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In this episode of the Joy of Living, Barry Shore sits down with film producer, author, and philanthropist Peter Samuelson to explore how intentional kindness can transform individuals, communities, and society at large. Peter shares his remarkable journey from Cambridge-educated immigrant to Hollywood producer of 27 films, including work alongside Steven Spielberg, and how that path led him to found seven charities that have collectively raised 1.3 billion dollars serving children in four countries.
Peter opens up about his Pay It Forward class for foster youth through FirstStar.org, where high school students are given 200 dollars to give away and then go do it. The stories that emerge, kids saving shelter puppies because they see their own pain in the animals, daughters sending money to incarcerated mothers, are genuinely moving and reveal how acts of giving lift both the giver and the receiver.
The conversation then turns to ROKindness, a new platform Peter co-founded that functions like a public ledger of kindness. Using a card with a QR code, one act of generosity can be tracked and multiplied down a family tree of kindness, one to three to nine to 27, borrowing the viral growth model of network marketing but replacing profit with purpose. Peter explains that hatred is just fear dressed up, and that building visible bridges of kindness is one of the most powerful ways to push back against division.
Barry and Peter also discuss the big idea behind Peter's book Finding Happy, which grew out of two dozen recurring topics he noticed while mentoring foster youth. The selflessness-as-self-care paradox woven throughout the book offers a refreshing, grounded take on personal happiness.
Peter Samuelson is a British-born Hollywood film producer, author, and founder of seven charities including FirstStar.org and ROKindness.org, dedicated to improving the lives of foster youth and spreading kindness globally.
Show Notes:
- 00:00 – Introduction to Peter Samuelson and his journey from Cambridge to Hollywood.
- 02:00 – Producing 27 films and working alongside major filmmakers, including Steven Spielberg.
- 06:00 – Peter’s philanthropic journey and the founding of seven charities serving children.
- 10:00 – The Pay It Forward program helping foster youth experience the power of giving.
- 14:00 – Moving stories of foster kids using kindness to help others in difficult circumstances.
- 19:00 – ROKindness and the vision of creating a global network of kindness.
- 24:00 – How one act of generosity can multiply from one person to many others.
- 29:00 – Peter’s thoughts on fear, hatred, division, and building bridges through kindness.
- 34:00 – The inspiration behind Peter’s book Finding Happy.
- 39:00 – The connection between selflessness, giving, and personal happiness.
- 44:00 – Peter’s message for anyone who wants to make a positive difference in the world.
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About Peter Samuelson
Peter Samuelson is an author, Founder and President of First Star, a film producer and a serial pro-social entrepreneur. In 1982 he co-founded the Starlight Children’s Foundation; by 1990 the positive psychological impact of Starlight seeded his next pro-social endeavor, Starbright World, co-founded with Steven Spielberg. 1999 saw the formation of First Star, 2005 EDAR Everyone Deserves a Roof, and 2013 saw him launch ASPIRE, the Academy for Social Purpose in Responsible Entertainment. In the midst of all this Peter has produced 26 films and raised four children. Educated at Cambridge and the Anderson School of Management at UCLA, Peter resides in Los Angeles with his wife Saryl, and continues to fight every day for those less fortunate, chief among them abused and neglected children. He is the CEO of ROKindness.org in formation.
