Kinder Things

Kinder Things kicks off 2026 with a full-circle conversation about time, growth, and the music that carry us through it. Host Mike Shaw sits down with Kenny Vasoli of The Starting Line and Vacationer to talk about Eternal Youth —the first Starting Line album in 18 years. Kenny talks about writing songs that feel lived-in rather than engineered, pushing back against algorithmic creativity and AI-fl...

In this episode of Kinder Things , host Mike Shaw sits down with none other than Speech Thomas, the legendary frontman of Arrested Development . Known for his lyrical activism and uplifting beats, Speech opens up about his multifaceted creative journey—from his acclaimed TED Talk to his eye-opening documentary film, and his deeply personal podcast that dives into stories of humanity, identity, and...

On this episode, we celebrate a milestone with Keith M, host of "The New Scene" podcast. As Keith approaches his 5th anniversary of bringing listeners insightful interviews and captivating conversations with artists across the music spectrum, we reflect on the podcast's inception and its evolution over the years. We dive headfirst into the exciting debut of Memory Entry, Keith's new post-hardcore...

In this episode, we sit down with Norman Brannon, a legendary figure in the independent music scene. As a founding member of iconic bands like Texas Is The Reason and Thursday, Norman has left an indelible mark on the world of punk and hardcore. We delve deep into his creative journey, exploring his passion for writing and his role as the driving force behind the influential Anti-Matter fanzine. W...

Join us as we chat with Nicole Smith, the visionary behind Whiskers & Wine, a unique cat café in San Diego. We'll delve into the world of feline therapy, explore the challenges and rewards of running a cat adoption café, and discover how this purrfect business is making a difference in the lives of cats and cat lovers alike.

Dive into the world of punk and hardcore music with Michael Bingham of Spiritual Cramp. Join us as we explore the kindness he's experienced within the community, discover how he found his voice as a singer, and uncover the inspiration behind the band's unique name. This conversation with Mike left us both feeling inspired by the transformative power of music. It's a force that brings people togeth...

Honored to visit and chat with the very talented Alyssa Al-Dookhi! One of my favorite comedians, Alyssa has an incredible ability to stir an audience into uncontrollable laughter and has established a fearless/magnetic stage presence. We here about how she's adapted her comedic prowess & become more multifaceted during the quarantine era. Enjoy our wonderful discussion! Be sure to follow her o...

Honored to chat again with old soul & dear friend/spirit brother Colin Frangicetto! Colin teaches the concept of a mantra and we trade a couple mantras back & forth that have carried us through the days. Really fun & illuminating talk with one of my favorite fellow humans. Enjoy!

Honored to chat with Marisa before she embarks on a European tour with her band Mannequin Pussy. She is branching into other mediums to channel her creative power & is just tapping into her potential as an artist. We each takes turns reading excerpts from one of our fav poets, Mary Oliver. Enjoy!

Uplifting chat with Kahlil as we hear about how his new business & his creative process have synchronized. Such a jovial spirit, Kahlil's sense of wonder is inspiring to be around & happy to acquaint you with him!

Benni Kravitz has a miraculous encounter with the universe through a mysterious blue suit. We also hear stories about a few people who have been saving graces and have helped Ben as he battles trauma and the overwhelming force of grief.

Jace Miller is the lead singer & songwriter of the band Alright, Jr. He also teaches music at School of Rock in Philadelphia. We chat about how important music has been throughout his days & we hear about one special student he recently taught. Enjoy!

Elizabeth Seward realized that her voice is a thread that weaves together many aspects of her personality. We chat about diving back into the musical realm, hear about her favorite little singing companion, & ruminate about fungi. Enjoy!

Nathan Schwartz loves the craft of service and is currently studying Hospitality Management at Temple University. Today we hear a few stories & gain some valuable insights about the kindness inscribed in hospitality.

Jimmy Goodman is the head sound engineer at Leopard Studio and the man behind the scenes at Kinder Things! He stepped out from behind the mixing board to share a story of a special gift he received along with a few important words from a powerful guide!

Luke's journey on the Yogi path has led him to some enlightened teachers who have helped him shift into a life of devotional service. He embodies a sense of humility that is admirable & inspiring. Enjoy our chat!

Steph Z shares some valuable insights about the path of a Yogi. We trade some small gifts, ruminate about Bob Dylan, and exchange songs to check out. Lovely episode, enjoy!

After getting the runaround in a seemingly unkind system, David receives an intriguing package that slightly transforms his day. Enjoy this little journey!

Will & Tika have been best friends for over 14 years. In this brief chat, we get a glimpse into the openness, comfortablity, and authentic wit/banter between two best friends. Reach out to a dear friend today & let them know how much they mean to you!

Today's guest Sarah Collins teaches us the importance of loving-space and how to cultivate it. We also hear about the danger of pedestaling people and a little trick to help thwart that psychological process from happening. Enjoy!

Today's guest Mica tells a tale of a journey westward and we learn about the inherent magic & liberating quality of travel. Plus, we hear about our empathetic capacity to heal animals. Enjoy!

Today's guest Eric Groller recounts a story that put him on the path to becoming a spiritual warrior. Enjoy!

Nicole is a rising star in the crochet world and has learned that yarn is a universal language. We also hear about an interesting gift she received by a man claiming to be "The Universe." Enjoy!

Powerful & moving episode as we hear from Shatyra on a special anniversary. Synchronicities abound in this episode & be sure to listen after the chat about an extremely awe-inspiring moment that happened in the studio.

Colin & I discuss the healing power of bonsai trees and we discover that the true magic of kindness/giving lies in letting go of control. Colin loves you & is not afraid to tell you so. Enjoy!