Mike is a husband, father, and proud grandfather, he is an entrepreneur, author and the creator and host of The Kindness Matters Podcast. He is dedicated to inspiring and motivating others to be more kind to each other. To overlooking whatever differences may exist between us; whether it’s politics, religion, race or whom we love, and understand that we all have so much more in common than we realize.
Recent Content
Send us a textWhat if you could turn unimaginable Grief into a beacon of hope? That's exactly what Karen Houck has done after the tragic loss of her daughter Alyssa Noelle Audette to a drug overd…
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Send us a textWhat if you could turn unimaginable grief into a beacon of hope? That's exactly what Karen Houck has done after the tragic loss of her daughter Alyssa Noelle Audette to a drug overdose in 2011. Join us as Karen shares her deeply personal journey through loss and how the discovery of the Kindness Rocks Project became a healing force. Through "Alyssa's Wishes," inspired by a simple ladybug-painted rock, Karen honors her daughter's Legacy and the family's mission to spread kindness, all while navigating the challenges of enduring grief.We also take you to a vibra…
Send us a textEver wondered how a self-proclaimed "asshole" transforms into an ambassador of kindness? Join us as Ernie Wood, life coach and author of "Asshole to Awesome: Journey to Joy and Happiness…
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Send us a textEver wondered how a self-proclaimed "asshole" transforms into an ambassador of kindness? Join us as Ernie Wood, life coach and author of "Asshole to Awesome: Journey to Joy and Happiness", shares his extraordinary path from negativity to positivity. In a candid conversation, Ernie unpacks how societal pressures, such as racism and group dynamics, can lead to negative behavior and the importance of recognizing and overcoming these patterns. We explore the resistance to change many face, often due to the comfort of familiar habits, and how Ernie confronted his own negative traits t…
Send us a textJoin us for an unforgettable conversation with Holocaust survivor Ben Lesser, a remarkable 96-year-old who personifies resilience and the enduring power of humanity. Through his vivid re…
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Send us a textJoin us for an unforgettable conversation with Holocaust survivor Ben Lesser, a remarkable 96-year-old who personifies resilience and the enduring power of humanity. Through his vivid recollections, Ben recounts the harrowing journey of the death march from Dürnhau to Buchenwald, where he faced unbearable conditions yet emerged with an unbroken spirit. His story serves as a solemn reminder of the devastating consequences of hatred and the necessity of empathy and compassion. As Ben opens his heart, we explore how kindness can be a transformative force, even in the darkest times …
Send us a textHolocaust survivor Ben Lesser joins us for a powerful and moving conversation that sheds light on the darkest period of human history. Imagine escaping a Polish ghetto hidden in coal tru…
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Send us a textHolocaust survivor Ben Lesser joins us for a powerful and moving conversation that sheds light on the darkest period of human history. Imagine escaping a Polish ghetto hidden in coal trucks, trusting a stranger with your life, only to embark on a nail-biting journey through enemy lines—this was the reality for Ben and his family. As we explore their harrowing escape to Czechoslovakia, Ben's vivid recollections of bravery amidst constant danger provide a gripping narrative of resilience against all odds.Our dialogue takes a sobering turn as Ben recounts his arrival at Ausch…
Send us a textJoin me, Mike Rathbun, for a poignant episode of the Kindness Matters Podcast, where we have the honor of hosting 96-year-old Holocaust survivor, Ben Lesser. Ben's firsthand account…
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Send us a textJoin me, Mike Rathbun, for a poignant episode of the Kindness Matters Podcast, where we have the honor of hosting 96-year-old Holocaust survivor, Ben Lesser. Ben's firsthand account takes us back to his childhood in Krakow, Poland, where his once-peaceful life was irreversibly altered by the Nazi invasion. Listen as he shares the courageous decision his family made to escape the ghetto's horrors, a move that ultimately saved their lives. Through Ben's vivid memories, we confront the brutal reality of Nazi occupation, marked by violent home invasions and the relentl…
Send us a textWhat if creativity could be the key to managing Anxiety? Join us as we welcome the extraordinary Catherine Catterson, an international best-selling author and multifaceted artist, who sh…
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Send us a textWhat if creativity could be the key to managing anxiety? Join us as we welcome the extraordinary Catherine Catterson, an international best-selling author and multifaceted artist, who shares her innovative approach to using music, visual art, and focused breathing as tools to alleviate Stress and fear. Catherine opens up about her personal journey and how her upbringing in a family that valued kindness has fueled her mission to support children’s confidence and stress levels, particularly through acts of generosity and community support.Relive the nostalgia of childhood fundrai…
Send us a textWhat sparks the desire to change the world at just 12 years old? Meet Connor Wright, our incredible guest who turned a family initiative into a thriving nonprofit organization, Connor&ap…
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Send us a textWhat sparks the desire to change the world at just 12 years old? Meet Connor Wright, our incredible guest who turned a family initiative into a thriving nonprofit organization, Connor's Kindness Project. You'll hear how Connor, alongside his grandmother and mother, began crafting care packages during the pandemic to lift the spirits of children and frontline heroes. Discover the role social media played in connecting with those in need and how the power of community and creativity fueled the rapid expansion of his mission, touching countless lives. Connor not only start…
Send us a textWhat if the simple act of kindness could transform your life in unexpected ways? Join us on the Kindness Matters Podcast as we share an unforgettable conversation with Pete Partin, whose…
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Send us a textWhat if the simple act of kindness could transform your life in unexpected ways? Join us on the Kindness Matters Podcast as we share an unforgettable conversation with Pete Partin, whose life story is a testament to the resilience found in compassion. Growing up in a challenging environment with financial hardship and an abusive, alcoholic father, Pete faced immense adversity. Yet, his story is one of triumph, thanks to the unwavering support of his grandfather and some influential teachers who saw his potential. Their belief in him during his darkest times helped Pete build self…
Send us a textEver wondered how the simple act of kindness can transform your life? Our latest episode of the Kindness Matters Podcast features a conversation with the insightful Ellie Laliberte`, a r…
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Send us a textEver wondered how the simple act of kindness can transform your life? Our latest episode of the Kindness Matters Podcast features a conversation with the insightful Ellie Laliberte`, a renowned author and keynote speaker. Ellie shares her powerful journey of emotional healing, revealing how the practice of self-kindness and compassion can become the bedrock for extending kindness to others. She offers practical advice on starting a journaling practice, highlighting how small, consistent entries can unlock creativity and provide a sense of solace.We also navigate the intricate wor…
Send us a textAfter the unimaginable loss of his 15-year-old special needs son, Jason Tuttle's journey serves as a testament to resilience and compassion, offering a beacon of hope for those navi…
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Send us a textAfter the unimaginable loss of his 15-year-old special needs son, Jason Tuttle's journey serves as a testament to resilience and compassion, offering a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of grief. Hear from Jason as he opens up about the shock, guilt, and eventual healing that unfolded after losing his son. His story provides a unique perspective on the role of a stay-at-home dad, the emotional and practical struggles of raising children with complex medical needs, and the transformative power of community and shared experiences.Grief can take many forms, a…
Send us a textJoin me on a heartfelt journey with Michael, Mike, Puffer affectionately known as the "country computer guy," as we uncover his inspiring story on the Kindness Matters podcast. Michael&a…
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Send us a textJoin me on a heartfelt journey with Michael, Mike, Puffer affectionately known as the "country computer guy," as we uncover his inspiring story on the Kindness Matters podcast. Michael's unique approach to providing tech support in rural areas—often accepting payments in the form of fresh produce or homemade goods—reflects a deep commitment to personalized service and community. Our conversation takes a transformative turn as we explore his nonprofit initiative, Tabi Oasis. Born from personal experience, this organization stands as a beacon of hope for families grappling…
Send us a textWhat if mastering multiple skills could lead to a richer, more connected life? This week on the Kindness Matters Podcast, we're thrilled to welcome Sarah Stewart, a remarkable indiv…
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Send us a textWhat if mastering multiple skills could lead to a richer, more connected life? This week on the Kindness Matters Podcast, we're thrilled to welcome Sarah Stewart, a remarkable individual known for her boundless kindness and diverse talents, ranging from photography and Travel writing to homeschooling and entrepreneurship. Sarah shares her thought-provoking journey of honing various crafts with intent and passion, all while reflecting on how the pandemic has reshaped our social interactions. Learn from her insights on breaking societal norms and the profound value of lifelong…
Send us a textEver wondered how a childhood dream can turn into a lifelong passion? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Karen Scruggs, a devoted nurse with both bachelor's and master'…
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Send us a textEver wondered how a childhood dream can turn into a lifelong passion? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Karen Scruggs, a devoted nurse with both bachelor's and master's degrees in Nursing, who also hosts the insightful podcast "Karen's Nnquisitive Korner." From playing with plastic nursing kits as a child to becoming a beacon of compassion in the healthcare field, Karen shares her remarkable journey and the unwavering calling that many nurses feel. We'll also offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the quirks and joys of podcasting, adding a personal t…
Send us a textUnlock the secrets of aligning your business success with personal fulfillment by tuning into our latest episode featuring Adina Kroll, an international business and human design coach. …
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Send us a textUnlock the secrets of aligning your business success with personal fulfillment by tuning into our latest episode featuring Adina Kroll, an international business and human design coach. Adina introduces us to the fascinating world of human design, a self-discovery tool that blends multiple spiritual modalities to help you understand your unique energetic blueprint. Challenge conventional norms and societal expectations as Adina empowers you to make decisions that lead to a more authentic and fulfilling life.Ever wondered how your early childhood experiences shape your internal di…
Send us a textWhat if empathy could be the secret ingredient to skyrocketing your business's success? Our latest episode of the Kindness Matters Podcast features the incredible Dr. Melissa Robins…
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Send us a textWhat if empathy could be the secret ingredient to skyrocketing your business's success? Our latest episode of the Kindness Matters Podcast features the incredible Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller, an authority on emotional intelligence (EQ) and empathy. With a storytelling flair, Melissa recounts her transformative journey from academia to becoming a leading consultant in leadership and change management. Her rich background in music and academia, combined with her steadfast advocacy for EQ, offers listeners unique insights into how empathy can significantly boost productivit…
Send us a textHave you ever wondered if chasing your career ambitions could be costing you your well-being? Join us as we uncover the often-overlooked balance between success and self-care with our gu…
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Send us a textHave you ever wondered if chasing your career ambitions could be costing you your well-being? Join us as we uncover the often-overlooked balance between success and self-care with our guest, Jessica Haas, (use this link for the offer Jessica talks about during the show!) an integrative health coach. Jessica opens up about her personal battle with Burnout and how she transformed her life from a phlebotomist to a health coach in a functional medicine practice. Learn alongside her as she walks us through the importance of self-kindness and the necessity of not overextending oneself,…
Send us a Text Message.What happens when a dedicated high school educator decides to pivot into the world of life Coaching and memoir writing? Join us as we explore the incredible transformation of Ja…
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Send us a Text Message.What happens when a dedicated high school educator decides to pivot into the world of life coaching and memoir writing? Join us as we explore the incredible transformation of Jamie Gartner, who left behind a 12-year teaching career to found Soul Script Coaching, a sanctuary for those looking to heal and share their stories through the art of writing. Jamie’s journey from the bustling classrooms of a diverse city school to the nurturing environment of her coaching practice adds layers of depth and insight to our conversation.Struggling to find a therapist, Jamie stumble…
Send us a Text Message.What happens when a young author uses her personal struggles to inspire a movement of kindness? This week on the Kindness Matters Podcast, we welcome Brooke Aukerman, a remarkab…
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Send us a Text Message.What happens when a young author uses her personal struggles to inspire a movement of kindness? This week on the Kindness Matters Podcast, we welcome Brooke Aukerman, a remarkable 20-year-old literary critic, promoter, and author from McKeesport, Pennsylvania. Brooke shares the poignant story behind her book, "Be Kind Loretta Owl," an anti-bullying narrative told from the perspective of a bully. Drawing from her own experiences with bullying due to her biracial background and learning disability, Brooke sheds light on the harsh realities many face, especially in the age …