The Kindness Chronicles

The KC Crew discuss movie moments that get you "where it counts."

Eyota Minnesota is the home of two really good guys, Brooks and Zach. We surprise Zach with a Selfless Scholar Scholarship. 

We visit with the most delightful Curler, Singer, Motivational Speaker, Philanthropist, Exercise influencer, Regan Birr about her organization that supports Lupus research. Remember when George Costanza thought he had Lupus? We address this on today's KC.

The KC Clown Car addresses the challenges of corporate culture and kindness.

It's our favorite "season," Road Construction. The "KC Clown Car" addresses the challenges of finding kindness in an otherwise dumpster fire of traffic in the Twin Cities. 

Fascinating look at the impact music literacy can have on a developing brain. We also review KG's brilliant Kentucky Derby prognostication. 

The KC crew visits with multiple organ donation recipient, Sonja Dalbey. The KINDNESS of an organ donor cannot be overstated. 

Kind Lips founder, Josh Neuman, joins us to share his unique twist on lip balm with meaning.

People have been asking...so, we visit with our first and only, intern, Mario Esteb. He checks in from Syracuse University. 

What week. The Masters, the Wild and another fun fundraiser to promote. we are joined by Roger McNear and our friend, Jeff Hoffman IN STUDIO! Big fun.

Tammy Diehn, Executive Director of 2B Continued, introduces us to the organization she founded to help young people in west central Minnesota. 

Former Kare 11 and HGTV personality, Joan Steffend and her award-winning documentarian husband, Joe Brandmeier discuss an important project they are developing (with longtime KSTP Sports Anchor, Joe Schmit). It's the heartwarming story of a special friendship between a St. Paul High School Student and a new student at his school…Minnesota Twin and MLB Hall of Famer, Joe Mauer and his friend Mike, a new classmate at Cretin Derham Hall, who just happened to be blind.  

To be or not to be Nice or Kind...THAT is the question. The KC Crew tackle this important (sorta) topic. Of course, we also discuss donuts and bad mustaches. You got this! (Barf) That comment will make sense when you give it a listen.

We cover a lot of ground. A.I., Grandpa Gorgie, hockey tournament, mustaches, Sydney Sweeney and of course, donuts.

We deep dive into Mardi Gras and the goal of Fat Tuesday kindness that is often overlooked amid all the fun. We also discuss the Oscars...briefly. It was more than enough.

Nothing? Or a little bit of everything. Wooden Sticks meets Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (Donut Edition) meets Chicago Law to Entertainment Tonight and back to Donuts. Of course,a dose of Kindness along the way. NOTE: Be sure to mark your calendars for the first Kindness Chronicles LIVE Podcast celebrating the Selfless Scholars. Wednesday, May 21st at 5:30 at the Masonic Heritage Center's ives Auditorium. Free Event. Please email John at John.Schwietz@mnmasonic.org to reserve your tickets

After a brief episode of Wooden Sticks with KG and the Bob Dylan Chronicles with Steve, we visit with Founder and Executive Director, Sara Meslow, from Camp Odayin, a unique camp for children with heart disease. A program that not only provides a wonderful experience for the kids, but incredible resources for their families.

The KC Crew visits with Retired Army Colonel, Trauma Surgeon, Dr. Greg Bellman about a unique University of Minnesota program that capitalizes on the talent and experience of Army Medics and recruiting them for Medical School. The need for physicians in rural Minnesota is quite critical; moreover, this program could help address the need.

The KC Crew discuss the role we all play in mentoring kindness in children and conclude with a visit with University of Minnesota researcher, Dr. Brendan Moriarty and his work with immunotherapy and its potential impact on curing pediatric cancers like osteosarcoma. Smart Minnesota guy!

How does one combat a world dominated by social media and the divisiveness that stems therefrom? Manipulate your social media algorithms and feed your need for OXYTOCIN. Start with just one day...Sunday. Let's call it OxytoSUNDAY. 

After a cross-over episode of KG's Wooden Sticks, the KC Crew discuss the need for connecting with our elders, especially those in Senior Care facilities.

Minnesota Wild Asst. Equipment Manager, Matt Benz (And John's cousin) has a unique perspective about the extraordinary kindness of Minnesota Wild players. The Wild has a long tradition and culture of kindness. Matt shares some great stories. We also discuss the important topics like:1. Is it a  "Jersey or Sweater?"2. Are they "Breezers or Hockey Pants?"3. Are Rock-n-Roll roadies like NHL Equipment Managers? 

We ring in the new year with a discussion on Lindor truffles, McDonald's sausage and other compelling topics.

It has been a minute since we visited with our field "correspondent," KG. We tackle the tough topics like the hit movie Wicked (which has moments of beautiful kindness) and Wild Hockey (duh).

KC "critic," Michael Dempsey joins us in studio to review the Good, the Bad and the occasional drift into politics on the 2024 Kindness Chronicles.

We visit with Reed Endersbe regarding the Robert Putnam documentary, "Join or Die." Putnam, the author of the best-selling, "Bowling Alone," argues that the epidemic of loneliness is having an adverse impact on the mental health of Americans and the lack of joining civic organizations is likewise impacting the health of American democracy. 

Big news in the Gorg family! We try to discuss politics and it goes nowhere. We land on a discussion of legendary Coach Bill Lechner and John's cousin Matt Benz, a great guy who was just recognized for 1500 games as the Minnesota Wild's Equipment Manager. 

We visit with a remarkable person, Pediatric Cardiologist Dr. Shanti Narasimhan. A University of Minnesota Professor, Heart Doctor at Masonic Children's Hospital and volunteer for Children's Heartlink traveling to Brazil and India on mission trips providing cardiac care to underserved children. Amazing person!

We return to Willow Lane Elementary and visit with a group incredibly ambitious and kind 4th graders and hear about their "Minnow Tank" Program.

BOO! While John's sarcasm gets a bit exhausting in this Halloween preview, the KC Crew discuss KG's Wild travel (packing for 12 days), Steve's favorite scary movies (no one has ever heard of) and John shares a ghost story from his days on the St. Joe's Hospital psych ward...as an employee, not a patient. 

We discuss a unique program that brings hockey to children in the heart of  Minneapolis and St. Paul , DINOMIGHTS. We visit with Impact Hockey owner and DINOMIGHTS Volunteer, Eric Johnson (Self described Johnny Clueless fan, Kevin Gorg admirer and complete stranger to John Schwietz.)

The KC Crew discusses a variety of topics from Hurricane Helene to Customer Service recognition. Steve offers a new KC Challenge...Support the Arts. (Apparently Culinary Arts don't count) :( 

We enjoy a chat with legendary St. Paul Pioneer Press Columnist,  former Minnesota Twin and all-around great guy Charley Walters

Crossover event with Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries. We visit with Shawn Kor, Executive Director of Eagle's Healing Nest.

We take a few moments to reflect on some of the "light" that came out of one of the darkest days in US history, September 11, 2001. 

Fashion-forward 14-year-old, Carter Finseth tells us about his "kindness brand,' Be. Real. Be You. Be Nice. 

The Great Minnesota Get Together...a combination of food, fun and apparently FIGHTS on the Midway. We discuss the Kindness experienced at the fair and the unfortunate chaos we also endured.

In a world dominated by political divisiveness, St. Paul/Minnesota lost one of the least divisive, most lovable "politicians" to ever hold office. George Latimer was THAT guy. His dear friend, and John's "Uncle Harry" joins us in remembering a St. Paul legend.

KG (finally) got us a good one. Kidding, of course. We discover a really important part of  Paul Allen (KFAN's 9-Noon host/Voice of the Minnesota Vikings/ Canterbury Track Announcer). For those who know him well, his gift of calling a play, calling a race and just plain storytelling is second to none. For the Kindness Chronicles, his gift of hospitality (after experiencing countless technical difficulties on our end) was on  full display. WHAT. A. GUY. 

Do you remember when they had commercials like, "this week on a very special Blossom?" This is one of those weeks. Heather and Randy Bacchus share the story of their son's tragic story, the perils of "today's marijuana" on the developing brain and how it has led to the development of Be Extraordinary. Be You.

From MN Nice to True Confessions. The positive side of bad choices.

We discuss Minnesota Nice...is it always nice? 

We visit with EJ and Nicole McNaulty about their unique organization that honors their late son, Michael, by spreading kindness thru incredible candles that deliver a powerful message. Check them out at AKindness.co. 

We talkin' dogs for the 4th of July, Betty, Milty, Fenway, Brooks and Belle. 

We weren't able to connect with Taylor for our live podcast, but we explore the Taylor Swift phenomenon and the role kinds plays in her "brand."

Buckle up for the enthusiasm of Tommy McBrayer, the Founder and CEO of aptly named non-profit, Don't Shoot Guns, Shoot Hoops. Living with gun violence in Minneapolis, Tommy, a two-time  gun violence survivor turned his trauma into hope for hundereds of young men and boys in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

We let Steve sit this one out. Kevin and John discuss a Father's Day US Open, the perils of hosting a podcast called "The Kindness Chronicles" and the importance of having the right guys "In the Room," for teams like the Twins and The Wild.

John's dad, Jack joins us for a fun chat about fatherhood and favorite TV and Movie Dads.

Crossover event.

THANK YOU, LISTENERS! Depending on how you count, this is our 100th episode to be uploaded. We have a bit of fun reminiscing!