The Kindness Extremist with Shola Richards

For many people, saying 'no' feels uncomfortable and selfish. In this episode, Shola Richards challenges the common misconception that rejection is always unkind, explaining instead that a clear, honest no can be far more compassionate than a reluctant or dishonest yes.
 
He shares three powerful strategies for turning rejection into an act of respect, clarity, and genuine care:
Make Your 'No' A Gift of Clarity
The Preemptive No
The Opportunity Transfer
 
If you struggle with people-pleasing, overcommitting, or guilt when setting boundaries, this episode will change how you think about kindness and honesty. Tune in, and learn to say 'no' with confidence and compassion!
 
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Episode 25: The Power of Boundaries—Your Roadmap To Protecting What Matters Most
 
Timestamps:
00:00 Reframing Rejection as Kindness
03:51 The Gift of a Clear No
07:51 Avoiding The Reluctant Yes
12:19 Stop Blocking Opportunity
15:34 Conclusion: Saying No Is Kind
🔗 Connect with Shola:
Instagram – @sholarichards
Website – sholarichards.com
For speaking requests or collaborations: [email protected]
This podcast is produced by MicMoguls.

Raising kind kids has never felt harder. In a world that rewards cruelty, outrage, and attention-seeking behavior, kindness can feel completely out of reach for the next generation. In this episode, Shola Richards challenges the idea that “nice” is enough and makes the case that we need to be raising kindness extremists instead. 
Drawing from his experience as a father of two daughters, Shola breaks down why modeling kindness matters more than preaching it, how kids learn compassion by watching us under pressure, and what happens when we fail to give them the tools they need to stand up to cruelty.
The 3 Kindness Strategies Covered:
The Visible Resistance Practice
The Kindness Script Library
The Kindness Coalition
Whether you're a parent, caregiver, educator, coach, or just someone who cares about the next generation and the world they're inheriting, this conversation is for you! Share this episode with anyone in your life who cares about raising kind kids!
 
Timestamps:
00:00 Why Raising Kind Kids Matters
03:43 Strategy #1: Model Kindness
07:28 Strategy #2: Arm Your Kids With Kindness Scripts
12:00 Strategy #3: Build a Kindness Coalition
16:12 Conclusion: Kind Kids Are The Future
🔗 Connect with Shola:
Instagram – @sholarichards
Website – sholarichards.com
For speaking requests or collaborations: [email protected]
This podcast is produced by MicMoguls.

This episode of The Kindness Extremist Podcast drops on January 19, during MLK Day weekend, and just ahead of the one year mark since the executive orders targeting DEI programs and policies were passed. That timing matters.
 
DEI has been framed as divisive, unfair, and anti-merit - but that could not be further from the truth. In this episode, Shola Richards exposes how DEI actually supports meritocracy, why everyone benefits from these initiatives, and how we can make diversity, equity, and inclusion the norm.
 
This episode honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy. If you care about kindness, fairness, and building systems that actually work, tune in, and don't forget to leave a rating and review!
 
Timestamps:
00:00 DEI and honoring MLK's Legacy
04:55 Myth #1: DEI Is A Cheat Code
11:41 Myth #2: Only Black & Brown People Benefit
17:38 Bridging the Gap Through Meaningful Connection
21:56 Conclusion: DEI Is Not A Threat To Kindness
 
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Episode 11 - How To Beat Misinformation and Stay Grounded In Truth
Civil Unity by Shola Richards
🔗 Connect with Shola:
Instagram – @sholarichards
Website – sholarichards.com
For speaking requests or collaborations: [email protected]
This podcast is produced by MicMoguls.

Is the algorithm pulling you into a spiral of anger and reactivity while you scroll? In this episode, Shola is sharing three specific ways that social media is likely sabotaging your capacity for kindness, and what we can do to limit the doom scrolling and take a more intentional approach to our social media consumption.
 
Shola covers three Kindness Strategies to change your relationship to social media:
The 5-4-3-2-1 Reset
The Celebration Practice 
The Bridge Builder Challenge
 
This episode isn't a call to quit social media altogether or shame yourself for being online. Instead, it's about learning how to fight back against a system built to dehumanize and disconnect. Tune in to learn how! 
 
Timestamps:
00:00 How Social Media Is Sabotaging Kindness
04:17 Kindness Killer #1: The Scroll of Doom
08:20 Kindness Killer #2: Constant Comparison 
13:32 Kindness Killer #3: Radicalism
19:38 Fight Back For Kindness
 
 
🔗 Connect with Shola:
Instagram – @sholarichards
Website – sholarichards.com
For speaking requests or collaborations: [email protected]
This podcast is produced by MicMoguls.

Is fear holding you back? In this episode, Shola Richards breaks down why fear feels so powerful, why comfort can quietly limit your life, and how to move forward without ignoring fear or letting it control you.

This is not motivational hype or hustle culture advice. It is a grounded, psychology-informed conversation about how fear actually works and how to build a better relationship with it. You'll learn three uncommon strategies that help you face fear in ways that are realistic, compassionate, and sustainable.

If you are standing at the edge of a difficult decision, avoiding a conversation, delaying a dream, or staying in a situation that no longer fits, this episode is for you.
🔗 Connect with Shola:
Instagram – @sholarichards
Website – sholarichards.com
For speaking requests or collaborations: [email protected]
This podcast is produced by MicMoguls.