We asked entrepreneurs, artists, creatives and folks from every walk of life to share stories of kindness with us because we believe that hearing about kindness inspires more kindness. Our world needs more kindness.

Gary Schwartz

When I was in the 6th grade, I was put into the advanced art class at my public middle school in Coney Island where i grew up. My teacher, Mrs. Gurton, became my guardian angel and was the first person to take me aside and say, “Gary, you have a great deal of talent, and I believe you will pursue art as a future career”. Well, at that age, in one ear and out the other, right? I just wanted to survive puberty. Read more >>

KARLA PASTEN

I would say that the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me is that people trusted me all along the way. In my first job, I was just starting with lettering and my boss of that time trusted in me and gave me real projects in which I should apply my new abilities, gaining a lot of experience in this area and building a portfolio. On my second job my art director Elias Mule and after him, Jorge Mercado saw how much work I was putting into learning and always trusted me with custom wordmarks for our branding projects. Read more >>

Anthony Spinner

When both my moms passed away while I was in college, it was the hardest times of my life and on my senior day my teammates decided to make posters of my moms and their signatures to let me know I was loved and that they are always gonna be with me . Read more >>

Marcia Söderman

One of the kindest things anyone has ever done for me came as a complete surprise. A favorite early painting of mine, Portal of the Mind I, an eight-foot wide abstract, hung in our living room for several years. When we moved to New Mexico in 2018, I knew it would be too large for our future home. One of the greatest joys of being an artist is when someone truly falls in love with your work. Read more >>

Jessica Pavelka

When I was an undergraduate student, I was unsure of what my next steps could be after finishing school. I knew what I wanted to do but didn’t know the steps I needed to take to get there. I was resourceful and looked online for a licensed therapist who approached therapy similarly to my interests. I boldly contacted them and set up an in-person meeting. Read more>>

Matt James

When I was about 17 years old, I had just started teaching myself how to play guitar. One summer we were at a lady named Mrs. La Retta’s house for a church youth group thing. Some of the members of the church took turns hosting and feeding the youth group a few weeks out of the summer, and that particular evening we were doing a campfire/BBQ at their house. Read more >>

Ibarionex Perello

I have heard from many listeners of the podcast about how the interviews have inspired and encouraged them in their careers. I have received such comments via e-mail or in-person and it has always been heartening to hear. Producing a podcast is kind of like working in a bubble, but such comments let me know that the show has a long reach. Read more >>

Sarah Stockwell

I’ll start by saying my entire career as a Rock Steady Director and Coach has been supported, funded, and driven by the kindness and hearts of others. However, I do have a favorite story of an act of kindness that melted my heart and changed my life. Read more >>

Danielle Rante

Early on in my career, I was 28 and had several interviews scheduled at College Art Association conference in Los Angeles. This was in 2009, and the primary way that candidates were interviewed by universities was at this conference. I was juggling low paying teaching jobs and very excited I was invited to interview for so many tenure track jobs. I had to go. Read more >>