In this episode of The Upstander Ripple Effect, Jeff Bryan, co-founder of the Positivity Project, shares how his military background and studies in positive psychology inspired a nationwide initiative to teach character strengths in schools. 

“What do we need to do to be successful here? You’re looking at their character—are they honest, do they have integrity, are they humble?"
-- Jeff Bryan, co-founder of the Positivity Project

Guided by the principle “other people matter,” the project helps students understand themselves and others, fostering confidence, empathy, and positive relationships. Now active in hundreds of schools across the U.S. and internationally, the program has shown significant results, including improved behavior and reduced disciplinary incidents. Jeff shares stories of students applying lessons like bravery and resilience in real-world situations

Host Jackie Congedo, CEO of the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center, connects the work of the Positivity Project to the center’s own mission – to ensure the lessons of the Holocaust inspire action today. Character strength education, as Jeff and his partner know, can help bring about a culture of upstanding, where students are empowered to act with integrity and support others. 

This episode is part of the Cynthia & Harold Guttman Family Center for Storytelling. Subscribe here to make sure you don’t miss a thing https://www.youtube.com/@holocaustandhumanity  
 
Our thanks to the Mayerson Family Foundation for their support of this series 
https://www.mayersonfoundation.org/   
 
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Episode Resources 

Follow the Positivity Project
https://posproject.org/ 

Read more about the late Dr. Chris Peterson, who believed character strengths were important because, “Other people matter.” 
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-beauty-in-the-beast/201210/other-people-matter 

Investigate your own character strengths for free 
https://www.holocaustandhumanity.org/upstander/assess-your-character-strengths/  
 
Dive deep on character strengths and positive psychology with our partner, the VIA Institute on Character https://www.viacharacter.org/

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