What if self-love wasn’t something we had to earn, but something we were born with? In this heartfelt conversation, Michelle Baer, author of Heart Full of Love and Heart Full of Empathy, joins Gill Tiney to explore children’s emotional wellbeing, intrinsic self-worth, empathy, and the power of purpose-driven storytelling. Michelle shares how observing her granddaughter sparked a realization: children are born whole, loving, and confident, until societal labels and external validation begin to erode that truth. The episode dives into why nurturing self-love and empathy early in life is essential, especially in a world shaped by comparison, pressure, and digital influence. Michelle explains how her books gently address complex topics such as mental health, parental imprisonment, physical differences, and non-traditional identities, without shame, judgment, or fear, creating safe emotional spaces for both children and parents. Beyond the message, Michelle opens up about the realities of publishing a book, from the cathartic act of writing to the practical challenges of editing, illustrating, self-publishing, and marketing. She highlights the importance of collaboration, community support, and asking for help when bringing creative ideas into the world. Together, Gill and Michelle reflect on why these books resonate just as deeply with adults as they do with children, the role schools and educators play in emotional development, and why helping young people pursue what lights them up, sports, arts, or creative passions, builds confidence, belonging, and resilience. This episode is a reminder that love and empathy are not soft skills, they are life skills.
