The Art of Kindness: Pop Culture & Positivity with Robert Peterpaul

Join The Art of Kindness live from opening night of Harmony on Broadway as Robert Peterpaul chats with the show's trio of leading ladies: Sierra Boggess (The Little Mermaid), Julie Benko (Funny Girl) and Allison Semmes (Motown the Musical). Harmony is an original musical, from Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, based on the true story of the musical group, The Comedian Harmonists. The six-membered German vocal group rose to popularity in the late 1920s only to be completely erased from history because it featured Jewish members. More on Harmony: harmonyanewmusical.com Follow us: @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tv and film legend Carol Burnett joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul for our 100th episode extravaganza! The Carol Burnett Show powerhouse calls in to discuss all things kindness: including life-changing acts of kindness throughout her life and career, and what her golden advice for the world. What can be said of the beloved icon Carol Burnett that hasn’t been said? Carol is, of course, an award-winning actress, producer, comedic genius and best-selling author, widely recognized for her work in Broadway shows like Once Upon A Mattress, films like Annie and television, most notably The Carol Burnett Show. Named in 2007 by TIME magazine as one of “100 Best Television Shows of All Time,” The Carol Burnett Show ran for 11 years, averaged 30 million viewers per week, and received 25 Emmy Awards, making it one of the most honored shows in television history. It put Carol and her friends opposite legendary guest stars like Lucille Ball, Betty White, Cher, and her good friend Julie Andrews. Carol’s remarkable journey to stardom started with humble beginnings. Born in San Antonio, Texas, in 1933, she was predominantly raised by her mother and grandmother. The family moved to a less-than-glamorous part of Hollywood in the late 1930s, seeking a better life and eventually putting Carol in the halls of Hollywood High School. As time went by, the family’s modest means made going to college a far away dream for Carol. However two acts of kindness soon intervened and changed her path forever… which, of course, we discuss in today’s conversation. Carol now has a permanent steak in the grounds of Los Angeles, with the intersection of Highland Ave. and Selma directly adjacent to Hollywood High School, named Carol Burnett Square. This is merely one accolade the star has racked up over the years. As a highly acclaimed actress, Carol has been honored with Emmys, Golden Globes, People’s Choice Awards, the Peabody, a Grammy, a SAG Lifetime Achievement Award. and many more. She is a Kennedy Center Honoree, the recipient of the Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for Humor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom; was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame, and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2019, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association created The Carol Burnett Award which is an honorary Golden Globe to celebrate outstanding contributions to television on or off the screen. Offscreen, Carol enjoys spending time with her husband Brian, her two daughters Jody and Erin, her grandsons, and her cat, Nikki. As a passionate supporter of the arts and education, she established several scholarships around the country, including the Carol Burnett Musical Theatre Competition at her alma mater, UCLA, and the Carrie Hamilton Foundation, to honor her daughter’s memory. A major thank you to our 100th episode sponsors: Schmackary's Cookies, Relativity Ventures, Sticker You, Rapid Press, NAJ Captured, Scott Appel Media, Jennifer Laski PR, Deanna Giulietti and Factory Underground, where this episode was recorded. Follow us: @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join The Art of Kindness podcast live from New York City's most worthwhile Halloween events, including Bette Midler and New York Restoration Project's Hulaween! Host Robert Peterpaul gives you a glimpse inside the event and then is on the carpet with stars: Grammy-nominee Chloe Bailey, Tony-winner Myles Frost (MJ: The Musical), Rupaul’s Drag Race alum Thorgy Thor, and media persona and fellow podcaster Bruce Bozzi. New York Restoration Project: At New York Restoration Project (NYRP), we believe that everyone deserves access to high-quality public green space. Over 1.6 million New Yorkers live within 10 blocks of an NYRP park or garden. Since our founding in 1995 by Bette Midler, we have been making clean, green open space accessible to all New Yorkers by planting trees, renovating gardens and restoring parks in communities across the five boroughs with the greatest need for access to nature. To learn more please visit www.nyrp.org. I Put A Spell On You: The Witches Era: The Sanderson Sisters bewitched Sony Hall as part of Jay Armstrong Johnson’s annual Halloween concert-meets-party benefiting Ali Forney Center. Audiences can stream the spooktacular at Broadway on Demand through November 1. Follow us: @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pasadena Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Danny Feldman joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss what makes his Tony-winning theatre so special, the power and future of regional theatre, artistic communities and more. Pasadena Playhouse, the official State Theater of California and recipient of the 2023 Regional Theatre Tony Award, is one of the most prolific theaters in the country. The Playhouse has staged thousands of original productions since its founding in 1917 including premieres of works by Tennessee Williams, Eugene O’Neill, Suzan Lori Parks and hundreds more. For decades, its pioneering School for Theater Arts was a training ground for actors and theatermakers who went on to make significant contributions to the entertainment industry. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Danny Feldman since 2016, Pasadena Playhouse’s productions and community programs are centered on its founding idea of being a living force in its community, making theater for everyone. Find out more on Pasadena Playhouse: www.pasadenaplayhouse.org Follow us: @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Broadway star Daniel Yearwood joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss stepping into the Tony-winning sensation that is Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd starring Josh Groban, acts of kindness, lessons from his time in Hamilton and more. Daniel Yearwood is a born and raised New Yorker who fell in love with performing at a young age. He burst onto the Broadway with Once on This Island and gained much recognition for his portrayal of John Laurens / Philip Hamilton in Hamilton. Daniel is now waltzing down Fleet Street in the hit Tony-winning revival of Sweeney Todd. He plays the ever-hopeful and in love ANT-O-KNEE Hope, opposite the titular Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Daniel @daniel.j.yearwood Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Broadway star Adrianna Hicks joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss acts of kindness during her Tony-winning new musical Some Like It Hot, the delights of working with Christian Borle and J Harrison Ghee, lessons learned from Jennifer Holiday during The Color Purple, self-kindness and so much more. Adrianna Hicks fell in love with performing at a young age, singing in church choirs in Texas. The musical theatre bug bit her bad in high school, prompting her to study it at University of Oklahoma. After racking up a slew of regional credits and tours under her belt, Adrianna made her Broadway debut in 2015 as a swing in The Color Purple. You’ll find out during our discussion that this was truly a magical full circle moment. She went on to perform in Aladdin on Broadway and more recently, to originate the role of Catherine Aragon in the hit musical Six. Adrianna is currently (well depending on when you listen to this) playing the iconic role of Sugar in the Tony-winning sensation Some Like It Hot. You may know the part as being minted in Hollywood history by Marilyn Monroe during the late 50’s MGM film, but Hicks brings her own joy and magic to the updated story. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Adrianna @missadriannahicks Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shark Tank's Mr. Wonderful a.k.a. Kevin O’Leary, Chairman, O’Leary Ventures joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss his latest venture Chef Wonderful, his unique view of kindness, gaining self-confidence and more. As a university student, Kevin’s innate business sense led him along several different paths – including some very unusual, very entrepreneurial ways of making a profit. Not long after he finished his MBA, Kevin had a meeting that changed his life forever. He met a man who had a strange idea for a software product – an idea with huge, high-profit potential that Kevin immediately recognized. After years of ups, downs, sacrifices, challenges, and lessons learned, the opportunity that Kevin saw eventually turned into a computer software giant that was acquired for more than $4 billion dollars. After his extraordinary success at the software company he founded, Kevin eventually found himself on television, quickly becoming a sought-after host and personality on a range of shows – including Discovery’s Project Earth, CBC’s Dragons’ Den, and ABC’s Shark Tank. Kevin has since launched O’Leary Funds, an investment fund company; O’Leary Fine Wines; and a best-selling book series on financial literacy. In 2014, Kevin founded O’Leary Financial Group – a group of brands and services that share Kevin’s guiding principles of honesty, directness, convenience, and above all, great value. Use the below service Sandboxx to send a letter to my brother Will Peterpaul at Coast Guard Bootcamp in Cape May, NJ. His Company name is "Hotel.” And his company #204: https://link.sandboxx.us/referral/WV4TUH7K Follow Kevin @kevinolearytv Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony Award Nominee L Morgan Lee (A Strange Loop), Broadway's Linedy Genao (Bad Cinderella), Director Taylor Haven Holt (Back to the Future Musical) join The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul live from BroadwayCon 2023! Listen in as they discuss how to make the rehearsal process a more positive, safe and successful place for artists to thrive. This special live podcast is presented by the Broadway Podcast Network. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Broadway star Megan Hilty joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss her incredible career through the lens of kindness. From Idina Menzel's career-changing act of kindness to what she learned from Dolly Parton herself, Megan shares countless inspiring stories and quips while reflecting on her journey. Megan Hilty is probably most recognizable for her portrayal of Ivy Lynn in the NBC Musical Drama “Smash.” Before that, Hilty started her career on Broadway, playing Glinda in “Wicked,” Doralee Rhodes in “9 to 5 The Musical,” and Brooke Ashton in “Noises Off,” which earned her a Tony Award Nomination. Other stage credits include Audrey in “Little Shop of Horrors” (Kennedy Center), Annie Oakley in “Annie Get Your Gun” (Encores/NY City Center) and Lorelei Lee in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” (Encores/NY City Center). Her numerous television credits include “Sean Saves The World” with Sean Hayes, “Difficult People,” “Braindead,” “The Good Fight,” playing the iconic Patsy Cline in “Patsy and Loretta” and Lily in NBC’s “Annie Live!” Megan’s voiceover work spans from audiobooks to kids animated favorites on Disney, Nickelodeon, Netfilx, Hulu & Cartoon Network. Hilty continues to tour her cabaret show with her band, led by Grammy Nominated Matt Cusson, which has been taped for “Live from Lincoln Center” on PBS, and regularly appears with world renowned orchestras including the NY Pops, Boston Pops and the National Symphony Orchestra. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Megan @meganhilty Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arielle Jacobs joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss approaching her new Broadway show "Here Lies Love" with empathy, acts of kindness on Broadway and much more. Arielle Jacobs has been lighting up the stage since she studied ballet at the age of three. She went on to star in Broadway blockbusters, playing Princess Jasmine in Disney’s “Aladdin”, Nessarose in “Wicked”, and Nina Rosario in “In the Heights” alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda. More recently she dazzled Off-Broadway in “Between The Lines.” Now, Jacobs channels Filipina First Lady Imelda Marcos in the aforementioned show "Here Lies Love." The immersive disco pop musical has transformed the Broadway Theatre into a dance club where actors perform amongst audiences. Most importantly, when not performing, Arielle gives back: supporting her company “The Broadway Pup”, which sells punny Broadway-themed pet bandanas and donates 100% of profits to animal rescue charities. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Arielle @ariellejacobs Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sweet Magnolias showrunner Sheryl J. Anderson joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul on the mic for a cozy conversation on running a positive television set, working alongside her children, the WGA strike and much more. Sheryl J. Anderson is the showrunner of Netflix's Sweet Magnolias. She began her writing journey as a playwriting major at William & Mary. Lured to Los Angeles by the intrigue of television and the promise of 300 sunny days a year, she worked as a television studio executive, screenwriter, and half-hour series writer on shows like Parker Lewis Can’t Lose and Dave’s World. She then moved to writing and producing hour-long series, working on a wide range of series from Charmed to Flash Gordon to When Calls the Heart. She has sold pilots to Netflix, SyFy, Lifetime, UPtv, and Disney, and written movies for NBC, UPtv, and Lifetime. If you love this episode be sure to go back and listen to our chats with Sweet Magnolia stars JoAnna Garcia Swisher and Carson Rowland! Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Sheryl @sheryljanderson Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony and Grammy Award-winner Jessie Mueller joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss her incredible career, how Chita Rivera changed her life with an act of kindness, navigating negative voices in her head when she’s recording an album or just in life, and much more. Jessie Mueller is a Tony and Grammy Award-winning actress and singer. She was last seen on Broadway in Tracy Lett’s The Minutes. Other recent credits include the Kennedy Center’s Guys & Dolls, The Music Man, Julie Jordan in the Broadway revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel (Tony & Grammy nominations, Drama Desk Award), originating the roles of both Jenna in Waitress, for which she received Tony, Drama Desk & Grammy noms, and Carole King in Beautiful - The Carole King Musical, for which she won Tony, Grammy & Drama Desk Awards. I saw her in Waitress and Beautiful and she was well… BEAUTIFUL! She’s done concert appearances at Carnegie Hall, Chicago’s Lyric Opera, and Jazz at Lincoln Center. Jessie is also no stranger to shining bright in the Film and Television world. You can watch her in Steven Spielberg’s The Post, Madam Secretary, Blue Bloods, Hulu’s Candy, and Lifetime’s Patsy & Loretta. Like Javier Munoz who was previously on the AOK (go listen if you haven’t already), Jessie is in the new musical concept album My Heart Says Go - which you can stream everywhere. Jessie is an Arts Education champion for groups such as Rosie’s Theatre Kids (rosiestheaterkids.org) and a long-time supporter of The Entertainment Community Fund (entertainmentcommunity.org) & Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids (broadwaycares.org). Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join The Art of Kindness podcast LIVE from the Jimmy Awards 2023 red carpet at Broadway's Minskoff Theatre, as host Robert Peterpaul talks with stars: Corbin Bleu (High School Musical), Eva Noblezada (Hadestown), Andrew Barth Feldman (No Hard Feelings), Justin David Sullivan (& Juliet), Elijah Johnson (MJ the Musical), McKenzie Kurtz (Wicked), Casting Director Stephanie Klapper, Producer Alecia Parker (Chicago), performer Garrett Ryan Hoy, Morgan Higgins (Bad Cinderella) and Felix Torrez-Ponce (Sweeney Todd). From advice for dreamers to kindness tips, we hope this episodes inspires you, friends! Apologies for any whack audio levels as this was a live event. About the Jimmy Awards: The Broadway League Foundation presents the 14th annual Jimmy Awards​ ​ceremony taking place on Monday, June 26, 2023 at 7:30pm at the Minskoff Theatre.​ ​This year’s host is star of stage, television, and film, Corbin Bleu (High School Musical). The Jimmy Awards​ ​features dynamic ensemble and solo performances and culminates with the​ ​presentation of a Best Performance by an Actress and Best Performance by an Actor​ ​award, as well as other honors and scholarships. Winners will be chosen by a panel of​ ​industry experts.​ ​This year there are 96 nominees from 48 high school musical theatre awards​ ​competitions across the U.S. For more visit: www.jimmyawards.com Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. Special thank you to Carli Sanger for editing this episode! We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Broadway star Desi Oakley joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul live from a 2023 Jimmy Awards rehearsal. She discusses coaching the high school nominated performers to be their unique selves and much more in this special bonus episode. Desi Oakley is a self-prescribed artist, creator, people person, go-getter and true jane of all trades. One of the Kansas native's first roles was ironically Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. She then brought her Oztastic sparkle to her Broadway debut in Wicked, starting as a swing and then taking over ensemble and understudy tracks as Nessarose and Elphaba. Since then she's appeared on Broadway in the 2014 Les Miserables revival and earned much attention for her beautiful portrayal of Jenna in Waitress both on the first national tour and West End. More recently, Desi's name was on everyone's lips as she played Roxie Hart in Chicago on Broadway. About the Jimmy Awards: The Broadway League Foundation presents the 14th annual Jimmy Awards​ ​ceremony taking place on Monday, June 26, 2023 at 7:30pm at the Minskoff Theatre.​ ​This year’s host is star of stage, television, and film, Corbin Bleu (High School Musical). The Jimmy Awards​ ​features dynamic ensemble and solo performances and culminates with the​ ​presentation of a Best Performance by an Actress and Best Performance by an Actor​ ​award, as well as other honors and scholarships. Winners will be chosen by a panel of​ ​industry experts.​ ​This year there are 96 nominees from 48 high school musical theatre awards​ ​competitions across the U.S. For more visit: www.jimmyawards.com Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Desi @desioakley Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony Award-winner Laura Benanti joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss the challenges of vulnerability in today's world, acts of kindness from Jennifer Lawrence on the set of No Hard Feelings, giving yourself grace as an artist and much more. Celebrated stage and screen actress Laura Benanti burst onto the scene at 18-years-old with a captivating performance as Maria in "The Sound of Music," on Broadway. Her talent was undeniable, setting the stage for a remarkable career. About a year after do-re-mi-ing... she earned a Tony Award nomination for her role in Swing! on Broadway. From there flowed a cascade of phenomenal performances and glittering awards, racking up 5 Tony noms total. She notably won the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Tony Award in 2008 for a revelatory portrayal of Gypsy Rose Lee opposite Patti LuPone's Mama Rose in Stephen Sondheim's Gypsy. Other Broadway highlights include: her acclaimed starring role in of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown; originating the role of Julia in The Wedding Singer, starring opposite Antonio Banderas in Nine, and her acclaimed performance of Cinderella in Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods. Most recently the star lit up Broadway in She Loves Me, My Fair Lady and Meteor Shower, which also starred her future TV collaborator Amy Schumer. Laura recently worked with Schumer onscreen in Hulu's Life & Beth... which brings us to her illustrious career on screen. I simply don't have time to name everything, but I'm gonna run by a bunch - let me just take a breath. *Inhale.* Ok... Laura’s past television credits include staple shows like Law and Order: SVU, Royal Pains, The Big C, Nashville, and Elementary. She's had arcs on series like Supergirl, The Good Wife and Nurse Jackie. You may recognize her as Quinn on TV Land's hit show Younger and for her role in HBO Max's Gossip Girl reboot. Or perhaps she's Melania to you, thanks to Late Night with Stephen Colbert. On the film front, Laura's appeared in movies like Worth and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s tick, tick... BOOM! on Netflix. She starred opposite Billy Crystal and Tiffany Haddish in the comedy Here Today. She also created and executive produced Homeschool Musical: Class of 2020 for HBO Max... or I guess MAX now? Which has such a beautiful origin story that we discuss. We also discuss Laura's latest movie No Hard Feelings, where she stars opposite the likes of Jennifer Lawrence, Andrew Feldman and Matthew Broderick. I mean from countless additional regional theatre credits to touring prestigious venues around the country with her concerts, Laura's resume is truly longer than a CVS receipt. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Laura @laurabenati Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join The Art of Kindness podcast LIVE inside rehearsals for the 2023 Jimmy Awards (The National High School Musical Theatre Awards) at The Juilliard School in New York City. From inspiring interviews to performance sneak peeks, we have an all-access pass to the talent of tomorrow! Host Robert Peterpaul speaks with Jimmy's founder and director Van Kaplan, choreographer Kiesha LaLama, President of The Broadway League Charlotte St. Martin, and high school nominees: Omar Andre Real (Palm Springs, CA), Helena Engberg (Columbus, OH), Lance Toppin (Charlotte, NC), Hannah Jenkins (San Antonio, TX), Will Gonzalez (Chicago, IL), Samantha Nelson (Orlando, FL), Kaitlyn Majewski (Pittsburgh, PA), and Christian Strong (Columbus, OH). About the Jimmy Awards: The Broadway League Foundation presents the 14th annual Jimmy Awards​ ​ceremony taking place on Monday, June 26, 2023 at 7:30pm at the Minskoff Theatre.​ ​This year’s host is star of stage, television, and film, Corbin Bleu (High School Musical). The Jimmy Awards​ ​features dynamic ensemble and solo performances and culminates with the​ ​presentation of a Best Performance by an Actress and Best Performance by an Actor​ ​award, as well as other honors and scholarships. Winners will be chosen by a panel of​ ​industry experts.​ ​This year there are 96 nominees from 48 high school musical theatre awards​ ​competitions across the U.S. For more visit: www.jimmyawards.com Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Robert Peterpaul of The Art of Kindness podcast and Alan Seales of The Theatre Podcast as they recap their night at the 2023 Tony Awards! Hear from all the winners they were honored to speak with in the press room, including: Jodie Comer (Prima Facie), Sean Hayes (Good Night, Oscar) , J. Harrison Ghee (Some Like It Hot), Victoria Clark (Kimberly Akimbo), Bonnie Milligan (Kimberly Akimbo), Brandon Uranowitz (Leopoldstadt), Michael Arden (Parade), Tom Stoppard (Leopoldstadt) and many more! Buckle up, friends! #kermitandhermit Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Check out The Theatre Podcast Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Surprise! Hi AOK listeners! Join me, Cassie Peterpaul, as I take over the podcast to celebrate Rob's birthday with special guests Amanda Adamo and Ashley DePascale! In this episode, we explore educational theatre, infusing kindness into the rehearsal process, and show appreciation for the talented podcaster, Robert Peterpaul. Stay tuned for an exclusive interview with Rob himself, offering unique insights into his podcasting journey. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Broadway star Javier Muñoz joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to kick off Pride month and reflect on: acts of kindness in Hamilton, working on the new musical album My Heart Says Go alongside Jessie Mueller, making theatre accessible, self-acceptance and much more. Javier Muñoz is an actor and activist whose impressive body of work spans theater, film and television. He is best known for starring and co-creating the role of "Alexander Hamilton'' in the hit musical HAMILTON on Broadway for two years after Lin-Manuel Miranda departed the show (and was his alternate prior to that). He got his break starring as “Usnavi” in IN THE HEIGHTS on Broadway, also created by Miranda. Javier starred in the dark comedy indie feature, MONUMENTS, opposite David Sullivan & Marguerite Moreau, the indie feature LOVE RECONSIDERED and stars in THREE MONTHS, opposite Troy Sivan and Judy Greer, on Paramount+. He voices a lead character in the Disney Jr. animated series, Eureka! Other TV credits include recurring role on Shadowhunters, Blindspot and Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. Javier is also an outspoken activist for LGBTQ+ rights, a Global Ambassador for (RED), which fights to end HIV/AIDS, and supporter of GMHC. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Javier @javiermofficial Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Television writer, author and Executive Producer Sonja Warfield joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss The Gilded Age, the WGA writer's strike, and more. Sonja Warfield has churned out an impressive 20-year career in the entertainment industry. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Sonja was far from the lights of Hollywood, and yet surrounded by stardom. Fun fact: her father Paul Warfield is an NFL Hall of Famer. Sonja’s own star has shone bright over the years, with her writing on a diverse range of shows, including: Will & Grace, Disney Channel’s Liv and Maddie; BET’s Zoe Ever After, which featured pop star Brandy; the animated series She-Ra for Dreamworks/Netflix, where she also penned an original song; and the ABC comedy Jake in Progress. She’s developed and written pilots/projects for ABC, NBC, Netflix, Nickelodeon, Lifetime, Universal TV, Sony Pictures Television and HBO. Speaking of… she’s currently a writer and Executive Producer for HBO’s hit series The Gilded Age. In addition to writing for television and film, Sonja is author of the empowering book Get Your Butt Off My Couch (And Your Hand Outta My Wallet), a woman’s guide to getting rid of her deadbeat husband, boyfriend or boo-thing. Sonja is the mother of a college student who’s following their own creative passion. When she isn’t writing scripts or trying to reach the top of the leaderboard on her Peloton, Sonja is a part-time stand-up comedian. She’s performed at The World Famous Comedy Store, The Laugh Factory and The Ice House. These days, though, she performs mostly in her kitchen. Sonja has a B.A. in Cinema/Television-Critical Studies from the University of Southern California where she has taught television writing. More on the Writer's Strike: wga.org Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Sonja sonjawarfield.com Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rob McClure joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss kindness on and off Broadway, his beautiful full-circle moment during Beetlejuice, being kind to yourself and much more in one of our favorite chats ever... 2 Robs, 1 pod! (*chants*) Rob McClure is an actor and singer, who’s become a magical fixture on the Broadway scene. Growing up in NJ, Rob was a bonafide theatre kid, winning the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Award his senior year. Consequently his first professional gig was at the Playhouse shortly after graduation. Rob made his Broadway debut in 2002 as an understudy in I'm Not Rappaport. From 2006 to 2009, he went on to play several roles in Avenue Q, both on Broadway and on the show's national tour. He spent the next three years working on a musical that would put him centerstage: Chaplin. The title role earned him a Theatre World Award and his first Tony Award nomination. Following Chaplin, Rob racked up a list of dazzling Broadway credits - not to mention various concerts and regional credits in between. You may have seen him in Honeymoon in Vegas or Noises Off. Or perhaps you caught his portrayal of Nick Bottom in Something Rotten on Broadway, which he continued for the first national tour alongside his wife Maggie Lakis. I’m such a sucker for a theatre love story. I most recently watched him day-ooo-ing his heart out in Beetlejuice on Broadway. Rob last lit up Broadway as the lead role in Mrs. Doubtfire… a marathon performance that earned him his second Tony nomination. Speaking of… it was just announced that the writer’s strike will be affecting the Tony’s live telecast this year. Please stay tuned after the interview for your kindness tip of the week where we’ll chat a bit more about the writer’s strike. Back to Rob! His screen credits include: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Good Fight, and Blue Bloods. One of the things I love most about him is the childlike sense of play and wonderment he seems to exude throughout all his projects. We cover so much ground from balancing your passions and your personal life to keep your mindset in a positive space. Of course Rob regales us with tons of fun Broadway stories along the way. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Rob @mcclurerob Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The legendary Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton) tells The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul his advice for achieving dreams live from New York, New York's opening night on Broadway. Enjoy this special short episode to celebrate 80 EPISODES of The AOK! Not that he needs a bio, but... LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA is a Pulitzer Prize, Grammy, Emmy and Tony award-winning songwriter, actor, director and producer. Creator and original star of Broadway’s Tony-winning Hamilton and In the Heights. His additional Broadway credits include Freestyle Love Supreme (Co-Founder, Producer, 2020 Special Tony Award Recipient), Bring It On: The Musical (co-composer/co-lyricist, Tony nomination for Best Musical), and West Side Story (2009 revival, Spanish translations). Miranda is the recipient of the 2015 MacArthur Foundation Award, the 2018 Kennedy Center Honors and the 2019 Portrait of a Nation Prize. He has received stars on both the Puerto Rico Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Mr. Miranda, and the Miranda Family, are active supporters of initiatives that increase people of color’s representation throughout the arts and government, ensure access to women’s reproductive health, and promote resilience in Puerto Rico. TV/Film credits include: tick, tick… BOOM!, Vivo, In the Heights, Hamilton (2021 Emmy Award), His Dark Materials, “Fosse/Verdon,” We The People, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (2018 Emmy Nomination, Guest Actor), “Saturday Night Live” (2017 Emmy Nomination, Guest Actor), Sesame Street, The Electric Company, House, DuckTales, 200 Cartas, Moana (2017 Oscar nomination, Grammy Award for Best Original Song), Mary Poppins Returns and Encanto (2022 Oscar nomination for Best Original Song). Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy May! TikTok Star Jesús Morales, a.k.a. Juixxe, joins the Art of Kindness podcast with Robert Peterpaul to discuss surprising street vendors with acts of kindness, partnering with Modelo for a major surprise and more. Modelo partnered with Juixxe, a changemaker known for gifting hundreds of thousands of dollars to street vendors who struggled during the pandemic, to honor the roots of its new product. Furthering his commitment to being a force for good, Modelo and Juixxe bought out hard working, Southern California-based street vendors’ carts earlier this month. Modelo flew and hosted the merchants in Las Vegas to be among the first to try the new beverage – that they helped inspire – at the Modelo Spiked Aguas Frescas launch celebration. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Juixxe: @juixxe Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bellamy Young, Tony Goldwyn, Donna Murphy, Robin de Jesús and more talk LIVE with The Art of Kindness and Broadway Podcast Network's Robert Peterpaul on The Thanksgiving Play Broadway opening night red carpet. From sharing early school show memories to kindness tips - you won't want to miss this one! This episode features: Scandal stars Bellamy Young and Tony Goldwyn, Broadway icon Donna Murphy (Tangled), Broadway star and friend of the pod Ilana Levine (You're A Good Man Charlie Brown), Robin De Jesús (tick, tick... BOOM!), Andréa Burns (In The Heights), Simone Recasner (The Big Leap), Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu (Passover), and The Thanksgiving Play writer Larissa FastHorse and director Rachel Chavkin. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Audra McDonald, Will Swenson, Javier Muñoz and more talk LIVE with The Art of Kindness and Broadway Podcast Network on the Fat Ham Broadway opening night red carpet. Join us as we chat with: Tony winner Audra McDonald, Will Swenson (A Beautiful Noise), Javier Muñoz (Hamilton), Broadway director Kenny Leon, Tra’Lynn Husbands (The Lion King), National Black Theatre Artistic Director Jonathan McCory, Gia Love, Eric Bergen (Chicago, Madam Secretary), Kadeem Ali Harris (Harlem), Pulitzer Prize-winning Fat Ham playwright Jamies IJames, Fat Ham director Saheem Ali, Amber Iman, Phoenix Best (Dear Evan Hansen), Antwyan Hopper (A Strange Loop), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit's Molly Burnett, Danielle Moné Truitt, Jasmine Batchelor, and friend of the pod Jay Armstrong Johnson. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tiny Beautiful Things Executive Producer and Showrunner Liz Tigelaar joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss her powerful new Hulu series, leading with kindness on set, working with the masterful Kathryn Hahn and much more. Tiny Beautiful Things is now streaming on Hulu providing a funny, yet poignant look at a woman who becomes an esteemed advice columnist, all while her own life falls apart. It stars the always-amazing Kathryn Hahn and is produced by Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine in conjunction with ABC Signature. Liz is a writer and producer who has truly worked on all your favorite shows. She got her start as a writer’s assistant on the CW drama Dawson’s Creek. Over the years the honed her craft on popular shows like Brothers & Sisters, Once Upon a Time, Revenge and Bates Motel. Her most recent hit wasn’t tiny, but little… as she was the showrunner on Little Fires Everywhere… eh see what I did there? She’s also served as an executive producer on series like The Morning Show, Casual and Nashville. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul on the opening night red carpet of Life of Pi on Broadway. In Part 1 hear from VIP guests like: Brian d'Arcy James (Something Rotten), Kerry Butler (Beetlejuice), Sarita Choudhury (And Just Like That), Nikhil Saboo (Mean Girls), iconic musical duo Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman and more live from New York City! Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us on the opening night red carpet of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Bad Cinderella on Broadway. Hear from stars like Linedy Genao and Grace McLean, creative team members like Tony-winner Gareth Owen, and celebrity attendees like Alex Brightman (Beetlejuice), RuPaul's Drag Race star Loosey LaDuca and TikToker Chris Olsen. In this episode you will hear from celebrity guests like: Alex Brightman, Amber Gray, Carson Kressley, Loosey LaDuca, Wendell Pierce, and the cast and creative team of Bad Cinderella including: Linedy Genao, Grace McLean, Sami Gayle, Cameron Loyal, Christina Acosta Robinson, Savy Jackson, Raymond Baynard, Lauren Boyd, Tristen Buettel, Ben Lanham, Angel Lozada, Sarah Meahl, Michael Milkanin, Larkin Reilly, Julio Rey, J Savage, Dave Schoonover, Tregony Shepherd, Paige Smallwood, Lucas Thompson, Alena Watters and more. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony-winning Broadway star Stephanie J. Block (The Cher Show, 9 to 5) joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss making the rehearsal room a kinder place, cracking up onstage in Into the Woods, what she learned from Dolly Parton, and so much more. Plus, there's some STAR-STUDDED surprises from her The Cher Show co-star Teal Wicks and her husband Sebastian Arcelus. With a career spanning over two decades, Stephanie J. Block-Arcelus is one of Broadway's most versatile talents. You may have been lucky enough to see her starring opposite Hugh Jackman in The Boy from Oz or perhaps she is your Elphaba! Stephanie actually originated Elphaba in the early workshops of Wicked and later went on to play her both in the first national tour and on Broadway. She has earned acclaim for starring turns in shows like Little Miss Sunshine, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Falsettos and Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 The Musical. In 2019, Stephanie won the Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award and Tony Award for playing the title role in The Cher Show. In addition to her stage and screen work, Stephanie has also taken her incredible voice to symphony orchestras across the US. Her solo concerts have earned her critical acclaim in both New York City and London, and her recording work includes several original cast albums, as well as her own album, This Place I Know. She also lends her voice to her own beautiful podcast Stages. Onscreen you’ve seen in her shows like Orange is the New Black, Homeland, Madame Secretary and the new film iModercai. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Stephanie @stephaniejblock Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Broadway star Ilana Levine returns to The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss all things kindness during awards season, an amazing Carol Burnett and Julie Andrews story and much more. Ilana is a Broadway star best known for playing “Lucy Van Pelt” in You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown. She has also starred in the Broadway productions of Jake’s Women, Wrong Mountain and The Last Night Of Ballyhoo. In addition, she has appeared in many TV shows and films including: Tanner ’88, Law and Order, Damages, The Job, Cashmere Mafia, Confessions of a Shopaholic, Failure To Launch, The Nanny Diaries, Friends With Kids and Five Flights Up. Seinfeld fans will also recognize her from the infamous episode “The Contest.” Ilana is also a podcast superstar with her show Little Known Facts. Her latest podcast venture is for all those out there who have ever dreamed of winning a Tony Award or Oscar. And the Award Goes To… sees Ilana interview some of the best and brightest in this business as they take a trip down memory lane and relive their winning moment. Guests include Kristin Chenoweth, Patti Lupone, Judith Light and so much more. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Ilana @littleknownfacts Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actor Keeley Karsten joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss working on the Oscar-nominated film The Fabelmans alongside powerhouses like Steven Spielberg and Michelle Williams, being an Ambassador for Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation and more. Keeley Karsten recently starred as Natalie Fabelman in Steven Spielberg’s film The Fabelmans, co-written by Tony Kushner. The movie premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival where it won the top prize of People’s Choice Award. Additionally, the film received seven nominations at the 95th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, five nominations at the 80th Golden Globe Awards, winning Best Motion Picture Drama, along with 11 nominations at the 28th Critics' Choice Awards (including Best Picture) and two nominations at the 29th Screen Actors Guild Awards, one being for Best Ensemble Cast of a Motion Picture. On stage, Keeley recently starred as Small Alison in the Coachella Valley Repertory’s adaptation of the Tony Award-winning musical Fun Home, alongside Broadway veteran Kristen Howe. Karsten also recently completed production on the upcoming title Entanglement, as well as the short film On Being Twelve, for which she received the accolade of Best Young Actress at the Snow Leopard International Film Festival. Karsten also won Best Child Actress at the Sydney Indie Short Festival. Her television credits include Amazon’s Hunters, alongside Al Pacino, and a starring role as the young Pam Sinclair in the documentary series Evil Lives Here. She has also written and starred in the short film Viceroy, released in 2020. Karsten is a skilled singer, and her passions include theater and writing. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Keeley @keeleykarsten Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Valentine's Day! Broadway and West End star Melanie La Barrie joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss working on the hit musical & Juliet, the kindness she experiences from her cast and crew, advice for fellow performers and much more. Melanie La Barrie is a Trinidadian performer and former DJ from Greater London who has made her mark as a bonafide stage star. On the West End, Melanie has been in shows like Wicked, Mary Poppins, Daddy Cool, Matilda and, most recently, the hilarious new musical & Juliet. The musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. & Juliet asks: what would happen next if Juliet didn't end it all over Romeo? Melanie has been with the show since its initial workshop and now stars as Juliet’s Nurse Angelique in the hit Broadway production - her Broadway debut - earning her much acclaim. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Mel @melabarrie Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Black History Month! Broadway star T. Oliver Reid joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul podcast to discuss the art of listening to others, advice for actors, co-founding The Black Theatre Coalition and much more. Today's guest is Performer, Director, Producer, Teacher, Activist and, overall, Broadway sensation Timothy Oliver Reid. Timothy or T. has spent the past 20 years working on Broadway in acclaimed musicals like Once On This Island, Sunset Boulevard, After Midnight, Sister Act, Mary Poppins, The Wedding Singer; Chicago, La Cage Aux Folles, Never Gonna Dance, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Follies, Kiss Me, Kate, and Hadestown. T. is also an accomplished cabaret artist and multiple award winner for his solo show, “Drop Me Off In Harlem” which he directed, wrote, and starred in. He has produced and directed concerts for iconic places like Feinstein’s 54 Below. In addition, he has a glittering breadth of film and television work, as well. Most recently choreographing for films like Netflix’s White Noise and the rom-com Bros. Most importantly, T. gives back. He is a co-founder and artistic director for the Black Theatre Coalition, which aims to remove the “ILLUSION OF INCLUSION” in the American Theatre, by building a sustainable ethical roadmap that will increase employment opportunities for Black theatre professionals. He is also a regarded teacher and on faculty at Rider University, NYU-Tisch’s Grad Acting Program, and Columbia University School of the Arts’ Grad Acting program. He also sits on the Board of Visitors for the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Timothy @toliverreid Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actress Melissa Ponzio joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss the act of kindness that helped her book Teen Wolf, returning for Teen Wolf: The Movie, being inspired by Sigourney Weaver and much more. Melissa Ponzio spent most of her childhood clowning it up at school and impersonating her beloved family. Then late one night, the New York native City saw Sigourney Weaver in “Alien” and knew right then and there what she wanted to be…an alien! But they said she couldn’t really be an alien, so on to the next best thing: acting! Over the years, Melissa’s onscreen presence has captivated audiences across so many projects… seriously I could sit here naming them for the entire show: She’s notably had recurring roles in the hit NBC series, “Chicago Fire,” AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” HULU’s “The Girl From Plainville,” BET+’s “First Wives Club,” Cinemax’s “Banshee” and Lifetime’s “Army Wives,” as well as a never-ending list of guest star roles. On the film front, she’s been seen playing opposite Octavia Spencer and Melissa McCarthy in Thunder Force on Netflix, Hilary Swank in HBO’s original film Mary and Martha and their historical drama “Warm Springs,” with Kenneth Branagh and Cynthia Nixon, and - throwback - in the comedy, “Life As We Know It,” with Josh Duhamel and Katherine Heigl. Of course, Melissa is now back on screen in the Paramount+ “Teen Wolf: The Movie” revival, reprising her beloved role as ‘Melissa McCall,’ the hard-working and devoted single mother to ‘Scott’ (played by Tyler Posey). She previously starred in the MTV “Teen Wolf” series for six seasons. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Melissa @melissaponzio1 Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Acclaimed poet and illustrator Rupi Kaur (#1 New York Times bestselling book milk and honey) joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul for a spectacular season three premiere! The powerhouse delves into her writing process, how she stays motivated on tough days, her new short film with Stacy's entitled Rise (which premiered at Sundance 2023 and celebrates the resilience of women) and all things kindness, of course. Rupi Kaur is a Canadian poet, illustrator, photographer, and author. Born in Pinjob, India, Kaur emigrated to Canada at a young age with her family. She began performing poetry in 2009 and rose to fame on Instagram, eventually becoming a popular poet through her three collections of poetry. Rupi wrote, illustrated and self-published her first poetry collection, milk and honey. Next came its artistic sibling, the sun and her flowers. These collections have sold more than 10 million copies and have been translated into over 40 languages. Her latest collection, home body, debuted #1 on bestseller lists across the world. As she has done from the very beginning, Rupi self- produced Rupi Kaur Live, the first poetry special of its kind, which debuted on Amazon Prime Video in 2021. Rupi’s work touches on love, loss, trauma, healing, femininity and migration. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Rupi @rupikaur_ Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oscar-nominated actor Chris Sarandon joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul for a holiday special! The star discusses working on Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, acts of kindness he received throughout his illustrious acting career and much more. Chris Sarandon was born and raised in West Virginia to restaurateurs Chris and Cliffie Sarandon. He eventually earned a degree in speech at West Virginia University and then a master's degree in theater from The Catholic University of America. In 1968, Sarandon settled in New York City, where he obtained his first television credit on the series The Guiding Light, which led to some TV movie roles before he made his acclaimed turn in Dog Day Afternoon in 1975. The performance earned him nominations for Best New Male Star of the Year at the Golden Globes and even the coveted Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Some of his other screen roles over the years include: the long-running series ER, co-starring with Dennis Hopper in the 1983 movie The Osterman Weekend, starring opposite Goldie Hawn in Protocol, and the cult classic horror film Fright Night. Of course, Chris is forever remembered for his endearing turn in The Princess Bride, leading the film Child’s Play and then voicing the main character of Jack Skellington for one of the most beloved holiday films of all time: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Since it’s the Broadway Podcast Network, we also have to note that Sarandon has appeared on Broadway many times, including: The Rothschilds, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and The Light in the Piazza. Check out Chris' new podcast Cooking By Heart and find out more at www.chrissarandon.com. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Chris @theofficialchrissarandon Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez, "The Nightmare Before Christmas" suite by Danny Elfman/Munich Radio Orchestra & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Broadway and television star Gabrielle Ruiz joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss her hack for accepting compliments, working on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, new Christmas song Twinkle Twinkle and much more. Plus, Mrs. Peterpaul joins us for your kindness tip of the week! Today’s guest is Broadway star, singer, actress and dancer Gabrielle Ruiz. The triple threat broke onto the Broadway scene starring in shows like If/Then with Idina Menzel, Evita with Ricky Martin and In The Heights with Lin-Manuel Miranda. Lin loved her work on the latter so much that he referred her to the team of a new CW pilot called Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. The rest of course is history as Gabrielle has become best known for bringing to life Valencia Perez on all four seasons of the Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning musical comedy series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Gabrielle has also lent her voice to series like Star Trek: Lower Decks, a hit podcast called What Friends Are For and now new music! She released her first original holiday single this year called Twinkle Twinkle, which will give you all the holiday feels. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Gabrielle @gabrielleruiz Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Broadway star Kate Reinders joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss her role as a champion of dreams both on and offscreen, advice for aspiring musical theatre performers, working on Disney's High School Musical: The Musical: The Series and much more. Plus, a special surprise from her co-stars Matt Cornett and Mark St. Cyr! Kate Reinders was raised far from the bright lights of Broadway in Spring Lake, Michigan. One summer changed her life forever, when she attended a theater camp thanks to the support of her parents. Flash forward, Kate is now a bonafide Broadway star. In 2001, she made her debut in the short-lived Broadway musical comedy The Adventures of Tom Sawyer as a swing and understudy for characters Amy Lawrence and Becky Thatcher, played by Kristen Bell. She then joined the 2002 Broadway revival of Into the Woods as an understudy. Her first starring role came in the 2003 revival of Gypsy as June; she went on to play Caroline in the 2005 jukebox musical Good Vibrations. Later that year, Kate played Glinda in the Chicago production of Wicked, alongside Ana Gasteyer as Elphaba; for which received glowing reviews. She went on to replace Megan Hilty as Glinda in the Broadway production. On Broadway, Kate is perhaps most known for originating the role of Portia in the 2015 musical comedy Something Rotten! Onscreen, Kate has been seen in shows like Ugly Betty, Modern Family, and Anger Management. As of 2019 fans know her most for playing drama teacher Miss Jenn in the hit Disney Plus show High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Kate @katereinders Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nina West (RuPaul's Drag Race) joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss her new book The You Kind of Kind, collaborating with Dolly Parton, believing in yourself, acting in WEIRD: The Weird Al Yankovic Story alongside Danielle Radcliffe, touring the country with Hairspray and much more! Plus, don't miss surprise guest Cassie Carroll for a special kindness tip of the week before her and Rob get married. Nina West is an American drag queen, actor, singer, songwriter, and LGBTQ+ activist played by Andrew Levitt. She was named the “Most Googled Drag Queen in The World” from 2020-2021 with over 7.8 billion unique searches. She rose to national prominence in 2019 with her appearance on VH1’s Emmy-winning show RuPaul's Drag Race Season 11, where she placed sixth and won Miss Congeniality. In 2021, she returned to the show as a guest and was anointed “America’s Sweetheart” by RuPaul herself. She made history at the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards in September 2019 when she became the first-ever person to walk the carpet in full drag, while her season won five Primetime Emmy Awards including Best Reality Competition Show. On June 17th, 2020, Nina released a charity partnership with country music legend and possibly the best person on the planet (besides my Cassie), Dolly Parton - The "Dolly X Nina: Kindness is Queen '' Collection - with all proceeds going to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and The Nina West Foundation to benefit LGBTQ+ youth and literacy. It sold out in hours. Speaking of philanthropy, Miss West has raised over $5million for charity and is often on the front lines of LGBTQIA issues. In 2021, she partnered with Nickelodeon and Blue’s Clues for a series of Pride videos that went viral with over 2 million views. Nina hosted the first-ever DISNEY PLUS “This Is Me: PRIDE Celebration Spectacular,” a celebration of the LGBTQ community with Disney classics reinterpreted by LGBTQ artists like Hayley Kiyoko, Todrick Hall, and Alex Newell. She returned to the show in 2022 and performed with Disney Legend Alan Menken in a tribute to Disney Legend Howard Ashman. She has also fronted major advertising campaigns for multinational companies Pepsi, Pantene, Lane Bryant, BOMBAS, Bubly, and Procter and Gamble. Nina is currently headlining the brand-new national tour of the Broadway Musical HAIRSPRAY from original Producer Jerry Mitchell in the lead role of Edna Turnblad, for which she has received rave reviews. Her first ever children’s book THE YOU KIND OF KIND is out NOW through PA Press. As if she’s not busy enough, Nina co-stars alongside Daniel Radcliffe and an all-star cast in the ROKU Original Movie WEIRD: The Weird Al Yankovic Story, which is also out now. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Nina @ninawest Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Casting Director Karlee Fomalont (CSA) joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss how we can make auditions kinder for both actors and CDs, amazing advice for artists, why she sleeps out for Covenant House and much more. Casting Director Karlee Fomalont (CSA) was born and raised in Los Angeles and currently resides in New York City. She is a 2-time Artios Award Nominee and graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts, where her acting training made for a seamless transition into casting. She began her career at CBS Primetime NY and ABC Primetime NY, then transitioning into independent, working on projects such as Baz Luhrmann's Netflix series "The Get Down," Steven Spielberg's "The Post" and Tamara Jenkins' "Private Life" (both for which the casting team was nominated for an Artios Award for Outstanding Achievement in Casting). Karlee has worked with Rori Bergman for over 7 years, with credits including "Yearly Departed" (Amazon), "Power Book III: Raising Kanan" (Starz), "Run the World" (Starz), "Living With Yourself" (Netflix), "Love Life" (Netflix), "The Good Cop" (Netflix). Film credits include J. Blakeson's "I Care a Lot," Charlie Kaufman’s "I’m Thinking of Ending Things," Nicole Holofcener’s "The Land of Steady Habits," among many others. Karlee also casts short films and features independently, including Amazon Studios' feature film "I'm Your Woman" starring and produced by Rachel Brosnahan. Most importantly, Karlee gives back! For her 5th year in a row, she is leading Team Casting to sleep out in support of the young people who call Covenant House home. Covenant House works tirelessly to meet the most basic and immediate needs of at risk young people overcoming homelessness, but also sets them up to work towards their brightest futures through educational programs, job training, legal + mental health services and more. Special thanks to: Rachel Brosnahan for taking part in our Compliment Game and Matt Feeney for audio editing assistance! Support Karlee's Convenant House Fundrasier here! Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Karlee @karleefomo Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Halloween! Disney's Hocus Pocus 2 Costume Designer and Costume Designer Guild President Salvador Perez joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss how he put his own magical spin on the franchise while still paying homage to the original cult classic, acts of kindness from stars like Bette Midler during brisk night shoots on Rhode Island, the fantastical alternate ending to Hocus Pocus 2 and much more! Salvador Perez is a one of a KIND costume designer with a diverse resume. He has designed for many TV series including CASTLE, MOONLIGHT, VERONICA MARS and 6 Seasons of THE MINDY PROJECT where he was nominated for an Emmy for costume design. Salvador has also worked on movies such as PITCH PERFECT 1, 2 and 3, THINK LIKE A MAN 1 and 2, MEN OF HONOR and DRUMLINE. Born and raised in Central California, Perez moved to Los Angeles to attend The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising to pursue a career in fashion design. Once other Costume Designers discovered his costume manufacturing talents, he began running the costume workrooms and assisting on films like TITANIC, THE FLINTSTONES, and BARB WIRE. Outside of film and TV, Salvador designed and developed the “Movie Legends Line” for the J. Peterman Catalog, he designed a line of Jewelry for Bauble Bar, and designed a signature line of colorful coats for GILT.COM. He most recently designed Hocus Pocus 2 with Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker. Salvador is also the elected president of the Costume Designers Guild. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Sal @salvadorperezcostumes Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez, "I Put A Spell on You" Disney & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony-winner Gavin Creel (Into the Woods) joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul LIVE from the red carpet of Jay Armstrong Johnson's I Put A Spell On You Hocus Pocus benefit to talk acts of kindness, onstage giggles and more. Enjoy this special LIVE 60th episode! Gavin Creel is a bonafide Broadway star, shining bright ever since he made his debut as Jimmy Smith in Thoroughly Modern Millie, for which he received a Tony nom by the way. He then starred in Broadway productions of HAIR (also Tony-no​minated​​​​), La Cage Aux Follies, She Loves Me, Waitress and Book of Mormon (which he also did on the West End and got an Olivier Award for). Gavin finally won a well-deserved Tony Award for his performance as Cornelius Hackl in HELLO, DOLLY! starring Bette Midler. Most recently, Gavin has graced the star-studded cast of New York City Center Encores! critically acclaimed production of INTO THE WOODS starring as Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince. The celebrated production has transferred to Broadway and keeps getting extended. Gavin has ​also ​shone on screen in tv shows like Ryan Murphy’s “American Horror Stories” and the sweet movies “Eloise at the Plaza” and “Eloise at Christmastime.”​ ​Of course, nothing makes Gavin shine brighter than the kindness he exudes. From co-founding Broadway Impact, the first and only grassroots organization to mobilize the nationwide theater community in support of marriage equality, to treating his castmates and crew with kindness, Gavin is a beacon of light. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Gavin @realgavincreel Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez, "I Put a Spell on You" by Jay Armstrong Johnson & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Broadway star Jay Armstrong Johnson (On the Town, The Phantom of the Opera) joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss acts of kindness on Broadway, his Hocus Pocus-inspired benefit concert I Put A Spell on You and more! Over the course of his 5 Broadway shows, Jay Armstrong Johnson has cemented himself as a triple threat. From his debut in Hair, which he shares a kind story about during our chat, to his more recent turn as Raoul in Phantom of the Opera’s 30th anniversary year, Jay is always a standout. Following Phantom, Jay originated the role of Banko in Roundabout Theatre Company’s world premiere show Scotland, PA. His performance earned him critical nominations from both the Lucille Lortel and Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical. He was also the recipient of a 2020 Outer Critics Circle Award Honor for his performance. Jay’s other Broadway credits include the original casts of Catch Me if You Can, Hands on a Hardbody, and the celebrated revival of On the Town. On screen, Jay is also known to audiences worldwide as genius hacker Will Olsen in ABC’s Quantico. Jay created the annual live show I Put A Spell on You as a tribute to the beloved cult classic movie Hocus Pocus with larger-than-life performances and choreography, over-the-top costumes and makeup and a healthy dose of Broadway magic. In their search to find beauty, youth and immortality, the bewitching and beloved Sanderson Sisters return from the dead and gather their most famous friends to help them lure the children of New York. This year, those famous friends include Broadway stars like Gavin Creel, Krista Rodriguez, Robyn Hurder and more. The show will be ALIVE at Sony Hall in Times Square on October 23 at 8PM. Most importantly, it benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Tickets start at $35 for the dance floor and are on sale now at broadwaycares.org/spell. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Jay @jay_a_johnson Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez, "I Put a Spell on You" by Jay Armstrong Johnson & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disney Legend Jodi Benson joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss working on The Little Mermaid, her new book Part of My World, learning to let go of perfectionism and much more. Jodi Benson has been a part of all of our worlds since she swam on the scene in 1989 as the voice of Ariel in Disney's iconic animated film The Little Mermaid. Of course, Jodi has also lent her talents to some other incredible characters over the years. An accomplished, singer, dancer, and actress, Jodi got her start on Broadway performing the iconic song "Disneyland" in the Howard Ashman/Marvin Hamlisch musical Smile, and she earned a Tony nomination for her role as Polly Baker in the hit Gershwin musical Crazy for You. After striking animation gold with The Little Mermaid, Jodi went on to voice Barbie in Disney/Pixar's Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3 and delighted Disney fans with a cameo in Enchanted before reprising her role as Ariel once again in Ralph Breaks the Internet. In 2011, the Walt Disney company honored Jodi's contributions by officially naming her a Disney Legend. It’s a well-deserved accolade as Jodi carries the torch of being a Disney princess with such grace and joy. Of course, people on the outside always wonder what it must be like to live the life of a Disney royal. Lucky for us all, Jodi has shared a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes stories in her new book Part of My World: What I’ve Learned from the Little Mermaid about Love, Faith and Finding My Voice. She also wrote the forward for Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara, which explores the legacies of the Princesses and what they represent today. Both books are available now. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Jodi @jodi.benson Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez, "Part of Your World" by Jodi Benson & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hocus Pocus creator and producer David Kirschner returns to The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul for part 2 of his interview spooktacular! The creative discusses the origins of Hocus Pocus, acts of kindness from the Sanderson sisters, making the upcoming sequel: Hocus Pocus 2 and much more! There may even be a special guest or two in this one... Today’s guest is the iconic producer, screenwriter, illustrator and all-around creative mastermind David Kirschner. His career is like the perfect trick-or-treat bag, brimming with a variety of treats. Kirschner began his illustrious career as an illustrator for Jim Henson's Muppet and Sesame Street characters, and also creating art for prolific talents like Neil Diamond. At 23, he wrote and illustrated a series of children's books entitled Rose Petal Place. Success struck like lightning in 1986, when Kirschner created and executive produced An American Tail alongside Steven Spielberg, which went on to become the highest-grossing non-Disney producers animated feature of all-time and spawned several sequels and a tv spinoff. In 1989, Kirschner was appointed the chairman of Hanna-Barbera Productions, where he worked on countless iconic properties from The Addams Family to the Flinstones to The Pagemaster, which is one of my all-time favorites. You may also know him as the creator of Chucky, the insidious doll that has been terrorizing viewers across a hit franchise of slasher films and most recently a television series. Currently the head of his own production company, aptly named David Kirschner Productions, here are some other highlights along the way: the golden globe-nominated film Miss Potter starring Renée Zellweger, the Curious George franchise and an animated special of Ray Bradbury’s legendary book The Halloween Tree. Of course, we are here today to focus on one particularly glorious story that was plucked from the patch of David’s spooktacular mind: Hocus Pocus. David first conjured up the idea for three evil witches vying to suck the life out of children as a bedtime story for his own kids. As magic so often does, it seemingly took on a life of its own. Almost three decades later, Hocus Pocus is a cult classic and there’s a sequel on the way! Hocus Pocus 2 soars on to Disney+ on September 30, with all three witches - Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy - reprising their wicked roles. Ahead of the sequel, David so graciously talked with me about the kindness he felt making the original and then returning to the story. As he zoomed in from his otherworldly office, he showed me the original Black Flame Candle, Winnie’s spell book, and above all else, kindness. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez, "Spook 2" by PeriTune, & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Producer David Kirschner joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul for a 2-part interview spooktacular! The creative discusses the origins of Hocus Pocus, acts of kindness from the Sanderson sisters, making the upcoming sequel: Hocus Pocus 2 and much more! Today’s guest is the iconic producer, screenwriter, illustrator and all-around creative mastermind David Kirschner. His career is like the perfect trick-or-treat bag, brimming with a variety of treats. Kirschner began his illustrious career as an illustrator for Jim Henson's Muppet and Sesame Street characters, and also creating art for prolific talents like Neil Diamond. At 23, he wrote and illustrated a series of children's books entitled Rose Petal Place. Success struck like lightning in 1986, when Kirschner created and executive produced An American Tail alongside Steven Spielberg, which went on to become the highest-grossing non-Disney producers animated feature of all-time and spawned several sequels and a tv spinoff. In 1989, Kirschner was appointed the chairman of Hanna-Barbera Productions, where he worked on countless iconic properties from The Addams Family to the Flinstones to The Pagemaster, which is one of my all-time favorites. You may also know him as the creator of Chucky, the insidious doll that has been terrorizing viewers across a hit franchise of slasher films and most recently a television series. Currently the head of his own production company, aptly named David Kirschner Productions, here are some other highlights along the way: the golden globe-nominated film Miss Potter starring Renée Zellweger, the Curious George franchise and an animated special of Ray Bradbury’s legendary book The Halloween Tree. Of course, we are here today to focus on one particularly glorious story that was plucked from the patch of David’s spooktacular mind: Hocus Pocus. David first conjured up the idea for three evil witches vying to suck the life out of children as a bedtime story for his own kids. As magic so often does, it seemingly took on a life of its own. Almost three decades later, Hocus Pocus is a cult classic and there’s a sequel on the way! Hocus Pocus 2 soars on to Disney+ on September 30, with all three witches - Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy - reprising their wicked roles. Ahead of the sequel, David so graciously talked with me about the kindness he felt making the original and then returning to the story. As he zoomed in from his otherworldly office, he showed me the original Black Flame Candle, Winnie’s spell book, and above all else, kindness. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez, "Spook 2" by PeriTune, & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emily Ruhl joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss breaking through the entertainment industry as a model, actress and now filmmaker and acts of kindness along the way. Emily was thirteen when she was scouted while attending New York Fashion Week. Shortly thereafter, the Dallas native signed her first modeling contract in Tokyo. She later returned to NYC to sign with top modeling agency Marilyn Management. She has since appeared in Teen Vogue, Marie Claire, WWD, Seventeen Magazine, Nylon, and Elle Canada amongst others. She has been the face of many cosmetic companies including Smashbox, Too Faced, the Kardashian’s KKW Beauty, and MAC. On the acting front, Emily starred opposite Nicholas Hoult in the film NEWNESS, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. She also made a cameo appearance in Troian Bellisario’s short film, LIFE ON MARS. The talent made her producing, directing, and writing debut with the short film BLUE MOON. Additionally, she co-wrote and produced the theme song to BLUE MOON titled HER. She is currently in production for her first TV series, 13TH STEPPING, which she also wrote, directed, and stars in. Featuring: surprise guest - the best person ever - Cassie!! Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Emily @emilyruhl Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin Tuerff, Come From Away's Real-Life Kevin T, joins the Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul podcast to discuss his charity Pay It Forward 9/11's special 11 Days of Kindness campaign. Kevin Teurff inspired one of the characters featured in the hit musical Come From Away. As you see in the musical, Kevin was one of the thousands of refugees stranded in Gander on September 11, 2001 after US airspace closed. Kevin took his experience there and poured it into a book called Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11, which you can buy now. He also used it to found the charity Pay It Forward 9/11, a kindness movement that not only pays it forward, but pays tribute to lives lost in the terrorist attacks. Kevin is thrilled to once again be launching his “11 Days of Kindness” campaign TODAY, September 1. This initiative encourages people around the world to perform acts of kindness by September 11th. Learn more about Pay It Forward 9/11: www.payitforward911.org Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony-nominee Jared Grimes joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss Funny Girl on Broadway, acts of kindness from Beanie Feldstein, why he loves auditioning and more. Jared Grimes is a quadruple threat, making his mark on the entertainment world with singing, dancing, acting and choreographing. Though he is now a bonafide Broadway star, Grimes started out tap dancing on the New York City subways at the age of 16. As fate would have it, years later he wound up getting paid for that passion, choreographing at theaters around the nation and notably being cast as a dancer for icons like Mariah Carey, Salt-n-Pepa and even at Barack Obama’s illustrious Kennedy Center Honors. Jared’s got to flex his acting chops over the years as well, getting recognized on a wider scale for his television roles on Netflix’s hit series Manifest and HBO’s Boardwalk Empire and in films like Paramount’s The Marc Pease Experience starring Ben Stiller. Of course, he never strays too far from the lights of Broadway. Jared’s glowing stage career includes After Midnight which is performed and choreographed in, A Soldier’s Play and, most recently, Funny Girl where he plays Fanny Brice’s upbeat dancer friend Eddie Ryan. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Jared @grimeystepz Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actor Carson Rowland joined host Robert Peterpaul to discuss kindness on the set of his shows Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin and Sweet Magnolias, how his family and wife lift him up, the link between acting and neuroscience and more. Carson Rowland has been in love with acting since he can remember, first stepping into the spotlight with the recurring role of Cole Reyes in Nickelodeon's I Am Frankie. Over the years, Carson has become known for his work on shows like the ABC sitcom American Housewife, but it wasn’t until he booked the role of Tyler Townshend on Netflix’s charming series Sweet Magnolias that his star really shone. It grew even brighter this summer with the release of HBO Max’s hit Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, where Carson plays high schooler Chip. In addition to acting, Carson is also a singer-songwriter, but he mainly does that for himself. He also casually has a BS in Neuroscience from Florida Atlantic University, something he earned while simultaneously being a working actor. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: [email protected] Follow Carson @carsonrowland Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Resources: 988 - Suicide and Crisis Lifeline National Sexual Assault Hotline Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices