The Art of Kindness: Pop Culture & Positivity with Robert Peterpaul

Born This Way Foundation Program Associate Mariah Karis joins Robert Peterpaul of The Art of Kindness podcast to brainstorm kindness tips for the holiday season and new year, plus discuss the transformative work being done to create a kinder world at Lady Gaga's nonprofit.

Born This Way Foundation, co-founded and led by Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Bissett Germanotta, supports youth mental health and works with young people to build a kinder and braver world. Through youth-driven research, programs, and strategic partnerships, Born This Way Foundation aims to make kindness cool, validate the emotions of young people, and eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health. Born This Way Foundation’s programs include #BeKind365, Channel Kindness, the Be There Certificate, and Please Stay – all aimed at connecting young people (and anyone!) with resources to build communities that understand, prioritize, and foster good mental health. Learn more at bornthisway.foundation.

Mariah Karis is a Program Associate for Born This Way Foundation, where she helps assist with Channel Kindness, Please Stay, and other programs. Previously, she has worked for Missoula Children’s Theatre, traveling and teaching over 3,000 youth around the U.S. and world a musical theatre production in a week. A recent University of Montana graduate in Journalism and Entertainment Management, and a Blackstone Launchpad/Future Founders Fellow, Mariah launched her small business, The Giddy Thrifter, in the summer of 2021 and went on to place in three collegiate pitch contests, most recently winning third as the only woman semi-finalist in the traditional venture category of MSU50k. Originally from small-town Wisconsin, Mariah is passionate about the arts, female entrepreneurship, and creating a world where kindness and mental health awareness is at the heart of all that is done. You can follow Mariah on Instagram at @mariahkaris.

Got kindness tips or stories? Email us:

[email protected]

More on BTWF:

bornthisway.foundation

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Music:

"Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio.

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Join The Art of Kindness podcast LIVE from Harmony's opening night on Broadway as Robert Peterpaul shares positive chats with guests on the show, cheesy jokes and, of course, kindness.

Tune in for interviews with star guests Skyla Astin (Pitch Perfect), Tovah Feldshuh (Funny Girl), and Montego Glover (Into the Woods), as well as the stars of Harmony on Broadway: Chip Zien, Sierra Boggess, Julie Benko, Sean Bell, Danny Kornfeld, Zal Owen, Eric Peters, Blake Roman, Steven Telsey, Allison Semmes, Andrew O’Shanick, Zak Edwards, Dan Hoy, Bruce Landry, RhonniRose Mantilla, Daniel Z. Miller, Benjamin H. Moore, Matthew Mucha, Constantine Pappas, Kayleen Seidl, Kyla Stone, Bronwyn Tarboton, Kate Wesler, Stuart Zagnit, and Lee Zarrett. Also featuring Producers Tom D'Angora, Michael D'angora and performer Maya Days (Aida).

Harmony is an original musical, from Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, based on the true story of the musical group, The Comedian Harmonists. The six-membered German vocal group rose to popularity in the late 1920s only to be completely erased from history because it featured Jewish members.

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Episode editor:

Carli Sanger

Music:

"Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio.

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[Re-release] Revisit a cheerful chat from our Christmas Archive! Join The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul for a sparkling season one finale with Broadway star Lesli Margherita! Lesli talks kindness on Broadway, how she connects with her villainous roles like Mrs. Wormwood in Matilda, hacking self tape auditions in quarantine, growing up on a cattle ranch (where she performed Sondheim with cows), and a whole lot more. Plus, stay tuned for your final kindness tip of 2021 with special guest Cassie Carroll!

Lesli Margherita is an Olivier Award-winning performer who earned the aforementioned award on the West End in Zorro. She made her Broadway debut in the original cast of Matilda in 2013, getting LOUD as the ICONIC and devilishly dazzling Mrs. Wormwood. She more recently appeared in Dames at Sea on Broadway and Off-Broadway in the one-woman show Who's Holiday, where she played a grown up Cindy Lou Who and then the musical Emojiland, as The Princess emoji. She's also got tons of incredible onscreen credits, from starting out in FAME LA to new movie The Many Saints of Newark to The Fairly OddParents reboot on Paramount!

Thank you all for listening and being a part of our kindness community! Audio hugs all around, friends.

Got kindness tips or stories? Email us:

[email protected]

Follow Lesli:

@queenlesli

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Broadway star Nik Walker (Hamilton) joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss kindness in the theatre, the sparkling "mishap" this is his new bway show Spamalot, holding space for others, Batman and more.

About Nik Walker:

Nik Walker is a Boston native, theme park nerd, NYU professor, and NYU Tisch alumni (Adler, Classical and Stonestreet), who’s been earning a living in “The Industry” for a decade and counting. He’s been seen on Broadway as Aaron Burr in Hamilton, Otis Williams in Ain’t Too Proud, and as Sir Galahad in the revival of Spamalot; onscreen in Blue Bloods, Law and Order SVU, and in the upcoming AppleTV+ film The Instigators, alongside his hometown hero Matt Damon. Cleaners, the animated series that he created and wrote with writing partner Alex Brightman, is in development at Warner Bros. Animation, and his musical Whiskeyland, is in workshops after a successful breakout performance at Orlando Fringe. He is the co-host of the arts/activism show The Chaos Twins, and his movie podcast, Little Justice, is streaming wherever podcasts are imbibed.

Follow Nik:

@nikkywalks

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(https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok)

Music:

"Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio.

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Broadway star Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Newsies) joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss his new show Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, acts of kindness in the theatre, navigating social media as an artist and much more.

More about ANDREW KEENAN BOLGER:

Broadway: Jesse Tuck in Tuck Everlasting (Drama League Award nominee), Crutchie in Newsies (Outer Critics Circle nominee), Mary Poppins, Seussical, Beauty and the Beast, A Christmas Carol. 1st Nat'l Tours: Spelling Bee, How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Off-Broadway: Seven Deadly Sins. TV: The Undoing, The Blacklist, The Other Two, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Nurse Jackie, Looking. Film: The Rewrite, Marci X, Upcoming: On Swift Horses, V13. Co-creator of the series Submissions Only. Co-author of the book series Jack & Louisa (Penguin Random House). @KeenanBlogger

More about "DRACULA, THE PODCASTULA":

Broadway Podcast Network has launched Broadway’s first ever weekly companion podcast, “Dracula, The Podcastula,” hosted by Andrew Keenan-Bolger. A first of its kind for theater, this companion podcast allows fans to uncover behind-the-scenes content about the creation of a Broadway show, and the ever-changing life on stage in New York. Episodes will cover topics including navigating the 8 show-a-week grind, the actors maintaining their humor, keeping the show fresh, on and off stage mishaps, questions from fans, and more. The podcast was developed by Keenan-Bolger and Broadway Podcast Network co-founder and CTO, Alan Seales.

Follow Andrew:

@keenanblogger

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Music:

"Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio.

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Tony-winning Broadway star James Monroe Iglehart (Disney's Aladdin) sits down with The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul podcast to discuss how kindness has led to opportunities as a performer, his new shows What A Wonderful World and Spamalot, plus much more.

James Monroe Iglehart is a multi-award-winning actor of stage and screen. You may have seen him light up Broadway in shows like Hamilton, where he played the dual roles of Lafayette and Jefferson, Chicago as Billy Flynn, and the Broadway hit Freestyle Love Supreme. Of course, James is perhaps best known for his Tony Award-winning performance as the Genie in Disney's Aladdin on Broadway. The California native has been booked and busy this season, starring as Louis Armstrong in the new musical A Wonderful World and then going straight into the Broadway revival of Spamalot. James plays King Arthur in the musical comedy lovingly ripped off from the film classic Monty Python and the Holy Grail. We, of course, dive into both of these shows!

On screen, you may have seen James in series like “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”, “Maniac”, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” or "Sesame Street", and films like “Disenchanted.” He has also voiced many animated characters in shows like Disney’s “Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventures” and “DuckTales”, as well as “Blues Clues.” Fun fact: James is a self proclaimed comic book nerd who has written three comic book stories for Marvel Comics and co-hosts the Marvel Comic podcast “This Week in Marvel” on SiriusXM. When he’s not on stage, he’s usually watching pro wrestling or Disney+ while chilling out with his wife of over 20 years, Dawn.

Follow James:

@jmiglehart

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Support the show!

(https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok)

Music:

"Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio.

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Join The Art of Kindness live from opening night of Harmony on Broadway as Robert Peterpaul chats with the show's trio of leading ladies: Sierra Boggess (The Little Mermaid), Julie Benko (Funny Girl) and Allison Semmes (Motown the Musical).

Harmony is an original musical, from Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, based on the true story of the musical group, The Comedian Harmonists. The six-membered German vocal group rose to popularity in the late 1920s only to be completely erased from history because it featured Jewish members.

More on Harmony:

harmonyanewmusical.com

Follow us:

@artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul

Support the show!

(https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok)

Music:

"Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio.

We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. 

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Tv and film legend Carol Burnett joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul for our 100th episode extravaganza! The Carol Burnett Show powerhouse calls in to discuss all things kindness: including life-changing acts of kindness throughout her life and career, and what her golden advice for the world.

What can be said of the beloved icon Carol Burnett that hasn’t been said? Carol is, of course, an award-winning actress, producer, comedic genius and best-selling author, widely recognized for her work in Broadway shows like Once Upon A Mattress, films like Annie and television, most notably The Carol Burnett Show. Named in 2007 by TIME magazine as one of “100 Best Television Shows of All Time,” The Carol Burnett Show ran for 11 years, averaged 30 million viewers per week, and received 25 Emmy Awards, making it one of the most honored shows in television history. It put Carol and her friends opposite legendary guest stars like Lucille Ball, Betty White, Cher, and her good friend Julie Andrews. 

Carol’s remarkable journey to stardom started with humble beginnings. Born in San Antonio, Texas, in 1933, she was predominantly raised by her mother and grandmother. The family moved to a less-than-glamorous part of Hollywood in the late 1930s, seeking a better life and eventually putting Carol in the halls of Hollywood High School. As time went by, the family’s modest means made going to college a far away dream for Carol. However two acts of kindness soon intervened and changed her path forever… which, of course, we discuss in today’s conversation.

Carol now has a permanent steak in the grounds of Los Angeles, with the intersection of Highland Ave. and Selma directly adjacent to Hollywood High School, named Carol Burnett Square.

This is merely one accolade the star has racked up over the years. As a highly acclaimed actress, Carol has been honored with Emmys, Golden Globes, People’s Choice Awards, the Peabody, a Grammy, a SAG Lifetime Achievement Award. and many more. She is a Kennedy Center Honoree, the recipient of the Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for Humor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom; was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame, and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2019, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association created The Carol Burnett Award which is an honorary Golden Globe to celebrate outstanding contributions to television on or off the screen.

Offscreen, Carol enjoys spending time with her husband Brian, her two daughters Jody and Erin, her grandsons, and her cat, Nikki. As a passionate supporter of the arts and education, she established several scholarships around the country, including the Carol Burnett Musical Theatre Competition at her alma mater, UCLA, and the Carrie Hamilton Foundation, to honor her daughter’s memory.

A major thank you to our 100th episode sponsors:

Schmackary's Cookies, Relativity Ventures, Sticker You, Rapid Press, NAJ Captured, Scott Appel Media, Jennifer Laski PR, Deanna Giulietti and Factory Underground, where this episode was recorded.

Follow us:

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Support the show!

(https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok)

Music:

"Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio.

We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. 

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Join The Art of Kindness podcast live from New York City's most worthwhile Halloween events, including Bette Midler and New York Restoration Project's Hulaween! Host Robert Peterpaul gives you a glimpse inside the event and then is on the carpet with stars: Grammy-nominee Chloe Bailey, Tony-winner Myles Frost (MJ: The Musical), Rupaul’s Drag Race alum Thorgy Thor, and media persona and fellow podcaster Bruce Bozzi.

New York Restoration Project: At New York Restoration Project (NYRP), we believe that everyone deserves access to high-quality public green space. Over 1.6 million New Yorkers live within 10 blocks of an NYRP park or garden. Since our founding in 1995 by Bette Midler, we have been making clean, green open space accessible to all New Yorkers by planting trees, renovating gardens and restoring parks in communities across the five boroughs with the greatest need for access to nature. To learn more please visit www.nyrp.org.

I Put A Spell On You: The Witches Era: The Sanderson Sisters bewitched Sony Hall as part of Jay Armstrong Johnson’s annual Halloween concert-meets-party benefiting Ali Forney Center. Audiences can stream the spooktacular at Broadway on Demand through November 1.

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Support the show!

(https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok)

Music:

"Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio.

We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. 

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Pasadena Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Danny Feldman joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss what makes his Tony-winning theatre so special, the power and future of regional theatre, artistic communities and more.

Pasadena Playhouse, the official State Theater of California and recipient of the 2023 Regional Theatre Tony Award, is one of the most prolific theaters in the country. The Playhouse has staged thousands of original productions since its founding in 1917 including premieres of works by Tennessee Williams, Eugene O’Neill, Suzan Lori Parks and hundreds more. For decades, its pioneering School for Theater Arts was a training ground for actors and theatermakers who went on to make significant contributions to the entertainment industry. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Danny Feldman since 2016, Pasadena Playhouse’s productions and community programs are centered on its founding idea of being a living force in its community, making theater for everyone.

Find out more on Pasadena Playhouse:

www.pasadenaplayhouse.org

Follow us:

@artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul

Support the show!

(https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok)

Music:

"Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio.

We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network.

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