The daily news can fill us with despair. My Unsung Hero is an antidote to that despair. Each episode reveals what the news ignores: everyday acts of kindness and courage that transformed someone’s life. Listen — and renew your faith in humanity.
Recent Heroes
All through the month of October, we’re bringing you some of the stories that have deeply resonated with us over the past five years. This week: When a group of girls were bullying Jennifer in middle school, someone unexpected stepped in and changed the way she saw the world.
When Rika was seven, she crashed her bike. A stranger stopped to help and made her an origami crane. Years later, she discovered a message hidden inside.
At 16, Reed was trapped in a burning truck after a crash. A passing trucker stopped and saved his life.
When Teyu immigrated to the U.S. at 11, he spoke no English and felt isolated at school. A fellow student patiently helped him learn the language — and feel less alone.
After Gary was badly injured in a cycling accident, three passing motorcyclists stopped to help.
One morning at the beach, Tracy watched in horror as her young son was swept away by a powerful current. As she struggled to get him back to shore, a stranger came to their rescue.
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Podcast:
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Newsletter:
Go behind the scenes, see what Shankar is reading and find more useful resources and links.
If you’d like to submit an Unsung Hero for use on the show, please record it and click the button below to email it to [email protected]
Instructions:
Find a quiet room and open a recording app on your phone. (Here are tips on how to record yourself properly.)
Speaking in full sentences, please tell us about your Unsung Hero. No need to write down your story and read it from paper— speaking conversationally is best. A recording of 3-5 minutes is plenty. Your story should include (but does not need to be limited to):
- Your full name and where you’re from.
- The full name of your Unsung Hero, if you know it.
- A particular moment or event that prompted you to make this person your Unsung Hero. Tell us as much about that event as you can remember — what the scene was like, and what emotions you felt.
- Did you have a chance to thank them?
- If they were standing in front of you right now, what would you say?
- How does this person continue to impact you and your life?