The Kindness Chronicles

In this episode, we welcome strategic executive leader and event producer Kelly Olson, joined by her husband Eric Scott Olson, to discuss her career in live events and television and her current work on the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in the Twin Cities. Kelly shares her origin story working on the 1991 Special Olympics opening ceremony, including an early assignment to find a piano for Prince, and traces her path through major productions, including Oprah (six years), LA events, and later PR work after leaving New York following 9/11 and anthrax concerns. The conversation highlights the scale of the USA Games, unified sports growth, venues, opening and closing ceremonies, celebrity participants, and the impact of mentorship, networking, and service-minded production.

In this episode, the hosts reflect on KG’s father’s memorial and the support from family, friends, and organizations, then share details for the July 12 Semper Fi Flo hole-in-one challenge fundraiser at Loggers Trail Golf Course in Stillwater. The conversation features special guest Jeff Meslow, a 25-year NCAA football official and 10-year Big Ten line judge, who describes his path from starting as a college freshman to working major rivalry games and the Big Ten Championship, balancing officiating with a full-time job, and the behind-the-scenes production of televised games. Meslow discusses officiating pressures, communication with coaches, controversial calls like holding, replay review via the Big Ten command center, fan behavior, and memorable human moments including Iowa’s Children’s Hospital wave, a MN Gophers moment of kindness and more.

At a Minnesota Masonic Charities scholarship event, the CEO explains a scholarship program designed to recognize everyday kindness by having students nominate a peer and share the award. The program’s purpose is to uncover and celebrate stories of service that often go unnoticed, highlighting how simple actions can create ripple effects across schools and communities. Throughout the night, several nominations are read and discussed, featuring special young people who consistently put others first through inclusion, support during difficult times, volunteering, leadership, and service to people with disabilities, younger students, seniors, and community organizations. Families and guests reflect on the values behind these actions and the importance of compassion, forgiveness, and noticing those who feel alone. The event concludes by thanking attendees and encouraging future students to keep nominating quiet difference-makers.

On The Kindness Chronicles podcast, John Schwietz surprises Winona State student Addison Nash—called while she’s on a boat—after her friend Sienna nominates her for a Minnesota Masonic Charities Selfless Scholarship, awarding $5,000 shared between Addison and Sienna; they discuss Addison’s empathy, the death of her brother Tommy from sudden cardiac arrest, and the family’s Be Like Tommy nonprofit that provides acts of kindness and “joyful experiences,” including sending campers to YMCA Camp Manitou. The episode then features Mario Esteb celebrating his Syracuse graduation and plans to pursue documentary development work, followed by his mother Rose describing a faith experience at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where repeated photos and video showed a moving light-like “apparition” pointing toward crosses; staff and nuns called it a miracle and noted the “Miracle of Roses” connection to her name. The hosts close with John recounting a claustrophobic MRI experience, mentioning newfound fear of heights, and offering condolences for Kevin Gorg after his father’s death and upcoming service.

KCP Crew Reacts to Eric Church’s “Six Strings of Life” UNC 2026 Commencement The KC Crew discuss graduation season and family updates, including a daughter graduating from the University of Minnesota, then do a “reaction video” to Eric Church’s 2026 University of North Carolina commencement speech. Church frames life like a six-string guitar, urging graduates to keep key “strings” in tune: faith, family, spouse/partner, ambition and resilience, community and belonging, and staying true to yourself amid social pressure, stressing that “the world does not need another cover song.” The hosts reflect on how the message applies beyond graduates, share tangents about music and community ties like reunions, and emphasize being honest about setbacks and failures as part of real life.

The KC Crew learned that The Kindness Chronicles was ranked #2 on Feedspot’s “30 Best Kindness Podcasts for 2026,” THANK YOU, listeners! They quickly review the Masonic Children’s Hospital gala that raised about $2.5 million, as an example of kindness through philanthropy. The episode then focuses on an extended discussion of The Blues Brothers, including Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi’s origin story from Second City, the film’s role in reviving and spotlighting blues musicians and Chicago culture, standout scenes and cast members (Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, Carrie Fisher, John Candy, Frank Oz, Steven Spielberg), and themes of redemption, loyalty, friendship, and joyful comedy through music. Check it out. 

In the 200th episode of The Kindness Chronicles, the hosts welcome back storyteller and former advertising executive Neal Ford to discuss how his ad career shaped his focus on emotionally resonant communication and how a viral TikTok story launched his social media storytelling. Neal recounts a 1969 experience when strangers helped his family after a car breakdown near Bakersfield, restoring his father’s faith in people and later reframing it with the moon landing. The conversation explores skepticism about performative “kindness videos,” the value of anonymous giving, and examples of quietly impactful generosity. They discuss social media’s role in spreading either cynicism or connection, how technology and algorithms can be weaponized, and a positive AI example from IKEA retraining staff. The hosts highlight Minnesota Masonic Charities’ Selfless Scholar program and Neal’s StoryFire.net course, including an AI coaching component and his talk, “The ROI of Kindness.”

After a couple of “LONG Stories,” we explore the oxytocin-inducing storytelling of the late great Rob Reiner

Our scheduled guest was unable to join us, SO…More Wild talk (that’s all KG knows…and movies), and Steve leads us in another one of his Kindness Comebacks game. 

A playoff preview for the Minnesota Wild with KG followed by game show host, Steve Brown, and his Kindness comebacks.

The KCP Crew welcomes Anytime Fitness co-founder Chuck Runyon, who reflects on growing up on the East Side of St. Paul and his journey in building Anytime Fitness, which comprises nearly 6,000 global locations.  Chuck discusses the challenges and innovations during COVID closures, and outlines the company’s emphasis on training, nutrition, recovery, senior fitness programs, storytelling-driven culture, servant leadership practices, and the company's “Bleed Purple” tradition.

St. Paul native and Sirius XM personality, The Catholic Guy, Lino Rulli joins us. This guy is a lot of fun. Check it out.

KCP crew visit with kindness and character icon, Joe is the founder and president of Youth Frontiers, an organization that has been providing unique character development programs in schools for decades.

The KC Crew review celebrity kindness thru a silly little game. 

The KCP Crew welcomes AUTHENTIC Irishman, John Cosgrove gives us a peek into the Irish community in Minnesota. 

We visit with author, Denise Cesare. After losing her voice in a serious car accident, this professional speech and language pathologist from Brooklyn shares the origin and motivation for her book, Moments in Motion with Love. 

Let’s celebrate the woman behind the man…Patti Brooks. We review the 2026 Winter Olympics with KG, and visit with Kelly Paradise (daughter of 1980 Gold Medal US Olympic Hockey Team Coach, Herb Brooks’s). Joining us in studio is Kelly’s friend (and Kindess Chronicles listener) since kindergarten, Andrea Kangas. So may fun stories. 

The KC Crew visit with an extraordinary group of people who have taken their kindness to the Malawi, Africa. Our guests started their incredible journey into philanthropy as young Girl Scouts and created an organization, GRO (Girls Reaching Out), that provides fresh water wells for villages throughout Malawi. The program has evolved into a powerhouse organization, engaging volunteers from companies like Salesforce. Their 501c3 organization is called “WASH for Life.” Check it out. To donate to this worthy organization, please check out washforlifeinc.org  

Happy Valentine’s Day from the Kindness Chronicles crew. We visit with a lovely group of College friends that have managed to spend an unusual amount of time with each other with very little drama. Maybe a little drama. 🤣

Clown Car alert: the entire KC Crew gather, discuss the joy of a successful Minnesota Wild Team and we visit with Shawn Kor from Eagle’s Healing Nest. 

FINALLY, KG has a night off to join the KC Crew for a little conversation 

This week the KCP Crew visit with KARE11 alum and extraordinary storyteller, Mark Daly. 

The KCP Crew welcomes Timothy Mathews. Timothy a writer, Care Minister, and kindness advocate whose work centers on empathy, connection, and the quiet power of everyday compassion. Through storytelling, community leadership, and practical action, Timothy helps individuals and organizations experience kindness as a lived practice rather than an abstract ideal.He is the author of The Night Before PAWmas, a children’s book that explores kindness and empathy through gentle storytelling.

Heather Boschke is a marketer, professor and bird lover. Her mission is to spread joy one bird at a time and unlock the wonder of birds in kids of all ages! Her bird love began at age seven, when she had a pet cockatiel named Birdie. She enjoys birding in her backyard and at parks and nature centers around Minnesota to get inspiration for her drawings (which she does with pen and marker). You can contact Heather and see more of her bird drawings at buddhabirdie.com. 

We attempt a point/counterpoint on the topic of whether Kindness Takes Effort? Newsflash, Mrs. Schwietz wins the debate. 

The KCP Crew looks back on 2025. Highs and Lows and everything in between. Here’s to a happy, healthy and KIND 2026. 

John's dad, Jack, passed away earlier this year. In his memory, we decided to replay our fun chat with him about fatherhood and favorite TV and Movie Dads.

Author Sharon Eubank discusses the importance of small acts of kindness. Check out her book, Doing Small Things with Great Love.

Fun guest ALERT! Dr. Quentin Schultze, author of "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out! Life Lessons for the Movie A Christmas Story joins the KC Crew for this Christmas special 

We visit with Divisional Command Sgt. Major Marc Dempsey (One of 8 in the Country) about his 35-year military career and the role reunions play in the lives of those serving and why we enjoy witnessing them SO MUCH! OxytoSUNDAY.

Our first LIVE podcast. It was taped in the Spring, but we have been saving it to inject a little holiday cheer into the world. 

We discuss everything from the Wild, Vikings, Rice Krispie Turkeys and the role gravy plays in a successful Thanksgiving feast.

We visit with John's cousin, Major Andrew Melander, a Green Beret on Veteran's Day.

We meet with Ben Brown and discuss a growing challenge!

Once again, not our best effort. However, the end of the show offers a special glimpse into the dynamic that exists among the KC Crew when the tape isn't rolling.

Is it possible to discuss politics without being divisive? Hats off to Mike Newcome who is trying his best to run a campaign for Governor dominated with kindness. The fact is, we tried...really hard. It might not be possible. Based on some listener feedback, we have edited out some regretful dialogue and hope that someone like Mike can be an example of the kind of politician the country seems to need. 

The KC crew enjoy a fun visit with Agile Video's Todd Vaske. 

This one matters! 

Probably not our best effort, but having a little fun with this "Quickie>"

Regions Hospital Trauma Department faces incredibly difficult cases every day. We visit with an important member of that team.

John's dad passed away last week. The fellas reflect on the extraordinary kindness that can often come during the most difficult times.

The whole gang is in studio. Buckle up for a bunch of nonsense. JJ McCarthy, 21 cents, Would you rather and a special Dr. Who clip.

Maybe our favorite episode ever. Our OLD pal (emphasis on the OLD), Mike Newcome introduces us to two very impressive students from Ukraine, Alisa and Dasha are about as impressive as two 16-year olds could be. Wow!

Sports sports sports...is your whole life about sports/ This week it is! KG is back and there was a lot to cover.

Part 2 of our visit with Billy focuses on his battle with Focal Dystonia and his decision to switch from a world-class right handed guitarist into a world class southpaw. Unreal story. 

World-class guitarist, composer and producer, Billy McLaughlin joins us in studio in a fascinating two part interview.

sorry we missed a week. We bet you survived. No KG. No Intern Jeff. No problem.Nate Bargaetze. Sydney Sweeney. Would you rather- KC Edition. Thanks for listening. 

Read, Brush, Floss, Repeat... one way to mitigate the chances of Alzheimer's Disease. In a science and syllable heavy episode, we learn a bit about the role that oral health can play in preventing Alzheimer's Disease and the lab at the University of Minnesota researching this issue. A lab funded by the CAD (Curing Alzheimer's Disease) Foundation.

We visit with Mahtomedi High School Student, Jaylen Jones, aspiring entrepreneur  with a big heart. Learn more about his unique idea of connecting high school students with seniors in need of cleaning services and companionship.

What. A. Guest. Intern Jeff lands another excellent storyteller! Enjoy. We did.