Actor, writer, and director Max Talisman joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss the power of creating inclusive stories, redefining queer romance on screen, and leading with kindness on set of his new film Things Like This.

MAX TALISMAN is rapidly emerging as a leading voice in Hollywood, with standout performances in the indie thriller Super Dark Times, the Jennifer Lopez film Marry Me, and hit series including Orange is the New Black, The Blacklist, and Search Party. Now, he makes his highly anticipated directorial debut with Things Like This, a bold reimagining of queer romance that follows two men with the same name as they navigate love and self-discovery in New York City. Starring Joey Pollari (Love, Simon), Jackie Cruz (Orange is the New Black), and Cara Buono (Stranger Things), the film steers away from traditional coming-out or trauma-centered stories, instead embracing humor, complexity, and the universal joy of connection—positioning it as one of 2025’s most exciting indie releases.

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

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Tony Award winner and Grammy nominee Lena Hall brings her signature openness to The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul, discussing her ongoing journey with self-kindness in the arts, the surprising truth about winning a Tony Award, and the supportive kindness of Jon Hamm while filming Your Friends and Neighbors.

LENA HALL is a Tony award winner and Grammy nominee who stars alongside Jon Hamm on the new Apple series, Your Friends and Neighbors, which premiered to rave reviews on April 11th (one episode a week after initial first two episodes in premiere week). Lena plays “Ali Cooper” the younger sister of “Coop” played by Jon Hamm. We come to find out she is a singer / songwriter who has had some mental health issues regarding a past relationship and is trying to start over again both in life and in music. Lena’s character gets to perform throughout the episodes, performing original material that Lena wrote, as well as covers of Radiohead, The Thompson Twins and more. She will be releasing an EP and album of her music from the show. Add in the Tony Award winning / Grammy nominated rock and roll voice and fans new and old are very excited. Previously, Lena starred on AMC’s Snowpiercer for 4 seasons opposite Jennifer Connolly after winning the Tony Award for co-starring in Hedwig and the Angry Inch on Broadway opposite Neil Patrick Harris. She originated the role of Nicola in the Broadway musical Kinky Boots Her other Broadway credits include Cats, 42nd Street, Dracula, the Musical and Tarzan, the Musical. Hall has also starred in Off-Broadway productions such as Radiant Baby, Bedbugs!!!, Rooms: A Rock Romance, The Toxic Avenger, Prometheus Bound, Chix6, Little Shop of Horrors, and the 2017 original play How to Transcend a Happy Marriage.

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Emmy, Tony, and SAG Award nominee Norm Lewis joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss leading a cast with kindness, the unique way advertising influenced his career, his new show Ceremonies in Dark Old Men and more.

NORM LEWIS was recently seen onstage starring in the national tour of the Tony Award-winning production of A Soldier's Play and in Andrew Lloyd Webber's West End Concert of Love Never Dies. He starred in Spike Lee's critically acclaimed, "Da 5 Bloods," and in the groundbreaking FX series, Pose. Additionally, Mr. Lewis can be seen starring opposite Hilary Swank in the feature "The Good Mother," Amazon Prime's newest series, Swarm, and Hulu's, Up Here. He was also seen as 'Caiaphas' in the award-winning NBC television special, “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert!,” alongside John Legend, Sara Bareilles, and Alice Cooper. Mr. Lewis returned to Broadway in the Fall of 2021, starring in Chicken and Biscuits at the Circle In The Square Theatre. He previously appeared in the Broadway revival of Once on This Island and as Sweeney Todd in the Off-Broadway production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the Barrow Street Theatre, receiving the AUDELCO Award for his performance. In May of 2014, he made history as The Phantom of the Opera’s first African American Phantom on Broadway. He has been seen on PBS in the Live From Lincoln Center productions of Showboat with Vanessa Williams, Norm Lewis: Who Am I?, New Year’s Eve: A Gershwin Celebration with Diane Reeves, as well as American Voices with Renée Fleming and the PBS Specials First You Dream – The Music of Kander & Ebb and Ella Wishes You A Swingin' Christmas. He can be seen recurring in the VH1 series, Daytime Divas, also alongside Vanessa Williams. His additional television credits include Women of The Movement, Law & Order, Dr. Death, Mrs. America, Better Things, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Bull, Chicago Med, Gotham, The Blacklist, and Blue Bloods, as well as in his recurring role as Senator Edison Davis on the hit drama Scandal. Mr. Lewis is a proud, founding member of Black Theatre United, an organization which stands together to help protect Black people, Black talent and Black lives of all shapes and orientations in theatre and communities across the country. He received Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League, and Outer Critics Circle award nominations for his performance as Porgy in the Broadway production of The Gershwins’ Porgy & Bess. Other Broadway credits include Sondheim on Sondheim, The Little Mermaid, Les Misérables, Chicago, Amour, The Wild Party, Side Show, Miss Saigon, and The Who’s Tommy. In London’s West End he has appeared as Javert in Les Misérables and Les Misérables: The 25th Anniversary Concert, which aired on PBS. Off-Broadway Mr. Lewis has performed in Dessa Rose (Drama Desk nomination, AUDELCO Award), Shakespeare in the Park’s The Tempest, The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Drama League nomination), Captains Courageous, and A New Brain. His regional credits include Porgy in The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess (A.R.T.), Ragtime, Dreamgirls (with Jennifer Holliday), First You Dream, Sweeney Todd, and The Fantasticks. His additional film credits include Christmas In Tune (starring opposite Reba McEntire), Magnum Opus, Winter’s Tale, Sex and the City 2, Confidences, and Preaching to the Choir. Norm's albums "The Norm Lewis Christmas Album" & "This is The Life" can be found on Amazon.com as well as cdbaby.com.

Ceremonies in Dark Old Men Tickets: https://www.thepeccadillo.com/

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Becca Tilley (The Bachelor) joins Robert Peterpaul on The Art of Kindness to explore how caring for our furry friends deepens empathy, why her viral Wicked‑inspired video struck a chord, and how her love story with Hayley Kiyoko was an act of kindness.

Meet Becca Tilley. A Louisiana native, the 30-something resides in Los Angeles, California with her girlfriend, Hayley Kiyoko and pup, Phoebe. She is the personality behind People’s Choice awarded podcast, Scrubbing In with Becca Tilley & Tanya Rad and a lifestyle influencer and content creator. Becca was quickly put in the public eye on season 19 of The Bachelor and an additional run on season 20. Find her eating McDonald’s or sipping a Dr. Pepper in her free time. 

Visit: mrsmeyers.com for more.

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Step inside Boop! the Musical's opening night on Broadway as The Art of Kindness host Robert Peterpaul interviews members of the cast and creative team at Sardi's restaurant in NYC.

In this episode you will hear from...

Creative team members: Tony Award®-winning director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots), Tony Award®-nominated lyricist Susan Birkenhead (Working, Jelly’s Last Jam), Tony Award®-winning book writer Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone) and Associate Choreographer Jon Rua.

The principal cast of BOOP!, who received critical acclaim in the Chicago pre-Broadway run last year: Jasmine Amy Rogers as Betty Boop, Tony Award®-winner Faith Prince as Valentina, Ainsley Melham as Dwayne, Erich Bergen as Raymond Demarest, Stephen DeRosa as Grampy, Anastacia McCleskey as Carol Evans, Angelica Hale as Trisha, Phillip Huber as Pudgy the Dog, and Aubie Merrylees as Oscar Delacorte. Plus ensemble members: Tristen Buettel (Bad Cinderella) and Nina Lafarga (In the Heights).

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The luminous Kate Baldwin joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul this Women's History Month to discuss acts of kindness throughout her career on Broadway, Maestra Music and more.

Kate Baldwin is a two-time Tony Award and four-time Drama Desk Award nominee who has delighted audiences across the country with performances on Broadway, in concert and on television.

Kate starred as Irene Molloy opposite Bette Midler, David Hyde Pierce and Gavin Creel in the hit Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly!, for which she was nominated for the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards. She originated the role of Sandra Bloom in Big Fish on Broadway and earned accolades and a Drama Desk Award nomination for her work as Leslie Lynnton Benedict in Michael John LaChiusa’s Giant at The Public Theatre. She received a Drama Desk Award nomination for her role as Jen in Keen Company’s 20th Anniversary revival of Andrew Lippa and Tom Greenwald’s John & Jen. She garnered critical acclaim and a Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Tom Kitt and John Logan’s Superhero at Second Stage. But it was her starring role in the 2009 Broadway revival of Finian’s Rainbow, which drew Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations and put her on the map as “a real musical theatre star.” (New York Post)

Kate has appeared in the Broadway casts of The Full Monty, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Wonderful Town. Other New York theatre productions include Songbird at 59e59 and in The Dead, 1904 for Irish Rep, Fiorello! and Love Life for City Center Encores!

She starred in The King and I at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (San Francisco, Detroit, Toronto), The Women at The Old Globe, Henry V at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, She Loves Me at the Willliamstown Theatre Festival, and The Music Man and South Pacific at Arena Stage, earning a Helen Hayes Award nomination. She drew raves for her portrayal of Francesca Johnson in The Bridges of Madison County directed by original cast member Hunter Foster and for her turn as Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street at Goodspeed Opera House directed by original creator Randy Skinner.

She has performed in concert with the American Pops Orchestra, New York Pops, Boston Pops, National Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Portland Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, Chicago Symphony, American Songbook series at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center and at the legendary New York nightclubs Feinstein’s, Birdland and 54 Below. Her concert work also includes several appearances with Stephen Sondheim as a featured performer in his critically acclaimed evening, “A Conversation with Stephen Sondheim.” 

On television, her work includes appearances on “The Gilded Age” (HBO),  “Law &Order: SVU” (NBC) “Just Beyond” (Disney Plus) “Live from Lincoln Center: Stephen Sondheim’s Passion” (PBS) and “First You Dream: the Songs of Kander and Ebb” (PBS)

Kate is a 2023 Chicago/Midwest Emmy nominee, alongside partners at HMS Media for creating and producing “Broadway Comes Home,” a love letter to her hometown of Milwaukee. She is a proud advisory board member for Maestra Music, which provides support, visibility and community for the women and non-binary people who make the music in musical theatre.

Kate’s debut album on PS Classics, “Let’s See What Happens” features Lane and Harburg songs from both stage and film. Her second album celebrates the work of lyricist Sheldon Harnick and is titled, “She Loves Him.”  

She is a graduate of Shorewood High School in Shorewood, WI and Northwestern University. She lives with her husband and son in Maplewood, NJ.

Visit: maestramusic.org

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@realkatebaldwin

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Severance star Adam Scott reveals his definition of kindness to Robert Peterpaul during this short and sweet The Art of Kindness archival clip. The Emmy-nominated actor (also in Step Brothers and Parks and Rec) was previously on AOK alongside Kate Mara.

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Acclaimed actress Teresa Palmer joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss uplifting others, acts of kindness from Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling, her new show Mix Tape and more.

Teresa Palmer is a globally recognized performer who has been nominated for multiple Best Actress awards, including Critics Choice and many others from her home country in Australia.

You’ll likely recognize Teresa from her extensive onscreen work, often alongside some of the most acclaimed talents in the industry. She shared the screen with Cate Blanchett and Christian Bale in Knight of Cups. Appeared alongside Andrew Garfield in Mel Gibson’s Oscar-nominated film Hacksaw Ridge, with Danielle Radcliffe in December Boys and Adam Sandler and Keri Russel in Bedtime Stories... the list goes on. According to IMDb, some other most popular credits are I Am Number Four,Warm Bodies and Take Me Home Tonight.

More recently, you may have spotted Teresa wielding a sword in the SAG Award-winning blockbuster The Fall Guy, starring Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, and Hannah Waddingham.

And that's not even touching on her TV career, which most recently includes leading the cast of the cult hit A Discovery of Witches. Teresa’s TV work continues with The Last Anniversary, an adaptation of Liane Moriarty’s book, and the show that brought us together: Mix Tape.

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@teresapalmer

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The Wiggles founder Anthony Field joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss his journey teaching kindness with the iconic children's group, being a role model for young audiences, his mental health struggles, having his daughter become a Wiggle and much more!

Anthony Field is an Australian musician, actor, songwriter and producer, best known as a founding leader of the children's group the Wiggles. For over three decades, The Wiggles have delighted millions. After Anthony spent two years as a preschool teacher he had the idea to make a children's album.

With songs like Hot Potato and Fruit Salad, The Wiggles have been entertaining millions of families across the globe for over 30 years. The band has sold over 30 million albums and DVDs, 8 million books, as well as accumulating over 2 billion music streams and 3 billion views on YouTube. The Wiggles continue their legacy creating new music and performing live shows, entertaining & engaging children around the globe.

Fun fact: Anthony loves to play the bagpipes and guitar. He is always ready to whip up a fruit salad, yummy yummy! His favorite color is blue and he loves being a part of the Wiggle Town community.

For more on The Wiggles head to thewiggles.com or check out their YouTube channel here.

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Netflix's Love on the Spectrum star Tanner Smith and mom Nicci Smith join The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss their journey to reality television, being an example for others affected by autism, and spreading kindness everywhere they go. Happy Random Acts of Kindness day!

Tanner Smith is a South Carolina native thriving on the autism spectrum, whose self-proclaimed mission in life is to "Spread Joy All Around the World." Tanner was diagnosed with autism at age 4 and has gone on to complete and graduate from the ClemsonLIFE program at Clemson University, and is currently employed at The Shepherd Hotel in Clemson where he lives independently with roommates.

Tanner came into the public eye after appearing on Season 2 of Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum, and has captured the hearts of his many followers on social media. Tanner’s hope is to be an example of what is possible for others affected by autism and to bring joy and kindness to everyone he encounters, as shown by his signature thumbs up, big smile, and high fives.

Tanner also hopes to be a strong advocate for employment for the disabled community, and to show what valuable assets they are in the workforce.

Follow Tanner

@tannerwiththe_tism

https://tanner.meteor.land/

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