Why Kindness?

James Rhee joins Jaclyn this week for an informative and intriguing discussion about his life, his novel 'red helicopter', and how kindness can shape the professional world. James Rhee is a high school teacher and Harvard Law graduate who became a private equity investor and unexpected CEO. He bridges math with emotions by marrying capital with purpose. His transformational leadership has been rec...

Jacki James, founder of Kindness Matters, joins Jaclyn in this episode for an authentic and important discussion about bullying in schools, and how kindness can alter lives. Trigger warning. This interview discusses a specific person's experience with bullying, suicide, and trauma. Jacki James spent 28 years as a high school teacher and 4 years as the UIL Academics Coordinator for her campus. In 2...

Mira Simone joins Jaclyn in this episode for an open and important discussion about kindness within the grief space. Trigger warning. This interview discusses a specific person's experience with death and trauma.   Mira is a widow, mother, published writer, grief coach, and grief educator. She is also a registered mental health occupational therapist in Ontario, Canada. In early 2019, Mira's life...

Director Brian Ide joins Jaclyn in the studio to discuss his new film, "A Case for Love," human connection, and the simplicity of kindness.  Brian has worked in the entertainment industry for over 20 years, first as an actor, then producer, and ultimately a director. “A Case for Love” is his fifth film and premier feature-length documentary. Before founding Grace-Based Films, he directed “Clear La...

Jaclyn speaks with New York Times best-selling author and illustrator Brad Montague about his career journey and how "stubborn optimism" has led him to believe kindness is the answer to a better world through the next generation.  Brad Montague is a highly sought-after speaker and performer whose encouragement brings hope and humanity to a wide variety of communities - from corporate to creative t...

Trigger warning. This interview discusses the specific person's experience with abuse, trauma, suicide, and violence.  If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse of any kind, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Their phone number is 1 (800) 799-7233. Or you can visit their safe, secure website, thehotline.org.  If you  or anyone you know is experiencing thoug...

Dr. Oliver Scott Curry joins Jaclyn to discuss the groundbreaking research he is leading at kindness.org, how kindness has shaped his career, and understanding the science of kindness. Dr. Curry is Chief Science Officer at kindness.org, leading the innovative research hub, Kindlab. He is also a Research Affiliate at the School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography, University of Oxford. He receiv...

Jaclyn chats with the incomparable best-selling author and  entrepreneur Amy Jo Martin about her boisterous career, how she came to realize self-kindness was the key to a better life, and what it takes to reinvent yourself.  Amy Jo Martin is the author of New York Times best-seller "Renegades Write the Rules", Founder & CEO, Speaker, host of the acclaimed Why Not Now? Podcast, an educator, and an...

This week, Jaclyn meets with teenage activist and actress, Abriella Ruby. They discuss Abriella's path to founding her charity, Love Conquers Dayton, ways to support young people as they navigate unkindness in their world, and what kindness means to the next generation. ​​Abriella is a 16-year-old change-maker passionate about helping others. She started Love Conquers Dayton when she was 12 years...

Jaclyn is joined by chef, author, and social activist, Pierre Thiam. Together, they discuss Pierre's journey as a chef, the importance of kindness to the environment, and how kindness transcends cultures.  Pierre is Executive Chef of multiple award-winning restaurants around the world, and his company Yolele Foods advocates for smallholder farmers in the Sahel by opening new markets for crops grow...

This week, Jaclyn is joined by Katie Plunkett, founder of The Calm Classroom, and kindness.org Chief Programs Officer Becca Reed, creator of the Learn Kind curriculum. They discuss why kindness in education matters, the role social-emotional learning plays in the lives of students, and why prioritizing kindness in classrooms is essential. It's World Kindness Week and we're celebrating in a way we...

Emmy-nominated actress, Grammy-nominated songwriter, and motivational singer, Rhonda Ross joins us to discuss how her journey through emotional hardship shaped who she is today.  This podcast is one of the many ways we live out our organization's mission to educate and inspire people to choose kindness. Visit our site kindness.org and sign up to become a part of our global community which spans mo...

Applied social psychologist Dr. Kathryn Buchanan steps into the studio to discuss the scientific world of kindness. This podcast is one of the many ways we live out our organization's mission to educate and inspire people to choose kindness. Visit our site kindness.org and sign up to become a part of our global community which spans more than 100 countries. It's free to join and when you do you'll...

Best-selling children's author R.L. Stine steps into the studio to discuss how kindness and unkindness have shaped both his life and his work.   This podcast is one of the many ways we live out our organization's mission to educate and inspire people to choose kindness. Visit our site kindness.org and sign up to become a part of our global community which spans more than 100 countries. It's free t...

Jaclyn sits down with Dr. Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, co-founders Beekman 1802 in a conversation about the beauty of kindness, including how one kind act was the catalyst for the lifestyle brand, Beekman 1802 .  This podcast is one of the many ways we live out our organization's mission to educate and inspire people to choose kindness. Visit our site kindness.org and sign up to become a p...

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses a specific person's experiences with domestic abuse. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence please reach out to National Domestic Violence Hotline 24/7 at 1-800-799-7233 or at thehotline.org .  Producer, screenwriter, actress, and vocalist Silvia "Punkin" Mathis sits down with Jaclyn to discuss kindness as a strategic strength with upli...

Host Jaclyn Lindsey dives into a discussion with the remarkable JoAnna Garcia Swisher to discuss the role of kindness in her work, her family, and her online initiative The Happy Place .  Currently, Swisher stars in Netflix’s hit show “Sweet Magnolias” as ‘Maddie Townsend.’ The third season premiered on Netflix on July 20, 2023.  Swisher is best known for playing Reba’s daughter ‘Cheyenne Montgome...

The Why Kindness? podcast is a mind-expanding series offering listeners a look behind the curtain of entertainers, thought leaders, scientists, and everyday change-makers on why kindness matters and the unexpected ways it’s made an impact in their lives. Perhaps most importantly, we hope it will inspire you to engage with kindness in a new way and remember that every kind act makes a difference. J...