Reed Byers on how a single hug can make a difference

Kanawha Valley Hustlers · Oct 30, 2025 · 3m

I chat with Reed Byers, the founder of the One Billion Hugs movement. Reed tells me his mission is to create a more connected world by inspiring one billion hugs. The idea came from his personal struggles with mental health and loss. He tells me about a day when he wore a free hugs shirt to Tudor’s Biscuit World, feeling low, and a woman rushed to hug him. That small act changed both their days and showed him the power of human connection.

Reed says he realized that a simple shirt could turn despair into hope and decided to build a movement around it. He talks about how digital connection has…