Raising Kind Minds

Kathryn Lovewell and Liz Walker

Raising Kind Minds asks: What sort of voice will your child grow up with? Because every word they say to themselves begins with what they hear from others. Hosted by Kathryn Lovewell and Liz Walker of Kind Mind Academy, this podcast helps parents, carers, and educators shape the inner voices of the next generation and strengthen their own along the way. When we nurture a child’s inner voice to be kind, we equip them with the skills to navigate and cope with friendship fires, playground dramas, teenage storms, exam pressures, social media influence, and all the challenges of modern life with confidence and calm. Each episode blends expert insights, real‑life stories, and practical mindfulness and self‑compassion tools to help adults learn and model healthy self‑talk, soothe their inner critic, and guide children to do the same. Grounded in evidence‑based methods from Mindful Self‑Compassion, positive psychology, and neuroscience, Raising Kind Minds is your invitation to think kinder, feel stronger, and raise children who are happy in their own skin.

  1. 6 hr ago

    #15.1 | Victoria Brattini - 3 Physical Tricks to INSTANTLY Calm Your Nervous System

    THE INTERVIEW What does your child say to themselves when things don’t go their way? Victoria Brattini joins Kathryn Lovewell and Liz Walker for a warm, honest conversation about why being kind to yourself isn’t self-indulgent. Victoria is a certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher and a mum and grandmother, and she has been meditating for more than 40 years. She shares small things you can do every day to calm yourself when it all gets too much: a gentle touch, a soft voice, just being there. When you feel safer, home feels safer too. And when your children watch you have a hard moment, be kind to yourself and start again, they learn how to do it too. Because your voice today becomes their voice tomorrow. Key Takeaways Self-compassion provides a structured framework that grants permission to be fully human and softens the inner critic. Soothing touch, soft vocalisations, and warmth activate the mammalian caregiving system to calm stress. Children absorb emotional regulation and self-kindness far more through modeled behavior than direct instruction. True resilience comes from shifting our relationship to life's changes rather than trying to prevent change. Compassionate listening without correcting creates a foundation of trust where children feel genuinely heard. Quotes "Compassion is actually a verb. So when we're compassionate, we know that we're suffering... and we're motivated to do something about it." "The act of just stopping and saying, wow, this is really hard... and can I be kind to myself?" "These are little things, but they're actually superpowers... they help us shift out of our stress system and into our mammalian caregiving system." "We're not changing our lives, we're changing our relationship to our lives." "We have a superpower in kindness and care. And just doing that for ourselves lays a foundation for our children." Chapters 02:12 - Welcome Victoria Brattini 03:08 - The Difference Between Meditation and Self-Compassion  11:08 - The Science of Soothing Touch and Nervous System Regulation  19:22 - Bringing Self-Compassion into Everyday Family Life  24:30 - Applying Self-Compassion in Messy Parenting Moments  32:42 - How to Keep Going When You Feel Like You're Failing  38:50 - The Power of Compassionate Listening  45:00 - Navigating the Real Challenges of Raising a Family  53:00 - Where to Connect with Victoria Brattini 58:02 - Wrapping Up with Kathryn and Liz  TAKE THE SELF-KINDNESS QUIZ kindmindacademy.com/kq-rkm HOW TO CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST https://www.lagunameditation.com/about https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-brattini-308b9645/ https://www.instagram.com/lagunameditation/ HOW TO CONNECT WITH YOUR HOSTS https://RaisingKindMindsPodcast.com https://KindMindAcademy.com https://TheBoosterWay.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/KathrynLovewell https://www.linkedin.com/in/LizWalker8 CONNECT WITH RKM ON SOCIALS https://www.facebook.com/RaisingKindMindsPodcast https://www.instagram.com/RaisingKindMindsPodcast https://www.youtube.com/@raisingkindmindspodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@RaisingKindMindsPodcast HOST BIOS Kathryn Lovewell is the founder of Kind Mind Academy, an award-winning international speaker and best-selling author specialising in Self-Compassion. A Senior Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher and creator of The Booster Way®, she has spent over a decade helping adults, families, and educators transform self-criticism into confidence and self-trust. Kathryn blends science, storytelling, and humour to make personal growth relatable, and accessible. She’s real, she’s been there, and she’s passionate about helping people stop beating themselves up and start living happier, kinder lives. Grounded, heartfelt, and a little mischievous, Kathryn believes laughter and compassion are equally powerful medicine. Liz Walker is the co-founder of Kind Mind Academy and co-host of Raising Kind Minds. Known for her warmth, humour, and emotional intelligence, Liz brings genuine humanity to every conversation. With decades of experience in business, personal development and client care, she pairs practical wisdom with deep compassion. Liz doesn’t do hype; she believes real change begins with honesty, kindness, and a good laugh at ourselves now and then. She is passionate about helping people feel seen, safe, and supported as they learn to lead their lives with more self-belief and joy. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

    #15.1 | Victoria Brattini - 3 Physical Tricks to INSTANTLY Calm Your Nervous System
  2. 3 days ago

    #14.3 | Set Your Worries Down: A Gentle Meditation for Parents

    THE MEDITATION When did you last put down everything you’re carrying, even for a moment? In this 16-minute guided meditation, Lovely Liz takes you through what Amy Smythe, The Worry Wizard, calls an exhale moment. It’s the moment you finally set down something you’ve been carrying for far too long. You don’t need to have heard this week’s interview with Amy first. Find somewhere comfortable, sitting or lying down. Liz invites you to notice where your worries sit in your body and offer those places a little warmth. Then you picture yourself beside a strong old tree and set your worries down beneath it, one by one. The earth can hold them for a while. Nothing you set down there is wasted. You don’t have to carry everything. And you don’t have to carry it alone. KEY TAKEAWAYS Embrace the Exhale Moment: Extending your exhale creates physical and emotional room to release accumulated stress and tension. Visualise Unburdening: Giving worries a physical shape or weight makes it easier to practice setting them down beside a grounding symbol, such as an ancient tree. Nothing Set Down Is Wasted: Re-framing set-aside worries as "compost" reminds us that difficult emotions and burdens can nourish future growth rather than remain heavy loads. Offer Yourself Warm Affirmations: Meeting your internal landscape with compassionate phrases like "Hello, lovely" and "You are doing enough" helps soften overthinking and self-criticism. Your Well-Being Matters: Caring for yourself does not take away from those you love; taking time to rest enhances your ability to care for your family. BEST MOMENTS "An exhale moment - that moment when we finally set down something we've been carrying inside, perhaps for far too long." "You don't need to work anything out right now... Simply noticing: I'm carrying quite a lot." "What you set down slowly becomes compost - something rich, something that will nourish the earth. Nothing you set down here is wasted." "Hello, lovely... You're doing enough. You don't have to have all the answers." "You matter in this family too. Your wellbeing matters, your worries matter, and making space to care for yourself is not taking anything away from the people you love." HOW KIND IS YOUR INNER VOICE?  TAKE THE KINDNESS QUIZ kindmindacademy.com/kq-rkm LINK TO THE INTERVIEW  Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/47T3B6kt6rmrx2gsijD2SV Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/14-1-amy-smythe-your-child-is-carrying-a-worry-they/id6783327960?i=1000795829089 YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZtafcTi3qHE LINK TO THE CONVERSATION Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1N0vTrdbuHmKyCsjyDYUe7 Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/14-2-the-invisible-timer-every-parent-is-running/id6783327960?i=1000796219579 YouTube: https://youtu.be/qlV3rNdo7KI HOW TO CONNECT WITH YOUR HOSTS https://RaisingKindMindsPodcast.com https://KindMindAcademy.com https://TheBoosterWay.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/KathrynLovewell https://www.linkedin.com/in/LizWalker8 CONNECT WITH RKM ON SOCIALS https://www.facebook.com/RaisingKindMindsPodcast https://www.instagram.com/RaisingKindMindsPodcast https://www.youtube.com/@RaisingKindMindsPodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@RaisingKindMindsPodcast HOST BIOS Kathryn Lovewell is the founder of Kind Mind Academy, an award-winning international speaker and best-selling author specialising in Self-Compassion. A Senior Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher and creator of The Booster Way®, she has spent over a decade helping adults, families, and educators transform self-criticism into confidence and self-trust. Kathryn blends science, storytelling, and humour to make personal growth relatable, and accessible. She’s real, she’s been there, and she’s passionate about helping people stop beating themselves up and start living happier, kinder lives. Grounded, heartfelt, and a little mischievous, Kathryn believes laughter and compassion are equally powerful medicine. Liz Walker is the co-founder of Kind Mind Academy and co-host of Raising Kind Minds. Known for her warmth, humour, and emotional intelligence, Liz brings genuine humanity to every conversation. With decades of experience in business, personal development and client care, she pairs practical wisdom with deep compassion. Liz doesn’t do hype; she believes real change begins with honesty, kindness, and a good laugh at ourselves now and then. She is passionate about helping people feel seen, safe, and supported as they learn to lead their lives with more self-belief and joy. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

    #14.3 | Set Your Worries Down: A Gentle Meditation for Parents
  3. 5 days ago

    #14.2 | The Invisible Timer Every Parent Is Running - Debrief on Amy Smythe

    THE CONVERSATION Do you feel like you’re constantly rushing your child towards the next milestone, only to miss the magic happening right in front of you? This week, Liz and Kathryn sit down for a warm, open-hearted reflection on their recent chat with Amy Smythe. Together, they explore the quiet power of presence, why our nervous system’s energy speaks before we say a word, and how to shrink the “giant ear” that tunes into criticism. From accepting that life isn't a finish line to holding space for "happy-sad" moments, this conversation is an invitation to slow down, drop the self-judgment, and bring a little more kindness into your daily parenting.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Energy Precedes Language: Children tune into a parent's nervous system and presence long before words are spoken. Life Isn't a Finish Line: True connection happens when parents stop focusing purely on future goals and choose to savor the present moment. Hold Space for Mixed Feelings: Emotional complexity, like feeling "happy-sad," is entirely natural and worth honoring. Shrink the Critical Ear: Playful visuals can help ease anxiety and allow kids to absorb comforting, positive words. Practice Compassionate Listening: Pausing before jumping in allows children space to feel seen and heard. Quotes "Life is not a finish line... let each moment be enough." "What is the energy I'm exuding and how that will influence a child?" "To strengthen the child, we need to strengthen and support the grownups." "Our job is to be the one that is steady like a tree." "Can we be curious in such a manner that we ask questions, not tell them the answers?" CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction to the Conversation  01:29 - The Power of Loving Connected Presence  08:04 - Supporting Grown-ups to Support Children  15:25 - The Giant Ear & Easing Self-Criticism 20:08 - Understanding "Happy-Sad" & Mixed Emotions  24:36 - Rethinking the Finish Line Analogy  31:54 - Compassionate Listening & The Invisible Timer 40:19 - Weekly Action Takeaways & Wrap-up  TAKE THE SELF-KINDNESS QUIZ kindmindacademy.com/kq-rkm LINK TO THE INTERVIEW  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/47T3B6kt6rmrx2gsijD2SV Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/14-1-amy-smythe-your-child-is-carrying-a-worry-they/id6783327960?i=1000795829089 YouTube Podcasts: https://youtu.be/ZtafcTi3qHE HOW TO GET YOUR COPY OF ‘LOVING THE ME I SEE’ https://kindmindacademy.com/RKM-LTMIS HOW TO CONNECT WITH YOUR HOSTS https://RaisingKindMindsPodcast.com https://KindMindAcademy.com https://TheBoosterWay.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/KathrynLovewell https://www.linkedin.com/in/LizWalker8 CONNECT WITH RKM ON SOCIALS https://www.facebook.com/RaisingKindMindsPodcast https://www.instagram.com/RaisingKindMindsPodcast https://www.youtube.com/@raisingkindmindspodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@RaisingKindMindsPodcast HOST BIOS Kathryn Lovewell is the founder of Kind Mind Academy, an award-winning international speaker and best-selling author specialising in Self-Compassion. A Senior Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher and creator of The Booster Way®, she has spent over a decade helping adults, families, and educators transform self-criticism into confidence and self-trust. Kathryn blends science, storytelling, and humour to make personal growth relatable, and accessible. She’s real, she’s been there, and she’s passionate about helping people stop beating themselves up and start living happier, kinder lives. Grounded, heartfelt, and a little mischievous, Kathryn believes laughter and compassion are equally powerful medicine. Liz Walker is the co-founder of Kind Mind Academy and co-host of Raising Kind Minds. Known for her warmth, humour, and emotional intelligence, Liz brings genuine humanity to every conversation. With decades of experience in business, personal development and client care, she pairs practical wisdom with deep compassion. Liz doesn’t do hype; she believes real change begins with honesty, kindness, and a good laugh at ourselves now and then. She is passionate about helping people feel seen, safe, and supported as they learn to lead their lives with more self-belief and joy. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

    #14.2 | The Invisible Timer Every Parent Is Running - Debrief on Amy Smythe
  4. 11 Oct

    #14.1 | Amy Smythe - Your Child Is Carrying a Worry They Can’t Tell You

    THE INTERVIEW Children carry so much inside long before they find the words to speak. In this comforting conversation with Amy Smythe, accredited psychotherapist and founder of The Worry Wizard, Kathryn and Liz explore how small, everyday moments of connection can ease a child's invisible burdens. Discover why emotional availability matters far more than perfection, how gentle curiosity opens up communication, and how simple tools like storytelling can help children feel safe, seen, and supported through life's everyday struggles.     Key Takeaways Presence over Perfection: Children thrive when adults are emotionally available rather than trying to be perfect parents. The Value of "Exhale Moments": Creating tiny moments of safety at home allows children to set down heavy emotional loads. Focus on Connection: Quiet, consistent gestures of care—like a plate with a biscuit—often matter more than demanding immediate conversation. Curiosity Replaces Judgment: Approaching a child's anxiety with gentle curiosity helps them explore feelings without fear. Power of Metaphor: Storytelling and creative play offer safe ways for children to process difficult emotions. Quotes "It's as though they physically set something down, something that they've been carrying for a very long time." "Children don't need perfect parents. What they need is a parent who's emotionally available to them." "Children feel things long before they speak things." "If you can ignite a child's curiosity, in your imagination anything is possible." "Worries are very serious, but looking after them doesn't have to be." Chapters 02:20 – The Origin of The Worry Wizard 03:30 – Creating "Exhale Moments" at Home 08:24 – Emotionally Available vs. Perfect Parenting 14:15 – Reaching Children Beyond Language 21:10 – It’s Okay to Be Sad: Welcoming All Feelings 34:58 – Everyday Micro-Moments of Connection 42:08 – Supporting the Whole Family Unit 59:30 – How Storytelling Helps Children Heal TAKE THE SELF-KINDNESS QUIZ kindmindacademy.com/kq-rkm HOW TO CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST https://www.theworrywizard.com/home https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-worry-wizard-limited https://www.instagram.com/theworrywizard/ HOW TO CONNECT WITH YOUR HOSTS https://RaisingKindMindsPodcast.com https://KindMindAcademy.com https://TheBoosterWay.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/KathrynLovewell https://www.linkedin.com/in/LizWalker8 CONNECT WITH RKM ON SOCIALS https://www.facebook.com/RaisingKindMindsPodcast https://www.instagram.com/RaisingKindMindsPodcast https://www.youtube.com/@raisingkindmindspodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@RaisingKindMindsPodcast HOST BIOS Kathryn Lovewell is the founder of Kind Mind Academy, an award-winning international speaker and best-selling author specialising in Self-Compassion. A Senior Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher and creator of The Booster Way®, she has spent over a decade helping adults, families, and educators transform self-criticism into confidence and self-trust. Kathryn blends science, storytelling, and humour to make personal growth relatable, and accessible. She’s real, she’s been there, and she’s passionate about helping people stop beating themselves up and start living happier, kinder lives. Grounded, heartfelt, and a little mischievous, Kathryn believes laughter and compassion are equally powerful medicine. Liz Walker is the co-founder of Kind Mind Academy and co-host of Raising Kind Minds. Known for her warmth, humour, and emotional intelligence, Liz brings genuine humanity to every conversation. With decades of experience in business, personal development and client care, she pairs practical wisdom with deep compassion. Liz doesn’t do hype; she believes real change begins with honesty, kindness, and a good laugh at ourselves now and then. She is passionate about helping people feel seen, safe, and supported as they learn to lead their lives with more self-belief and joy. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

  5. 8 Oct

    #13.3 | Stay Steady When Life Gets Hard: A Gentle Grounding Meditation

    In this meditation practice episode, Lovely Liz introduces a calming session led by Kathryn, inspired by recent guest Viv Grant. Viv is a former head teacher, author, artist, and executive coach who has navigated life's demanding terrain with remarkable openness and grace. Drawing from Viv's insights on standing in the "tragic gap"- the space between current hardships and what remains possible - this episode offers listeners a chance to find stillness and uncover waiting inner wisdom.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Embrace the "Tragic Gap": Viv Grant discusses standing in the "tragic gap". This is defined as the space between what is hard right now and what might still be possible. Stillness reveals inner wisdom: By allowing ourselves to be still enough, we can access a quiet inner wisdom that is always waiting. Find strength through deep roots: Trees stay rooted through storms because their roots run deep. We can remain connected and steady during uncertain times by reconnecting with our own roots. Welcome worries without judgment: When faced with a worry or weight, you do not need to solve it or push it away. You can gently invite it closer and simply acknowledge it. Prioritize your true needs: It is important to ask what you truly need right now. This means letting go of what is expected of you or what is on your list. BEST MOMENTS "Viv spoke to us about what it means to stay rooted when life becomes difficult." "To notice how a tree stays rooted, not because life is always calm, but because its roots run deep." "Begin by feeling wherever you are sitting or lying, feel the contact between your body and the surface beneath you, the ground receiving you." "Not what is expected of you, not what's on the list, but this version of you, here in this moment, what do you truly need?" "You are precious. You are stardust. There is magic inside of you." TAKE THE SELF-TALK QUIZ kindmindacademy.com/kq-rkm LINK TO THE INTERVIEW  Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/1TyQYgrKKFWdtSnVgnQxbA Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/13-1-viv-grant-leading-through-crisis-without-losing/id6783327960?i=1000793152253 Youtube: https://youtu.be/FGfCQZZFvFM LINK TO THE CONVERSATION Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/40ScKP2yYav48nwTnlnKvi Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/13-2-overcoming-negative-self-talk-and-the-be-strong/id6783327960?i=1000793534819 Youtube: https://youtu.be/xFiHw0sdA2g HOW TO CONNECT WITH YOUR HOSTS https://RaisingKindMindsPodcast.com https://KindMindAcademy.com https://TheBoosterWay.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/KathrynLovewell https://www.linkedin.com/in/LizWalker8 CONNECT WITH RKM ON SOCIALS https://www.facebook.com/RaisingKindMindsPodcast https://www.instagram.com/RaisingKindMindsPodcast https://www.youtube.com/@RaisingKindMindsPodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@RaisingKindMindsPodcast HOST BIOS Kathryn Lovewell is the founder of Kind Mind Academy, an award-winning international speaker and best-selling author specialising in Self-Compassion. A Senior Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher and creator of The Booster Way®, she has spent over a decade helping adults, families, and educators transform self-criticism into confidence and self-trust. Kathryn blends science, storytelling, and humour to make personal growth relatable, and accessible. She’s real, she’s been there, and she’s passionate about helping people stop beating themselves up and start living happier, kinder lives. Grounded, heartfelt, and a little mischievous, Kathryn believes laughter and compassion are equally powerful medicine. Liz Walker is the co-founder of Kind Mind Academy and co-host of Raising Kind Minds. Known for her warmth, humour, and emotional intelligence, Liz brings genuine humanity to every conversation. With decades of experience in business, personal development and client care, she pairs practical wisdom with deep compassion. Liz doesn’t do hype; she believes real change begins with honesty, kindness, and a good laugh at ourselves now and then. She is passionate about helping people feel seen, safe, and supported as they learn to lead their lives with more self-belief and joy. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

    #13.3 | Stay Steady When Life Gets Hard: A Gentle Grounding Meditation
  6. 6 Oct

    #13.2 | Overcoming Negative Self-Talk and the ‘Be Strong’ Mask - Debrief on Viv Grant

    THE CONVERSATION Have you ever wondered how a single comment from decades ago can still quietly dictate how you feel about yourself today? In this warm, reflective lounge chat, Liz Walker and Kathryn Lovewell unpack their recent World Teachers Day interview with education leader Viv Grant. Diving deep into the lingering weight of childhood labels and the pressure of holding it all together, they explore how internalised self-criticism shapes both parenting and teaching. Featuring the relatable "fizzy bottle" analogy of emotional pressure, this conversation serves as a gentle reminder to pause, check in with yourself, and embrace self-compassion when life gets overwhelming.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Labels Can Become Lifetime Beliefs: Negative comments or systemic labels received in youth can linger as an active inner critic decades later. The "Be Strong" Trap: Masking stress to hold everything together often leads to evening burnout and quiet internal criticism. The Fizzy Bottle Principle: Unexpressed daily micro-stressors accumulate until emotional pressure either explodes or leaks onto loved ones. Presence Over Perfection: Being genuinely present with children—even when energy is low—is more impactful than delivering perfection. The Core Self-Compassion Question: Regularly asking "What do I need right now?" provides a vital pause to restore emotional balance. Quotes "Behind every classroom door is a human being carrying their own story, their own challenges and their own inner voice." "When belief systems are planted in a young person, a child's brain, they can last a lifetime." "Your presence, even if you're functioning at a two out of ten, is enough." "Permission, permission, permission to recognize that inner voice... might be running the show." "Vulnerability is strength, especially in a family environment." CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Welcome to the Lounge 01:44 – The Inner Teenager & Careers Advice 06:23 – Systemic Labels & Failing Schools 12:04 – The "Be Strong" Mask & Teacher Pressure 18:07 – The Fizzy Bottle Analogy 24:00 – Presence Over Perfection 25:51 – Asking "What Do I Need Right Now?" 30:07 – Closing Reflections TAKE THE SELF-KINDNESS QUIZ kindmindacademy.com/kq-rkm GET YOUR COPY OF ‘EVERY TEACHER MATTERS’ https://offers.kindmindacademy.com/etm-offer-rkm LINK TO THE INTERVIEW  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1TyQYgrKKFWdtSnVgnQxbA Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/13-1-viv-grant-leading-through-crisis-without-losing/id6783327960?i=1000793152253 YouTube Podcasts: https://youtu.be/FGfCQZZFvFM HOW TO GET YOUR COPY OF ‘LOVING THE ME I SEE’ https://kindmindacademy.com/RKM-LTMIS HOW TO CONNECT WITH YOUR HOSTS https://RaisingKindMindsPodcast.com https://KindMindAcademy.com https://TheBoosterWay.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/KathrynLovewell https://www.linkedin.com/in/LizWalker8 CONNECT WITH RKM ON SOCIALS https://www.facebook.com/RaisingKindMindsPodcast https://www.instagram.com/RaisingKindMindsPodcast https://www.youtube.com/@raisingkindmindspodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@RaisingKindMindsPodcast HOST BIOS Kathryn Lovewell is the founder of Kind Mind Academy, an award-winning international speaker and best-selling author specialising in Self-Compassion. A Senior Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher and creator of The Booster Way®, she has spent over a decade helping adults, families, and educators transform self-criticism into confidence and self-trust. Kathryn blends science, storytelling, and humour to make personal growth relatable, and accessible. She’s real, she’s been there, and she’s passionate about helping people stop beating themselves up and start living happier, kinder lives. Grounded, heartfelt, and a little mischievous, Kathryn believes laughter and compassion are equally powerful medicine. Liz Walker is the co-founder of Kind Mind Academy and co-host of Raising Kind Minds. Known for her warmth, humour, and emotional intelligence, Liz brings genuine humanity to every conversation. With decades of experience in business, personal development and client care, she pairs practical wisdom with deep compassion. Liz doesn’t do hype; she believes real change begins with honesty, kindness, and a good laugh at ourselves now and then. She is passionate about helping people feel seen, safe, and supported as they learn to lead their lives with more self-belief and joy. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

    #13.2 | Overcoming Negative Self-Talk and the ‘Be Strong’ Mask - Debrief on Viv Grant
  7. 4 Oct

    #13.1 | Viv Grant - Leading Through Crisis Without Losing Yourself

    GET YOUR COPY OF 'EVERY TEACHER MATTERS': https://offers.kindmindacademy.com/etm-offer-rkm THE INTERVIEW When life demands everything at once, stepping into leadership can feel like carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. Viv Grant knows that feeling all too well - from taking on a challenging school turnaround at 31 while pregnant to navigating a life-altering health diagnosis. In this episode, Viv Grant candidly reflects on how early words shaped her inner critic, what happens when the "be strong" persona finally breaks down, and how intuitive art and self-compassion opened a path toward true healing. This is an inviting exploration into pausing, honoring emotional needs, and learning to lead from a place of deep authenticity. Whether balancing family, career, or personal hurdles, this conversation provides a gentle reminder that vulnerability is not a weakness, but a superpower.    Key Takeaways Unconscious Labels: Systemic pressure and criticism often get internalised, turning external labels into an internal standard of self-judgment. The "Be Strong" Trap: Relying continuously on a protective, hardened persona leads to emotional suppression and eventual burnout. Power of the Pause: Stepping back to ask "What do I really need right now?" is an essential act of self-preservation, not selfishness. Vulnerability as Strength: Dropping the mask allows for genuine connection, better leadership, and healthier family relationships. Intuitive Expression: Creative outlets like art can bypass rational logic to process deep-seated emotions and support healing. Quotes "It would be, you're not good enough. You're going to have to work really hard to prove to others that you're capable." "I didn't know there was another way of actually being in relationship with myself." "I remember coming back from hospital... and thinking, thinking is not going to get me through this." "Self-care is not a selfish act. Asking ourselves what we need, it's an act of kindness." "Vulnerability can be a super strength, it can be a superpower, because we let people in when we let our guard down." Chapters 00:00 – Celebrating World Teachers Day 02:15 – Leading a School Turnaround at 31 05:51 – The Weight of Systemic Pressure 08:19 – Confronting the Childhood Inner Critic 14:08 – Standing in the Tragic Gap 23:44 – The Turning Point: Dismantling "Be Strong" 34:00 – Finding Healing Through Intuitive Art 48:08 – What Do You Really Need Right Now? TAKE THE KINDNESS QUIZ: kindmindacademy.com/kq-rkm HOW TO CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST https://www.integritycoaching.co.uk https://www.linkedin.com/in/integritycoaching/ https://www.integritycoaching.co.uk/the-book/ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Learning-Walk-Dark-Viv-Grant/dp/1036907864/ HOW TO CONNECT WITH YOUR HOSTS https://RaisingKindMindsPodcast.com https://KindMindAcademy.com https://TheBoosterWay.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/KathrynLovewell https://www.linkedin.com/in/LizWalker8 CONNECT WITH RKM ON SOCIALS https://www.facebook.com/RaisingKindMindsPodcast https://www.instagram.com/RaisingKindMindsPodcast https://www.youtube.com/@raisingkindmindspodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@RaisingKindMindsPodcast HOST BIOS Kathryn Lovewell is the founder of Kind Mind Academy, an award-winning international speaker and best-selling author specialising in Self-Compassion. A Senior Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher and creator of The Booster Way®, she has spent over a decade helping adults, families, and educators transform self-criticism into confidence and self-trust. Kathryn blends science, storytelling, and humour to make personal growth relatable, and accessible. She’s real, she’s been there, and she’s passionate about helping people stop beating themselves up and start living happier, kinder lives. Grounded, heartfelt, and a little mischievous, Kathryn believes laughter and compassion are equally powerful medicine. Liz Walker is the co-founder of Kind Mind Academy and co-host of Raising Kind Minds. Known for her warmth, humour, and emotional intelligence, Liz brings genuine humanity to every conversation. With decades of experience in business, personal development and client care, she pairs practical wisdom with deep compassion. Liz doesn’t do hype; she believes real change begins with honesty, kindness, and a good laugh at ourselves now and then. She is passionate about helping people feel seen, safe, and supported as they learn to lead their lives with more self-belief and joy. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

    #13.1 | Viv Grant - Leading Through Crisis Without Losing Yourself
  8. 1 Oct

    #12.3 | Am I Enough?: A Guided Meditation for Parents

    In this episode, Kathryn Lovewell introduces a gentle guided meditation practice led by Lovely Liz, inspired by an insightful conversation with psychologist Gozde Pelivan. The practice centers on nurturing the person at the very heart of the family: you. By turning inward without judgment, acknowledging the quiet struggles of parenting, and practicing physical and verbal self-kindness, parents learn to reshape their homes' emotional climate.  KEY TAKEAWAYS You set the emotional climate: How you speak to yourself, treat your body, and honour your emotional needs creates the invisible atmosphere your children grow up inside. Acknowledge hardship without judgment: Simply naming a struggle and telling yourself "this is hard" opens the door to meeting difficult emotions with kindness instead of frustration. Parenting is a shared human experience: Feeling overwhelmed, tired, or doubtful is universal; remembering other parents feel the same way helps dissolve isolation. Aim for 'whole enough' rather than perfect: Families are teams that thrive not on conflict-free perfection, but on members who show up, repair disconnects, and nurture their own wholeness. Self-compassion is foundational: Giving yourself the same grace, warmth, and validation that you naturally offer to those you love is essential for sustaining family well-being. BEST MOMENTS "How we speak to ourselves, how we treat and care for ourselves... become the emotional atmosphere that every child in our care grows up receiving."  "When we can see what we're feeling, we can begin to meet it with kindness."  "Parenting may be the most common experience in human history, and one of the loneliest to live through."  "Teams do not need one person to carry everything. They need everyone to be as whole as they can be—which starts with you."  "The most powerful thing we can do for our children might have nothing to do with our children."  TAKE THE SELF-TALK QUIZ https://kindmindacademy.com/RKM-SelfTalkQuiz  LINK TO THE INTERVIEW  Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/1aJgGDF4YvduRjbAaCYjNi Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/12-1-gozde-pehlivan-why-trying-to-be-the-perfect/id6783327960?i=1000791924243 Youtube: https://youtu.be/C6QyGGVB1To LINK TO THE CONVERSATION Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4H9mcM6XUZvQKoUmmTRBjE Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/12-2-co-parenting-burnout-and-the-myth-of/id6783327960?i=1000792275496 Youtube: https://youtu.be/8mtxKIDAJl0 HOW TO CONNECT WITH YOUR HOSTS https://RaisingKindMindsPodcast.com https://KindMindAcademy.com https://TheBoosterWay.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/KathrynLovewell https://www.linkedin.com/in/LizWalker8 CONNECT WITH RKM ON SOCIALS https://www.facebook.com/RaisingKindMindsPodcast https://www.instagram.com/RaisingKindMindsPodcast https://www.youtube.com/@RaisingKindMindsPodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@RaisingKindMindsPodcast HOST BIOS Kathryn Lovewell is the founder of Kind Mind Academy, an award-winning international speaker and best-selling author specialising in Self-Compassion. A Senior Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher and creator of The Booster Way®, she has spent over a decade helping adults, families, and educators transform self-criticism into confidence and self-trust. Kathryn blends science, storytelling, and humour to make personal growth relatable, and accessible. She’s real, she’s been there, and she’s passionate about helping people stop beating themselves up and start living happier, kinder lives. Grounded, heartfelt, and a little mischievous, Kathryn believes laughter and compassion are equally powerful medicine. Liz Walker is the co-founder of Kind Mind Academy and co-host of Raising Kind Minds. Known for her warmth, humour, and emotional intelligence, Liz brings genuine humanity to every conversation. With decades of experience in business, personal development and client care, she pairs practical wisdom with deep compassion. Liz doesn’t do hype; she believes real change begins with honesty, kindness, and a good laugh at ourselves now and then. She is passionate about helping people feel seen, safe, and supported as they learn to lead their lives with more self-belief and joy. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

    #12.3 | Am I Enough?: A Guided Meditation for Parents

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5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Raising Kind Minds asks: What sort of voice will your child grow up with? Because every word they say to themselves begins with what they hear from others. Hosted by Kathryn Lovewell and Liz Walker of Kind Mind Academy, this podcast helps parents, carers, and educators shape the inner voices of the next generation and strengthen their own along the way. When we nurture a child’s inner voice to be kind, we equip them with the skills to navigate and cope with friendship fires, playground dramas, teenage storms, exam pressures, social media influence, and all the challenges of modern life with confidence and calm. Each episode blends expert insights, real‑life stories, and practical mindfulness and self‑compassion tools to help adults learn and model healthy self‑talk, soothe their inner critic, and guide children to do the same. Grounded in evidence‑based methods from Mindful Self‑Compassion, positive psychology, and neuroscience, Raising Kind Minds is your invitation to think kinder, feel stronger, and raise children who are happy in their own skin.