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

Bestselling Author Emma Straub's new book American Fantasy has pulled into port! The acclaimed writer joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss her joyful writing process, the kindness and power of nostalgia, being kind to yourself as a creator and more.

This episode features:

Emma Straub is the New York Times-bestselling author of six books for adults: the novels This Time Tomorrow, All Adults Here, The Vacationers, Modern Lovers, Laura Lamont’s Life in Pictures, and the short story collection Other People We Married. She is also the author of a picture book, Very Good Hats.  Her books have been published in more than twenty languages. 

 She and her husband are also the beloved owners of Books Are Magic, an iconic independent bookstore in Brooklyn, New York.

Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us:

⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Follow Emma

@emmastraub

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.

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

Pretty Lethal writer, director and producer Vicky Jewson joins the Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to dive deep into her personal act of kindness/ mission: infusing the action genre with more women.

Episode takeaways:

PRETTY LETHAL: An action-packed thriller where five ballerinas (Iris Apatow, Lana Condor, Millicent Simmonds, Avantika, Maddie Ziegler)⁠⁠⁠, on their way to a prestigious dance competition, are barely on speaking terms when their bus breaks down in a remote forest. With no other options, they reluctantly seek shelter at an unsettling roadside inn run by Devora Kasimer (Uma Thurman), a reclusive former ballet prodigy. From the moment they arrive, something feels wrong—and their worst instincts prove right. As the situation turns deadly, the fractured team must set aside rivalries and weaponize years of brutal training, turning grace, discipline, and even pointe shoes into tools for survival. Now streaming on Prime!

Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us:

⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Follow Vicky

⁠@vicjewson

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.

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

Tony-nominee and TikTok sensation Kevin Chamberlin says kindness is the key to longevity. The When Playwrights Kill actor joins host Robert Peterpaul for a morning chat on The Art of Kindness to discuss:

KEVIN CHAMBERLIN is a three-time Tony Award-nominated actor. Kevin is best known for his work on stage in Dirty Blonde, Seussical, and The Addams Family as well as on-camera in Disney Channel’s “Jessie”. Following his time on “Jessie”, Kevin quickly rose to online prominence, accumulating an audience of 12 million engaged fans across social media platforms.

Check out: WHEN PLAYWRIGHTS KILL

Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us:

⁠[email protected]⁠

Follow Kevin

@chamberlin.kevin

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.

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

Netflix star Alyvia Alyn Lind says kindness is the way(ward)! The actor joins host Robert Peterpaul on The Art of Kindness to discuss:

ALYVIA ALYN LIND is an emerging powerhouse actress. This fall, she starred opposite Toni Collette in Wayward, Netflix’s hit psychological thriller series from creator Mae Martin. The series premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, and ranked in the top 10 on Netflix in over 35 countries. Lind previously starred as the female lead of the Peacock/Syfy horror series Chucky. She also led Roku’s Spiderwick Chronicles with Christian Slater and Netflix’s Daybreak alongside Matthew Broderick.

In 2015, Lind played the role of Dolly Parton in Coat of Many Colors, which earned her a Critics Choice Award nomination. Lind was also nominated for a Daytime Emmy for her work on The Young and the Restless. Her additional television credits include the Hulu comedy series Future Man, Showtime’s acclaimed drama Masters of Sex and AMC’s The Walking Dead.

In film, Lind starred with Adam Sandler in Warner Bros Pictures’ Blended, alongside Drew Barrymore in Netflix’s Overboard, and across Bella Thorne in Masquerade.

Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us:

⁠[email protected]⁠

Follow Alyvia

⁠@alyviaalind

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.

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

American Idol runner up-turned author David Archuleta joins the Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss his authentic new memoir Devout. From the 'blur' of being on Idol to finding the courage to practice self-acceptance later in life, David and Robert openly discuss:

DAVID ARCHULETA: On Season 7 of American Idol, David Archuleta made over 30 million television viewers swoon with his angelic voice, ultimately winning runner-up on the show at the age of seventeen. His journey has included turning out multiple platinum-selling hits, achieving global acclaim as a live performer, and emerging as an undeniable fixture on the pop-culture scene. Since his first single “Crush,” he has released eight studio albums, twenty-four singles, and twenty-one music videos. Hit singles “Crème Brulée” and “Hell Together” have marked a striking evolution and new chapter for David as an artist and creative entrepreneur while continuing to expand his audience globally. Having grown up as a poster child for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, David struggled to be his true self and didn’t come out as queer until 2021. He now advocates for members of the LGBTQ+ community. He lives in Los Angeles, California.

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

Tony-winning Broadway star Stephanie J. Block (The Cher Show, 9 to 5) joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss making the rehearsal room a kinder place, cracking up onstage in Into the Woods, what she learned from Dolly Parton, and so much more. Plus, there's some STAR-STUDDED surprises from her The Cher Show co-star Teal Wicks and her husband Sebastian Arcelus. (Originally recorded in 2023)

With a career spanning over two decades, Stephanie J. Block-Arcelus is one of Broadway's most versatile talents. You may have been lucky enough to see her starring opposite Hugh Jackman in The Boy from Oz or perhaps she is your Elphaba! Stephanie actually originated Elphaba in the early workshops of Wicked and later went on to play her both in the first national tour and on Broadway. She has earned acclaim for starring turns in shows like Little Miss Sunshine, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Falsettos and Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 The Musical. In 2019, Stephanie won the Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award and Tony Award for playing the title role in The Cher Show. 

In addition to her stage and screen work, Stephanie has also taken her incredible voice to symphony orchestras across the US. Her solo concerts have earned her critical acclaim in both New York City and London, and her recording work includes several original cast albums, as well as her own album, This Place I Know. She also lends her voice to her own beautiful podcast Stages. Onscreen you’ve seen in her shows like Orange is the New Black, Homeland, Madame Secretary and the new film iModercai.

Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us:

⁠[email protected]⁠

Follow Stephanie

⁠@stephaniejblock⁠

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.

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

Tony Award-winning designer and producer Clint Ramos joins host Robert Peterpaul on The Art of Kindness for a textured chat on joy and kindness as an act of revolution. From Costume Designing hit shows like MAYBE HAPPY ENDING, to being a Producing Creative Director for Encores! at New York City Center, Clint shares experiences from the many hats he dons.

- How his upbringing in the Philippines and the People Power Revolution inspired his journey into theater, using art as a powerful tool for social change.

- How his historic Tony win changed things.

- Tangible advice to bring kindness to the forefront of a busy life.

Follow Clint:

@clintramos

Follow us:

@artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul

Support the show!

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

Music:

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

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

Happy Random Acts of Kindness Day, friends! Thank you to News 8 WTNH for having us on your show to talk all things The Art of Kindness, recommend science-based kind acts (from kindness.org), our new musical and more. We had the kindest time and hope this inspires you to choose kindness in your own life!

How kind are you? Find out your KQ now at kindness.org/kq

Follow us:

⁠@artofkindnesspod⁠ / ⁠@robpeterpaul⁠

⁠youtube.com/@artofkindnesspodcast⁠

⁠Support the show⁠!

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

Got kindness tips or stories? Want to just say hi? Please email us:

[email protected]

Music:

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

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

Morgan Harper Nichols (All Along You Were Blooming) joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul in a previously-released episode (2024) from our library, discussing: kindness through artistic spaces, the thoughtfulness of kindness, the kindness of memes and much more.

⁠Morgan Harper Nichols⁠ is an artist, writer, and creator based in Georgia. Diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and sensory processing disorder, Morgan’s work often explores themes of embracing life’s narrative and creating room to breathe. She began creating art and poetry in response to social media messages she received in 2017, and since then, her practice has expanded to include digital art, collage, coding, and 3D environments. Morgan is the creator of the app Storyteller and the online shop Garden24. Her WSJ bestselling book, All Along You Were Blooming, is one of several published works, and she currently serves as Vice President on the board of TWLOHA, a mental health organization. Morgan is passionate about the intersection of art, storytelling, and health, and her long-term goal is to teach and develop resources that explore how we create and interact with narratives in our lives.

L Morgan Lee's "Reaching for Help from Drowning" Fundraiser:

⁠https://www.gofundme.com/f/reaching-for-help-from-drowning⁠

Follow Morgan:

⁠@morganharpernichols⁠

Follow us:

⁠@artofkindnesspod⁠ / ⁠@robpeterpaul⁠

⁠youtube.com/@artofkindnesspodcast⁠

⁠Support the show⁠!

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

Got kindness tips or stories? Want to just say hi? Please email us:

[email protected]

Music:

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

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

Jasmine Amy Rogers (Boop! and Spelling Bee) joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul in this re-release episode from March 2024! The Tony-nominee discusses bringing icon Betty Boop to life onstage in Boop! The Musical, battling imposter syndrome, amplifying historically underrepresented voices and more this women's history month.

Jasmine Amy Rogers earned a Tony Award® nomination for her Broadway debut as the titular role in BOOP! THE MUSICAL, and garnered “a star is born” reviews. She received Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Theatre World Awards for her portrayal, as well as Drama League and Chita Rivera nominations. Rogers played Anita in the Pasadena Playhouse production of JELLY’S LAST JAM, Gretchen Wieners in the National Tour of MEAN GIRLS, Melody Green in Paper Mill Playhouse’s production of THE WANDERER and in the world premiere of BECOMING NANCY at the Alliance Theatre. TV includes “EVIL”. She was a Jimmy Awards’ finalist and studied musical theatre at the Manhattan School of Music.

To learn more about Maestra Music, please visit: maestramusic.org/amplify/

Follow Jasmine:

@jasmine_amy_r

Follow us:

@artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul

Support the show!

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

Music:

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

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