The Kindness Matters Podcast

The Kindness Matters Podcast

So. Much. Division. Let's talk about how to change that. Re-engage as neighbors, friends, co-workers and family. Let's set out to change the world. Strike that. Change A World. One person at a time, make someone's life a little better and then do it again tomorrow and the day after that, through kindness. Kindness is a Super-Power that each of us has within us. It is so powerful it has the potential to change not only your life but those around you, too. Let's talk about kindness.

Episodes

April 24, 2025 34 mins

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What happens when five retirees decide over a cup of coffee to tackle poverty in Mexico? The answer is Vamos!, a remarkable grassroots organization that has transformed thousands of lives over nearly four decades through a radical approach: actually listening to what people need.

Sean Dougherty, Executive Director of Vamos, takes us on a journey that began with his parents and friends being moved by the pover...

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"What does it mean to truly feel called to serve?" Rob Bergfalk, founder of Compassion Church and Compassion Coffee in Anoka, Minnesota, answers this question through powerful action rather than mere words.

When news reports in 2018 showed hundreds of people living in tent cities along Hiawatha Avenue in Minneapolis, something stirred deeply within Rob. As a youth pastor with 12 years of restaurant ...

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What happens when a homeschooling mother of six from Portland finds herself driving Amish families across America? Haley Straw takes us behind the curtain of a culture often misunderstood yet deeply rooted in kindness and community.

After relocating to rural Missouri for a fresh start, Haley stumbled into a role as an Amish driver that spanned nine years and countless miles across the country. Her journeys re...

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What if your childhood dreams held the key to your life's purpose? For Michelle Joy, founder of the Global Joy Institute, a third-grade assignment revealed her destiny—she wrote that she wanted to "grow long legs and walk to Africa to help people." Decades later, that innocent wish has manifested as a philanthropic initiative bringing clean water, business opportunities, and educational support to commu...

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March 27, 2025 32 mins

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A chance TikTok discovery led me to Adam Dahl, a fudge maker and small business owner whose story perfectly embodies the spirit of kindness I seek to highlight on this podcast. From his Minnesota Vikings fandom to his mouthwatering fudge creations, Adam brings joy to his community through Dahlhus Fudge – a tiny 300-square-foot shop with an outsized impact.

Adam shares his journey from making holiday fudge for...

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March 20, 2025 27 mins

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In a world filled with negativity and division, it's refreshing to hear an inspiring story about kindness and connection. This episode features Jennifer Hunsinger, the founder of Project Happiness LSMO, who has dedicated herself to spreading joy through uplifting signs in her neighborhood. Faced with the challenges of social discord, Jennifer and her community replaced political signs with messages of positivity....

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Step into a world where kindness and creativity triumph over negativity. Join us for an inspiring conversation with Jill Morrison, the trailblazing founder of Bee Memorable, as she shares her unique journey from the insurance and title industries to establishing a standout marketing firm. Discover the story behind the name "Bee Memorable," inspired by the improbable flight of a bumblebee, and learn how Jill ...

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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, sparking genuine connections and reviving...

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February 27, 2025 32 mins

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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 social justice group in 1976 to the establ...

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February 20, 2025 39 mins

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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 shackling during labor and high rates of C-sec...

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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 powerful link between math anxiety and te...

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February 6, 2025 47 mins

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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-scale donation events, Michelle shows ...

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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 spirit, and the joys of adopting rescue...

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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 of Portsmouth Volunteers for the Homel...

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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 inclusion and community support. Through he...

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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. Discover how a simple project of mak...

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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. With insights from applied positive psych...

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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-overlooked shelter animals, shed light on the t...

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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," inspired by a simple ladybug-painted ro...

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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 negative behavior and the importance of ...

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