Jaclyn sits down with the director (Jay Silverman) and star (Miguel Gabriel) of the inspiring film Camera to discuss its inspirations, how it came to life, and the many ways kindness can help you find your voice.
With the help of a broken film camera, an eccentric repairman (Beau Bridges) helps a boy who cannot speak (Miguel Gabriel) find his voice through photography, forming an unlikely friendship. Camera is currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Miguel Gabriel has been captivating audiences since he began his career in theater at the tender age of five. After a series of successful appearances in popular shows like "How to Get Away with Murder" and lending his voice to animated films like "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish," Miguel has made an exciting leap into his first feature film, "Camera." In this pivotal role as Oscar, he stars alongside Hollywood royalty, Beau Bridges, marking a significant milestone in his acting journey. Beyond his acting talents, Miguel is a passionate film enthusiast.
For over 35 years, Jay Silverman has excelled as a leading Director, Producer, and Photographer specializing in award-winning films, television, digital, and print campaigns; having worked with renowned celebrities such as Denzel Washington, Beyonce, Quentin Tarantino, Jamie Foxx, and Ray Charles.
Some of his early directorial work was for the original launches of the smash hit TV series "American Idol", "Desperate Housewives", "NYPD Blue", "The Drew Carey Show", and many more. Jay Co-Created and Executive Produced "The Cleaner", an hour-long drama for Paramount Pictures, which aired on A & E. Additionally, he produced and directed 40 episodes of "One on One" for TV One featuring many stars like Beyonce, Denzel Washington, Usher, Jamie Foxx, and Terrence Howard. Jay also produced and directed a one-hour special titled "Inside the Rings with Troy Aikman" airing on Fox before the 2011 Super Bowl to much success.
This podcast is one of the many ways we live out our organization's mission to educate and inspire people to choose kindness. Visit our site kindness.org and sign up to become a part of our global community which spans more than 100 countries. It's free to join and when you do you'll be the first to get access to our latest research, tools, and even episodes of this podcast. Let's build a kinder world, together. Contact us at podcast@kindness.org or on social at @kindnessorg. Do you know your KQ? Visit kindness.org/KQ to get your KQ today!
Important links from this week's episode:
kindness.org
jaysilvermanproductions.com
linktr.ee/camerathemovie
Follow on Social
IG: @camerathemovie, @silverman_jay, @officialmiguelgabriel
Credits
Transcript available at this link. https://why-kindness.simplecast.com/episodes/camera/transcript
Intro: [00:00:00] Why kindness? Because it makes a difference. For connection. Kindness can change lives. It's contagious. The science says you'll be glad you did. Kindness is beautiful. The key to a healthier, happier world. Why kindness? While no one answer is the same, one thing is clear. Kindness is something we all know, but do we know why it matters?
Jaclyn: I'm your host, Jaclyn Lindsey, co founder, CEO of kindness. org. And you're listening. To why kindness?
Hello friends. Welcome to another episode of the why kindness podcast. Truly so excited about this interview and can't wait for you to meet Miguel and Jay, who are joining us, the director and lead actor from the new film camera. We're going to dig into the film, hear more about their journeys and stories and the role kindness has played shaping their lives in the work that they do.
With that, I'm going to welcome Miguel [00:01:00] and Jay to the episode. Hello.
Jay: Hi.
Miguel: Yes. Thank, thank you for having us.
Jaclyn: Oh, my pleasure. Thank you so much both for being here. I know it was probably busy with scheduling to get two of you available at the same time, and I'm really excited and honored to dig into this interview.
So we start always with this big question. Why kindness? No wrong answers. Jay, I'm going to actually start with you. What would you say to why kindness?
Jay: You know, um, I have a business model that's, that's quite unique. I have a film production company that makes movies that are designed to stimulate, uh, the community, stimulate human beings with positive messaging.
In this particular case, we made a movie, uh, that, uh, has been reviewed multiple times specifically by viewers as being an incredibly [00:02:00] inspirational film. So that has kindness in it that has a heart and, uh, that is, you know, the messaging my company delivers with respect to trying to, uh, create change.
Candidly, you know, kind of the opposite of what Hollywood does.
Jaclyn: Love that. Thank you. Miguel, what would you say? Why kindness?
Miguel: When I was very little, I had like a speech impairment thing where I couldn't speak my words clearly. And, uh, and because of that, I struggled with communication and all that stuff.
So, uh, I went to a speech therapist and she suggested some theater and then, uh, that helped me overcome it. And then that was like, um, The start of how I became an actor, but also I, I learned that, you know, uh, I also, um, learned and experienced that the people that I'm always surrounded with are always so [00:03:00] kind and humble and very sweet.
And I learned that you should like always stay kind, no matter what situation you're in and that, you know, always have a humble heart.
Jaclyn: Beautiful. I love that. Jay, tell me the background or foundation or source of inspiration to build a production studio grounded in things like that. You know, which, to your point, might feel antithetical to typical Hollywood.
Jay: Um, to me, you know, it is, uh, it's wonderful to be here chatting about, about storytelling, because, um, I feel That because of communications being so instantly, you can turn on your television and, or turn on your phone or look at your computer and find answers to questions normally that weren't available 10, 15, 20 years ago, [00:04:00] instantly.
When I made my first movie girl on the edge, it was a story, uh, that was That that came from an experience that happened to my young daughter and she was unfortunately abused at school And in a bad way and bullied in a bad way, and I didn't know where to turn and you know You talk about kindness and an ability to be able to help people through struggles my daughter ended up getting equine therapy as a tool to Cope and and help her survive, uh, with, uh, post traumatic stress.
So that was the beginning of my journey and this is now my fourth film, Camera, and it's about the journey of The character that Miguel plays, which is a mute [00:05:00] that can't speak, but has an incredible intellect and an incredible desire to want to see the good things in life. And the movie portrays, you know, the struggles that I think most people encounter when they go to a new town, a new, in this particular case, it's a fishing village.
and find themselves in a situation where they're at odds with the population. Kind of like what happens in the news every day, if you follow the news.
Jaclyn: Yeah.
Jay: And the struggles that people have, um, can be, as, as one can understand, interpreted And a negative or a positive. And Miguel's character is galvanized by his optimism through his communication tool, which happens to be a camera.
Jaclyn: And when you tell these stories, Jay, what [00:06:00] is the, I guess, guiding light for you of how you honor what people have gone through, how you bring this to life on the big screen? What's the thing that you have to prioritize or think about to convey? that hardship and to honor that story, you know, so it's felt by the audience.
Jay: I think it's super important. And I think Hollywood feels the same way to extrapolate, um, casting needs with the common ground of working with people that have actually lived those experiences. Miguel, as he said, at the beginning of this podcast, you know, had pretty significant speech issues. And got from both, uh, physicians as well as his family, as well as an acting coach and found a way to ground himself, uh, so he could persevere.
And ironically, I'm speaking for [00:07:00] Miguel, it's quite an extraordinary story because not only does he play a mute in my movie, but in real life, he was struggling with major speech issues. overcame them and actually started doing Disney movies as voiceovers. Yeah. So if you think about a success story, , there's, there's nothing more special.
Jaclyn: Miguel, if you are comfortable sharing, what was life like when you were battling your speech impediment, and did you experience the things that we see the character and camera go through with the bullying? and cruelty of people. Was that any part of your real life journey?
Miguel: Yeah, um, yeah, me and, uh, me and my character Oscar, we can definitely relate to a lot.
We can definitely, I can definitely, uh, relate to him, um, relate to Oscar a lot. And my experience growing up with, uh, with my speech impediment [00:08:00] and the bullying, um, Uh, let's just say I found a way to handle it, you know, and that, um, I found a way to, uh, uh, always let myself know that I am loved and that, you know, uh, nobody, uh, can hurt me and that, you know, that, um, the people that I'm surrounded with will always, uh, protect me and, and, and love me and guide me.
Jaclyn: Well, that feels like a really mature way to handle something like that. And I think we have seen, we work with a lot of parents and schools, bullying is rampant. I think social media has introduced a new dimension, you know, that's really new for how we experience that. So for anyone listening who might have a child going through something like that, difficult, like bullying, um, or mistreatment.
What, what thoughts or feedback guidance would you give them over how they're supporting [00:09:00] their child?
Miguel: Uh, yes. My advice would be that when when someone is bullying you, uh, verbally. They're just saying that about themselves because unfortunately when it comes to bullying the bullies Um, they're also going through a lot.
So they take that out on to you know, uh innocent, uh, you know people and um and also another advice would be to um, Two parents would be just like always be there for them Make sure they're all right and like take care of them and that you know that um Teach them and keep loving them.
Jaclyn: That was really beautiful.
As a mom of two, I resonate. Jay, when you have brought these stories to life, it sounds like they've all had really unique and extraordinary themes that hopefully will inspire and drive that kind of change. What's your hope with camera?
Jay: You know, um, Jaclyn, [00:10:00] my hope was already realized almost instantaneously when I was in the lobby.
of a screening in Santa Monica, California, where we had, I don't know, 600 people show up. And before anybody walked in the door were these four women, and they were all in their 50s, 60s, 70s, but they were part of a group of parents that support one another. And, you know, it gave me kind of the chills that they had come to see camera based on the trailer.
And I said, well, what appealed to you about the trailer? And they said, well, number one, the child's got a disability and number two. We, as a group, she said to me, you know, I have two children. She said with down syndrome, another woman said, I have a child that's got a speaking disorder. Another woman said, my child has missing limbs.
[00:11:00] Um, all of them have one thing in common, and that is a desire to watch entertainment that would inspire their children. So it was like some kind of epiphany because I never intended. When I made this movie to alert those people, what I intended was tell a great story, you know, that's what filmmakers want to do.
And, but this benefit that this woman was saying that I don't have to have a speech impediment to want to come to that film. I wanted to come to that film. So my two children could sit next to me and be inspired that this boy. That has a speech impediment, could navigate his life in a positive way. And I just thought, wow.
And then of course, that's how we got Beau Bridges involved in the movie. That's how we, I think, and uh, Miguel has said this on his interviews many times. It was a [00:12:00] family when we made this movie. There wasn't one person on the crew that was not inspired To make a film that was going to help others see that there are choices in life and you can choose to go down this road or you can choose to go down this road.
You know, to answer your question, it's not about box office for me. It's not about how many people viewed the movie. It's about, I believe it's a contagious event. You know, I share this on podcasts. I saw a Netflix movie that was an old film, probably 20 years old, about a woman. Who had a child on the spectrum who was a drummer.
And the movie was called, I was almost, I was famous. And, um, and the man who's famous was, you know, a rock star and the boy that was on the spectrum was a drummer and he was 16 and I was [00:13:00] immediately connected to the mom because the mom had dedicated her life and put aside her goals to care for her son.
And when you hear Miguel talk about. The support he got. I mean, we should all be so lucky, you know, so when you don't have those resources. And this is huge to me. You wake up in the morning and you go, well, what tools do we have? And filmmaking is a tool. So my biggest dream is to emulate some kind of device, uh, that gives goodness, kindness.
Jaclyn: Yeah. Okay. Let's go to the beginning for the two of you, Miguel. You don't have as many years on yourself as Jay, but, um, what. Or who would you credit your desire for kindness, learning kindness? Like what, what was your earliest memory of experiencing it?
Miguel: I think my earliest memories of just [00:14:00] experiencing kindness would definitely be my mom because she always took care of me.
She has always loved me. She has always taught me a lot of things in life. And, um, um, I'm super grateful and blessed to have a mom like that. And. Also, just, I was just basically just surrounded by, uh, wonderful and loving people, uh, my family and my friends, and just, um, basically because of, you know, The love that my mom gave me, I, I also showed my loving kindness to not just her, but to like everybody around me.
Jaclyn: Beautiful. Thank you. Jay, do you have earliest childhood memories of where kindness was instilled in you?
Jay: I'm an anomaly, uh, not in an egotistic way, but I knew at 15 that I wanted to be a photographer. You know, that's what I [00:15:00] connected to with this movie. And the fact that I went to a local high school, which was, you know, I, not a private school, a very public school that had a photography department that happened to have a teacher that became a mentor at 15 that brought in fellow photographers from all around the country that happened to be in LA because he had rapport with these people and they would come in and they would show.
Big 16 by 20 black and white prints to little 15 year olds and say I made this picture of Winston Churchill And we'd go who's Winston Churchill, you know And they and and i'm going and why is this picture so special and then the guy describes He goes. Well, you know if you know anything about Winston Churchill, he smokes a cigar all the time And he wouldn't remove the cigar during the shoot and You I just felt it [00:16:00] was my job to rip that cigar out of his mouth.
You know, one of the leaders of the entire world. And the picture, if you Google Winston Churchill right now, one of the most used images is by an individual named Yosef Karsh, a photographer from Canada. And it's a very famous photograph. And I look at this photograph as a 15 year old and go, Oh my goodness.
Just like Miguel did in our movie. Not in our movie during the filming of our movie. He goes, I want to be a filmmaker, you know So these are lucky things because i've got children three daughters that are in their late 20s one of them Is a chef and the other two are still trying to figure out what they want to do And that's more common than not but in my generation Never, you know what i've imagined that I knew what I wanted to do and became what I wanted to do So, I don't know if that And it's all because people did [00:17:00] what I want to do now, which is give back.
Jaclyn: Yeah. Yeah. I think it validates how much we don't know about the impact of every choice. You know, when we talk about the ripple effect, people are like, but why? Like, what's the one thing that could happen when I do one kind act? You don't actually know, you know, I liken it to, um, an apple seed and you never know how many apples that one seed will bear fruit, right?
But it's the idea of that contagion effect and what can happen. Um, have you ever connected with that teacher at the photography club or did you ever go back?
Jay: Oh yeah, until he passed away, we were, we were always connected. That's amazing. I was trying, I, I got a big job to shoot Ray Charles. I don't even know if Miguel knows this story.
But, uh, his representative, Ray Charles, the famous singer, uh, Miguel, you knew [00:18:00] that. You should Google him.
Jaclyn: He's shaking his head. No, I'm just kidding.
Jay: But this is, this is a story about kindness that'll blow your, your, blow you away. Why? Because. He sent a representative into my studio before we shot our job and he knocked on a wall every 15 feet.
And he says, this is what Ray's going to do if we work together. And I said, okay, well, let's walk through the whole facility. And when, when he, when I got the job and Ray showed up, you know, it's a very, very prestigious opportunity to work with a legend and we're walking down the hallway of my studio. And he's knocking on the wall and it's echoing.
And then we get to the stage door and I say, you know, Mr. Charles, this is my stage that we're going to make the commercials. And I opened the door and the wind blows his face and, and he pauses and he [00:19:00] sniffs. And I said, Mr. Charles, he goes, please call me Ray. I said, Ray, I said, to your left is a 50 piece orchestra over their heads.
It's 70 images of you blown up five feet by five feet. And on your right is a magnificent sunset. This is where the piano sits. It's a white, you know, grand piano. And that is where you will sing, uh, the song. And, uh, he looks at me and his eyes walked up and he says, you know, I've been doing this for 60 years and no one's ever, uh, ever taken the position of explaining to me what I might see if I could see.
And I was like so blown away. And he says to me, he goes, you know, they have an X on the floor, Jay, you know, where I should stand. And a, a, uh, valet will take me from this point [00:20:00] to that X. He goes, but this will be the first time I'll ever walk to that piano and feel like I'm a part of the big picture. And I thought, my goodness, and that applies to everything in life.
Jaclyn: I think it speaks to so much of how much we empathize, or need to empathize with what someone's going through. And understand, even the point of the bully, you know, Miguel, what you said at the beginning, recognizing what they might be going through. And how we're showing up and speaking to that. And when you think of the characters of the bullies, then this can be for either of you.
I mean, it feels like they're really authentically portrayed as bullies. Um, you can't get away from a bully, right? Like they're everywhere. They're even in adults. Like it happens in children, but bullies are bullies and they still exist. Do you feel that there's a form of redemption for the bullies?
Jay: That's the best part of the whole movie. Because, you know, the word redemption is, is used in the [00:21:00] movie. But it is an extraordinary thing to get behind the eyes of our protagonist, Miguel, and to see how he sees the world. And it's, it's quite a, well, extraordinary moment in the movie when you see his point of view, because it's suspended disbelief.
You know, you don't know what he's thinking. All you know is silence. And, uh, pretty, that's what attracted me to the entire script was the idea that we can have an entire movie with a mute, but complimented by a superstar like Bo Bridges to extrapolate wisdom, kindness, and reality. Because as he says in [00:22:00] interviews that he's done, which I couldn't have been more thrilled is both Miguel and Uh, Eric, which is played by Bo Bridges, uh, demonstrating the movie that they're both in need of kindness.
Jaclyn: Right. This reminder, it doesn't matter who we are, what our journey is, we all need it.
Miguel: Yeah, and now that you mentioned the word redemption, I actually have also a little short story where Um, back in school, I used, um, there was this like, um, a boy who was, who kind of bullied me verbally, but, um, I didn't let that get to me.
But then over time he became my friend. So he also, yeah, so we managed to become friends. So
Jaclyn: I love that. That's really beautiful. And this was your first feature film, correct?
Miguel: Yes, that's [00:23:00] correct because I've been in two commercials and one anime movie. So yeah.
Jaclyn: Okay, and as your foray into acting, which it sounds like, is it fair to say you You didn't set out to be an actor.
You set out to help overcome your speech.
Miguel: Yeah, actually, um, um, Jay mentioned something earlier about how, uh, you know, you never thought you were going to be this, but then you end up. Becoming what you always dreamt of being meaning that when I was very little I always wanted to do something like that like be in the movies or whatever Um, but I never thought it was possible But then I did end up becoming what I have dreamt of or never thought it was possible to do.
But yeah.
Jaclyn: That's amazing. Well, applause for that. I felt like maybe you stumbled into it, you know, like it just happened to be luck of the draw after you, um, entered into theater. So that's an incredible story of redemption and coming back around and realizing you can do anything. So thank you for, for that.
That's [00:24:00] incredible.
Jay: So humble that he's neglecting to mention how hard he worked because you can't be in a, in an hour and 40 minute movie. Not speak and not have just an inordinate amount of appropriation, uh, to the point that manifested such respect from Bo Bridges and the rest of the cast. And that was a lot of hard work.
And I've told this to people in multiple podcasts in the film industry that when you cast a young child that's going to be virtually in every scene in your movie, you better cast the parents too. And, uh, it seems to be a bit of wisdom that I didn't just luck upon. I failed in previous, uh, attempts to do television commercials where clients would pick a young boy, as you described, that fell into the role [00:25:00] and had not the gifts, but the client loved the look.
Well, subsequently I was given the responsibility to make magic and subsequently it was like pulling teeth. And, um, a lot of times to the detriment of the, of the commercial and more importantly, you know, just getting through the day and his mother, Michelle has been such a miraculous, um, a partner in this entire project that my recommendation to anybody that is going to use a young child in a motion picture.
They better cast the parents in this and learn before you even begin to commit whether they're going to want to travel on this journey.
Jaclyn: How did you do that? Like, I mean, if you can share your secret,
Jay: it's a, it's a, it's a revelation because here's the thing. I've been doing this for over 40 years.
There's, there's terms in the film business called helicopter parents, you know. Um, then there are terms that are very positive, you know, where a parent does what, what I did with Miguel, even though she didn't emerge herself into the project unless I solicited it. I would say, here's what I need.
Maybe you could, you know, take a look at that and uh, you know, for conversation purposes, there's a wonderful scene in the movie where Bowbridge is, is teaching him how to develop film. And the scene is very personal to me because I was a photographer, you know, for, since I've been 15. So for me to, to recreate this moment with a child that doesn't speak words as an example, like, Hey, Miguel, when he starts to show you the film, I want you to be [00:27:00] inquisitive, but then I don't want you to.
Jump into it, but then I want you to be excited, but not too excited, you know, uh, I might have said that during rehearsals and I'm not talking about the day of I'm talking about months leading up to shooting but Miguel is an extraordinary talent, and everybody that worked on this project knows the gifts that this young man has.
with his ability to extrapolate the written word into an expression that doesn't seem redundant. You see what I'm saying? It is the key to his, his, his talent. And, and, uh, and it's funny because I just watched a wonderful movie being a father of three children, three daughters, and there's a lot of silence in the movie and what it does.
And I think most, um, Uh, filmmakers, uh, dream and most actors [00:28:00] dream of don't give me something to say, let me show it to you. Well, that's what Miguel did throughout the whole movie.
Jaclyn: Yeah. So before we move into kind of the next phase of things, any, anything about anything that you would want to share or add can be kindness in your life, kindness with yourself, kindness in Hollywood, but anything that would be interesting.
To speak about
Miguel: first of all. Thank you, Jay. You're the best. You're so something I would like to share about kindness. Is that, um, there's a actually here's a short story. Um, so I was doing, um, an audition for something and then, uh, one of the questions was, well, if you could have one superpower, what would it be?
And I [00:29:00] said, kindness. And it came from the heart. It came from the mind. I just said kindness. Like I could have chose any other superpower, but I chose kindness and it was, it was very true. So, because, um, uh, from what I can remember throughout my life, uh, I've used kindness to uplift people, to make people feel better for like just, you know, And I'm very, uh, so thankful to, uh, have this gift to be able to, uh, use that gift, not just to be myself, but to also help other people and show the people that there's still kindness around the world.
Jaclyn: That was amazing, Miguel. Thank you. I think, you know, to encourage how you think about the kindness as a superpower, one of the things we think so much about at kindness. org is, um, They're like rebranding of kindness because for so long It's this idea that you can't be strong and kind or kindness is [00:30:00] weak, soft, fluffy, and it, it's so not.
It's a strength. That's something we work on in schools is showing kids it's bravery. It's hard to forgive. It's hard to defend what's right. Like, it's hard sometimes to put ourself in those positions. And it is a superpower. And I love that you said that. So thank you for that story. Um, And yeah, I feel like there's so many ways that we could think about using your story and voice to help speak to other kids that are struggling because there's so much brokenness and so much need, but kindness connects us all.
It transcends us across difference and it can be that thread and through line that as humans we can come together and I think it's through story. Um, that's another huge commitment. That's why we do this show actually is the power of story to show people how kindness shows up and manifests in the depth of it with that Jay.
Jay: Well, I mean, I think the whole material level on which [00:31:00] I make movies is designed as a gift, which is kindness. It's a fascinating subject because film making, um, is, is a collaboration, you know, so one's ability to have a group of people that are collaborating, that respect and are kind to one another, um, you will get results that are far beyond your expectations.
Jaclyn: Well, where, tell us where we can find the film.
Jay: Yeah, the film's available now on, on Apple, on Amazon and, uh, you know, all those streaming services to rent.
Miguel: Yeah, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV Plus to be specific. Okay.
Jay: Yeah. And I think if you're, if your listeners and viewers are interested in learning a little bit about the movie and then go to, uh, jaysilvermanproductions.com and see the movie Camera, the trailer, see the behind the scenes trailer, which is almost more interesting. and learn about the, um, the making of this movie, I think you'll find it something you'll want to watch with your family.
Jaclyn: Yeah. Yeah. Well, here's to that. Okay. So you two are incredible. We do like a round Robin where I just throw questions out and I'll say, Miguel, you answer first, Jay, you answer second, and I'm just going to ask a bunch of questions.
And it's just kind of like first thing that comes to you. Okay. Are we ready?
Miguel: I was born ready. Yeah.
Jaclyn: Define kindness in one word, Miguel.
Miguel: Uh, very moving.
Jaclyn: Okay, we're gonna give you two words, that's great. I'm gonna let that one go. Alright, Jay, define kindness in one word.
Jay: [00:33:00] You should have given these words, these questions to us before.
Jaclyn: This is why we do it, this is why we do it. Okay, Miguel, if you could get everyone in the world to do a kind act today, which kind acts would you get the world to do?
Miguel: A compliment.
Jaclyn: A compliment.
Miguel: Yeah.
Jaclyn: Jay? One kind act for the whole world to do today?
Jay: Smile.
Jaclyn: Smile. Mm. Okay. Miguel, what are you reading right now? Or listening to on audible.
Miguel: Oh, uh, I'm reading a sci fi book called Dune.
Jaclyn: Dune. Yes. Okay. Jay.
Jay: I listen to podcasts every day. I don't know which one to bring up, but I'm inspired by, um, the people's life stories.
Jaclyn: Okay. [00:34:00] Um, if kindness were a song, what song would it be?
Miguel.
Miguel: Like in terms of lyrics or in terms of tone, what do you mean by what kind of song?
Jaclyn: Yeah, either. Any, any song that you think would represent or embody kindness.
Miguel: Uh, the song would be in a way that would melt your heart.
Jay: Okay. I think it'd be jazz.
Jaclyn: Okay. Ooh, yeah. Love it. Nice. Um, okay, and then who do you want to thank for teaching you kindness or giving you the gift of kindness?
Miguel: I have so many people, people to thank. All right, quick run, quick name around here. Um, my mom, um, Jay, all the cast and crew of camera, my family, um, my friends, um, uh, um, my acting coach, Aubrey Miller, my manager, Julie Miller, uh, my stepdad, um, [00:35:00] my sisters, um, all my wonderful, uh, teachers, um, at my school and. Um, and God.
Yeah.
Jaclyn: Love that. I felt like that was a practiced acceptance speech. That was incredible. That was, you just knew everyone. That's amazing. I love that. Jay?
Jay: You know, it's an interesting question because, um, recently, I have to say that I was redoing my will. And, um, you know, I was thinking to myself, because my alma mater, uh, closed down, um, So I decided I just looked out my door and I said, this is my family right here.
I've got three wonderful kids. I've got a wonderful girlfriend named Susan and I dedicate, uh, um, all the kindness that I receive and give to those people. [00:36:00] Because, you know, this is where I spend my life, either at work or at home. And, with that exception, it's complemented by all the people that I meet, like Miguel and his family, and all the people that I work with.
But, yeah, I think loyalty plays a big role.
Jaclyn: Yeah, yep, agreed. Okay, I know we're almost at time we end with action so to honor the hour We'd love you to share with us Who you'd love to do a kind act for reaching out to someone to let them know you love them You're grateful for them What they mean to you and you can just tell us who you're going to reach out to And then encourage you to go do that today.
Um, so jay, can I have you go first?
Jay: Is your question who am I going to reach out to today and show love? He just walked in the door. Oh! A gentleman I've never met, who was introduced to me by a third party, [00:37:00] and the only reason he's here is because he reached out to me. Whoa. And I accepted his, his, uh, And I have to say, in all sincerity, I would never be sitting where I'm sitting if it wasn't for people that did that for me.
Jaclyn: Exactly. Okay. Well, hello friend back there. So glad that you're getting some kindness. Miguel, we'll end with you.
Miguel: You know, it would. Um, probably be, um, um, uh, my acting coach, Aubrey Miller, because, um, she, um, texted me about, um, you know, just. Harry Potter just a little chat that we had like a little fun friendly chat.
And um, I think I'm gonna thank her for that because it was a really nice to just like, you know, talk [00:38:00] about the things that we love while I was working And it was just nice, you know, just felt nice, you know, just to talk.
Jaclyn: Amazing. That was amazing. You two are so amazing. Thank you. Thank you so much for joining us on this week's episode of the why kindness podcast.
To learn more about everything you heard today from our wonderful guests, definitely check out our show notes. We hope you're leaving this episode inspired and reminded that every kind act truly does make a difference. We'd love to hear how you're choosing kindness in your day to day. We write back to every email, so let us know what you think and please leave a review on Apple podcast or Spotify.
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