For a kid raised in the slums of Kenya, life was harsh and unforgiving. Hunger, violence, and bad sanitation were normal. So what would it take for a starving boy from the streets of Nairobi to become a leader who millions of people looked to for clean water, education, safety and hope. It all started with a single stolen mango.

For a kid raised in the slums of Kenya, life was harsh and unforgiving. Hunger, violence, and bad sanitation were normal. So what would it take for a starving boy from the streets of Nairobi to become a leader who millions of people looked to for clean water, education, safety and hope. It all started with a single stolen mango.

Stay tuned.

Stay tuned.

In the West. We may have wealth, but do we actually feel wealthy? Kennedy Odeedda grew up in Quibera, the largest urban slum in all of Africa. As a boy, Kennedy aspired to work in a factory and earned ten cents a day, But life took a sharp turn when, as a starving ten year old, he stole a single mango. Chaos ensued, and thanks to a small act of kindness, it changed the trajectory of Kennedy's life. Today, Kennedy is the founder and CEO of Shining Hope for Communities or SHOFK. They bring the most basic necessities to the slums of Kenya, helping over four million people get everything from clean water to education, from toilets to internet cafes. And the biggest lesson that Kennedy's learned from all his work is that what makes us feel wealthy is not how much stuff we have, it's the people we keep around us. This is a bit of optimism. Hey Kennedy, Hey Simone, how are you fine? Thanks? How are you?

In the West. We may have wealth, but do we actually feel wealthy? Kennedy Odeedda grew up in Quibera, the largest urban slum in all of Africa. As a boy, Kennedy aspired to work in a factory and earned ten cents a day, But life took a sharp turn when, as a starving ten year old, he stole a single mango. Chaos ensued, and thanks to a small act of kindness, it changed the trajectory of Kennedy's life. Today, Kennedy is the founder and CEO of Shining Hope for Communities or SHOFK. They bring the most basic necessities to the slums of Kenya, helping over four million people get everything from clean water to education, from toilets to internet cafes. And the biggest lesson that Kennedy's learned from all his work is that what makes us feel wealthy is not how much stuff we have, it's the people we keep around us. This is a bit of optimism. Hey Kennedy, Hey Simone, how are you fine? Thanks? How are you?

I'm big with thank you for Where are you?

I'm big with thank you for Where are you?

I'm in Aiobi, you're in Nairobi. I was in Nairobi. When was I there in June?

I'm in Aiobi, you're in Nairobi. I was in Nairobi. When was I there in June?

Oh? That's listening.

Oh? That's listening.

I'm going to start with a question. Tell me something that you're optimistic about in the world.

I'm going to start with a question. Tell me something that you're optimistic about in the world.

I'm really is the youth gives me hope. I just feel like they are not giving up. And as someone who's coming from Africa continent whereby most of my leaders, they have really taken us around and around, and you see these young people becoming innovative. They are doing startups, they are doing charities. You know, they are getting into leadership. So that's something good.

I'm really is the youth gives me hope. I just feel like they are not giving up. And as someone who's coming from Africa continent whereby most of my leaders, they have really taken us around and around, and you see these young people becoming innovative. They are doing startups, they are doing charities. You know, they are getting into leadership. So that's something good.

One of the reasons I was so excited to talk to you as in Nairobi in June and I drove past the Kabara Slam. It is huge. It was amazing to me how big it is and how many people live there and go to work there every day. And I know that that's where you grew up. You were able to lift yourself out of poverty and go into the world and do amazing things. But the reason I wanted to talk to you in particular is you are a perfect example of, whether you want to call it divine intervention or luck, where your life is going in one direction and something intervenes to change the direction suddenly that here you are, the kid in the slum, you steal a mango.

One of the reasons I was so excited to talk to you as in Nairobi in June and I drove past the Kabara Slam. It is huge. It was amazing to me how big it is and how many people live there and go to work there every day. And I know that that's where you grew up. You were able to lift yourself out of poverty and go into the world and do amazing things. But the reason I wanted to talk to you in particular is you are a perfect example of, whether you want to call it divine intervention or luck, where your life is going in one direction and something intervenes to change the direction suddenly that here you are, the kid in the slum, you steal a mango.

Yes, you tell me the story.

Yes, you tell me the story.

I know, God, Yes, yeah, So I was around.

I know, God, Yes, yeah, So I was around.

I think ten eleven there, and what happened for me is so growing up, growing up in poverty, as you know your personal copter, it is a tough place. Everything is scars for discuss. There was no clean water, there was no toilets around. People really live as if they are refuge in their own country. I didn't want to be a thief. I was stealing one mango because I was I was hungry and more justice. They jump on me whussy whusy, which means so heay thief, thief, And I'm a baby man, you know, And I knew that moment I'm dead because in my community I have seen when you go through a lot, people who live in tough places, they put their anger into something small. So when they say a thief, we see them being killed. Right, So I say, you know what, I'm done just for this, for me, just to eat. So then this man walks in and be like stop, stop, why are you between this kid? Why are you between this kid? And then he says, going to pay it? And then how many mangoes? There's one every It was felt ashamed, even those were pitting me.

I think ten eleven there, and what happened for me is so growing up, growing up in poverty, as you know your personal copter, it is a tough place. Everything is scars for discuss. There was no clean water, there was no toilets around. People really live as if they are refuge in their own country. I didn't want to be a thief. I was stealing one mango because I was I was hungry and more justice. They jump on me whussy whusy, which means so heay thief, thief, And I'm a baby man, you know, And I knew that moment I'm dead because in my community I have seen when you go through a lot, people who live in tough places, they put their anger into something small. So when they say a thief, we see them being killed. Right, So I say, you know what, I'm done just for this, for me, just to eat. So then this man walks in and be like stop, stop, why are you between this kid? Why are you between this kid? And then he says, going to pay it? And then how many mangoes? There's one every It was felt ashamed, even those were pitting me.

For me some of that. At that moment, I saw the good in humanity. Yeah. But that moment for me is like, who are you? He said the word I'm a good Samaritan.

For me some of that. At that moment, I saw the good in humanity. Yeah. But that moment for me is like, who are you? He said the word I'm a good Samaritan.

I'm a good Samaritan.

I'm a good Samaritan.

He said, yes, I don't know his name. I never met him again. And for me, I think that was a moment. Despite us living in a tough life, there is always good of humanity.

He said, yes, I don't know his name. I never met him again. And for me, I think that was a moment. Despite us living in a tough life, there is always good of humanity.

Most people do things to get something back, right.

Most people do things to get something back, right.

This man I didn't care. Right, he took me for shopping on the street, by me some more food. Yeah, And that really changed the way I see things that It was a very very important moment in my life.

This man I didn't care. Right, he took me for shopping on the street, by me some more food. Yeah, And that really changed the way I see things that It was a very very important moment in my life.

So here you are, ten or eleven years old, you learn this lesson of intervention. And helping and doing good for someone. And as you said, he left, he he he was a figment of your imagination. After that. You don't know his name, you don't know who he is. It was this intervention that changed the course of your life. And we'll get to we'll get to the work you've done as an adult, but as a boy, you're eleven years old, How does that show up in your life? Now? How does that that that interaction affect you and your childhood? You know, what were you like before that event? What did you start to become like after that event?

So here you are, ten or eleven years old, you learn this lesson of intervention. And helping and doing good for someone. And as you said, he left, he he he was a figment of your imagination. After that. You don't know his name, you don't know who he is. It was this intervention that changed the course of your life. And we'll get to we'll get to the work you've done as an adult, but as a boy, you're eleven years old, How does that show up in your life? Now? How does that that that interaction affect you and your childhood? You know, what were you like before that event? What did you start to become like after that event?

After that event, it changed my life.

After that event, it changed my life.

Its planted something in me, you know, I start taking life very special.

Its planted something in me, you know, I start taking life very special.

Yeah for me to a joke.

Yeah for me to a joke.

Because I've seen other kids being killed, I've seen people who still just one left being put a tire on them and being banned. So as a kid had been traumatized by mob justice.

Because I've seen other kids being killed, I've seen people who still just one left being put a tire on them and being banned. So as a kid had been traumatized by mob justice.

Right, This is why I just need to restate this. I need people to understand, yes, that this is not just beating a kid up because they were a thief. You saw somebody who stole a wallet and they put a tire around his body and then set him on fire.

Right, This is why I just need to restate this. I need people to understand, yes, that this is not just beating a kid up because they were a thief. You saw somebody who stole a wallet and they put a tire around his body and then set him on fire.

I set it on fire and not once, several times, and I've seen people beaten to death with stones, you know, people just raiding on you.

I set it on fire and not once, several times, and I've seen people beaten to death with stones, you know, people just raiding on you.

Right, So nineteen nine percent how could be dead? Yeah?

Right, So nineteen nine percent how could be dead? Yeah?

And and nothing they do because we can't arrest everybody done.

And and nothing they do because we can't arrest everybody done.

He was a thief. Okay, we are teaching that kid, I listen.

He was a thief. Okay, we are teaching that kid, I listen.

We're more likely teaching all the other kids that les.

We're more likely teaching all the other kids that les.

Yes, right, and it's interesting.

Yes, right, and it's interesting.

Someone, let's go back again this and I don't a boy too much as they now come into my head because sometimes we do things that I like without really connecting to because the life I lived in is next, next, next is hustling life.

Someone, let's go back again this and I don't a boy too much as they now come into my head because sometimes we do things that I like without really connecting to because the life I lived in is next, next, next is hustling life.

But yeah, there's two things.

But yeah, there's two things.

The seuine being want to kill you because you're hungry for stilling one man without asking why are you pitting this kid? And then again another person is like, no, you are in anger.

The seuine being want to kill you because you're hungry for stilling one man without asking why are you pitting this kid? And then again another person is like, no, you are in anger.

For why people so many people saw men?

For why people so many people saw men?

And then again you're like, wow, there is hope. Right, someone really saved my life. And this for me now depends. Do I want to focus that I was beaten to death? Yeah, be honest with you, Simon that place less in my life. What captures me is a good Samaritan saved my life, right, And I started.

And then again you're like, wow, there is hope. Right, someone really saved my life. And this for me now depends. Do I want to focus that I was beaten to death? Yeah, be honest with you, Simon that place less in my life. What captures me is a good Samaritan saved my life, right, And I started.

Seeing life in that way.

Seeing life in that way.

Or I could be angry man who doesn't want to do anything because people were mean to me. People wanted to kill me because I focus on Gostan planned something in me of doing good, and you can see the history of my work moving on. There was nothing of gaining back. No, you do good because you're supposed to do good. You do good because a good Samaritan that I don't know, not my relative, not my friend. Their name will not be written in any book. Their name will not be written in any university building. Okay, don't do it that if it worst that a while, you know, but their names is written in my hat and the generation that read this story. So for me, that's very powerful and I use that story a lot of my communities.

Or I could be angry man who doesn't want to do anything because people were mean to me. People wanted to kill me because I focus on Gostan planned something in me of doing good, and you can see the history of my work moving on. There was nothing of gaining back. No, you do good because you're supposed to do good. You do good because a good Samaritan that I don't know, not my relative, not my friend. Their name will not be written in any book. Their name will not be written in any university building. Okay, don't do it that if it worst that a while, you know, but their names is written in my hat and the generation that read this story. So for me, that's very powerful and I use that story a lot of my communities.

It's rich. Let's just flash forward a little bit, but I want to come back here. Let's flash forward a little bit. So how old were you when you started your charity?

It's rich. Let's just flash forward a little bit, but I want to come back here. Let's flash forward a little bit. So how old were you when you started your charity?

Fifteen years old?

Fifteen years old?

Oh my god, So you're fifteen years old and you started charity. What was the initial intention of the charity? And you're still living in Nairobi when you're fifteen years old, Yes, and you started so you're a poor kid who then decides to become a good Samaritan. What does the original charity do?

Oh my god, So you're fifteen years old and you started charity. What was the initial intention of the charity? And you're still living in Nairobi when you're fifteen years old, Yes, and you started so you're a poor kid who then decides to become a good Samaritan. What does the original charity do?

I really became very generous and my mom can say that I will give my sweater, people are called my mom will be mad at me.

I really became very generous and my mom can say that I will give my sweater, people are called my mom will be mad at me.

Why do you give you a swet away? Like mom? Somebody that kid didn't have a sweater.

Why do you give you a swet away? Like mom? Somebody that kid didn't have a sweater.

Okay, So even my mother, who I love so much, who believe in giving, thought I was two extreme.

Okay, So even my mother, who I love so much, who believe in giving, thought I was two extreme.

So this was planted in me by story, but it was not structured.

So this was planted in me by story, but it was not structured.

So what happened is that when I grow I give this idea, how can I do something that really having a bigger impact, not just giving my sweater or just giving one food here like that. As a kid, right mates the King with Doctor King really inspired me, the story of Doctor King. So I fell in love with Books of Hope. The way I was able to stop using drugs. Even though I was saved by this book some time, the society was still Why I was into drugs was to run away from the pain, the pain of dealing this thing every day.

So what happened is that when I grow I give this idea, how can I do something that really having a bigger impact, not just giving my sweater or just giving one food here like that. As a kid, right mates the King with Doctor King really inspired me, the story of Doctor King. So I fell in love with Books of Hope. The way I was able to stop using drugs. Even though I was saved by this book some time, the society was still Why I was into drugs was to run away from the pain, the pain of dealing this thing every day.

So every time we use those drugs, you forget it.

So every time we use those drugs, you forget it.

So then what happened to me, which I'm so lucky, is when I fell in love with books. They became my drugs. I could read and I forgot my property. And I will be with the doctor King in America. I'll be in the nontheralance struggle that through books, I will be with Nelson Mandela South Africa.

So then what happened to me, which I'm so lucky, is when I fell in love with books. They became my drugs. I could read and I forgot my property. And I will be with the doctor King in America. I'll be in the nontheralance struggle that through books, I will be with Nelson Mandela South Africa.

It was inspiring me.

It was inspiring me.

So everything I was doing, I was trying to reply them into my life. So in Kibera, we love football or soccer as a colle writing. And then malan about doctor King, I got so inspired, like he used what he had.

So everything I was doing, I was trying to reply them into my life. So in Kibera, we love football or soccer as a colle writing. And then malan about doctor King, I got so inspired, like he used what he had.

What this man had was a church.

What this man had was a church.

In a small church in Alabama, a young man ross and as from a small church, it became spall Right movement, it became more changed America. So I said, I can't be a preacher. I not a good preacher. Kennedy, Why I love this man? What all I do in my life at Kibeta. Then I say, by then African Americans, black people, they wanted to be together. So through church that's what they was there. Give them hope, love, caring. What about Kibera, my friend, we love soccer, so that's what I bought a soccer ball in twenty cents, and I says, doctor King, we asart from what we have.

In a small church in Alabama, a young man ross and as from a small church, it became spall Right movement, it became more changed America. So I said, I can't be a preacher. I not a good preacher. Kennedy, Why I love this man? What all I do in my life at Kibeta. Then I say, by then African Americans, black people, they wanted to be together. So through church that's what they was there. Give them hope, love, caring. What about Kibera, my friend, we love soccer, so that's what I bought a soccer ball in twenty cents, and I says, doctor King, we asart from what we have.

We have soccer. We love soccer and Shofko was founded from soccer.

We have soccer. We love soccer and Shofko was founded from soccer.

And so basically what you did is you invited kids to come and play.

And so basically what you did is you invited kids to come and play.

Yeah, we wanted a place that we can be sequia safe and share where by the girls and boys, and then from there we could play soccer and also go do cleanup with We didn't clean up, you know, it was about service.

Yeah, we wanted a place that we can be sequia safe and share where by the girls and boys, and then from there we could play soccer and also go do cleanup with We didn't clean up, you know, it was about service.

It was a terra. It just amazing.

It was a terra. It just amazing.

Simon just I don't know why people were meet with their money and well I feel sorry for them. There is joy. There is this joy when you're doing something right. So although we are poor, but when we go to these streets and clean up, we were like heroes and I felt like, wow, we're doing something postive.

Simon just I don't know why people were meet with their money and well I feel sorry for them. There is joy. There is this joy when you're doing something right. So although we are poor, but when we go to these streets and clean up, we were like heroes and I felt like, wow, we're doing something postive.

So slowly we're able to start helping keeps to their homework. So weber. Slowly we're able to start helping.

So slowly we're able to start helping keeps to their homework. So weber. Slowly we're able to start helping.

Women sally by slowly, shaft start growing to other things because we felt the joy because of property done for you. Property makes you feel unsell, begging poor, but yes I know we are like we are the service we are here to give and obviously up to now we received a lot and that's why we were able to do the shop.

Women sally by slowly, shaft start growing to other things because we felt the joy because of property done for you. Property makes you feel unsell, begging poor, but yes I know we are like we are the service we are here to give and obviously up to now we received a lot and that's why we were able to do the shop.

The Shafko is still only working in Kenya. Are you working all across Africa? Where are you located?

The Shafko is still only working in Kenya. Are you working all across Africa? Where are you located?

Our headquarter is in Quibera, So we have forty seven countries in Kina, but I know you're thirty five and it has just grown with over a thousand.

Our headquarter is in Quibera, So we have forty seven countries in Kina, but I know you're thirty five and it has just grown with over a thousand.

Stuff, a thousand stuff. Yeah, how many people do you help? And you and you're you're building toilets and you're just you're doing basic stuff.

Stuff, a thousand stuff. Yeah, how many people do you help? And you and you're you're building toilets and you're just you're doing basic stuff.

Yes, basic stuff.

Yes, basic stuff.

As you said when you grew up, no toilets, you know, no clean water, all of that stuff, and you're bringing these basic needs into people's lives.

As you said when you grew up, no toilets, you know, no clean water, all of that stuff, and you're bringing these basic needs into people's lives.

The power of unity is that that I really believe in. You cannot do anything alone. You cannot. And you see my work as you can fall up a little, you see that. I believe in ownership. That's now we are selling over four million people. But everyone in the community, they feel ownership. They have to own it. That's it. That's my That's kind of what I didn't believe in. Yeah, with no ownership, I'm doing.

The power of unity is that that I really believe in. You cannot do anything alone. You cannot. And you see my work as you can fall up a little, you see that. I believe in ownership. That's now we are selling over four million people. But everyone in the community, they feel ownership. They have to own it. That's it. That's my That's kind of what I didn't believe in. Yeah, with no ownership, I'm doing.

The work, all right. There's so many thoughts going through my head right now, will be right back. Are you familiar with the chemical in the human body called oxytocin. Yes, so this chemical in our body called oxytocin is responsible for our feelings of love, our feeling of friendship, our feelings of loyalty. It's all of the mushy mushy human stuff. And there are many healthy ways to get oxytocin. Physical contact is one of them. Another way to get oxytocin is through acts of service. That when we do something nice for someone with no expectation of anything in return. In other words, it's not a transaction to your point, yes, then the reward isn't money. The reward is oxytocin. The reward is I feel good. It feels nice to do something for someone. When someone is on the receiving end of an act of generosity. Somebody does something nice for you and doesn't ask for anything back, you feel good. You get oxytocin, right, And the more oxytocin you have in your body, the more generous you actually want to become. It's got a mother Nature's way of trying to get us to look after each other. That when people are good to us, we actually biologically want to be good to other people. And so as this young age, this man who intervenes and does an active kindness and generosity with no expectation of anything return. He pays for your mango, then takes you shopping to buy you more food. The profound impact you have is it feels so powerful to be given something that it actually makes you want to do it more. Yes, my favorite thing about oxytocin is that when you witness an active generosity or hear the story of an active generosity, you get oxytocin. In other words, me me hearing your story and us sharing your story makes people feel good, and so sharing the story is as valuable as the actual work you're doing. And your work proves it, which is, if you think about it, the amount of charities or businesses that start where we're gonna solve this huge problem and they don't, and they try and build a plan, And you did it very simply. You did what is the cheapest, simplest thing I can do with the highest probability of success that makes me generous to someone. I can buy a twenty cent soccer ball and I can take a bunch of kids to play football, and we will play, and at the end I will ask them to help clean up the slum and they will have fun with friends. But more importantly, they get the joy of doing something that other people say you're you were part of cleaning it up.

The work, all right. There's so many thoughts going through my head right now, will be right back. Are you familiar with the chemical in the human body called oxytocin. Yes, so this chemical in our body called oxytocin is responsible for our feelings of love, our feeling of friendship, our feelings of loyalty. It's all of the mushy mushy human stuff. And there are many healthy ways to get oxytocin. Physical contact is one of them. Another way to get oxytocin is through acts of service. That when we do something nice for someone with no expectation of anything in return. In other words, it's not a transaction to your point, yes, then the reward isn't money. The reward is oxytocin. The reward is I feel good. It feels nice to do something for someone. When someone is on the receiving end of an act of generosity. Somebody does something nice for you and doesn't ask for anything back, you feel good. You get oxytocin, right, And the more oxytocin you have in your body, the more generous you actually want to become. It's got a mother Nature's way of trying to get us to look after each other. That when people are good to us, we actually biologically want to be good to other people. And so as this young age, this man who intervenes and does an active kindness and generosity with no expectation of anything return. He pays for your mango, then takes you shopping to buy you more food. The profound impact you have is it feels so powerful to be given something that it actually makes you want to do it more. Yes, my favorite thing about oxytocin is that when you witness an active generosity or hear the story of an active generosity, you get oxytocin. In other words, me me hearing your story and us sharing your story makes people feel good, and so sharing the story is as valuable as the actual work you're doing. And your work proves it, which is, if you think about it, the amount of charities or businesses that start where we're gonna solve this huge problem and they don't, and they try and build a plan, And you did it very simply. You did what is the cheapest, simplest thing I can do with the highest probability of success that makes me generous to someone. I can buy a twenty cent soccer ball and I can take a bunch of kids to play football, and we will play, and at the end I will ask them to help clean up the slum and they will have fun with friends. But more importantly, they get the joy of doing something that other people say you're you were part of cleaning it up.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Yes. And then you discover that over the course of time, you start to find something else you could do, and you start to find something else you can do, and before you know it, you're servicing millions of people and you've got a thousand staff members, which was never the vision. I'm struck by that, Thank you. I'm also struck by your point of view about what we focus on is what we become. You could have been the victim and said I was beaten up and I hate that, and you said it. You said it. When people have nothing and you feel like you have no control over your life, you try to find anything that you can control to make you feel like you have some sort of agency. You talk about addiction, an addiction you said was important because it helped you forget about poverty. Yes, the new addiction became giving and service helped you forget about poverty, except it's more socially constructive than taking drugs. Yes, one is selfish, one is selfless, one is pro social, but the other one is antisocial.

Yes. And then you discover that over the course of time, you start to find something else you could do, and you start to find something else you can do, and before you know it, you're servicing millions of people and you've got a thousand staff members, which was never the vision. I'm struck by that, Thank you. I'm also struck by your point of view about what we focus on is what we become. You could have been the victim and said I was beaten up and I hate that, and you said it. You said it. When people have nothing and you feel like you have no control over your life, you try to find anything that you can control to make you feel like you have some sort of agency. You talk about addiction, an addiction you said was important because it helped you forget about poverty. Yes, the new addiction became giving and service helped you forget about poverty, except it's more socially constructive than taking drugs. Yes, one is selfish, one is selfless, one is pro social, but the other one is antisocial.

What puts you down make you feel useless.

What puts you down make you feel useless.

There is this feeling as a collage like wow, shoulder high, your head is high out of the sand. I am part of solution. I am part of chid better side is your sad. Somebody is helping you want you know. So I think it really helped me so much to feel like I'm not poor. Who say poverty? And up to now we maybe me and my friends from Queberta, I have to now we say that proverty is not just materials. You can be the mostly just money the one. But you are so poor, right poor.

There is this feeling as a collage like wow, shoulder high, your head is high out of the sand. I am part of solution. I am part of chid better side is your sad. Somebody is helping you want you know. So I think it really helped me so much to feel like I'm not poor. Who say poverty? And up to now we maybe me and my friends from Queberta, I have to now we say that proverty is not just materials. You can be the mostly just money the one. But you are so poor, right poor.

Usued to say more about that? Tell me what you mean? You say you can meet the richest man in the world and they will feel poor, but you can be poor and barter and you can feel rich.

Usued to say more about that? Tell me what you mean? You say you can meet the richest man in the world and they will feel poor, but you can be poor and barter and you can feel rich.

So so I'll tell you something simple.

So so I'll tell you something simple.

Despite our struggle in Quibera, we so wealth because Samon says something perfortable.

Despite our struggle in Quibera, we so wealth because Samon says something perfortable.

Forget about love, my friend.

Forget about love, my friend.

When you have love, love produced kindness, love produce self.

When you have love, love produced kindness, love produce self.

Is that's wet and you feel light. You know, anytime I get angry, I feel heavy. Okay, I feel so heavy. Any time I'm so hap People like Hi, Simon, how are you doing? Hi Kennedy? Right? So they sorry, about it.

Is that's wet and you feel light. You know, anytime I get angry, I feel heavy. Okay, I feel so heavy. Any time I'm so hap People like Hi, Simon, how are you doing? Hi Kennedy? Right? So they sorry, about it.

For me, that is wealth, and we always forget that wealth is materialistic. No, anybody can be wealthy by stealing, by being caught up this right, and you're gonna be wealthy. But it takes some work to be a person of love. And love comes through experience. Love comes through your mother dying from cancer. Love comes through bitten to stealing a mango. Love comes from no, it comes from pain if you know how to master it, and it turns into love. Right, And that's wealth. So when I look around Quebeta, I saw a lot of wealth.

For me, that is wealth, and we always forget that wealth is materialistic. No, anybody can be wealthy by stealing, by being caught up this right, and you're gonna be wealthy. But it takes some work to be a person of love. And love comes through experience. Love comes through your mother dying from cancer. Love comes through bitten to stealing a mango. Love comes from no, it comes from pain if you know how to master it, and it turns into love. Right, And that's wealth. So when I look around Quebeta, I saw a lot of wealth.

Honestly.

Honestly.

For example, I went to America to study. People don't know their neighbor. I'm like, that's poverty.

For example, I went to America to study. People don't know their neighbor. I'm like, that's poverty.

You don't know your.

You don't know your.

Neighbor, that's poverty. My friend in Quiebera I can work with, Like, oh that's what.

Neighbor, that's poverty. My friend in Quiebera I can work with, Like, oh that's what.

So that's what.

So that's what.

So if I need assault, I will go get some something. If I need some food, I can knock this door. And for me, that's when I went to America. That's the thing I missed. I missed that part. People are saying hi to you. You go to America.

So if I need assault, I will go get some something. If I need some food, I can knock this door. And for me, that's when I went to America. That's the thing I missed. I missed that part. People are saying hi to you. You go to America.

Not only business. You're in the elevator. People are just saday. I used to be like, hey, how are you money? People don't want to talk. I'm like, what is going on there anyway?

Not only business. You're in the elevator. People are just saday. I used to be like, hey, how are you money? People don't want to talk. I'm like, what is going on there anyway?

Okay, No, this is what I'm learning from you, right that you are making the distinction between being rich and feeling rich. And there's a lot of wealthy people in the world. They may have wealth, but do they feel wealth? And I would argue now, because that's why they keep trying to add to their wealth, thinking that the feeling will come. They keep thinking that if I make more, eventually I will feel rich. And I think that in the West, we have wealth, but we don't feel wealthy. Yes, and we are addicted. We have the same addiction that you had as a young boy in Quberra. We are addicted to money and it helps us feel like we don't have to think about the stress and the strain and the lack of love in our lives and the lack of friendship and the fact that I don't know my neighbor and the fact that I get angry at things and I walk And I love what you said. When I'm angry, I'm heavy. When I'm happy, I'm light. You said it. And we're addicted to money. We're addicted to the material and we in the West come to Africa, we drive past the slums in Nairobi and we say to them, Oh, they're so poor. I feel so sorry for them, look at them, which is the same thing as a drug addict looking at everybody who's not a drug addict, saying I feel so sorry for everybody that you don't have more high, that you don't feel high like I feel high right now. I feel so sorry for you. And yet these more Africans are looking at us, going, you idiots, you're all addicted to drugs. Yes, it's true, and we may have struggled, but we have lightness. We may have struggled, but we have love. We may have struggle, but we feel wealthy. And you have so much more than us. And yet you are so sad and heavy money thinking that that is what will alleviate your pain. But all it is doing is hiding it. Yes, and you are living proof of that. I think the West can learn more from a slum in Nairobi. It's true, then the people in the slum of Nairobi can learn from the West, because trying to emulate the way we live our lives just makes you heavy. It's true, and just makes you addicted to the wrong thing to hide your pain.

Okay, No, this is what I'm learning from you, right that you are making the distinction between being rich and feeling rich. And there's a lot of wealthy people in the world. They may have wealth, but do they feel wealth? And I would argue now, because that's why they keep trying to add to their wealth, thinking that the feeling will come. They keep thinking that if I make more, eventually I will feel rich. And I think that in the West, we have wealth, but we don't feel wealthy. Yes, and we are addicted. We have the same addiction that you had as a young boy in Quberra. We are addicted to money and it helps us feel like we don't have to think about the stress and the strain and the lack of love in our lives and the lack of friendship and the fact that I don't know my neighbor and the fact that I get angry at things and I walk And I love what you said. When I'm angry, I'm heavy. When I'm happy, I'm light. You said it. And we're addicted to money. We're addicted to the material and we in the West come to Africa, we drive past the slums in Nairobi and we say to them, Oh, they're so poor. I feel so sorry for them, look at them, which is the same thing as a drug addict looking at everybody who's not a drug addict, saying I feel so sorry for everybody that you don't have more high, that you don't feel high like I feel high right now. I feel so sorry for you. And yet these more Africans are looking at us, going, you idiots, you're all addicted to drugs. Yes, it's true, and we may have struggled, but we have lightness. We may have struggled, but we have love. We may have struggle, but we feel wealthy. And you have so much more than us. And yet you are so sad and heavy money thinking that that is what will alleviate your pain. But all it is doing is hiding it. Yes, and you are living proof of that. I think the West can learn more from a slum in Nairobi. It's true, then the people in the slum of Nairobi can learn from the West, because trying to emulate the way we live our lives just makes you heavy. It's true, and just makes you addicted to the wrong thing to hide your pain.

So I think the West believed in individualism. Yeah, Africa has something called ubuntu spirit. You are because I am and I am because you are powerful. So when you believe that you are neighbor is there because the interconnection. So and I think that has been when you come to Africa, you come to Cada. You see that connection because I know the boon to split. We are co existed. Okay, you can't live by yourself, Simon, no matter how wealthy you are. Okay, you can leave the island. How would you do now? All listen when in this world you with your old money, samre Okay, Simon, you know what, live by yourself, you'll be the most sad person in the world.

So I think the West believed in individualism. Yeah, Africa has something called ubuntu spirit. You are because I am and I am because you are powerful. So when you believe that you are neighbor is there because the interconnection. So and I think that has been when you come to Africa, you come to Cada. You see that connection because I know the boon to split. We are co existed. Okay, you can't live by yourself, Simon, no matter how wealthy you are. Okay, you can leave the island. How would you do now? All listen when in this world you with your old money, samre Okay, Simon, you know what, live by yourself, you'll be the most sad person in the world.

Right.

Right.

So, but Africa knows that we are like you know what, we have to co exist together. So that's why tomorrow you're gonna come for sugar. Today you give you salt. Right, So I asked some people in America told me that I don't know for a second. One one when people started getting rich, communion started going away. So I think maybe it's money is the problem. Well, too much work in America, too much only in the worst. I think time now about that. Don't let wealth control you control the.

So, but Africa knows that we are like you know what, we have to co exist together. So that's why tomorrow you're gonna come for sugar. Today you give you salt. Right, So I asked some people in America told me that I don't know for a second. One one when people started getting rich, communion started going away. So I think maybe it's money is the problem. Well, too much work in America, too much only in the worst. I think time now about that. Don't let wealth control you control the.

Wealth, otherwise the well to lose something. I don't know what about that.

Wealth, otherwise the well to lose something. I don't know what about that.

The west overdid it on individualism. And I know there's an African proverb, you know, to go fast, go alone, to go far, go together. Yes, yes, And you said the umbutu spirit, which is we are better than I. Yes, I am you because you are me, and you are me because I am you. Yes that we are a community in the community will take care of each other. And you see this, You see this in poor neighborhoods a lot. Tell me if if Kibera is the same I went. I spent the day at Daavi, which is the largest slum in Mumbai in India. And just to give people a sense of how dense the population is, the island of Manhattan in New York City is twenty six square miles and the population of Manhattan, the people who live on that island is one point five million. And anybody who's ever been to New York City you know what that density feels like. Whereas in Mumbai, in in Dharavi, it's one square mile and it's between seven hundred and fifty thousand and a million people. They're not one hundred percent sure, Okay, So the people are living on top of each other literally, right. Wow, it is so dense, and you understand why disease spread so quickly. Yes, And when you walk through it, there's the water is filthy, and there's live power lines that if you have to duck your head. If you accidentally touch one, you'll die. Yes, you know, but I saw an entrepreneurial spirit that was electric. Because there's no sophisticated welfare system in India because it's too the country's too big. Yes, and so in the West, if you don't have a job, you won't die. You know that the odds of you dying if you don't have a job is very low. You may go live on a friend's couch. There is a church, you may take you in. There's a charity that might feed you. Death is not the obvious thing. If you lose your job, it may feel that way, but in reality it's not gonna happen. Whereas in India, if you lose your job, if you have nothing, you probably will die. It's the options are slim, and so it becomes this fantastic entrepreneurial hustle culture. I'm gonna go into the city center and I'm gonna take all the plastic out of the garbage, and they're gonna come back to Daravy and I'm gonna sell it, and somebody will buy the plastic and they'll sort it, and somebody else will melt it and make it into pellets. Then somebody else will take it back into industry and they all help each other, and it's this amazing entrepreneurial spirit. I saw a struggle, yes, but to your point, I saw people working together to make it work and it was really inspiring.

The west overdid it on individualism. And I know there's an African proverb, you know, to go fast, go alone, to go far, go together. Yes, yes, And you said the umbutu spirit, which is we are better than I. Yes, I am you because you are me, and you are me because I am you. Yes that we are a community in the community will take care of each other. And you see this, You see this in poor neighborhoods a lot. Tell me if if Kibera is the same I went. I spent the day at Daavi, which is the largest slum in Mumbai in India. And just to give people a sense of how dense the population is, the island of Manhattan in New York City is twenty six square miles and the population of Manhattan, the people who live on that island is one point five million. And anybody who's ever been to New York City you know what that density feels like. Whereas in Mumbai, in in Dharavi, it's one square mile and it's between seven hundred and fifty thousand and a million people. They're not one hundred percent sure, Okay, So the people are living on top of each other literally, right. Wow, it is so dense, and you understand why disease spread so quickly. Yes, And when you walk through it, there's the water is filthy, and there's live power lines that if you have to duck your head. If you accidentally touch one, you'll die. Yes, you know, but I saw an entrepreneurial spirit that was electric. Because there's no sophisticated welfare system in India because it's too the country's too big. Yes, and so in the West, if you don't have a job, you won't die. You know that the odds of you dying if you don't have a job is very low. You may go live on a friend's couch. There is a church, you may take you in. There's a charity that might feed you. Death is not the obvious thing. If you lose your job, it may feel that way, but in reality it's not gonna happen. Whereas in India, if you lose your job, if you have nothing, you probably will die. It's the options are slim, and so it becomes this fantastic entrepreneurial hustle culture. I'm gonna go into the city center and I'm gonna take all the plastic out of the garbage, and they're gonna come back to Daravy and I'm gonna sell it, and somebody will buy the plastic and they'll sort it, and somebody else will melt it and make it into pellets. Then somebody else will take it back into industry and they all help each other, and it's this amazing entrepreneurial spirit. I saw a struggle, yes, but to your point, I saw people working together to make it work and it was really inspiring.

The same as Kibera.

The same as Kibera.

The same is the same in Quibera. Is it entrepreneurial?

The same is the same in Quibera. Is it entrepreneurial?

Yes, yes, very really so something else I want to ask you, saying one now, it's very interesting. You can give me an answer. I felt when I was living in Quibera, in the toughest life, I was more aware, more connected to my soul. Right now, I have water, I have food, I don't word I want it. I feel that I have to struggle to connect to my soul. What do you think is the problem.

Yes, yes, very really so something else I want to ask you, saying one now, it's very interesting. You can give me an answer. I felt when I was living in Quibera, in the toughest life, I was more aware, more connected to my soul. Right now, I have water, I have food, I don't word I want it. I feel that I have to struggle to connect to my soul. What do you think is the problem.

I think there's two kinds of struggle, and it goes back to that magical chemical of oxytocin.

I think there's two kinds of struggle, and it goes back to that magical chemical of oxytocin.

Yes.

Yes.

Right. One of the things that produces oxytocin is shared hardship. So when people go into battle together, it makes them feel closer. When a family goes through tragedy together, it makes the family closer. And I think to your point in the West, the struggle we tend to go through is individual struggle. And when we struggle by ourselves, it does not produce the feelings of friendship and oxytocin and connectedness. It exacerbates the feeling of loneliness and despair.

Right. One of the things that produces oxytocin is shared hardship. So when people go into battle together, it makes them feel closer. When a family goes through tragedy together, it makes the family closer. And I think to your point in the West, the struggle we tend to go through is individual struggle. And when we struggle by ourselves, it does not produce the feelings of friendship and oxytocin and connectedness. It exacerbates the feeling of loneliness and despair.

Mm. Wow.

Mm. Wow.

And I think your analogy of the neighbor is that when I am depleted of eggs, when I am depleted of salt, yes, when I am depleted of joy, when I am depleted of energy, when I am depleted of hope, the one thing that we are not doing is going to our neighbors and saying, can you give me some hope? Yes? And that's the thing we haven't learned in the West. And the more we learn to ask for eggs literally, not metaphorically, the more we learn to ask for eggs from our neighbor, the easier it will become to ask for hope. When we run out of that as well.

And I think your analogy of the neighbor is that when I am depleted of eggs, when I am depleted of salt, yes, when I am depleted of joy, when I am depleted of energy, when I am depleted of hope, the one thing that we are not doing is going to our neighbors and saying, can you give me some hope? Yes? And that's the thing we haven't learned in the West. And the more we learn to ask for eggs literally, not metaphorically, the more we learn to ask for eggs from our neighbor, the easier it will become to ask for hope. When we run out of that as well.

Yes, speak way to Kibera. So surprise was ready in the newspaper that somewhere in New York and London someone died in the house for two months not being found, and we were as ourself, what the hell in my commis will be like, I've not seen Kennedy. I've not seen Kennedy. It's okay, it's common. We asked that, Hey, i've not seen mama, Mama Kennedy. We call mama, you know, mother. I'm not saying the father.

Yes, speak way to Kibera. So surprise was ready in the newspaper that somewhere in New York and London someone died in the house for two months not being found, and we were as ourself, what the hell in my commis will be like, I've not seen Kennedy. I've not seen Kennedy. It's okay, it's common. We asked that, Hey, i've not seen mama, Mama Kennedy. We call mama, you know, mother. I'm not saying the father.

What's happening? You know?

What's happening? You know?

So we needed those news better. We were like, this is crazy, how can that happen? And they were living in apartment, whichfore I was a big deal, Like it's a building like boom boom boom boomo.

So we needed those news better. We were like, this is crazy, how can that happen? And they were living in apartment, whichfore I was a big deal, Like it's a building like boom boom boom boomo.

Nobody cares, right people bodies decomposed.

Nobody cares, right people bodies decomposed.

Yeah, because there's no one they can talk to, and yet they were there.

Yeah, because there's no one they can talk to, and yet they were there.

He's so near and yet so far. So I got your point.

He's so near and yet so far. So I got your point.

Wow, we'll be right back. I just I just think this whole thing about be being wealthy and feeling wealthy because the things that we're struggling with in the West right now, loneliness, that epidemic proportions. Suicide is up. People are struggling, and everybody's looking somewhere. We're trying to do yoga, We're doing ketamine and mushrooms. We're doing all of these things to try and alleviate our feelings of despair and loneliness and lack of hope. You can see people grasping right on the political spectrums, on the left or the right. It's not grounded in any larger vision. It's just looking desperately to feel a part of something that gives my life meaning. And when you talk to those people who are in those movements, they will say, I've never felt so empowered. I've never felt like I've belonged to something in my life. This is magical. And you can go see them and they are with their brothers and their sisters, and they feel connected and they feel in common cause. Except is it adding or is it taking away?

Wow, we'll be right back. I just I just think this whole thing about be being wealthy and feeling wealthy because the things that we're struggling with in the West right now, loneliness, that epidemic proportions. Suicide is up. People are struggling, and everybody's looking somewhere. We're trying to do yoga, We're doing ketamine and mushrooms. We're doing all of these things to try and alleviate our feelings of despair and loneliness and lack of hope. You can see people grasping right on the political spectrums, on the left or the right. It's not grounded in any larger vision. It's just looking desperately to feel a part of something that gives my life meaning. And when you talk to those people who are in those movements, they will say, I've never felt so empowered. I've never felt like I've belonged to something in my life. This is magical. And you can go see them and they are with their brothers and their sisters, and they feel connected and they feel in common cause. Except is it adding or is it taking away?

And as someone as I took about that, what's happening in America right now? They left the right. I'm not from there, but I can give you my observation. Please, the Americans have stopped, they have stopped to listen to each other. You're from the left side, don't talk to me. You know something powerful that I work in my community. It's really amazing. There's something that I will never leave. So our elders used to sit another tree and they'll bring every side of the extreme and they'll be like, why, let's first understand why Simon is behaving like that?

And as someone as I took about that, what's happening in America right now? They left the right. I'm not from there, but I can give you my observation. Please, the Americans have stopped, they have stopped to listen to each other. You're from the left side, don't talk to me. You know something powerful that I work in my community. It's really amazing. There's something that I will never leave. So our elders used to sit another tree and they'll bring every side of the extreme and they'll be like, why, let's first understand why Simon is behaving like that?

Why why is Simon agree at us?

Why why is Simon agree at us?

Simony has because Simon, you don't eat food the last two days, and nobody has come to ask Simon, like, Simon, we need some food. So it's just eggs distiople right. So I felt like, if if Americans can start understanding, listen to each other side, not what they're doing now, but go under the roots of it and be like, why are you behaving this way? I will bring a lot of understanding. But right now they're all right. And when you have hold right Simon, that's the end. You have to have something called I want to listen to.

Simony has because Simon, you don't eat food the last two days, and nobody has come to ask Simon, like, Simon, we need some food. So it's just eggs distiople right. So I felt like, if if Americans can start understanding, listen to each other side, not what they're doing now, but go under the roots of it and be like, why are you behaving this way? I will bring a lot of understanding. But right now they're all right. And when you have hold right Simon, that's the end. You have to have something called I want to listen to.

You from love what's going on?

You from love what's going on?

You know, people have to start listening. So that's my feelings, Simon.

You know, people have to start listening. So that's my feelings, Simon.

I don't know.

I don't know.

I'm outside that, so I can't talk to the west.

I'm outside that, so I can't talk to the west.

So what you're saying is the elders will sit with the varying parties. They will listen. They will listen, and then they will summarize and find what the common ground and overlap is and what the true They will help translate what one party is feeling so the other party can have empathy and understand. They may not agree, but they can understand. So what you're highlighting is the importance of leadership and the value of leadership. And this is the other thing I learned when I visited these these poor neighborhoods, these poor communities in rural Kenya. I write books about leadership, and I learned from them. They're doing everything right. We met a you know, one of the mamas who organize some of the other women to teach them how to how to get rid of garbage so it's not just all over the farm, but they can dispose of it properly, and how to go to the bathroom and to build an outhouse for sanitary reasons. And you start to see how she organizes her community. And she's doing everything that I write in my books. And she has no education. She's doing everything right and it's just common sense, which is as you said it. I am you, and you are me, and you Aremian. Because the Umbutu because we need each other. We need each other. I cannot do this alone. We're going to do this together. I was just struck by how it's so good. Leadership is necessity, yes, and here the fact that I have to write about it, I think because it's a luxury, because we are the addiction to wealth and the ability to create wealth is so pervasive that we forget the skin. We don't have the struggle. It goes back to your need for struggle, which is when there is struggle, we do the right thing. We do not yet recognize in our nation the shared struggle that we are all facing, and there is one, and we have not yet recognized that all of our children are being hurt and all of us are being hurt by the state of the country. All I know is talking to you makes me feel hopeful because of a young man can experience the generosity of a stranger, to be so inspired to start a charity to help other people that grows and grows and grows to where now you have a thousand staff members and you're helping millions of people. The ripple of a small act of kindness. You know, it's the old chaos theory of a butterfly in China flaps its wings and there's a hurricane, you know in Alabama. Right, this is living proof of what it is. One man buys a mangoes and millions of people get fresh water.

So what you're saying is the elders will sit with the varying parties. They will listen. They will listen, and then they will summarize and find what the common ground and overlap is and what the true They will help translate what one party is feeling so the other party can have empathy and understand. They may not agree, but they can understand. So what you're highlighting is the importance of leadership and the value of leadership. And this is the other thing I learned when I visited these these poor neighborhoods, these poor communities in rural Kenya. I write books about leadership, and I learned from them. They're doing everything right. We met a you know, one of the mamas who organize some of the other women to teach them how to how to get rid of garbage so it's not just all over the farm, but they can dispose of it properly, and how to go to the bathroom and to build an outhouse for sanitary reasons. And you start to see how she organizes her community. And she's doing everything that I write in my books. And she has no education. She's doing everything right and it's just common sense, which is as you said it. I am you, and you are me, and you Aremian. Because the Umbutu because we need each other. We need each other. I cannot do this alone. We're going to do this together. I was just struck by how it's so good. Leadership is necessity, yes, and here the fact that I have to write about it, I think because it's a luxury, because we are the addiction to wealth and the ability to create wealth is so pervasive that we forget the skin. We don't have the struggle. It goes back to your need for struggle, which is when there is struggle, we do the right thing. We do not yet recognize in our nation the shared struggle that we are all facing, and there is one, and we have not yet recognized that all of our children are being hurt and all of us are being hurt by the state of the country. All I know is talking to you makes me feel hopeful because of a young man can experience the generosity of a stranger, to be so inspired to start a charity to help other people that grows and grows and grows to where now you have a thousand staff members and you're helping millions of people. The ripple of a small act of kindness. You know, it's the old chaos theory of a butterfly in China flaps its wings and there's a hurricane, you know in Alabama. Right, this is living proof of what it is. One man buys a mangoes and millions of people get fresh water.

Thank you, you are.

Thank you, you are.

An absolute inspiration. Thank you for your smile is contagious. How can we help you? How can we help your organization? What is it you need from us?

An absolute inspiration. Thank you for your smile is contagious. How can we help you? How can we help your organization? What is it you need from us?

I think someone is just for people to know about what we're doing, to learn from us.

I think someone is just for people to know about what we're doing, to learn from us.

Sometimes you never know.

Sometimes you never know.

I believe that in my work in America we have really transformed there people in the West who are willing to listen.

I believe that in my work in America we have really transformed there people in the West who are willing to listen.

Right, we change the way they see things, the way they know.

Right, we change the way they see things, the way they know.

So and the power of hope, just as I finished with Semonia, is that hope is not only for those who are poor in materials.

So and the power of hope, just as I finished with Semonia, is that hope is not only for those who are poor in materials.

Everyone needs hope.

Everyone needs hope.

Even up today, I should look forward for hope because hope is that light that you see at the head of tannel. We all have that light at the edd of talnel of our life. So it said that I always look far for for me, gis hope shining hope for communities, shoffle.

Even up today, I should look forward for hope because hope is that light that you see at the head of tannel. We all have that light at the edd of talnel of our life. So it said that I always look far for for me, gis hope shining hope for communities, shoffle.

Yeah, for anyone who is interested in learning more about your organization. We will put links into all of the notes and if anybody wants to volunteer and go work in Kenya with you, go to their website and learn more. You, Kennedy, are an inspiration. I'm so glad I got to meet you. Thank you so much for taking the time and absolute joy and absolute joy met too.

Yeah, for anyone who is interested in learning more about your organization. We will put links into all of the notes and if anybody wants to volunteer and go work in Kenya with you, go to their website and learn more. You, Kennedy, are an inspiration. I'm so glad I got to meet you. Thank you so much for taking the time and absolute joy and absolute joy met too.

Thank you so much. I'll receive you it Kena next time.

Thank you so much. I'll receive you it Kena next time.

I would like that very much. If you enjoyed this podcast and would like to hear more, please subscribe wherever you like to listen to podcasts, And if you'd like even more optimism, check out my website Simon Sinek dot com for classes, videos and more. Until then, take care of yourself, take care of each other.

I would like that very much. If you enjoyed this podcast and would like to hear more, please subscribe wherever you like to listen to podcasts, And if you'd like even more optimism, check out my website Simon Sinek dot com for classes, videos and more. Until then, take care of yourself, take care of each other.

A Bit of.

A Bit of.

Optimism is a production of The Optimism Company. It's produced and edited by David Jah and Greg Reiderschan and Henrietta Conrad is our executive producer.

Optimism is a production of The Optimism Company. It's produced and edited by David Jah and Greg Reiderschan and Henrietta Conrad is our executive producer.