On Kindness

In this episode, Nicole talks to Dr. Kelly Zonghetti. Kelly discusses her perspective on Kindness, emphasizing its role as a foundational element in education. She shares valuable insights on how modeling Kindness can create a supportive school culture and enhance student learning. Dr. Kelly Zonghetti is a seasoned leader in education with 15 years of experience as an elementary school administrat...

In this episode, Nicole talks to Kati Karottki, a marketer, innovator, and brand builder to Fortune 500s and VC-backed start-ups alike. Kati shares their perspective on Kindness as a misunderstood superpower manifesting as candor with positive intent - inspired in part by a grad school professor and Conscious Leadership principles learned and put in action during their time as CMO in one start-up....

In this episode, Nicole talks to Carson Kelly. Carson emphasizes that Kindness is about understanding and alleviating the suffering of others, which he defines as an essential aspect of compassion. He shares his professional journey, rooted in a deep interest in the neurobiology of interconnectedness and the importance of relationships, which has shaped his focus on scaling compassion in organizat...

In this episode, Nicole talks to Lara Heacock. Lara distinguishes the difference between "Kindness" and "niceness," emphasizing that true Kindness is active—it involves having tough conversations, advocating for others, and providing genuine feedback. She emphasizes the foundational role of self-kindness, explaining how personal care enables leaders to better support their teams. With over a decad...

In this episode, Nicole talks to Stina Borth. Stina shares her unique perspective on Kindness, defining it as the ability to see and honor the complexities within individuals. She emphasizes the significance of friendly interactions, generosity, and inclusivity. Stina encourages individuals to practice active listening through phrases such as "tell me more," which fosters deeper connections. Stina...

In this episode, Nicole talks to Alan Whitman. Alan discusses his perspective on Kindness, defining it as a genuine interest in another person's perspective and agency. He emphasizes that Kindness doesn't always mean being nice; sometimes it involves delivering hard truths that facilitate growth. Alan Whitman is an accomplished executive and influential leader renowned for his ability to i...

In this episode, Nicole talks to Josh McCumber. Josh delves into his unique perspective on Kindness, shaped by his early experiences and extensive career in the golf world. He explores the definition of Kindness through the lens of compassion and respect, emphasizing the importance of treating oneself and others with empathy. Josh McCumber is a professional golfer and coach with a notable backgrou...

In this episode, Nicole talks to Joyce Shen who highlights the importance of incorporating Kindness into our busy, digital lives, and explores the role it plays in the realm of technology and AI. Joyce defines Kindness as being generous, offering help, and lifting others up without judgment. Joyce Shen is a venture capital and private equity investor and business builder with deep expertise in eme...

Nicole speaks with Darrah about her perspective on Kindness and how it’s evolved throughout her life and career.   Darrah explores the multifaceted nature of Kindness and its essential role in communication and personal growth. She emphasizes that Kindness goes beyond mere niceness, embodying clarity, directness, and sincere intention. Darrah is a 5x founder, author, and coach dedicated to helping...

In this episode, Nicole talks to Quincy Castro. Quincy delves into his definition of Kindness, emphasizing its core as doing what is ethically and morally right, even when it involves difficult choices or hard truths. He underscores the importance of considering the broader impact of our actions on others and society at large. Quincy Castro is the Chief Information Security Officer at Redis, a lea...

In this episode, Nicole talks to Danielle Gopen who discusses her perspective on Kindness as a spectrum and discusses the importance of internal resources in fostering Kindness. She highlights how recognizing and addressing one’s own saboteurs is crucial for self-kindness and underscores the role of clear and direct communication in leadership as an expression of Kindness. Danielle Gopen is a dyna...

In this episode, Nicole talks to Matt Christopherson, who shares his perspective on Kindness, emphasizing the importance of compassion and empathy as fundamental tools of life. He shares inspiring instances from his journey, including the origin and goals of his latest initiative, Project 125, a project aimed at supporting athletes facing health adversities post-sport. He emphasizes the importance...

In this episode, Nicole talks to Amanda Felt. Amanda discusses her perspective on Kindness, linking it to emotional intelligence and describing it as the application of compassionate and considerate actions toward others and oneself. She delves into the framework of emotional intelligence, emphasizing self-knowledge and social knowledge, and the importance of understanding others' needs. Amand...

In this episode, Nicole talks to Gabby Lachance. Gabby shares profound insights from her journey, where overcoming burnout multiple times led her to dedicate her career to promoting wellness through strategic interventions and the 8 dimensions of wellness framework. She also shares inspiring instances from her life, such as her mentor’s support in starting her own business, and the critical role o...

In this episode, Nicole talks to Ashley Mosaic Dickenson. Ashley defines Kindness as a natural energy and a powerful force that connects all humans. Drawing from her personal journey as a highly empathetic individual, she shares how her sensitivity has been a gift, enabling genuine connections and simple acts of Kindness. She also shares impactful moments from her life, particularly her experience...

Nicole talks to Laura DuSchane who expresses her perspective on Kindness, highlighting its intrinsic value as the authentic and selfless act of benefiting others and oneself. She shares instances from her personal experiences, underscoring the profound impact of deep connections and genuine energy as powerful acts of Kindness.  Laura speaks to her personal journey of her transformational impact tr...

In this episode, Nicole talks to Brian Dendy. Brian explores the impact of Kindness in fostering opportunities and uplifting individuals' experiences through simple gestures and meaningful engagements. He also highlights how Kindness can transform careers and relationships, making work more enjoyable and productive. Brian Dendy is an accomplished musician with an extensive and diverse musical...

In this episode, Nicole talks to Jeff Stelmach. Jeff discusses how Kindness exists in a duality and how Kindness relates to the concept of niceness. He shares insightful perspectives on the difference between being nice and being kind, the significance of service-oriented leadership, and the importance of personal connections in the workplace. Jeff learned leadership skills from many experiences i...

In this episode, Nicole talks to Shilpa Gadhok. Shilpa discusses how she sees Kindness as a source of hope. Kindness is about recognizing our shared humanity and offering hope in challenging times. She shares how she integrates Kindness into organizational strategies, emphasizing the importance of values-led leadership and culture in achieving positive impacts. Shilpa Gadhok is an accomplished bra...

In this episode, Nicole talks to Ivan Pehar. Ivan discusses his perspective on Kindness, emphasizing its essence as an investment of time. He shares inspiring instances from his life where time was the greatest act of Kindness. Ivan Pehar is the Country Manager at Spotify Canada. With over two decades of experience in brand building, media innovation, and technology for some of the world's mos...

In this episode, Nicole talks to Reed McBride. Reed shares his unique perspective on Kindness as truth and authenticity, emphasizing the need for intellectual honesty in leadership. He discusses the power of having a Kind culture in attracting top talent and building successful companies. Reed McBride is the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Ecosystem at Carta. He is also an active earl...

In this episode, Nicole talks to Juan Solorzano. Juan shares how he believes Kindness starts with a mindset of opportunity and optimism. He speaks about how the role of Kindness has been integral to his leadership style. Juan Solorzano is the Vice President Head of People at Alianza Team, a multinational innovative food solutions company. With an expertise that spans Human Resources strategy and s...

In this episode, Nicole talks to NK Gutiérrez. NK discusses how a pivotal moment in her life demonstrated how humans have the capacity to express Kindness without self-imposed barriers; perpetuating a ripple effect of Kindness acts from her community and herself. NK is a multifaceted actor, filmmaker, and humanitarian. From her beginnings on prestigious platforms such as HBO Latino and The Oprah W...

In this episode, Nicole talks to Brittany Martin. Brittany shares how Kindness has been the foundational driving force behind the establishment of her organization and how she leverages its power to drive business outcomes. Brittany is the founder and Chief People & Culture Advisor at BeKindWorks INC. With a background in senior people leadership roles within Fortune 100 and Global Fortune 500...

In this episode, Nicole talks to Kyle Maloney. Kyle discusses how Kindness has influenced his decisions in the workplace, serving as a guiding principle throughout his career. Kyle is a Senior Account Executive at FullStack PEO. With nearly two decades of experience dedicated to promoting growth and development within high-value organizations, Kyle has facilitated change and cultivated thriving wo...