The Kindness Extremist with Shola Richards

As a new year approaches, it is tempting to believe that the calendar flip will magically transform your life. In this episode, Shola Richards challenges that idea and shares a powerful truth: Real change does not come just because the year changes. It comes from building daily practices that rewire your brain for confidence, resilience, and self-kindness. Using neuroscience, real-life stories, and practical tools, Shola shares three habits that will help you stop fixating on failures and start recognizing your impact. These practices are simple but powerful, and they work even when motivation is low. This episode is for you if:You feel stuck repeating the same patterns every yearYou struggle with self-doubt or imposter syndromeYou minimize your wins and focus on where you fall shortYou want confidence that does not disappear when things get hard Tune in, and prepare to start 2026 off on the right foot!🔗 Connect with Shola:Instagram – @sholarichardsWebsite – sholarichards.comFor speaking requests or collaborations: [email protected] This podcast is produced by MicMoguls.

What does real empathy actually look like in a world that feels more divided, reactive, and disconnected than ever? In this episode, Shola Richards is addressing the empathy recession we're facing and why our inability to truly understand one another is quietly tearing at the fabric of our relationships, workplaces, and communities. In the episode, Shola shares three powerful empathy practices that will help you move from judgment to understanding, even when dealing with difficult people, emotional triggers, or high-conflict situations.  This week's Kindness Strategies:👂 Practice active listening🪞 Use the "Just Like Me" practice⁉️ Make curiosity your default response to behavior you don't understand This is not a feel-good conversation about being “nice.” It is a grounded, research-backed exploration of empathy as a practical skill that can be strengthened with intention and practice. If you are tired of feeling disconnected, misunderstood, or constantly on edge, this episode will change how you see people and how you show up in the world. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to Empathy00:48 Welcome to the Kindest Extremist Podcast01:13 The Empathy Recession01:37 The Power of Empathy02:09 Active Listening: A Key to Empathy08:26 The "Just Like Me" Practice15:03 Understanding Unmet Needs17:37 Curiosity Over Judgment20:52 Conclusion: The Journey to a Kinder World🔗 Connect with Shola:Instagram – @sholarichardsWebsite – sholarichards.comFor speaking requests or collaborations: [email protected] This podcast is produced by MicMoguls.

Most of us think we know who we are, until a moment of unexpected behavior, defensiveness, or discomfort reveals that something deeper is happening beneath the surface. In this episode, Shola Richards explores why so many of us move through life on autopilot and how a lack of self-awareness quietly shapes our reactions, relationships, and sense of authenticity.  This episode gets into:• Why you show up as different versions of yourself in different environments • What your defensiveness exposes about your identity and insecurities • The role of “past self cringe” and how it reveals your growth • How unconscious patterns can quietly create harm, even with good intentionsPlus, you'll learn three practical strategies you can start using this week to increase your self-awareness! Listen in to discover the inner patterns shaping your outer world, and how self-awareness can help you create kinder relationships and spaces wherever you go.🔗 Connect with Shola:Instagram – @sholarichardsWebsite – sholarichards.comFor speaking requests or collaborations: [email protected] This podcast is produced by MicMoguls.

The holiday rush can unfortunately bring out the worst in people, especially in stores, airports, and restaurants. In this episode, Shola Richards shares a powerful reminder about what retail and service workers actually experience during the busiest time of the year, and what we can do to create more humanity in the chaos. Shola shares insights from his years as a customer service worker and trainer to help you show up with presence and respect while navigating crowded stores, long lines, and stressful moments.  You'll learn 3 strategies for being an "epic customer" this season:The Humanity CheckThe 3R ResponseThe 3 Tell Method This episode will help you move through busy stores with more ease, treat employees with the respect they deserve, and create positive interactions that can completely change someone’s day.  Want to learn more? Check out the article that inspired this episode: https://sholarichards.com/the-18-inescapable-laws-of-customer-epicness/ Tune in, and don't forget to leave a rating and review wherever you listen!🔗 Connect with Shola:Instagram – @sholarichardsWebsite – sholarichards.comFor speaking requests or collaborations: [email protected] This podcast is produced by MicMoguls.

The holidays are often presented as the “most wonderful time of the year,” but for many people, this season brings pressure, exhaustion, and complicated emotions. In this episode, Shola Richards opens up about why the holidays can feel so heavy and offers grounded, compassionate strategies to help you move through the season with intention and self-respect. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by expectations, worn out by family dynamics, or guilty for not loving the holidays, this conversation offers clarity and comfort to help you navigate the month of December. You'll learn how to:Opt out intentionallyRedefine what the holidays on your termsFind the people who truly get it...All in the name of protecting your peace this holiday season. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction: Challenging Holiday Norms01:02 Welcome to the Kindness Extremist Podcast01:12 The Pressure of Holiday Expectations02:55 Opting Out for Your Mental Health05:50 Creating Your Escape Route Strategy07:55 Redefining the Holidays on Your Terms13:13 Finding Your Holiday Reality Friends17:52 Conclusion: Radical Self-Kindness🔗 Connect with Shola:Instagram – @sholarichardsWebsite – sholarichards.comFor speaking requests or collaborations: [email protected] This podcast is produced by MicMoguls.