Send us Fan Mail

What if Alzheimer’s didn’t close a life, but opened a new way to see it? That’s the question at the heart of our conversation with author and advocate Marilyn Raichle, whose book “Don’t Walk Away: A Care Partner’s Journey” chronicles how a reluctant daughter discovered joy, humor, and dignity alongside her mother living with dementia. We move from fear to curiosity as Marilyn shares the moment a simple painting class changed everything—the hum of focus, the pull of community, and the art that silenced stigma with beauty.

Together we explore how language shapes care. Saying “living with dementia” invites partnership; saying “suffering from” reduces people to symptoms. Marilyn breaks down the practical shifts that follow: stop asking “Do you remember?” start asking open questions; measure success by connection, not recall; design small rituals—walks, music, Scrabble—that build attention and trust. Her mother’s creativity becomes a north star, showing that purpose and pleasure can bloom even as memory fades. The result is a human, hopeful roadmap families can use right away.

We also zoom out to the systems level. Marilyn’s exhibits for The Art of Alzheimer’s drew thousands and sparked the most powerful response of all: “I had no idea.” That spark fuels her work with Maud’s Awards, which fund innovative Alzheimer’s care and publish free handbooks so anyone can adopt ideas that work. From drumming circles to intergenerational programs, these solutions prove that when we see value, we invest—and when we invest, people thrive.

If you’re a caregiver, a health professional, or simply someone who wants to show up better for others, this episode offers tools you can use today: smile first, ask before telling, create low-barrier choices, and protect dignity at every turn. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs hope, and leave a quick review to help more listeners find stories that change the way we care. What small ritual will you try this week to spark joy for someone you love?

This podcast is a proud member of the Mayday Media Network — your go-to hub for podcast creators. Whether you’re just starting a podcast and need professional production support, or you already host a show and want to join a collaborative, supportive podcast network, visit maydaymedianetwork.com

Still Changing a World: Small Acts of Kindness That Make a Big Difference invites you to notice the quiet, everyday moments where you can change someone’s day—and maybe their life. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by outrage and noise but still believe in human connection, this book will encourage you to keep showing up with courage, compassion, and practical kindness. Grab your copy here:

Join the movement of kindness! When you shop The So Do You Collection, you’re not just getting inspiring merch—you’re helping make a difference. A portion of every purchase supports local and national nonprofits that spread kindness where it’s needed most. Explore the collection now.

“Intro music: ‘Human First’ by Mike Baker – YouTube Music: https://youtu.be/wRXqkYVarGA | Podcast: Still Here, Still Trying | Website: www.mikebakerhq.com

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Ever feel like you’re sprinting through life in the wrong shoes? We sat down with inner glow coach and author Angie Hawkins to unpack how compassion, boundaries, and vulnerable honesty can move you from chasing approval to living with grounded confidence. Angie’s memoir, Running in Slippers, becomes a vivid metaphor for growth: sometimes playful, sometimes painful, always real. She opens up about the childhood patterns that fuel people pleasing and perfectionism, then shares how an emotional rock bottom led her to rebuild from the inside out.

We dig into the difference between forgiveness and self-compassion, especially when “forgive and forget” feels like erasing harm. Angie explains why starting with kindness toward yourself can reduce reactivity, reveal the grief under anger, and allow you to see others’ behavior without excusing it. From there, we get practical: what compassionate boundaries sound like, how to check your tone without watering down your line, and why your emotional safety is non-negotiable. You’ll hear a powerful workplace story where shifting to empathy uncovered hidden fear and transformed a tense relationship—proof that clarity plus care can change outcomes.

This conversation also reframes leadership. Compassion isn’t a soft skill; it’s a stabilizing force in teams, relationships, and communities. We explore how to practice empathy without self-abandonment, how observation builds emotional regulation, and why calm presence can elevate a room more than outrage ever will. Whether you’re healing after a breakup, shedding perfectionism, or trying to lead with heart at work, you’ll walk away with tools to protect your light and still see the human in front of you.

If the conversation moved you, share it with a friend, subscribe for more, and leave a quick review—what’s one boundary you’ll set this week? Your reflections help others find the show and keep this kindness-forward community growing.

This podcast is a proud member of the Mayday Media Network — your go-to hub for podcast creators. Whether you’re just starting a podcast and need professional production support, or you already host a show and want to join a collaborative, supportive podcast network, visit maydaymedianetwork.com

Still Changing a World: Small Acts of Kindness That Make a Big Difference invites you to notice the quiet, everyday moments where you can change someone’s day—and maybe their life. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by outrage and noise but still believe in human connection, this book will encourage you to keep showing up with courage, compassion, and practical kindness. Grab your copy here:

Join the movement of kindness! When you shop The So Do You Collection, you’re not just getting inspiring merch—you’re helping make a difference. A portion of every purchase supports local and national nonprofits that spread kindness where it’s needed most. Explore the collection now.

Intro music: ‘Human First’ by Mike Baker – YouTube Music: https://youtu.be/wRXqkYVarGA | Podcast: Still Here, Still Trying | Website: www.mikebakerhq.com

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

What if a warm cup and a square of chocolate could turn fear into trust? We sit down with speaker and community builder Andrea Putting, the heart behind Chocolate and Coffee Break, to explore how small, shared rituals help people feel safe, heard, and human again. Born from the aftermath of the Sydney siege and the #IllRideWithYou wave of solidarity, Andrea’s simple practice has grown from a single day into a year-round movement that workplaces, neighborhoods, and friends can use to bridge differences.

We unpack why familiar rituals matter: holding a cup signals safety, scent and taste soften defenses, and a slow tempo gives room for honesty. Andrea makes a clear distinction between listening to reply and listening to understand, showing how presence, gentle questions, and even shared silence help people tell the stories they rarely voice. From conversations across faiths to a moving account of a transgender guest finding space to heal, she shows how attention, not argument, changes outcomes.

You’ll hear practical steps for creating safe space—put away the phone, start with common ground, use noninvasive “heartwarming” prompts—and how to scale the ritual from one-on-one to group gatherings and even fundraisers. We talk about belonging as prevention: noticing the person at the edge before harmful groups offer their counterfeit version of community. The result is a quiet, durable form of kindness that anyone can practice today.

If you’re ready to replace division with presence and curiosity, this conversation offers a map you can use on your next break. Subscribe for more thoughtful stories, share this with someone who needs a gentle nudge toward connection, and leave a review to help others find the show. Who will you invite for your next Chocolate and Coffee Break?

This podcast is a proud member of the Mayday Media Network — your go-to hub for podcast creators. Whether you’re just starting a podcast and need professional production support, or you already host a show and want to join a collaborative, supportive podcast network, visit maydaymedianetwork.com

Still Changing a World: Small Acts of Kindness That Make a Big Difference invites you to notice the quiet, everyday moments where you can change someone’s day—and maybe their life. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by outrage and noise but still believe in human connection, this book will encourage you to keep showing up with courage, compassion, and practical kindness. Grab your copy here:

Join the movement of kindness! When you shop The So Do You Collection, you’re not just getting inspiring merch—you’re helping make a difference. A portion of every purchase supports local and national nonprofits that spread kindness where it’s needed most. Explore the collection now.

Intro music: ‘Human First’ by Mike Baker – YouTube Music: https://youtu.be/wRXqkYVarGA | Podcast: Still Here, Still Trying | Website: www.mikebakerhq.com

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

New to The Kindness Matters Podcast? Start here.

If you’re looking for uplifting podcast episodes, real stories about kindness, or inspiring conversations that restore hope, this episode is the perfect place to begin.

With over 150 episodes, we’ve pulled together 5 of the most impactful, meaningful, and inspiring stories that truly represent what The Kindness Matters Podcast is all about—kindness in action, real people making a difference, and hope in a world that needs it.

From “Me” to “We”
Discover how shifting your mindset from individual success to community impact can transform lives. A powerful conversation about empathy, connection, and purpose.

Brewing Hope
How coffee, community, and compassion come together to create real change. This episode highlights how small ideas can lead to big impact.

The Ripple Effect of One Good Deed
One act of kindness can create a chain reaction. Learn how simple actions can spread positivity further than you ever imagined.

Stamps4Hope
A unique story of turning passion into purpose. See how creativity and generosity can make a lasting difference in people’s lives.

Heartfelt Stories of Loss, Love, and Libraries
An emotional and inspiring conversation about grief, healing, and finding connection in unexpected places.

Why Listen to The Kindness Matters Podcast?

This podcast is for anyone who:

• Feels overwhelmed by negativity in the world
• Is searching for positive, uplifting content
• Wants to hear real stories of kindness and compassion
• Believes small actions can make a big difference

Each episode features individuals, nonprofits, and organizations working to create meaningful change through kindness.

Support & Share Kindness

If these stories inspire you:

• Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode
• Share this episode with someone who needs encouragement
• Leave a review to help more people discover these stories

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Compassion gets called a “soft skill,” but what if it’s the hardest form of strength? We sit down with Tammy Ward, a former RCMP leader who spent 24 years across federal, provincial, and municipal policing—from major crimes to remote northern posts—to unpack how empathy saves relationships, reduces conflict, and sustains teams in the toughest moments. Tammy shares clear, lived examples of de‑escalation through listening and presence, including why speaking with rather than at people can prevent force and build trust that lasts beyond a single call.

The conversation goes deep on leadership after trauma. Tammy recounts the aftermath of a line‑of‑duty tragedy that killed three officers and injured two, and how she was asked to steady the team through grief. Her approach defied the old “suck it up” script: small human gestures, honest language about pain and suicide, and a culture where asking for help signals courage, not weakness. We also dive into domestic violence response—the danger, the complexity, and the power of survivor‑centered communication. Gender dynamics, team agreements, and matching the right responder to the moment come into focus as practical, repeatable tools.

We challenge the burnout myth that compassion drains you. Tammy argues that silence—not softness—breaks people, and that self‑compassion plus peer support protects performance over time. You’ll hear how to spot early disengagement, why naming suicide matters for real change, and what it takes to build workplaces where rank isn’t confused with leadership. If you care about human‑centered leadership, psychological safety, and trauma‑aware teams, this conversation offers direct, usable steps you can apply today. If the message resonates, share it with a friend, subscribe for more, and leave a review to help others find the show.

This podcast is a proud member of the Mayday Media Network — your go-to hub for podcast creators. Whether you’re just starting a podcast and need professional production support, or you already host a show and want to join a collaborative, supportive podcast network, visit maydaymedianetwork.com

Still Changing a World: Small Acts of Kindness That Make a Big Difference invites you to notice the quiet, everyday moments where you can change someone’s day—and maybe their life. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by outrage and noise but still believe in human connection, this book will encourage you to keep showing up with courage, compassion, and practical kindness. Grab your copy here:

Join the movement of kindness! When you shop The So Do You Collection, you’re not just getting inspiring merch—you’re helping make a difference. A portion of every purchase supports local and national nonprofits that spread kindness where it’s needed most. Explore the collection now.

Intro music: ‘Human First’ by Mike Baker – YouTube Music: https://youtu.be/wRXqkYVarGA | Podcast: Still Here, Still Trying | Website: www.mikebakerhq.com

Support the show

Send a text

What if the strongest form of advocacy didn’t sound loud, but felt deeply human? We sit down with Whitney Price, founder and executive director of Unpuzzled Parents Connect, to unpack how empathy, clarity, and community can move mountains for families raising neurodiverse kids. From West Virginia’s resource deserts to two-hour doctor trips and long insurance battles, Whitney shows how facts over fury and kindness over shame can open doors that frustration often slams shut.

We trace the family journey from the shock of an early autism diagnosis to the quiet heroics of daily advocacy: documenting medical necessity, lining up provider letters, and appealing denials with patience and precision. Whitney shares practical tactics for IEP meetings, healthcare pushback, and those tough moments when a child’s sensory needs collide with rigid systems. Along the way, she refuses the false choice between being “nice” and being “effective,” proving that compassion is a strategy, not a soft spot.

Connection anchors everything. Whitney explains how a simple support group grew into a nonprofit that trains parents, hosts expert voices, and builds bridges through story and practical tools. We spotlight a powerful school initiative—classroom kits that reached 4,000 students—designed to turn Autism Awareness into Acceptance with honest Q&A, people-first language, and invitations to play. And we tackle two stubborn myths head-on: that autistic kids lack empathy, and that gentle parenting is permissive. Whitney offers nuanced, lived insight on both, plus a vital reminder that self-compassion keeps caregivers steady for the long road.

If you care about advocacy, inclusion, and family resilience, you’ll find hope and actionable steps here—ways to stay firm without hardening, and to build systems that actually work for kids. If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find this support.

This podcast is a proud member of the Mayday Media Network — your go-to hub for podcast creators. Whether you’re just starting a podcast and need professional production support, or you already host a show and want to join a collaborative, supportive podcast network, visit maydaymedianetwork.com

Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for monthly updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and more content designed to brighten your day."

Join the movement of kindness! When you shop The So Do You Collection, you’re not just getting inspiring merch—you’re helping make a difference. A portion of every purchase supports local and national nonprofits that spread kindness where it’s needed most. Explore the collection now.

“Intro music: ‘Human First’ by Mike Baker – YouTube Music: https://youtu.be/wRXqkYVarGA | Podcast: Still Here, Still Trying | Website: www.mikebakerhq.com”

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

What if the strongest performance tool you have isn’t a dashboard, but dignity? We sit down with Paul Meunier, executive director of the Youth Intervention Programs Association, and author of the book Relationships Are Everything: What Youth Workers Teach Us About Leadership, to unpack why kindness and empathy are not soft—they’re the hard, practical skills that power trust, retention, and meaningful results. Drawing on decades as a psychotherapist, community leader, and advocate, Paul shares what youth workers already know: relationships are the foundation of growth, whether you’re guiding a teenager through turmoil or leading a cross-functional team through change.

We dig into the real mechanics of human-centered leadership. You’ll hear why transactional management falls flat in a world that needs independent thinkers and collaborators, how Gen Z stays loyal when coached and respected, and the crucial distinction between cognitive empathy (perspective-taking that strengthens outcomes) and affective empathy (absorbing others’ pain that can cause burnout). Paul offers concrete ways to create belonging and recognition so people bring their whole selves to work—and willingly go the extra mile because it matters, not because they’re pressured.

The conversation also steps outside the office into our neighborhoods. Stories of strangers helping each other, even across political lines, remind us that most people are decent and eager to contribute when given the chance. That spirit scales at work through small, sincere actions: ask a real question, listen without fixing, and follow through on support. If you’re ready to replace outdated grind culture with a culture of care, this episode gives you language, frameworks, and examples to start today.

"This podcast is a proud member of the Mayday Media Network — your go-to hub for podcast creators. Whether you’re just starting a podcast and need professional production support, or you already host a show and want to join a collaborative, supportive podcast network, visit maydaymedianetwork.com

to learn more.

Enjoyed this episode? Stay connected with us! Follow our podcast community on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and TikTok for uplifting, inspirational, and feel-good stories. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for monthly updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and more content designed to brighten your day."

Join the movement of kindness! When you shop The So Do You Collection, you’re not just getting inspiring merch—you’re helping make a difference. A portion of every purchase supports local and national nonprofits that spread kindness where it’s needed most. Explore the

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to The Kindness Matters Podcast — a space for people who believe small acts still change the world.

In a culture that feels loud, divided, and quick to judge, this podcast explores something quieter but stronger: kindness. Not as a cliché. Not as a slogan. But as a daily decision that shapes families, communities, and the tone of our hearts.

If you’re tired of outrage fatigue and ready for conversations that challenge you to live differently — this is your place.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Hit follow and join a community choosing compassion over cynicism.

Support the show