More Than a Gesture: The Transformative Power of Kindness in Travel, Work, and Life

"Kindness isn’t just a nice idea. It’s power. It spreads. It ripples outward. One act turns into another, and before you know it, you’ve created a movement."

This Is Us Actor, Producer, and Kind Traveler Celebrity Ambassador Jon Huertas reflects on the transformative power of kindness to heal ourselves and the world. 

Now More Than Ever, We Must Lean Into Kindness

Are you seeing what I’m seeing? The world right now? It’s like one big, chaotic reality show where everybody’s scrambling to outdo each other—who’s got the most money, the most power, the loudest voice in the room. But let’s be real: does that make anyone happier? More fulfilled? Nah. What actually makes life richer—what makes life mean something—is kindness. Not the fluffy, performative kind. Not the “be nice when someone’s watching” kind. But the real-deal, soul-filling, world-changing kind of kindness. The kind that makes people stop in their tracks. The kind that leaves a mark long after you’ve gone. And let me tell you—right now, that is what we need more than ever. Here's why:

Kindness Isn’t Just Nice—It’s Necessary

The good folks at Kind Traveler have been preaching this gospel for a minute. They’re out here flipping the script on what travel means—turning it into something more than just a getaway, but a force for good. They connect conscious travelers with hotels and charities to create a positive impact in the places we visit. Imagine that—your vacation actually giving back instead of just taking. That’s what I call traveling with purpose. And listen, this isn’t just some feel-good idea. Science backs this up: acts of kindness legit make us happier, lower stress, and strengthen our connections with each other. We’re wired for compassion. But somehow, somewhere along the way, society flipped the switch and decided competition mattered more than community. That wealth was more important than well-being. But if we’re really trying to build something meaningful—something sustainable—kindness has to be the foundation.

A Personal Testament to Kindness That Hit Different

I’ve had the honor of being an ambassador for Kind Traveler for a while now, and let me keep it real—I wish I did more. Life moves at warp speed, and sometimes I stop and think, Damn, I should be doing more to amplify thismission. But here’s the thing: true kindness doesn’t come with judgment. It meets you where you are and says, I got you.

I learned that firsthand when my mom passed away, in January 2025, from vascular dementia. That kind of loss—it’s heavy. It’s like being stranded in the middle of an ocean with no shore in sight. And just when I felt like I was sinking, the founders of Kind Traveler showed up. Not just with words, but with action. They offered me a getaway retreat—some space to breathe, to grieve, to process. And that’s when I realized: kindness is about creating space where there was none. It’s about seeing someone drowning and saying, not on my watch.

But it doesn’t stop there. I also happen to be an ambassador for Hilarity for Charity (HFC), an organization that really hits the feels me. Founded by Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller Rogen, HFC is all about supporting families impacted by Alzheimer’s and dementia—people like my mom, and people like the caregivers who do the impossible every day.

Amplifying the  Caregiving Story I Helped Tell Through Miguel on This Is Us

But here’s where it gets personal: HFC amplified the caregiving story I helped tell through Miguel on This Is Us. That role wasn’t just another gig—it was a love letter to every caregiver out there grinding, sacrificing, loving, and holding it all together. That show didn’t just prepare me for my own journey with my mom—HFC did, too. When my mom was first diagnosed, HFC was there with un-faltered support. They didn’t just talk about caregiving—they backed it up with resources, support, and action. That’s kindness. That’s impact. That’s the kind of energy we need to move through life with.

Why We Need to Lean Into Kindness—Everywhere

Look, the world right now feels like a never-ending competition. Who’s got more? Who’s better? Who’s winning? But what if—stay with me—we flipped the script? What if true kindness was the flex?

Imagine if we applied kindness everywhere:

• In how we travel – Instead of just snapping photos, we actually invest in the places we visit.
• In how we work – Instead of glorifying burnout, we create workplaces where people actually want to be.
• In how we do politics – Instead of fueling division, we push policies that actually help people.
• In how we treat the planet – Instead of taking and taking, we start giving back.
• In how we treat each other – Instead of stepping over people to get ahead, we lift as we climb.

This isn’t some utopian fantasy. It’s possible. But only if we choose it. And if we don’t? Well, we’ve seen what happens when greed, selfishness, and competition rule the day. It ain’t pretty.

Kindness in Action: The Ripple Effect is Real

Kindness isn’t just a nice idea. It’s power. It spreads. It ripples outward. One act turns into another, and before you know it, you’ve created a movement.

Take this Facebook group that popped up during the pandemic—started with just a handful of people sharing stories of kindness. Fast forward a few months? Over 500,000 members. Why? Because people don’t just want kindness—they need it. It’s fuel. It’s hope. It’s the thing that keeps us going when everything else feels like too much.

Final Thoughts: The Time for Kindness

If there’s anything I’ve learned from Kind Traveler, from Hilarity for Charity, from my mom’s journey, from playing Miguel, from life—it’s this: kindness is not optional. It’s not an afterthought. It’s the whole damn point. It’s the way we travel. The way we love. The way we show up. The way we move through the world. And it starts with us…Right now.

Jon Huertas Author Bio: An actor of the stage and screen, writer, producer, director, musician and member of the Academy of Motion Pictures, Jon Huertas is best known for his portrayal of Miguel Rivas on the SAG Award-winning NBC TV series This is Us, as well as his eight-season run on Castle and in HBO's Emmy Award-winning miniseries Generation Kill.  In 2012, Huertas won the NCLR ALMA Award for Favorite TV Actor Supporting Role in a Drama, as well as a Prism Award for Performance in a Drama Episode. Jon is also proud to be a celebrity ambassador for Kind Traveler.