The Support and Kindness Podcast

Episode 17: Gratitude

Hosts: Greg Shaw, Rich, Jay, Derek
Podcast Series: Support and Kindness

 


Episode Summary

In Episode 17, Greg and the co-hosts slow things down to talk about gratitude as a lived practice, not just good manners or positive thinking. The conversation explores how gratitude supports mental wellbeing, strengthens relationships, and helps people cope during hard seasons like grief, stress, addiction recovery, chronic pain, and isolation.

The episode blends research, real-life experiences, and honest reflection. Gratitude is framed as something that does not erase pain, but helps people meet life as it is, with more steadiness and awareness.

Listeners hear how practicing gratitude, even in very small ways, can reduce rumination, foster connection, and create meaningful emotional shifts over time.

 


Key Themes & Takeaways

• Gratitude is not denial or pretending things are okay
• Gratitude can be practiced even when life feels messy or painful
• Small, intentional practices make a real difference
• Appreciation strengthens relationships and builds trust
• Gratitude can soften stress, fear, and scarcity thinking
• Community and connection are powerful sources of gratitude
• Everyone has access to at least one small thing worth appreciating

 


Noteworthy Observations & Quotes by Host

Greg 

Greg frames gratitude as a tool for mental wellbeing, not a finish line after life improves.

Quote:
“Gratitude isn’t the finish line. It can be part of the path.”

Key Insight:
Greg emphasizes that gratitude changes how we meet life, not the circumstances themselves. He openly shares that holidays are hard for him due to family distance and estrangement, yet gratitude helps him stay grounded in what he does have.

Observation:
Greg highlights research showing that gratitude reduces rumination and supports emotional health, especially during difficult seasons.

 


Rich

Rich focuses on how gratitude creates ripple effects that extend far beyond a single moment.

Quote:
“I enjoy showing gratitude to people who never expect it because of the ripples that it creates.”

Key Insight:
Rich shares how expressing thanks, especially in everyday interactions like customer service or workplaces, boosts morale for both the giver and the receiver.

Observation:
He reflects on teaching gratitude to his children at every stage of life, from infancy to adulthood, showing that gratitude evolves as we grow.

 


Jay

Jay grounds gratitude in foundation-level awareness, especially when life feels overwhelming.

Quote:
“We all have something to be grateful for, even if it’s at a root level.”

Key Insight:
Jay speaks about gratitude in recovery spaces like Alcoholics Anonymous, emphasizing community, belonging, and support as sources of gratitude even when life feels broken.

Observation:
He shares a personal holiday reflection about spending one more Christmas with his grandmother, reminding listeners that gratitude often becomes clearest in moments of impermanence.

 


Derek

Derek brings a reflective and observational approach, focusing on simple, often overlooked moments.

Quote:
“It’s an honor and a privilege to have a warm shower. We take that for granted.”

Key Insight:
Derek practices gratitude by slowing down, breathing, and noticing simple physical and emotional experiences that remind him of being alive.

Observation:
He speaks about gratitude for human connection, beauty in nature, light through clouds, and how perspective can shift emotional overwhelm.

 


Scientific & Psychological Insights Mentioned

• Gratitude increases effort and engagement (call center study showed a 50% effort increase after simple appreciation)
• Writing gratitude lists improves mood and wellbeing over time
• Gratitude letters can produce lasting emotional benefits
• Gratitude reduces rumination and worry loops
• Gratitude inhibitors include fear, scarcity, comparison, and entitlement

 


Suggested Gratitude Practice

Three Good Things Exercise

For at least one week: • Write down three things that went well today
• Note why they went well
• No forced positivity
• Focus on noticing what is also true alongside the hard

 


Support & Resources Mentioned

• Kindness RX – https://kindnessrx.org
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US) – Call or text 988
• Emergency – Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room
• Grateful.org – https://grateful.org
• Harvard Health – Gratitude Research – https://www.health.harvard.edu
• Alcoholics Anonymous – https://www.aa.org

 


Kindness RX Support Groups

• Brain Injury Support Group – Mondays at 1:00 PM
• Chronic Pain Support Group – Tuesdays at 12:00 PM
• Mental Health Support Group – Wednesdays at 7:30 PM

Details and links available at:
https://kindnessrx.org

 


Final Thoughts

This episode reminds listeners that gratitude is not about ignoring pain or forcing positivity. It is about recognizing what is still present, still meaningful, even when life feels heavy.

Closing Message:
“If all you can do today is notice one small good thing, that counts.”

If this episode helped you, consider sharing it with someone who could use encouragement or leaving a review to help others find the show.

 


Resources 

A) US national crisis + mental health resources


988 Lifeline (Call/Text/Chat) — 24/7 confidential emotional support and connection to local crisis resources. (988 Lifeline)
Best for: Anyone in urgent emotional distress who needs to talk now.
Crisis Text Line — Text-based crisis support with trained counselors (U.S. and more). (TIME)
Best for: People who prefer texting over calling.
NAMI HelpLine — Information, support, and referrals (not a crisis line). (NAMI)
Best for: Finding education, support options, and next steps.
Mental Health America Screening Tools — Free, confidential mental health screening tools and self-help resources. (Mental Health America)
Best for: Getting clarity on symptoms and what support to explore.
DBSA Support Groups (Depression & Bipolar) — Peer-led support groups (in-person and online options). (DBS Alliance)
Best for: People seeking peer support communities for mood disorders.


 


B) Additional areas (short list)

Chronic pain


American Chronic Pain Association (Support Groups) — Peer support and education for people living with ongoing pain. (ACPA)
Best for: Chronic pain community members who want validation and coping support.


Disability


ADA National Network — Help understanding disability rights and ADA-related questions. (ADA National Network)
Best for: ADA accommodations questions at work, school, or in public settings.
National Disability Rights Network (Find your P&A/CAP) — Connects you to legally based advocacy agencies in each state/territory. (NDRN)
Best for: Disability rights advocacy and protection support.


Grief


Hospice Foundation of America (Grief Support) — Practical guidance and support suggestions, including groups. (Hospice Foundation of America)
Best for: Adults looking for grief education and support options.
The Dougy Center — Grief support and resources for children, teens, and families. (Dougy Center)
Best for: Families supporting a grieving child or teen.
National Alliance for Children’s Grief (Resources) — Resource hub and guidance for supporting grieving youth. (NACG - NACG)
Best for: Caregivers, educators, and helpers supporting kids through grief.


Substance use


SAMHSA National Helpline — 24/7 treatment referral and information service. (SAMHSA)
Best for: Finding treatment and support options for substance use and mental health.
FindTreatment.gov — Confidential locator for mental health and substance use treatment services. (FindTreatment.gov)
Best for: Searching for providers and programs by location/needs.
SMART Recovery — Evidence-informed peer support for addictive or problematic behaviors. (SMART Recovery)
Best for: Skills-based recovery support (CBT/REBT-informed approach).
Alcoholics Anonymous (Find A.A.) — Meeting lists by location. (Alcoholics Anonymous)
Best for: People seeking a widespread peer-support meeting network.
Narcotics Anonymous (Find NA Near You) — Meeting and service search (U.S.). (Narcotics Anonymous USA)
Best for: People seeking peer-support meetings for drug addiction recovery.


 


C) Gratitude-specific learning resources

Books (at least 3)


Thanks!: How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier — Robert Emmons — A research-grounded look at how gratitude affects wellbeing and relationships. (Google Books)
Best for: Evidence-based readers who want the “why” and “how.”
The Gratitude Diaries — Janice Kaplan — A yearlong experiment in gratitude with practical life reflections. (gratitudediaries.com)
Best for: People who prefer story-driven motivation.
A Simple Act of Gratitude — John Kralik — A memoir built around writing thank-you notes daily. (Hachette Book Group)
Best for: Anyone who likes concrete “doable” challenges (thank-you notes).


Videos / Talks (at least 2)


Want to be Happy? Be Grateful (TED talk) — A talk on grateful living and daily practice. (Grateful.org)
Best for: A quick perspective shift and a simple daily framework.
The Power of Gratitude — Robert Emmons (Greater Good) — Short, research-informed overview from a leading gratitude researcher. (Greater Good)
Best for: A science-based summary in under 10 minutes.


Practical exercise / worksheet (at least 1)


Three Good Things (Greater Good in Action) — Write three things that went well each day (and why) for at least a week. (Greater Good in Action)
Best for: People who want a simple daily habit with strong research roots.
Optional extra practice: Gratitude Letter (Greater Good in Action) — Write (and ideally deliver) a letter to someone you never properly thanked. (Greater Good in Action)
Best for: Strengthening relationships and making gratitude tangible.


 


 

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