The Art of Kindness: Pop Culture & Positivity with Robert Peterpaul

One Tree Hill star Bethany Joy Lenz joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul for a kind conversation centered on her debut novel The Betrayal of Cora Wexford. The NY-Times Bestselling author discusses acts of kindness that can changed her life, learning to trust her instincts after betrayal, and how she's finding the balance between protecting her peace and remaining open to connection. In this positive podcast episode, the actor talks: The act of kindness from her childhood that made all the difference Her Broadway dreams, plus a One Tree Hill musical? Her daughter’s unexpected lesson on road rage Why patience, honesty, and clarity matter in friendships Learning to trust her “Spidey Sense” and set boundaries Her self-kindness routine on the rigorous set of Hope Valley: 1874 and much more Plus, don't miss a special surprise from her One Tree Hill co-star Tyler Hilton! BETHANY JOY LENZ is a New York Times bestselling author, award-winning actress, director, executive producer, singer, composer, fine artist, and podcast host. In 2024, she released her memoir Dinner for Vampires, which became an instant New York Times bestseller for several weeks, earning widespread acclaim. The book was featured in VOGUE and TIME’s Top 100 Books of the Year, appeared on the cover of PEOPLE, and was highlighted by Vanity Fair, Variety, and New York Magazine. It was named a Best Book of 2024 by Audible, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble, selected as a Book of the Month Club pick, and celebrated with a sit-down interview on Call Her Daddy with Alex Cooper. Her debut novel, The Betrayal of Cora Wexford, releases with Simon & Schuster October 20th, 2026. Lenz currently stars in the series Hope Valley 1874 playing a widowed mother navigating new beginnings while helping to shape a growing community on the Canadian frontier, for Hallmark+ . Best known for her nine-year run as a lead on the hit CW drama One Tree Hill, she also starred as the Chicago District Attorney in USA’s Suits spinoff Pearson opposite Morgan Spector, and led the feature film So Cold the River, which she also executive produced. Recurring roles include Dexter, Grey’s Anatomy, Colony, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Lenz also co-hosted the chart-topping iHeartRadio podcast Drama Queens, praised by The New York Times, Forbes, The Hollywood Reporter, and Interview Magazine. The podcast explores the cultural legacy of One Tree Hill, addresses collective #MeToo experiences, and champions healing through female friendship, drawing multigenerational audiences of women eager to reconnect and engage. She can be found @MsBethanyJoyLenz and BethanyLenz.com Follow Bethany @msbethanyjoylenz Follow us: @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok Music: “Awake” by Ricky Alvarez & “Sunshine” by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the thing people make fun of you for is your superpower? Bravo's Southern Charm star, entrepreneur, and author Craig Conover joins Robert Peterpaul on The Art of Kindness for a heartfelt conversation about childhood bullying, reality TV, self-acceptance, and his new children's book, Patch Work: Bee Brave. Bee Kind. Bee You. Craig opens up about how being bullied as a kid prepared him for the vulnerability of reality television, why he refuses to let other people's cruelty steal his kindness, and how his love of sewing became a powerful reminder to embrace what makes us different. Plus, he shares a surprisingly simple trick for accepting compliments, why a little constructive criticism can be an act of kindness, and the advice that changed his life. This positive podcast episode explores: Why Craig says your “weirdness” can become your superpower How childhood bullying shaped his mission to help kids feel less alone What being bullied on reality TV taught him about vulnerability, authenticity, and being yourself Why you can coexist with someone without becoming their friend How Craig's father influenced his leadership style—and why kindness and constructive criticism can coexist The powerful message behind his new book Patch Work and its refreshingly realistic approach to bullying, forgiveness, and boundaries Why accepting a compliment can be an act of kindness, too The simple daily habit Craig recommends to make someone else's day How creativity, gratitude, and physical activity help Craig practice self-kindness Plus, Craig plays Sew or Tell, sharing his favorite way to show kindness, the most ridiculous thing he's ever sewn, and the advice he hopes everyone takes to heart. Whether you're a Southern Charm fan, a parent, a creative, or someone learning to embrace the things that make you different, this episode is a reminder that other people's opinions don't get to define you. CRAIG CONOVER is a fan favorite on Bravo’s hit series Southern Charm. After being mocked for his enthusiasm for sewing, Craig turned his pastime into a full-time career as co-founder of Sewing Down South, a thriving Southern-based sewing lifestyle brand. He has since expanded his Charleston ventures as a partner in local restaurant By the Way and wedding and event venue The Waverly. A board-certified attorney and graduate of the College of Charleston and Charleston School of Law, Craig also serves on the board of Hope For The Warriors. He is the author of the top-rated memoir Pillow Talk: What’s Wrong with My Sewing? and will release his debut children’s book, Patch Work: Bee Brave. Bee Kind. Bee You., on October 13, 2026. Follow Craig @caconover Follow us: @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok Music: “Awake” by Ricky Alvarez & “Sunshine” by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when we stop trying to control every interaction and let the world surprise us? Broadway's Swept Away and Dickinson star Adrian Blake Enscoe joins host Robert Peterpaul for a wonderfully weird and heartfelt conversation about creativity, strangers, silence, connection, and finding the magic in simply being present. This positive podcast episode features: Why making up a little story with a stranger is powerful How to embrace silence in a go-go-go world If bath houses could be the answer to reconnecting humanity The joy of disrupting the ordinary Acts of kindness from Bandits on the Run to Dickinson to Swept Away on Broadway, plus much more. ADRIAN BLAKE ENSCOE is an actor, musician, and creator known for his work on Broadway, television, and with his musical trio Bandits on the Run. He originated the role of Little Brother in Broadway's Swept Away and starred as Austin Dickinson in Apple TV+'s Dickinson. He is also a founding member of Bandits on the Run and has developed several original musical projects, including What's Eating Gilbert Grape. ⁠ Follow Adrian @adrian.blake.enscoe Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@artofkindnesspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@robpeterpaul⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support the show! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Operation Mincemeat or Operation Kindness? Jeff Kready, Amanda Jill Robinson, and Lexi Rabadi, stars of Broadway's Operation Mincemeat, join Robert Peterpaul on The Art of Kindness LIVE for a fun conversation on creativity, identity, ensemble, and the beautiful art of recovering when things don't go according to plan. Kindness was born to lead! This positive podcast episode covers: Quick-Change Secrets & Multi-Character Magic: Discover the hilarious and ingenious physical shortcuts the actors use to juggle playing dozens of different historical figures on Broadway's smallest stage. Unforgettable Backstage Mishaps: Hear never-before-shared stories from behind the curtain, including how the cast brilliantly handled a rogue set piece falling down and unexpected phone interruptions mid-scene. Actionable Tips to Brighten Your Day: The cast shares simple, low-effort ways to practice empathy and self-care in a fast-paced world, from micro-acts of kindness on public transit to immediate check-ins with loved ones. Operation Mincemeat is a musical comedy with book, music and lyrics by David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts. The plot is based on Operation Mincemeat, a Second World War British deception operation. Amanda Jill Robinson (she/her) is an actor, singer, musician, writer, and composer/arranger. A Long Island native, she is thrilled to be back in New York after most recently workshopping Sarah Rose Kearns’ adaptation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion as the Music Director/Arranger and Mary Musgrove, a role she originated in 2017. Amanda is the co-creator and half of the comedy duo Ruth and Estelle (the esteemed theatrical coaches of the original cast of Cats) and their joyful podcast, “Learning Through Laughter”. Listen on Apple and Spotify! amandajillrobinson.com Jeff Kready was most recently seen playing the Phantom of the Opera in the original company of Masquerade. Broadway: The Great Gatsby, Company, Tootsie, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Billy Elliot, Sunday in the Park with George, Les Misérables. Off-Broadway: Henry Ford in Ragtime (Encores). TV: Bert Healy in “Annie Live!” starring Harry Connick Jr. (NBC), “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (Amazon), “The Code” (CBS), “The Good Fight” (CBS), “Elementary” (CBS), “Boardwalk Empire” (HBO). In concert, he performs as guest soloist with symphony orchestras across the country. He was previously an elementary school music teacher and is a graduate of Washburn University in his hometown, Topeka, KS.  @jk_ready Lexi Rabadi previously starred in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Original Broadway Cast, 2023 Revival). From meat pies to mincemeat, this vegetarian is immensely grateful to return to Broadway joining this incredible mission. Other identities include: dog mom, notes app poet, amateur bird photographer, proud product of immigration. Deepest thanks to Teresa, Emily, Kym and Leala at Wolf Talent Group. Biggest love to family, gifted and chosen. “Stay Humble. Make Something.” @rabadilexi Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@artofkindnesspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@robpeterpaul⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support the show! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. This episode is powered by Welcome to Times Square. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mean Girls and Six the Musical star Caroline Siegrist graces The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul for a sweet conversation about the power of kindness in the theatre. Calling in from the dreamy The Cape Playhouse in MA, the performer discusses how even "mean" musicals are built on kind acts. This positive podcast episode covers: The behind-the-scenes acts of kindness that have made Mean Girls Caroline's favorite project yet Why she didn't see herself as Regina, but is so glad she trusted a friend Self-kindness while on tour with Six! the Musical The genius of Meg Stalter at the stage door How to really break down a musical theatre song, plus much more CAROLINE SIEGRIST she/her (Regina George) is overjoyed to spend the summer at The Cape Playhouse! Caroline was most recently seen as Katherine Howard on the Broadway National Tour of Six the Musical. Film: “It Ends With Us” (Katie). Endless thanks to her wonderful agents at Daniel Hoff and so much love to her family and friends. @carolinesiegristt The Cape Playhouse in Dennis, MA, is the longest-running professional summer theater in the country. You can catch Mean Girls playing through August 29. Follow Caroline: ⁠⁠@carolinesiegrist Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@artofkindnesspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@robpeterpaul⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support the show! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices