The Kindness Extremist with Shola Richards

Shola Richards
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In a world on fire with division, misinformation, and performative outrage, The Kindness Extremist is the calm in the chaos. Hosted by bestselling author, speaker, and CEO Shola Richards, this weekly podcast is where radical civility meets real talk. With solo episodes that are part personal story, part practical strategy, Shola goes deep on the topics no one else wants to touch—cancel culture, DEI backlash, intellectual humility, misinformation, mental health, and how to lead with empathy without losing your edge. No fluff. No fake neutrality. Just bold conversations, sharp tools, and a mission to bring humanity back to the conversation. Whether you're a leader trying to navigate toxic workplaces, a changemaker seeking clarity in chaos, or just someone who wants to hold your values without burning bridges—this is your space. 🔥 Come for the truth bombs. Stay for the transformation. New episodes every Monday.podscan_K3qY3Sq8geYvulCXVRWf05oKMq6v0UZc

  1. Aug 3

    This Isn't Goodbye: The Final Episode of The Kindness Extremist Podcast

    After 70 episodes and 15 months of showing up every Monday, Shola Richards is closing the chapter on The Kindness Extremist Podcast. But this isn't a farewell rooted in sadness. It's a celebration of what has been built together and an invitation for listeners to carry the mission forward.   In this deeply personal finale, Shola reflects on why ending the podcast feels like finishing, not quitting, and shares three final kindness strategies designed to keep this work alive long after the last episode. From recognizing your own growth to revisiting timeless lessons and becoming the kindness extremist someone else needs, this episode serves as both a thank you and a passing of the baton.   The Kindness Strategies: The Kindness InventoryThe RewindBecome a Kindness Extremist  The podcast may be ending, but the movement towards a kinder world continues.   Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome to The Final Episode 04:16 - Reflecting on Your Kindness Journey 08:41 - Revisiting Past Episodes  13:07 - Becoming a Kindness Extremist 17:14 - A Proper Farewell   or speaking requests or collaborations: https://sholarichards.com/speaking/?utm_source=kindness_extremist&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep71 🔗 Connect with Shola: Instagram – @sholarichards Website – sholarichards.com Read more on Substack. This podcast is produced by https://www.micmoguls.com

  2. Jul 27

    They’re Not Invisible: A Real Conversation About Money, Service Workers and Kindness

    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 ReframeThe New Baseline TipThe 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

  3. Jul 20

    Allyship That Costs You Something: 3 Ways to Stop Performing and Start Showing Up

    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 TestThe Real Cost PracticeThe 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

  4. Jul 13

    Road Rage and Real Ones: 3 Ways to Stay Kind When Everyone Else Drives Like a Maniac

    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

  5. Jul 6

    Mirror Work: How to Finally Make Peace with the One Human You Can’t Escape

    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

  6. Jun 29

    Intuition or Anxiety? How to Tell Which Signal is Trying to Save You or Ruin You

    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

  7. Jun 22

    The Kindness of Asking for Help: 3 Ways to Stop Carrying It All Alone

    Most people assume that asking for help makes them a burden. But the truth may be the exact opposite. In this episode, Shola Richards explores a powerful truth that many high-achievers, caregivers, and chronic over-functioners need to hear: asking for help is not a weakness. On the contrary, it's actually one of the most profound acts of kindness you can offer yourself and the people who care about you.   Through the episode, Shola reveals why so many of us struggle to ask for support, how we dramatically underestimate people's willingness to help, and what it looks like to build healthier, more connected relationships by allowing others to show up for us. You'll learn a simple framework for identifying where you're carrying too much alone, how to make effective requests without guilt or awkwardness, and why learning to receive help may be the growth edge you've been avoiding.   The Kindness Strategies: The Self-Reliance Inventory The Specific Ask ProtocolThe Receiving Practice  Allowing people to help you may be one of the greatest gifts you can give them, and this episode will help you do so without shame.   Resources mentioned in this episode: Dr. Vanessa Bohns: https://www.vanessabohns.com/Dr. Heidi Grant Halvorson: https://www.heidigrantphd.com/ For speaking requests or collaborations: https://sholarichards.com/speaking/?utm_source=kindness_extremist&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep64 🔗 Connect with Shola: Instagram – @sholarichards Website – sholarichards.com Read more on Substack. This podcast is produced by https://www.micmoguls.com

  8. Jun 15

    Jealousy is a Kindness Killer: How to Defeat Envy Before it Defeats You

    Someone in your life is winning right now. Maybe they landed the promotion you wanted, or their business is growing faster than yours. Maybe they're receiving recognition, opportunities, or attention you've been working toward for years. And if you're honest, part of you isn't celebrating. Instead, you're grappling with a difficult question: Why them and not me?   In this episode of the Kindness Extremist Podcast, Shola Richards tackles envy, one of the most universal and least discussed emotions we experience. Rather than treating envy as a character flaw, Shola explores how it can become valuable information about what you truly want, where you're feeling stuck, and how comparison may be quietly stealing your joy. He discusses the difference between destructive envy and productive envy and explores how to break free from the comparison loop and transform resentment into growth.   The Kindness Strategies: The Envy AdmissionThe Comparison FastThe Celebration Practice  Envy doesn't make you a bad person. And if you've ever felt behind, overlooked, or triggered by someone else's success, this episode offers a practical roadmap for turning those emotions into personal growth and deeper kindness.   Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode 23: Why Appreciation Could Be the Key to Happier Work & LifeEpisode 42: Social Media Is Rewiring Your Brain for Anger [Here’s How to Stop It] For speaking requests or collaborations: https://sholarichards.com/speaking/?utm_source=kindness_extremist&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep63 🔗 Connect with Shola: Instagram – @sholarichards Website – sholarichards.com Read more on Substack. This podcast is produced by https://www.micmoguls.com

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In a world on fire with division, misinformation, and performative outrage, The Kindness Extremist is the calm in the chaos. Hosted by bestselling author, speaker, and CEO Shola Richards, this weekly podcast is where radical civility meets real talk. With solo episodes that are part personal story, part practical strategy, Shola goes deep on the topics no one else wants to touch—cancel culture, DEI backlash, intellectual humility, misinformation, mental health, and how to lead with empathy without losing your edge. No fluff. No fake neutrality. Just bold conversations, sharp tools, and a mission to bring humanity back to the conversation. Whether you're a leader trying to navigate toxic workplaces, a changemaker seeking clarity in chaos, or just someone who wants to hold your values without burning bridges—this is your space. 🔥 Come for the truth bombs. Stay for the transformation. New episodes every Monday.podscan_K3qY3Sq8geYvulCXVRWf05oKMq6v0UZc

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