The Empire of Kindness
Welcome to The Empire of Kindness, where we explore the nature, value, and practice of kindness. Insight, interviews, and practice tips to make the world a better place. Let's put kindness in charge. Let's build an Empire.
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March 16, 2025
Why kindness?
Welcome to The Empire of Kindness, where we explore the nature, value, and practice of kindness. Today we look at the basic value of kindness and why it matters. This is the start of our journey to see, hear, and record our experience of kindness, and use it to inspire others. Let's build an Empire of Kindness.
April 13, 2025
Kindness is real too
In the Empire of Kindness podcast, host Matthew McInnis explores the importance of kindness in everyday interactions, focusing on customer service. Drawing on his years of experience, he illustrates how leading with empathy can turn challenging situations into positive experiences. By sharing a personal story of helping a distressed elderly caller recover her precious photos, McInnis highlights the impact of understanding before problem-solving. He invites listeners to contribute their stories o
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April 20, 2025
Sin City
Never forget that kindness can be found anywhere. This time we look at a surprising place to find and practice kindness: a casino.
April 21, 2025
The Kindness of Pope Francis
In a special episode of The Empire of Kindness, we take a look at a modern icon of the pursuit of kindness. Pope Francis' passing will have a profound effect on millions of people. Maybe there are some things we can learn from this.
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April 27, 2025
Choosing Kindness: A man and his dog
In this podcast episode from 'Empire of Kindness,' host Matthew McInnis shares a heartfelt story about enacting kindness towards a man and his dog. Stopping at a traffic light, Matthew encountered a man with a straightforward sign requesting food, accompanied by a small, quiet dog. Touched by the man's honesty and warmth, Matthew gave them $5, hoping it would help. Reflecting on the experience, he emphasizes that kindness is not about ensuring results but about making a choice to act. This story
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May 5, 2025
Kindness and a backpack: A Homeless Man's Integrity
In this episode we examine a stunning act of honesty by a homeless man. We look at the integrity it took and the inspiring effects it had on others. Join us for a look at kindness and a backpack.
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May 11, 2025
The Secret Santa of Kansas City: A Tale of Unseen Kindness
Matthew McInnis tells the heartwarming tale of Larry Stewart, whose journey into becoming Kansas City's Secret Santa stemmed from his own struggles. Fired and broke, a gesture at a diner in 1979 sparked Stewart's vow to help others. His philanthropy grew alongside his fortunes, leading to a legacy of anonymous gift-giving totaling $1.3 million. Even after revealing himself due to illness, Stewart's mission of kindness lived on, inspiring others to embrace charity. The episode closes with a call
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May 19, 2025
Kindness at 30,000 feet
In this episode of 'Empire of Kindness,' we explore an inspiring story of empathy on a Southwest Airlines flight in 2016. When a baby's cries filled the cabin, it wasn't irritation but kindness that resonated. A man in seat 13C offered to hold the crying infant, allowing the overwhelmed mother some much-needed respite. This simple gesture not only calmed the baby but also provided peace and reassurance to the mother. This act of humanity, captured in a viral photo, reminds us of the power of not
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May 25, 2025
After the fire: Kindness in a community
A house fire destroyed everything for this family. The kindness of the community they didn't know they had made a difference.
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June 1, 2025
Kindness in a Kroger's: A young man notices a need
In a busy Kroger store in Houston, Texas, young employee Traveon Smith became a beacon of kindness. He noticed an elderly woman struggling with her shopping and devoted 45 minutes to assist her with grace and care. A fellow shopper captured the moment, and it quickly went viral, resonating with thousands. Traveon's actions highlighted the impact of generosity and patience, showing how small acts can have profound effects. His story, shared on social media and local news, reminds us all that kind