In this episode, I talk about one of a core principle of No Empty Seats: thoughtfulness. There are many ways we can tell our friends and family that we love them. There have been a handful of people and moments in my life thatāve reminded me the important of random acts of kindness. Iāve left interactions feeling very whole, inspired by the simplicity of the deed, and empowered to make others feel the same way.
It doesnāt have to be a grand gesture. Text a friend you havenāt, call someone on your 10 min commute, or follow up in person about something you guys talked about previously. We all reach out far less than we want. As a result all of us end up feeling more lonely.
Whenever you are thinking of someone, act on that impulse to text them about the fun memory that popped up in your mind. Remember how good it felt to be included and acknowledged, and pay it forward to make others feel the same way.
This will quickly become a habit, transforming into the change you want to see. Let people know youāre thinking of them and spread the love we all deserve.
12 Oct 2026
How i get people to open up about mental health
The best advice Iāve ever been told: the last thing youād ever want to do is make them feel bad about themselves.
Too easily are we fixated on how to fix a person or be a part of the solution. But we need to remember that a whopping majority of the time, we usually just want a shoulder to cry on and get things off our chest. What Iāve learned is the most important process is creating a safe space for them to know theyāre not a bad person. When people donāt open up, they usually are holding lots of guilt or shame with what they are going through. Do whatever you can to remove any of that pressure from them:
āI appreciate you telling me all this man, it mustve been really hardā¦youre totally good dude, wait dont sweat it and we can figure it out togetherā¦wait everyoneās been there before, ive actually done that too.ā
By creating that safe, non judgmental space, people are more likely to open up more candidly. Not only will they realize they donāt have to go through things alone, but an incredibly large weight will be lifted off their shoulders knowing they wonāt be criticized.
And even if they did something wrong, who are we to judge them as friends and loved ones! Even while saying these kind things, we are not absolving them from their faults ā but we are showing all the support they deserve as a person we love. Iāve learned it is not my place to be the judge, jury, and executioner in these situations.
someone is doing better because of you š
5 Oct 2026
The story behind No Empty Seats
Our story: from a post to national nonprofit
Episode 25 available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify
Many people donāt know how No Empty Seats truly started.
Back in 2021, I was really depressed and su***idal for a number of reasons. Seasonal affective disorder, clinical deficiencies, insurmountable pressures, and a lot of angst that I kind of always had growing up.
I vividly remember the first time I told someone I was struggling, and it was easily the hardest thing Iāve had to do in my life. But from that, I learned two major lessons.
We're all going through something unspoken, and how relieving it was to realize I didn't need to go through it alone.
Friends I havenāt spoken to in years told me: āIt feels like youāre reading the words inside my head right now.ā The realization kept growing.
On December 20th, 2021, I shared a 10 slide post talking about my deep depression. It was messy, emotional, raw, and too much for a 17 yo to overshare to his small hometown. But for the time being it was enough to keep me going because where we could rely on eachother.
For better or for worse, I donāt remember too much of those memories. They come up from old pictures,Ā journal entries, and text messages. I try to embrace that side of me without opening up fresh wounds.
The IG slowly became a blog page for other people to share their stories. Then I started doing goofy stunts to spread NES. More people got involved and we started a club. More people got involved and we started a club. Before I knew it those very same people that reached out in 2021 started their own chapter at their own schools.
I donāt really know what or where I would be without the NES community. But I do know that it has brought me closer to people with the biggest hearts in the world. This nonprofit has grown with me, and through it Iāve learned how to love myself unconditionally and grow as a team and push one another healthily. iāll do a podcast episode about those thoughts someday.
Take care of urself. this is kinda a lot but if theres one takeaway: do whatever it takes to get you through today. all the numb depression and seemingly endless anxiety will be a distant memory so soon. just keep finding the little pockets of things that you enjoy and look forward to
someones doing better because of you š
Also special shoutout to sam dunn for being with me alongside everything.Ā He was with me when I wrote my first post and I talk to him almost everyday 6 years later.
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