Kindness Matters Podcast

Send us Fan Mail

Do you find gift-giving a daunting task? Fear not, as we have Patrick Kucharson, creator of the Better Gift Coach, joining us to share captivating insights - from delivering meaningful gifts without splurging to the art of group gifting and off-calendar gifting. You'll witness the heart-tugging tale of Patrick crafting a custom children's book for his son's birthday, an affordable yet memorable gift idea worth adopting. Plus, we delve into the inspiring world of group gifting and off-calendar gifting - extraordinary strategies to make your gifts unique and everlasting.

Let's explore the beautiful side of kindness which is often overlooked. From the mysterious woman sending monthly anonymous gifts to her daughter after her husband's passing to the touching gesture of a daughter collecting stories from her father's friends - these acts of kindness will surely melt your heart. We also emphasize on the importance of supporting each other and their dreams, and even give a shoutout to Susan Way's podcast on grief which is worth a listen. So, join us in this heartwarming discussion and let's spread kindness in our own unique ways.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

What happens when a simple act of chalk doodling turns into a full-fledged mission to spread joy during difficult times? Meet my guest, the delightful Laurie Olesen, who used her talent for chalk artistry to brighten up driveways and in turn, lives during the pandemic. A whimsical mushroom, uplifting messages for a hospital-ridden boy, a birthday cake for a party-cancelled little girl - her chalk art repertoire is as diverse as it is heartwarming. The community's response to Laurie’s call for more driveways to spread her art was undeniably overwhelming, earning Laurie the affectionate nickname, the Epic Chalk Lady.

As we journey through the ups and downs of her chalk art adventure, we discover the artistic evolution that turned a hobby into a full-time endeavor. Beyond chalk art, she also ventured into rock painting and gnome hunting. Laurie's resilience amid the chalk shortage of 2021 and her discovery of artist's chalk, which allowed for more intricate designs, are testament to her dedication. Her story would be incomplete without the mention of Laurie's husband, whose support for her creative escapades speaks volumes about the power of love and understanding.

Finally, as we wrap this episode, we take a moment to reflect on the transformative power of kindness. With over 400 chalk drawings to her credit, all done for free, Laurie exemplifies generosity and selflessness in its purest form. Let her story serve as a reminder of the profound impact of rooting for others and encouraging them to believe in themselves. Tune in to this heartwarming episode, and you'll leave inspired to spread a little more kindness in your corner of the world.

As always, if you have your own story of kindness you would like to share, or just want to connect, you can do that here.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Have you ever considered the magnitude of influence a simple act of kindness can exert? Join me, your host, and my long-time friend, Lisa Metwaly, founder of the Qkindness Cafe as we unravel the mystery of kindness. Lisa stands as a testament to how even the smallest gestures of love can ripple through our day-to-day lives, making a world of difference. She talks about her journey of setting up a kindness café—a place fostering connection and collaboration, where people from the same industry come together to exchange ideas. Together we endorse the power of incorporating love and kindness into every aspect of our lives, a much-needed message in today's reality.

As we transition into the second segment, Lisa and I delve deeper into the realm of intentional acts of kindness. We spotlight the enchanting activities of the Kindness Travels initiative and discuss how the individuals who may appear to deserve kindness the least, often need it the most. We conclude by shifting focus onto ourselves, underscoring the significance of self-kindness. Our conversation takes a spiritual turn as we discuss how kindness is a unifying narrative across all religions. We also touch upon the law of attraction and its influence on our perception of the world. Our discussion culminates with the profound impact of random acts of kindness. So, join us as we embark on this journey of love, kindness, and connection. Together, let's make kindness our second nature.

As always, if you have a story of kindness you would like to tell or just want to connect with me, you can do it here.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Meet our guest, Steve Griffiths, a person of substance and the executive director of Stepping Stone Emergency Housing. He's been walking the path of service and has dedicated his life to making a meaningful impact on others. In this spirited dialogue, he takes us through his journey in the nonprofit sector, from his roots at Meals on Wheels to his transformative work at Stepping Stone. He shares how he and his team have been making strides in the community, providing emergency housing and empowering families to plan for the aging process. His story is not just about the work but the people whose lives are being changed every day.

As we pivot into the conversation's second part, Steve underscores the significance of affordable housing and resident empowerment. He paints a vivid picture of how Stepping Stone is making a dent in the community, providing emergency shelter and equipping residents to take control of their lives and futures. But the heart of his message doesn't stop there. We delve into the power of kindness and the indispensable role that volunteers play in this grand scheme of things. Through their selfless service, volunteers form bonds with the people they serve, thereby bringing dignity to those in need. Join us as we highlight the power of kindness and its ripple effects in our communities.

As always, if you have a story of kindness that you would like to tell or just want to connect, you can do that here.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Can we be more compassionate towards ourselves? Is it possible to foster empathy and kindness in our modern, fast-paced workplaces? Jenna Saunders, who was diagnosed with ADD in her college years, joins us today to shed light on these questions. Together, we unravel her journey to self-compassion, highlighting the often-overlooked importance of being kind to oneself. We also touch on embracing differences in our coworkers, especially those with ADHD, and how this shift in perspective can transform our workplace dynamics.

We all remember the tumultuous teenage years, don't we? Today's episode takes an entertaining detour as Jenna and I recall the hilarious, unpredictable phases of our teenage years and discuss the challenges they present in teaching empathy and kindness. We weigh the profound impact of witnessing acts of kindness and the critical role educators play in fostering a polite, compassionate society. Here's the fun part - we brainstorm some creative solutions that educators can employ to instill these values among the younger generations.

In our final segment, we explore the potential of empathy and kindness as integral parts of classroom learning. We delve into the benefits of social emotional learning programs, and how they play a significant role in developing students' social-emotional awareness. The critical role of parents in nurturing these concepts at home also makes it into our conversation, and we discuss how shared hobbies like video games can bring about a deeper understanding of our kids' interests. So, sit back, relax, and join us on this enlightening journey to make kindness an integral part of our lives and the world around us.

Have a great week and, as always, if you have a question or would like to be a guest on the show or just want to know more about me, you can find everything you're looking for on my Linktree

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Ever felt alone facing the world? Imagine facing it as a young single mother. It's a reality for many women in the United States, a third of whom live in poverty. But there's hope. Today, we're joined by Pam Powell, the incredible woman leading Mom’s Haven of Hope, a non-profit organization that's making a difference. Pam's personal journey and her determination to empower single mothers is nothing short of inspiring. Through her organization, she offers not just housing and support groups, but also equips mothers with the necessary skills to live an independent life.

Mom's Haven of Hope has a unique approach to support. They provide stable housing, set rules and goals, and even charge a low fee for room rentals. This isn't just about offering a handout - it's about teaching single mothers to fish, so to speak. It's about equipping them with tools for self-sufficiency, whether it's through trade schools, college, certificate programs, or practical life skills like budgeting and scheduling. There’s a whole lot more to Pam’s mission, and we can't wait for you to hear all about it. Join us for a conversation that’s sure to leave you feeling moved and inspired to spread kindness in your own way.

As always if you would like to share your own story of kindness, feel free to reach out. Simply pick a method from my Linktree!

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Have you ever experienced the immense power of kindness during a challenging time in your life? Christine Manko-Petersen, our inspiring guest, shares her personal journey of receiving unconditional kindness during her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, and how it helped her realize the importance of accepting help and taking care of oneself. We discuss how kindness can come in the form of small gestures, and why it's crucial to practice kindness every day.

Christine also talks about her transformation from a high-speed corporate life to founding her own business, Mindful Coaching and Training, where she uses yoga to empower women to build resilience and confidence. We explore how yoga can help people focus, align, and balance, as well as build physical, mental, and emotional resilience. Discover how Christine's life-changing experiences have led her to dedicate her life to helping others and spreading kindness. Join me, Mike Rathbun, as we delve into a conversation that will uplift and inspire you to practice kindness and resilience in your own life.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Can you imagine facing eight different health conditions and still finding the strength to advocate for others? Join us for an inspiring conversation with disability advocate, author, and public speaker, Pey Carter, and her daughter Abigail Bailey. Pey (short for Peighton) opens up about navigating through her own challenges while raising awareness for others and shares the moving story behind her theater project about MST (Military Sexual Trauma), Speaking Out Why I Stand.

Together, we explore the world of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that affects both Pey and her daughter Abby. They bravely discuss their experiences with this condition, the impact it has had on their lives, and how they've learned to adapt. Abby's journey doesn't end there - she is also in the process of becoming a published author, writing a children's picture book about Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and spreading a message of hope and understanding.

In this heartfelt episode, we dive into the importance of kindness and encouragement when facing life's obstacles. Learn how this incredible mother-daughter duo have turned their challenges into opportunities to help others and how their resilience and determination can inspire us all. Don't miss this enlightening conversation, and remember to share this episode with someone who could use a little kindness today.

If you want to help Abigail's dream come true you can donate to her Kickstarter Campaign until the end of July.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

When a dear family friend was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer at only 25 years old, Aimee Kandrac stepped up to help in any way she could. Little did she know that her acts of kindness would lead her to found What Friends Do, an organization that now supports over 75,000 active users each month in their times of need. Joined by Aimee and  Mike, discuss the powerful impact of kindness and the importance of having a network of friends and family to rely on during tough times.

Listen in as Aimee shares the heartwarming story of how she started What Friends Do and the ways we can all provide support for friends and family, from walking the dog to organizing bills. Mike also shares his favorite acts of kindness. Discover how moments of grief can be eased by having a network of friends and family to rely on for help and how kindness can be expressed in loving and practical ways. Don't miss this inspiring conversation on how kindness truly matters.

You can find Aimee and her platforms here.
What Friend Do (Website)
What Friends Do (Instagram)
What Friends Do (Facebook)
Aimee (LinkedIn)
What Friends Do: Kitchen Chats (Podcast)

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Can elderberry syrup really improve your health and immunity? Erin Mann, the owner of Erin's Elderberries, joins us to share her inspirational journey of discovering elderberry syrup's potency as a natural remedy. She reveals how this powerful concoction helped her son fight off illnesses and became the core of her thriving business.

From former FBI agent to successful entrepreneur, Erin's story is a testament to the power of determination and passion. We discuss how her background in research and investigation played a significant role in her discovery of elderberry syrup and the various medical studies that support its use. Erin also shares her commitment to making quality products accessible by keeping prices low and her vision for a national program to provide free elderberry syrup to those in need and her drive to provide youth in her community with college scholarships. Don't miss this captivating conversation that just might inspire you to explore the amazing benefits of elderberry syrup!

Thanks to the combined efforts of Erin and Olivia, (Erin’s Social Media Director) you can find Erin’s story and products all over the internet. . Make sure to follow them for amazing information and inspiration!
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn

Support the show