This talk focuses on empathy in action, and how a little bit can go a long way to changing someone's life. If it only took a $4 bus ticket to change someone’s life forever, would you do it? What if it was $10 and a hot cup of coffee? What if it was as simple as starting a conversation? Inside every person is the powerful life saving gift of empathy. Using his experience as homeless and addicted to heroin, Samuel shows us the powerful life saving effects of empathy in practice. The same practice he's seen time and time again helping people out of the worst circumstances.

When the standards of society and the prejudices in our own minds eliminate the possibility of becoming more empathetic and compassionate, what is lost? Our sense of community? Our responsibilities as fellow humans? Samuel shares the facts and illuminates some of the pitfalls of addiction and homelessness. Empathy can be applied practically and the result of its application is a connection with our fellow man. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx