The Kindness Factor Podcast

Randy McNeely

Join hosts Dr. Elia Gourgouris - The Happiness Doctor, also known as the "Happy Greek", and Randy McNeely - Captain Kindman, as they bring in intriguing guests who share impactful personal experiences with the transformative power of kindness.  BE WARNED - You'll more than likely come away with a case of "pay it forwarditis" and a desire to join the growing #kindnemic working to spread the kindness contagion wherever you go! Dr. Elia Gourgouris worked for over two decades as a clinical psychologist and has worked in the corporate coaching and speaking industries for well over a decade teaching and speaking specifically on well-being and happiness. His appealing accent, thought provoking questions, unique perspective, and light-hearted banter will be food for your mind and happiness for your heart.  Randy McNeely, known as The Kindness Giver, is a reformed Cybersecurity professional. After working for nearly two decades where he played the role of the security/risk professional that everyone loved to hate, Randy retired his clipboard and risk assessment documents to take on the more personally impactful role of kindness engineer. You'll enjoy listening as Randy utilizes his unique experience to ask insightful questions that inspire heart-grabbing responses. Enjoy what your hearing? Support our efforts to take kindness to a broader audience through "The Kindness Factor Human Interest Series" by subscribing here. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2179958/support 

  1. 04/23/2025

    Yeeah Samake - Yeah Sámake: To Lead is to Serve How One Mans Love is Transforming a Nation

    Send us a text Join Captain Kindman, Randy McNeely, and The Happiness Doctor, Elia Gourgouris, for an inspiring conversation with the Honorable Yeah Samake—former Malian Ambassador and a man shaped by a powerful legacy. Discover how his father’s dream of educating all 23 of his children changed his life, why he gave up his Ambassadorship to serve his people, how he is working to take his positive influence to an even bigger stage as President of Mali, and how his powerful, love-driven journey can inspire yours. Connect with Yeah: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ambassador-yeah-samake-19a0792/ Website: https://yeahsmake.com Empower Mali https://empowermali.org #kindness #leadership #personaldevelopment #courate #education #hope #encouragement #motivation #service #transformation Support the show Did you appreciate the show? Show your appreciation by JOINING OUR EFFORTS TO PAY IT FORWARD AND RAISE OUR VOICE FOR KINDNESS ON A LARGER SCALE! JOIN US TODAY! Here's how. Subscribe to this podcast. You can pay as little as $3.00 per month. Your support will enable us to continue to bring you great content and take our message to a much broader audience. Email 5 people you believe our efforts will resonate with and invite them to listen and do the same thing. Like or subscribe to our social media channels listed below. LinkedIn.com - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thekindnessfactor YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thekindnessfactorpodcast Instagram - https://instagram.com/tkfactorshow Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thekindnessfactor X - https://twitter.com/tkfactorshow Thank you for your support!

    28 min
  2. 04/16/2025

    Valerie Probstfeld - To Mom is to Love: The Power of Generational Kindness

    Send us a text Imagine, planning out how everything is going to be when your new child is born. You study and prepare for that. You have a picture-perfect image in your mind of how everything is going to be. Then, the baby is born, and within 10 minutes, your world is completely turned upside down. That's the experience Valerie Probstfeld had. Join this conversation with Dr. Elia Gourgouris (The Happiness Doctor) and Randy McNeely (Captain Kindman), to get the full scoop on what happened next and learn about  Valerie's passion for motherhood and the kindness that inspires that passion. Listen on any of your favorite podcast platforms here, or watch on Youtube. Connect with Valerie: Website LinkedIn Instagram Youtube Facebook Podcast Support the show Did you appreciate the show? Show your appreciation by JOINING OUR EFFORTS TO PAY IT FORWARD AND RAISE OUR VOICE FOR KINDNESS ON A LARGER SCALE! JOIN US TODAY! Here's how. Subscribe to this podcast. You can pay as little as $3.00 per month. Your support will enable us to continue to bring you great content and take our message to a much broader audience. Email 5 people you believe our efforts will resonate with and invite them to listen and do the same thing. Like or subscribe to our social media channels listed below. LinkedIn.com - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thekindnessfactor YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thekindnessfactorpodcast Instagram - https://instagram.com/tkfactorshow Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thekindnessfactor X - https://twitter.com/tkfactorshow Thank you for your support!

    31 min
  3. 04/02/2025

    Justin Pickins - Pushing Through - The Power of Resilience, Courage, and Determination to Unleash Positive Impact

    Send us a text Imagine growing up in a home where both parents struggle with mental illness, addiction, and other challenges. What would that feel like? Justin Pickens doesn’t have to imagine—he lived it. But instead of letting those hardships define him, he turned them into stepping stones to success. Join Randy McNeely - Captain Kindman and Justin Pickens as  shares how a "village" of friends, teachers, and mentors helped him push through—and how he’s now paying that kindness forward, empowering others to rise above their challenges. Listen now on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube! ______________ Connect with Justin: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-pickens/ Support the show Did you appreciate the show? Show your appreciation by JOINING OUR EFFORTS TO PAY IT FORWARD AND RAISE OUR VOICE FOR KINDNESS ON A LARGER SCALE! JOIN US TODAY! Here's how. Subscribe to this podcast. You can pay as little as $3.00 per month. Your support will enable us to continue to bring you great content and take our message to a much broader audience. Email 5 people you believe our efforts will resonate with and invite them to listen and do the same thing. Like or subscribe to our social media channels listed below. LinkedIn.com - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thekindnessfactor YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thekindnessfactorpodcast Instagram - https://instagram.com/tkfactorshow Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thekindnessfactor X - https://twitter.com/tkfactorshow Thank you for your support!

    32 min
  4. 03/27/2025

    Kevin Monroe - The Gratitude Boost: Where Gratitude, Kindness, and Happiness Meet

    Send us a text What happens when gratitude, happiness, and kindness come together? They bring along some incredible friends—love, joy, hope, resilience, and more. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that celebration? Join co-hosts Elia Gourgouris, PhD (The Happiness Doctor) and Randy McNeely (Captain Kindman) as they chat with the Gratitude Guru, Kevin D. Monroe, about how gratitude and kindness can ignite a life filled with hope and happiness. Picture this: gratitude rolls in, and suddenly, it's like a circus clown car—one moment, it’s just gratitude, and the next, it’s overflowing with a whole crew of cheerful, hopeful friends. Tune in to hear insightful stories, uplifting moments, and learn how embracing the power of “and yet” can bring light even on the darkest days. If you're in need of a boost to brighten your day, this episode is just what you need. Listen (https://podcast.thekindnessfactor.com/2179958/follow) or Watch—you’ll be glad you did! About Kevin: I am a 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 who 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 both online and in-person that allow people to embrace an extraordinary life and lead in extraordinary ways. Connect with Kevin: If you are interested in how we might work together, please contact me. You can email me at kevin@kevindmonroe.com. Better yet, why not call or text right now? Here's my personal cell +1-404-713-0713. Let's co-create something awesome! Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinmonroe/ Website: https://www.kevindmonroe.com _____ Support the show Did you appreciate the show? Show your appreciation by JOINING OUR EFFORTS TO PAY IT FORWARD AND RAISE OUR VOICE FOR KINDNESS ON A LARGER SCALE! JOIN US TODAY! Here's how. Subscribe to this podcast. You can pay as little as $3.00 per month. Your support will enable us to continue to bring you great content and take our message to a much broader audience. Email 5 people you believe our efforts will resonate with and invite them to listen and do the same thing. Like or subscribe to our social media channels listed below. LinkedIn.com - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thekindnessfactor YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thekindnessfactorpodcast Instagram - https://instagram.com/tkfactorshow Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thekindnessfactor X - https://twitter.com/tkfactorshow Thank you for your support!

    28 min
  5. 03/19/2025

    Jeff Downs Streaking The Laughingly Simple Strategy for Success Every Day

    Send us a text Can you imagine making your personal and professional life better by streaking every day? No we're not talking about running around naked. What we are talking about is creating the consistency that leads to daily success. Here to share his wonderful expertise in this area is none other than the Streaking Master himself Mr. Jeffery Downs. Join Dr. Elia Gourgouris, The Happiness Doctor, and Randy McNeely - Captain Kindman for an enlightening conversation with Mr. Downs! Discussion Points: What are the three laws of streaking and how can they positively impact my personal and professional success strategy.What on earth would be considered a laughingly simple streak and why does it matter?How do streaks differ from habits? How can creating streaks be helpful in creating kindness? HERO STORY: Learn about Jeff's Kindness hero and the story of how one kind man who saw the possible in a rowdy high school kid changed Jeff's life trajectory forever. Get the weekly wisdom nuggets and find out how they can help you grow. Listen her or watch on Youtube at https://youtube.com/@thekindnessfactorpodcast About Jeff: Jeffery J. Downs is a dynamic keynote speaker individuals and executive teams in both private and public organizations. Jeff draws on a vast array of experiences from corporate, public, and private life to relate timeless principles leadership and productivity. His book, !Streaking" (https://tinyurl.com/367j9xdt) is a powerful framework that unlocks the door of compound results. Learn more about Jeff and connect with him on: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jefferyjdowns/ Website https://www.mystreaksapp.com/ Support the show Did you appreciate the show? Show your appreciation by JOINING OUR EFFORTS TO PAY IT FORWARD AND RAISE OUR VOICE FOR KINDNESS ON A LARGER SCALE! JOIN US TODAY! Here's how. Subscribe to this podcast. You can pay as little as $3.00 per month. Your support will enable us to continue to bring you great content and take our message to a much broader audience. Email 5 people you believe our efforts will resonate with and invite them to listen and do the same thing. Like or subscribe to our social media channels listed below. LinkedIn.com - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thekindnessfactor YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thekindnessfactorpodcast Instagram - https://instagram.com/tkfactorshow Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thekindnessfactor X - https://twitter.com/tkfactorshow Thank you for your support!

    32 min
  6. 03/13/2025

    Mark Carpenter - Smiles, Leadership, and Elevating Your Life and the World

    Send us a text Need a lift today? How about a facelift? No I'm not talking about plastic surgery. I'm talking about big smiles.  Mark Carpenter, "The Master Storyteller" is the man who brings them. With his down to earth style and easy going manner, he lifts and inspires people to new heights.  Join co-hosts Dr. Elia Gourgouris - The Happiness Doctor, and Randy McNeely - Captain Kindman - in this thought-provoking and insightful conversation. Questions to consider: What role does kindness play in creating lasting connections? Can a smile save a life? Is is possible to elevate your mood even when you don't feel like smiling? What impact can leading like a person as opposed to a position have on your leadership? How can organizations boost the success of new leaders? So much more. ______________________ Mark Carpenter is on a mission to bring greater humanity into business leadership. A popular speaker, best-selling author, and experienced facilitator, Mark has spoken to and facilitated learning at organizations from mining and manufacturing to banking and technology. He is the co-author of the best-selling book “Master Storytelling: How to Turn Your Experiences Into Stories that Teach, Lead, and Inspire,” and the author of the best-seller “Lead Like A Person, Not Like A Position.” He is the co-host of the Infuse Compassion podcast with Amy Quesenberry.  __________ Connect with Mark: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-carpenter-0b55221/ Websites: https://master-storytelling.com/ https://leadlikeaperson.com/ Books: Master Storytelling: How to Turn Your Experiences into Stories that Teach, Lead, and Inspire - https://tinyurl.com/ycx35n6d Lead Like a Person, Not Like a Position - https://tinyurl.com/mr2hdm23 __________ Listen on any of your favorite podcast platforms https://podcast.thekindnessfactor.com/2179958/follow Support the show Did you appreciate the show? Show your appreciation by JOINING OUR EFFORTS TO PAY IT FORWARD AND RAISE OUR VOICE FOR KINDNESS ON A LARGER SCALE! JOIN US TODAY! Here's how. Subscribe to this podcast. You can pay as little as $3.00 per month. Your support will enable us to continue to bring you great content and take our message to a much broader audience. Email 5 people you believe our efforts will resonate with and invite them to listen and do the same thing. Like or subscribe to our social media channels listed below. LinkedIn.com - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thekindnessfactor YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thekindnessfactorpodcast Instagram - https://instagram.com/tkfactorshow Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thekindnessfactor X - https://twitter.com/tkfactorshow Thank you for your support!

    30 min
  7. 03/05/2025

    Kindness Worldwide - Be the Change You Want to See in the World - Kevin Smith

    Send us a text What if you could be part of a movement that is making the world a brighter, happier, more peaceful place? If you knew that this  movement would allow you to step up and step into the shoes of a kindness hero every day, delivering love through simple acts of kindness, WOULD YOU BE IN? If you said yes, then this episode is a must listen! Our guest today is a financial advisor turned kindness advocate and kindness movement creator, the amazing founder of Kindness Worldwide Kevin Smith. Listen to learn more about the "Why" behind Kevin's kindness advocacy and how you can be part of the kindness story and help build cultures of kindness around the world! ----------- WARNING: Parts of the conversation at the beginning of this episode get rather heavy as there is some discussion of the recent tragic events involving a shooting in York, PA, Kevin's hometown. The events are only touched on briefly, and the focus shifts to discussing the solutions kindness can provide to prevent and also recover from such tragedies and create the change we want to see in the world. _______ Connect with Kevin: Website: https://kindnessworldwide.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kindnessweekofficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kindnessweekofficial/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-smith-a0040a19/ Linkedin - Kindness Worldwide: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kindness-week-worldwide/ Support the show Did you appreciate the show? Show your appreciation by JOINING OUR EFFORTS TO PAY IT FORWARD AND RAISE OUR VOICE FOR KINDNESS ON A LARGER SCALE! JOIN US TODAY! Here's how. Subscribe to this podcast. You can pay as little as $3.00 per month. Your support will enable us to continue to bring you great content and take our message to a much broader audience. Email 5 people you believe our efforts will resonate with and invite them to listen and do the same thing. Like or subscribe to our social media channels listed below. LinkedIn.com - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thekindnessfactor YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thekindnessfactorpodcast Instagram - https://instagram.com/tkfactorshow Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thekindnessfactor X - https://twitter.com/tkfactorshow Thank you for your support!

    32 min
  8. 02/26/2025

    S2 - Episode 5 - Amy Quesenberry - Start with Compassion

    Send us a text In this inspiring episode, Dr. Elia Gourgouris - The Happiness Doctor, and Randy McNeely - Captain Kindman, sit down with compassion advocate Amy Quesenberry. Amy shares the story of how her new doctor stepped into the shoes of a kindness hero and made her feel seen, heard, and safe. She also shares how that experience and many other life lessons led to her becoming the wonderful compassion advocate that she is. We learn about the impact compassion can have in the workplace and in our personal lives as Amy unpacks the "Compassion Framework." and the power of showing up. We also tease her new "Infuse Compassion" podcast with the first episode releasing on March 4th. _______ After years in corporate life, Amy took a transformative journey of self-discovery, resulting in her acclaimed Start With Compassion™ framework and awakening to the power of showing up.  Amy is a keynote speaker known for her raw authenticity, passion, and ability to transform lives. She’s been a leader in the STEM field for over 20 years and currently serves as the Director of Training and Organizational Development at RICK Engineering. Residing in San Diego, she has shared her wisdom at platforms like the Womentech Network Global Conference and TTEC’s Women’s Leadership group. As a certified organizational development coach with a Bachelors in Business Management and a Masters in Organizational Leadership, Amy balances her life with cooking, reading, writing poetry, running, and cycling on her Peloton bike. ________ Connect with Amy: Website: https://startwithcompassion.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-quesenberry/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/startwithcompassion/ X: https://twitter.com/sw_compassion Instagram: https://instagram.com/start_with_compassion TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@startwithcompassion Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@startwithcompassion Support the show Did you appreciate the show? Show your appreciation by JOINING OUR EFFORTS TO PAY IT FORWARD AND RAISE OUR VOICE FOR KINDNESS ON A LARGER SCALE! JOIN US TODAY! Here's how. Subscribe to this podcast. You can pay as little as $3.00 per month. Your support will enable us to continue to bring you great content and take our message to a much broader audience. Email 5 people you believe our efforts will resonate with and invite them to listen and do the same thing. Like or subscribe to our social media channels listed below. LinkedIn.com - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thekindnessfactor YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thekindnessfactorpodcast Instagram - https://instagram.com/tkfactorshow Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thekindnessfactor X - https://twitter.com/tkfactorshow Thank you for your support!

    27 min

About

Join hosts Dr. Elia Gourgouris - The Happiness Doctor, also known as the "Happy Greek", and Randy McNeely - Captain Kindman, as they bring in intriguing guests who share impactful personal experiences with the transformative power of kindness.  BE WARNED - You'll more than likely come away with a case of "pay it forwarditis" and a desire to join the growing #kindnemic working to spread the kindness contagion wherever you go! Dr. Elia Gourgouris worked for over two decades as a clinical psychologist and has worked in the corporate coaching and speaking industries for well over a decade teaching and speaking specifically on well-being and happiness. His appealing accent, thought provoking questions, unique perspective, and light-hearted banter will be food for your mind and happiness for your heart.  Randy McNeely, known as The Kindness Giver, is a reformed Cybersecurity professional. After working for nearly two decades where he played the role of the security/risk professional that everyone loved to hate, Randy retired his clipboard and risk assessment documents to take on the more personally impactful role of kindness engineer. You'll enjoy listening as Randy utilizes his unique experience to ask insightful questions that inspire heart-grabbing responses. Enjoy what your hearing? Support our efforts to take kindness to a broader audience through "The Kindness Factor Human Interest Series" by subscribing here. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2179958/support