The Kindness Podcast

In a culture where constant offense and polarization dominate so many interactions, singer, songwriter and bestselling author Mike Donehey (formerly of the Grammy-nominated CCM band Tenth Avenue North) offers good news about a more productive way to disagree. His new book is called Grace in the Gray: A More Loving Way to Disagree. Check out Mike’s podcast, Chasing the Beauty, and visit him at www.MikeDonehey.com. 

Steven Shields is passionate about helping others regain their freedom through processing trauma. In 2016, he started the UnashamedUnafraid podcast to be a voice of hope, speaking personally about sexual addiction recovery. Now as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CMHC), Steven works with others to help them experience the freedom of healing. He also leads groups and individuals through life-changing workshops. Steven says hope is possible for every heart no matter how big the trauma or how hopeless it seems. Connect with Steven at  https://www.stevenwshields.com and https://acceptedlife.com. 

Author Thomas J. Penisten’s new release, A Time for Color, A Book About Joy, is a vibrant and poignant story about living with joy and not losing yourself and your zeal for life when things get tough. Thomas has always loved the arts and writing, having attended the Metropolitan School of Art where he studied the classics. His wife, Landa, is instrumental in his editing and publishing process. He was also inspired by the goodness of his late sister, Chrissy, a schoolteacher who was kind to all.  

A kid at heart, when he isn't busy writing thought-provoking books, Thomas enjoys hiking, camping, snowmobiling, ATVing, and bicycle riding with his wife. They have two daughters, one son and two grandchildren. They live in Platteville, Wisconsin, with their two Boston Terriers, Gertrude and Winston.   

You can find Thomas’s books online at GammaBurstBooks.com. 

Charlie Berens is an Emmy-winning journalist, comedian, and creator of the Manitowoc Minute. The Wisconsin native has been featured on Fox, CBS, Funny or Die, TBS Digital, Variety, MTV News, and more. He's really funny. And I think he's also a pretty good guy. Tell your folks I says Hi and hustle on over to https://www.charlieberens.com. 

Dr. Scott Morris is a leading voice in the field of faith and health, and is the founder and chief executive officer of Church Health in Memphis, Tennessee. The clinic opened in 1987 to provide healthcare for working, uninsured people and their families. It has grown into the largest faith-based health care ministry of its type.   

Connect with Church Health at https://churchhealth.org. 

Max Lucado is a pastor, speaker, and bestselling author with more than 145 million products in print that have been translated in 45 languages and distributed in 80 countries worldwide. Max entered the ministry in 1978. As a writer, Max is known for combining poetic storytelling and homespun humor with the heart of a pastor. He’s been dubbed “America’s Pastor” by Christianity Today, and “The Best Preacher in America” by Reader’s Digest. He was awarded the 2021 ECPA Pinnacle Award for outstanding contribution in publishing. Max currently serves as Teaching Minister of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. Max and Denalyn live nearby in Central Texas. They have three grown daughters, two sons-in-law, and two grandchildren. Visit his website at www.MaxLucado.com. 

Bruce Reyes-Chow speaks and writes on issues of faith, technology, race, parenting, and church culture. He was the Moderator of the 218th General Assembly and is currently the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto. He is also a Senior Consultant and Coach with The Convergence Network, and a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach.

Bruce hosts the podcast, BRC & Friends and is the author of four books. His latest, In Defense of Kindness: Why It Matters, How It Changes Our Lives, and How It Can Save the World was published by Chalice Press in 2021. He has an active online presence and can be found on most social networks via @breyeschow.

Diana Knott began Asher’s Gift Box after receiving the news of hearing loss in her seven month old son, Asher. The mission of Asher’s Gift Box is to support and empower newly diagnosed children under 3 years old, who are hard of hearing, and their families. Each Asher’s Gift Box contains a children’s book with hard of hearing characters, an American Sign Language book, a stuffed animal with a hearing device, among other treasures. Head to Diana’s Facebook page to read testimonies and find out how you can get involved. 

Noel and Alex Miranda are co-founders of Bravebird, a woman and indigenous-owned video production agency that brings dignity through visuals. Alex spent 15 years working in Hollywood, first as a professional actor and later in creative development at a top Hollywood studio. His credits include TV shows like The Lost World: Jurassic Park and Walker Texas Ranger. Noel produced Bravebird's first competitive short film, Fantasy in D Minor, which premiered at the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival and won Best International Short Film at Oxford. Check out their work at https://www.wearebravebird.com.