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

Hocus Pocus creator and producer David Kirschner returns to The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul for part 2 of his interview spooktacular! The creative discusses the origins of Hocus Pocus, acts of kindness from the Sanderson sisters, making the upcoming sequel: Hocus Pocus 2 and much more! There may even be a special guest or two in this one...

Today’s guest is the iconic producer, screenwriter, illustrator and all-around creative mastermind David Kirschner. His career is like the perfect trick-or-treat bag, brimming with a variety of treats. Kirschner began his illustrious career as an illustrator for Jim Henson's Muppet and Sesame Street characters, and also creating art for prolific talents like Neil Diamond. At 23, he wrote and illustrated a series of children's books entitled Rose Petal Place.

Success struck like lightning in 1986, when Kirschner created and executive produced An American Tail alongside Steven Spielberg, which went on to become the highest-grossing non-Disney producers animated feature of all-time and spawned several sequels and a tv spinoff. In 1989, Kirschner was appointed the chairman of Hanna-Barbera Productions, where he worked on countless iconic properties from The Addams Family to the Flinstones to The Pagemaster, which is one of my all-time favorites. 

You may also know him as the creator of Chucky, the insidious doll that has been terrorizing viewers across a hit franchise of slasher films and most recently a television series. Currently the head of his own production company, aptly named David Kirschner Productions, here are some other highlights along the way: the golden globe-nominated film Miss Potter starring Renée Zellweger, the Curious George franchise and an animated special of Ray Bradbury’s legendary book The Halloween Tree.

Of course, we are here today to focus on one particularly glorious story that was plucked from the patch of David’s spooktacular mind: Hocus Pocus. David first conjured up the idea for three evil witches vying to suck the life out of children as a bedtime story for his own kids. As magic so often does, it seemingly took on a life of its own. Almost three decades later, Hocus Pocus is a cult classic and there’s a sequel on the way!

Hocus Pocus 2 soars on to Disney+ on September 30, with all three witches - Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy - reprising their wicked roles. Ahead of the sequel, David so graciously talked with me about the kindness he felt making the original and then returning to the story. As he zoomed in from his otherworldly office, he showed me the original Black Flame Candle, Winnie’s spell book, and above all else, kindness.

Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us:

[email protected]

Follow us

@artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul

Support the show!

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

Music:

"Awake" by Ricky Alvarez, "Spook 2" by PeriTune, & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio

We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Producer David Kirschner joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul for a 2-part interview spooktacular! The creative discusses the origins of Hocus Pocus, acts of kindness from the Sanderson sisters, making the upcoming sequel: Hocus Pocus 2 and much more!

Today’s guest is the iconic producer, screenwriter, illustrator and all-around creative mastermind David Kirschner. His career is like the perfect trick-or-treat bag, brimming with a variety of treats. Kirschner began his illustrious career as an illustrator for Jim Henson's Muppet and Sesame Street characters, and also creating art for prolific talents like Neil Diamond. At 23, he wrote and illustrated a series of children's books entitled Rose Petal Place.

Success struck like lightning in 1986, when Kirschner created and executive produced An American Tail alongside Steven Spielberg, which went on to become the highest-grossing non-Disney producers animated feature of all-time and spawned several sequels and a tv spinoff. In 1989, Kirschner was appointed the chairman of Hanna-Barbera Productions, where he worked on countless iconic properties from The Addams Family to the Flinstones to The Pagemaster, which is one of my all-time favorites. 

You may also know him as the creator of Chucky, the insidious doll that has been terrorizing viewers across a hit franchise of slasher films and most recently a television series. Currently the head of his own production company, aptly named David Kirschner Productions, here are some other highlights along the way: the golden globe-nominated film Miss Potter starring Renée Zellweger, the Curious George franchise and an animated special of Ray Bradbury’s legendary book The Halloween Tree.

Of course, we are here today to focus on one particularly glorious story that was plucked from the patch of David’s spooktacular mind: Hocus Pocus. David first conjured up the idea for three evil witches vying to suck the life out of children as a bedtime story for his own kids. As magic so often does, it seemingly took on a life of its own. Almost three decades later, Hocus Pocus is a cult classic and there’s a sequel on the way!

Hocus Pocus 2 soars on to Disney+ on September 30, with all three witches - Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy - reprising their wicked roles. Ahead of the sequel, David so graciously talked with me about the kindness he felt making the original and then returning to the story. As he zoomed in from his otherworldly office, he showed me the original Black Flame Candle, Winnie’s spell book, and above all else, kindness.

Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us:

[email protected]

Follow us

@artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul

Support the show!

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

Music:

"Awake" by Ricky Alvarez, "Spook 2" by PeriTune, & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio

We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emily Ruhl joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss breaking through the entertainment industry as a model, actress and now filmmaker and acts of kindness along the way.

Emily was thirteen when she was scouted while attending New York Fashion Week. Shortly thereafter, the Dallas native signed her first modeling contract in Tokyo. She later returned to NYC to sign with top modeling agency Marilyn Management. She has since appeared in Teen Vogue, Marie Claire, WWD, Seventeen Magazine, Nylon, and Elle Canada amongst others. She has been the face of many cosmetic companies including Smashbox, Too Faced, the Kardashian’s KKW Beauty, and MAC. On the acting front, Emily starred opposite Nicholas Hoult in the film NEWNESS, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. She also made a cameo appearance in Troian Bellisario’s short film, LIFE ON MARS.

The talent made her producing, directing, and writing debut with the short film BLUE MOON. Additionally, she co-wrote and produced the theme song to BLUE MOON titled HER. She is currently in production for her first TV series, 13TH STEPPING, which she also wrote, directed, and stars in.

Featuring: surprise guest - the best person ever - Cassie!!

Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us:

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@emilyruhl

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Music:

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

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Kevin Tuerff, Come From Away's Real-Life Kevin T, joins the Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul podcast to discuss his charity Pay It Forward 9/11's special 11 Days of Kindness campaign.

Kevin Teurff inspired one of the characters featured in the hit musical Come From Away. As you see in the musical, Kevin was one of the thousands of refugees stranded in Gander on September 11, 2001 after US airspace closed. Kevin took his experience there and poured it into a book called Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11, which you can buy now. He also used it to found the charity Pay It Forward 9/11, a kindness movement that not only pays it forward, but pays tribute to lives lost in the terrorist attacks. Kevin is thrilled to once again be launching his “11 Days of Kindness” campaign TODAY, September 1. This initiative encourages people around the world to perform acts of kindness by September 11th.

Learn more about Pay It Forward 9/11:

www.payitforward911.org

Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us:

[email protected]

Follow us

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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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Tony-nominee Jared Grimes joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss Funny Girl on Broadway, acts of kindness from Beanie Feldstein, why he loves auditioning and more.

Jared Grimes is a quadruple threat, making his mark on the entertainment world with singing, dancing, acting and choreographing. Though he is now a bonafide Broadway star, Grimes started out tap dancing on the New York City subways at the age of 16. As fate would have it, years later he wound up getting paid for that passion, choreographing at theaters around the nation and notably being cast as a dancer for icons like Mariah Carey, Salt-n-Pepa and even at Barack Obama’s illustrious Kennedy Center Honors.

Jared’s got to flex his acting chops over the years as well, getting recognized on a wider scale for his television roles on Netflix’s hit series Manifest and HBO’s Boardwalk Empire and in films like Paramount’s The Marc Pease Experience starring Ben Stiller. Of course, he never strays too far from the lights of Broadway. Jared’s glowing stage career includes After Midnight which is performed and choreographed in, A Soldier’s Play and, most recently, Funny Girl where he plays Fanny Brice’s upbeat dancer friend Eddie Ryan. 

Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us:

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@grimeystepz

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Music:

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

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Actor Carson Rowland joined host Robert Peterpaul to discuss kindness on the set of his shows Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin and Sweet Magnolias, how his family and wife lift him up, the link between acting and neuroscience and more.

Carson Rowland has been in love with acting since he can remember, first stepping into the spotlight with the recurring role of Cole Reyes in Nickelodeon's I Am Frankie. Over the years, Carson has become known for his work on shows like the ABC sitcom American Housewife, but it wasn’t until he booked the role of Tyler Townshend on Netflix’s charming series Sweet Magnolias that his star really shone. It grew even brighter this summer with the release of HBO Max’s hit Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, where Carson plays high schooler Chip. In addition to acting, Carson is also a singer-songwriter, but he mainly does that for himself. He also casually has a BS in Neuroscience from Florida Atlantic University, something he earned while simultaneously being a working actor.

Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us:

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@carsonrowland

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Resources:

988 - Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

National Sexual Assault Hotline

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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Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin star Chandler Kinney joins host Robert Peterpaul to discuss kindness in the arts, her new HBO Max show and much more! Get ready for a party!

Chandler Kinney began performing at the age of 3. Starting out as a dancer, her love for the arts grew as she got older. As an actor, Chandler has been seen in FOX’s “Lethal Weapon,” FX’s “American Horror Story: Asylum,” the CW’s “90210,” Disney’s “Girl Meets World” and more. Hollywood has been buzzing about Chandler for her two most recent projects: “ZOMBIES 3" and "Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin." The star also uses her bright light to give back, starting her own nonprofit called Chandler’s Friends, which partners with local organizations and elementary schools in various creative initiatives to serve children in need in the greater Los Angeles community.

Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us:

[email protected]

Follow Chandler

@chandlerkinney

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Music:

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

We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network.

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Hayley Orrantia joins host Robert Peterpaul for The Art of Kindness podcast's 50th episode! We had the best time talking about her journey from homeschool to stardom, what it’s like working on The Goldbergs, our hilarious connection and much more!

From starring in hit television series to releasing chart-topping singles, Hayley Orrantia is one of the most exciting multi-hyphenate talents in the entertainment industry. Born and raised in Texas, Hayley discovered her love of performing from the young age of nine years old. Flash forward, Hayley is now most known for her celebrated role as Erica Goldberg in ABC’s hit sitcom, “The Goldbergs."

Hayley has also made her mark on the reality TV world with shows like The X Factor to more recently The Masked Singer. She’s been in films like Christmas is Cancelled and God’s Not Dead, and taken to the stage in musicals like Kinky Boots. Hayley has also performed on stages around the world with headline music tours. She’s used her gifts to churn out hits like Find Yourself Somebody, Made for This and most recently Open Your Mouth.  

Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us:

[email protected]

Follow Hayley

@hayleyorrantia

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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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Broadway star Claybourne Elder (Company, The Gilded Age) sits down with Robert Peterpaul at BroadwayCon 2022 for the first ever LIVE TAPING of The Art of Kindness podcast!

Claybourne Elder is an actor, singer and writer who was born and raised in Utah. He made his Broadway debut in 2011 with the musical Bonnie & Clyde. The following year, he earned some well-deserved acclaim in the play One Arm, receiving a Drama Desk Award nomination. Clay went on to appear in Sunday in the Park with George opposite Jake Gyllenhaal, Torch Song and most recently Stephen Sondheim’s revival of Company. Though he’s most known today as one of Broadway’s brightest stars, Clay also has a notable onscreen presence, making memorable appearances in series like The Carrie Diaries and more recently, HBO Max’s hit show The Gilded Age.

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claybourneelder

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Emmy-winning Casting Director Mary Clay Boland joins Robert Peterpaul on The Art of Kindness podcast to discuss approaching auditions with kindness, tips for actors, working on iconic shows like Friends and The Sopranos, returning to casting with MCM Creative and much more!

Mary Clay Boland is a two-time Emmy award winning and three-time Artois nominated Casting Director who has been casting film, television and theater projects for over 18 years. She started her career at Circle Repertory Theater and then transitioned to television working with Walken/Jaffe Casting. There she was the casting associate on the first two seasons of The Sopranos as well as numerous feature films. Moving over to the casting department of Warner Brothers Studios Television, Boland cast over 40 pilots including Everwood, Smallville, Gilmore Girls, George Lopez, and Without a Trace. She also cast the first two seasons of NBC’s Third Watch and was responsible for the New York casting of Warner Brother Studio’s shows like ER, West Wing, and Friends. Boland then moved to daytime television, casting for CBS’ As The World Turns, where she won two Emmys for Outstanding achievement in Casting a Drama Series

Boland went on to open her own company, Boland Casting, where she cast projects like the first season of the Adult Swim series Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell. Throughout her career, Boland has also cast many independent films that have played heavily on the festival circuit such as The Marconi Bros., Best Thief in the World and Confess, among others.

Boland currently resides in Louisville, KY, where she took a hiatus to raise her daughter and be close to her family. She remains immersed in the Louisville Film community, casting such projects as the Netflix film Under the Eiffel Tower. She has taught media and film studies as a guest lecturer for the Governor’s School of the Arts and has also led multiple workshops on auditioning technique. Boland is a member of the Academy for Film and Television and IFP and Women in Film and Television. She was also on the board of the New York CSA for four years.

Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us:

[email protected]

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Support the show!

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Show Music: Awake/ Come From Away commercial

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