47 episodes

Take a deep dive into the true meaning of kindness with Kind Cotton Co-Founder Kaitlin Johnstone. Her and her husband Kevin created Kind Cotton with a mission of spreading true kindness while giving back, and together they've been able to donate over 100,000 books to children through Kind Cotton clothing sales.

Discussing topics related to social issues, current events, racism, education, literacy, and much more, this podcast will give you a unique insight and perspective on how we can all work to be better, do more, and be truly kind.

'Kindness Is' Podcast by Kind Cotton Kind Cotton / Kaitlin Johnstone

    • Society & Culture
    • 5.0 • 56 Ratings

Take a deep dive into the true meaning of kindness with Kind Cotton Co-Founder Kaitlin Johnstone. Her and her husband Kevin created Kind Cotton with a mission of spreading true kindness while giving back, and together they've been able to donate over 100,000 books to children through Kind Cotton clothing sales.

Discussing topics related to social issues, current events, racism, education, literacy, and much more, this podcast will give you a unique insight and perspective on how we can all work to be better, do more, and be truly kind.

    Kindness is Mindful Listening: Nurturing Mental Health Through Compassionate Connection with Margot Harris

    Kindness is Mindful Listening: Nurturing Mental Health Through Compassionate Connection with Margot Harris

    In this episode of the Kindness Is podcast, join host Kaitlin Johnstone and special guest Margot Harris, a children’s yoga and mindfulness educator and author, as they delve into the powerful intersections of kindness, yoga, and mental health. From personal journeys to professional endeavors, Margot and Kaitlin share insights, stories, and practical tips for navigating anxiety, embracing mindfulness, and fostering compassion in everyday life.

    Margot's podcast: Anxiety Warriors - https://calmcookie.org/podcast
    Margot's book: Cookie Doughga - https://bookshop.org/a/91573/9781098342296

    Full Transcript: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2247/9287/files/Kindness_Is_Podcast_with_Margot_2024-03-01_15_08_GMT-5_-_Transcript.docx?v=1710688135

    Quotes
    "Nobody was talking about mental health... No one was talking about social emotional learning."

    "Talking outwardly and sharing my stories... has been really empowering."

    "We can be anxious but strong... We can have the capability of moving through it with grace."

    "It really centers me when I can hold space for another human being."

    "I didn't talk about Mental Health... until I was a grown adult."

    "There is so much value for showing up and sharing your story."

    "You could be a parent... and pick up a book like mine... to try it out in a fun and playful way."


    Connect with us on social media:
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    • 38 min
    Kindness is Showing Up: Exploring Hope and Community with Author & Activist Frederick Joseph

    Kindness is Showing Up: Exploring Hope and Community with Author & Activist Frederick Joseph

    Kaitlin engages in a heartfelt conversation with Frederick Joseph, a renowned author and activist. They discuss various topics, including the importance of resilience in facing adversity, the interconnectedness of societal issues, the impact of white supremacy, and the necessity of showing up for others. Frederick shares personal experiences, insights, and reflections, emphasizing the need for collective action and empathy. Throughout the conversation, they explore themes of kindness, hope, and the power of community in navigating challenging times.

    Frederick is a two-time New York Times bestselling author of The Black Friend (2020) and Patriarchy Blues (2022), Better Than We Found It (2022) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - The Courage to Dream (2022). He was recognized for the International Literacy Association’s 2021 Children’s & Young Adults’ Book Award, is a 2019 Forbes 30 Under 30 list-maker for marketing and advertising, an activist, philanthropist, and poet. Frederick was also honored with the 2023 Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Vanguard Award, the 2018 Comic-Con Humanitarian of the Year award and is a member of the 2018 “The Root 100" list of Most Influential African Americans.

    His forthcoming literary works are his debut poetry collection, We Alive, Beloved, his debut novel, This Thing of Ours, and a non-fiction essay collection. Learn more at: www.frederickjoseph.com

    Full transcript: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2247/9287/files/Kindness_Is_Podcast_with_Fred_2024-02-26_11_05_GMT-5_-_Transcript.docx?v=1709639704

    Quotes
    "I think that idea sits at the core of much of my work. It is a guiding principle, a theory of change, a pedagogy if you would. Because if I don't believe that, not just about myself, but about the people around me, then what's the point of the work?" - Frederick Joseph

    "We have to first understand who we are in all of our various identities. So we're all also moving pieces, right? We're evolving as human beings." - Frederick Joseph

    "The intersection of my own mortality made me want to leave a legacy that I could be proud of." - Frederick Joseph

    "The combination of both having MS and also my younger brother being born... I need to do more for you. I need to give you something better to look up to because this isn't it." - Frederick Joseph

    "The work wasn't like an integral part of my daily life at the time. And I do think that even after getting diagnosed, I kind of went through this phase of... let me just do all this wild stuff now." - Frederick Joseph

    "It benefits them to be [blissfully ignorant]. People are in bubbles of toxic positivity... that's why people don't care." - Frederick Joseph

    "A fascist nation will decimate anybody on the margins. And so it's important that we understand that." - Frederick Joseph

    "We are seeing the manifestation of a war that started primarily with Ronald Reagan." - Frederick Joseph

    "If you are talking about being realistically 15 to 20 years away... What is that privilege when the climate crisis takes all of it overnight?" - Frederick Joseph

    Connect with us on social media:
    Kind Cotton Instagram
    Kind Cotton TikTok

    • 36 min
    Kindness is Setting Boundaries: Navigating Caregiving and Mental Health with Clarity | Meg Duke

    Kindness is Setting Boundaries: Navigating Caregiving and Mental Health with Clarity | Meg Duke

    In the latest episode of the Kindness Is Podcast host Kaitlin is joined by Meg Duke, a licensed clinical social worker. They dive into the complexities of mental health, caregiving, and the importance of setting boundaries. From discussing ADHD and its impact on behavior to navigating the challenges of parenthood, Meg offers valuable perspectives on advocating for oneself and others. She emphasizes the significance of self-awareness, intentional communication, and the difference between being nice and being kind. Join us as we explore the transformative power of clarity in fostering compassion and resilience in our relationships and daily lives.
    The Perinatal Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-perinatal-podcast/id1590957531 More on Meg: https://megdukelcsw.com/
    Quotes "But also Is it not okay to advocate for people? That was actually a conversation my parents had with me." "Maternity leave is not a party. It is navigation." "It's easier to give other people Grace sometimes but it's also difficult to give your partner Grace." "The more that we can set people up for success with expressing our needs and desires and communication, the kinder we are." "Nice is what gives you resentment, and kind is what helps uphold the strong boundaries so that you have more space." "I think just the self-awareness piece of what are the things that you are doing that are adaptive? What are the things that you are doing that are reactions versus responses?"
    Connect with us on social media:
    Kind Cotton Instagram
    Kind Cotton TikTok --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/oar82190/support

    • 40 min
    Kindness is Speaking Up: Fostering Relationships & Building School Culture with Nita & Mike Creekmore

    Kindness is Speaking Up: Fostering Relationships & Building School Culture with Nita & Mike Creekmore

    Educators - you will love this one! In this episode of the Kindness Is Podcast Kaitlin is joined by educators & authors Mike & Nita Creekmore of Creekmore Conversations to dive deep into the essence of kindness as it pertains to education, leadership, and human connection.
    Through candid conversations and personal anecdotes, they explore the pivotal role of kindness in fostering positive school culture, supporting staff well-being, and ultimately enhancing student success.
    From the importance of understanding individual differences to the transformative power of authentic apologies, this episode offers invaluable insights into cultivating kindness in both professional and personal realms.
    Join them as they share practical strategies, heartfelt stories, and a vision for a more compassionate educational landscape.
    Check out Mike & Nita's book Every Connection Matters: https://www.ascd.org/books/every-connection-matters?variant=123010
    Follow Creekmore Conversations on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creekmoreconvos/
    Quotes "It is important as the leader of the school to know that my staff is different."
    "We have to slow down. We are moving way, too fast."
    "It's getting to know the staff, building our school culture, making sure it's a great place to work."
    "If everyone's happy to work, then they'll be happy with the students."
    "Teachers need to be paid more."
    "I feel like even in that moment that we were all freaking broke, we were happy and broke and teaching kids."
    "We think it starts with everybody just really having the will to want this culture and wanting to do the work."
    "Relationships matter, and the sense of the same thing goes for teachers on the team."
    "It's important to apologize because for some, that might be the first time an adult has ever apologized to them."
    Connect with us on social media:
    Kind Cotton Instagram
    Kind Cotton TikTok --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/oar82190/support

    • 35 min
    Kindness is Justice: Teaching Equity and Accurate History to Children with Naomi O'Brien

    Kindness is Justice: Teaching Equity and Accurate History to Children with Naomi O'Brien

    In this episode, join Kaitlin as she is joined by educator, author, content creator, and founder of Read Like a Rock Star - Naomi O'Brien! Together they dive into a powerful conversation about how kindness intertwines with justice, diversity, and accurate history in education. Explore the importance of teaching children through an anti-racist/ anti-bias lens, celebrating diversity, and fostering critical thinking skills from a young age.
    Follow Naomi at https://readlikearockstarteaching.com/ and @readlikearockstarteaching on Instagram
    Full transcript
    Quotes "Different doesn't mean less. It's beautiful. It's so cool. Everything would be boring if it was all the same..."
    "So they're forced to learn about it because they're living it... we can have other kids learn about it so that they don't."
    "When you have those conversations, maybe the first few might be hard and they might have some really big feelings. But then when you're just adding to it... it's like okay and you're just building their background knowledge."
    "We owe it to kids to give them that full picture and allow them to make their own decisions... when we don't give them the full picture they can't make informed decisions."
    "It allows for critical thinking... I say all the time that please people stop saying that we're leading down the road and the path of fascism like it is alive and please please..."
    "Being nice is just going along to getting along but being kind is doing things even if it may feel uncomfortable to get to the right result and to do what's fair..."
    Follow Kind Cotton on Instagramwww.kindcotton.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/oar82190/support

    • 33 min
    PART 2: Kindness is Revolutionary: Unveiling the Intersection of Progressive Christianity, Social Justice, and Empathy

    PART 2: Kindness is Revolutionary: Unveiling the Intersection of Progressive Christianity, Social Justice, and Empathy

    Join us for the second part in a two part series where host Kaitlin is joined by Emelda (E) and Trudy from the 'Pray with Our Feet' podcast to explore the intersection of progressive Christian faith and social justice. They discuss the misuses of Christianity, the dangers of Christian nationalism, and the importance of empathy in creating a more compassionate society.
    For more info on E & Trudy's organization Pray with our Feet: www.praywithourfeet.org/
    ⁠Full transcript⁠
    Quotes "Christianity is not about power and control but about a deep relationship and connection with God."
    "We really wanted to create a community, a space that uplifts what Christ is all about – peace, kindness, and understanding."
    "We want people to take the words of Jesus seriously, to strive to live out that mandate, and exhibit love in their actions."
    "The roots of Christ's consciousness are peace, kindness, and understanding, really being in Beloved Community."
    "Our goal is to focus attention on social justice from a Biblical perspective and encourage people to take action."
    "If the person is open to understanding that Jesus calls us to a relationship, not to religion, there's a big difference there."
    "Demonstrate that Jesus is all about love, even for those with whom we may not agree."
    "Christian nationalism has slipped into idolatry, worshiping politics and racism, replacing Jesus as the center."
    "The lack of seeing each other as created in the image of God contributes to the rise of Christian nationalism."
    "Kindness is action, and it springs from love; without love, there is no genuine kindness."
    Connect with us on social media:⁠Kind Cotton Instagram⁠⁠Kind Cotton TikTok --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/oar82190/support

    • 27 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
56 Ratings

56 Ratings

Chelseypartyofsix ,

Kindness Is…listening to this podcast!

I was already a huge fan of Kind Cotton and their mission, but this podcast has taken my love for the brand to a whole new level. Stop what you’re doing and listen to this podcast for an incredible message in every episode. You will feel empowered to go out and truly understand how to be kind, make a difference, and support those doing just that! 10/10 - 5 stars!

MelTellinit ,

Kindness counts!!

I am so happy to have another podcast I can play to reflect and recenter. I feel motivated and more at peace after I listen. Thank you for providing!!

Paragraph texting Mom ,

Binge worthy education!

I love to listen while I walk - and this podcast makes me stop and think! I love the message - already own some shirts, and now I have so much more of the “how & why” I need to actively support - thank you for bringing your voice and your guest’ voices & messages to the masses!

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