The Art Of Kindness Celebrates Its Second Birthday: No More Karens, More Kindness

 There's a group of accounts on TikTok that follow explosions by Karens. It's disheartening and depressing that people act so despicably. Conservative podcasts attack people for being gay, transsexual, drinking a brand of beer they're boycotting, and not calling the NFL's Washington Commanders by their old, racist name. That's dispiriting.

But have no fear, Robert Peterpaul is here. 

The Art of Kindness (AOK) bills itself as "A positively star-studded podcast that converses with and celebrates artists from all areas of the entertainment industry (Film, TV, Broadway, etc.) who use their platform to make the world a better place. Join The AOK as we sprinkle positivity around like confetti and get to the bottom of what kindness really means through compassionate conversations."

In every episode, host Robert Peterpaul elicits tales from Broadway people about how they sprinkle kindness throughout their world. Peterpaul always asks each guest, "What does kindness mean to you?" He also asks guests how they react to people praising them.

Robert Peterpaul is one of those rare hosts who can be so engaging that, as a listener, you say, "I could listen to him for the entire episode."

Peterpaul could probably carry a one-man show on Broadway. I'd call it, "Peterpaul on Kindness." If there was a blackout in New York City, Peterpaul could probably power all of Manhattan with his pent-up, personal energy.

 Robert Peterpaul is an award-winning actor, writer and celebrity interviewer with a passion for storytelling and spreading kindness. He has also been a writer for over a decade, writing for major publications and shows such as NBC’s America’s Got Talent, Screen Rant, The Huffington Post, Backstage, Casting Networks, Writer’s Weekly, and HOLA! USA, where he was the Head Weekend Editor for six years. 

Most importantly, Robert Peterpaul is intent on giving back. It's not just rhetoric for the podcast. 

He and his family formed the nonprofit THE THOMAS PETERPAUL FOUNDATION in honor of his late brother Thomas, who passed away from cancer. TPF has helped countless pediatric cancer patients and their families since its inception. Peterpaul notably teamed up with Novartis and spoke before Congress at the US Capitol on behalf of TPF to get the CAR T Cell Therapy approved (read more in the NY Times). In addition, he works for the nonprofit Women In Entertainment, which assists women both working in and aspiring to work in the entertainment industry.

 During episodes of the show, Peterpaul has the foresight to offer listeners a brief summary of the guest's career (usually Broadway), and that is helpful for non-Broadway listeners. In a fun episode with stage actor Stephanie Block, his summary before the interview gave me an intimate sense of how much she has accomplished in her career.

Happy 2nd birthday to #TheArtofKindness podcast.

During the celebration, Robert Peterpaul said, "It’s hard to believe that a random idea in the middle of the night has led us down such a joyful path. Thank you all for being such an integral part of this journey… Oh, the places we will go!"

Some podcasting highlights from the past year that Peterpaul wants to note are:

1. AOK began hosting Broadway red carpet events like #NewYorkNewYork, culminating in the #TheTonyAwards
2. We’re grateful to have received feedback from our dear listeners
3. Our interviews were featured in amazing publications & even broke some spooktacular news
4. We welcomed our incredible intern @carlisanger!
5. Thanks to YOU, we made it into the top 3% of podcasts around the world.

Major shoutout to all of our wonderful guests, @broadwaypodcastnetwork &, as always, @casserole27 for being our rock.

The Art Of Kindness is part of the Broadway Podcast Network, which offers listeners everything from a vast range of theatre, TV, and film-related programming, in addition to original radio plays, audio dramas, and even an original soap opera. Podcasts include As The Curtain Rises (a soap opera), The Musicals of Tomorrow, and The Great Game Broadway Game Show.

Even though you may not know a lot about Broadway, I recommend listening to The Art Of Kindness podcast as a kind of soul-cleansing experience. After reading or listening to the negative news that surrounds us -- from narcissistic politicians and those who would divide us -- The Art Of Kindness is a reminder of one of Princess Diana's most memorable quotes: "Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you."

Host Robert Peterpaul celebrating the second birthday of his podcast, The Art Of Kindness from the Broadway Podcast Network.