John Witiw

Hi, my name is John Witiw and I am a writer from the United States who's worked with a number of outlets over the years. I've been with Bright Side since 2018 and have worn all sorts of hats.


My career started sharing stories about people coming together and helping each other and I always seem to drift back to that. I also love covering films, books, and TV shows. I've done everything from newspaper interviews to writing scripts for children's videos.


What I love writing about:



  • Life Stories: One of my first jobs as a writer was human interest pieces and I love sharing stories of people coming together and helping each other.
  • Media: I am known for covering a lot of movies, shows, and books throughout my career and have even been the occasional critic, though I'm usually hardest on the stories I like. Even if I am not the biggest fan of a story, the world sometimes needs a little fantasy.
  • Longform Stories: When it comes to writing, I usually like a big story, especially when it comes to collecting all sorts of sources. You can be surprised how immense a simple story can be. Ironically, in my everyday life, I usually don't say much.


My credentials:


I am a graduate of Rutgers University and have been working as a writer ever since. I've covered all sorts of stories throughout my career, from viral media trends to current events. I once even got to teach an online class because a school liked an article I wrote.

12 Parents and Family Members Who Made it to Every Game, Bedtime Story, and Late-Night Study Session

12 Parents and Family Members Who Made it to Every Game, Bedtime Story, and Late-Night Study Session
People
10/18/2026

Family is the first people we know and can be the first source of love and support in our lives. Many people have experienced firsthand stories of immeasurable kindness and compassion from those closest to them.There are many types of families in the world. People can find compassion and love from their parents, siblings, cousins, and grandparents. Generosity can also be found in adoptive families and biological families. People have also been sharing these touching stories with the world.

10 Stories Where a Garden Hose, a Lost Kickball, and a Cherry Lollipop Proved Neighbors Are Kinder Than We Think

10 Stories Where a Garden Hose, a Lost Kickball, and a Cherry Lollipop Proved Neighbors Are Kinder Than We Think
People
10/10/2026

Most of us couldn’t tell you the last name of the person three doors down. Yet when the breaker trips in a heat wave, a storm drops branches on the driveway, or you lock yourself out barefoot, it’s usually a neighbor who shows up first. These 10 stories are about those people: a man quietly guarding packages in his garage, a kid pulling a wagon full of canned food, and an older neighbor who noticed the blinds had stayed down too long.

15 Halloween Moments That Teach Us Why Kindness Is the One October 31 Treat That Never Comes in a Wrapper

15 Halloween Moments That Teach Us Why Kindness Is the One October 31 Treat That Never Comes in a Wrapper
People
10/02/2026

In Oxford, Ohio, a man nearly took down his skeleton display after angry notes from neighbors, until a young woman who drove past on her way to treatment wrote to say it was the highlight of her day. He stayed up all night reworking the yard so the skeletons could cheer her on, a random act of kindness CBS Evening News later shared with the whole country. That same Halloween generosity shows up everywhere once you start looking: a mom dumping her own candy into a stranger’s empty bowl, two girls sharing their haul, small-town firefighters walking kids door to door when parents had to work.These 15 stories, from full-size Snickers bars to a lunch lady’s pumpkin gift bag, are about the kindness that never makes the candy aisle, and the gratitude, and sometimes the friendship, that comes back afterward.

A Tennessee Mom Handed Her 12-Month-Old Fruit to Wash. Now Cooking Is the Family Time He Can’t Wait For

A Tennessee Mom Handed Her 12-Month-Old Fruit to Wash. Now Cooking Is the Family Time He Can’t Wait For
Family & kids
10/04/2026

Most parents keep toddlers out of the kitchen for good reason: it’s hot, it’s messy, and dinner goes twice as fast without “help.” Tennessee mom Deanna Knight took the opposite approach to parenting. She started cooking with her son Russ when he was just 12 months old, giving him four small jobs: washing fruits and vegetables, transferring ingredients, stirring, and helping make his own snacks. What he got out of it surprised even her, and it had very little to do with recipes.

Wisconsin Bride & Groom Find Clever Way to Let Their Furry Friend Play a Big Role in Big Day

Wisconsin Bride & Groom Find Clever Way to Let Their Furry Friend Play a Big Role in Big Day
Animals
09/30/2026

Swayze the dog came into Emily Cowles’ life when she needed a new friend the most. But he would see his new friend through happier times, too, including meeting her future fiancé, Josh Watson. Naturally, they wanted their furry friend to be part of the big moment when they tied the knot. In fact, the couple soon came up with a creative way to let him share in their special day.

10 Real Stories That Remind Us Kindness and Compassion Have No Price Tag

10 Real Stories That Remind Us Kindness and Compassion Have No Price Tag
People
09/28/2026

There are many idioms about money. Some say that it makes the world go round. Others call it the root of all that’s wrong in the world. However, people have often shown that they won’t let money get in the way of showing kindness, compassion, and generosity.People might rise above and beyond when someone else finds themselves in a dire situation. Other times, a random act of kindness can still go a long way. In fact, many people have been sharing stories of putting compassion and generosity over finances.

10 U.S. Summer Stories That Remind Us Kindness and Generosity Can Make People Real-Life Superheroes

10 U.S. Summer Stories That Remind Us Kindness and Generosity Can Make People Real-Life Superheroes
People
08/29/2026

A random act of kindness can really go a long way, often helping an average person become a real-life superhero. What someone might think was something simple to do for another, out of empathy and compassion, could actually be just what someone needed. In fact, people have shared stories of generosity helping them when things really weren’t easy for them. All in all, some people were lucky to learn that not all superheroes wear capes.

10 Summer Stories of Kindness From American Communities That Remind Us No One Is Truly Alone

10 Summer Stories of Kindness From American Communities That Remind Us No One Is Truly Alone
People
08/27/2026

It’s always a beautiful thing when people and the community come together to help people in need. There is room for kindness, compassion, and empathy all year round. However, when summer comes around, there are special things people need. Some people just need a little kindness when dealing with the heat. Others can deal with loneliness, whether they are away from friends because they are out of school or busy at a summer job.However, this is the time when people in the community can show that compassion and empathy can go a long way.

11 Summer Stories That Prove a Small Act of Kindness Can Stay With Someone for a Lifetime (USA Edition)

11 Summer Stories That Prove a Small Act of Kindness Can Stay With Someone for a Lifetime (USA Edition)
People
08/27/2026

When summer comes around, people often find themselves with free time, which means they have chances to meet all sorts of people. Thanks to this, people sometimes find themselves giving or getting random acts of kindness that can bring a lot of happiness to others.Even when the world seems to get too hot, people still don’t let it get in the way of compassion and empathy. Since then, people have been sharing stories of generosity over the warmer months. Some especially shared stories of kindness and empathy over certain summer holidays.

10 True American Moments Where One Person’s Sweet Kindness Brought Light and Happiness

10 True American Moments Where One Person’s Sweet Kindness Brought Light and Happiness
People
08/26/2026

People can often find themselves in tense situations in which someone needs their help. These are the moments when they can prove themselves and rise to the occasion to be a real-life superhero and save the day. This could be a big moment when things look bleak or just a random act of kindness that brings happiness to others.These moments are often motivated by empathy, compassion, and the simple act of sharing happiness. Over the years, people have shared all sorts of stories of helping others are being helped by others during their time of need.

10 Moments From America That Remind Us Kindness and Empathy Still Connect Lonely Hearts

10 Moments From America That Remind Us Kindness and Empathy Still Connect Lonely Hearts
People
08/25/2026

Today, many people deal with all sorts of loneliness. This can be the case for people at any stage of their lives. Young people and old people often find themselves living lives of solitude, and not quite because that’s how they like it. Even people who seem to have their lives together can have moments where they feel they are at their loneliest.However, simple acts of kindness and empathy can go a long way when people deal with these situations. When a lot of people are dealing with unwanted solitude, a generous soul can prove themselves and turn out to be just what they needed. Over the years, people have shared all sorts of stories in which simple kindness helped them in their time of need.

10 American Stories That Teach Us Sweet Kindness Still Travels Every Mile

10 American Stories That Teach Us Sweet Kindness Still Travels Every Mile
People
08/22/2026

Vacations are meant to be fun. However, it can be a little scary to travel to new places. Even people in the United States can feel this just by traveling to other parts of the country, thanks to its sheer size.Despite this, people often find generosity and compassion from unexpected places when they travel. Sometimes, a single stranger shows compassion. Other times, people find an altogether more generous attitude inside a new place. Ultimately, these things can make a trip all the more special.