Kindness Matters Podcast

Mike
  • 5.0 (15)
  • Relationships
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. What If Small Kindness Is Anti Trafficking Work

    6d ago

    What If Small Kindness Is Anti Trafficking Work

    Send us Fan Mail Human trafficking can feel like a distant headline until someone explains what it really is and how it actually works. We talk with Stephanie Page, co-founder and executive director of Stories Foundation, to break down the definition in plain language: trafficking is driven by force, fraud, or coercion, and it includes both sex trafficking and labor trafficking. Stephanie explains why labor trafficking is often the bigger global problem, and why awareness matters most when it changes how we see everyday vulnerability and control. We also dig into what prevention looks like on the ground. Instead of only focusing on worst-case scenarios, Stephanie shares how Stories Foundation teaches teens, kids, and families to spot manipulation and unhealthy relationship patterns before they become gateways to exploitation. That conversation gets real fast, because manipulation is everywhere, and normalization is exactly what traffickers rely on. If you care about human trafficking prevention, healthy relationships, and practical education that communities can use, this part is for you. Then we get into survivor support and the power of community storytelling. Stephanie walks through wraparound services, from practical needs like housing help and car repairs to a therapist-led support group. We also explore the social enterprise model behind Storyteller Cafe and how a mission-driven restaurant can fund nonprofit work, provide opportunity, and serve as a daily reminder that culture change is built from small actions done together. Listen, share it with someone who needs a clearer picture of modern human trafficking, and subscribe so you do not miss the next conversation. If the show helps you, leave a review and tell us what takeaway you want to act on this week. 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 You can support the show in a few different ways—by grabbing something from our merch store, picking up a copy of my book, or joining us on Buy Me a Coffee. Every bit of support helps keep the podcast going and also helps us give back to nonprofits doing good in the world. 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

    34 min
  2. Kindness And Recovery

    Jun 18

    Kindness And Recovery

    Send us Fan Mail A sober living home can be more than a roof. It can be a turning point. We sit down with Amber Miller, the founder of Angels House of Healing, to hear how she turned grief, addiction recovery, and a promise to break a generational cycle into a real transitional living community for women. Her story starts with losing her mother to alcoholism at 44, and the clarity that the deeper wound was unhealed trauma. From there, Amber shares what it took to get sober, face shame, and rebuild an identity rooted in values and integrity. We also get practical about what makes women’s sober living work day to day: creating safety and trust for residents arriving from treatment, incarceration, or unsafe housing, setting clear standards, and building a culture where kindness includes boundaries and accountability. Amber explains who Angels House of Healing is for, why the program expects readiness and inner work, and how community can help someone stop living in survival mode. A standout takeaway is the focus on independence. Amber wants women leaving with two essentials: knowing their worth and gaining financial education. We talk about financial literacy, budgeting, and even using AI tools to help residents learn money skills that many of us were never taught. We also touch on the ripple effect of healing through kids, families, friendships, and the broader community, plus Amber’s upcoming non-alcoholic one-year celebration and fundraiser, Raising Spirits, in La Crosse, Wisconsin. If this conversation hits home, subscribe to Kindness Matters, share the episode with someone in recovery, and leave a quick review so more people can find these stories. What part of Amber’s approach to healing do you want to try first? 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 You can support the show in a few different ways—by grabbing something from our merch store, picking up a copy of my book, or joining us on Buy Me a Coffee. Every bit of support helps keep the podcast going and also helps us give back to nonprofits doing good in the world. 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

    33 min
  3. Breaking The Silence On Suicide

    Jun 11

    Breaking The Silence On Suicide

    Send us Fan Mail  *This episode includes open and honest discussion about suicide, suicide loss, and mental health struggles. We talk about lived experiences, prevention myths, language that reduces stigma, and ways to seek help when safety is at risk. If these topics are difficult or activating for you, please listen with care. You may want to pause, step away, or skip this episode entirely if it feels overwhelming. Your wellbeing matters, and it’s okay to take the space you need. * Silence can feel polite, but around suicide it can be deadly. I sit down with Kelly Poelker, the heart behind Glow for Hope, to talk about what happens when we stop whispering about mental health and start building real community around it. Kelly shares how personal loss shaped her mission, and why creating spaces where people feel safe enough to speak can be the first step toward saving a life.  We dig into what Glow for Hope actually does, from glow-in-the-dark events like Spike Out Suicide to community tables where a single brochure and a simple question can lead to a breakthrough conversation. Kelly explains the organization’s pillars, how fun and connection can coexist with grief, and why lived experience matters alongside clinical expertise. We also tackle common suicide prevention myths, including the fear that asking about suicide “puts the idea” in someone’s head, and why the words we choose like “died by suicide” can reduce stigma and make room for healing.  If you’re a parent, we talk about modelling emotional regulation, starting coping skills early, and learning to listen without rushing to fix. If you’re struggling yourself, we name clear starting points for help, including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text), trusted people in your life, and emergency options when safety is at risk. Subscribe, share this with someone you care about, and leave a review so more listeners can find these conversations that can truly change outcomes. Support the show

    39 min
  4. Kindness Is The Comeback

    Jun 4

    Kindness Is The Comeback

    Send us Fan Mail One bad stretch can make you believe you’re stuck as the worst thing that happened to you, and that’s exactly what we push back on with Jesse Lewis. Jesse is a professional stage hypnotist whose live shows vanished during Canada’s COVID shutdowns, and the fallout hit fast: lost income, a divorce, and a season of life where he lived in the cab of his truck on the side of a mountain in British Columbia. We talk through what survival actually looks like when there’s no clean “turning point.” Jesse shares the unglamorous details: limited service, a snowbank as a fridge, reading to stay mentally sharp, and calling his kids as often as possible. He explains why the comeback wasn’t a dramatic breakthrough, but a thousand quiet choices like showing up to a job he didn’t want, refusing to miss child support, and rebuilding self-respect one decision at a time. From there, we get practical. Jesse tells the story of building a hot dog cart from salvaged parts during the shutdown, turning it into a licensed operation, and eventually using that momentum to return to corporate events and stage performance. We also dig into the deeper theme of the Kindness Matters podcast: why kindness isn’t weakness. Jesse frames kindness as honor, truth told with care, and boundaries that keep you from giving yourself away. If you’re navigating burnout, divorce recovery, financial stress, or a total reset after the pandemic, this conversation offers real resilience tools and a reminder that you can keep moving forward. Subscribe for more stories that bring us closer together, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a quick review so more people can find the show. Support the show

    33 min
  5. Why Small Acts Of Kindness Still Matter

    May 28

    Why Small Acts Of Kindness Still Matter

    Send us Fan Mail A car overheats on a scorching Sunday in 1969. No phones, no call boxes, no easy way out. What happens next is the kind of true story that quietly rewires your brain: a young cowboy pulls over, tows a stranded father and son into town, recruits a mechanic after church, and turns a miserable breakdown into one of the best days of their lives. That’s the heart of my conversation with Neal Foard, one of the most trusted modern voices in heartfelt storytelling. We get into why this message hits so hard right now, when social media and the news can make it feel like everyone is angry and nothing is safe. Neil shares practical ways to curate your algorithm, avoid rage bait, and treat your information diet like your food diet. We also talk about the strange backlash hopeful stories can trigger and why some people use them to argue for nostalgia instead of empathy. Then we zoom out into the craft and power of storytelling itself: how stories teach us what a good life looks like, how tiny gestures like a simple compliment can have an outsized impact, and why sincerity cuts through the noise. Neal also explains Story Fire, his approach to using storytelling and clear communication as a real career skill, from running tighter meetings to earning trust in high-stakes rooms.  Make sure to follow Neal on his social media platforms Instagram, Tik Tok, LinkedIn, and YouTube. If you finish this conversation feeling more hopeful, help us spread that ripple: subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a quick review or comment so more people can find Kindness Matters. You can support the show in a few different ways—by grabbing something from our merch store, picking up a copy of my book, or joining us on Buy Me a Coffee. Every bit of support helps keep the podcast going and also helps us give back to nonprofits doing good in the world. “Intro music: ‘Human First’ by Mike Baker – YouTube Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRXqkYVarGA  | Podcast: Still Here, Still Trying | Website: www.mikebakerhq.com” Support the show

    49 min
  6. When Parents Become Advocates

    May 21

    When Parents Become Advocates

    Send us Fan Mail The moment you realize “the system” can’t carry this for you is the moment you become your child’s advocate. I sit down with Ashlyn Thompson, co-founder and executive hope director of Parent Empowerment Network, to unpack the kind of courage that gets built in hospital rooms at 2 a.m. Ashlyn shares the story of her daughter Emery’s rare congenital condition, bladder exstrophy, and what it’s like to hold joy and grief at the same time on the day your child is born.  We talk through the realities of complex pediatric surgery, extended hospital stays, and the terrifying medical crises that forced Ashlyn to trade blind trust for informed partnership. She explains why parent advocacy is not about fighting doctors, it’s about collaboration, clear communication, and treating a caregiver’s observations as meaningful data for care decisions like pain management and medication changes. If you’ve ever felt the pressure of making a choice that could shape a child’s entire future, you’ll recognize the weight she names so honestly.  Then the story takes a turn that will stick with you: a single comment in an online parent support group leads Ashlyn to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and a bladder neck reconstruction option not available to her in the United States. We dig into research, intuition, second opinions, and what “solution seeking” looks like when the stakes are lifelong. Ashlyn also shares how connection counters isolation, and why Empowered by Hope and Parent Empowerment Network exist to move parents from emotional crisis to advocacy readiness across any diagnosis.  If this conversation helps you, subscribe, share it with a caregiver who needs hope, and leave a review so more families can find it. What part of Ashlyn’s journey hit closest to home? You can support the show in a few different ways—by grabbing something from our merch store, picking up a copy of my book, or joining us on Buy Me a Coffee. Every bit of support helps keep the podcast going and also helps us give back to nonprofits doing good in the world. “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

    43 min
  7. Kindness On Cloudy Days

    May 14

    Kindness On Cloudy Days

    Send us Fan Mail A lot of us know the feeling: you’re doing your best, your kid needs you, and inside your own head the weather turns. I sit down with Kendall Consini Moore, the writer behind Cloudy Day Chronicles and the author of Mom’s Cloud and the Beach Adventure, to talk about a simple idea that can change family communication: giving big feelings a name kids can actually use. We get specific about how her “cloud” metaphor was born from a bedtime story and a real parenting worry, and how the beach became the perfect setting to explain difference without blame. We also unpack what kindness looks like when you’re not okay, including the self-kindness move that helps parents stop turning one rough moment into the whole story of the day. Kendall shares practical, at-home language tips inspired by Montessori-style narration, plus a refreshing stance on praise: make it real so it stays meaningful. We also talk about mental health boundaries and miscommunication, especially how “I have a cloud” can work as shorthand with a partner or friend when you don’t have the emotional capacity for a long explanation. The conversation goes beyond parenting into anxiety, support groups, chronic illness flare-ups, and the surprising way hard seasons can grow our capacity for kindness, both toward ourselves and others. If you care about mental health, emotional intelligence for kids, and practical kindness you can use on your worst days, hit play. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs a little sunlight, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. You can support the show in a few different ways—by grabbing something from our merch store, picking up a copy of my book, or joining us on Buy Me a Coffee. Every bit of support helps keep the podcast going and also helps us give back to nonprofits doing good in the world. 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

    35 min
  8. Storytelling That Turns Small Talk Into Trust

    May 7

    Storytelling That Turns Small Talk Into Trust

    Send us Fan Mail Silence can feel like a conversation killer, but what if it’s the fastest path to trust? We sit down with John Nepper, a speaker, educator, and leadership trainer with 35+ years of experience, to unpack a practical approach to kindness and leadership that works in real workplaces, not just on posters. We talk about why storytelling in leadership matters, how small talk becomes meaningful when you’re intentional, and what John calls the Story Formula for Extraordinary Retention. The big idea is deceptively simple: everyone’s story matters. When leaders learn to listen without hijacking the moment, they build psychological safety, reduce the “us versus them” vibe, and keep great people from walking out the door because they don’t feel heard. John also challenges the habits that derail difficult conversations: “I don’t know what to say,” “It’s not my job,” and the urge to fix. We get concrete about the power of waiting, how silence gives people room to choose their words, and why trust grows when we make the conversation about the other person. From quick three-minute check-ins to rebuilding broken trust, this is empathy at work with clear next steps. We close with John’s “Be Someone For Someone” initiative, a movement-level mindset that starts with one decision each morning: show up for someone on purpose. If this sparked something in you, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find this kindness-first leadership work. You can support the show in a few different ways—by grabbing something from our merch store, picking up a copy of my book, or joining us on Buy Me a Coffee. Every bit of support helps keep the podcast going and also helps us give back to nonprofits doing good in the world. “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

    35 min
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Mike
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    174
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Kindness Matters Podcast
  • Show Website
    Kindness Matters Podcast