The Kindness Matters Podcast
So. Much. Division. Let's talk about how to change that. Re-engage as neighbors, friends, co-workers and family. Let's set out to change the world. Strike that. Change A World. One person at a time, make someone's life a little better and then do it again tomorrow and the day after that, through kindness.
Kindness is a Super-Power that each of us has within us. It is so powerful it has the potential to change not only your life but those around you, too. Let's talk about kindness.
Episodes
139 episodes
Holidays, Grief, And Genuine Kindness
The holidays can feel like a spotlight—bright, demanding, and sometimes blinding—especially when there’s an empty chair at the table. We sit down with certified grief educator Maria Belanic, whos...
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33:36
Reclaiming Yourself
Ever felt that dizzy aftertaste of a conversation where everything somehow becomes your fault? We sit down with coach and mentor Kyle Miller to untangle the confusion around narcissistic abuse, the misuse of the word “narcissist,” and the pract...
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36:26
Unbinding Perfection
What if the strongest antidote to perfectionism isn’t tougher goals, but kinder ones? We sit down with life coach and former Dartmouth swim coach Jenn Verser to explore how compassion—especially the kin...
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31:12
Stage Lights, Soft Hearts
What if a classroom could feel like a rehearsal room—brave, focused, and full of possibility? We sit down with 25-year-old performing arts teacher Avelyn Simons to explore how kindness, boundaries, and creative practice can transform shy teens ...
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25:34
Hot Mess, Big Heart
What if a mop and a kind word could change the way someone sees herself? We sat down with Brittinie Tran, founder of Hot Mess Express
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27:43
Myths, Meet Reality: Homelessness in America.
A lot of people talk about homelessness. Fewer people step inside a shelter and see what actually works. We sat down with Helen Kuchera to pull back the curtain on a low‑ba...
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28:59
Hope 4 Youth: Inside Minnesota’s Quiet Crisis and the Community Solving It
A teenager can ace a math test at 10 a.m. and still have nowhere safe to sleep by 10 p.m. Our conversation with Hope 4 Youth’s associate director, Mark McNamer, pulls back the curtain on the hidden cr...
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40:04
Beyond the Flames: A Firefighter's Journey Through Trauma and Healing
Trauma doesn't have to be the end of your story—it can become the foundation for profound healing and service to others.Former firefighter Natalie Newgent takes us through her remarka...
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32:53
Earth Angels Among Us
What happens when strangers appear at our lowest moments, offering help with no expectation of anything in return? Kate Torode, author of
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35:01
When Nature Heals What Humanity Breaks
What happens when kindness goes wrong? When James Francisco Bonilla was legally blind, well-meaning strangers pulled him into busy intersections, walked him into call b...
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41:17
Can Kindness Be Your Most Powerful Marketing Tool?
What if your biggest business mistakes could become your greatest marketing opportunities? What if teenagers could successfully run million-dollar operations? Dr. Mark Leonard...
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34:32
Healing Through Generations: Breaking the Cycle of Trauma
What happens when childhood trauma becomes the catalyst for profound healing? Heather Ann Ferri's journey from victim to healer offers a roadmap for anyone struggling with their past.
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28:36
Unleashing Kindness: How Service Dogs Transform Lives
What happens when a veteran ICU nurse combines her medical expertise with 30 years of dog training experience? Pauline Hoegler reveals the remarkable answer on this episode of ...
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33:14
The Power of Being Witnessed: Transforming Nursing Burnout
What if the most powerful act of kindness isn't fixing someone's problems, but simply being present with them? Pediatric cardiothoracic intensive care nurse Natalie Miller Binkley brings this ...
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41:38
Compassionate Productivity: Finding Peace Through Self-Kindness
Discover the transformative power of compassion in productivity with Lisa Zawrotny, founder of Positively Productive Systems. In thi...
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38:43
Optimistic Healthcare: Breaking Barriers to Access
What happens when compassion meets healthcare innovation? In this illuminating conversation, Mike Baker—CEO of Heritage Health, author, musician, and self-de...
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33:17
The Power of Boundaries: A Conversation with Kate Browning
"The only people that will ever have an issue with you putting a boundary in place is those that benefit from you having none." This powerful statement from
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29:42
Workplace Wellbeing Revolution
Ever wondered how much your boss affects your mental health? According to research shared by Rebecca Reed, founder and CEO of Siendo, your ...
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32:06
Holy Mischief: Creating a Kindness Movement
What happens when a computer programmer receives a divine calling to ministry? For Reverend Dr. Shannon Karafanda, it launched a transformative journey culminating in a global kindness movem...
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37:05
The Kindness Revolution: Raising Children Who Change Lives
When parents see headlines about rising juvenile crime rates, it's easy to feel helpless. While juvenile arrests have declined since the 1990s, troubling increases in firearm violence and homicide rates among youth ages 10-14 have parents searc...
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31:58
Spreading Joy Through Stories
A chance connection on social media led to one of the most heartwarming conversations in Kindness Matters history. Philip Parker, creator of multiple podcasts including "Unscripted ...
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34:51
Finding Light in Dark Times
Tragedy struck Minnesota when politically motivated violence left State Senator John Hoffman and his wife severely wounded, and former House Speaker Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and their dog Gilbert dead. Yet amid this darkness, remarkab...
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18:37
Driving Change: How Cars for Neighbors Tackles Transportation Insecurity
Transportation insecurity sounds like a cold, technical term—until you realize it's the difference between keeping a job and unemployment, accessing healthcare or suffering without it. While we readily understand food banks and homeless shelter...
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35:44
When Tragedy Strikes: Finding Space for Kindness Amid Political Violence
How do we respond when darkness seems to be winning? Following a horrific act of political terrorism in Minnesota, this special episode takes a raw, honest look at the struggle to maintain faith in kindness during our darkest moments.Th...
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5:57
