Only Good Things Book 3: Why stories like The Heartfelt Project matter more than ever

By Blake Dyason, CN&CO shareholder

If you spend even a few minutes scrolling social media or reading the news, it can feel like the world is coming apart at the seams. War, crime, division and disappointing leadership often dominate the headlines. And yet, quietly and consistently, there are people and organisations doing extraordinary things – leading with kindness, empathy and hope.

That’s why we are such big fans of Brent Lindeque and the Good Things Guy team.

For more than a decade, the people at Good Things Guy have made it their mission to shine a light on the good – real South African stories about real people showing up for one another. At CN&CO, that belief resonates deeply with us. We genuinely believe there is far more good than bad, that most people want similar things, and that communities are often held together by small, selfless acts that don’t make the evening news.

So when Only Good Things Book 3 landed, we were excited to discover that one of our clients, The Heartfelt Project, had been selected to feature in this latest edition.

A book that captures the spirit of a year

At the end of 2025, the Good Things Guy team launched the third edition of Only Good Things — a 132-page hardcover book featuring 100 carefully curated stories that reflect the best of who we are as South Africans.

The stories range from small, quiet acts of generosity to moments of real courage and resilience. Communities rallying together. Strangers stepping up. Everyday heroes doing what they can, with what they have. Together, they form a snapshot of a year – not just what happened, but how it felt to live through it.

It’s exactly the kind of book you want on your coffee table, in your office, or wrapped up as a meaningful gift. One you pick up when you need a reminder that good things really are happening all around us.

Meeting Martha and discovering The Heartfelt Project

My own connection to The Heartfelt Project began with a visit to Makapanstad with my friend Jo-ann Hay. After driving through the village and seeing the work being done on the ground, I met Martha, the founder and the heart behind the organisation.

It was one of those moments that stops you in your tracks. Martha’s energy, her warmth and her deep love for people are contagious. Her story felt incredibly powerful and deeply South African. I knew almost immediately that this was a story that needed to be shared more widely.

That realisation led me to reconnect with Fell & Co, who I had previously worked with on an award-winning documentary for RMB, A Story of Courage. Together, we set out to help tell Martha’s story in a way that felt honest, human and respectful.

The result is a short film that will make you laugh, cry and feel proud to be South African. CN&CO has since officially partnered with The Heartfelt Project as their marketing and PR partner, and if you haven’t watched the video yet, I genuinely encourage you to do so – and to share it with friends and family.

Being chosen for Only Good Things

When we heard that Martha and The Heartfelt Project had been selected to feature in Only Good Things Book 3, it felt surreal. Out of thousands of stories shared each year, only 100 make it into the book.

I asked the good things guy himself, Brent Lindeque, how they go about choosing.

“Choosing just 100 stories from thousands is definitely the hardest part of the process,” he said.
“We look for the stories that stopped us in our tracks; the ones that made us emotional, changed our perspective or stayed with us long after they were published.”

Brent explained that the team aims for balance: big moments and small ones, national stories alongside deeply personal ones. Ultimately, the stories that make it into the book are the ones that moved them as humans first, journalists second.

That philosophy is exactly what makes these books so special.

The Only Good Things books have grown into a collection that reflects not just events, but emotion. They remind us that even in challenging times, people are still showing up, still helping and still choosing kindness.

In a world that often feels loud and heavy, this book is a quiet but powerful reminder of our shared humanity.

Order your copy – ONLY GOOD THINGS.