The Kindness Extremist with Shola Richards

Shola Richards
  • 5.0 (76)
  • Self-Improvement

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. 6d ago

    You Are Enough: Building Real Self-Esteem From the Ground Up

    Most people spend years chasing a feeling of being enough, tying their worth to promotions, praise, productivity, and the approval of people around them. But what if that entire approach is backwards?  In this episode, Shola Richards makes the case that genuine self-esteem is not something you find, it is something you deliberately construct, and the building process is simpler and more accessible than most people think. If you have ever felt like your confidence depends on everything going right, this episode will change how you think about your own worth and your capacity to show up for the people who need you most.  Mentioned in This Episode The Kindness Extremist Podcast Ep 48: The Necessity of Doing Hard Things: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-necessity-of-doing-hard-things-3-strategies-to/id1808367842?i=1000750997021 Dr. Kristin Neff, researcher and author on self-compassion: https://self-compassion.org/ 🔗 Connect with Shola: Instagram – @sholarichards Website – sholarichards.com Read more on Substack. This podcast is produced by https://www.micmoguls.com

    23 min

  2. May 25

    Furious and Kind: How to Channel Righteous Anger Without Burning Everything Down

    Can anger and kindness exist at the same time? In this episode, Shola Richards tackles one of the most misunderstood ideas in personal growth, leadership, and emotional intelligence: righteous anger.   Too many kind people have been taught to suppress their anger in the name of compassion, professionalism, or keeping the peace. But what happens when silence allows harm, injustice, or disrespect to continue unchecked? Shola explores the critical difference between reactive rage and values-driven anger, and why learning to channel anger effectively may be one of the most important leadership skills we can develop.   The Kindness Strategies: The Anger InventoryThe Temperature CheckThe Righteous Action Protocol & The Name It, Frame It, Claim It Framework  This episode will teach you to honor your anger and speak up with conviction while still maintaining your humanity.  For speaking requests or collaborations: https://sholarichards.com/speaking/?utm_source=kindness_extremist&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep61 🔗 Connect with Shola: Instagram – @sholarichards Website – sholarichards.com Read more on Substack. This podcast is produced by https://www.micmoguls.com

    23 min

  3. May 18

    The Kindness of Quitting: Why Walking Away is the Bravest Thing You Can Do

    We’ve all heard the phrase: “Winners never quit.” But what if quitting is actually the kind thing to do? In this episode, Shola Richards challenges one of the most celebrated beliefs in modern culture and explores why quitting the right things may be one of the wisest and kindest decisions you ever make. Because the truth of the matter is that quitting doesn't always mean just giving up when life gets hard - sometimes it's about being honest with what's serving you, and what's not.   Through the episode, Shola unpacks the psychology behind staying too long and explains how the sunk cost fallacy can end up trapping us. He also discusses the emotional “neutral zone” after quitting, and shares strategies for quitting wit integrity when the time comes.    The Kindness Strategies:  The Quit Check  The Becoming Inventory  The Clean Goodbye   Let's stop believing the lies about quitting that keep us stuck in harmful patterns and situations that benefit no one. If you’ve been holding onto something that no longer fits who you are, this conversation may help you finally understand why and start to let go for good.     Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode 8 - Is Your Job Hurting You? 3 Signs It's Time To Walk Away [Part 1]Episode 9 - Still Stuck in a Toxic Job? 3 More Signals You Can't Ignore [Part 2]Episode 25 - The Power of Boundaries—Your Roadmap to Protecting What Matters MostEpisode 48 - The Necessity of Doing Hard Things: 3 Strategies to Build Unshakable Courage For speaking requests or collaborations: https://sholarichards.com/speaking/?utm_source=kindness_extremist&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep60 🔗 Connect with Shola: Instagram – @sholarichards Website – sholarichards.com Read more on Substack. This podcast is produced by https://www.micmoguls.com

    23 min

  4. May 11

    Kindness and Masculinity: The Lie That's Destroying Boys and Men

    Men have been sold a dangerous lie about masculinity: that kindness is weakness. In this episode of The Kindness Extremist, Shola Richards dismantles that belief and makes the case for a radically different definition of strength. Drawing from personal stories and lessons from his late father, Shola explores how rigid ideas about masculinity are harming men, damaging relationships, and creating emotional isolation that too often goes unspoken.   The Kindness Strategies: The Strength ListThe Permission ModelThe Human Interruption  Whether you’re a father, leader, coach, partner, or simply someone trying to redefine what strength looks like, this conversation will challenge the way you think about masculinity. Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode 49 - Strong Enough to Apologize: 3 Steps to Making Things Right Without Losing YourselfEpisode 55 - Demand More: Why High Expectations Are The Greatest Act of KindnessEpisode 58 - The Art of Supporting Someone in Grief: What Not to Say (And What Actually Helps) For speaking requests or collaborations: https://sholarichards.com/speaking/?utm_source=kindness_extremist&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep59 🔗 Connect with Shola: Instagram – @sholarichards Website – sholarichards.com Read more on Substack. This podcast is produced by https://www.micmoguls.com

    24 min

  5. May 4

    The Art of Supporting Someone in Grief: What Not to Say (And What Actually Helps)

    Grief is one of the most universal human experiences, and it's also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, Shola Richards breaks down the most common mistakes people make when trying to comfort someone in grief, and why those words, even when well-meaning, can make things worse.   But this isn’t just about what not to say - it’s also about understanding what grief actually feels like beneath the surface, why so many people disappear after the first few weeks, and how real support looks when there’s nothing to fix. You’ll learn how to move beyond surface-level empathy, how to show up without trying to “solve” someone’s pain, and why your presence matters more than the perfect words.   The Kindness Strategies: Practice The 3 Word TestBuild a Grief CalendarWrite a Grief Permission Statement  If you’ve ever felt unsure of what to say or felt alone in your own grief, this conversation is for you. Tune in, and share the episode with a friend!    Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode 36 - Permission to be Human: Mental Health Strategies for People Who Don't Like the HolidaysEpisode 54 - The People Pleasing Trap: 3 Ways to Know If You're Being Kind or a Doormat   For speaking requests or collaborations: https://sholarichards.com/speaking/?utm_source=kindness_extremist&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep58     🔗 Connect with Shola: Instagram – @sholarichards Website – sholarichards.com Read more on Substack. This podcast is produced by https://www.micmoguls.com

    22 min

  6. Apr 27

    The Radical Act of Rest: Why Burnout is a Kindness Emergency

    Are you tired all the time but telling yourself it’s a good thing? In this episode, Shola Richards breaks down one of the most accepted but damaging beliefs in modern culture: The idea that being constantly exhausted means you’re doing life right.   But what if that belief is actually making you less kind, less patient, and less present with the people who matter most?   This conversation uncovers the cost of hustle culture, the difference between active recovery and passive numbing, and the ways burnout is destructive to true kindness. Plus, Shola shares a simple framework for building rest into your life without guilt.   The Kindness Strategies: The Depletion ReviewThe Rest FrameworkPermission Rest  If this episode resonated with you, leave a rating and review - it helps more people discover the message and join the movement toward a kinder world! Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode 30 - The Foundation: 3 Essential Daily Practices to Become a Kinder HumanEpisode 32 - Becoming Strong Enough to be Kind: A New Framework to Create Cultures Worth Fighting ForEpisode 48 - The Necessity of Doing Hard Things: 3 Strategies to Build Unshakable Courage  For speaking requests or collaborations: https://sholarichards.com/speaking/?utm_source=kindness_extremist&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep57 🔗 Connect with Shola: Instagram – @sholarichards Website – sholarichards.com Read more on Substack. This podcast is produced by https://www.micmoguls.com

    25 min

  7. Apr 20

    Don’t Let Them Win Twice: How to Stay Open After Betrayal

    Betrayal is one of the most painful, disorienting human experiences, and it can leave you unsure of how to move forward with an open heart. Most advice tells you to forgive quickly or to protect yourself by never being that open again, neither of which actually helps you heal.   In this episode, Shola Richards breaks down the real impact of betrayal and what it takes to stay open without becoming naive. This is a deep dive into trust, vulnerability, and the difficult decision to keep showing up fully even after being hurt. You will learn how betrayal affects your brain and behavior, why closing your heart feels like protection but often isn’t, and how to rebuild trust in a way that is grounded, intentional, and sustainable.   The Kindness Strategies Honest AccountingThe Lesson ListThe Trust Gradient  Staying open after betrayal is not weakness. It is a conscious, courageous decision about the kind of person you choose to be. If this episode resonates, make sure to follow the podcast and leave a rating and review. It helps more people discover this message.   Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode 7 - The Truth About Forgiveness: Let Go Without Letting Them Off The HookEpisodes 33 - How to Recognize a Toxic Relationship—3 Warning Signs You Can't Ignore (Part 1)Episode 34 - Still Not Sure If They're Toxic? 3 More Signs You Can't Ignore (Part 2) For speaking requests or collaborations: https://sholarichards.com/speaking/?utm_source=kindness_extremist&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep56 🔗 Connect with Shola: Instagram – @sholarichards Website – sholarichards.com Read more on Substack. This podcast is produced by https://www.micmoguls.com

    23 min

  8. Apr 13

    Demand More: Why High Expectations Are the Greatest Act of Kindness

    Are high expectations actually a form of kindness? And what does it really mean when you lower your standards for yourself or someone else? In this episode, Shola Richards breaks down a powerful mindset shift that challenges how most people think about empathy, leadership, and personal growth.   We often believe that being supportive means easing the pressure, lowering expectations, and letting things slide. But what if that approach is quietly doing more harm than good? This episode explores why low expectations can end up damaging confidence and limiting potential, and how holding high standards that are rooted in belief and backed by support is actually the kindest approach.   The Kindness Strategies: Do a Belief CheckHave a Belief Conversation (Using the Belief, Challenge, Support Formula)Write a Standard + Grace Statement  Listen to this episode to learn why high standards really matter, and how you can stop letting yourself and others off the hook - all in the name of kindness!   Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode 28 Quieting Your Inner Critic: Transforming Self-Criticism into Self-KindnessEpisode 51 The Lost Art of Encouragement: 3 Ways to Build People Up in a World That Tears Them DownEpisode 52 Perfect is the Enemy of Kind: 3 Ways Perfectionism Blocks Your CompassionEpisode 54 The People-Pleasing Trap: 3 Ways to Know If You're Being Kind or a Doormat  For speaking requests or collaborations: https://sholarichards.com/speaking/?utm_source=kindness_extremist&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep55 🔗 Connect with Shola: Instagram – @sholarichards Website – sholarichards.com Read more on Substack. This podcast is produced by https://www.micmoguls.com

    24 min
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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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