Episodes

I'll be taking this week off, but The Empire of Kindness will return next week.

In 2018, Florida history teacher Robert Goodman faced a daunting diagnosis of stage three colon cancer. With limited sick days to cover his treatments, he turned to social media for help. His call was met with overwhelming ge...

In this podcast episode, we hear the story of a Virginia Starbucks where a barista named Taylor noticed a grieving customer and chose to act with compassion. The woman, who had just lost her mother, received a coffee with a h...

In 2018, a group of high school students in Brazil discovered that their beloved 80-year-old janitor, Jose, couldn't read or write despite having worked at the school for decades. Motivated by empathy, the students took it up...

In this episode of the Empire of Kindness, Matthew McInnis narrates a touching story about Dave, a man living in New York City whose dog went missing. The incident sparked a community-wide effort to find the lost pet, illustr...

In a quiet Missouri neighborhood, a UPS driver named Clay turned an ordinary delivery route into a life-saving mission. When he noticed smoke coming from a house, he didn't hesitate to investigate. Inside, he found an elderly...

This podcast episode explores the innovative 'pay it forward' model implemented by Acorn Community Cafe in Eugene, Oregon. By allowing customers to buy meal vouchers for those in need, it creates an environment where generosi...

In the harsh 2022 Buffalo Blizzard, Shakira Autry heard a faint plea for help and took swift action, rescuing 64-year-old Joseph White, who was stranded and frostbitten near her home. With emergency services incapacitated, Sh...

In February 2021, Texas faced a severe winter storm, leaving many without power and heat. In this crisis, Mattress Mack, the owner of Gallery Furniture in Houston, showcased incredible kindness by transforming his furniture s...

In the wake of the devastating August 2023 wildfire in Lahaina, Maui, World Central Kitchen, founded by chef Jose Andres, quickly mobilized to provide not just food, but hope and community. By using local ingredients and part...

In a heartwarming story from Hendersonville, Tennessee, high school students teamed up to create a prosthetic hand for their classmate, Sergio Peralta. Born with a right hand that never fully formed, Sergio had always managed...

In a true act of bravery, 20-year-old Anthony Perry transformed into an unexpected hero on June 5, 2022, at the 69th Street Station in Chicago. After witnessing a man fall onto the electrified rail during a commotion, Anthony...

In Richmond, Virginia, a network of community fridges, initiated by Taylor Scott and fueled by mutual aid, is transforming lives. Beginning in 2021, these outdoor refrigerators provide free food to those in need, supported en...

In this podcast episode, Matthew McInnis delves into the holiday-driven rise in generosity, noting its cultural and structural roots. The discussion highlights that while many participate in seasonal giving due to holiday tra...

In barbershops across the country, Barbershop Books is changing the way kids interact with reading. By placing reading nooks in the comfortable and familiar setting of a barbershop, this nonprofit encourages young boys, espec...

In Independence, Iowa, the community came together to support the family of Steve Copenhaver, a lifelong farmer who passed away before he could complete his final harvest. More than 30 volunteers, coordinated by the nonprofit...

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library epitomizes how consistent generosity can reach remarkable scales. Starting in 1995 in Parton's home county in Tennessee, this initiative has grown to deliver millions of books monthly to chi...

During the summer of 2022, Jackson, Mississippi faced a significant water crisis when heavy rainfall and aging infrastructure left the city without reliable drinking water. In response, local communities and mutual aid groups...

In an emergency in New Hampshire, two neighbors became unexpected heroes when they rushed into a burning trailer to save a woman trapped inside. Without time to deliberate, their innate awareness drove them to act decisively,...

In this episode of the Empire of Kindness, Matthew McInnis narrates the inspiring story of nine-year-old Evan Bonanni from Clifton Park, New York. Evan took up the 50 yard challenge, a nationwide pledge where kids mow lawns f...

School lunch debt remains a pernicious issue affecting students nationwide, despite the presence of free and reduced lunch programs. Income thresholds often exclude families who still struggle to afford meals, leading to grow...

The Texas Ramp Project, an inspiring volunteer-driven initiative, provides wheelchair ramps for those unable to leave their homes due to financial or physical barriers. This organization began in Dallas in 1985 and has since ...

In this podcast episode, Matthew McInnis highlights a simple yet profound act of kindness in San Antonio, Texas. Brittany Kievit's husband noticed an elderly man stuck in a motorized grocery cart with a dead battery. Rather t...

Newton Neighbors Helping Neighbors, a volunteer group initiated by four women in March 2020, emerged as a crucial community support system during the pandemic. Formed as a Facebook group in Newton, Massachusetts, it quickly g...