was eager to read on. I liked the author’s approach and outlook and found this to be a great reminder to be kind and do good.
I like picking up these self help books once in a while as a good way to refocus on ways to live a better life. These books usually bug me because there are too many anecdotes and annoying stories. Not so here. This was short and sweet. I loved that the author spoke directly and plainly about how to think happier and be kind. It was clear that those small actions would create positive results.
I would recommend this to everyone because we can all use a reminder to be kind and think positively. It really is amazing how small changes in our own thoughts can improve our lives.
I like picking up these self help books once in a while as a good way to refocus on ways to live a better life. These books usually bug me because there are too many anecdotes and annoying stories. Not so here. This was short and sweet. I loved that the author spoke directly and plainly about how to think happier and be kind. It was clear that those small actions would create positive results.
I would recommend this to everyone because we can all use a reminder to be kind and think positively. It really is amazing how small changes in our own thoughts can improve our lives.
November 28, 2019
I really do try to choose kindness every day, but I can always do better. This is just a good reminder to keep on being kind, and that kindness spreads. Start by being kinder to yourself, and remembering that everyone is more than just a moment.
February 10, 2021
Quick read with good reminders of ways we can be kind to ourselves, others and our planet starting today. Great book to give as a gift and great to read during a challenging time because there are so many little suggestions you can put into place right away.
March 30, 2019
Simple kindnesses. Profoundly simple.
September 5, 2019
An enjoyable read with some good points to make. Left me feeling happy and determined to be more kind to myself and those around me.
November 5, 2020
A quick "read". This one was actually an audio book, but it was only about 4 hours long. Great read or listen. I'll be sure to try and "toss a sandal on the tracks" more often.
November 30, 2021
My one take away was, unkindness, judgment, and thinking the worst of people or situations are habits. And we can change our habits. We can become more kind if we choose and I hope more and more people choose kindness.
June 6, 2022
We all need to show a lot more kindness to everyone!
August 1, 2022
This was an excellent book about kindness
July 12, 2019
The world should read this. Just a little reminder.
July 17, 2019
Love the quote - “Choose to radiate kindness to those around you because the behavior is likely to rub off.”
February 5, 2021
What a great, quick and powerful read! I loved it! 🥰
April 23, 2019
Who is Angela Santomero? Well, if you have or had toddlers you probably know her work. She created Blue's Clues, Super Why, and Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. She grew up watching Mr. Rogers and became a friend of his after creating Blue's Clues.
Radical Kindness is a reminder of how important it is to be kind to yourself and others. It asks you to go back to the golden rule and treat yourself and others as you would want to be treated. Radical Kindness is a simple concept that can be difficult because of habits that we may have formed. Angela reminds us that we can reform those habits. The conclusion of the book leaves you with 32 ways that you can be kind. I love them all!
Radical Kindness is a short and easy read. She refers to some of my favorite self-help authors such as Brene Brown and Deepak Chopra. Radical Kindness is great for when you want a quick reminder to be kind to yourself, others, and the world around you. If you are looking for an psychologically intense book, this is not it. This book is perfect for the person who wants to dip their toes in the self-help genre or a teenager who needs to remind themselves to be kind.
Radical Kindness is a reminder of how important it is to be kind to yourself and others. It asks you to go back to the golden rule and treat yourself and others as you would want to be treated. Radical Kindness is a simple concept that can be difficult because of habits that we may have formed. Angela reminds us that we can reform those habits. The conclusion of the book leaves you with 32 ways that you can be kind. I love them all!
Radical Kindness is a short and easy read. She refers to some of my favorite self-help authors such as Brene Brown and Deepak Chopra. Radical Kindness is great for when you want a quick reminder to be kind to yourself, others, and the world around you. If you are looking for an psychologically intense book, this is not it. This book is perfect for the person who wants to dip their toes in the self-help genre or a teenager who needs to remind themselves to be kind.
December 28, 2020
I actually didn't like this book, but I can see its value for someone just embarking on understanding the basics of treating others with basic respect, building relationships, and being empathetic. Hence 2 stars rather then one for the assumed value to others.
This book helped me learn I just don't like short books. The points in this work were all provided alongside anecdotal examples, but the research severely lacked. There is a whole field devoted to positive psychology that this book did not appropriately incorporate. And the author's reliance on the golden rule as the best rule of thumb is childish. The platinum rule--treat others as they want to be treated--is much more in line with the empathy the author recommends.
I was hoping to learn something new from this work, since "radical" kindness is a new concept, but it didn't deliver much more than basic kindness and intentional, expect-no-return kindness. Nothing radical here.
This book helped me learn I just don't like short books. The points in this work were all provided alongside anecdotal examples, but the research severely lacked. There is a whole field devoted to positive psychology that this book did not appropriately incorporate. And the author's reliance on the golden rule as the best rule of thumb is childish. The platinum rule--treat others as they want to be treated--is much more in line with the empathy the author recommends.
I was hoping to learn something new from this work, since "radical" kindness is a new concept, but it didn't deliver much more than basic kindness and intentional, expect-no-return kindness. Nothing radical here.
June 14, 2019
This book was nice but honestly could be condensed into a magazine article with a few bullet points at the end. The sentiments are very sweet and wholesome but are all common sense. Except for the pink-bubble visualization technique, I've read it all before. One could easily skim this book and get the gist of it in half an hour. To be radically kind, I'll give it three stars because the intentions are good, even if the content isn't terribly original.
November 26, 2021
DNF. I only got through about 1/3 of this book and had to stop because it was a complete waste of time. This book contains the most generic advice one can imagine and of course just "be kinder" is the solution to all of life's problems. In principle, this advice might be true, but there's no depth in the book, and everything in the first 1/3 of the book can be found in basic google searches.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews