Peter interviews Pete Falknor, General Manager at Chicago Music Exchange. Pete shares a story that reinforces how giving and receiving kindness amplifies it for everyone. Dede & Peter also had a sneak peek of Chicago Music Exchange's showroom,

Coping with the "New Normal" Post Quarantine

Jun 1st, 2020 7m 19s

Let's be honest, this "new normal" after shelter in place kinda sucks. Dede and Peter share how they're having trouble adjusting to wearing a mask and people being socially distant. How are you coping?

Use Music to Boost Your Mood

May 25th, 2020 12m 25s

Dede & Peter talk about how music helps them overcome depression and motivates them throughout their day. Peter talks about his Cochlear implant (Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid - BAHA) and how it's been life changing. He just experienced hearing in

Happy Mother's Day

May 10th, 2020 6m 15s

Dede & Peter are wishing you all a special Mother's Day of good health, peace, and harmony. Keep rocking Moms!

Fighting Depression During Quarantine

May 6th, 2020 12m 44s

Are you struggling with mental health? Dede and Peter talk about how quarantine is making them anxious and depressed. They discuss how they're coping and encourage everyone to be kind to both themselves and others. Everyone is grieving somethi

The Story Behind Peter's Leather Jacket

Mar 30th, 2020 14m 11s

Dede & Peter talk about discovering Benheart luxury leather artisans in Florence, Italy while on their 2019 family vacation. They met the owner, Ben, and feel a deep connection with the brand. This story of connection and kindness will open you

Surviving Social Distancing

Mar 21st, 2020 13m 9s

The Pete's Diary Show is back for Season 2! Dede & Peter give an update on how they're surviving the pandemic crisis, thoughts on how to help musicians and businesses, and their concern for the rare disease community. Peter shares his experienc

Pete's First Burst & a Fresh New Year's Perspective

Dec 30th, 2019 14m 6s

Peter gives us a tour of his new 1960s Gibson Les Paul Bourbon Burst and plays some sweet riffs. Dede challenges you to start 2020 with a fresh perspective by checking in with your feelings and outlook. They end Episode 10 reminding you that

Peter's First Gibson Story and a Secret Santa Surprise

Dec 23rd, 2019 16m 42s

Peter talks about his first Gibson Guitar in this special holiday edition of The Pete's Diary Show. Dede surprises Peter with a story about a Secret Santa who shops at Chicago Music Exchange and sent Peter a special gift. Don't miss the ending

Slash Riffs & Life Lessons from an NHL Coach

Dec 16th, 2019 20m 26s

Peter plays his favorite Slash riffs, and Dede shares how excited she is about scoring tickets for the Stadium Tour 2020. Hear the story of how NHL Coach Mike Babcock inspired Dede to raise Peter to "Be a Difference Maker." You can also watch E

Van Halen, Positive Self-Talk & Practicing Empathy

Dec 2nd, 2019 14m 26s

This one's for Van Halen fans! Peter shares trivia and older Van Halen songs he's enjoying. Dede challenges you to write the dedication page of your life story and to make sure the words are positive self talk. They discuss why it's important t

Pete's Surgery, Music as Therapy & Practicing Gratitude

Nov 25th, 2019 13m 2s

Peter talks about his recent surgery and the music he listened to in the hospital. Dede recommends embracing the holiday chaos and appreciating the moments. Giving to charity is also a way to show kindness during the holiday season. Pete's Dia

AC/DC, Loneliness & Kindness from Strangers

Nov 18th, 2019 14m 44s

Peter talks about AC/DC & Malcolm Young being an early influence on the guitar, and Dede talks about how we can all do our part to end the loneliness epidemic. They discuss how Pete's Diary social media followers sent so much support and kindn

Blues Power Fuels Kindness

Nov 11th, 2019 8m 3s

Peter talks about getting to play with Jared James Nichols in Chicago and Dede shares how Peter is a great example that anything is possible with passion and a positive attitude. Chicago Music Exchange lends more kindness in the form of a loane

Trapper Schoepp Music, Guitars & Bob Dylan

Nov 7th, 2019 16m 17s

Peter interviews and jams with Trapper Schoepp, who talks about his music influences, a special vintage guitar, and a song he co-wrote with Bob Dylan.

Chicago Music Exchange Amplifies Kindness

Nov 5th, 2019 9m 26s

Dede and Peter talk about how a visit to Chicago Music Exchange after one of his surgeries turned into a fun afternoon playing vintage guitars. Learn the story behind Peter's Jared James Nichols "Old Glory" Signature Epiphone and why you shoul

When Guitars Create Connections

Nov 5th, 2019 11m 39s

Dede & Peter talk about how their first visit to Norman's Rare Guitars in LA amplified kindness and how being exceptional means you must have the courage to stand out. Peter rocks his Gibson Les Paul gold top and reviews a new band he discover

Kindness & Guitar Lessons

May 17th, 2019 10m 48s

Peter interviews fellow classmate and class of 2019 graduate Thomas Power who is a jazz guitar player at Libertyville High School. Thomas recalls how his Mom pushed him to take jazz lessons whe he preferred heavy metal. He fought against it a

Kindness Helps Mom

May 10th, 2019 18m 16s

Peter interviews his Mom, Dede Dankelson, in this bonus episode for Mother's Day. Dede shares how the novel Wonder by R.J. Palacio inspired a random act of kindness that happened on the same day she received bad news from one of his doctors.

Kindness is Delivered for Christmas

May 3rd, 2019 10m 49s

Peter interviews Donnalyn Warmbold who is a Data Processing Specialist at Libertyville High School in Illinois. Mrs. Warmbold shares how an anonymous "Grinch" made sure her family had a nice Christmas after her father passed away from cancer.

Kindness Weathers Winter

Apr 19th, 2019 21m 32s

Peter interviews Adam Faulkner who teaches special education at Libertyville High School in Illinois. Mr. Faulkner shares how a stranger risked his own safety to drive him back to school during a winter storm. That was over 20 years ago durin

Kindness Listens Quietly

Apr 5th, 2019 19m 34s

Peter interviews Jeremy Marino who teaches Orchestra at Libertyville High School in Illinois. They discuss how kindness often goes unnoticed in the simple acts people do for you every day and how we can all practice patience and listening to s

Kindness Gets You Through Challenging Times

Mar 22nd, 2019 9m 25s

Peter interviews Daniel Gooris who teaches Physical Education at Libertyville High School in Illinois. Mr. Gooris recalls how family and friends created a community of support for he and his wife after their daughter was born with medical comp

Kindness Thinks Outside the Box

Mar 8th, 2019 12m 42s

Peter interviews Alice Leafblad who teaches Social Studies and Life Skills at Libertyville High School in Illinois. Mrs. Leafblad shares how her 5th grade teacher believed she could achieve more and invested his time into helping her find ways

Kindness Heals Hearts

Feb 22nd, 2019 12m 22s

Peter interviews Dyan Naslund who teaches English at Libertyville High School in Illinois. Ms. Naslund talks about a health scare she had several years ago and how she had the courage to let her colleagues know about it. Having the courage to