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. 3d ago

    Can We See Beyond The Labels?

    Send us Fan Mail “Those people” is a tiny phrase with a huge blast radius. Once I start talking that way, I’m not describing real human beings anymore, I’m describing a category I can judge, mock, or hate from a safe distance. This Kindness Matters conversation is a reset for anyone worn out by political polarization, online outrage, and the constant pressure to sort the world into teams. We walk through why our brains love labels and how easily they become loaded stories: Trump voters, Democrats, immigrants, rich people, poor people, entire generations. The problem isn’t that labels never describe anything true. The problem is what happens when the person disappears and the category remains. It’s easier to be angry at an abstraction than to look someone in the eye and remember they have a family, fears, regrets, and reasons. We also trace the quiet slope from “I disagree” to dehumanization, where contempt and stereotypes make cruelty feel normal. Then we get practical and specific. Using Minnesota’s Feeding Our Future fraud case, we separate accountability from collective blame and explain why precision is part of justice: individuals commit crimes, communities do not. Finally, we offer tools you can use today to bridge divides without pretending differences don’t matter, like swapping categories for real people and asking, “What would have to be true for this belief to make sense to you?” If you’re days from an election and feeling your patience thinning, this is your reminder that kindness can start with one choice: seeing the person. Subscribe for more stories and ideas that make us a little better to each other, and if this resonated, share it and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. Support the show

    Can We See Beyond The Labels?

  2. Oct 15

    The Courage To Be Wrong

    Send us Fan Mail Being wrong hits a nerve for most of us, and it’s rarely about the small stuff. It’s about what it feels like to be corrected when a belief is tied to our pride, our relationships, or our sense of identity. I’m Mike Rathman, and I want to make a case for something that sounds simple but can change the way you live: getting more comfortable changing your mind can be one of the kindest things you do for yourself and for the people around you. We dig into the psychology behind why we double down. You’ll hear how cognitive dissonance creates that “well actually…” reflex, and how confirmation bias pushes us to collect proof, dismiss counterevidence, and turn conversations into court cases. We also talk about why it gets messy when beliefs become identity, when “I believe this” turns into “people like me believe this,” and how that team mindset can make curiosity feel like betrayal. Then we shift to practical tools for better difficult conversations. We lean on a surprisingly strong phrase, “I don’t know,” and the kinds of curiosity questions that lower the temperature fast: Where did you hear that? What makes you believe that? What am I missing? You’ll also get a challenge for the week: choose one belief you hold tightly and ask what evidence would actually make you reconsider, because an open mind doesn’t have to be a wide-open door, just an unlocked one. If this message helps, subscribe to Kindness Matters, share the episode with someone you care about, and leave a quick review so more people can 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 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

    The Courage To Be Wrong

  3. Oct 8

    Kindness Without Agreement

    Send us Fan Mail We’re surrounded by disagreement, but what’s unsettling is how quickly it turns personal. A different opinion used to be just that, a different opinion. Now it often becomes a verdict: stupid, ignorant, selfish, evil. I’m wrestling with a question that sits under so many tense conversations at home, at work, and online: are we losing the ability to talk to people we disagree with, and what happens to kindness when we do? I unpack the difference between challenging an idea and attacking a person, and why that line matters if we care about healthy relationships and civil discourse. We look at how social media changes conflict by removing faces, voices, and context, making it easier to treat people like labels instead of humans. I also draw a firm boundary around what kindness is not: it isn’t pretending everything is fine, it isn’t agreeing with everyone, and it isn’t surrendering your principles. Kindness can include saying no, setting boundaries, confronting harm, and walking away when needed. The thread that ties it together is rehumanizing. Imagine you had to know three things about someone before you argued: who they love, what they’ve been through, and what they’re afraid of. Would you still disagree? Probably. But you might disagree differently. If you’re craving better communication skills, more empathy, and a way to disagree respectfully without dehumanizing each other, this one is for you. If it resonates, subscribe, share it with someone you care about, and leave a review so more people can 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 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

    Kindness Without Agreement

  4. Oct 1

    AI And Kindness;

    Send us Fan Mail AI can write a beautiful apology, a perfect condolence message, and a calm response when you’re furious. The real question is not whether artificial intelligence is “good” or “bad” it’s whether we’ll use it to become more compassionate, more thoughtful, and more connected, or whether we’ll use it to avoid the hard work of being human. We talk through the everyday moments where AI can genuinely support kindness: helping us find words when we care but freeze, giving us a pause before we hit send on something cruel, and offering a new angle when we’re trapped in our own blind spots. We also name what can’t be automated: intention, responsibility, vulnerability, and the choice to understand someone even when we don’t agree. Along the way, we break down why language feels so personal, why “understanding” is different from agreement, and how kindness often looks like not making things worse. Then we get honest about the risks. If AI makes kindness effortless, does it make it less meaningful? What happens when empathy can be manufactured on demand, creating the appearance of care without the reality of care? And what about loneliness and AI companionship when a bot is easier than a person who can disappoint you, need you, and ask something of you? We end with simple boundaries and a practical filter we can run before we prompt: will this help me become more human, or help me avoid being human? If this sparked something for you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more people can 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 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

    AI And Kindness;

  5. Sep 24

    When Community Cares

    Send us Fan Mail Someone walks out of a federal detention facility into a Minnesota winter with no phone, no coat, and no clear idea what comes next. Then a small crowd of strangers is waiting with hot chocolate, spare coats, cell phones, and rides. That moment captures the question I can’t shake: what makes ordinary people decide that a stranger shouldn’t have to face the cold alone? I trace how that same spirit spreads beyond one sidewalk into mutual aid networks across Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Greater Minnesota. Accountants, parents, neighbors, and people with regular jobs start doing what they can: delivering groceries, driving to work and school, sharing information, helping with rent, translating, and connecting families to resources. The point isn’t that anyone has the power to solve immigration policy or overhaul a broken system. The point is that kindness starts when we focus on the person right in front of us and ask, “What can I do to help?” From there, we move into another crisis with a different shape: SNAP benefits ending and families losing essential food assistance. You’ll hear stories of a farmer donating crates of produce, a grocery owner keeping prices stable even when it carries real risk, and food shelves and volunteers scaling up to meet surging demand. It all comes down to one thread: someone noticed, someone cared, and someone used what they had. If this episode nudges you to show up for a neighbor, subscribe to this podcast, share it with someone who needs hope, and leave a review so more people can find these stories. What do you have that someone else might need right now? 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

    When Community Cares

  6. Sep 17

    The Ones Who Do

    Send us Fan Mail Somebody should do something. We all say it, we all mean it, and then life moves on. But there’s a moment when that sentence turns into a mirror, when a problem keeps tugging at you and the next thought lands hard: what if that somebody is me? That’s the heartbeat of Kindness Matters, and it’s where this conversation begins.  We walk through how meaningful community change actually happens, not through a single heroic gesture, but through ordinary people who notice what others have learned to overlook. We talk about the tiny first steps that matter, like making one call, volunteering one shift, starting one drive, or simply checking on the person who seems invisible. If you’ve ever wondered how nonprofits and community projects really start, you’ll hear the truth: the need comes first, and the organization comes later, if it comes at all.  We also name what people rarely post about. The unglamorous work behind kindness includes paperwork, budgets, grant applications, fundraising emails, and the sting of rejection. You’ll hear why “no” is part of the process and how persistence can be grounded in humility, not ego. And we spend time on sustainability, because caring deeply can drain you fast. Helpers need kindness too, and stepping back to breathe is sometimes the bravest, most responsible move.  If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the size of the world’s problems, you’ll leave with one clear question to hold onto: what have I noticed, and what is the next thing I can do? Subscribe for more stories and reflections, share this with someone who needs a nudge to start small, and please leave a review so more people can find the show. Support the show

    The Ones Who Do

  7. Sep 10

    Capitalism, But Make It Human

    Send us Fan Mail Capitalism gets talked about like a cage match: winners on one side, everyone else on the other. I’m not an economist, but a single line stopped me cold: capitalism actually works better when it’s built on a foundation of empathy and equity. So I follow that thread where it really matters, not in charts or jargon, but in people’s lives and the systems that shape their chances. We start by naming what capitalism is at its best: innovation, risk, work, and the freedom to build something real. Then we ask the uncomfortable question: how many successful people truly did it alone? From public schools to roads to mentors to the invisible safety of community, none of us rises without support. That’s where kindness stops being “nice” and starts looking like practical infrastructure for economic opportunity. To test the idea, we look at proof points. The GI Bill shows what happens when a country treats help as an investment: education, training, homeownership, and a stronger middle class. We also talk about Denmark, a capitalist country that pairs markets with a strong social safety net, and why that challenges the belief that compassion and prosperity must be enemies. Along the way, I make the case for libraries as one of the smartest community investments we’ve ever created. If you’re tired of everything becoming a competition, this is a different frame: protect dignity, expand opportunity, and watch what people build. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs a hopeful lens, and leave a review with your take: is empathy a strategic advantage? 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

    Capitalism, But Make It Human

  8. Sep 3

    The Bravest Seat In The School

    Send us Fan Mail The loudest room in a school can be the most honest one. We’re talking about the cafeteria, that daily moment when kids carry a tray into a crowded space and have to answer a deceptively hard question: where do I sit, and what does that choice say about me? We map the “ecosystem” almost every lunchroom develops; the confident table with its hidden hierarchy, the quiet table adults tend to overlook, the newcomers taking a social test with no study guide, the floaters who may be flexible or just searching for a home base, and the students who sit alone by choice or because exclusion taught them not to try. Along the way, we share four small stories that prove kindness isn’t a poster on the wall; it’s survival, courage, and real community building. Then we get practical with four tools you can use immediately at school, at work, or anywhere people cluster and sort themselves: the one-minute scan, the brave invite (“Hey, you can sit with us if you want”), the kindness exit when subtle bullying shows up, and a better after-school check-in that opens the door to your kid’s real social world. If you care about empathy, inclusion, anti-bullying, and helping kids build social confidence, this is a simple guide to doing the next kind thing on purpose. Subscribe for more stories and tools like this, share the episode with someone who needs it, and leave a quick review so more listeners can 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 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

    The Bravest Seat In The School
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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
    191
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Kindness Matters Podcast
  • Show Website
    Kindness Matters Podcast

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