Send us a text Tragedy struck Minnesota when politically motivated violence left State Senator John Hoffman and his wife severely wounded, and former House Speaker Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and their dog Gilbert dead. Yet amid this darkness, remarkable stories of compassion and resilience emerged. The Hoffmans and Hortmans exemplified lives dedicated to service. John advocated tirelessly for families with disabled children and early childhood education, while Yvette brightened countless...
Jun 26, 2025•19 min
Send us a text Transportation insecurity sounds like a cold, technical term—until you realize it's the difference between keeping a job and unemployment, accessing healthcare or suffering without it. While we readily understand food banks and homeless shelters, the critical nature of reliable transportation often goes unrecognized. Steve Landau, president of Cars for Neighbors , joins the Kindness Matters podcast to shine light on this overlooked crisis. For 25 years, this nonprofit has been qui...
Jun 19, 2025•36 min
Send us a text How do we respond when darkness seems to be winning? Following a horrific act of political terrorism in Minnesota, this special episode takes a raw, honest look at the struggle to maintain faith in kindness during our darkest moments. The podcast recounts the chilling details of recent attacks on multiple Minnesota lawmakers, including the tragedy that claimed the lives of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman, her husband, and their family dog. With remarkable candor, host Mike Ra...
Jun 16, 2025•6 min
Send us a text Have you ever wondered how small acts of kindness can transform lives? Lisa Demmi returns to the Kindness Matters podcast to share the incredible journey of her nonprofit, The Small Magic Foundation , which is creating pathways to success for underserved youth in the Tampa Bay area. The foundation stems from Lisa's personal philosophy that meaningful change doesn't require grand gestures or substantial resources—just intentional acts of kindness she calls "small magic." What began...
Jun 12, 2025•37 min
Send us a text What if a simple collection of sayings could transform your relationship with anxiety and confidence? Bret Davis , bestselling author of Bretisms: Adopted, Borrowed, and Modified Philosophies For a Life With Less Anxiety and More Confidence joins us to share how everyday philosophies can create profound shifts in how we experience life. Bret's journey from door-to-door salesman to medical executive demonstrates the power of these principles in action. What began as casual life les...
Jun 05, 2025•27 min
Send us a text The national conversation around immigration is often filled with misconceptions, oversimplifications, and dehumanizing rhetoric. But behind the headlines and political talking points are real human beings with profound stories of sacrifice, resilience, and hope. In this deeply moving conversation, host Mike Rathbun sits down with Rosa Casquino , a Latinx licensed clinical social worker and trauma therapist who specializes in supporting survivors within immigrant communities. As a...
May 29, 2025•33 min
Send us a text Imagine walking into a grocery store and seeing your name prominently displayed on a product lining the shelves. For most of us, that would be a remarkable moment. For the clients at St. John of God Community Services, it's a powerful affirmation of their value and contribution to society. Luke Barnes, Director of Marketing Communications and Entrepreneurial Programs for St, John of God Community Services, takes us behind the scenes of Holy Grounds Coffee , a social enterprise cre...
May 22, 2025•32 min
Send us a text Tattoo needles aren't just tools for self-expression—they can be instruments of profound healing. Kelsie Shriver , owner of Luminary Tattoo in Lincoln, Nebraska, demonstrates this transformative power through her work covering self-harm scars and mastectomy sites with beautiful artwork. Drawing from eight years of tattoo experience and her background as a portrait artist, Kelsie offers affordable $50 flat-rate cover-up sessions for self-harm survivors—services that would normally ...
May 15, 2025•33 min
Send us a text Kindness truly matters when it comes to supporting our LGBTQ+ loved ones - especially in today's climate of increasing anti-queer legislation. In this eye-opening conversation, Jennifer Boudrye , founder of Queer Allyship , shares her wisdom on how parents can navigate their child's coming out journey with compassion and understanding. Jennifer's path to advocacy began through personal connections and compassion. After years in education witnessing the struggles of queer youth fir...
May 08, 2025•44 min
Send us a text Tom Mohr was struck by lightning and it changed everything. From that moment of literal shock came a spiritual awakening that would transform not just his own life, but the lives of countless business leaders he would go on to mentor and guide. This conversation delves deep into Tom's remarkable journey from newspaper executive to digital media president to startup founder, revealing how each professional step prepared him to coach CEOs with extraordinary effectiveness. With five ...
May 01, 2025•34 min
Send us a text 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 poverty they witnessed in Mexico back in 1986. Their first effort failed spe...
Apr 24, 2025•35 min
Send us a text "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 industry experience, he found himself uniquely positioned to respond. The result? ...
Apr 17, 2025•32 min
Send us a text 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 revealed a community far different from the romanticized versions in novels...
Apr 10, 2025•35 min
Send us a text 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 communities in Uganda. Michelle takes us on a fascinating journey from her introspec...
Apr 03, 2025•32 min
Send us a text 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 friends to launching a successful business, revealing the creative proc...
Mar 27, 2025•33 min
Send us a text 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. Their grassroots campaign captures how small actions can create si...
Mar 20, 2025•27 min
Send us a text 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 crafts personalized marketing strategies that make entrepreneurs truly u...
Mar 13, 2025•32 min
Send us a text 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 personal communication in a digital age. Listen to Don share his p...
Mar 06, 2025•25 min
Send us a text 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 establishment of the first emergency shelter in Anoka County by 1980, ...
Feb 27, 2025•33 min
Send us a text 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-sections, setting new standards for maternal and child health within p...
Feb 20, 2025•40 min
Send us a text 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 test anxiety, as well as the societal and educational pressures that perpetuate ...
Feb 13, 2025•31 min
Send us a text 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 us the power of collective goodwill and how small acts of kindn...
Feb 06, 2025•48 min
Send us a text 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 dogs. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience and ...
Jan 30, 2025•34 min
Send us a text 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 Homeless Inc. Her incredible story reveals how her personal experienc...
Jan 23, 2025•31 min
Send us a text 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 her work with organizations like the American Diabetes Associatio...
Jan 16, 2025•30 min
Send us a text 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 making fleece tie blankets for a local shelter bloomed into a beautiful tradition of communi...
Jan 09, 2025•31 min
Send us a text 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 psychology, Bill reveals how empathy and selflessness can foster societal harmony, and ...
Jan 02, 2025•37 min
Send us a text 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 transformative power of compassion and challenge the stigmas sur...
Dec 26, 2024•34 min
Send us a text 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 rock, Karen honors her daughter's legacy and the family's mission to spread kindness...
Dec 19, 2024•24 min
Send us a text 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 recognizing and overcoming these patterns. We explore the resistance to change ma...
Dec 12, 2024•32 min
