Podcast
The Kindness Chronicles
Hosted by Kevin Gorg, Steve Brown, John Schwietz, Jeff Hoffmann · EN
We live in a world dominated by stories of divisiveness. The Kindness Chronicles hopes to give the world a dose of the "Minnesota Nice" it desperately needs. Hosted by Fox Sports North's Kevin Gorg, Steve Brown of Johnny Clueless fame and John Schwietz (a guy you've never heard of), the Kindness Chronicles delivers stories of kindness through the lens of Minnesotans who share their personal backstories and celebrate those who influenced them to become the people they are today.
36episodes
Episodes
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Ep. 208 - Forward March: Restoring A Legacy
1w ago01:04:08Tap to summarizeReviving a Marching Band Legacy: How Teachers Build Community in Forest Lake | The Kindness Chronicles Steve and Jeff fill in for John and discuss Steve’s volunteer experience at the Special Olympics USA Games ESPN Unified Sports Challenge at Allianz Field, where he accompanied producer Jimmy "Jam" Harris and various celebrity sideline coaches. They then welcome Forest Lake educators Jake Matheson and Katie DuBois to discuss how music and marching band create belonging as the U.S. nears its 250th birthday. Jake recounts starting on tuba, being mentored by teachers like Sandy Briggs and Rich Hahn, advocating to restore Forest Lake’s marching band, and later rebuilding it in 2016 from a program that had disappeared to 140 members, supported by fundraising and scholarships. Katie describes how her passion for the clarinet evolved, joining the University of Minnesota marching band, and helping design field formations for her alma mater, while both emphasize teacher support, community, and inclusion.
Transcribe →Ep. 207 - Lionel Richie's Encore of Empathy
2w ago00:29:52Tap to summarizeMinnesota Nice at Lionel Richie & Earth, Wind & Fire + A Day with Jimmy Jam at Special Olympics The hosts recap attending the Earth, Wind & Fire and Lionel Richie concert in St. Paul, including memories of their first concert together decades ago, Earth, Wind & Fire’s energetic set and deep catalog, and a merch moment that coincided with seeing a recent KCP guest. Lionel Richie opened the tour with “Hello” but appeared unwell, sweating and dizzy, performed “Dancing on the Ceiling” seated, called an unexpected intermission, and was later reported hospitalized; a band member announced the show couldn’t continue. The hosts highlight how the crowd responded with concern and applause rather than anger, calling it a proud example of Minnesota kindness. They also discuss why artists start tours in Minnesota, tangent into guitar solo rankings, and share a story about guiding Jimmy Jam at an ESPN Special Olympics Unified Sports Challenge, describing him as gracious and dedicated, including his weight-loss journey and family reconnection.
Transcribe →Ep. 206 - Moment Makers: The Artisans of Human Engagement
3w ago00:53:55Tap to summarizeIn 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.
Transcribe →Ep. 205 - Behind the Whistle: A Big10 Referee's Journey
4w ago01:08:15Tap to summarizeIn 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.
Transcribe →Ep. 204 - Celebrating The 2026 Selfless Scholars
4w ago01:08:25Tap to summarizeAt 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.
Transcribe →Ep. 203 - Rose’s Divine Encounter
Jun 400:45:56Tap to summarizeOn 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.
Transcribe →Ep. 202 - Eric Church's Six Strings of Life
May 2000:40:15Tap to summarizeKCP 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.
Transcribe →KCP 201 - Blues Brothers:on a mission of kindness
May 1500:37:58Tap to summarizeThe 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.
Transcribe →Ep. 200 Neal Foard…From Madison Avenue to Viral Storytelling
May 601:02:27Tap to summarizeIn 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.”
Transcribe →Ep. 199 Rob Reiner’s Cinematic Impact
Apr 3000:53:10Tap to summarizeAfter a couple of “LONG Stories,” we explore the oxytocin-inducing storytelling of the late great Rob Reiner
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