The Kindness Factor Podcast

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Join Captain Kindman, Randy McNeely, and The Happiness Doctor, Elia Gourgouris, for an inspiring conversation with the Honorable Yeah Samake—former Malian Ambassador and a man shaped by a powerful legacy.

Discover how his father’s dream of educating all 23 of his children changed his life, why he gave up his Ambassadorship to serve his people, how he is working to take his positive influence to an even bigger stage as President of Mali, and how his powerful, love-driven journey can inspire yours.

Connect with Yeah:

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ambassador-yeah-samake-19a0792/
Website:
https://yeahsmake.com
Empower Mali
https://empowermali.org

#kindness #leadership #personaldevelopment #courate #education #hope #encouragement #motivation #service #transformation

Support the show

Did you appreciate the show?

Show your appreciation by JOINING OUR EFFORTS TO PAY IT FORWARD AND RAISE OUR VOICE FOR KINDNESS ON A LARGER SCALE!

JOIN US TODAY! Here's how.

1. Subscribe to this podcast. You can pay as little as $3.00 per month. Your support will enable us to continue to bring you great content and take our message to a much broader audience.
2. Email 5 people you believe our efforts will resonate with and invite them to listen and do the same thing.
3. Like or subscribe to our social media channels listed below.

LinkedIn.com - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thekindnessfactor
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thekindnessfactorpodcast
Instagram - https://instagram.com/tkfactorshow
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thekindnessfactor
X - https://twitter.com/tkfactorshow

Thank you for your support!

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Imagine, planning out how everything is going to be when your new child is born. You study and prepare for that. You have a picture-perfect image in your mind of how everything is going to be. Then, the baby is born, and within 10 minutes, your world is completely turned upside down.

That's the experience Valerie Probstfeld had. Join this conversation with Dr. Elia Gourgouris (The Happiness Doctor) and Randy McNeely (Captain Kindman), to get the full scoop on what happened next and learn about  Valerie's passion for motherhood and the kindness that inspires that passion.

Listen on any of your favorite podcast platforms here, or watch on Youtube.

Connect with Valerie:

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

Youtube

Facebook

Podcast

Support the show

Did you appreciate the show?

Show your appreciation by JOINING OUR EFFORTS TO PAY IT FORWARD AND RAISE OUR VOICE FOR KINDNESS ON A LARGER SCALE!

JOIN US TODAY! Here's how.

1. Subscribe to this podcast. You can pay as little as $3.00 per month. Your support will enable us to continue to bring you great content and take our message to a much broader audience.
2. Email 5 people you believe our efforts will resonate with and invite them to listen and do the same thing.
3. Like or subscribe to our social media channels listed below.

LinkedIn.com - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thekindnessfactor
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thekindnessfactorpodcast
Instagram - https://instagram.com/tkfactorshow
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thekindnessfactor
X - https://twitter.com/tkfactorshow

Thank you for your support!

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Imagine growing up in a home where both parents struggle with mental illness, addiction, and other challenges. What would that feel like?

Justin Pickens doesn’t have to imagine—he lived it. But instead of letting those hardships define him, he turned them into stepping stones to success.

Join Randy McNeely - Captain Kindman and Justin Pickens as  shares how a "village" of friends, teachers, and mentors helped him push through—and how he’s now paying that kindness forward, empowering others to rise above their challenges.

Listen now on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube!

______________

Connect with Justin:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-pickens/

Support the show

Did you appreciate the show?

Show your appreciation by JOINING OUR EFFORTS TO PAY IT FORWARD AND RAISE OUR VOICE FOR KINDNESS ON A LARGER SCALE!

JOIN US TODAY! Here's how.

1. Subscribe to this podcast. You can pay as little as $3.00 per month. Your support will enable us to continue to bring you great content and take our message to a much broader audience.
2. Email 5 people you believe our efforts will resonate with and invite them to listen and do the same thing.
3. Like or subscribe to our social media channels listed below.

LinkedIn.com - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thekindnessfactor
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thekindnessfactorpodcast
Instagram - https://instagram.com/tkfactorshow
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thekindnessfactor
X - https://twitter.com/tkfactorshow

Thank you for your support!

Send us a text

What happens when gratitude, happiness, and kindness come together? They bring along some incredible friends—love, joy, hope, resilience, and more.

Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that celebration?

Join co-hosts Elia Gourgouris, PhD (The Happiness Doctor) and Randy McNeely (Captain Kindman) as they chat with the Gratitude Guru, Kevin D. Monroe, about how gratitude and kindness can ignite a life filled with hope and happiness.

Picture this: gratitude rolls in, and suddenly, it's like a circus clown car—one moment, it’s just gratitude, and the next, it’s overflowing with a whole crew of cheerful, hopeful friends.

Tune in to hear insightful stories, uplifting moments, and learn how embracing the power of “and yet” can bring light even on the darkest days.
If you're in need of a boost to brighten your day, this episode is just what you need.

Listen (https://podcast.thekindnessfactor.com/2179958/follow) or Watch—you’ll be glad you did!

About Kevin:
I am a 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 who 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 both online and in-person that allow people to embrace an extraordinary life and lead in extraordinary ways.

Connect with Kevin:

If you are interested in how we might work together, please contact me. You can email me at [email protected]. Better yet, why not call or text right now? Here's my personal cell +1-404-713-0713. Let's co-create something awesome!
Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinmonroe/
Website:
https://www.kevindmonroe.com
_____

Support the show

Did you appreciate the show?

Show your appreciation by JOINING OUR EFFORTS TO PAY IT FORWARD AND RAISE OUR VOICE FOR KINDNESS ON A LARGER SCALE!

JOIN US TODAY! Here's how.

1. Subscribe to this podcast. You can pay as little as $3.00 per month. Your support will enable us to continue to bring you great content and take our message to a much broader audience.
2. Email 5 people you believe our efforts will resonate with and invite them to listen and do the same thing.
3. Like or subscribe to our social media channels listed below.

LinkedIn.com - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thekindnessfactor
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thekindnessfactorpodcast
Instagram - https://instagram.com/tkfactorshow
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thekindnessfactor
X - https://twitter.com/tkfactorshow

Thank you for your support!

Send us a text

Can you imagine making your personal and professional life better by streaking every day? No we're not talking about running around naked. What we are talking about is creating the consistency that leads to daily success.

Here to share his wonderful expertise in this area is none other than the Streaking Master himself Mr. Jeffery Downs. Join Dr. Elia Gourgouris, The Happiness Doctor, and Randy McNeely - Captain Kindman for an enlightening conversation with Mr. Downs!

Discussion Points:

• What are the three laws of streaking and how can they positively impact my personal and professional success strategy.
• What on earth would be considered a laughingly simple streak and why does it matter?

How do streaks differ from habits?
How can creating streaks be helpful in creating kindness?

HERO STORY: Learn about Jeff's Kindness hero and the story of how one kind man who saw the possible in a rowdy high school kid changed Jeff's life trajectory forever.

Get the weekly wisdom nuggets and find out how they can help you grow.

Listen her or watch on Youtube at https://youtube.com/@thekindnessfactorpodcast

About Jeff:

Jeffery J. Downs is a dynamic keynote speaker individuals and executive teams in both private and public organizations. Jeff draws on a vast array of experiences from corporate, public, and private life to relate timeless principles leadership and productivity. His book, !Streaking" (https://tinyurl.com/367j9xdt) is a powerful framework that unlocks the door of compound results.

Learn more about Jeff and connect with him on:

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jefferyjdowns/

Website https://www.mystreaksapp.com/

Support the show

Did you appreciate the show?

Show your appreciation by JOINING OUR EFFORTS TO PAY IT FORWARD AND RAISE OUR VOICE FOR KINDNESS ON A LARGER SCALE!

JOIN US TODAY! Here's how.

1. Subscribe to this podcast. You can pay as little as $3.00 per month. Your support will enable us to continue to bring you great content and take our message to a much broader audience.
2. Email 5 people you believe our efforts will resonate with and invite them to listen and do the same thing.
3. Like or subscribe to our social media channels listed below.

LinkedIn.com - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thekindnessfactor
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thekindnessfactorpodcast
Instagram - https://instagram.com/tkfactorshow
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thekindnessfactor
X - https://twitter.com/tkfactorshow

Thank you for your support!

Send us a text

Need a lift today? How about a facelift? No I'm not talking about plastic surgery. I'm talking about big smiles. 

Mark Carpenter, "The Master Storyteller" is the man who brings them. With his down to earth style and easy going manner, he lifts and inspires people to new heights. 

Join co-hosts Dr. Elia Gourgouris - The Happiness Doctor, and Randy McNeely - Captain Kindman - in this thought-provoking and insightful conversation.

Questions to consider:

What role does kindness play in creating lasting connections?

Can a smile save a life?

Is is possible to elevate your mood even when you don't feel like smiling?

What impact can leading like a person as opposed to a position have on your leadership?

How can organizations boost the success of new leaders?

So much more.

______________________

Mark Carpenter is on a mission to bring greater humanity into business leadership. A popular speaker, best-selling author, and experienced facilitator, Mark has spoken to and facilitated learning at organizations from mining and manufacturing to banking and technology. He is the co-author of the best-selling book “Master Storytelling: How to Turn Your Experiences Into Stories that Teach, Lead, and Inspire,” and the author of the best-seller “Lead Like A Person, Not Like A Position.” He is the co-host of the Infuse Compassion podcast with Amy Quesenberry. 

__________

Connect with Mark:

LinkedIn: 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-carpenter-0b55221/
Websites:
https://master-storytelling.com/
https://leadlikeaperson.com/

Books:

Master Storytelling: How to Turn Your Experiences into Stories that Teach, Lead, and Inspire - https://tinyurl.com/ycx35n6d

Lead Like a Person, Not Like a Position - https://tinyurl.com/mr2hdm23

__________

Listen on any of your favorite podcast platforms
https://podcast.thekindnessfactor.com/2179958/follow

Support the show

Did you appreciate the show?

Show your appreciation by JOINING OUR EFFORTS TO PAY IT FORWARD AND RAISE OUR VOICE FOR KINDNESS ON A LARGER SCALE!

JOIN US TODAY! Here's how.

1. Subscribe to this podcast. You can pay as little as $3.00 per month. Your support will enable us to continue to bring you great content and take our message to a much broader audience.
2. Email 5 people you believe our efforts will resonate with and invite them to listen and do the same thing.
3. Like or subscribe to our social media channels listed below.

LinkedIn.com - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thekindnessfactor
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thekindnessfactorpodcast
Instagram - https://instagram.com/tkfactorshow
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thekindnessfactor
X - https://twitter.com/tkfactorshow

Thank you for your support!

Send us a text

What if you could be part of a movement that is making the world a brighter, happier, more peaceful place? If you knew that this  movement would allow you to step up and step into the shoes of a kindness hero every day, delivering love through simple acts of kindness, WOULD YOU BE IN?

If you said yes, then this episode is a must listen!

Our guest today is a financial advisor turned kindness advocate and kindness movement creator, the amazing founder of Kindness Worldwide Kevin Smith. Listen to learn more about the "Why" behind Kevin's kindness advocacy and how you can be part of the kindness story and help build cultures of kindness around the world!
-----------
WARNING: Parts of the conversation at the beginning of this episode get rather heavy as there is some discussion of the recent tragic events involving a shooting in York, PA, Kevin's hometown. The events are only touched on briefly, and the focus shifts to discussing the solutions kindness can provide to prevent and also recover from such tragedies and create the change we want to see in the world.
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Connect with Kevin:
Website: https://kindnessworldwide.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kindnessweekofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kindnessweekofficial/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-smith-a0040a19/
Linkedin - Kindness Worldwide: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kindness-week-worldwide/

Support the show

Did you appreciate the show?

Show your appreciation by JOINING OUR EFFORTS TO PAY IT FORWARD AND RAISE OUR VOICE FOR KINDNESS ON A LARGER SCALE!

JOIN US TODAY! Here's how.

1. Subscribe to this podcast. You can pay as little as $3.00 per month. Your support will enable us to continue to bring you great content and take our message to a much broader audience.
2. Email 5 people you believe our efforts will resonate with and invite them to listen and do the same thing.
3. Like or subscribe to our social media channels listed below.

LinkedIn.com - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thekindnessfactor
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thekindnessfactorpodcast
Instagram - https://instagram.com/tkfactorshow
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thekindnessfactor
X - https://twitter.com/tkfactorshow

Thank you for your support!

Send us a text

In this inspiring episode, Dr. Elia Gourgouris - The Happiness Doctor, and Randy McNeely - Captain Kindman, sit down with compassion advocate Amy Quesenberry. Amy shares the story of how her new doctor stepped into the shoes of a kindness hero and made her feel seen, heard, and safe. She also shares how that experience and many other life lessons led to her becoming the wonderful compassion advocate that she is. We learn about the impact compassion can have in the workplace and in our personal lives as Amy unpacks the "Compassion Framework." and the power of showing up. We also tease her new "Infuse Compassion" podcast with the first episode releasing on March 4th.

_______

After years in corporate life, Amy took a transformative journey of self-discovery, resulting in her acclaimed Start With Compassion™ framework and awakening to the power of showing up. 

Amy is a keynote speaker known for her raw authenticity, passion, and ability to transform lives. She’s been a leader in the STEM field for over 20 years and currently serves as the Director of Training and Organizational Development at RICK Engineering. Residing in San Diego, she has shared her wisdom at platforms like the Womentech Network Global Conference and TTEC’s Women’s Leadership group.

As a certified organizational development coach with a Bachelors in Business Management and a Masters in Organizational Leadership, Amy balances her life with cooking, reading, writing poetry, running, and cycling on her Peloton bike.
________

Connect with Amy:
Website: https://startwithcompassion.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-quesenberry/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/startwithcompassion/
X: https://twitter.com/sw_compassion
Instagram: https://instagram.com/start_with_compassion
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@startwithcompassion
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@startwithcompassion

Support the show

Did you appreciate the show?

Show your appreciation by JOINING OUR EFFORTS TO PAY IT FORWARD AND RAISE OUR VOICE FOR KINDNESS ON A LARGER SCALE!

JOIN US TODAY! Here's how.

1. Subscribe to this podcast. You can pay as little as $3.00 per month. Your support will enable us to continue to bring you great content and take our message to a much broader audience.
2. Email 5 people you believe our efforts will resonate with and invite them to listen and do the same thing.
3. Like or subscribe to our social media channels listed below.

LinkedIn.com - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thekindnessfactor
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thekindnessfactorpodcast
Instagram - https://instagram.com/tkfactorshow
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thekindnessfactor
X - https://twitter.com/tkfactorshow

Thank you for your support!

Send us a text

Senior orphans. How many of us think about that fact that young people aren't the only ones orphaned, without family to care for them? 

Our inspiring guest Stacy Shewey does! In fact she's thought of them so much, along with young orphans, She determined to find a way to bring both generations together to lift, build, and strengthen each other, to build generational kindness in ways they wouldn't be able to otherwise. 

Dr. Elia Gourgouris - The Happiness Doctor, my co-host was unable to join us this week due to some personal needs. But you can join me, Randy McNeely - AKA Captain Kindman, as I interview the amazing Stacy Shewey and learn about her wonderful organization - Hands 4 Life. 

Listen and learn:

• How one persons perspective on kindness change the trajectory of Stacy's life and how she felt and thought about kindness forever. 
• How Hands 4 Life is bringing the older and younger generations together and creating ripples of generational kindness. 
• Discover how the interactions between both groups are lifting, building and strengthening their lives. 
• How Stacy has turned the tragic loss of her son in 2022 into a stepping stone and a driver her behind her efforts at Hands 4 Life. 

Get these nuggets, and so  much more. Take a listen. You'll be glad you did.

PERSONAL APPLICATION

As you wrap up you listening, take a few minutes and ask yourself the following questions:

1. What did I learn? 
2. How is it applicable to me?
3. What am I going to do about it?

Take the time to answer those questions, then make a plan, and take action. Together, through kindness, we can change the world. Why? Because WITH KINDNESS, EVERYBODY WINS!

Connect with Stacy:

Website: http://h4lworld.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hands4LifeIntl

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hands4lifeintl

X: https://www.twitter.com/Hands4I

Support the show

Did you appreciate the show?

Show your appreciation by JOINING OUR EFFORTS TO PAY IT FORWARD AND RAISE OUR VOICE FOR KINDNESS ON A LARGER SCALE!

JOIN US TODAY! Here's how.

1. Subscribe to this podcast. You can pay as little as $3.00 per month. Your support will enable us to continue to bring you great content and take our message to a much broader audience.
2. Email 5 people you believe our efforts will resonate with and invite them to listen and do the same thing.
3. Like or subscribe to our social media channels listed below.

LinkedIn.com - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thekindnessfactor
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thekindnessfactorpodcast
Instagram - https://instagram.com/tkfactorshow
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thekindnessfactor
X - https://twitter.com/tkfactorshow

Thank you for your support!

Send us a text

What do you get when you join a shopping cart, a former homeless man and recovered drug addict, and over 11 million steps? 

The Push for Change. 

That was Joe Roberts' signature trip at the age of 49 as a non-athlete, recovered addict who wanted to raise awareness for social issues such as poverty, homelessness, mental health and many others. 

Join Dr. Elia Gourgouris - The Happiness Doctor and Randy McNeely - AKA Captain Kindman, for the continuing conversation with Joe Roberts, known as The Skid Row CEO. 

You DO NOT WANT TO MISS this uplifting episode as Joe shares the powerful story of his 517-day journey of over 5,000 miles and more than 11 million steps. 

You'll get to see a short video of the journey and hear about the many instances of kindness shown along the way. 

You'll hear how Joe was able to get over 100,000 youth involved in the journey.

You'll learn more about Joe's amazing organization "Push for Change" organization and how you can help empower others. 

You'll get to hear nuggets like, "You don’t have to convince people to be kind, you just have to give them the opportunity to do so, and they’ll always show up," and so many more. 

Take a listen and be inspired. You will be really glad you did and you'll come away wanting to share this episode with others. 

__________________________

Connect with Joe:

Connect with Joe:

Websites: 
Speaking
https://skidrowceo.com
Foundation:
https://thepushforchange.com

Social Media Personal:

Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/skidrowceo/

Social Media - The Push For Change:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePushForChange/
X: https://twitter.com/pushforchange
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pushforchange/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkFjZzfIqqTO5jEwOblJP9A

Support the show

Did you appreciate the show?

Show your appreciation by JOINING OUR EFFORTS TO PAY IT FORWARD AND RAISE OUR VOICE FOR KINDNESS ON A LARGER SCALE!

JOIN US TODAY! Here's how.

1. Subscribe to this podcast. You can pay as little as $3.00 per month. Your support will enable us to continue to bring you great content and take our message to a much broader audience.
2. Email 5 people you believe our efforts will resonate with and invite them to listen and do the same thing.
3. Like or subscribe to our social media channels listed below.

LinkedIn.com - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thekindnessfactor
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thekindnessfactorpodcast
Instagram - https://instagram.com/tkfactorshow
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thekindnessfactor
X - https://twitter.com/tkfactorshow

Thank you for your support!