Kindness Matters Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever paused to consider the power of a simple handwritten note? Join us as we explore this lost art with Don Prisby , the heart and soul behind the Blessing Post , a remarkable community initiative that has warmed his neighborhood since 2018. Positioned right in Don's backyard, this wooden post serves as a gathering spot for neighbors to exchange heartfelt letters, s...

Send us Fan Mail What would it take to break the cycle of domestic violence and create a safe haven for survivors? Join us for a moving conversation with Tina Bronson, Director of Mission Advancement at Alexandra House, as we uncover the persistent impact of domestic, sexual, and relationship violence on our communities. Tina shares the powerful story of Alexandra House, from its origins in a soci...

Send us Fan Mail How do we ensure kindness and justice in a prison system not designed with women in mind? Join us for a compelling episode where we welcome Colleen Bell , chair of the Ostara Initiative 's board of directors, as she reveals the stark realities and urgent needs of incarcerated mothers. Discover the transformative work Ostara is doing to challenge inhumane practices like shackl...

Send us Fan Mail Struggling with math anxiety isn't just a childhood challenge—it's a widespread issue affecting many adults, and I'm no stranger to it myself. Join me as I sit down with Sabina Dallmeyer , a seasoned expert in tackling math anxiety, to uncover how this often-misunderstood fear can shape life choices and limit career paths. Through our conversation, we explore the po...

Send us Fan Mail What if a simple gathering with friends could spark a movement that transforms your community and brings warmth to those in need? In this episode, we unravel the heartwarming journey of Michelle Christensen from Golden Valley, Minnesota, who turned a craft night with friends into an inspiring initiative called One Good Deed . From creating little free libraries to organizing large...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever encountered a dog that defies all stereotypes and melts your heart? Meet Myrtle, a gentle pit bull mix, who along with Juliana Coughlin , our guest on the Kindness Matters Podcast, is on a mission to change perceptions about rescue animals. Juliana, a passionate runner, dedicated dog mom, and Harry Potter fan, shares her vibrant life filled with marathons, community...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when personal tragedy ignites a passionate mission to help others? Join us on the Kindness Matters Podcast as Dr. Darlene Spark Washington shares her poignant journey of loss, resilience, and leadership in the nonprofit sector. After experiencing the devastating loss of her mother and husband on the same day, Dr. Washington found her calling as the Executive Director...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how a life-changing moment can redefine your career and purpose? Christine Kutnick , a certified joy coach and veteran of the nonprofit world, joins us to share her remarkable shift from the corporate sphere to a life centered around joy, harmony, and peace. Her transformative journey began with an unexpected fall in Switzerland, igniting a passion for fostering incl...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how small hands can spark big changes? Join us on the Kindness Matters podcast as we share the heartwarming journey of Lisa Korbel, the visionary behind "There's No Place Like Home Daycare" in Owatonna, Minnesota. Lisa, along with her adorable "Kindness Crew" of two to five-year-olds, has been nurturing the power of giving for almost a decade...

Send us Fan Mail Curious about how a shift from a "me" to a "we" perspective can change everything? Join us as we welcome Bill Groner , a distinguished former trial lawyer who represented Ground Zero responders (make sure to check out his book, 9/12: The Epic Battle of the Ground Zero Responders, available on Amazon ) who brings his wisdom from the courtroom to the classroom. W...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered about the impact of kindness on our furry friends? Join us for an inspiring chat with Catherine Stillwell , an author and passionate animal advocate, who shares her journey from adopting her first kitten at age ten to becoming a champion for senior and special needs animals. Catherine’s heartfelt stories about her senior dog, Paulie, and other often-overlook...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could turn unimaginable grief into a beacon of hope? That's exactly what Karen Houck has done after the tragic loss of her daughter Alyssa Noelle Audette to a drug overdose in 2011. Join us as Karen shares her deeply personal journey through loss and how the discovery of the Kindness Rocks Project became a healing force. Through " Alyssa's Wishes ,"...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how a self-proclaimed "asshole" transforms into an ambassador of kindness? Join us as Ernie Wood , life coach and author of " Asshole to Awesome: Journey to Joy and Happiness ", shares his extraordinary path from negativity to positivity. In a candid conversation, Ernie unpacks how societal pressures, such as racism and group dynamics, can lead to...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an unforgettable conversation with Holocaust survivor Ben Lesser , a remarkable 96-year-old who personifies resilience and the enduring power of humanity. Through his vivid recollections, Ben recounts the harrowing journey of the death march from Dürnhau to Buchenwald, where he faced unbearable conditions yet emerged with an unbroken spirit. His story serves as a solem...

Send us Fan Mail Holocaust survivor Ben Lesser joins us for a powerful and moving conversation that sheds light on the darkest period of human history. Imagine escaping a Polish ghetto hidden in coal trucks, trusting a stranger with your life, only to embark on a nail-biting journey through enemy lines—this was the reality for Ben and his family. As we explore their harrowing escape to Czechoslova...

Send us Fan Mail Join me, Mike Rathbun, for a poignant episode of the Kindness Matters Podcast, where we have the honor of hosting 96-year-old Holocaust survivor, Ben Lesser . Ben's firsthand account takes us back to his childhood in Krakow, Poland, where his once-peaceful life was irreversibly altered by the Nazi invasion. Listen as he shares the courageous decision his family made to escape...

Send us Fan Mail What if creativity could be the key to managing anxiety? Join us as we welcome the extraordinary Catherine Catterson , an international best-selling author and multifaceted artist, who shares her innovative approach to using music, visual art, and focused breathing as tools to alleviate stress and fear. Catherine opens up about her personal journey and how her upbringing in a fami...

Send us Fan Mail What sparks the desire to change the world at just 12 years old? Meet Connor Wright, our incredible guest who turned a family initiative into a thriving nonprofit organization, Connor's Kindness Project . You'll hear how Connor, alongside his grandmother and mother, began crafting care packages during the pandemic to lift the spirits of children and frontline heroes. Dis...

Send us Fan Mail What if the simple act of kindness could transform your life in unexpected ways? Join us on the Kindness Matters Podcast as we share an unforgettable conversation with Pete Partin , whose life story is a testament to the resilience found in compassion. Growing up in a challenging environment with financial hardship and an abusive, alcoholic father, Pete faced immense adversity. Ye...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how the simple act of kindness can transform your life? Our latest episode of the Kindness Matters Podcast features a conversation with the insightful Ellie Laliberte `, a renowned author and keynote speaker. Ellie shares her powerful journey of emotional healing, revealing how the practice of self-kindness and compassion can become the bedrock for extending kindness...

Send us Fan Mail After the unimaginable loss of his 15-year-old special needs son, Jason Tuttle 's journey serves as a testament to resilience and compassion, offering a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of grief. Hear from Jason as he opens up about the shock, guilt, and eventual healing that unfolded after losing his son. His story provides a unique perspective on the rol...

Send us Fan Mail Join me on a heartfelt journey with Michael, Mike, Puffer affectionately known as the "country computer guy," as we uncover his inspiring story on the Kindness Matters podcast. Michael's unique approach to providing tech support in rural areas—often accepting payments in the form of fresh produce or homemade goods—reflects a deep commitment to personalized service a...

Send us Fan Mail What if mastering multiple skills could lead to a richer, more connected life? This week on the Kindness Matters Podcast, we're thrilled to welcome Sarah Stewart , a remarkable individual known for her boundless kindness and diverse talents, ranging from photography and travel writing to homeschooling and entrepreneurship. Sarah shares her thought-provoking journey of honing...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how a childhood dream can turn into a lifelong passion? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Karen Scruggs , a devoted nurse with both bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing, who also hosts the insightful podcast " Karen's Nnquisitive Korner ." From playing with plastic nursing kits as a child to becoming a beacon of compassion in t...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets of aligning your business success with personal fulfillment by tuning into our latest episode featuring Adina Kroll , an international business and human design coach. Adina introduces us to the fascinating world of human design, a self-discovery tool that blends multiple spiritual modalities to help you understand your unique energetic blueprint. Challenge conv...