The Kindness Extremist with Shola Richards

How do you treat the people who make your coffee, deliver your food, clean your hotel room, or bring your groceries?
Most of us believe we're kind people - but the truest test of our character isn't how we treat our friends or coworkers, but how we treat the people we'll probably never see again. In this episode, Shola Richards examines one of the most overlooked opportunities to create a kinder world: the everyday interactions we have with service workers. From eye contact and genuine appreciation to the uncomfortable reality of tipping culture, this conversation challenges us to rethink what kindness actually costs.
This episode explores why service workers often become invisible, what research reveals about the psychology of tipping, and three practical ways to make a meaningful difference through small, intentional actions. 
 
The Kindness Strategies:
The Service Worker Reframe
The New Baseline Tip
The Manager Praise Practice

If you truly want to create a kinder world, this episode will help you do just that every day of your life!
Timestamps:
00:00 - Day-to-Day Kindness: How We Treat Service Workers
03:39 - Bringing Back Visibility
09:29 - The Realities of Tipping 
15:01 - Giving Positive Feedback
20:24 - Conclusion: Committing to Kindness
  
For speaking requests or collaborations:
https://sholarichards.com/speaking/?utm_source=kindness_extremist&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep70
 
🔗 Connect with Shola:
Instagram – @sholarichards
Website – sholarichards.com
Read more on Substack.
This podcast is produced by https://www.micmoguls.com

What does real allyship actually look like when there's no audience, no applause, and nothing to gain? In this episode, Shola Richards explores the difference between performative allyship and the kind of everyday actions that create lasting change. Inspired by lessons learned in the years following the murder of George Floyd, Shola shares why meaningful allyship isn't measured by social media posts or public statements, but by the quiet choices we make when nobody is watching.
 
Through the episode, Shola shares research about the bystander effect and illustrates what courageous leadership looks like with real-life examples. He also introduces three practical strategies for becoming a more effective ally across race, gender, disability, sexuality, religion, and other differences that shape our experiences. The episode will help every ally understand how to use social and professional capital to support others and why the focus should be on building sustainable, lifelong allyship habits.
 
The Kindness Strategies:
The Private Allyship Test
The Real Cost Practice
The LongHaul Commitment

 If you want to be a better ally, this one is for you! 

Timestamps:
00:00 - Mainstream Performative Allyship
04:26 - What Do You Do When No One Is Watching?
09:39 - Using Your Professional & Social Capital
14:50 - Allyship as a Lifetime Commitment
18:45 - Conclusion: Be a Better Ally
 
For speaking requests or collaborations:
https://sholarichards.com/speaking/?utm_source=kindness_extremist&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep69
🔗 Connect with Shola:
Instagram – @sholarichards
Website – sholarichards.com
Read more on Substack.
This podcast is produced by https://www.micmoguls.com

Most of us think we're kind, patient people - that is until someone cuts you off in traffic. In this episode, Shola Richards explores why road rage happens, the surprising psychology that makes us judge other drivers differently than ourselves, and three practical strategies to help you stay calm when traffic puts your character to the test.
 
The Kindness Strategies:
✔️ The Driver Reframe
✔️ The 30-Second Pause Practice
✔️ The Driver Intention Practice
 
If your commute leaves you feeling angry and stressed, this episode might just change what happens every time you get behind the wheel.

For speaking requests or collaborations:
https://sholarichards.com/speaking/?utm_source=kindness_extremist&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep68
 
🔗 Connect with Shola:
Instagram – @sholarichards
Website – sholarichards.com
Read more on Substack.
This podcast is produced by https://www.micmoguls.com

Most of us would never speak to a friend the way we speak to ourselves in the mirror. So why do we believe our bodies deserve criticism instead of compassion? In this episode, Shola Richards uncovers the hidden cost of negative body talk and why self-criticism rarely creates positive, lasting change. Backed by research on self-compassion and filled with practical kindness strategies, this episode challenges the belief that shame is a good motivator and offers a healthier, more sustainable path forward.
 
Shola explains how body kindness is different from body positivity and explores where your inner critic may have come from in the first place. Plus, he shares three simple practices that can help you build a more compassionate relationship with the one place you'll spend your entire life: your body.
 
The Kindness Strategies:
✔ The Body Gratitude Practice
✔ The Mean Talk Interruption
✔ The Body Kindness Action
 
If you've struggled with body image and are ready to quiet the harsh voice in your head, this conversation will help you move forward with self-kindness instead! 
 
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Dr. Kristin Neff: https://self-compassion.org/
Episode 31: The Truth About Procrastination [It's Not What You Think] https://youtu.be/FEz4XEZGxIE

For speaking requests or collaborations:
https://sholarichards.com/speaking/?utm_source=kindness_extremist&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep67
🔗 Connect with Shola:
Instagram – @sholarichards
Website – sholarichards.com
Read more on Substack.
This podcast is produced by https://www.micmoguls.com

Can you actually tell the difference between anxiety and intuition? For many people, distinguishing between these two sensations can feel impossible. In this episode, Shola Richards breaks down three practical strategies that can help you recognize which inner voice you're actually hearing before making your next big decision.

Through the episode, Shola shares the personal story of how anxiety nearly convinced him to walk away from the work he was called to do, plus examples of what happens when you learn to listen to your intuition. You'll discover why anxiety creates urgency, why intuition rarely does, and how slowing down may be the most powerful decision-making skill you can develop.
 
The Kindness Strategies:
✔ The Body Signal Check
 ✔ The Pattern Test
 ✔ The Slow Knowing Practice
 
Stop getting caught up in the stories that anxiety is feeding you, and start listening to your inner wisdom instead. Whether you're facing a career decision, relationship challenge, or simply relearning to trust yourself, these strategies can help you move forward with greater clarity and confidence.
 
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Dr. Antonio Damasio, Author of Descartes' Error: https://dornsife.usc.edu/profile/antonio-damasio/
 
For speaking requests or collaborations:
https://sholarichards.com/speaking/?utm_source=kindness_extremist&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep66
 
🔗 Connect with Shola:
Instagram – @sholarichards
Website – sholarichards.com
Read more on Substack.
This podcast is produced by https://www.micmoguls.com