This week is National Random Acts of Kindness Week, and if you’re in need of some kindness, a pep-talk line that includes nuggets of wisdom from elementary school students from kindergarten to sixth grade could help.
The Peptoc Hotline embodies the spirit of kindness to others and to yourself.
In 2022, artists and educators Jessica Martin and Asherah Weiss created Peptoc with students at West Side Elementary in Healdsburg, California, approximately 110 miles northwest of Sacramento. As of December 2025, the hotline has received over 25 million phone calls.
It started with tear-off-tab posters featuring quotes such as “It’s O.K. to feel sad” and other comforting messages. The posters were created and then hung up in a public area.
“I invited Ashera to come work with me on a project around empathy and compassion,” Martin, who works at the elementary school, told USA TODAY.
Martin felt inspired to start the project after hearing the kids console each other at school.
“We were just coming out of the pandemic, and the kids had just survived wildfires and evacuations, and I was just hearing them really supporting one another and their incredible advice for one another and for themselves,” said Martin.
It then evolved into the Peptoc Hotline, which features pre-recorded life advice from students at the elementary school.
The pre-recorded inspirational lines from elementary school students are meant to support you when you’re feeling frustrated, in need of life advice, need to be reassured about how awesome you look, and more.
Here’s what to know about the hotline and how it works.
Frustrated? Press 1
When calling, people will get to hear students’ advice on what to do when they’re feeling upset.
Advice ranges from telling callers to take three big breaths and think of what they like, to go buy shoes and ice cream to cheer themselves up, and to go do flips on a trampoline whenever frustration hits.
Callers also have the option to hear life advice, “children laughing with delight,” pep talks by kindergarteners or in Spanish, and bonus advice from students at the school, according to Peptoc’s website.
The life advice option includes quotes like “be grateful for yourself,” “Don’t give up, power through,” and “Bro, you look great!”
How can you call the Peptoc Hotline?
To reach the hotline, call 707-873-7862 (707-8PEPTOC). Then press the number to hear the following options:
- For when you’re frustrated
- When you need life advice
- To hear pep talks from kindergarteners
- To hear “children laughing with delight”
- To hear pep talks in Spanish
- To hear “how awesome you look”
- For bonus advice on what to do when you’re feeling “down,” “hurt” or “deflated”
Finally, those interested in donating to the hotline can press 0 to receive a link with instructions on how to donate to keep the hotline running.
A pep talk in book format
“You Are Amazing Like A Rocket: Pep talks for Everyone, from Young People Around the World,” compiled by Martin and Weiss, features art from children around the world and includes 8 tear-out posters created by students at West Side Elementary.
The hardcover book, which retails for $24.99, can be purchased online or in person at Amazon, local bookstores, Bookshop.org, or Barnes & Noble.
Julia Gomez is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers popular toys, scientific studies, natural disasters, holidays, and trending news. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Please hold for kindness. This hotline gives you a pep talk from kids.
Reporting by Julia Gomez, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
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