The Kindness Matters Podcast

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The Kindness Matters Podcast

Mike

130 episodes

1 day ago

Send us a text What happens when kindness goes wrong? When James Francisco Bonilla was legally blind, well-meaning strangers pulled him into busy intersections, walked him into call boxes, and nearly guided him off cliffs – all while trying to "help." These harrowing yet illuminating experiences form just part of his remarkable journey from a visually impaired Puerto Rican child facing racial discrimination to becoming a nationally recognized social justice educator. Born with congenital cat...

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Society & Culture,

Health & Fitness,

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Send us a text What happens when kindness goes wrong? When James Francisco Bonilla was legally blind, well-meaning strangers pulled him into busy intersections, walked him into call boxes, and nearly guided him off cliffs – all while trying to "help." These harrowing yet illuminating experiences form just part of his remarkable journey from a visually impaired Puerto Rican child facing racial discrimination to becoming a nationally recognized social justice educator. Born with congenital cat...

Show more...

Society & Culture,

Health & Fitness,

Episodes (20/130)

The Kindness Matters Podcast

When Nature Heals What Humanity Breaks

Send us a text What happens when kindness goes wrong? When James Francisco Bonilla was legally blind, well-meaning strangers pulled him into busy intersections, walked him into call boxes, and nearly guided him off cliffs – all while trying to "help." These harrowing yet illuminating experiences form just part of his remarkable journey from a visually impaired Puerto Rican child facing racial discrimination to becoming a nationally recognized social justice educator. Born with congenital cat...

22 hours ago

41 minutes

The Kindness Matters Podcast

Can Kindness Be Your Most Powerful Marketing Tool?

Send us a text What if your biggest business mistakes could become your greatest marketing opportunities? What if teenagers could successfully run million-dollar operations? Dr. Mark Leonard, human performance expert and certified high-performance coach, challenges conventional wisdom about leadership, success, and the younger generation. Having studied human psychology for over two decades, Dr. Leonard shares the fascinating insights that led him to develop a leadership approach based on co...

1 week ago

34 minutes

The Kindness Matters Podcast

Healing Through Generations: Breaking the Cycle of Trauma

Send us a text What happens when childhood trauma becomes the catalyst for profound healing? Heather Ann Ferri's journey from victim to healer offers a roadmap for anyone struggling with their past. Growing up in Pittsburgh, Heather endured severe abuse that left her with physical and emotional scars, including brain damage and deep-seated feelings of unworthiness. After years in show business where she "played other people" but couldn't connect with her authentic self, Heather embarked on a...

2 weeks ago

28 minutes

The Kindness Matters Podcast

Unleashing Kindness: How Service Dogs Transform Lives

Send us a text What happens when a veteran ICU nurse combines her medical expertise with 30 years of dog training experience? Pauline Hoegler reveals the remarkable answer on this episode of Kindness Matters. Pauline's organization, GOFIDog (Golden Opportunities for Independence), has developed innovative programs that harness the extraordinary capabilities of Golden Retrievers to serve communities in ways that transform lives daily. The stories she shares will leave you astonished at what t...

3 weeks ago

33 minutes

The Kindness Matters Podcast

The Power of Being Witnessed: Transforming Nursing Burnout

Send us a text What if the most powerful act of kindness isn't fixing someone's problems, but simply being present with them? Pediatric cardiothoracic intensive care nurse Natalie Miller Binkley brings this revolutionary perspective to life in our conversation about healing, presence, and the unique challenges facing healthcare workers today. Natalie takes us inside the specialized world of pediatric cardiac care, where tiny patients with congenital heart abnormalities undergo complex surger...

4 weeks ago

41 minutes

The Kindness Matters Podcast

Compassionate Productivity: Finding Peace Through Self-Kindness

Send us a text Discover the transformative power of compassion in productivity with Lisa Zawrotny, founder of Positively Productive Systems. In this heartfelt conversation, Lisa shares her profound journey from overwhelmed caregiver—simultaneously raising two young children while caring for her mother with Alzheimer's—to becoming a coach who champions a radically different approach to getting things done. Lisa introduces us to "whole life decluttering," a framework that goes far beyond organ...

1 month ago

38 minutes

The Kindness Matters Podcast

Optimistic Healthcare: Breaking Barriers to Access

Send us a text What happens when compassion meets healthcare innovation? In this illuminating conversation, Mike Baker—CEO of Heritage Health, author, musician, and self-described "renaissance man"—reveals how community health centers are transforming access to medical care across America. Baker shares the remarkable origin story of Heritage Health, founded by Lydwin Dirne who escaped World War II in Holland before settling in Northern Idaho. After losing a friend to diabetes due to lack of ...

1 month ago

33 minutes

The Kindness Matters Podcast

The Power of Boundaries: A Conversation with Kate Browning

Send us a text "The only people that will ever have an issue with you putting a boundary in place is those that benefit from you having none." This powerful statement from Kate Browning captures the essence of our illuminating conversation about boundaries, purpose, and the courage to prioritize joy in business. Kate Browning, the self-described "unicorn" behind Cherry Blossom Management, joins us to share her six-year entrepreneurial journey that's anything but conventional. Her business op...

1 month ago

29 minutes

The Kindness Matters Podcast

Workplace Wellbeing Revolution

Send us a text Ever wondered how much your boss affects your mental health? According to research shared by Rebecca Reed, founder and CEO of Siendo, your manager has roughly the same impact on your well-being as your romantic partner—and potentially more influence than your therapist! Rebecca's extraordinary journey from corporate banking to mental health advocacy began when she witnessed rampant burnout in the financial world. Taking an unusual approach to learning more, she worked weekends...

1 month ago

32 minutes

The Kindness Matters Podcast

Holy Mischief: Creating a Kindness Movement

Send us a text What happens when a computer programmer receives a divine calling to ministry? For Reverend Dr. Shannon Karafanda, it launched a transformative journey culminating in a global kindness movement that's changing lives one small act at a time. Shannon's path took an unexpected turn when she joined forces with her friend Alan Todd to plant a church centered on what they called "A-OK Projects"—Acts of Kindness performed with no strings attached. Whether handing out water on scorchi...

2 months ago

37 minutes

The Kindness Matters Podcast

The Kindness Revolution: Raising Children Who Change Lives

Send us a text When parents see headlines about rising juvenile crime rates, it's easy to feel helpless. While juvenile arrests have declined since the 1990s, troubling increases in firearm violence and homicide rates among youth ages 10-14 have parents searching for answers. Teresa Ramirez, motivational speaker and kindness ambassador, offers a compelling alternative to fear—intentional kindness that transforms families from the inside out. "Parents need to become the CEO of their families,...

2 months ago

31 minutes

The Kindness Matters Podcast

Spreading Joy Through Stories

Send us a text A chance connection on social media led to one of the most heartwarming conversations in Kindness Matters history. Philip Parker, creator of multiple podcasts including "Unscripted Perspective" and "Untouched Melodies," joins Mike Rathbun to explore how kindness functions as both a personal healing force and a powerful tool for positive change. The conversation takes a particularly moving turn when Philip shares the origin story of "Rory Stories" – a podcast born from his four...

2 months ago

34 minutes

The Kindness Matters Podcast

Finding Light in Dark Times

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 count...

3 months ago

18 minutes

The Kindness Matters Podcast

Driving Change: How Cars for Neighbors Tackles Transportation Insecurity

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...

3 months ago

35 minutes

The Kindness Matters Podcast

When Tragedy Strikes: Finding Space for Kindness Amid Political Violence

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 Mik...

3 months ago

5 minutes

The Kindness Matters Podcast

Creating Hope Through Small Acts of Kindness

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 be...

3 months ago

37 minutes

The Kindness Matters Podcast

You Can't Trip Over What's Behind You

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 ...

3 months ago

27 minutes

The Kindness Matters Podcast

A Humanizing Look at Immigration

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. A...

4 months ago

32 minutes

The Kindness Matters Podcast

Beyond Charity: Creating Dignity Through Meaningful Work

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 ...

4 months ago

31 minutes

The Kindness Matters Podcast

Tattoos of Healing: Covering Self-Harm Scars

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 normal...

4 months ago

32 minutes