Episodes
From Isolation to Celebration: Discover KCS Angels
KCS Angels, a nonprofit organization in Lansing, Michigan, was co-founded by Tracy Smith and her brother-in-law, Scotty, in 2016 with a mission to provide adults with disabilities a place for pure, unapologetic fun. The Angel...
Books on Wheels: Delivering Stories and Smiles
The Los Angeles Public Library launched an innovative program to deliver books to homebound seniors in partnership with ONEgeneration, a senior center organizing meal deliveries. By combining library card applications with me...
Building the Empire of Kindness
In episode 50 of 'Empire of Kindness', host Matthew McInnis reflects on stories that reveal the power of small, selfless acts and their transformative impact on communities. By highlighting extraordinary acts of kindness, fro...
Season 2 Hiatus
We're getting ready for Season 2, so bear with us while we work out details. Remember to share, and remember to send me your experiences of kindness, large or small. matthew@theempireofkindness.com
Jimmy's Lesson: Kindness Without Limits
The latest episode of the podcast features a narrative that sets a powerful example of selflessness. Dr. Muhammad Basha recounts an encounter with his patient, Jimmy, who, only minutes after being told he has pancreatic cance...
From a Simple Meal to an Empire of Kindness
Matthew McInnis shares a heartfelt story of kindness involving Patricia Fordney, a mother struggling to cope with her husband away on military duty. Her observant neighbor, a retired Navy chief, recognizes her need for suppor...
Finding Memories in the Mud: Taylor's Journey
In the wake of Hurricane Helene's devastation in Asheville, North Carolina, Taylor Schenker took it upon herself to salvage fragments of lost lives. Finding photographs amidst debris, she created an Instagram page called Phot...
Amidst Flames: Acts of Kindness
While documenting the devastating 2025 Palisades fire, journalists Jonathan Vigliotti and Christian Duran took on an unexpected task: saving three dogs stranded in a threatened home. Despite the enormity of the disaster, they...
How Bad Jokes Are Funding Rett Syndrome Research
In a heartwarming display of sibling devotion, nine-year-old Nora Vaughn set up a joke stand in her front yard to raise funds for Rett Syndrome Research. Her older sister, Susie, suffers from this challenging neurodevelopment...
From PS48 to Broadway Dreams
In this heartfelt episode of 'Empire of Kindness,' host Matthew McInnis shares the inspiring story of Gia Martinez and Melissa Salguero. Melissa, a dedicated music teacher who joined PS48 in the Bronx with no resources, built...
When an NBA Star Became a Second Grade Teacher
Mikal Bridges, an NBA player for the Brooklyn Nets, fulfilled a lifelong aspiration by stepping into the role of a second-grade teacher for a day at PS 134 in Brooklyn. Despite a late night after an NBA game, Bridges spent hi...
When Disasters Strike, Kindness Responds
Team Rubicon, a disaster relief group founded by veterans, stepped up when Hurricane Milton devastated Florida in 2024. Their mission wasn't just about clearing debris; it was about restoring hope. The podcast narrates storie...
Where Dignity Comes First: Melanie's Food Pantry Legacy
Melanie Wolf runs the Community Circle Food Pantry in Washington, Pennsylvania, where she transforms lives with compassion and dignity. Her drive to help others stems from her own experiences with food insecurity years ago, i...
Feuding Neighbors and the Power of Perspective
This podcast episode narrates an intriguing story of conflict resolution between neighbors in Chino Hills. Tina Rose and her neighbor fought over encroachment issues, leading Tina to erect a middle-finger statue that expresse...