Rachel Wilkins

10/15/2026

In early September, I started something called 100 Days of Yay. A simple daily practice: go out into the world, look for acts of kindness, and take a moment to acknowledge the people behind them.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve written personal notes to baristas, gym staff, healthcare workers who cared for me during a hospital stay, and complete strangers who made my day a little brighter. Nothing elaborate. Just a few handwritten words to let someone know they were seen, appreciated, and that their kindness mattered.

The ripple effects of this little practice have been so beautiful, and often unexpected. One of those ripples has led to an invitation to speak tomorrow evening on a panel exploring Compassion in Action: When Compassion Comes Alive, as part of the programming surrounding Yungchen Lhamo’s concert this weekend.

If you’re looking for a grounding, gratitude-filled way to begin your weekend, I’d love for you to join us tomorrow evening at La MaMa Theatre in NYC.

10/12/2026

Still taking in last week. 💜

What began as an idea for a 30-person luncheon grew into a gathering of 150 at the United Nations, bringing together people working to make a difference across various modalities and areas of expertise in mental health.

Having recently stepped into the role of Executive Director of the Global Mental Health Task Force, I felt grateful to be part of it. Being surrounded by such depth of expertise and lived experience gave me so much to learn from.

Seeing old friends in the room and meeting new ones made the day especially meaningful. There’s something hopeful about watching people from different parts of your life find common ground.

I also had the great honor of interviewing Lesli Linka Glatter about the care behind portraying mental health on screen and the power of storytelling to help people feel seen. A conversation I’ll carry with me into this next chapter of my work.

So many people gave their time, energy and trust to bring this day to life. Thank you to our team, partners, speakers and volunteers, and everyone who came willing to listen and connect.

I left moved by the stories shared and hopeful about what we can build together.

The mental health crisis won’t be solved in silos. It will take all of us.

1. Opening the event.
2. Dr. Judith Joseph MD MBA
3. Co-founders Donnetta Campbell and Laurie Meadoff present Amir Dossal with award.
4 + 5. Kunal Sood and Ambassador Shefali Razden Duggal
6. Swami Revatikānta and Andrea Bell
7. Patrick J Kennedy
8. Keyonn Wright-Sheppard
9. Laurie Meadoff
10. A Brooklyn Boy
11. Moises Belizario
12. Lesli Linka Glatter
13. Matt Hixson
14. Lizzie Allan

09/20/2026

There is something deeply moving about realizing someone was thinking about you when you weren’t in the room.

This week, I wrote about a family secretly taking their kids to see Bruno Mars, the time I flew 3,300 miles home to surprise my Mum, and a birthday gift I made for Jen after her football career ended.

I also looked into the science behind why positive surprise affects us so deeply.

The result is this week’s piece: The Joy of Being Thought Of.

A reflection on surprise, memory, love, and the very human instinct to make life a little better for someone we care about.

https://100daysofyay.substack.com/p/the-joy-of-being-thought-of?r=5oqmfp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

09/20/2026

THE WORLD CHANGES. SO DO WE

Think about who you were ten years ago.

What you believed. What frightened you. What you tolerated. What you wanted. What you thought your life would look like.

You’ve changed.

Human beings are extraordinarily capable of adapting, learning and beginning again.

Sometimes we just need reminding that the person we are today isn’t the only person we’re capable of becoming.

09/18/2026

A few weeks ago, I started writing one small note of recognition or gratitude each day.

I thought it was an experiment in kindness.

Instead, I started noticing how quickly I judge, how often I rush past people, and how much good is happening around me when I actually slow down long enough to see it.

Maybe kindness is more than something nice we do. Maybe it’s a form of agency.

Maybe the way we choose to show up really can change the emotional temperature around us.

09/16/2026

A year ago, I found myself sitting across the table from Swami Revatikaanta after saying yes to a dinner I almost didn’t attend.

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Swami. We talked about what ancient wisdom can teach us in a world changing this fast, how to detach without loving less, identity, suffering, spirituality, AI, loneliness, and the moments in life that are difficult to explain but impossible to forget.

The full episode is now live on YouTube.

If you enjoy conversations about change, recovery, spirituality, optimism and what it means to be human, please consider subscribing to the channel. I have some really interesting guests and conversations coming up, and this is just the beginning.

The world is changing faster than most of us can process. So how do...

09/16/2026

The Moment I Finally Knew I Had to Change

The universe nudged me gently. Then not so gently. Getting sober meant finally listening. Thirteen years later, I’m still choosing change one day at a time.

09/13/2026

I spent six days in the hospital this week after arriving at the ER with a 103°F fever and a raging infection that triggered sepsis protocol.

I met incredibly kind, caring healthcare workers during those six days. I also saw what happens when the system around them makes it harder for them to care well.

I wrote about the experience, patient safety, and what I’m calling “compassionate infrastructure” in today’s 100 Days of Yay.

What six days in the hospital taught me about kindness, patient safety and the systems that make good care possible.

09/05/2026

Asking for help saved my life.

Had I not picked up the phone that day I’m not sure I’d still be here.

Don’t go it alone. Don’t suffer in silence.

09/04/2026

A brand new show is coming next week. 🎙️

I’m so excited to introduce One Yay at a Time, and I couldn’t have asked for a better first guest. is a senior monk and Head Teacher with , and has spent nearly two decades studying and teaching under . We talked about spiritual experiences, attachment, human connection, and how we navigate those moments when life feels uncertain and we don’t quite know what comes next. It was a beautiful conversation and the perfect way to begin this new chapter. Looking forward to sharing much more very soon.