Growing Kindness™: Stories of kindness, generosity and community that inspire hope

What if the greatest gift in your hardest season is becoming a giver again? In this episode, I sit down with Robbie Bennett to share her powerful story of grief, healing, and finding purpose after loss. After walking through the illness and passing of her husband, Robbie found herself navigating a new life that felt uncertain and heavy. But through simple, intentional moments of being a giver, she began to rediscover joy and meaning. From bringing flowers into hospital rooms to offering them to strangers in everyday places, Robbie’s journey shows how small acts of kindness can transform not only others’ lives, but our own. Her story is a beautiful reminder that finding purpose doesn’t require something big or complicated. Sometimes it begins with choosing being a giver in the smallest ways. In this episode, we talk about: How Robbie Bennett began finding purpose again after loss through being a giver The emotional impact of small acts of kindness in hospitals, grocery stores, and everyday life Why being a giver can bring healing during seasons of grief and uncertainty How Robbie Bennett experienced connection and transformation through small acts of kindness The ripple effect that happens when we focus on finding purpose through simple, intentional giving Robbie Bennett’s story is a powerful reminder that small acts of kindness matter more than we realize. If this conversation encouraged you, share it with a friend and take one small step toward being a giver and finding purpose right where you are.   RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Full transcript available at this episode’s webpage. Printable Bouquet Tags   JOIN THE MOVEMENT: Join our free community of Growing Kindness™ Gardeners  Donate to help kindness grow Sign up for our newsletter for inspiration and updates Explore free resources like our Growing Guide and bouquet tags  Follow us on Instagram: @growingkindnessproject   CONNECT WITH ROBBIE BENNETT: Instagram

What if growing kindness could start with just a few flowers in your backyard? In this episode, I sit down with longtime Growing Kindness ambassador Amy Sonnek from Stillwater, Minnesota. Amy shares her beautiful acts of kindness story about how a small backyard garden turned into a meaningful way of giving away flowers in her community. What began during the pandemic as a search for connection quickly grew into something much bigger. Through a neighborhood flower stand, family bouquet gatherings, and everyday moments of generosity, Amy has found simple ways of growing kindness while also teaching kindness to her children and neighbors. Her story is a powerful reminder that giving away flowers can create connection, spark conversation, and inspire others to start growing kindness in their own communities. In this episode we talk about: How Amy discovered the Growing Kindness movement and began growing kindness in a small backyard garden The simple joy of giving away flowers and how a neighborhood flower stand sparked connection How gardening became a meaningful way of teaching kindness to her children and involving the whole neighborhood The legacy of gentle generosity that inspired Amy’s powerful acts of kindness story Why small acts like giving away flowers can create ripple effects that spread growing kindness far beyond what we expect Amy’s experience is a beautiful acts of kindness story that reminds us how simple it can be to begin teaching kindness in our homes and communities. If this episode inspires you, share it with a friend and continue growing kindness right where you are. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Full transcript available at this episode’s webpage. JOIN THE MOVEMENT: Join our free community of Growing Kindness™ Gardeners  Donate to help kindness grow Sign up for our newsletter for inspiration and updates Explore free resources like our Growing Guide and bouquet tags  Follow us on Instagram: @growingkindnessproject   FOLLOW AMY SONNEK: @amysonnek

Letting go to grow is never easy, but sometimes it’s the very thing that allows something beautiful to become what it was always meant to be. In this deeply personal episode, I’m sharing about the next chapter of growing kindness and a significant leadership shift that marks a new season for our movement. After seven years of nurturing this mission from the ground up, it’s time to loosen my grip and trust that what we’ve planted together is ready to grow in new ways. This conversation is both tender and hopeful. I’m reflecting on the early days of growing kindness, how it grew during the pandemic, and why this season of letting go to grow is not an ending but truly the next chapter. In this episode, I share: The story behind the early years of growing kindness and how it expanded during uncertain times Why this leadership shift is necessary for long-term strength and sustainability What letting go to grow looks like in real time How this transition marks the next chapter for our community Ways you can help shape the next chapter of growing kindness If you’ve ever built something you love, held it close, and then felt the nudge that it was time to release control, this episode is for you. Letting go to grow doesn’t mean stepping away from purpose. It means trusting that what we’ve planted together is ready for more hands, more voices, and a broader vision. This leadership shift is not about shrinking. It’s about strengthening. It’s about ensuring that growing kindness continues to flourish far beyond one person. Thank you for being part of this story. Thank you for believing in growing kindness. And thank you for stepping with us into the next chapter.    RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Full transcript available at this episode’s webpage. Link for Board Application Link for Survey   JOIN THE MOVEMENT: Join our free community of Growing Kindness™ Gardeners  Donate to help kindness grow Sign up for our newsletter for inspiration and updates Explore free resources like our Growing Guide and bouquet tags  Follow us on Instagram: @growingkindnessproject

In today’s episode, I sit down with Shannon Morris to share a powerful story of grief, love, and a legacy of kindness that continues to ripple outward. After the heartbreaking loss of her daughter Fallon, Shannon Morris chose to carry her daughters love forward through intentional acts of service and spreading kindness in her community. What unfolds is a deeply honest conversation about learning how to carry grief, honoring a child’s life, and discovering how love can still move through us even after profound loss. This episode is a gentle reminder that while we never “get over” grief, we can learn how to carry it in ways that bring healing, meaning, and connection. Through flowers, community projects, and small daily acts of generosity, Shannon shows us how a daughters love can become a living legacy that continues to touch lives. In this episode, we talk about: What it means to build a legacy of kindness in honor of a loved one How Shannon Morris carries her daughters love forward through everyday acts Why spreading kindness can be both healing and life-giving in grief How flowers, gardening, and simple rituals can support healing after loss Learning to carry grief while choosing love, hope, and compassion If you are walking through grief, loving someone who is, or simply needing a reminder that kindness still matters, I hope this conversation feels like a gentle place to land. May it encourage you to honor love, even in the hardest seasons, and trust that kindness can still bloom.   RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Full transcript available at this episode’s webpage.   JOIN THE MOVEMENT: Join our free community of Growing Kindness™ Gardeners  Donate to help kindness grow Sign up for our newsletter for inspiration and updates Explore free resources like our Growing Guide and bouquet tags  Follow us on Instagram: @growingkindnessproject   CONNECT WITH SHANNON MORRIS: Social media: @falonssprinklekindnessinc Website

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Darvish to explore the healing power of giving and the scientific link between service, kindness, and longevity. As we talk, we move beyond intuition and stories and into the fascinating science behind why acts of service change us at a cellular level. From hormones like oxytocin to the deep connection between emotional well-being and physical health, this conversation beautifully weaves together kindness psychology, medicine, and the lived experience of choosing generosity as a way of life. Together, Dr. Darvish and I explore how kindness is not just something we offer others, but something that actively heals and sustains us too. In this episode, we discuss: The healing power of giving and how service supports long-term health The scientific link between kindness, oxytocin, and reduced inflammation How kindness psychology explains the joy and calm we feel when we serve others Why generosity and connection are essential to longevity and wellbeing Practical ways to live out kindness as a daily, intentional practice If you’ve ever felt that kindness changes you just as much as it helps others, this conversation will give you both language and a scientific link to understand why. I hope it encourages you to keep choosing service, connection, and compassion in your everyday life. Listen in, be encouraged, and let this episode inspire you to share kindness in a way that supports both your well-being and the world around you.   Full transcript available at this episode’s webpage.   JOIN THE MOVEMENT: Join our free community of Growing Kindness™ Gardeners  Donate to help kindness grow Sign up for our newsletter for inspiration and updates Explore free resources like our Growing Guide and bouquet tags  Follow us on Instagram: @growingkindnessproject   CONNECT WITH DR. DARVISH: Holistique Website Holistique Instagram Holistique Facebook Personal Website Personal Instagram Personal Facebook

What happens when a classroom teacher turns her front yard into a kindness garden and quietly changes an entire town? In today’s episode, I sit down with Sue Carney, a retired teacher whose cut flower garden has become a powerful source of community kindness. What started as a love for gardening has grown into thousands of freely given bouquets, meaningful connections, and a beautiful example of how to show kindness in everyday life. Sue’s story reminds us that a simple cut flower garden can become a living invitation for community kindness, connection, and hope. In this episode, we talk about: How Sue Carney’s life in the classroom shaped her heart for community kindness Turning a front yard cut flower garden into a thriving kindness garden Practical ways how to show kindness through flowers, even with limited space The ripple effect of a kindness garden in a small-town community Why growing a cut flower garden can be one of the simplest ways to cultivate community kindness Sue Carney’s story is a powerful reminder that learning how to show kindness doesn’t require perfection or scale, just a willing heart, a few blooms, and the courage to start. Whether you dream of planting a kindness garden, growing a cut flower garden, or simply finding new ways how to show kindnesss right where you are, this conversation will leave you deeply inspired. Listen in and discover how one teacher, one kindness garden, and one community changed together.   RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Follow Steph Hankerson on Instagram Full transcript available at this episode’s webpage.   JOIN THE MOVEMENT: Join our free community of Growing Kindness™ Gardeners  Donate to help kindness grow Sign up for our newsletter for inspiration and updates Explore free resources like our Growing Guide and bouquet tags  Follow us on Instagram: @growingkindnessproject   CONNECT WITH SUE CARNEY: Instagram

In this episode, I sit down with flower farmer Kim Hill to talk about what it really looks like to combine cut flower gardening with a heart for community kindness. Kim shares her story of building dreams through flowers, navigating life as a for-profit flower farmer, and discovering how to spread kindness in sustainable, practical ways. This conversation is full of honesty, encouragement, and simple ideas that remind us we all have something beautiful to give. In this episode, we explore: How cut flower gardening can support both a livelihood and meaningful acts of community kindness Why building dreams does not require perfection, just willingness and abundance Practical, real-life ways Kim uses surplus flowers as a tool for how to spread kindness How generosity creates ripple effects that strengthen community kindness beyond what we can see Why cut flower gardening and giving can coexist without sacrificing sustainability or purpose Whether you grow a backyard garden or manage a flower farm, this episode will encourage you to rethink abundance, embrace building dreams through what you already have, and discover simple ways of how to spread kindness through flowers and connection. If this episode encouraged you, I invite you to take one small step today. Grow something. Share something. Or simply notice an opportunity for community kindness right where you are. Together, through cut flower gardening and intentional generosity, we can keep building dreams that bloom far beyond our own gardens.   RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Full transcript available at this episode’s webpage   JOIN THE MOVEMENT: Join our free community of Growing Kindness™ Gardeners  Donate to help kindness grow Sign up for our newsletter for inspiration and updates Explore free resources like our Growing Guide and bouquet tags  Follow us on Instagram: @growingkindnessproject   CONNECT WITH KIM HILL: Website Instagram Facebook

In today’s episode, I sit down with Growing Kindness ambassador Kelsey Tolsma and her daughter Brecklin to explore what it looks like to raise children who are truly growing kind. Kelsey shares how flowers became a source of courage, creativity, and connection for her daughters, and how their small acts of giving have grown into beautiful stories of giving that continue spreading kindness throughout their community. Together, we talk about the moments that have shaped their family’s journey, the joy of watching little hands carry big kindness, and why simple, everyday practices matter so much in creating kindness stories for kids that last a lifetime. We talk about: How one family began growing kind through flowers and turning ordinary moments into meaningful stories of giving\ The surprising ways children naturally begin spreading kindness when they are invited into generosity Why hands-on giving creates powerful kindness stories for kids that shape character and confidence The holiday tradition that helped plant deep seeds of kindness in Kelsey’s daughters How community, creativity, and connection grow when families choose intentional acts of kindness together This episode is a beautiful reminder that every act of generosity we share plants seeds of kindness that continue spreading kindness far beyond what we can see. If today’s stories of giving encouraged you, I’d love for you to join the Growing Kindness community, become a gardener, or support the movement through a donation. Together, we are growing kind hearts, one small act at a time.  Full transcript available at this episode’s webpage. JOIN THE MOVEMENT: Join our free community of Growing Kindness™ Gardeners  Donate to help kindness grow Sign up for our newsletter for inspiration and updates Explore free resources like our Growing Guide and bouquet tags  Follow us on Instagram: @growingkindnessproject   CONNECT WITH KELSEY TOLSMA: Instagram

What happens when teaching becomes a doorway to transformation, and students discover the power of community kindness through simple, hands-on work? In today’s conversation, I sit down with Amy Morrison, a devoted FFA teacher whose work with flowers has grown into a beautiful practice of community kindness. Her classroom is full of heartwarming stories, meaningful projects, and daily moments of hope and encouragement. Together, we explore how a single idea can take root in students’ lives and grow into something far bigger than any of us imagined. In this episode, we explore: • How Amy’s work with flowers invites students into real-world acts of community kindness • The heartwarming stories that show how creativity, generosity, and service shape students from the inside out • Why teachers become catalysts for hope and encouragement simply by creating space for students to give • How simple, accessible projects grounded in work with flowers can shift a classroom culture toward community kindness • The surprising impact that small, daily acts can have when multiplied through heartwarming stories across a school This conversation is filled with hope and encouragement, reminding us that when we root our teaching in community kindness and meaningful work with flowers, we create the kind of heartwarming stories that students carry for a lifetime.   Full transcript available at this episode’s webpage.   JOIN THE MOVEMENT: Join our free community of Growing Kindness™ Gardeners  Donate to help kindness grow Sign up for our newsletter for inspiration and updates Explore free resources like our Growing Guide and bouquet tags  Follow us on Instagram: @growingkindnessproject   CONNECT WITH AMY MORRISON: Mt Vernon FFA Instagram Mt Vernon FFA Facebook Amy’s Personal Instagram

What if the simple choice to offer what you have could truly change a life? In this tender conversation with my friend Ganjana, we explore one of the most powerful kindness stories I’ve ever witnessed within our growing kindness community. Her journey is woven with grief and hope, courage and fear, and the everyday bravery it takes to offer small acts of kindness even when life feels too overwhelming to bear. From early trauma to building connection through flowers, her story shows how the smallest gesture can ripple outward and genuinely change a life. As we talk, we return again and again to the heartbeat of growing kindness: noticing, responding, and trusting that small acts of kindness matter more than we can imagine. Ganjana’s story is a living reminder that even in seasons marked by grief and hope, our compassion carries weight, our presence matters, and every simple offering can become one of the kindness stories that help change a life. In this episode, we explore: • How receiving a single bouquet sparked a series of small acts of kindness that would slowly change a life • The way gardening opened a path of healing for Ganjana through seasons of grief and hope • Why the most meaningful kindness stories often begin with the courage to give what we already have • How growing kindness creates spaces of belonging and connection even in times of uncertainty • What her journey teaches us about showing up with compassion, presence, and small, steady steps forward If you’ve ever wondered whether your kindness counts, this episode is a gentle reminder that it always does. Your small acts of kindness are part of the kindness stories that can truly change a life. Join me as we continue growing kindness together.   RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Full transcript available at this episode’s webpage.   JOIN THE MOVEMENT: Join our free community of Growing Kindness™ Gardeners  Donate to help kindness grow Sign up for our newsletter for inspiration and updates Explore free resources like our Growing Guide and bouquet tags  Follow us on Instagram: @growingkindnessproject   CONNECT WITH GANJANA: Instagram

What happens when a five-year-old says yes to a simple idea - and keeps saying yes for the next fifteen years?  In this inspirational story about giving, I sit down with Maggie Hartman to talk about how one small act of generosity bloomed into a movement that’s helping thousands of people each year. At just five years old, Maggie started selling flowers from her garden to fund a family trip. But what began as a small dream quickly grew into something extraordinary. Today, Maggie uses the funds raised from growing flowers to give Christmas gifts to families in need every year - a living example of the power of saying yes to what’s right in front of you.  Through her story, we explore practical ways to give, how to find joy in generosity, and what happens when we choose to give back with what we have. What you’ll hear: How a childhood flower stand became an inspirational story about giving and community impact The life-changing ripple effects that happen when we choose to give back Practical ways to give through flowers, service, and simple acts of kindness The surprising lessons Maggie learned about hope, patience, and the power of saying yes Real-life acts of kindness examples that show how generosity transforms both giver and receiver Maggie’s journey reminds us that when we lean into the power of saying yes, we open the door to beauty, belonging, and purpose. Her story is proof that anyone - at any age - can give back in meaningful ways.   RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Full transcript available at this episode’s webpage.   JOIN THE MOVEMENT: Join our free community of Growing Kindness™ Gardeners  Donate to help kindness grow Sign up for our newsletter for inspiration and updates Explore free resources like our Growing Guide and bouquet tags  Follow us on Instagram: @growingkindnessproject   CONNECT WITH MAGGIE HARTMAN: Instagram: @maggies_flowers

What if the hardest season of your life became the soil where kindness could grow?  In this episode, I sit down with Alicia Plante, whose story is a beautiful reminder of the many ways to show kindness, even when life takes an unexpected turn. After a stage four cancer diagnosis, Alicia found purpose and peace through her garden - growing and sharing flowers as acts of generosity and love. Her story is a testament to the mental health benefits of gardening, the healing power of giving, and how even the smallest acts can begin creating community.  Together, we talk about how kindness can ground us in hope, nurture healing, and blossom into something that reaches far beyond ourselves, creating community in the most unexpected places. You’ll hear: How gardening became a lifeline for Alicia’s healing and hope The simple but powerful stories about giving that remind us kindness still matters The emotional and physical mental health benefits of gardening Teaching children compassion and generosity through growing and giving How small acts of kindness ripple outward, creating community and belonging Alicia’s story reminds us that even in the darkest seasons, beauty still grows. There are so many ways to show kindness, share beauty, and help the world bloom - one story, one seed, one act of love at a time.   RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Full transcript available at this episode’s webpage.   JOIN THE MOVEMENT: Join our free community of Growing Kindness™ Gardeners  Donate to help kindness grow Sign up for our newsletter for inspiration and updates Explore free resources like our Growing Guide and bouquet tags  Follow us on Instagram: @growingkindnessproject   CONNECT WITH ALICIA PLANTE: Instagram @queenplante

Have you ever wondered if one small act of kindness could truly make a difference?  In this first episode, I share how a simple cut flower garden planted during a hard season became the beginning of a movement dedicated to spreading kindness around the world. When I started the Growing Kindness™ Movement, I never imagined it would reach far beyond my own backyard. What began as a few jars of sweet peas gifted to strangers turned into a story of hope and encouragement, and connecting to community. In this episode, I open up about the doubts I faced when stepping into this work, stories about acts of kindness and the lessons they have taught me, and how beauty and generosity can bloom even in the hardest seasons. Here’s what I’m sharing today: What inspired me to begin a cut flower garden and give flowers as acts of kindness How the Growing Kindness™ Movement started from one family’s garden The science behind why kindness is contagious What it means to practice spreading kindness even when it’s imperfect How small acts can create powerful ripples of connecting to community If you’re looking for a little more hope and encouragement in your days, I’d love for you to grow kindness with us.   RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Full transcript available at this episode’s webpage.   JOIN THE MOVEMENT: Join our free community of Growing Kindness™ Gardeners  Donate to help kindness grow Sign up for our newsletter for inspiration and updates Explore free resources like our Growing Guide and bouquet tags  Follow us on Instagram: @growingkindnessproject   MORE ABOUT THE HOST, DEANNA KITCHEN: Growing up, Deanna Kitchen assumed her deep desire to connect with people and create community came from being raised in a tiny one-stoplight town. But over time, she’s come to realize that connection is more than where she’s from - it’s who she is. That same heartbeat for belonging became the seed that grew into The Growing Kindness ™ Movement. Deanna believes deeply in the importance of connection and community, the power of small acts of kindness, and leaning into the limitless possibilities that our limitations provide us. Married to her high school love (true story: they met through 4-H at the county fair) and mama to three amazing boys, they live together on their small scale flower farm @twigandvine, in a tiny town in Skagit Valley, about an hour north of Seattle. Together, their days are filled with flowers, farm critters and fairs, mountain biking and hiking. They’ve always seen their home and farm as an opportunity to invite others into a place of rest and gathering and the Growing Kindness Movement has become a very special extension of that deeply held value. What began with Deanna and her family’s simple act of growing and giving flowers has blossomed far beyond their farm fences. Today, Growing Kindness™ is a global movement - thousands of gardeners, givers, and dreamers around the world joining together to sow beauty, share hope, and remind one another that goodness still grows.

In a world that often feels divided and distant, I believe there’s still so much beauty to be found in small, simple acts of kindness.  Welcome to the Growing Kindness™ podcast - a home for heartwarming stories, honest conversations, and reminders that what you do really does make a difference. I’m Deanna Kitchen, founder of the Growing Kindness™ Movement, and I’m so glad you’re here. This trailer shares the heart behind this podcast - how stories about kindness and building community can restore our sense of connection, belonging, and hope. Here’s a little of what you’ll hear: • How a backyard garden turned into a global movement for spreading kindness and building community • Real people who’ve faced illness, loss, and change - and found healing through flowers • Why beauty and generosity still matter, especially in hard seasons • What you can expect from this season of hope and encouragement, and how these stories can inspire your own acts of kindness Pull up a chair as I share what’s in store for this season. I hope it reminds you that kindness still blooms - and that you have the power to grow it right where you are. 👉 Follow or Subscribe now to the Growing Kindness™ podcast so you don’t miss the first full episodes.   JOIN THE MOVEMENT: Join our free community of Growing Kindness™ Gardeners  Donate to help kindness grow Sign up for our newsletter for inspiration and updates Explore free resources like our Growing Guide and bouquet tags