Matt Langdon
@mattlangdonspeaks.bsky.social
Hero trainer. Traveler.
Reposted by Matt Langdon
One thing I always hear from heroism experts is that doing small courageous things equips us to do big ones later on.
My mother-in-law was nervous about wearing her #NoKings gear to the airport for her flight this morning, but she got *lots* of compliments. Even the TSA agent told her, "I like your shirt."
October 18, 2025 at 3:50 PM
One thing I always hear from heroism experts is that doing small courageous things equips us to do big ones later on.
@andydiggle.bsky.social I'm opening a book shop. What ten graphic novels would you build the collection around, considering a general audience that I want to suck in?
July 16, 2025 at 10:19 PM
@andydiggle.bsky.social I'm opening a book shop. What ten graphic novels would you build the collection around, considering a general audience that I want to suck in?
Reposted by Matt Langdon
A man saved a family of six from a burning building in Paris on July 4.
“They had to be saved, that’s it. I didn’t hesitate. I jumped automatically,” Fousseynou Samba Cissé said. wapo.st/3IkkO46
“They had to be saved, that’s it. I didn’t hesitate. I jumped automatically,” Fousseynou Samba Cissé said. wapo.st/3IkkO46
July 9, 2025 at 4:35 PM
A man saved a family of six from a burning building in Paris on July 4.
“They had to be saved, that’s it. I didn’t hesitate. I jumped automatically,” Fousseynou Samba Cissé said. wapo.st/3IkkO46
“They had to be saved, that’s it. I didn’t hesitate. I jumped automatically,” Fousseynou Samba Cissé said. wapo.st/3IkkO46
Reposted by Matt Langdon
This is a post about why we need to read novels, which we're mostly not doing, in order to bring empathy back into our politics. So, you know, read it. And then share it. And then go read a novel.
Literature and the Liberal Citizen
“Narrative art has the power to make us see the lives of the different with more than a casual tourist’s interest—with involvement and sympathetic understanding.” —Martha C.
open.substack.com
May 7, 2025 at 8:12 PM
This is a post about why we need to read novels, which we're mostly not doing, in order to bring empathy back into our politics. So, you know, read it. And then share it. And then go read a novel.
More and more we need to think about who we're surrounding ourselves with. My latest for the Heroic Imagination Project.
Genius is a Team Sport
Scenius: The Genius You Get When You Work With Others
open.substack.com
March 19, 2025 at 10:35 PM
More and more we need to think about who we're surrounding ourselves with. My latest for the Heroic Imagination Project.
Last week, Elon Musk told Joe Rogan, “the fundamental weakness of Western civilisation is empathy”. And that’s the final word on why empathy is so important.
March 4, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Last week, Elon Musk told Joe Rogan, “the fundamental weakness of Western civilisation is empathy”. And that’s the final word on why empathy is so important.
Sophie Scholl grew up surrounded by Nazi propaganda, but she listened to her conscience instead. Maybe you’ve been part of something that, looking back, didn’t feel right. Maybe you’ve gone along with a group because it was easier than standing alone. That’s normal. What matters is what you do next.
February 27, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Sophie Scholl grew up surrounded by Nazi propaganda, but she listened to her conscience instead. Maybe you’ve been part of something that, looking back, didn’t feel right. Maybe you’ve gone along with a group because it was easier than standing alone. That’s normal. What matters is what you do next.
Reposted by Matt Langdon
The 2025 Heroism Studies Conference will take place at the University of Nebraska in September. Submit a proposal and tell your friends.
Go.unl.edu/heroism2025
Go.unl.edu/heroism2025
February 21, 2025 at 7:01 PM
The 2025 Heroism Studies Conference will take place at the University of Nebraska in September. Submit a proposal and tell your friends.
Go.unl.edu/heroism2025
Go.unl.edu/heroism2025
Reposted by Matt Langdon
What can we learn from Gandhi at this time? www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/be... #Gandhi #Satyagraha #Nonviolence #Solutionary
What Can Gandhi Teach Us Right Now?
Are you reeling from the news, unsure how to respond, and wanting to make a difference? Look to Gandhi to chart your path forward.
www.psychologytoday.com
February 18, 2025 at 10:13 PM
What can we learn from Gandhi at this time? www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/be... #Gandhi #Satyagraha #Nonviolence #Solutionary
I'm now the Executive Director of The Heroic Imagination Project, which means I'll be focusing even more time on moving the organization forward. You can follow along as HIP publishes to Substack every week.
open.substack.com/.../heroici....
open.substack.com/.../heroici....
February 13, 2025 at 12:09 AM
I'm now the Executive Director of The Heroic Imagination Project, which means I'll be focusing even more time on moving the organization forward. You can follow along as HIP publishes to Substack every week.
open.substack.com/.../heroici....
open.substack.com/.../heroici....
Reposted by Matt Langdon
I'm honored to announce that a) I've been elected Board President of the Heroic Imagination Project, b) we're up on Substack where we'll be doing a lot of writing, and c) we're ready to travel the world to teach people about heroic behavior, empathy, and helping others.
The Hero's Journey
Welcome to the Hero’s Journey, a newsletter from the Heroic Imagination Project! We’re thrilled that you’re here with us and, actually, we’re thrilled to be here as well. It’s been a long time...
heroicimagination.substack.com
February 11, 2025 at 11:28 PM
I'm honored to announce that a) I've been elected Board President of the Heroic Imagination Project, b) we're up on Substack where we'll be doing a lot of writing, and c) we're ready to travel the world to teach people about heroic behavior, empathy, and helping others.
There are so many forgotten stories of heroism. Jonathan Wilson has rescued this one in a lovely post.
Today on Wilson's World, the extraordinary story of István Tóth, the great Hungarian player and coach who helped save Jews and Communists and was murdered by the SS 80 years ago yesterday.
open.substack.com/pub/jonawils...
open.substack.com/pub/jonawils...
February 7, 2025 at 8:09 AM
There are so many forgotten stories of heroism. Jonathan Wilson has rescued this one in a lovely post.
Reposted by Matt Langdon
I wrote a short piece for @psychologytoday.com about how to strengthen your moral backbone and hold the line against harm. Pass it on if you can.
How to Strengthen Your Moral Courage
It's easy to fold under ethical pressure. But "social fitness training" can prepare you to take a strong stand.
www.psychologytoday.com
February 5, 2025 at 3:50 PM
I wrote a short piece for @psychologytoday.com about how to strengthen your moral backbone and hold the line against harm. Pass it on if you can.
A lot of people are “just following orders” this week.
February 4, 2025 at 5:31 AM
A lot of people are “just following orders” this week.
Reposted by Matt Langdon
One of the things that my research on heroic behavior shows is the power inherent in simply saying "No."
It's very uncomfortable to just keep saying "I'm sorry, I can't do that" when someone tells you to do something that you feel you shouldn't do.
It's very uncomfortable to just keep saying "I'm sorry, I can't do that" when someone tells you to do something that you feel you shouldn't do.
February 4, 2025 at 1:02 AM
One of the things that my research on heroic behavior shows is the power inherent in simply saying "No."
It's very uncomfortable to just keep saying "I'm sorry, I can't do that" when someone tells you to do something that you feel you shouldn't do.
It's very uncomfortable to just keep saying "I'm sorry, I can't do that" when someone tells you to do something that you feel you shouldn't do.
Thinking about writing about the "real cool" of Heath Ledger's Patrick and the mean popularity of the bully shown by Joey in "10 Things I Hate About You". Those with "real cool" have the power to change paradigms.
Hat tip to @denisekubica.bsky.social for going to see the movie with me.
Hat tip to @denisekubica.bsky.social for going to see the movie with me.
January 29, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Thinking about writing about the "real cool" of Heath Ledger's Patrick and the mean popularity of the bully shown by Joey in "10 Things I Hate About You". Those with "real cool" have the power to change paradigms.
Hat tip to @denisekubica.bsky.social for going to see the movie with me.
Hat tip to @denisekubica.bsky.social for going to see the movie with me.