CBS News journalist Steve Hartman has built a career on finding the extraordinary within the ordinary. At a time when headlines are dominated by division and despair, Hartman’s stories remind us that hope and kindness are far from absent, they’re simply waiting to be discovered.

In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to close and children to learn from home, Hartman saw an opportunity. Families were struggling not only with the logistics of remote learning but with the emotional weight of uncertainty. Inspired by his own children, Hartman launched Kindness 101, a digital series designed to teach core values through storytelling. What began as an experiment quickly became a much-needed source of inspiration for children and adults alike.

Each episode of Kindness 101 focuses on a specific virtue: kindness, courage, humility, character, respect, justice, determination, redemption and fortitude. The series draws on Hartman’s extensive library of stories from his On the Road series. These are not just feel-good tales but touching lessons in what it means to live with integrity. A man forgives someone who altered the course of his life with a single mistake. A child facing a terminal illness inspires resilience in those around her. A small community comes together to lift the spirits of a struggling neighbor. These stories seem small in scale but are enormous in their impact, showing that true greatness often lies in the quiet, everyday decisions to care for others.

One memorable segment has a group of seniors in a local community giving advice in a booth at the local farmer’s market. The banner reads: “Old Coots Giving Advice” with the disclaimer: “It may be bad, but it’s free.”

What makes Kindness 101 stand out is its simplicity. Hartman speaks directly to his audience, using his approachable, conversational tone to engage viewers. There are no lofty lectures, just the simple message that virtues like kindness and generosity are not abstract ideals but actionable choices. He doesn’t just tell us these values matter, he shows us through the lives of real people. The result is a series that not only teaches but uplifts, encouraging viewers to see themselves as capable of making a difference.

The brilliance of Kindness 101 lies in its universal appeal. While the series was originally created with children in mind, the lessons resonate with adults just as strongly. Kindness 101 challenges us to pause and consider what really matters, not the noise of the news cycle or the distractions of modern life, but the enduring values that bind us as human beings.

Hartman’s work reminds us that kindness is not a grand, unattainable ideal but a collection of small, deliberate acts. It’s a choice we make every day, in how we treat our neighbors, how we respond to adversity, and how we extend grace to those who may not deserve it.

Let’s remember that kindness is gratitude in action. It brings us together and reminds us of the humanity we all share.