The Art Of Kindness Podcast: Making The World A Better Place

 

 I first reviewed The Art of Kindness (AOK) in May 2023. In that review, I recommended the show and called it "a kind of soul-cleansing experience." 

Since then, the host Robert Peterpaul has gotten married, interviewed the legendary Carol Burnett last November on the show's 100th episode, again celebrated World Kindness Day, started another podcast, and continues to interview the biggest celebrities on Broadway. 

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 and celebrities 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 an award-winning actor, writer, and celebrity interviewer with a passion for storytelling and spreading kindness.

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.  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. 

The Art Of Kindness is part of the Broadway Podcast Network, which offers listeners everything from a vast range of theater, TV, and film-related programming, in addition to original radio plays, audio dramas, and even an original soap opera. 

However, Robert says: "I know it’s tricky because I’m with a network, but technically AOK has retained its independence, since I own and operate everything solo."

Some of my favorite guests include Iain Armitage, who is most recognized for his role as the title character in the hit CBS comedy YOUNG SHELDON, the prequel to THE BIG BANG THEORY, which wrapped its 7th and final season in May 2024. 

In August 2024, Paul Feig, who has directed Bridesmaids, Last Christmas, The Heat, Ghostbusters, Spy, and A Simple Favor, was a guest and discussed a creating a kind environment on a TV or movie set. That's a topic that needs a lot of reflection. 

A recent coup was interviewing 
Emmy Award® winner Sarah Snook (Succession), who won the 2025 Best Actress Tony Award for her performance in THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY on Broadway. In an acting coup for the ages, Snook takes on all 26 roles in this gripping, witty and vibrantly contemporary production that breathes new life into Oscar Wilde’s classic tale.

In April, Robert spoke to Emmy, Tony, and SAG Award nominee Norm Lewis about leading a Broadway cast with kindness, the unique way advertising influenced his career, his new show Ceremonies in Dark Old Men and more.

I recommend listening to The Art Of Kindness podcast. I think Robert is on to something here beyond podcasting. It's about interacting with the external world and other people. Are we in competition with everyone else like in a zero-sum universe, or do we collaborate, cooperate, and support each other? 

Which Ebenezer Scrooge are you? The one before being visited by three ghosts, or the one who wakes up on Christmas morning? 

Even if you know nothing about Broadway or the celebrities being interviewed, I suggest checking out Robert Peterpaul as he hosts The Art Of Kindness. He is the sunshine that overcomes the darkness of misinformation, conspiracy theories, and racial, ethnic and gender hate. 

We live in a nation where the current U.S. president insults, demeans, lies, and threatens people who don't agree with him every day. That's hard to take. We need a little kindness to brighten our day.  

Check out The Art Of Kindness. As singer Dolly Parton once said, "If you see someone without a smile, give them yours." 

Robert also connected with Casting Networks, alongside industry talent and experts, and developed a new podcast in February. On the show, Robert and casting directors, talent agents, and other acting pros discuss how to find success as a performer in the entertainment industry and beyond. From inspirational casting stories to practical advice on the craft of acting, tune in to expand listeners' skill set and book that role.

"I hope How We Role exists as an open mic for creatives to get their questions answered, hone their crafts and, ultimately, feel less alone in this wild business," says Robert. "Following a dream can be hard. My intention is that How We Role is a soft place for dreamers to land."

Robert explains the podcast this way: "Starting from the beginning, How We Role will answer the how's every actor faces. From how to get headshots all the way to (one day) how to produce your own film, we truly want to go brick by brick down the yellow brick road of an actor's career."  

In a career such as acting, where the remote chance for fame is counterbalanced by brutal rejection, Robert Peterpaul has developed  How We Role as a soft landing for aspiring actors.