Kindness Matters Podcast

Send us Fan Mail In this bonus episode of the Kindness Matters podcast, host Mike Rathman shares the heart and hope behind his new book, Still Changing a World: Small Acts of Kindness that Make a Big Difference .  Instead of a sales pitch, Mike offers an invitation into the “why” behind the project and reflects on what it means to keep choosing kindness in a world that feels sharper, faster, and m...

Send us Fan Mail What if the smallest act of kindness could shift someone from isolation to hope? We sit down with mental health advocate, peer support specialist, and nonprofit founder Maddie Andrews to unpack what recovery really looks like for people living with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder—and why stigma keeps too many from asking for help. Maddie’s candid stor...

Send us Fan Mail What if the safest schools aren’t the ones with the toughest rules, but the ones where every kid feels seen? We sit down with Dr. Beth Sanborn —26-year police veteran turned school safety coordinator—to unpack how compassion, trust, and everyday presence can prevent harm long before discipline or court becomes part of the picture. Beth takes us inside the real work of a school res...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when grit, humor, and sharp self-advocacy meet a system that still talks over disabled people? We sit down with author, podcaster, and athlete Win Charles for a wide-open conversation about cerebral palsy, pain that won’t be ignored, and the stubborn hope that keeps her training for Kona even as she prepares for a hip replacement at 37. Win breaks down what CP actuall...

Send us Fan Mail A terrified hello on a budget flight became a life raft—and then a blueprint for community. We sit down with photographer and connection-builder Adam Schluter to explore how he turned awkward street moments into lasting friendships, a global chorus of stories, and a backyard tradition that has welcomed more than 10,000 neighbors to the same picnic tables. Adam traces the origins o...

Send us Fan Mail What if kindness could rebuild a city block by block—and it started with a free concert? We sit down with Stephan Palmer , founder and CEO of Youth on Fire , to trace the journey from community shows in Hartford to a full-scale mentoring and family support network changing how youth grow, learn, and lead. Stephan’s approach is disarmingly simple: build trust first, then layer in f...

Send us Fan Mail A single kind gesture can flip an entire day—and sometimes an entire town. That’s the spark behind this heart-forward conversation with musician and photographer Cathy Catterson , where we explore how small, visible acts of care become a neighborhood’s safety net. From a local pizza shop offering slices to anyone who’s hungry to little free libraries turning into little free pantr...

Send us Fan Mail What if kindness isn’t about being agreeable, but about choosing love that expands you? We sit down with energy healer and 13-sidereal astrologer Tiffany O’Hearn to unpack the real difference between performative niceness and the kind of kindness that heals trauma, strengthens boundaries, and rebuilds community. From the first moments, Tiffany grounds the conversation in integrity...

Send us Fan Mail What if bliss isn’t something you hunt, but something you remember? We sit down with meditation teacher and healer Anni Eza , co-founder of Seeds of Bliss , to explore a grounded path to emotional freedom that blends ancient wisdom with modern psychotherapy. Annie shares how she created a structured yet flexible method that honors each person’s story, nervous system, and pace—so h...

Send us Fan Mail What if kindness wasn’t a mood but a method? We sit down with leadership coach and former educator Matthew Reynolds to explore how a daily equity lens can turn compassion into measurable change at work, in classrooms, and across communities. Matthew shares the origin story behind Crafting Your Equity Lens—born from years of watching metrics eclipse humanity—and why co-creating nor...

Send us Fan Mail Ever notice how fast a comment thread jumps from one story to “they’re all like that”? We take a close, compassionate look at overgeneralization—why our brains reach for it, how it spreads through media and memes, and what it does to real people on the other end of the label. With clear examples and an accessible dive into social psychology, we unpack the mental shortcuts that onc...

Send us Fan Mail A rainbow that loses its colors is a striking image—and the perfect doorway into a conversation about how small acts of kindness can change a day, a classroom, and a community. We sit down with preschool teacher and author Kelly Turner to unpack the heart and craft behind The Little Rainbow Who Lost Its Colors , a children’s book where friends restore brightness through caring dee...

Send us Fan Mail The holidays can feel like a spotlight—bright, demanding, and sometimes blinding—especially when there’s an empty chair at the table. We sit down with certified grief educator Maria Belanic , whose loss of her son reshaped how she understands healing, to talk candidly about what helps, what hurts, and how kindness can make the season more human. Instead of pushing forced cheer or...

Send us Fan Mail Ever felt that dizzy aftertaste of a conversation where everything somehow becomes your fault? We sit down with coach and mentor Kyle Miller to untangle the confusion around narcissistic abuse, the misuse of the word “narcissist,” and the practical steps that help survivors reclaim clarity, confidence, and peace. Kyle shares a grounded way to tell patterns apart, focusing on three...

Send us Fan Mail What if the strongest antidote to perfectionism isn’t tougher goals, but kinder ones? We sit down with life coach and former Dartmouth swim coach Jenn Verser to explore how compassion—especially the kind we offer ourselves—can loosen the grip of people pleasing, fear of failure, and the constant need to outperform. Jen brings candid stories from elite athletics and real-world coac...

Send us Fan Mail What if a classroom could feel like a rehearsal room—brave, focused, and full of possibility? We sit down with 25-year-old performing arts teacher Avelyn Simons to explore how kindness, boundaries, and creative practice can transform shy teens into confident speakers and generous teammates. From building a drama program from scratch to steering a mixed-ability public speaking clas...

Send us Fan Mail What if a mop and a kind word could change the way someone sees herself? We sat down with Brittinie Tran , founder of Hot Mess Express , to explore how a single Facebook plea turned into a national, women-led nonprofit that cleans homes, organizes chaos, and restores confidence—without judgment. From the first eight volunteers with dollar-store supplies to 150+ affiliates across a...

Send us Fan Mail A lot of people talk about homelessness. Fewer people step inside a shelter and see what actually works. We sat down with Helen Kuchera  to pull back the curtain on a low‑barrier, trauma‑informed approach that treats people as people—and the results are both practical and hopeful. We start by dismantling the myths: laziness, “choice,” and the assumption that everyone on the street...

Send us Fan Mail A teenager can ace a math test at 10 a.m. and still have nowhere safe to sleep by 10 p.m. Our conversation with Hope 4 Youth ’s associate director, Mark McNamer, pulls back the curtain on the hidden crisis of youth homelessness—and the clear, practical steps a community can take to solve it. We explore why 16–24 year-olds often fly under the radar, how couch surfing masks instabil...

Send us Fan Mail Trauma doesn't have to be the end of your story—it can become the foundation for profound healing and service to others. Former firefighter Natalie Newgent takes us through her remarkable journey from a career-ending injury to creating specialized healing spaces for first responders. After 14 years of running toward emergencies while carrying her own silent battles with stres...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when strangers appear at our lowest moments, offering help with no expectation of anything in return? Kate Torode, author of "Chicken Nugget Girl and Other Midlife Traumas," joins us to share her extraordinary encounters with what she calls "Earth Angels" – mysterious helpers who materialized precisely when she needed them most. Kate's journey...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when kindness goes wrong? When James Francisco Bonilla was legally blind, well-meaning strangers pulled him into busy intersections, walked him into call boxes, and nearly guided him off cliffs – all while trying to "help." These harrowing yet illuminating experiences form just part of his remarkable journey from a visually impaired Puerto Rican child facing...

Send us Fan Mail What if your biggest business mistakes could become your greatest marketing opportunities? What if teenagers could successfully run million-dollar operations? Dr. Mark Leonard , human performance expert and certified high-performance coach, challenges conventional wisdom about leadership, success, and the younger generation. Having studied human psychology for over two decades, Dr...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when childhood trauma becomes the catalyst for profound healing? Heather Ann Ferri's journey from victim to healer offers a roadmap for anyone struggling with their past. Growing up in Pittsburgh, Heather endured severe abuse that left her with physical and emotional scars, including brain damage and deep-seated feelings of unworthiness. After years in show busin...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a veteran ICU nurse combines her medical expertise with 30 years of dog training experience? Pauline Hoegler reveals the remarkable answer on this episode of Kindness Matters. Pauline's organization, GOFIDog (Golden Opportunities for Independence), has developed innovative programs that harness the extraordinary capabilities of Golden Retrievers to serve com...