The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul

Robert Peterpaul

A positively star-studded podcast that converses with and celebrates artists from all areas of the entertainment industry (Film, TV, Broadway etc.) who use their platform to make the world a better place. Join The AOK as we sprinkle positivity around like confetti and get to the bottom of what kindness really means. Part of the Broadway Podcast Network. read less
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Episodes

Francia Raisa Shares Life-Changing Act of Kindness, Future of How I Met Your Father & More
5d ago
Francia Raisa Shares Life-Changing Act of Kindness, Future of How I Met Your Father & More
How I Met Your Father star Francia Raísa joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss her life-changing act of kindness to Selena Gomez, paying it forward with her new Modelo partnership and much more. Also, today is Earth Day - please be kind to the earth! FRANCIA RAISA recently starred in the hit Hulu sitcom HOW I MET YOUR FATHER which ran for 2 seasons. As an entrepreneur, Raisa shared her family salsa recipe with the world in partnership with the La Victoria brand which had a limited run before selling out in Fall of 2023. She can also be seen as ‘Ana Torres,’ a first-generation Cuban-American and roommate to Yara Shahidi’s ‘Zoey Johnson,’ on Freeform’s GROWN-ISH, the BLACK-ISH spinoff. Francia has come a long way from her first role as young cheerleader ‘Leti’ in the film BRING IT ON: ALL OR NOTHING. Continuing the development of her acting prowess in projects such as THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER and Netflix’s DEAR WHITE PEOPLE, she’s been primed to tackle all that is ahead of her. In between roles that have won her awards such as a Gracie Award and La Femme Film Festival Rising Star, and nominations for Teen Choice, IMAGEN and an ALMA, Raisa is dedicated to assisting organizations dear to her heart like Unlikely Heroes, whose mission is to provide safe homes and restoration to victims of sex trafficking worldwide. Born and raised in Southern California, bi-lingual Raisa is of Honduran and Mexican decent. Modelo has partnered with Francia to celebrate the launch and expansion of Modelo Spiked Aguas Frescas, a line of vibrant, spiked, flavored malt beverages expanding to new markets across the country – and for the second year in a row, Modelo pays homage to the street vendors that helped inspire it and keep the beloved Mexican street drink tradition alive.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Broadway’s Sherz Aletaha (Merrily We Roll Along): Solar Eclipse of the Heart
Apr 15 2024
Broadway’s Sherz Aletaha (Merrily We Roll Along): Solar Eclipse of the Heart
Sherz shares! Sherz Aletaha joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul on the day of the 2024 Solar Eclipse to talk all things making her Broadway debut in Merrily We Roll Along, meeting Meryl Streep, bringing her authentic self to every role and more. Sherz, which is pronounced like “more than one Cher,” is an Iranian American actor, singer, and vocal coach. Originally from Southern California, Sherz is based in Manhattan and is currently appearing in the hit Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's Merrily We Roll Along alongside Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe, and Lindsay Mendez. She has been seen on stage at The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Ars Nova, as Lalume in Kismet (directed by Lonny Price for the Santa Barbara Symphony), Aldonza in Man of La Mancha (Triad Stage), in Archetypes (Prospect Theater Company), Spring Alive (Dixon Place, cast album available) and the 2022 Off Broadway revival of Merrily We Roll Along (NYTW). She is frequently seen in concerts around New York City and is often part of readings and workshops of new and developing works at theater companies like Playwrights Horizon, The York, and Musical Theatre Factory. As a voice over artist, she has recorded work for Netflix and Age of Learning among others. Her on-camera work includes appearances on "Powerbook III: Raising Kanan," “The Detour,” “The First Wives Club,” “Three Trembling Cities,” “Wing Women,” "Insomnia," and numerous commercials. Follow Sherz: @morethanonecher Follow us: @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul youtube.com/@artofkindnesspodcast Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mean Girls Star Jonathan Bennett's Broadway Dreams Come True in Spamalot
Apr 1 2024
Mean Girls Star Jonathan Bennett's Broadway Dreams Come True in Spamalot
Mean Girls icon Jonathan Bennett joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to chat following your dreams no matter what, getting out of your own way, jumping into Spamalot on Broadway and more. This isn't an April Fool's joke! Jonathan Bennett skyrocketed to fame after playing heartthrob Aaron Samuels in "Mean Girls." The GLAAD Award winner and five-time nominee broke new ground at Hallmark Channel starring in and executive producing “The Holiday Sitter,” the network’s first gay-led romantic comedy. Fans have dubbed him “The Gay King of Christmas,” for his many hit holiday movies on the network including “The Christmas House” franchise and most recently, “Christmas on Cherry Lane.” The talented actor also hosts the ratings powerhouses “Halloween Wars” and “Cake Wars” on Food Network, “Times Square New Year’s Eve,” and “Battle of the Decades” on Discovery Plus. His work to bring more LGBTQ+ storylines to television and movies earned him the Equality Visibility Award. Other fan-favorite roles include taking on the iconic character Van Wilder in National Lampoon’s Van Wilder: Freshman Year, as Steve Martin’s antagonistic son-in-law in Cheaper By the Dozen 2, and roles on popular shows such as “Station 19,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Fantasy Island,” and more. Get tickets to Spamalot and more at spamalotthemusical.com. Follow Jonathan: @jonathandbennett Follow us: @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul youtube.com/@artofkindnesspodcast Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Award-winning Opera Singer Sharon Azrieli: An Aria of Arts Education, Philanthropy & Jewish Stories
Mar 28 2024
Award-winning Opera Singer Sharon Azrieli: An Aria of Arts Education, Philanthropy & Jewish Stories
World-renowned Opera Singer Sharon Azrieli joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss giving back to arts education, amplifying the Jewish community and more under the kindness sun. Sharon Azrieli is a philanthropist and award-winning opera singer. Born in Montreal, Sharon’s voice has soared around the world, gracing Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Opera, and the Opéra Bastille de Paris, to name a few. She’s recorded a string of albums, including her latest Secret Places: A Tribute to Michel LeGrand. Most importantly, Sharon is a passionate philanthropist for arts education. She sits on the boards of several organizations, including the Azrieli Foundation for which she created the Azrieli Music Prize to celebrate rising stars in music.  Speaking of, the Azrieli Music Prizes, Sharon and the AMP are celebrating a decade of championing exceptional music creation in NYC with a very special concert. See Sharon shine alongside world-renowned talent on Thursday, March 28th at 7:30 PM in the Starr Theater of Alice Tully Hall, which is at the iconic Lincoln Center. More on Sharon: sharonazrieli.com Follow us: @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul youtube.com/@artofkindnesspodcast Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Notebook Musical Broadway Opening Carpet: Nicholas Sparks, Ingrid Michaelson & More
Mar 26 2024
The Notebook Musical Broadway Opening Carpet: Nicholas Sparks, Ingrid Michaelson & More
Bonus Episode Alert! Podcast history is being made - this is the first ever crossover episode event featuring Robert Peterpaul host of The Art of Kindness Podcast and Samantha Tuozzolo, co-host of Survival Jobs: A Podcast. Samantha and Robert are live on the opening night red carpet of The Notebook on Broadway asking cast, creative and attendees all about survival jobs and being kind!  This bonus episode features interviews with the stars and production team of the show including Ingrid Michaelson, Bekah Brunstetter, Joy Woods, Ryan Vasquez, Maryann Plunkett, Dorian Harewood, Jordan Tyson, John Cardoza, and Andrea Burns to name a few. Plus we chat with attendees including the man who started it all, Nicholas Sparks.  The Notebook is a new musical based on the best selling novel that inspired the iconic film. Allie and Noah, both from different worlds, share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart, in a deeply moving portrait of the enduring power of love. The Notebook is directed by Michael Greif (Dear Evan Hansen, Next to Normal, RENT, Spring Awakening) and Schele Williams (The Wiz, Aida) and features music and lyrics by multi-platinum singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson, book by Bekah Brunstetter (NBC’s This Is Us), and choreography by Katie Spelman. Buy tickets to the show here!  Follow us: @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul @survivaljobspod/ @sammytutz/ @jasonacoombs Support the shows! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) (www.buymeacoffee.com/SurvivalJobsPod) Episode editor: Carli Sanger Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Broadway's Annaleigh Ashford & Joe Tapper (The White Chip) Embrace Kindness Through Acts of Service
Feb 26 2024
Broadway's Annaleigh Ashford & Joe Tapper (The White Chip) Embrace Kindness Through Acts of Service
Broadway power couple Annaleigh Ashford and Joe Tapper join The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss teaching kindness and empathy to their son, overcoming shame, self-care in the theatre and their seminal show The White Chip. ANNALEIGH ASHFORD is making her producing debut with The White Chip and believes in supporting plays that provide an act of service to the community. As an actor she has received a Tony, two Drama Desks, the Drama League, an Outer Critics Circle and Clarence Derwent Awards, Emmy and Grammy nominations. Broadway: Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George, You Can’t Take It With You, Sylvia, Kinky Boots, Hair, Legally Blonde, Wicked. Select TV: “American Crime Story,” “Welcome to Chippendales,” “B Positive,” “Masters of Sex.” She will soon begin production on the true crime drama series “Happy Face” for Paramount+, and will next star in Searchlight Pictures’ horror thriller, DUST, opposite Sarah Paulson and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. JOE TAPPER stars in The White Chip. Broadway: You Can’t Take It With You. Off Broadway: Manahatta, Socrates, Henry V (The Public Theater); The White Chip (59E59); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Delacorte Theater); Gym at Judson; Cherry Lane Theatre; Mabou Mines/La MaMa. Regional: Shakespeare & Co., Berkshire Playwrights Lab, Huntington Theatre Company, Pioneer Theatre, Yale Repertory Theatre. TV: “Chicago Med,” “Blue Bloods,” “Masters of Sex,” “Odyssey,” “Brooklyn Taxi,” “Law & Order: SVU.” Training: Ithaca College BFA, Yale School of Drama MFA. Get tickets to The White Chip at whitechipplay.com. Recover Together at recovertogether.withgoogle.com. Follow us: @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
World-Renowned Choreographer Alonzo King: The Kindness of Stillness
Feb 12 2024
World-Renowned Choreographer Alonzo King: The Kindness of Stillness
Acclaimed choreographer and dance Alonzo King joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss the power of stillness, how everyone can tap into their own creativity and much more. Alonzo King is a dancer, choreographer, teacher and true thought leader. Born in Georgia to civil rights activists and now thriving in San Francisco, Alonzo remains a beacon of artistic innovation and social consciousness, especially in the world. Founding Alonzo King LINES Ballet in 1982 and the San Francisco Dance Center in 1989, he has tirelessly championed the transformative potential of movement, believing that dance is a universal language capable of fostering human connection. With his choreography, King seamlessly blends classical technique with contemporary vision, captivating audiences with works that delve deep into the human experience. His impact extends globally, as his artistry enriches the repertoires of prestigious dance companies around the world. Recognized with accolades such as the Kennedy Center Master of Choreography and the Dance Magazine Award, he holds Honorary Doctorate Degrees from The Juilliard School, California Institute of the Arts, and Dominican University of California. Learn more about Alonzo King LINES Ballet: linesballet.org Follow us: @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Percy Jackson and the Olympians Star Aryan Simhadri: The Magic & Kindness of Disney
Jan 8 2024
Percy Jackson and the Olympians Star Aryan Simhadri: The Magic & Kindness of Disney
Disney's Percy Jackson and the Olympians star Aryan Simhadri joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss playing Grover, positive moments on set with the cast and more. Aryan Simhadri is a performer with credits spanning stage and screen. A California native, the talent has been seen in films like Netflix and WWE’s The Main Event and television series such as NBC’s Will & Grace. The big mouse loves Aryan - huh huh! He’s been a part of many Disney projects over the years. Recently including, the Disney+ reboot of “Cheaper By The Dozen” alongside Zach Braff and Gabrielle Union, and Spin, the first Disney Channel Original Movie to feature a Southeast Asian-Indian lead cast.  Aryan also starred in a filmed version of the off-Broadway production of Trevor: The Musical, which was later released on Disney+. He got to flex his improv skills when he was cast on Disney’s “Just Roll With It” and has carved out a vibrant voiceover career, with credits like Disney’s Mira, The Royal Detective. While we’re on the Disney monorail here, we should probably park to talk about Aryan’s biggest role to date: He plays the ‘Grover’ in the Disney+ series “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” based on the popular “Percy Jackson” novels by Rick Riordan, which I used to devour growing up. Grover is considered the empathetic “heart of the series,” making him a wonderful character to break down on the AOK. Follow Aryan: @aryansimhadri Follow us: @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Holiday Kindness Tips with Born This Way Foundation's Mariah Karis
Dec 18 2023
Holiday Kindness Tips with Born This Way Foundation's Mariah Karis
Born This Way Foundation Program Associate Mariah Karis joins Robert Peterpaul of The Art of Kindness podcast to brainstorm kindness tips for the holiday season and new year, plus discuss the transformative work being done to create a kinder world at Lady Gaga's nonprofit. Born This Way Foundation, co-founded and led by Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Bissett Germanotta, supports youth mental health and works with young people to build a kinder and braver world. Through youth-driven research, programs, and strategic partnerships, Born This Way Foundation aims to make kindness cool, validate the emotions of young people, and eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health. Born This Way Foundation’s programs include #BeKind365, Channel Kindness, the Be There Certificate, and Please Stay – all aimed at connecting young people (and anyone!) with resources to build communities that understand, prioritize, and foster good mental health. Learn more at bornthisway.foundation. Mariah Karis is a Program Associate for Born This Way Foundation, where she helps assist with Channel Kindness, Please Stay, and other programs. Previously, she has worked for Missoula Children’s Theatre, traveling and teaching over 3,000 youth around the U.S. and world a musical theatre production in a week. A recent University of Montana graduate in Journalism and Entertainment Management, and a Blackstone Launchpad/Future Founders Fellow, Mariah launched her small business, The Giddy Thrifter, in the summer of 2021 and went on to place in three collegiate pitch contests, most recently winning third as the only woman semi-finalist in the traditional venture category of MSU50k. Originally from small-town Wisconsin, Mariah is passionate about the arts, female entrepreneurship, and creating a world where kindness and mental health awareness is at the heart of all that is done. You can follow Mariah on Instagram at @mariahkaris. Got kindness tips or stories? Email us: artofkindnesspodcast@gmail.com More on BTWF: bornthisway.foundation Follow us: @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Holiday Re-Release: Broadway Star Lesli Margherita (Matilda, Who's Holiday)
Dec 11 2023
Holiday Re-Release: Broadway Star Lesli Margherita (Matilda, Who's Holiday)
[Re-release] Revisit a cheerful chat from our Christmas Archive! Join The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul for a sparkling season one finale with Broadway star Lesli Margherita! Lesli talks kindness on Broadway, how she connects with her villainous roles like Mrs. Wormwood in Matilda, hacking self tape auditions in quarantine, growing up on a cattle ranch (where she performed Sondheim with cows), and a whole lot more. Plus, stay tuned for your final kindness tip of 2021 with special guest Cassie Carroll! Lesli Margherita is an Olivier Award-winning performer who earned the aforementioned award on the West End in Zorro. She made her Broadway debut in the original cast of Matilda in 2013, getting LOUD as the ICONIC and devilishly dazzling Mrs. Wormwood. She more recently appeared in Dames at Sea on Broadway and Off-Broadway in the one-woman show Who's Holiday, where she played a grown up Cindy Lou Who and then the musical Emojiland, as The Princess emoji. She's also got tons of incredible onscreen credits, from starting out in FAME LA to new movie The Many Saints of Newark to The Fairly OddParents reboot on Paramount! Thank you all for listening and being a part of our kindness community! Audio hugs all around, friends. Got kindness tips or stories? Email us: artofkindnesspodcast@gmail.com Follow Lesli: @queenlesli Follow us: @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices