The Kindness Effect: How Your Brain Changes When You Care with Jedidiah Thurner

Change Your Brain Every Day

Dr Daniel Amen

Mental Health, Health & Fitness

4.7 • 2K Ratings

🗓️ 4 May 2026

⏱️ 44 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this fascinating episode, brain health expert Daniel Amen joins forces with special guest Jedidiah Thurner to explore the surprising neuroscience behind kindness. Together, they unpack how simple acts of compassion can rewire your brain, boost mental health, and even improve your physical well-being.

From the chemistry of empathy to the long-term effects of positive behavior on brain function, this conversation blends cutting-edge science with real-world insights you can actually use. Jedidiah brings a fresh perspective to the discussion, diving into how intentional kindness shapes relationships, resilience, and personal growth.

If you've ever wondered whether being kind really makes a difference—this episode will change how you think about your brain, your habits, and your impact on the world.

More on Good Neighbor Day: Good Neighbor Day America is a nationwide movement to inspire the Good Neighbor in every American through love, kindness, and service. As we look ahead to America's 250th anniversary, we're proud to partner with America250 to honor this historic milestone. The nation's most loved charities, faith-based organizations, churches, and businesses are coming together for a monumental day of service.

https://goodneighbordayamerica.com/

Transcript

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0:00.0	Kindness and love are drastically different things. There are so many different versions of love that would not be kind. I don't think many of us are ready to love. But kindness is clear. It's the choice you're actually making, regardless of you have an emotion for it. Kindness is a bridge to the other side of what's possible. Jedediah Thurner is a strategic leader and co-founder of Love Has No Limits. Mobilizing massive volunteer movements to empower communities in crisis.
0:23.6	Dr. Amen and Jedediah discuss the importance of kindness and how we can improve your mental health.
0:28.8	People want to do good. They just don't know how. Through giving back, it helps you.
0:34.3	When people are anxious, they're thinking about themselves and what they don't have.
0:40.0	When you're helping someone else, you're thinking about how to be useful.
0:46.6	People who did acts of kindness for themselves didn't get...
0:54.7	Every day, you are making your brain better or you are making it worse.
1:00.3	Stay with us to learn how you can change your brain for the better every day.
1:06.6	People come to A.man clinics from all over the world for answers.
1:10.3	With 11 clinics in major hubs, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, D.C., L.A., Miami, New York, Orange County, Seattle, San Francisco, and Scottsdale.
1:23.7	Expert brain care is closer than you think.
1:27.3	Visit amenclinics.com.
1:31.0	Change your brain every day.
1:34.1	I have a very special show that I came in to film because time is of the essence.
1:42.3	Jedediah Thurner, he and I are going to talk about Good Neighbor Day and the 250 million
1:50.5	acts of kindness challenge.
1:54.5	Jed is a strategic thought leader speaker, co-founder of love has No Limits, a nonprofit that provides sustainable solutions
2:03.4	to the greatest challenges facing our communities. In 2021, Love Has No Limits made national
2:12.3	headlines with One Day LA and the freedom experience, a first of its kind served for access concert at SoFi Stadium,
2:22.8	that brought together 20,000 volunteers, including pop star Justin Bieber.
2:30.8	Today, Jedediah is helping lead a national kindness movement, which I have joined,
2:38.4	through Good Neighbor Day America, inspiring 250 million acts of kindness leading up to May 16th.
	...

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